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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023
Vice Mayor Gonzalez called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:31 p.m., in Council Chambers. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Madge Strong, Larry Stranske, Saprina Rodriguez, and Vice Mayor Gerardo Gonzalez were present.
Also present were staff members: Brian Bender, City Manager; Cathy Moorhead, Assistant City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Scott Herman, Public Works Director; Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Analysist; Taylor Perry, City Planner; Fabian Lizarraga, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
• Vice Mayor Gonzalez Presented Ruthanne Volz with a Check for $10,000 for the Food • Ms. Volz reported that the Food Bank helps 1000 families in the Willits area. Ms. Volz expressed her appreciation to the City and the Council for the donation.
3. Public Matters
a. Noticed Public Hearing - Conduct Annual Review of Rates and Charges for Various City Services and Adopt a Resolution Approving Changes in Certain City Fees and Charges, Effective April 1, 2023.
Presenting Staff Member: Manuel Orozco, Finance Director Councilmembers Stranske and Strong asked for more clarification on items in the Fee Schedule.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong to Adopt a Resolution Approving City Fees and Charges Effective April 1, 2023.
(Motion fails 2/1, with Stranske dissenting and Rodriguez abstaining) Council directed staff to make corrections to the fee schedule and bring back at a future meeting.
Enactment of Ordinances
a. Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt an Ordinance and Waive the Second Reading to Amend Title 12 of the Willits Municipal Code, Adding Chapter 12.10, Entitled To Approve or Deny Abandonments of City Right-of-Way.
Presenting Staff Member: Brian Bender, City Manager
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried 4/0, with Kanne absent to waive the second reading and Adopt Ordinance 2021-01 Amending Title 12 of the Willits Municipal Code, Adding Chapter 12.10, Entitled To Approve or Deny Abandonments of City Right-Of-Way.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. February 22, 2023.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Strong and carried 3/1- with Rodriguez abstaining and Mayor Kanne absent to approve Consent Calendar items) (a).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Business License Activity for February 2023.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Adopt a Resolution Opposing Initiative 21-0042A1, The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried 4/0, with Kanne absent to Adopt Resolution No. 2023-13 Opposing Initiative 21-0042a1, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act.
b. Discussion and Possible Approval of a Reorganization of Public Works/Engineering into The Services & Facilities Department.
Public Comment:
• Ragda Zacharia questioned the need for the Department Reorganization. • City Manager Bender responded to Ms. Zacharia's question that the city is looking to reposition staff within the organization to utilize their unique skills and take away the responsibilities that were dropped into their area of concern.
Moved by Rodriguez/Seconded by Strong and carried 3/1, with Strankse dissenting an Kanne Absent, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-14 Authorizing the City Manager to Reorganize Public Works/Engineering into the Services & Facilities Department. c. Verbal Reports
• City Manager Bender announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at City Hall until Sunday, March 12, 2023. Mr. Bender encouraged the community to come to City Hall if they have damage to their property due to the storms that we had starting on December 27, 2022 through January 31, 2023, FEMA is here to assist them.
Willits City Council Minutes of March 8, 2023 Page 2 of 4
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
Item 9a was moved and presented earlier in the meeting after Monthly Activity Reports.
a. Discussion And Possible Adoption of a Resolution Approving Conditional Use Permit Application #U-21-01 for an Accessory Caretakers Unit at an Existing Storage Facility Located at 325 Robert Drive Owned by Mr. Curtis Lyon.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Rodriguez/Seconded by Stranske and carried 4/0, with Kanne Absent, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-12 Approving a Conditional Use Permit No. U-21-01 to Allow Construction of a Single-Family Residence (Caretaker Unit) at 325 Robert Drive (Apn 006-200-12).
b. Approve a New Description for a Senior City Planner for Placement in the Community Development Department, Effective March 9, 2023.
Presenting Staff Member; Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager Public Comment: None presented.
Vloved by Rodriguez/Seconded by Strong and carried 3/1, with Stranske dissenting and Kanne absent, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-15 Approving a Senior City Plannel Job Description and Corresponding Salary Range.
c. Economic Report for the City of Willits.
Presenting Staff Member - Manuel Orozco, Finance Director Finance Director Orozco presented a Power Point Presentation outlining the Economic Report.
Public Comment: None presented.
10. Department Monthly Reports
None presented.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong -
• Sonoma Clean Power met and reported that PG&E has a replacement program for the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) (Fast Stop?) but are not letting their customers know what criteria enacts it. It happens instantly with no warning. Sonoma Clean Power is trying to not have this happen. Sonoma Clean Power wants transparency of what PG&E's policies are and how the policies affect the customers.
Sonoma Clean Power is contracting with three companies to develop Geothermal energy.
• The PUC approved rate changes for solar installation and the payback that they receive for the excess power they produce going back into the grid. This payback will be cut back substantially after April 15, 2023, if anyone is having solar installed and has their paperwork done, they would receive the old rate, so get your applications in.
• Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) meets March 9, 2023.
Willits City Council Minutes of March 8, 2023 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Rodriguez -
Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) - Local bus was down for only 6 hours during the winter storm for safety reasons. The Senior Center Bus was down for 2-3 days.
Councilmember Gonzalez -
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Discussed remote meeting policy.
Alternates can join remotely but cannot participate. Held Public hearing of an Out of Agency Service Agreement with the City of Ukiah and the Sanitation District.
Mayor Kanne (Via City Manager Bender) -
The Willits Veterans Hall is being used as a warming center Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
Good & Welfare
- Councilmember Strong reported that the Museum is holding a workshop about Cannabis Willits Senior Center. There will be focus groups on housing, health, local food, and agriculture, supporting the business community and youth/senior support services.
13. Closed Session Notice
None.
14. Adjournment
Vice Mayor Gonzalez declared the meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
GERARDO GONZALEZ, Vice Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Delores Peelerou
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of March 8, 2023 Page 4 of 4