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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2023
Mayor Kanne called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:30 p.m., in Council Chambers. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Madge Strong, Larry Stranske, Saprina Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Gerardo Gonzalez and Mayor Greta Kanne 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; Kenan O'Shea, Public Works Superintendent; Taylor Perry, City Planner; Fabian Lizarraga, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
• None presented.
3. Public Matters
a. Presentation of a Proclamation - National Police Week Mayor Kanne read the proclamation for the record and presented it to Police Chief Lizarraga Recognizing May 14-20, 2023, as National Police Week. b Updates from - Mendocino County Third District Supervisor John Haschak. • With the decline in Sales Tax, Cannabis Tax and Property Taxes being flat the County is facing a three-million-dollar deficit, they plan to balance the budget in June. Keeping the Museum open is his priority.
• During the Board of Supervisors meeting, held May 9, 2023, Supervisor Haschak wanted to make sure that the board is committed to making sure that the Measure P money (¼ cent sales tax) goes to the Fire Departments and Fire Safety Programs in the county and not use any of it to close any budget gaps the county might have. The rest of the board of supervisors agreed with this proposal. Funds from Measures D & E, the private campground transient occupancy tax, the Board of Supervisors is also committed to giving these funds to the fire departments as well.
• The Willits Library's new roof and solar panels are slated to be put on in the summer of 2024.
• Councilmember Rodriguez asked if there was any update on the tourism tax? Supervisor Haschak reported that Visit Mendocino is not going for an increase tax this year. He will keep the council updated.
• Mayor Kanne asked that the County rethink the repair of the library roof sooner, she expressed the concern of Wilits residents over the leaks inside the library and they are worried about the book collection.
• Councilmember Rodriguez asked for an update on the status of the funds that were allocated for water storage tanks in the Fort Bragg and Mendocino area.
Supervisor Haschak responded that Fort Bragg received an eight-million-dollar grant to redo the pipes that bring water in from the Noyo River, they are also working on a couple new reservoirs. They also received a grant to do desalination of water from the ocean.
The town of Mendocino received a five-million-dollar grant to install new water storage tanks.
Both Councilmember Rodriguez and Strong asked that Supervisor Haschak to keep the Council updated on the status of these projects and that the funds not be diverted from their intended purpose.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. April 26, 2023.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously 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. Building Activity Report - April 2023.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Transfer of Funds from Park Fund 450 to an Expenditure Account for the Purpose of Making Necessary Repairs to Damage Infrastructure at the Rodeo Grounds and Recreation Grove Properties. [General discussion relating to the repair project.] Presenting Staff Member: Kenan O'Shea, Public Works Superintendent.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved By Stranske/Seconded by Rodriguez and Carried Unanimously to Adopt Resolution No. 2023-30 Approving Creation of an Expenditure Account to Covel Services, Materials, Rentals, and Labor Related to the Costs of Restoring the Facilities Damaged at the Recreation Grove and Rodeo Grounds ay a Fallen Tree in a December 27th Storm Event.
b. Art in Public Spaces Committee appointments.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved By Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and Carried Unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-31 appointing Judy Fisch, Margaret Guhde, Gary Martin and Dan Miller to the Art in Public Spaces Committee.
c. Approve a New Position for Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Administrator for Placement in the Newly Configured Services & Facilities Department and Approve a Budget Revision to Include the Position and Job Title, Effective May 11, 2023.
Public Comment: None presented
Willits City Council Minutes of May 10, 2023 Page 2 of 4 Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried 4/1 with Stranske dissenting to adopt Resolution No. 2023-32 Approving a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Administrator Job Description for Placement in the Newly Configured Services & Facilities Department and Corresponding Salary Range.
d. Receive Staff Comments and Consider Introducing by Title Only and Waiving the First Reading of an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 8.24 of the City of Willits Municipal Code with Chapter 8.26 Regarding Licensure of Tobacco Retailers.
Public Comment: Representatives and supporters of the Mendocino County Tobacco Coalition spoke in support of the revised Licensing of Tobacco Retailers Ordinance.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried Unanimously to Approve the Introduction of an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 8.24 of the City of Willits Municipal Code with Chapter 8.26 Regarding Licensure of Tobacco Retailers. e. Verbal Reports
Frontier Days Grounds update.
Demolition and rebuilding of a temporary roof on the Margarita Shack is underway.
Bleacher repair has started incrementally and should fully start the week of May 15, 2023. Willits Frontier Days Board secured their own vendor for Portable Restrooms, the city will seek reimbursement of $18,840 towards the Portable Restrooms cost. • The city will hold an East Commercial Street Corridor Forum May 18, 2023, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, in the Community Center.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be returning to the Community Center, Monday, May 15, 2023 through June 2, 2023, to open another Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for those effected by the unprecedented snow storms this past winter.
Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Presenting staff member: Taylor Perry, City Planner.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-33 approving the 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report. b. City of Willits General Plan Land Use Element Update Presentation by Planwest Partners, Inc.
Presenting staff member: Dusty Duley, Community Development Director.
John Miller of Planwest Partners Inc gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Planning effort of the Land Use Policy Areas.
Public Comment: Community members spoke in favor of the General Plan Land Use Element update.
c. Increase Appropriations to Facilitate the Transfer of Funds to Cover the Costs of the Airport Security Fence Project Totaling in The Amount Of $42,000 Presenting staff member: Kenan O'Shea, Public Works Superintendent.
Willits City Council Minutes of May 10, 2023 Page 3 of 4 Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and Carried Unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-34 to Transfer Funds for the Construction of a Security Fence Along the Northwestern Lot Line of the Airport Property. d. Discussion and Possible Action to Introduce and Waive the First Reading of Inclusion of County Ordinance, Title 10 Regulating Animal Control into the Willits Municipal Code (the Action Repeals Chapter 6.10 of the Willits Municipal Code).
Presenting staff member: Fabian Lizarraga, Police Chief.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried Unanimously to approve the Introduction of an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 6.10 of the City of Willits Municipal Code with County of Mendocino Ordinance, Title 10 Regulating Animal Control.
Public Comment: None presented
10. Department Monthly Reports (Only the second meeting of each month).
None presented.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports None presented.
Public Comment: None presented.
12. Good & Welfare
• Councilmember Rodriguez announced the first Measure K meeting was held earlier that day.
• Jim Lance Reported that his first granddaughter was born three days ago, lla Ann Lance.
13. Closed Session Notice
None Presented
14. Adjournment
Mayor Kanne declared the meeting adjourned at 10:16 p.m.
Sita Kenne
GRETA KANNE, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Delores Peders
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of May 10, 2023 Page 4 of 4