111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 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; Olivia Grupp, Services and Facilities Director; Phillip Davidson, Code Compliance Officer; Fabian Lizarraga, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
Public Communications
- Randi Dalton reported her concern of a walnut tree that may potentially be removed in her neighborhood. She would like a cease-and-desist order to be made to stop the owner of the property from removing the tree until further study can be made.
3. Public Matters
None presented
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. July 26, 2023.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Rodriguez/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (a).
Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Building Activity Report - June 2023.
b. Building Activity Report - July 2023.
c. Business License Report - July 2023.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Review and Accept by the City Council a Proposal by Terrain Landscape Architecture for Professional Services to Compose a Master Plan for the East Commercial Street Corridor.
Public Comment: Ragda Zacharia asked if these plans are tied in with the Blue Zones Plans. City Manager Bender responded that the East Commercial Street Corridor and the Blue Zones Plans are connected. Mayor Kanne explained that Blue Zones is helping the city with a Complete Streets Ordinance.
Moved By Strong/Seconded by Gonzales and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-49 to review and accept by the City Council a proposal by Terrain Landscape Architecture for professional services to compose a master plan for the East Commercial Street Corridor.
b. Review and Approval by the City Council of the IT Upgrade Project and the Supporting Appropriations Transfer of $181,000.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Rodriguez/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-50 to review and approve phase three of the IT Upgrade Project and the supporting appropriations transfer of $181,000.
Item 8c was presented later in the meeting after item 9b. c. Adopt a Resolution Approving a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Willits and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians Regarding Water Service Extension.
Public Comment: Robin Leler expressed her appreciation of the council for asking the hard questions and stated that we need to go through another winter before we decide on this. 1st Motion failed
Moved by Rodriguez no second to adopt a resolution approving a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Willits and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians Regarding Water Service Extension.
2nd Motion
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried 4/1, (with Stranske dissenting) to have the Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Willits and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians regarding Water Service Extensior tabled for a future meeting with hopes that the Sherwood Band of Pomo Indians will have a representative attend and answer questions.
d. Verbal Reports
• The City Hall roof project is starting on August 14th and is expected to be completed by September 15th.
• There will be a Public Meeting on Wednesday, August 16th at 6:00 pm at the Little Lake Fire Department, Willits Bicycle Safety Enhancement Project also known as the Caltrans Lane Diet.
Department Recommendations (Action Items)
Willits City Council Minutes of August 9, 2023 Page 2 of 4 a. Informational Discussion with City Council on Senate Bill 946 - Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (2019) and Senate Bill 972 - Enhancing Safety of Sidewalk Vending (January 2023).
Presenting staff member: Phillip Davidson, Code Compliance Officer.
Phillip Davidson, Code Compliance Officer gave a report and answered questions about the two Sidewalk Vendor Senate Bills.
Public Comment: None presented.
b. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Advertisement of the Steel Water Main Replacement Project (Project No. 2023-08/Brown Water Abatement).
Presenting staff member: Olivia Grupp, Services & Facilities Director.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved By Stranske/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-51 authorizing advertisement of the Steel Water Main Replacement, Project No. 2023-08.
10. Department Monthly Reports
Presented at the second meeting of each month.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong
• Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) - Meets on August 10, 2023.
" Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) - Meets on August 10, 2023
• Sonoma Clean Power
The Willits Library has a climate corner with many community resources and a kit for community members to do an energy audit of their own at home. Have provided over 1,000 projects with incentive funding for energy efficiency. They are expecting more funding to become available under the Inflation Reduction Act. PG&E is stopping the enhanced vegetation management program, they will now rely on a program called Fast Trip, this is when a PG&E line is under stress or vulnerable PG&E will depower the line, customers will receive no prior notice.
Councilmember Rodriguez
• Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) - Meets on August 14, 2023. • Land use Element - The collaboration at the meeting stood out for Councilmember Rodriguez. She appreciated all that attended the Land Use Element meeting and the collaboration that was happening during the meeting.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• League of California Cities/Redwood Empire Division - Meets on August 18, 2023. • Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo)
Approved contract for General Legal Counsel, Marcia Burch.
Approved an on call special legal services with Sloan Sakai Yeung & Wong LLP and conflict counsel. Vice Mayor Gonzalez may attend the Cal Lafco Conference in October.
Mayor Kanne
Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - Meets on August 14, 2023. • Mendocino County Museum
• The Free Bulk Item Waste Day that took place at the Willits Solid Waste Transfer Station this past Sunday served 486 customers, 171 were City residents. It was a successful event, full tire capacity was reached shortly after 10:00 a.m. Community Willits City Council Minutes of August 9, 2023 Page 3 of 4 members reported that although the lines were long, they were well organized, and the lines moved. Mayor Kanne would like the next time the contract with Solid Waste of Willits is reviewed that there are more events like this in the future for city residents.
Brian added his appreciation to Davey Bowles, Building Official, for his contributions in coordinating this event with Solid Waste of Willits.
Mayor Kanne asked that City Manager Bender write a letter to the Board of Supervisors expressing the need for more such events like the Bulk Item Waste Day throughout the county. This request was supported by all council members.
Councilmember Strong reported that Mendocino County Social Services will be holding a forum on Homelessness issues in the County. She expressed concern that Willits does not receive a lot of the resources from the County, most of the resources go to Ukiah and Fort Bragg. She would like the council to have more attend the forum to express the need in Willits for more services.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
None presented.
13. Closed Session Notice
None presented.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Kanne declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Inta Kanne
GRETA KANNE, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Delores filersen
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of August 9, 2023 Page 4 of 4