111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 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; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager, James Conner, Interim Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
Community members expressed their concerns about the Alley Abandonment Process and a neighbors' intent of taking possession of the alley behind the homes on W. Oak Street.
3. Public Matters
a. Updates from - Mendocino County Third District Supervisor John Haschak • Update on the County Deficit. This year the County had to utilize seven million dollars in one-time only funds to balance their budget and it is expected that next year they would need ten million dollars, they have been looking for alternate ways to avoid this. One way to attempting to shrink the footprint of the County's buildings because the County has not been able to maintain them as well as they should be. The County is also exploring the option of possibly renting some of their buildings for events, one being the Veteran's Hall in Willits. The County has moved the Cannabis Department from the Willits Justice Center back to Ukiah because it is more efficient. The Justice Center will now have the County Probation Department and Social Services using some of the space upstairs. Councilmember Rodriguez asked if the County is interested in selling the Justice Center? To Councilmember Rodriguez, District Supervisor Haschak responded that he does believe there has been conversations between the County Executive Office and the Willits City Manager. Mayor Kanne asked if the County was looking to do the same with the Mendocino County Museum? Supervisor Haschak stated that they are looking for someone that would manage the building.
The Mendocino County Board passed a proclamation at their meeting on September 12, 2023, recognizing September 23d as Nicole Mann Day. Nicole Mann is from Covelo and is the first Native American Astronaut.
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. August 23, 2023.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske 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.
None presented.
Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Adopt a Resolution Approving a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City of Willits and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians Regarding Water Service Extension.
Public Comment: Community members expressed their concerns over the possible approval of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried 4/1, with Stranske dissenting, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-55 to approve a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Willits and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians Regarding Water Service Extension authorizing the City Manager to sign said Memorandum of Understanding with the following condition that we limit the usage to housing and park development - no commercial developments. b. Introduction of James Conner as the Interim Chief of Police.
Interim Police Chief Conner expressed his excitement for coming to serve the City of Willits and help the Willits Police Department. His goal is to build a department that is more resilient.
C. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. Harvest Moon Celebration Main Street Closure Update. • City Manager Bender stated that the Harvest Moon Celebration on September 30, 2023, the section of Main Street, from Wood Street to Commercial Street, will be closed to traffic. MTA has been notified of the event. Arrangements have been made to address trash collection after the event, and the city is assisting with detours and additional signage.
Public Comment: Robert Smith expressed concerns about his wedding being held at the Grange at the same time as the Hometown Celebration and his guest being able to get to the Grange. City Manager Bender directed him to be in touch with Community Development Director Duley and that accommodations would be made if necessary.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Adopt a Resolution to Approve an Amendment to the Agreement with Springbrook Software to Acquire an Enhancement to the Springbrook System Allowing Bill Payment and Additional Utility Billing Function.
Presenting Staff Member: Manuel Orozco, Finance Director.
Willits City Council Minutes of September 13, 2023 Page 2 of 4 Public Comment: Community member Mark Walker expressed concerns of spending unnecessary money and for the city to stay focused on getting out of debt. Amy Grooms is against customers having to pay a fee to pay their water bills online.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-56 approving the addition of the utility billing module to the existing Springbrook software to support the City's information management for utility billing.
b. Discussion and Possible Action on the Caltrans Proposed Willits Main Street Safety Enhancement Project.
Presenting Staff Member: Dusty Duley, Community Development Director. • Community Development Director Duley reported that Caltrans is looking to redistribute the funds to another project elsewhere in District 1.
Public Comment: Community members expressed their interest in being involved in the solutions to help make Main Street safer and to help with the bottleneck at Safeway. c. Revisiting City Adopted Plans: A Presentation and Summary of the Main Street Corridor Enhancement Plan, adopted by City Council in 2017.
Presenting Staff Member: Dusty Duley, Community Development Director. = Community Development Director Duley presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Main Street Corridor Enhancement Plan.
Public Comment: Members of the community spoke in support of and against the Plan as it was presented. Nephele Barrett, Chair of Mendocino Council of Governments wanted people to understand how the planning process works and how much time goes into implementing a project.
d. Adopt a Resolution to approve a Revised Personnel, Policies and Procedures Manual that establishes guidelines for all City of Willits Employees to follow as a condition of employment, effective September 14, 2023.
Presenting Staff Member: Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager.
Public Comment: Community members expressed concerns over the manual.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzlez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-57 approving the Revised Personnel, Policies and Procedures Manual with the condition that within thirty days, the Council will revisit it with any possible changes.
10. Department Monthly Reports
None presented
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong
Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC)- Meeting on September 14, 2023.
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) - Meeting on September 14, 2023. November 3 - 4 Haz mobile will be in Willits.
Willits City Council Minutes of September 13, 2023 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Rodriguez
• Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA)- Discussed concerns over the shortfall of funds from the County of Mendocino. Received a presentation on potential sites for the Transit Center location.
• Councilmember Rodriguez wanted to announce that she is happy to hear that the Harvest Moon Festival is happening and is excited with the community spirit.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• League of California Cities/Redwood Empire Division - Will be attending the League of California Cities Conference September 20 - 22. • Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Item discussed was City of Ukiah annexation of city owned properties.
Mayor Kanne
• Mendocino County Museum - The museum curator, Karen Mattson, just completed her master's degree in museum sciences. Museum Director, Deb Samson, is resigning. The board agreed to move forward on the creation of a land acknowledgement.
• Measure K- Received good feedback from committee members on how the funds will be expended.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
• Mayor Kanne mentioned the Roots of Motive Power was a great event and that over 400 people attended the barbeque at the event.
Councilmember Strong requested that a closed session be held at the next City Council Meeting for review and assessment regarding comments received from POA at the City Council meeting of August 23, 2023. Councilmember Rodriguez supported the request.
13. Closed Session Notice
None.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Kanne declared the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
GRETA KANNE, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Delcres Pedeser
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of September 13, 2023 Page 4 of 4