111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 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; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; James Conner, Interim Police Chief; Michelle Coleman, Office Assistant III; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
City Clerk Pedersen reported that the closed session item: Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation (Govt C §54956.9 (d)(1)), Natalie Higley v. City of Willits, et al, Mendocino County Superior Court, case no: 23CV00498, would be postponed to the October 11th meeting.
2. Public Communications
None presented.
3. Public Matters
None presented
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. September 13, 2023.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/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. Business License Activity Report - August 2023.
b. Building Activity Report - August 2023.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. To approve a proposal to retain EBA Engineering for Hydrologic Services to conduct limited arsenic soil and groundwater study.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-58 to retain EBA Engineering for hydrogeologic services to conduct a limited arsenic soil and groundwater study.
b. Introduction of Walter Kolon as the new Services and Facilities Director.
City Manager Bender introduced Walter Kolon as the new Services and Facilities Director, he has brought extensive knowledge of construction practices and management as well as project management. Services and Facilities Director Kolon was able to get the W. Mendocino Project Phase I up and running and eased the rough spots that were encountered during the beginning of the project.
Councilmember Rodriguez asked questions regarding the timing of the Project taking place while school was in session. Can we share with the community what changes may have happened. Services and Facilities Director Kolon reported that Argonaut Constructors have shifted the starting point of the construction to lessen the impact, hoping this will give the school the opportunity to understand the traffic patterns. The City and Contractor will be keeping the community informed with updates via Social Media and Website Posting.
c. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. Options to encourage and/or assist property owners to replace aging water supply lines to lessen brown water occurrences.
• City Manager Bender reported that the City would like to put together a program to assist property owners in replacing aging water lines on their properties.
Council member Rodrigues would like to see the City come up with a plan for residents to receive bottled water during brown water incidents.
Mayor Kanne asked if there could be an external audit of the water distribution system? Councilmember Rodriguez inquired if the water is being tested when it is brown, is it safe for use. Vice Mayor Gonzalez stated that when he attended the League of California Cities Conference the previous week, he learned that other cities are experiencing the same issues as we are.
This Saturday, September 30, 2023, is the Harvest Moon Festival, the Community Development Department and the Police Department will have booths at the event.
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Adopt a Resolution Awarding a Contract to DMR Builders, for Rodeo Grounds Bathroom and Concession Stand Repair Project 2023-06, for a total amount not to exceed of $248,848.00 and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Documents and Change Orders up to 10-Percent of the Total Amount of Construction.
Presenting staff member: Davey Bowles, Building Official.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-59 awarding a contract to DMR Builders for the Rodeo Willits City Council Minutes of September 27, 2023 Page 2 of 5 Grounds Bathroom and Concession Stand Repair Project No. 2023-06 for a total amount not to exceed of $248,848.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute contract documents and change orders up to 10-percent of the total cumulative amount of construction.
b. Discussion and Possible Action on the Caltrans Proposed Willits Main Street Safety Enhancement Project.
Presenting staff member: Dusty Duley, Community Development Director Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Rodriguez/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-60 acknowledging lack of support for the Caltrans proposed Willits Safety Enhancement Project on State Highway 20/South Main Street. c. Adopt a Resolution Approving a Contract with Avenu Insights & Analytics to Provide Compliance Auditing and Facilitate the Collection of Business License Renewal Services.
Presenting staff member: Manuel J. Orozco, Finance Director Public Comment: A community member suggested that the city add water bill/sewer bills and other outstanding bills to the Avenu Services.
Moved by Rodriguez/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried 4/1 with Stranske Dissenting to adopt Resolution No. 2023-61 authorizing the contract with Avenu Insights & Analytics to provide collection and compliance auditing services for business license fees with the following conditions, Staff provide opportunities for training for business owners on using the Avenu Program, and mail step by step instructions of how to use the Avenu Program to business owners.
10. Department Monthly Reports
a. Airport
• Assistant City Manager Moorhead reported that the fuel station is up and running after being down for 10 months. She thanked the airport tenants for their patience during this time.
b. Community Development Department
• Community Development Director Duley stated that he feels blessed to work with those in the Community Development department. He reported that Taylor Perry has been promoted to Senior City Planner.
• Davey Bowles recently attained his Code Compliance Officer Certification. • If the City is successful in receiving the Clean California Grant, there are plans for a banner location at the corner of Wood St. as well as streetlights to augment the existing lighting on Main Street. There are hopes that an announcement will come out on Friday as to the Grant Award Recipient.
• Councilmember Stranske asked what the cost of the trail is estimated to be? Community Development Director Duley responded the cost is estimated to be over seven million dollars and an additional five hundred thousand being paid for mitigation.
Councilmember Rodriguez asked when citizens will be able to apply for the Grant loans to help fix their homes and if they utilize the loans when and how do they pay it back. Community Development Director Duley responded the City is working with consultants to get program details together to present to council for approval. The program should be up and running by July 2024.
Willits City Council Minutes of September 27, 2023 Page 3 of 5 Finance
• Councilmember Stranske asked if the City will be recouping some of the costs of the Landfill from the County of Mendocino. Finance Director Orozco stated that he is sending a letter of transmittal to the County regarding the financial commitment they have to the city for the Landfill.
d. Police Department
• Chief Conner reported that recruitment efforts are paying off, one of the existing senior officers has completed the field training program, this will allow him to continue the training of the two police officer trainees currently on staff. There are some excellent candidates to potentially fill some vacancies the department currently has.
e. Services and Facilities - No further comments.
f. Utilities - No further comments.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong
Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) - Struggling with transition of not being under the Brown Act rules and will not have two District Supervisors official representatives. Bylaws are having to be changed and adjustments to handling a quorum are being made. Councilmember Strong had to leave the meeting early so she was unsure of what adjustments were made.
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) - Council member Strong has requested written reports from contractor that is handling services and an update to a realistic budget. She is hoping these requests will happen before the next meeting.
Sonoma Clean Power - Will meet October 5'.
Councilmember Rodriguez
Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) - Conversation was exclusively around the topic of the Transit Center and the possibility of changing the name to a Mobility Center, to eliminate the focus of buses being the only mode of transportation. Would like to create a hub in Mendocino County so that, whether you are riding a bike or doing car share, it could be utilized by all. The majority of the board went with consultants' recommendation to apply for a grant based on the selected site, just north of Kohl's.
Councilmember Stranske
• Willits Frontier Days Ad Hoc Advisory Committee - Will meet on September 28th.
Councilmember Gonzalez
League of California Cities/Redwood Empire Division - Councilmember Gonzalez is now the 1s' Vice President of the Redwood Empire Division. Leslie Castiano, of Eureka, is now the President of the Division.
• Water/Wastewater Committee - Meets on October 17, 2023.
Mayor Kanne
Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - Meets October 2, 2023.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
Councilmember Strong reported that on October 8th Willits Economic LocaLization (WELL) is having the 5th in their series on Building Community, the topic is Farm to School Grant Opportunities. A representative from the California Department of Food and Agriculture will be the guest speaker. They have sixty million dollars to distribute statewide for any program that improves the quality of food for students. The event will Willits City Council Minutes of September 27, 2023 Page 4 of 5 be at the Little Lake Grange at 4:00 pm, there will also be a Blue Zones cooking demonstration at 3:00 pm on the same day.
October 16" at 5:00 pm the School of Adaptive Agriculture will be having their Harvest Dinner and Anniversary Celebration at the Little Lake Grange.
Councilmember Rodriguez Expressed her excitement about J&J Pumpkin Patch in the community.
Adjourned to Closed Session at 8:29 p.m.
13. Closed Session Notice
Pursuant to Government Code §54957 - Public Employee (Annual) Performance Evaluation - City Manager
The City Council reconvened to open session at 9:55 p.m. with no action to report from Closed Session.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Kanne declared the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Ode Kanne
GRETA KANNE, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Detres Pederse
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of September 27, 2023 Page 5 of 5