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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 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.
Mayor Kanne offered condolences to the City of Fort Bragg for the loss of their City Clerk, June Lemos.
Also present were staff members: Brian Bender, City Manager; Cathy Moorhead, Assistant City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Taylor Perry, City Planner; James Conner, Interim Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
• A resident that lives on North Street expressed his concerns about public safety issues at a home in his neighborhood. Councilmember Gonzalez suggested that he contact the Code Enforcement Department.
3. Public Matters
a. Update - Mendocino County Third District Supervisor John Haschak. • Mendocino County Board of Supervisors decided to move forward with the emergency access route for Brooktrails. This will go out for a vote in the next few months. If it passes the cost will be $30 annual assessment for each developed parcel. • Mendocino County Sheriffs has had three deputies leave to go to other law enforcement agencies over the last two weeks.
* There are plans for a new wing to be built at the Mendocino County Jail, this is expected to cost forty-four million dollars to build. The County is responsible for nineteen million dollars and the State of California will cover the remaining twenty-five million dollars. • The Rotary Club will have Doctor Jenine Miller, Chair of the Measure B Committee, run the program at the next Rotary Club Meeting on October 12, 2023. b. Little Lake Fire Protection District - Update is available in the agenda packet.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. September 27, 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. a. None presented
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations+
a. To approve Amendment #1 to the on-call Engineering Services Contract with SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists including a sustaining budget increase of $161,623.07.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved By Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and Carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-62 to approve Amendment #1 to the on-call engineering services contract with SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists including a sustaining budget increase of $161,623.07.
o. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. Announcement of the E. Commercial Street Corridor Master Plan, Open House - October 18th there will be two sessions 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Center.
ii. Harvest Moon Celebration observations - Taylor Perry, Senior Planner.
Taylor Perry presented a brief update of the City's successful involvement at the Harvest Moon Celebration.
ili. Update - West Mendocino Rehabilitation Phase I Project.
The project is going smoothly, Argonaut Construction has been very accommodating to the concerns expressed by the Willits Unified School District and the residents in the area. The city has been diligent in posting information on Facebook to update the community. The construction schedule has been altered to include Saturday work to reduce the pressure in the school transportation patterns, which prolongs the schedule by two weeks. Tall Tree Engineering has been providing construction oversight, coordinating between Argonaut and Laco. Tall Tree Engineering has been providing exceptional service to the City.
Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Update on the Revised Personnel, Policies and Procedures Manual that Establishes Guidelines for all City of Willits Employees to follow as a Condition of Employment.
Presenting Staff Member: Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager.
Item 9a was postponed to the next City Council meeting to allow LCW to attend.
Public Comment: None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of October 11, 2023. Page 2 of 4
10. Department Monthly Reports
None presented.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong
Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) - Meets October 12, 2023.
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) - Attempting a Special Meeting in early November.
Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) - Received an hours' worth of Public Comment regarding Sonoma Clean Powers use of Biomass as a way to even out the load problems. The financial picture for SCP is very good. Looking at ways to reduce the rate of the electric that is paid by the rate payers. Easy Rewards is a program available to customers that reduces their energy use during peak hours. Customers can sign up on the SCP website.
Councilmember Rodriguez
Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) - There was a report on the study of unmet needs in the County. With the funding source of the Local Transportation Fund (LTF), MTA is looking into a pilot program to be able to offer services to Covelo, Brooktrails and possibly Laytonville. The state has given mandates to go to zero emissions, with the LTF money they may be able to get three new cutaways.
Councilmember Stranske
• Thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the Harvest Moon Celebration, and the Willits PD for being present.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• Water/Wastewater Committee - Meets October 17, 2023.
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Conference starting on October Mayor Kanne
Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - Discussed the MTA Budget. They were able to use the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) reserve funds to cover the six hundred-thousand-dollar shortfall. The County will have uninterrupted bus service.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
• Councilmember Strong - WELL sponsored their next series in their Building Communities Program, Farm to School.
School of Adaptive Agriculture is hosting the Harvest Dinner on Monday October 16, 2023. Tickets may be purchased on their website.
• Saprina Rodriguez - If there is anyone with a need for winter clothing for children, please reach out to her.
• Councilmember Gonzalez - The High School Football game is at Willits High School Friday, October 13.
• Dusty Duley - announced that the City of Willits was awarded the Clean California Local Grant.
Adjourned to Closed Session at 7:30 p.m.
13. Closed Session Notice
Willits City Council Minutes of October 11, 2023. Page 3 of 4 a. 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.
That no recil gave ed to on to Legal out 8:12 p.m, reporting out from Closed Session
14. Adjournment
Mayor Kanne declared the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Gutta Karke
GRETA KANNE, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Detres Pedes
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of October 11, 2023. Page 4 of 4