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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, NoVEMBER 8, 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; Walter Kolon, Services & Facilities Director; Davey Bowles, Public Works Director; Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Analysist; Taylor Perry, City Planner; James Conner, Interim Police Chief; Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner; Michelle Coleman, Office Assistant Ill and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
• Raghda Zachariah expressed concerns about storm water drainage on School Street and Catherine Lane. Ms. Zachariah asked to have the matter placed on a future City Council Meeting Agenda. Councilmember Rodriguez suggested Ms. Zachariah come to the transportation committee meeting on November 30 at 9:00 am.
Virginia Stranske expressed concerns about speed and vehicles on Pine, Redwood, and Maple Streets.
Nici Caldwell expressed concerns about the lack of street lighting on Magnolia and Hazel Streets.
• Council Member Rodriguez spoke during Public Communication as a concerned citizen about mental health. Ms. Rodriguez shared the Mental Health Help Line phone number, 988, to reach one of the 12 crisis centers in California, they are there to speak with those that call and talk them through a crisis.
Public Matters
a. Presentation of a Proclamation - Recognizing Edith Recagno Keenan Ceccarelli Oldest Living Person in California History.
Mayor Kanne read the Proclamation Recognizing Edith Recagno Keenan Ceccarelli as the Oldest Living Person in California History and presented the Proclamation to Ms.
Ceccarelli's cousins, Lee & Chuck Persico.
Public Comment: None presented.
b. Presentation of a Proclamation - Recognizing November 2023 as Native American Heritage Month.
Mayor Kanne read the Proclamation Recognizing November 2023 as Native American Heritage Month and presented the Proclamation to Tina Sutherland, Karen Shepherd, and Donna Whipple of the Sherwood Band of Pomo Indians.
Public Comment: Tina Southerland thanked the Council and City of Willits, on behalf of the Sherwood Band of Pomo Indians, for the recognition.
c. Introduction by title only of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 17.59 Model Water Efficient Landscape to Title 17 (Zoning) of the City of Willits Municipal Code Ensuring that the Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Applicable Landscapes in the City meets State Requirements.
Presenting staff member: Phillip Davidson, Code Compliance Officer.
Phillip Davidson, Code Compliance Officer, presented the council with a PowerPoint presentation on the Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve introduction, by title only, of an Ordinance adding Chapter 17.59 of Title 17 (Zoning), Model Water Efficient Landscape, and schedule a second reading and adoption at the next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, on December 13, 2023.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
a. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 8.10 Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction, to Title 8 (Health and Safety) of the City of Willits Municipal Code.
Presenting staff member: Taylor Perry, City Planner.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to waive the second reading and Adopt Ordinance 2023-04 Adding Chapter 8.10 of Title 8 (Health and Safety), Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. October 25, 2023.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez 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 - October 2023.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. Announcement by the Willits High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) of their holiday event for Snider Park.
Members of the Willits High FFA gave a presentation for the 1st annual "Light up the ark with Willits FFA" the cost is $125 to sponsor a tree, each business/family that sponsors a tree will be able to decorate it for the Light up the Park with Willits FF/ event on December 9th at 7:00 pm. There will be Music, Vendors and Activities in Willits City Council Minutes of November 8, 2023 Page 2 of 6 Bud Snider Park for the community to come and enjoy. The trees will be removed on January 1st, those that sponsor a tree must have them undecorated by this date.
Councilmembers and Community Members spoke in support of the event. ii. Community December events (planned).
City Manager Bender reported the following list of events within the City during the Holiday Season:
• December 1st - "Christmas in the Park." Being put on by Calvary Chaple Church. Starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m.
• December 2nd - the Christmas Holiday Express at Roots of Motive Power. A Christmas Party features Santa arriving on a steam locomotive. Trees, trains, singing, carolers, and refreshments. Photos with Santa will be available.
• The whole month of December the Skunk Trail will have the Christmas Tree Train Ride.
• November 25th - will be the Shop Local event in downtown Willits. • November 16th - there will be a follow up Pizza Social Forum at Baechtel Grove Middle School, on the E. Commercial Street Project. The City invites feedback from the youth and parents that use the parks. • December gth - Possible 2rd Annual Willits Truckers Light parade. • December 15th or 16th - will be the Staff Holiday Party. • December 5' - Mendocino College class combined with choir class from Ukiah will be giving a concert at Willits high School.
• December 6" - the Willits Song Circle will be hosting a sing along at the Methodist Church in Willits.
• December 10th - at JD Redhouse, Photos with Santa.
• December 9th - at Imagination Station Toy Depot, Photos with the Grinch.
City Manager Bender reported that the city will be placing a Christmas Tree at Babcock Park for the Holiday Season. Mr. Bender introduced Michelle Coleman, Office Assistant III, she will be back up to Delores Pedersen, City Clerk if she is absent from City Council meetings. Mr. Bender also announced that Davey Bowles has received his full certifications for responsibilities related to building inspection, code review and plan review.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Resolution Authorizing Grant Application(s) for the Senate Bill (SB) 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program.
Presenting staff member: Taylor Perry, City Planner.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-63 authorizing submittal of application for all CalRecyle Grants for which the City of Willits is eligible.
b. Prospective Sidewalk Ordinance Amendments Informational Discussion for Amendments to Chapter 12.16 Sidewalks, Curbs, and Gutters - Construction and Repair, within Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Places) of the City of Willits Municipal Code.
Willits City Council Minutes of November 8, 2023 Page 3 of 6 Presenting staff member: Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner.
Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner, presented a PowerPoint presentation on the prospective Sidewalk Ordinance policy and details. Ms. Shine reported that this is meant to start the conversation about potential amendments to chapter 12.16, Sidewalk, Curbs and Gutters Construction Repair. Through staff research this topic was identified as needing an update, Ms. Shine reported that it is not required for Council to provide feedback but would be appreciated so that formal amendments can be formed to bring to council at a future date.
Policies that were reviewed by Staff were:
• Current and potential triggers for sidewalk repair requirements. • State code section 5610: current sidewalk repair responsibility requirements.
• Enforcement, Inspection, & Property Lien requirements.
Sidewalk Repair Associated with Tree Maintenance.
Standards/requirements triggering sidewalk repair.
City Manager Bender added that the City Staff recognizes that the current ordinance is outdated and applied inconsistently. This item is being brought forward to update the ordinance and are asking for direction and guidance from the council.
Public Comment: Virginia Stranske asked if the new owner of the Rexall building would be responsible for fixing the sidewalk that is on the W. Mendocino Side of the property. Mrs.
Stranske also asked if there is any responsibility to the City if someone is injured walking on a damaged sidewalk. Davey Bowles, Building Official responded that currently the property owner bears most of the liability for if a citizen falls on an unsafe sidewalk, the City's liability increases as we learn about problems and fail to force the property owner to fix them or fix them ourselves.
c. Presentation and Acceptance of Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2021.
Presenting staff member: Manuel Orozco
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-64 to accept the Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021.
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 November 9, 2023
Presenting staff member: Karen Stevenson and Hadara Stanton of Liebert, Cassidy, and Whitmore (LCW) explained the process of the revision of the Personnel, Policies and Procedures manual.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Rodriguez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2023-65 approving the revised Personnel, Policies and Procedures Manual.
Willits City Council Minutes of November 8, 2023 Page 4 of 6
10. Department Monthly Reports
None presented
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong
• Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) - Will meet on November • Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) - Will meet on November gth.
Sonoma Clean Power (SCP)
Sonoma Clean Power has generated a reserve, and they will have 60% going towards rate reductions in Fiscal Year 24/25, 30% to local energy projects and 10% to customer incentives targeting low income. SCP is attempting to reduce peak demand. The SCP board discussed State Legislation, and PG&E has very high-rate increases coming to their users. It has also been recommended to PG&E that they no longer pursue undergrounding their wires, but to run them in insulated conductors on the ground. This way is just as fire safe as underground wires and less expensive and quicker.
Councilmember Stranske
Water/Wastewater Committee - Attended Stone Stories at the cemetery as found that it was very enjoyable. There was a lot of history presented that he wasn't aware Councilmember Gonzalez
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo)
Dickey Winkles term expires at the end of December applications are due November 17h if anyone is interested in being a LAFCo Public Alternate Member. Discussed AB399, Water Rate Payers Provision Act of 2023. Presentation on behalf of the Ukiah Valley Ground Water sustainability agency.
Mayor Kanne
Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG)
The transportation improvement program had just under $11.3 million to allocate towards transportation projects that had been proposed by various communities in Mendocino County. The requests totaled over $28 million; the technical advisory committee was tasked with determining which of the projects they wanted to recommend to the MCOG board. The Technical Advisory Committee recommended all the requests, MCOG decided to go forward with all of the recommended projects which will limit funding for the next few years for new projects that come forward in the county.
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) Met with Marisela de Santa Anna she led the recent bird tour at the City Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was a huge success and has received a lot of positive feedback from the community. Looking into how to do more of these kinds of activities.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
• Councilmember Gonzalez - Roots Restaurant will be doing a presentation as a Blue Zone approved restaurant on November 9, starting at 2:30pm.
Councilmember Rodriguez - Imagination Station Toy Depot re-grand opening ribbon cutting November 25'@10:00 am.
Willits City Council Minutes of November 8, 2023 Page 5 of 6 • Councilmember Strong - Willits Economic Localization came out with their November/December Newsletter. She gave each council member a copy. Activities were listed for the months of November and December in the Newsletter.
Delores Pedersen, City Clerk announced that the Willits High School Football Varsity Team will be playing in a Championship Game this Friday at Willits High School.
13. Closed Session Notice
14. Adjournment
Mayor Kanne declared the meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Michelle Coleman
MICHELLE COLEMAN
Acting City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of November 8, 2023 Page 6 of 6