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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024
Mayor Rodriguez 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, Greta Kanne, Vice Mayor Gerardo Gonzalez and Mayor Saprina Rodriguez were present.
Also present were staff members: Brian Bender, City Manager; Cathy Moorhead, Assistant City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Scott Herman, Public Works Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager; Taylor Perry, City Planner; James Conner, Interim Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
MAYOR RODRIGUEZ HELD A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN THE MEMORY OF PAST COUNCIL MEMBER RON MITCHELL.
Public Communications
None presented
Public Matters
a. Presentation of a Proclamation - National Black History Month.
Mayor Rodriguez read the Proclamation Recognizing February as Black History Month.
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. January 24, 2024
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Strong and carried 4/0- Stranske absent 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.
City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. League of California Cities City Managers Conference • City Manager Bender reported on the League of California's Cities, City Manager Conference he attended the week of February 5t. There were approximately 720 attendees from various cities throughout the state, making it the largest conference the League has held in the last ten of twelve years.
Mr. Bender reports that the City of Willits works well with the other Cities in the surrounding adjacent communities. There was a lot of good content on what is happening with the state budget, the final cuts are still uncertain. As it appears currently, cities of the same size as Willits are not expected to experience too many deficits or shortfalls coming out of Sacramento in ways of funding. This is a positive for us moving forward with the budgeting process.
Mr. Bender reminded the Council of the League of California's Division Meeting that the City of Willits is hosting on March 8th
Public Comment: None presented
Department Recommendations (Action Items)
Item 9a was moved and presented earlier in the meeting after Monthly Activity Reports.
a. Adopt a Resolution Increasing the Change Order Amount of 10-Percent for the Rodeo Grounds and Concession Stand Repair Project, Project No. 2023-06 Authorizing an Additional $3,558.91.
Presenting staff member: Davey Bowles, Building Official.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried 4/0 with Stranske absent to adopt Resolution No. 2024-07 increasing the change order amount of 10-percent to
11.5-percent for the Rodeo Grounds and Concession Stand Repair Project, (Project No. 2023-06) authorizing an additional $3,558.91.
b. Adopt Resolution Accepting the Construction of the 2023 Sidewalk Repair Project and Authorizing the Filing of the Notice of Completion.
Presenting staff member: Walter Kolon-Services and Facilities Director.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried 4/0 with Stranske absent to adopt Resolution No. 2024-08 accepting construction of the 2023 Sidewalk Repair Project and authorizing filing the Notice of Completion. c. Adopt a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Land Logistics, Inc for Professional Planning Services for an Additional $22,080.
Presenting staff member: Dusty Duley, Community Development Director.
Council member Strong requested that in the future when the council is asked to approve an outside contract there be an analysis as to why the project cannot be accomplished with inhouse staff or what the cost differential is.
Public Comment: None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of February 14, 2024 Page 2 of 4 Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried 4/0 with Stranske absent to adopt Resolution No. 2024-09 approving an amendment in the amount $22,080 to the professional services agreement with Land Logistics, Inc. for Professional Planning Services and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
10. Department Monthly Reports- (presented at the second meeting of each month).
None presented.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong
• Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) - There is a proposed buyer for the Noyo Theater, the potential buyer has applied for a substantial loan from EDFC.
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) -
The next hazmobile will be in Wilits April 4"h and 5th. There were several questions about the budget and data on the amount of hazardous waste that is being processed and the types of hazardous waste being collected at the transfer stations.
A new buy back center is opening in Ukiah at the end of February. The days of the operations will be Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. MSWMA has been overshooting the budget. This is due to the disposing of hazardous waste that has been stockpiled at the Ukiah facility.
Sonoma Clean Power -
Met, but Council Member Strong was unavailable to attend. Sonoma Clean Power is offering grants for E-Bikes for businesses and non-profits to cut down on the use of vehicles. Walter Kolon, Facilities and Services Director is exploring the option of E-Bikes for use by City Staff as well as working with the Willits Police Department on the possible use of E-Bikes.
Mayor Rodriguez
• C and S Solutions has still not responded to the request for a meeting to discuss garbage service.
• Reminded the council that it is time for City Manager Benders evaluation. The item will be placed on the next City Council Agenda as a Closed Session item.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• Water/Wastewater Committee - meets 2/15/2024.
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) -
The Committee selected Maureen Mulheren as Chairperson, and Jerry Ward as Vice Chair. Reviewed the LAFCO Work Plan and mid-year financials.
Councilmember Kanne
• Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - Did not have quorum so did not meet.
City Manager Bender reported that the Board of Supervisors heard the message that was relayed by the Willits City Council regarding the Mendocino County Museum, at the last Board of Supervisors meeting a motion was made and approved instructing the County Museum Staff to start moving ahead with the transition plan for a community or museum based foundation operation, in the motion it was identified clearly that the City of Willits is a partner in the process. Mr. Bender attended a meeting with the Museum group and a steering committee is being formed to start laying out the groundwork for the transition. It is still very early in the transition. Karen Mattson, Museum Administrator, is looking to bring in an expert form Kern County, that helped oversee Kern Counties transition.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
Willits City Council Minutes of February 14, 2024 Page 3 of 4
12. Good & Welfare
• Councilmember Gonzalez - Sober Grad is having a drive up enchilada feed on February 23rd. The Willits Senior Center is having a Chili Cookoff on February 23rd • Councilmember Strong - February 4*h Willits Economic Localization had a celebration of their 20th year; the event was well attended. There is an active group trying to establish a warming center for the homeless in the community. Helen Falandes will be giving a presentation on Feb 24th on the Homeless in the community at the Methodist Church at 4:00 pm.
Mayor Rodriguez reported that Willits was highlighted on the National News as well as ABC News, honoring Edie Ciccarelli 116* Birthday Celebration.
13. Closed Session Notice
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
City Council for the City of Wilits
ATTEST:
Debores Padersen
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of February 14, 2024 Page 4 of 4