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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024
Mayor Rodriguez called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:31 p.m., in Council Chambers. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Madge Strong, Larry Stranske, 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; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Davey Bowles, Building Official; James Conner, Interim Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
MAYOR RODRIGUEZ HELD A MOMENT OF SILENCE
IN THE MEMORY OF EDIE CECCARELLI.
Chuck Persico announced that services for Edie Ceccarelli will be held on March 16th at 2:00 pm at St. Anthony's Church with a Rosary on March 15t at 5:00 pm. A reception will be at the Senior Center following the services on March 16th.
2. Public Communications
• None presented
3. Public Matters
a. Sonoma Clean Power Presentation regarding rates and managing bills - Felicia Smith, Senior Program Manager.
• Felicia Smith of Sonoma Clean Power gave a PowerPoint presentation explaining the difference between Sonoma Clean Power and PG&E charges on the bills of utility customers. On the PG&E bill there is a charge for Electric Delivery and Electric Generation. These charges are always billed on the PG&E Bills, if a customer opts out of Sonoma Clean Power the generation charges do not go away, they will then revert to PG&E Power Generation Charges which would be more expensive.
Public Comment: None presented.
b. Monthly Update - Little Lake Fire District (written report). c. Monthly Update - Mendocino County Third District Supervisor John Haschak. • Mr. Haschak gave an update on the status of the Mendocino County Museum. The hopes are that a non-profit will take over the running of the museum. With the County running it there are limitations with what the Museum can do, like selling items in the store at the museum, there are rules against selling items for profit. Insurance would also be less if a non-profit took over the running as well. Mike McCoy, Executive Director of Kern County Museum, will be holding a community meeting on March 13t, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Mendocino County Museum.
• There was a presentation on the Fiber Optic Broad Band Grant for Brooktrails presented at the Brooktrails Board meeting on February 27, 2024. The hopes are to bring broadband to the Brooktrails community.
• The Veteran Services office was moved back to the Observatory from the Public Health Building.
• Councilmember Stranske asked Mr. Haschak how much of the Measure P tax dollars have been distributed to the local Fire Departments. Mr. Haschak reported that the Board of Supervisors had voted on a distribution plan on February 27, money has been sent to the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council, local areas should receive money shortly.
d. Willits Chamber of Commerce's Annual Report and City Council Presentation. The agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and the City for the allocation of Transient Occupancy Tax requires the Chamber to provide a report outlining activities carried out in the previous year.
• Lisa Kavasnicka, Willits Chamber of Commerce Board President, introduced the Chamber Board members that were present and gave a small report. • Linda Givens, Willits Chamber Board Member, gave an update of the events that the Chamber had in 2023.
• The Chamber hired Susan Mahoney as the Chamber Coordinator. • Chamber members did 1,800 volunteer hours and answered 500 phone calls. • Adventist Health donated computers to the Chamber, which allowed the chamber to update membership lists.
• Planning to revamp the website, and existing contracts were reviewed • The overall goal for 2023 was to reestablish relationships. • The Chamber held eight mixers - the Rotary Club, Lions Club, North County College Center, Mendocino County Museum Store, the Mane House, Flourish and Flow, the Munchery, and the California Visitors Center in Ukiah. The Chamber also participated in events sponsored by Visit Mendocino which promoted tourism. • They sponsored the Calendar Page in the Willits Weekly. • Participated in the Land Use Committee. the Shoplifting and retail theft forum, the 95" Birthday of Howard Hospital, and the Blue Zone Ribbon cutting at Roots. • They put on an Economic Summit for small business owners with local and federal government representatives.
• Were involved in developing digital signage.
• Held the annual Car and Bike Show, with this year's being held this year will be on May 26th
• The Chamber sponsors Blues and Brews, Claws for Cause, Willits Soroptimists, Willits Community Theater, Center for the Arts, the Tiara for Willits Frontier Days, the Art Walk and the High School Yearbook.
• Danette Rigo, Willits Chamber of Commerce Board Member, gave a report on what the future plans are for the Willits Chamber of Commerce.
• January 2025 will be a Membership launch, social media and Website Relaunch. • A balanced Calendar of events, that will include Annual Events as well as new ones.
• This year's car show will be on Main Street instead of Rec Grove Park. • New business onboarding, there is an active committee that is working to develop an onboarding program for existing membership as well as new membership. The onboarding program will be vibrant and engaging with an opportunity for business support.
• Councilmember Strongs asked for an update of their event "The State of Things". Susan Mahoney reported that a representative from Assemblymember Jim Woods Office, Willits City Council Minutes of February 28, 2024 Page 2 of 7 Supervisor Haschak and Mayor Rodriguez were in attendance. The representative from Jim Woods office gave a report on Health Care updates within the county as well as the intricacies of getting information out to the district. Supervisor Haschak gave an update on the state of things in the county. Mayor Rodriguez reported on what is happening in Willits with programs and where the City stands on different projects.
Mayor Rodriguez asked what the current hours were for the Chamber? It was reported that the Chamber is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday • Mayor Rodriguez asked Ms. Mahoney if the Chamber had a plan to help support retail businesses in the fourth quarter. Ms. Mahoney responded that they do not have a specific plan at this point but that they have been discussing supporting Shop Small in a stronger way. Ms. Kvasnicka is the event coordinator, there is a committee that is in the process of developing a timeline and looking for opportunities to promote businesses throughout the year and specifically during Christmas time.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez asked if the website was currently up to date. Ms. Mahoney reported that she has been told by counsel not to try to update the current website, being that it is owned by a Chamber Marketing Company. Ms. Mahoney has written a grant to the Community Foundation to seek funding for a new website that will be more interactive and will assist the Chamber to administer their events in a more modern way. • Mayor Rodriguez asked how a business would find out what the benefits are to becoming a Chamber member. Ms. Mahoney responded that the chamber is working on a new brochure that will explain the tiered pricing and what the benefits are of each
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
February 14, 2024.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried 4/1- with Stranske abstaining 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 - January 2024.
b. Building Activity Report - January 2024.
Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Discussion and Possible Acceptance of the East Commercial Street Corridor Master Plan.
i. Presentation from Sam Bickel of Terrain Landscape Architecture.
Councilmember Kanne asked how much of the plan will need to be done to consider the plan a success? City Manager Bender responded that he does not believe that a community is ever done with planning implementation, it is ongoing, if we are fortunate and we hit all the right notes with grant opportunities we may implement 100%, we might apply for every grant opportunity and only get one that is awarded to us. The City will make Willits City Council Minutes of February 28, 2024 Page 3 of 7 recommendations when staff presents budget proposals to council that there may be opportunities to be looking at lower tiered items through General Fund activity, maybe through Measure K which was allocated to improvements to public facilities in the parks.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Kanne and carried 3/1 with Mayor Rodriguez recused and Stranske dissenting, to adopt Resolution No. 2024-10 to accept the East Commercial Street Corridor Master Plan.
b. Recognition of Interim Chief James Conner's Commitment and Service.
City Manager Bender expressed his gratitude for Interim Chief Conner serving as the Interim Chief for the Willits Police Department.
City Manager Bender wished Interim Chief Conner well in his future and thanked him for stepping in when we needed him.
All Councilmembers and staff wished Interim Chief Conner well and expressed their gratitude for all that he did in his short time with the City. c. Verbal Reports - No Action.
Public Comment: None presented.
Recessed at 8:20 pm. for a small reception in the lobby honoring Interim Chief Conner.
Reconvened to the Council Meeting at 8:30 pm.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Discussion and Possible Action Allowing the Finance Director the Authorization to Prepare Purchase Orders, in the amount of $124,308, to Reserve Build Slots for Two 2025 Ford Police Interceptors Ahead of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Approval.
Presenting staff member: Manuel Orozco, Finance Director.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Kanne and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-11 approving the authorization for the submission of purchase orders, in the amount of $124,308, to secure build slots for two 2025 Ford Police Interceptors for the Willits Police Department.
Councilmember Stranske excused himself from the meeting at 8:41 pm.
10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month). a. Airport
Airport Manager Moorhead added that staff will be watching this weekend weather closely, if it gets too bad, she will call for a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and close the airport.
b. Community Development Department
• Davey Bowles, Building Official provided an update on the Van Hotel. Staff submitted a warrant of inspection to the Superior Court of Mendocino County on February 1st; the warrant was authorized by the Court on February gth. Staff executed the warrant on February 21st after proper notification was sent to the Willits City Council Minutes of February 28, 2024 Page 4 of 7 owner on February 16th. At 9:01am on the 21st of February, with the aid of a locksmith, staff gained access to the building. Mr. Bowles reported that there is a very large list of health and safety code violations
Dusty Duley, Community Development Director reported that the Pavilion in Bud Snyder Park is a priority project and staff is trying to come up with a game plan to support construction as early as this year. There is $350,000 allocated for the Pavilion.
Staff has been meeting about the Housing Rehab Program with hopes of developing guidelines so that money could be allocated and that residents could make use of those funds this summer to complete improvements to their homes.
Plans to bring guidelines and program details for Council approval in May, which would allow staff to get the program up and running
• The $75,000 Grant funding that the City received from Cal Recycle will be used to support staff in educating businesses and other entities about the requirements of SB1383 (California's Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy). The funds will also allow us to purchase compost, which is a state requirement, without this funding the City would have had to use the General Fund to meet the requirement.
C. Finance
Manuel Orozco, Finance Director added that the Audit is moving forward. The Auditors will be here the week of March 4th.
d. Police Department - Nothing further to add.
e. Services & Facilities
Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director reports that the staff is working with PG&E Engineers to add lighting to the Wood Street Parking Lot. PG&E is exploring the option of running electricity to the parking lot for a new light pole. If that cannot happen, the lights will need to be solar.
• Mr. Kolon reports that he has met with a contractor that, the owner of the Rexall Building, has engaged with to repair the West Mendocino sidewalk. It was explained that the City would like to keep the width of the sidewalk at six feet. The City has recommended that all trees be removed, they are continuing to cause damage to the area. The owner of the property would like to have the work done within the next couple of months.
f. Utilities - Nothing further to add.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Kanne
Finance Committee - Audits are moving forward; hopes are that all Audits will be done by the end of June making us up to date by the end of the fiscal year.
Measure K- Once the city has their fiscal year in order the committee can begin to start allocating Measure K Funds to help improve facilities and deferred maintenance within the city.
• Met with City Manager Bender and discussed what to spend ARPA Funds on. The two items Councilmember Kanne identified were: Lighting for the Wood St. Parking Lot and finishing up the Urban Forestry Management Plan which is to create a Tree ordinance and hiring an arborist to help make recommendations to city staff moving forward.
Willits City Council Minutes of February 28, 2024 Page 5 of 7 Councilmember Strong
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA)- Hazmobile will be in Willits on April 4 & 5'.
• Sonoma Clean Power - Meets March 7, 2024.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• League of California Cities/Redwood Empire Division - Meets March 8, 2024. • Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Meets March 4, 2024. • Attended the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) meeting, AT&T wants to abandon landlines. There were a lot of residents from multiple counties there speaking out against this.
Attended a presentation at the Willits United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 25, 2024, regarding Homeless presented by Hellen Fallandes. Councilmember Gonzalez, when asked by citizens, stated that he does not believe the City should be running a homeless shelter but that the City could provide guidance through staff when the time comes. That they would need to reach out to organizations and groups that are already doing this type of work.
Mayor Rodriguez
• Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) - A large part of the meeting was about Acceptance of a Ukiah Transit Center Feasibility Study. Nine locations for a possible Transit Center have been identified in the Study.
Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - The State Transit Agency only meets twice a year, and it is rare for it to come to the Mendocino County Area, this year one of their visits is to Fort Bragg. One concern they are wanting to relay to the state is the Zero Emissions Policy and how Transit Agencies are going to realistically meet that policy. A current problem that MTA is running into is the company that they bought the two zero emissions buses from has already folded. So, there is currently no warranty on those two buses and if they break down there are no parts to repair them.
Finance Committee - Very happy to see significant movement on the Audits. • Measure K- There is a lot of support from the committee for deferred maintenance and for the Police Department.
• Attended the Chili Cook off at the Senior Center.
• Attended the event at the Museum on February 24, 2024, was very well attended.
The event was a way of allowing people to sign up as Friends of the Museum.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
Councilmember Kanne - Encouraged everyone to be safe, there is snow in the forecast this weekend.
13. Closed Session Notice
None.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Willits City Council Minutes of February 28, 2024 Page 6 of 7 Sap
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Delores le edersen
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of February 28, 2024 Page 7 of 7