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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 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 Larry Stranske, Greta Kanne, and Mayor Saprina Rodriguez were present. Absent councilmembers Strong and Gonzalez.
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; Davey Bowles, Building Official; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Conner Stack, City Planner; Chris Dewey, Interim Police Chief; Anthony Castillo, Willits Police Dispatcher; Rodrigo Avalos, Willits Police Acting Sargent; Jamie Cary, Willits Police Officer; Chris Dendy, Community Service Officer; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
Virgina Stranske thanked the Services and Facilities Department for installing the new stop signs on Pine St.
• Josh Gravier, Tribal Administrator of the Sherwood Band of Pomo Indians, provided an update on the funding that they are attempting to acquire in order to explore the option of having a water line drawn to the East Side Road development. A hydro study will be performed in April.
Members of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians spoke in support of having a water line drawn to the property on East Side Road.
Public Matters
a. Presentation of a Proclamation: National Telecommunicator's/Dispatch Appreciation Week, April 7*h - 13th.
Mayor Rodriguez read the Proclamation Recognizing April 7th - 13th as National Telecommunicator's/Dispatch Appreciation Week. The Proclamation was accepted by Dispatcher Anthony Castillo.
Interim Police Chief Dewey expressed his appreciation for the recognition of the Police Dispatchers and all of the work that they do to keep the community and the Willits Police Officers safe.
Little Lake Fire District Monthly Update - (written report).
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
Special Meeting - February 14, 2024
Special Meeting - March 13, 2024
ili. Regular Meeting - March 13, 2024
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Kanne and carried 3/0 - with Strong and Gonzalez absent to approve Consent Calendar items) (a).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
a. Business License Activity Report - February 2024.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations+
a. Year 2023 Performance Review of City Council Goals.
City Manager Bender gave an update on the 2023 Performance Review of the City Council Goals that were adopted in 2021. Staff will continue on with the 2021 Goals, in 2025 staff will have Goal Setting Meetings with Council to adopt new goals. • Councilmember Stranske asked for clarification on items being listed multiple times on the Adopted Goals List and the 2024 Work Plan. City Manager Bender responded that there were times that a goal was brought to council multiple times as a continuance or at the request by council to have them brought back at a later date. • Councilmember Stranske was unaware of item 1.2 - Retaining a Tax Attorney.
City Manager Bender responded that the item was brought up during a time when the City did not have a Finance Director and the city was concerned about what would happen with Measure K, and the budgets, this was guidance and instruction from the City Council to look at the City's fiscal health. • Councilmember Stranske inquired why "Hire a Finance Director" was on the goals list being that we have one.
City Manager Bender responded that the list is the Goals that were approved in April 2021, and they were not modified only updated as to the status. • Councilmember Stranske asked about the goal in Community Development to recruit a City Planner and a Grants Manager.
City Manager Bender responded that staff accomplished 50% of this goal. The City hired a City Planner but had difficulties recruiting a Grants Manager. Some of the grant management and grant attainment responsibilities have been filtered out throughout the organization and are not nested into one position at this time. • Councilmember Stranske asked about the goal to explore the option of acquiring the Justice Center from Mendocino County. The City has been attempting to do this for many years, is this an attempt to have it be successful? City Manager Bender responded that he has been working on this goal since it was adopted, and it has been difficult to coordinate with County Officials. The County appears at times to want to move forward with discussions and other times the county backs away. This goal is still being actively pursued behind the scenes.
Willits City Council Minutes of March 27, 2024 Page 2 of 6 • Mayor Rodriguez expressed her appreciation for the staff that have being working very hard to stay true to the goals that were put forward • Councilmember Kanne expressed concern over the Council's ability to set priorities.
Ms. Kanne does not feel that the priorities set forth in the goals are not the same that the Willits Citizens have. The City Council and staff have not set priorities within the goals list. How does the City Council indicate to staff, within the goals list, what the real priorities are?
City Manager Bender responded that during the budgeting process the City Council needs to refer to the goals list to assist with allocation of funds to the priority goals.
Mr. Bender suggested that when the City Council and staff are looking to set goals in 2025, they condense some of the goals on the current list to allow for staff to focus on the resources, skills, and talent that the City has available within the organization. • Councilmember Stranske expressed concern over projects that have been mentioned and have not been done. Mr. Stranske stated that the Van Hotel and Wood Street Parking Lot lighting have been concerns for many years.
Public Comment: Moriah McGill, Grants Analyst for Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority, suggested adding a column to the Goals List that identifies potential funding sources.
b. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. Mendocino County Museum and the proposed transition towards a community- based foundation.
City Manager Bender briefed the City Council on the County's proposed transition towards a community-based foundation for the Museum. The County Ad Hoc Committee is expressing the need for the City of Willits to provide financial support for the Museum. The county has requested that the city create a position in the Parks Department that would be responsible for maintaining the Museum. • Mayor Rodriguez would like to have an analysis of the City's financial contribution, in the form of the property that the Museum is on, to the County Museum.
• Councilmember Kanne responded that a County Supervisor requested that the City use Measure K funds to fund the Museum.
• Mayor Rodriguez added that she would not support using Measure K Funds to fund the Museum.
• Councilmember Stranske noted that he would like the Third District Supervisor that keeps stating that Willits needs to fund the Museum, to step up. ii. Willits Center for the Arts Update.
March 16" City Manager Bender with Assistant City Manager Moorhead attended the Willits Center for the Arts Board meeting, stating their current lease has expired.
Mr. Bender reported that they will look into accommodating building maintenance through a new lease. Concerns listed were Energy Efficiency and Security. It was requested that the Board provide quarterly updates at City Council meetings. • Councilmember Kanne reported that the lack of the elevator that was taken out has had an impact on those that use the upstairs portion of the Arts Center. City Manager Bender reported that the City could accommodate having an Elevator put in, but it would take money from another General Fund activity. Mayor Rodriguez would like to see this item come before the Measure K Committee with the cost to have an elevator put in, she feels this falls under deferred maintenance and is in line with what Measure K Funds was meant to be used for.
City Manager Bender introduced the City's new City Planner, Conner Stack.
Willits City Council Minutes of March 27, 2024 Page 3 of 6 • Mr. Stack reported that on April 27 the Community Development department is hosting the event, Clean Canvas, in Bud Snyder Park. The Clean Canvas event is the first non-infrastructure event of the Caltrans Clean California Grant. It is the liter abatement education and art appreciation workshop requirement, done through a series of educational booths (litter abatement education) and chalk painting (art appreciation).
Councilmember Kanne suggested that Mr. Stack contact the County Transportation Department to invite them to have an informational booth. They have been very helpful with roadside cleanups, and they run the Adopt a Road Litter Removal Program.
Mayor Rodriguez added that Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) is doing something similar in Ukiah. Maybe MTA could participate in the Clean Canvas event as well.
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Construction of the Rodeo Grounds Bathroom and Concession Stand Repair Project, Project# 2023-06, and Authorizing the Filing of the Notice of Completion. The Completed Project Totaled $277,291.71 - Contract amount of $248,848 and $28,443.71 of change orders
Presenting staff member: Davey Bowles, Building Official.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried 2/1 with Strong and Gonzalez absent and Stranske dissenting to adopt Resolution No. 2024-13 accepting construction of the Rodeo Grounds Bathroom and Concession Stand Repair Project, Project No. 2023-06 and authorizing filing the Notice of Completion. b. Adopt a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with GHD for Environmental, Engineering, Project and Construction Management Services to Support the City Rail with Trail Project for an Additional $182,683 Using State Coastal Conservancy Grant Funds
Presenting staff member: Dusty Duley, Community Development Director.
Mayor Rodriguez expressed concern over a possible conflict of interest because her property is 200 feet away from the project. City Attorney Lance suggested that Mayor Rodriguez request an opinion from the FPPC whether there is a conflict of interest. Mayor Rodriguez inquired if it was necessary for her to recuse herself. Mr.
Lance responded that under the Political Reform Act, being that there are only three councilmembers in attendance at the meeting, her vote is necessary, and her attendance is required
Community Development Director Duley presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Rail Trail Project.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Kanne and carried 3/0 with Strong and Gonzalez absent to adopt Resolution No. 2024-14 approving an amendment in the amount $182,683 to the Professional Services Agreement with GHD for Professional Willits City Council Minutes of March 27, 2024 Page 4 of 6 Environmental, Engineering, Project Management and Construction Management Services and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month). a. Airport - No further comments.
b. Community Development Department
• There is a correction to the number of Building Permits issued in the department report. The numbers that are reported first are from February and the numbers on the side are numbers from January.
c. Finance - No further comments.
d. Police Department
• Interim Police Chief Dewey reported that Dispatcher Castillo completed his six- month probation. Currently the City has one recruit, Alex Garza, attending the Police Academy at College of the Redwoods, it is expected that he will graduate in May 2024. One more recruit, Donovan Shively, will start the Police Academy in April, with expectations that he will graduate in August. Chris Dendy, Community Service Officer, has completed his training.
Councilmember Kanne asked if there was a reason for the drastic difference in the calls for service based on last years and this year's numbers. Interim Police Chief Dewy responded that it could be that last year's weather could have made the difference, it may have been sunny and this year it was raining, or it could have been due to staffing.
e. Services & Facilities
• Services and Facilities Director Kolon reported that the W. Mendocino Sidewalk will be replaced and the trees that are causing the damage are being removed starting the week of April 1, 2024. 150 feet of sidewalk is being replaced and a new ADA ramp will be installed. This is all being paid for by the owner of the Rexall Building. • PG&E is looking into what needs to be done to add lighting in the Wood Street Parking lot. If electrical cannot be put in, solar lighting is an option. • Building Official, Davey Bowles, provided an update on the Van Hotel, on February 21st the City was issued a warrant by the Superior Court of Mendocino County.
The warrant was served on February 21st and City Staff entered the building; Mr.
Bowles documented the condition of the hotel. On Friday, March 22nd a Notice of Substandard Building was filed as well as a 60-day Notice to Abate. f. Utilities - No further comments.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Stranske
Thanked the City Council and staff for accommodating him while he was recovering from knee surgery.
Mayor Rodriguez
Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) - Performed a favorable Evaluation of Executive Director.
Public Comment: None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of March 27, 2024 Page 5 of 6 No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
None presented.
• City Council Convened to Closed Session at 8:35 p.m.
13. Closed Session Notice
a. Conference with Legal Counsel - existing litigation (CA Govt. Code §54956.9 (d) (1)); in the matter of Craig Anthony Gelber vs City of Willits, et al, Case No. 3-23-cv-00681- JSC, United States District Court for the Northern California District.
The City Council reconvened to open session at 9:07 p.m. with no action to report from Closed Session.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Deferen Pidersen
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of March 27, 2024 Page 6 of 6