111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY MAY 8, 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; Taylor Perry, City Planner; Chris Dewey, Interim Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
• None presented.
3. Public Matters
a. Introduction of Misty Johnson as the recently appointed Coordinator of the Chamber of Commerce.
Lisa Kvasnicka, Willits Chamber of Commerce President introduced Misty Johnson the newly appointed Chamber Coordinator. Ms. Johnson provided some background information on herself and states that she is excited for the opportunity to serve the Willits Community. The Chamber of Commerce hours of operation at this time are currently Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. With the tourist season starting the Chamber is looking to extend their hours.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. April 24, 2024.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez 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. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. April 27" Clean Canvas Event Recap.
City Manager Bender provided an update of the Clean Canvas Event. The event was well attended and well received throughout the community. The weather was in our favor. Taylor Boudreaux, City Planner, added that the event was funded by the Clean California Grant, this will be an annual event and plans are already being made for 2025.
Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director provided an Update of the 2023 Pavement Preservation Project. Bouthillier Construction has been working well with the residents in the neighborhood of Boscabelle and S. Lenore. The project has had no major delays and is ahead of schedule. As of today, it is estimated that 75% of the concrete has been poured in the area for the sidewalk, ADA ramps and drainage.
There is approximately a three-week delay to start S. Lenore due to drainage issues.
Mr. Kolon reported that all of the roads and sidewalks should be done by the week after the 4" of July. It was reported that the roads will be open for use for the 4*h of July festivities.
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Approval of an Agreement Between the State of California Department of General Services and the City of Willits to Allow the California Highway Patrol to use the Police Department's Firearms Range Facility from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Presenting staff member: Chris Dewey, Interim Chief of Police. PULLED b. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Advertisement of the 2024 Pavement Preservation Project (Project #2024-01) with an Engineers Estimated Cost of $975,431.48 with $400,000 Expected to be Reimbursed to the City from State of California SB1 Funds.
Presenting staff member: Walter Kolon, Director of Services and Facilities.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Kanne and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-16 authorizing advertisement of the 2024 Pavement Preservation Project, Project No. 2024-01, with an engineers estimated cost of $975,431.48, with $400,000 expected to be reimbursed to the City from State of California SB1 funds. c. Adopt a Resolution calling for the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on November 5, 2024, and consolidate and request the County Clerk to conduct said election with the statewide General Election.
Presenting staff member: Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-17 calling for the holding of a General Municipal Election November 5, 2024, for the Willits City Council Minutes of May 8, 2024 Page 2 of 4 election of city council candidates; to consolidate said election with the Statewide General Election held on the same date pursuant to Elections Code §10403; and requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Mendocino to request the County Clerk to conduct the Municipal Election of the City of Willits on Tuesday, November 5t, pursuant to Elections Code §10002.
10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month). a. None presented.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Kanne
• Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - Held a Budget workshop, reviewed the budget and it should be bubt bat their next meeting for adoption The Board approved the Fiscal Year 24/25 overall work projects.
Mendocino County Museum - The Museum Advisory board is drafting a letter to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisor thanking them for productive discussion at the Board of Supervisors meeting on May 7, 2024. The letter will also be a request to work with museum staff to format a press release sharing with the public the goals.
Received a report that the endowment fund has earned $75K in interest.
Councilmember Strong
• Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC)- Meeting May 9th. • Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA)- May 30t special Meeting 9 am.
• Sonoma Clean Power - Was not able to attend the meeting in April but reports that Sonoma Clean Power has been successful in keeping their rates below PG&E rates.
Next meeting is June 6, 2024.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• League of California Cities/Redwood Empire Division - • Attended the meeting in Rio Dell. There was a presentation by a Community Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) on long term earthquake recovery program.
• Toured a Marijuana Grow in the City of Rio Dell.
• Received an update of retail theft legislation. AB1772, the League will send out an action alert asking cities for support.
• Water/Wastewater Committee -
• Enterprise fund balances: Wastewater $7,000,000 and Water $5,000,000 • Update on the flushing of water lines, streets left to flush are Main St., California St., Humboldt, and the west side of town from E. Commercial St to Hwy 20.
No updates on Pine Mountain, Sherwood Valley, or Little Lake Mobile Home Park water assistance Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs). • Sam Pope Engineering is currently reviewing the Underground Utilities Project Plans and Specifications, plans to bring the project to Council on May 22nd for consideration.
• Ground Water Treatment Plant Steel Tank final inspection is on Friday, May 10th.
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) -
• Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Preliminary Budgeting was addressed during Public Hearing Items.
• Discussed Pacific Reefs Water District Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Study.
Willits City Council Minutes of May 8, 2024 Page 3 of 4 Mayor Rodriguez
• Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA)-
• Needs to cut $1 million from budget do to tax declines being received because of more electric vehicles being used and less fuel being purchased. It is not expected to get better next year. The only solution that MTA could come up with to cut the $1 million is to not purchase more electric buses, which is a requirement set forth by the state. Mayor Rodriguez is unsure how MTA is going to be able to continue to provide services. Councilmember Kanne added that Transit agencies are all experiencing this issue, not only due to the less gas tax but also the lack of ridership and the fees they would pay to ride.
MCOG is realizing that the SB 125 Funds (Transit Program) that is infusing over $11 million into Mendocino County, part of these finds will be in the MCOG budget and some of these funds will be transferred to MTA. • Mayor Rodriguez reported that the Museum is distributing to different businesses throughout town to display the Story Boards, Main Street then and Now, from the Visit Willits Tourism Board.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Winema
Councilmember Strong - May 14 the college coral class concert at High School auditorium. May 15th at the redwoods in City Park to learn a few songs then will walk down Main Street to sing songs they have learned.
• City Manager Bender - Announced that PG&E has canceled their power outage event
13. Closed Session Notice
None presented.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Dekreskderse
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of May 8, 2024 Page 4 of 4