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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23, 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, 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; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
OFF AGENDA ITEM
(Amendments to the agenda require a 4/5ths vote of the City Council).
Motion to add item 9c - Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Willits to Authorize the Resurfacing Madrone Street from Magnolia Street to Poplar Avenue at a Cost of $54,795 due to its Accelerated Deterioration from Construction Activity Associated with the 2024 Underground Utilities Project (Project 2023-08) with Monies from Transportation 202 and Wastewater 510 Funds and a Subsequent Reimbursement from the Surface Transportation Block Grant.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to add off agenda item 9c. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Willits to Authorize the Resurfacing Madrone Street from Magnolia Street to Poplar Avenue at a Cost of $54,795 due to its Accelerated Deterioration from Construction Activity Associated with the 2024 Underground Utilities Project (Project 2023-08) with Monies from Transportation 202 and Wastewater 510 Funds and a Subsequent Reimbursement from the Surface Transportation Block Grant.
2. Public Communications
• Robin Leler expressed her disagreement with the use of the word recused when a Councilmember has a conflict of interest regarding items on the Agenda. • Skip Lucier, Willts Lions Club Representative and Charter Organization Representative of Troop 42 thanked the City Council for the generous contribution. • Diedra Santinello, Brooktrails resident, expressed concern over the condition of the City of Willits section of Sherwood Road. Mayor Rodriguez invited Ms. Santinello to the Transportation Committee meeting that takes place on October 24th • Mark Walker expressed concern over the lawn mower not having a grass catcher bag on the mower when the various city lawns are mowed.
3. Public Matters
a. PUBLIC HEARING: Discussion and Possible Action Approving a Resolution to Certify the Final Environmental Impact Report and Adopt the Mitigation and Monitoring and Reporting Program for the City of Willits General Plan Land Use Element Update and Approve Said Project.
• Dusty Duley, Community Development Director and John Miller, of Planwest Partners presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the City of Willits General Plan Land Use Element. • Councilmember Kanne would like to see more specific of how improvements will be made on S. Main/Hwy 20 side of the City to make it more user friendly for residents, pedestrians and business owners. Councilmember Kanne would like to add to the LUE, Goal LU8 that the City of Willits has an interest in planning to preserve heritage trees.
Councilmember Kanne expressed concern over the amount of items on the Implementation List in the Action Plan that falls under the responsibility of the Community Development Department. Councilmember Kanne suggested an Adhoc Oversite Committee to keep the City on track and accomplish some of the items listed in the Action Plan.
• Councilmember Strong agreed with all of Councilmember Kanne's comments.
Councilmember Strong added concern over the woodlands area west of Exley Lane and north of Highway 20 being included in the Sphere of Influence.
Public Comment:
• Tamara Alaniz, General Manager of Brooktrails Township, spoke on behalf of Brooktrails Township Community Services District. Ms. Alaniz reports that the Township was able to work cooperatively with City Staff, specifically Dusty Duley, Community Development Director and Rod Wilburn, previous Contract City Engineer and the Township is happy with the Land Use Element Update, Ms. Alaniz is grateful to Mr. Duley for his leadership and outreach to the Willits Community to produce the Land Use Element Update document.
• Connie Huett expressed concern over the amount of traffic that is present on Locust St. near Baechtel Grove Middle School as well as the potential for more traffic if an apartment or housing development is built in the area. Mr. Duley responded that if a housing development goes in there are City standards that would be applied to any type of development.
Lucy Bartholemew, Public Policy Advocate of Blue Zones, expressed her appreciation of the amount of community input that went into the Land Use Element Update Project. Ms. Bartholemew also expressed appreciation for the protection of agricultural land
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried 4/1 with Stranske dissenting to adopt Resolution No. 2024-56 Certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report State Clearinghouse (SCH) No. 2023030321 Prepared for the Land Use Element of the General Plan and Sphere of Influence update.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried 3/0 with Kanne & Stranske recused to adopt Resolution No. 2024-57 adopting the Main Street mixed use component of the General Plan Land Use Element, an element of the City of Willits General Plan
Willits City Council Minutes of October 23, 2024 Page 2 of 8 Public Comment:
• Chad Crosthwait, resident on N. Main Street, expressed concern over the possible zoning change to his property, do to his wife's dog grooming business, it is Mr.
Crosthwait's understanding that he is zoned as commercial. Mr. Duley explained that Mrs. Crosthwait could apply for a Home Occupation Permit allowing her to continue with her dog grooming business if their property is zoned residential. Zoning the property as residential would benefit the property owner when trying to borrow money against the property and if they want to sell the property. Mr. & Mrs.
Crosthwait decided to move forward with having their property zoned as residential.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Stranske and carried 3/0 with Gonzalez and Rodriguez recused to adopt Resolution No. 2024-58 "Clean Up" Land use Designations to 214 Non-Conforming Improved Parcels of Real Property within the City as a Component of the Land use Element of the City of Willits General Plan.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Kanne and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-59 General Plan Land use Element, an Element of the City of Willits General Plan with an amendment to remove the woodlands area from the Sphere of Influence West of Exley Lane, North of Highway 20. b. PUBLIC HEARING: To Adopt the 2024 Emergency Operations Plan Part 2: Flood Response Annex as an addition to the Emergency Operations Plan Part 1: Base Plan. • Logan Shine, Contract Planner, presented Council with background information on the 2024 Emergency Operations Plan as well as noting the update to the Plan. • Vice Mayor Gonzalez commented that he likes the plan, would like to see a plan specific for fire emergencies.
• Councilmember Kanne expressed her appreciation for the Emergency Operations Plan and appreciates that the community will know there is a plan in place in case of an emergency.
• Councilmember Stranske feels the plan is not ready.
Public Comment:
• Mark Walker commented that Outlet Creek is a trouble spot, if the creek is not kept clear of the overgrowth and underbrush it causes flooding.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-60 to adopt the Emergency Operations Plan Part 2: Flood Response Annex as an Addendum to the City of Willits Emergency Operations Plan Part 1: Basic Plan.
c. PUBLIC HEARING: Discussion and Possible Adoption of the East Commercial Street Corridor Master Plan.
• Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner, presented Council with a verbal report on the East Commercial Street Corridor Master Plan.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Strong and carried 3/2 with Stranske and Rodriguez recused to adopt Resolution No. 2024-61 to adopt the East Commercial Willits City Council Minutes of October 23, 2024 Page 3 of 8 Street Corridor Master Plan as it focuses on creating a safe and visually appealing environment for the corridor.
Councilmember Strong agrees with comments made by Robin Leler regarding having more discretion of the elected official as to whether they need to recuse themselves when an agenda item is identified as a conflict of interest.
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. October 9, 2024. - minutes were pulled to have them brought back at the November 13th meeting with identified updates made my Councilmember Strong.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Strong and carried 3/2 with Stranske and Rodriguez abstaining to approve moving the approval of the minutes to the next meeting of November 13, 2024(a).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Accounts Payable Activity Report: August 2024.
b. Accounts Payable Activity Report: September 2024.
c. Business License Activity Report: September 2024.
d. Building Permit Activity Report: September 2024.
Public Comment: Tamara Alaniz expressed her appreciation of having the Accounts Payable Activity Reports included in the agenda packet.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. To Approve a Scope of Work to compose a Part 3: Fire and a Part 4: Earthquake Response Annexes for inclusion to the Local Emergency Operations Plan Part 1; Base Plan and amend the American Recuse Plan Act (ARPA) Project's Budget Table to include these items at an expense of $66,000.
• Councilmember Stranske expressed concern over not having local businesses and people identified in the plan that would be able to assist the City in the event of an emergency.
Mayor Rodriguez expressed concern over the cost of the plan and does not want to allocate ARPA Funds to the Local Emergency Operations Plan. Mayor Rodriguez feels that a committee of community members and councilmembers could plan the Local Emergency Operations Plan without the expense.
Councilmember Strong would like to see a committee of community members and councilmembers get together to plan a Local Emergency Operations Plan. • Councilmember Gonzalez advocated for community involvement.
Public Comment:
Willits City Council Minutes of October 23, 2024 Page 4 of 8 • Robin Leler feels that the plan should be tabled and to have more community involvement in creating the Local Emergency Operation's Plan Part 1. • Mark Walker suggested to have an Emergency Response directory produced.
The Local Emergency Operation's Plan Parts 3 and 4 were tabled to be brought back at a later date.
b. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. 2024 Cal Cities Conference and Redwood Empire Division Business Meeting.
City Manager Bender provided an update on the 2024 Cal Cities Conference and Redwood Empire Division Business Meeting.
ii. Project Updates:
• 2024 Pavement Preservation.
• Mr. Kolon, Services and Facilities Director reported that the project is complete. Will be filing Notice of Completion the week of October 28th. • Underground Utilities.
• Changes on the paving is being requested, will start doing hookups on the main water and sewer lines and pressure testing
Main Street Fiber Optic.
Complete few punch list items. Needs to repair a pipe that was hit.
Baechtel Road / PG&E Sidewalk.
• Pouring walls on October 24, 2024.
Public Comment: None presented.
c. Verbal Reports - None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Adopt Resolution Approving the Resurfacing of State Street at a cost of $160,170 due to its Accelerated Deterioration from Construction Activity Associated with the 2024 Underground Utilities Project (Project #2023-08) with Monies from Transportation 202 and Wastewater 510 Funds and a Subsequent Reimbursement from the Surface Transportation Block Grant.
Presenting staff member: Walter Kolon, Services & Facilities Director.
Public Comment: None presented.
• Mayor Rodriguez expressed concern over flooding that happens on Marin Street.
Mr. Kolon explained that there is a drainage ditch that is not in good shape owned by the Skunk Train, city staff are working with the Skunk Train to get it cleaned up.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Kanne and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-62 to authorize the resurfacing State Street from North Main Street to its eastern terminus at a cost of $160,170 due to its accelerated deterioration from construction activity associated with the 2024 Underground Utilities Project (Project 2023-08) with monies from Transportation 202 and Wastewater 510 Funds and a subsequent reimbursement from the Surface Transportation Block Grant.
b. Adopt Resolution Approving Repairs to the South Clarifier at the Wastewater Treatment Plant due to Potential Mechanical Failure in an Amount not to Exceed $156,508.66.
Willits City Council Minutes of October 23, 2024 Page 5 of 8 Presenting staff member: Walter Kolon, Services & Facilities Director.
Public Comment:
• Tamara Alaniz, General Manager of Brooktrails Township, spoke on behalf of Brooktrails Township Community Services District. Ms. Alaniz expressed her appreciation for City Attorney Lance and Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director for informing her of the important capital project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Ms. Alaniz informed the Council of a similar repair that needed to be done on a clarifier in Brooktrails do to the high sediment load caused by PG&E's vegetation abatement work. Ms. Alaniz expressed concern over the matter not being brought to council ahead of time. Ms. Alaniz added that in order to ensure in the future that there is a paper trail of this transaction, she is going to take the item to her board and pass a resolution that states Brooktrails is going to pay thirty-six percent of the project cost to repair the clarifier. Ms. Alaniz hopes to continue with this process in the future as the City moves forward with the items identified in the budget for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Mark Walker asked why this clarifier was not repaired when the new treatment plant was built a few years back.
Nicole Caldwell, Acting Chief Plant Operator, responded that this clarifier was new when the plant was redone in 2011, unfortunately, clarifiers only last for ten to fifteen years.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-63 Approving a Contract for $156,508.66 to accommodate repairs to the South Clarifier at the Wastewater Treatment Plant with the Expenditure Originating from Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget's 510 Wastewater Enterprise Fund.
c. Resurfacing Madrone Street from Magnolia Street to Poplar Avenue at a cost of $54,795 due to its Accelerated Deterioration from construction activity Associated with the 2024 Underground Utilities Project (Project 2023-08) with monies from Transportation 202 and Wastewater 510 Funds and a Subsequent reimbursement from the Surface Transportation Block Grant.
• Councilmember Kanne added that when the council approved the plan to repair the underground facilities it did not include repairs to the surface area. Road resurfacing was planned to be a separate project at a later date. Council felt that the condition of the roads after the underground facilities work was done was unacceptable, funding was identified from Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) to help pay for the complete resurfacing of these streets.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-64 to authorize the resurfacing Madrone Street from Magnolia Street to Poplar Avenue at a cost of $54,795 due to its accelerated deterioration from construction activity associated with the 2024 Underground Utilities Project (Project 2023-08) with monies from Transportation 202 and Wastewater 510 Funds and a subsequent reimbursement from the Surface Transportation Block Grant.
10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month). a. Airport.
Willits City Council Minutes of October 23, 2024 Page 6 of 8 • Airport Manager Cathy Moorhead reported that the City received notification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the Part 16 has been extended for another month. Ms.
Moorhead informed the aviation community that there is a hanger available for rent at the Willits Airport.
b. Community Development.
• Community Development Director, Dusty Duley reported that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) did approve the $5,400,000 toward the construction of the Rail with Trail Project. The City also received $3,000,000 from the State Coastal Conservancy. Mr.
Duley adds that the City has received 100% of the designs for the mitigation next to the skate park. Bid advertisement is expected to go out on November 7, 2024, the bid will go for sixty days do to the size of the project. Staff is expecting to bring the item back to the January 22, 2025 meeting, seeking award of the contract for the Rail with Trail Project.
Mr. Duley adds that they are very close to awarding the funds for the PLA Housing Rehab Program.
c. Finance - Nothing to add.
d. Police Department - Nothing to add.
e. Services & Facilities.
Services and Facilities Director, Walter Kolon expressed his gratitude to the Services and Facilities staff for doing a great job getting ready for winter. f. Utilities - Nothing to add.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Kanne
Transportation Committee - Meets, October 24, 2024 at 9:00 am.
Councilmember Strong
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA)- Meeting, October 31, 2024.
Councilmember Stranske
Water/Wastewater Committee - Meets, October 25, 2024.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Attended a session on private water systems and what happens when they fail.
Mayor Rodriguez
Has been meeting with community members with questions on the different projects that are happening within the City of Willits.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
• Councilmember Strong - Reported that on October 6th, the Candidates Forum sponsored by the Willits Economic Localization (WELL), the Willits Chamber of Commerce, the Women's League of Voters and the Willits Grange was very successful.
Willits City Council Minutes of October 23, 2024 Page 7 of 8 • Councilmember Kanne - October 24"h is Spooky Story Night as Brookside School. There is also a Spooky Trails in Brooktrails at the new loop that the Willits Area Cyclists have Adjourned to Closed Session at 9:54 pm.
13. Closed Session Notice
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 - Agency Negotiator: Brian Bender, City Manager. Employee Organization: Assistant City Manager.
Council reconvened to open session at 10:26 p.m. with no action to report, direction was given to City Manager Bender.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 10:27 p.m.
For more information on the October 23, 2024 Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube.
Koole
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Del Voders
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of October 23, 2024 Page 8 of 8