111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
(707) 459-4601 TEL
WILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY NoVEMBER 13, 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, 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; Kate Reitzel, Human Resources Analyst; Chris Dewey, Interim Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
Mayor Rodriguez asked for a moment of silence in honor of Margie Handley.
2. Public Communications
• Nicole Caldwell, Sewer Plant Acting Chief Plant Operator, wanted to clarify a statement she made at the City Council Meeting of October 23, 2024. It is not only the clarifier but anything mechanical at the sewer treatment plant that lasts ten to fifteen years then needs to be repaired or possibly replaced • Robin Leler mentioned that she feels the northeast corner of Bud Snider Park is the best location for the proposed Pavillion. Ms. Leler also commented that she feels that the Emergency Plan should be under the guidance and approval of an elected official that is elected by the Willits Community.
• Barbara Mason inquired about the letter her landlord of the Clark Trailer Park stating in the Land Use Element draft proposal identified the property between Barbara Lane and San Francisco and Central and Railroad Avenue would be turned into apartments. Mayor Rodriguez and City Manager Bender suggested that Ms. Mason speak to Dusty Duley, Community Development Director. • Michelle Goodman, Redwood Waste Solutions Outreach Manager, invited the Council to the Willits Transfer Station Open House on November 21, 2024, starting at 5:00 pm. This is also open to the Willits Community.
Public Matters
a. Update from the Little Lake Fire District.
Chief Alvarez gave an update of the activities of the Little Lake Fire District for the month of October.
Public Comment:
John Kvasnicka thanked Chief Alvarez for responding to a chimney fire at his home recently.
b. Update from Third District County Supervisor John Haschak. • County finances are looking better than what was originally thought. The County identified a $11,000,000 carryover from FY 23/24 and was able to pay back the $7,000,000 in Measure B Funds that was borrowed for the Mental Health Wing of the Mendocino County Jail.
• Engineers have discovered that the Willits Library could handle the weight of solar panels, there are hopes to have the roof fixed by early spring and then have solar panels installed sometime after.
• The gift shop and front desk at the Mendocino County Museum are now being operated by the Friends of the Museum.
• Willits Police Department is working with the County Heads Up Program, this program allows for the sharing of information of people in need of Mental Health assistance.
• California Conservation Corps gave a presentation to Rotary and invited them to do a walk-through of the new campus. Supervisor Haschak is hoping to arrange the walk through by February.
• The microwave system used for emergency response communications is almost updated
• The Vet Care-A-Van is being built in Arizona, the county has hired a Vet Tech, Supervisor Haschak is unaware if a veterinarian has been lined up, to run the Care- Mayor Rodriguez informed Supervisor Haschak that the local lodging businesses do not want to see an increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Supervisor Haschak responded that Visit Mendocino is doing the studies and outreach on the (TOT). The tax will need to be voted on by the lodge business owners and will only pass if 50% of them vote yes.
Public Comment: None presented.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
October 9, 2024.
ii. October 23, 2024.
Public Comment:
Robin Leler asked that a change be made to a comment she made during the October 23, 2024, City Council Meeting. Mayor Rodriguez responded that minutes need to reflect what took place and not what someone wants them to say.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously 4/0 with Kanne absent to approve Consent Calendar items) (a).
Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. None.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of November 13, 2024 Page 2 of 6
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Adopt a Resolution Ratifying the Negotiated Agreement Between the Assistant City Manager and the City of Willits Effective between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 at a Projected Expense of $9,600 for Combined Compensation and Authorizing the City Manager to sign.
Public Comment:
• Tom Allman requested that the item be tabled until the first meeting in January, to allow for more information to be presented. Mr. Allman asked for more information on the amount, he feels it is more than what is listed in the resolution, and he requested clarification of if the compensation was for the Assistant City Manager position or for the person that holds the position.
• Vice Mayor Gonzalez made the request that the Vehicle Allowance not be PERSable.
• Councilmember Strong feels that the Assistant City Manager position is a valuable position for the City and wants the employee to be compensated and feels that she is appreciated. Ms. Strong does not feel that the questions raised by Mr. Allman need to be answered in order to move forward at this time with a one-year agreement.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Rodriguez and carried 3/1 with Stranske dissenting and Kanne absent to adopt Resolution No. 2024-65 ratifying the negotiated agreement between the Assistant City Manager and the City of Willits effective between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, at a projected expense of $9,600 for a combined compensation and authorizing the City Manager to sign.
b. Year 2024 Performance Review of City Council Goals and Capital Projects, Including an Assessment of the Capital Improvement Plan Implementation alongside the City Council Goals.
Presenting staff member: Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner.
Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner, presented a Power Point on the City Council Goals and Capital Projects.
Public Comment:
• Robin Leler expressed concern over not understanding the presentation. • Raghda Zacharia questioned if items that are approved by the current Council could be brought back when the new Council members are seated to be re-discussed.
Mayor Rodriguez responded that yes that is something that could be done once the new Councilmembers are seated
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously 4/0 with Kanne absent to adopt Resolution No. 2024-66 to adopt the year 2024 performance review of City Council Goals and Capital Projects, including an assessment of the Capital Improvement Plan Implementation alongside the city council goals. • City Manager Bender introduced Kate Reitzel, the newly hired Human Resource Analyst.
c. Verbal Reports - No Action.
i. Project Reports:
• 2024 Pavement Preservation.
Mr. Kolon reported that the project is complete and will be bringing a Notice of Completion to the December 11, 2024, City Council meeting.
Underground Utilities.
Willits City Council Minutes of November 13, 2024 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Kolon reports that this project is on schedule, Argonaut Construction is in the last phase of testing the water lines and disinfecting the lines. Argonaut will be starting the repaving the first week of December on W. Van, Muir, Madrone and State Street. Expecting to be able to bring a Notice of Completion to Council in January.
• Baechtel Road / PG&E Sidewalk.
Crews have a majority of the retaining wall and sidewalk complete. Paving work will be starting the first week of December weather permitting. The project is expected to be completed by February.
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the Altavista Group to Conduct a Dispatch Center Technology Assessment and Develop a Replacement Plan, in an amount not to exceed $34,000 Supported by an Authorized Budget Transfer to the Police Department Fund 100.2000.65400 from the Measure K Fund.
Presenting staff member: Chris Dewey, Interim Police Chief.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously 4/0 with Kanne absent to adopt Resolution No. 2024-67 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Altavista Group to conduct a Police Dispatch Center Technology Assessment and develop a replacement plan in an amount not to exceed $34,000 supported by an authorized budget transfer to the Police Department Fund 100.2000.65400 from the Measure K Fund.
b. Informational Discussion on a Request for Proposal (RFP) to Compose an Urban Tree Ordinance to Implement the 2022 Urban Forestry Management Plan and Expand the Urban Forest Inventory.
Presenting staff member: Logan Shine, Contract Planner.
Public Comment:
• Robin Leler inquired how many city owned trees make up the city canopy? Ms. Leler expressed an interest in being on the Urban Tree Ordinance Committee. Ms. Leler added that she would like the native heritage trees within the city to be protected by the ordinance.
• Tom Aliman requested that citizens' property rights need to be taken into consideration. Mr. Allman does not want the City to dictate what trees citizens can and cannot plant on their own property. Mr. Allman suggests that there needs to be some language changes in the ordinance to decrease the city's liability. - Councilmember Stranske inquired if there would be a committee that would approve whether or not a tree can be cut. Mr. Shine responded that this would be under the Urban Forest Advisory Committee.
• Councilmember Strong expressed that there is a potential for controversy if the city is going to dictate what citizens can and cannot do with trees on their property. • Mayor Rodriguez expressed concern over the cost of planning for the Urban Tree Ordinance and disagrees with utilizing the ARPA Funds for the planning of the ordinance.
10. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong
• Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC)
Willits City Council Minutes of November 13, 2024 Page 4 of 6 The loan program is doing very well and accomplishing their mission effectively.
Each participating jurisdiction will have only one representative on the EDFC Board.
The Noyo Theater and Artefex both received an EDFC loan to assist their businesses.
• Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA)
At the last meeting MSWMA did not have adequate information to address the budget. A new meeting has been set for December 12t to bring a more adequate analysis of the status of the budget.
• Sonoma Clean Power (SCP)
Sonoma Clean Power is part of all of the Communities Choice Aggregates, which are public entities that provide alternative power to PG&E. Councilmember Strong reports that SCP does more procuring of power than PG&E does.
Councilmember Gonzalez
Water/Wastewater Committee
Received an update from Brian Wallace of EBA on the Annual Ground Water Report.
It was reported that the State Fire Marshall approved the California Conservation Corps Project on E. Hill Rd. Received an update on the Wastewater Plant Clarifier repair.
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo)
Swore in Raghda Zacharia as new public member. There will be a meeting on the City of Ukiah Western Hills annexation and sphere amendment. There was a workshop about the Irish Beach Water District.
Mayor Rodriguez
• Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA)
Received an updated presentation on the housing project that is going in at the south end of town.
• Finance Committee - Meeting on November 20, 2024.
• Transportation Committee -
Community members requested a stop sign, Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director and City Manager Bender agreed to look into this matter. • Met with a member of the Brooktrails Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), discussed how they could partner with the City of Willits to help improve the emergency response within the city.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
11. Good & Welfare
• Councilmember Strong - Made available the most recent WELL newsletter. • Vice Mayor Gonzalez
• Councilmember Kanne
• Councilmember Stranske
Mayor Rodriguez - Thanked the Council for their hard work and City Manager Bender for his leadership.
Adjourned to Closed Session at 9:11
12. Closed Session Notice
Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 - Agency Negotiator: Brian Bender, City Manager and Patrick Clark, Patrick Clark Consulting.
Employee Organization(s): International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
The City Council reconvened to open session at 9:30 p.m. with no action to report.
Willits City Council Minutes of November 13, 2024 Page 5 of 6
13. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
For more information on the November 13, 2024, Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube.
LOEPARDO CONTATEZ, VoG Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Dekres Pedesar
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of November 13, 2024 Page 6 of 6