111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14, 2026
Mayor Allman 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 Gerardo Gonzalez, Larry Stranske, Bruce Burton, Vice Mayor Matthew Alaniz and Mayor Tom Allman were present.
Also, present were staff members: Bob Richardson, Interim City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Brian Fay, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
Allison Talbot, PG&E Local Government Relations Representative, came to introduce herself to the City Council. Ms. Talbot will email her contact information to Bob Richardson, Interim City Manager, to pass on to the City Council. If the Council has any local or regional PG&E issues, she is happy to assist.
3. Public Matters
a. City Council 2024 Assembly and Reorganization.
i. Nomination and Appointment of Mayor.
Public Comment: None.
• Council Member Alaniz responded that it is always a good idea to rotate the positions of Mayor and Vice Mayor. Due to Council Member Allman taking over the position mid- year when Council Member Stranske stepped down as Mayor and being that the City is in a period of transition it would be a good idea to stick with the leadership that the City currently has.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to nominate Councilmember Allman as Mayor.
ii. Nomination and Appointment of Vice Mayor.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to nominate Councilmember Alaniz as Vice Mayor.
MAYOR ALLMAN PRESIDING AT 6:38 P.M.
• Mayor Allman stated that this is not a good year to be on City Council.
ili. Committee Appointments
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Finance Committee Tom Allman
3rd Wednesday 3:30 pm Matthew Alaniz
Water & Wastewater Systems Committee Bruce Burton
3rd Thursday 10:00 am Larry Stranske
Transportation Gerry Gonzalez
4' Thursday 3:30 pm Larry Stranske
City Manager
Bi- Monthly Chamber of Commerce Meeting Gerry Gonzalez
REGIONAL BOARDS
Gerry Gonzalez
League of California Cities / Redwood Empire Division Alternate: Tom Allman Matthew Alaniz
Memoriay Cou pit of Governments (MCOG) Alternate: Larry Stranske Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) Tom Allman 2nd Thursday 2-4 pm
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) Larry Stranske Alternate: Bruce Burton
3r Thursday 9:00 am
Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) Matthew Alaniz
Last Wednesday 1:30 pm
MENDOCINO COUNTY CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) Gerry Gonzalez 1s Monday 9:00 am
Mendocino County Museum Advisory Board Tom Allman
Bi-Monthly 2nd Wednesday 9:30 am (1s meeting February)
AD HOC COMMITTEES
Tom Allman
Willits Frontier Days Advisory Committee Larry Stranske Measure K Tom Allman
Matthew Alaniz
Meets Quarterly
CITIZEN COMMITTEES
rt in Public Spac Gary Martin Margi Guhde
leets as neede Dan Miller Judy Fisch
Willits City Council Minutes of January 14, 2026 Page 2 of 7
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following item (s) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. December 10, 2025
ii. December 10, 2025 - Special Meeting.
ili. December 22, 2025 - Special Meeting.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item(s) (a).
b. Approve the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Muchmore than Consulting for $60,900 in Additional Authority through Mid- March 2026.
• Interim City Manager Richardson explained that Ms. Muchmore has been providing Personnel Management and Systems Management services since he started and he wants to make sure the City can keep using her services through the reorganization process. Mayor Allman stated that he is in support of utilizing Muchmore Than Consulting services to Mid- March but would not support going beyond that. Mr. Richardson stated that Mid-March is more than enough time, based on his timeline the City is right on the timeframe Public Comment:
Nicole Caldwell stated that she does not disagree that the City needs someone to assist the Interim City Manager with the task that he is here to do, but she disagrees with paying $60,900 to pay a consultant when the City is looking at cutting positions and employees. Mayor Allman responded that having a person with the professional knowledge to take care of employee rights and the City is protected from any legal claims allows the City to take care of it without having to spend more money afterwards for a mistake that might have been made.
• Vice Mayor Alaniz asked to have dates added next to the signatures page for the date a contract or amendment is signed. Mr. Alaniz asked to have the not to exceed amount in the amendment to match the resolution, he also pointed out that the resolution had the incorrect date of September 24, 2005 when it should be October 14, 2025 as the date that the City entered into an Agreement with Muchmore than Consulting LLC. Mr. Alaniz requested that this be corrected • Council member Gonzalez stated that he understands what Ms. Caldwell is saying but in the same time the Council wants to be sensitive, these are peoples lives that is being affected. If they are due something the Council needs to know what that is so that their rights are observed and if not the Council needs to be upfront with everyone as soon as they can. Mr. Gonzalez continues that it is a hard pill to swallow, again the City is paying more consultants but at the same time getting someone who is also not emotionally attached and comes with the professional experience to do it right is important to him.
• Council member Burton inquired about the certifications that the contract states the Ms. Muchmore has, he inquired about what specialized certifications are required, Willits City Council Minutes of January 14, 2026 Page 3 of 7 he assumes that a CA if she is dealing with finances. Mr. Richardson responded that Ms. Muchmore is primarily working in personnel and systems, not finance, although she is assisting in those areas. Ms. Muchmore responded that she is a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources by the Society of Human Resource Management, she is not a CPA and is not contracted as a Finance Expert for the City of Willits. Mr. Burton mentioned that the contract refers to Finance Consulting, Ms. Muchmore responded that they do Payroll Consulting and that it is under Finance. Mr. Burton requested that the working papers, that fall under the contract become the property of the City. Mr. Richardson states that he sees not issue with this request.
Bear Kamoroff asked for clarification of how much the total contract is costing the City? Mayor Allman responded that it is $90,600. Vice Mayor Alaniz corrected that the total is $85,900
• Council member Burton added that the City has an Interim City Manager to do a specific task, and he feels that he needs a non-participating confidant to work his plan through, expecting him to do it solo is an unreasonable expectation, having someone to offer expertise and council and help him make better decisions is where Mr. Burton feels the value it.
Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item(s) (b).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Accounts Payable Activity Report: December 2025.
b. Building Permit Activity Report: December 2025.
c. Business License Activity Report: December 2025.
• Council Member Burton asked for clarification of checks that were paid.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented
• Mayor Allman inquired about the need for the City Council to continue to meet as the successor agency. Finance Director Orozco states that he is looking into writing to the Oversight Committee requesting dissolution of the Successor Agency.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
• Bob Richardson, Interim City Manager, reports that the first meeting in February the council will be provided the Mid-Year Budget to provide the Council with a good understanding of where the City stand financially. Mr. Richardson will also provide to the Council his findings and recommendations as to the fiscal condition of the City and a reorganization plan for Councils consideration. Senior staff members have been asked to develop their general fund non personnel budget requests for the coming year. This will give Mr. Richardson the ability to understand what the needs are for operations out of the general fund this next fiscal year. This will start the next years budget process earlier and allow to take a better look and extrapolate the more capitol needs out of the general fund and that will provide the resources available for the re-organization, at that time Mr. Richardson will be able to provide his final calculations and bring them to Council. Once Council has approved that action the City will have twenty-one (21) days to fully implement and start moving forward with the re-organization.
Willits City Council Minutes of January 14, 2026 Page 4 of 7 •Mayor Allman inquired if Mr. Richardson has any plans to have another full meeting with staff to update them. Mr. Richardson responded that just before the February meeting he would be happy to get this done, to give staff a good understanding as to where the City stands financially
Public Comment: None presented
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Discussion and Possible Adoption of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Willits for the Franklin Ave. Storm Drain Replacement Project Award of Bid to Wylatti Resource Management Inc. of Covelo for $96,497.12. • Council member recused himself declaring a conflict of interest, he owns property on Franklin Ave.
Public Comment:
• Nicole Caldwell inquired if the project could wait another year. Ms. Caldwell continues that the $96,497.12 is two or three employees for one year.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried 4/1 with Council Member Burton recused to adopt Resolution No. 2026-02 awarding a contract to Wylatti Resource Management Inc. of Covelo, in an amount not to exceed $96,497.12, for the Franklin Ave. Storm Drain Replacement Project.
B. Review and Approve the City of Willits 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports
• Dusty Duley, Community Development Director gave the Council a verbal report of the Housing Element Annual Progress Reports for 2024 & 2025. • Council requested to have the item placed on the Consent Calendar for January 28, 2026.
• Council member Burton complained that the state requires the city to produce these reports then implements mandates that demeans the process. Mr.
Burton continues that the City population has reduced by ten (10) based on the count that is printed on the population sign, if building more houses grows a community the city should have grown by three to four hundred people due to the new housing that has that has been built since 2010. • Council member Burton inquired why the City did not include the freeway interchanges in the sphere of influence. Mr. Duley responded that it is difficult to get the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) approval to put the interchanges in the sphere of influence given their zoning.
Mayor Allman states that Mr. Burton brought up a good point, there are now 100 people at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) now, so population is going up. Mr. Allman also states he does not believe we have statistical data on how many vacant houses the City has. Mr. Duley stated that the last time the City was going through the Housing Element process the vacancy rate was negligible.
• Mr. Duley that the City's Housing Element in required to be updated in the middle of 2027, most jurisdictions are getting started on this now. The state also passed a law that the next time we update the Housing Element we are also subject to updating the City's Safety Element.
Willits City Council Minutes of January 14, 2026 Page 5 of 7 Public Comment:
• Bear Kamoroff inquired about the type of housing that the community is seeking and who was it that made that decision? Mr. Duley responded that he has heard from individuals that are up in age and are currently living in the surrounding hills and are looking to move into town but there is not enough senior housing. Workforce housing for teachers would be appreciated. Mr. Duley has heard from some of the City's biggest employers that there would be an opportunity to expand their workforce however there is not available housing to support their needs.
Review And Approve The City Of Willits 2025 General Plan And Housing Element Annual Progress Reports
• Council requested to have the item placed on the Consent Calendar for January 28, 2026.
C. Proposed Change Order For The New Sports Park Solar Array For An Amount Of $231,040; To Syserco Energy Solutions (Ses) For The Installation Of Revised Caisson Infrastructure.
• Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director reported that since the production of the Agenda for this meeting staff has identified more cost savings for this project. The new actual coast will be $203,492.85, Mr. Kolon added that there will be more modifications that will have a cost savings of $7,500 more.
Public Comment:
• Nicole Caldwell commented that the added cost would be four to five employees keeping their jobs for another year.
• Helen Sims asked if there is some reason as to why this project cannot be delayed considering the City finances at this time. Mr. Kolon stated that we have to have the project completed by the end of April or May due to funding sources and the PG&E Agreement.
• Nicole Caldwell expressed her frustration over the project, stating that everyone was against the project. When concern was raised to a certain individual and was asked why he was going forward his response was because I can.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried 4/1 with Council Member Stranske dissenting to adopt Resolution No. 2026-03 to approve a Change Order not to exceed a Total of $203,492.85, to Syserco Energy Solutions (SES) for Revised Foundation, Caissons and Structural Upgrades.
10. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Burton
• Asked for a report of the City's Financial Accounts.
Finance Director Orozco reported the following:
Savings Bank of Mendocino County:
Main Account: $3,503,489.55
Payroll Account: 376,782.23
Savings Account: 35,133.80
LAIF Balance: $ 557.908.00
Willits City Council Minutes of January 14, 2026 Page 6 of 7 US Bank Balance: $5,333,331.23
Processor Accounts:
Xpress Bill Pay: $ 244,962.14
Pathpoint: 238,482.52
Total Citywide Accounts $10,290,089.47
• Mayor Allman explained that the mass majority of these funds are in the Enterprise fund for Water and Sewer and can not be used for general government purposes.
Councilmember Stranske
Expressed concern over people driving scooters and bikes on the sidewalk in town.
Vice Mayor Alaniz
• Finance Committee - Postponed this month's finance committee meeting until the mid-financial review.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
11. Good & Welfare
None.
12. Closed Session Notice
None presented
13. Adjournment
Mayor Allman declared the meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
For more information on the January 14, 2026 Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube.
Tom Allman, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Debresledern
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of January 14, 2026 Page 7 of 7