Memorandum – June 19, 2009
City of Willits
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 19, 2009
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Subject: Administrative Progress Report
The following developments may be of interest to you and the community-at-large. Please contact me at (707) 459-4601, if you have any questions.
SKATE PARK
A check was received from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation equaling $247,000 for the grant related to the Skate Park project. This is good news, and has very positive impact on the City’s budget outlook.
KIDS CLUB
The Kids Club construction project is back underway. This project was suspended in January 2009 due to the State of California freezing grant disbursements caused by the budget crisis. The State made a disbursement payment to the City of Willits of approximately $360,000. Based on this action, I lifted the project suspension. Work to complete the project began on Monday, June 15, 2009.
BUDGET
Much of my time along with City Finance Director Joanne Cavallari has been dedicated to work preparing the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget. A proposed Final Budget will be presented to the City Council on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Due to the general economic slowdown, this has been a very challenging document to prepare. Also, there will continue to be many complex unknown factors that will be up in the air, such as what will be the role of local government in the plan to reconcile the State’s budget, and what will happen to the City’s greatest General Fund revenue source: Sales Tax. The City’s budget will have to be returned to and adjusted through out the year as events play themselves out. I want to express my deepest gratitude to City employees, the City Council members and the public that have participated in the many long meetings and budget planning sessions. These are very difficult times that are demanding great sacrifice and causing sleepless nights.
SALES TAX
Related to the City Budget as discussed above, the preliminary sales tax data for the first quarter of 2009 has been received. The information is indicating that there was a 13.8% sales tax decrease in Willits when comparing the 1st quarter of 2008. On the whole, the City of Willits experienced the smallest decrease for jurisdictions in the County: Mendocino County decreased 22.9%, the City of Ukiah decreased 15.1%, and the City of Fort Bragg decreased 14.7%. When comparing the total sales tax collected in the most recent four quarters, Willits has experienced a 5.8% decrease.
LAKE LEVELS
As of June 16, 2009, the total water storage capacity in Morris and Centennial Reservoirs is 1,236 acre feet. This is a very welcome development. There is no water emergency in Willits right now. Water storage is approximately 230 acre feet greater than last year at the same time. The next important water capacity trigger point for declaring a potential Phase One Water Emergency is August 1st, wherein there must be greater than 830 acre feet in storage. At this time with the dry season upon us, it appears that the downward water storage trend line will be greater the water emergency trigger point.
SWIMMING POOL IS OPEN
The Swimming Pool is open for business. Open swim is Monday through Saturday from 1:00pm to 4:30pm. Open swim admission is $3.50. A 20-swim pass is available for $62.00. Persons interested in swim lessons, adult lap swim, pool parties and water aerobics should contact the Pool Office at 459-5778.
PLEDGE FOR THE BALL FIELDS
A pledge of $1,000 has been received from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Activity League (MCSAL) for the Ball Fields project. A BIG thanks to MCSAL Director Tom Allman and MCSAL President Mike Tobin.
Agenda For June 24, 2009
AGENDA
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
111 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA
* * * * * * * *
June 24, 2009* * * * 6:00 p.m.
1. OPENING MATTERS-
a) Call to order;
b) Pledge to flag;
c) Roll Call;
2. PUBLIC MATTERS
A. Proclamation Proclaiming Western Wear Week of 6/27/09 – 7/5/09
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – Council welcomes participation in its meetings. Comments shall be limited to five minutes per person so that everyone may be given an opportunity to be heard. To expedite matters and avoid repetition, whenever any group of persons wishes to address the Council on the same subject matter, the Mayor may request that a spokesperson be chosen by the group. This item is limited to matters under the jurisdiction of the City Council which are not on the posted agenda. Public criticism of the City Council, Commission, Boards and Agencies will not be prohibited. No action shall be taken.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR – Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion.
ACTION RECOMMENDED
A. City Council Minutes of 6/10/09_____________________________Approve
B. Warrants # 12882 – 13010 = $344,337.13____________________Approve
C. Closing of Skate Park Fund and Train Depot Restoration
Fund at June 30, 2009_________________________________________Approve
D. Letter to Cal Fire and State Board of Forestry on North
Fork Spur Timber Sale on Jackson Demonstration State
Forest______________________________________________________Approve
5. RIGHT TO APPEAL - Persons who are dissatisfied with the decisions of the City Council may have the right to a review of that decision by a court. The City has adopted Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure which generally limits to 90 days the time within which the decisions of the City boards and agencies may be judicially challenged.
6. COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES
A. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1. Approval of Community Development Minutes of 5/13/09
2. Discussion and Possible Action Adopting Resolution Adopting the Community Development Agency’s 2009-2010 Final Budget
7. OLD BUSINESS
None
8. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Discussion and Possible Action Adopting Resolution to Approve Deferral of Salary Adjustment to Unrepresented Employees
B. Discussion and Possible Action Adopting Resolution Approving and Authorizing Execution of the First Amendment to the 2007-2010 Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Willits and the Willits Police Officers Association
C. Discussion and Possible Action Adopting Resolution Approving and Authorizing Execution of the First Amendment to the 2007-2010 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Willits and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1245
D. Discussion and Possible Action Approving the Proposed 2009-2010 City of Willits Budget
E. Discussion and Possible Action Adopting Resolution Adopting the 2009-2010 Final City of Willits Budget
F. Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Regarding Certification of the Willits Wastewater Treatment/Water Reclamation Project Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and Addendum EIR, as well as Making CEQA Findings, Adopting the Mitigation Monitoring Program and Direct City Staff to File Another Notice of Determination (NOD)
G. Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Financing through Municipal Solutions, Inc. for the Purchase of a Multi Conductor Hi Cube Van with TV Inspection System for the Sewer Department
H. Other Reports – Oral/No Action
9. DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Police Chief
B.City Planner – PUBLIC HEARING: Discussion and Possible Adoption of the City of Willits Bicycle and Pedestrian Specific Plan (Note: Discussion on this item will not begin before 7:00 p.m.)
C. City Attorney
D. Public Works Director
E. City Engineer
F. Finance Director
10. CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. MCOG
B. LAFCO
C. MTA
D. REVIT-ED COMMITTEE
E. MSWMA-JPA
F. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCING CORP. (EDFC)
G. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
H. WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE
I. SEWER SYSTEM COMMITTEE
J. CALTRANS AD HOC COMMITTEE
K. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
11. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
12. ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES
A. Next Ordinance: 2009-03
B. Next Resolution: 2009-16
C. Next Planning Commission Resolution: 2009-01
D. Next Community Development Agency Resolution: 2009-02
13. GOOD & WELFARE
14. CLOSED SESSION NOTICE
A. CONFERENCE WITH AGENCY LABOR NEGOTIATORS, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6:
City of Willits Negotiator: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Employee Organization: Willits Police Officers Association
City of Willits Negotiator: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Employee Organization: International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, Local 1275
City of Willits Negotiator: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Employee Organization: Unrepresented Employees
15. ADJOURNMENT
NOTE: The meeting room is wheelchair accessible and disabled parking is available. If you are a person with a disability and you need disability-related modifications or accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Marilyn Harden at (707) 459-7120 or FAX (707) 459-1562. Requests for such modifications or accommodations must be made at least two full business days before the start of the meeting.
NOTE: Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Willits City Council/ Planning Commission/Community Development Agency after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at City Clerk’s office at 111 E. Commercial Street, Willits during normal business hours.
Memorandum – June 5, 2009
City of Willits.
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 5, 2009
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Subject: Administrative Progress Report
The following developments may be of interest to you and the community-at-large. Please contact me at (707) 459-4601, if you have any questions.
STATE PARK GRANTS AND OTHER MATTERS
On Monday June 1, 2009, a check was received from the State of California equaling $359,159 for the State Park Grant related to the Kids Club Project. This is an extremely welcome event. There is hope that additional disbursement payments for other State Park Grant projects will be forthcoming too. In another positive development, AB1364 was approved by the California State Assembly moved into the State Senate as an urgency matter. This bill would permit State agencies administering grant agreements to extend statutory deadlines for grant projects that were suspended due to the State freezing payments. The City Council took action to support AB1364. The Governor has indicated that he is supportive of grant agreement deadline extension.
KIDS CLUB
This matter is closely related to the receipt of State Park Grant payments. City staff has been working on a City Council agenda item for consideration at the June 10, 2009, City Council meeting, wherein the project suspension and whether to paint the building is planned. City staff still plans to bring the Kids Club project forward for discussion at the June 10th Council Meeting, however as of the writing of this report it appears that the possible decision will center on lifting the project suspension and directing the contractor to proceed with all work.
BUDGET
On Wednesday, June 10, 2009, the City Council is scheduled to take up the budget matters related to Council Member and City Treasurer benefit reductions and Redevelopment Agency budget cuts. On Tuesday, June 2nd, the City Manager conducted an “All Employee Meeting” when City budget information was shared with all interested employees followed by a question and answer session. The group consensus of attendees was that the meeting was positive, and that there should be follow up meetings to keep the employees up-to-date.
LEAK DETECTION
The City Water Department conducted a leak detection program in the past two weeks. Seven leaks were detected in City distribution lines. As of the writing of this report, five of the seven leaks have been repaired. Eighteen leaks were detected in private water lines. Letters noticing the applicable customers of the detected leaks have been sent out. Also, all the City main lines in the area of Mendocino and North Streets were checked for leaks, and no leaks were detected. It is deduced that the wet area on North Street near Mendocino Street is not the result of leaking City water pipes, rather it is a surfacing groundwater spring.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY OPERATION
On the morning of Thursday, May 21, 2009, an operation for pedestrian safety was conducted in Willits. Utilizing only on-duty personnel from the Willits Police Department, Sgt. Scofield, Officer McNelley, Officer Harris, Community Service Officer Gamble, and Investigator Warnock conducted a decoy operation on Main Street. One officer acted as a decoy and crossed the roadway in designated crosswalks. The operation was videoed. The operation resulted in seven citations, one warning and a DUI arrest.
Agenda for June 10, 2009
AGENDA
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
111 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA
* * * * * * * *
June 10, 2009* * * * 6:00 p.m.
1. OPENING MATTERS -
a) Call to order;
b) Pledge to flag;
c) Roll Call
2. PUBLIC MATTERS
A. Discussion and Possible Direction on Preliminary Design of West Commercial Street and Central Street Rehabilitation and Improvement Projects
B. Discussion and Possible Action on Reductions in Community Services, Department 1070
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – Council welcomes participation in its meetings. Comments shall be limited to five minutes per person so that everyone may be given an opportunity to be heard. To expedite matters and avoid repetition, whenever any group of persons wishes to address the Council on the same subject matter, the Mayor may request that a spokesperson be chosen by the group. This item is limited to matters under the jurisdiction of the City Council which are not on the posted agenda. Public criticism of the City Council, Commission, Boards and Agencies will not be prohibited. No action shall be taken.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR – Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion.
ACTION RECOMMENDED
A. City Council Minutes of 5/21/09 and 5/27/09———–Approve
B. Warrants #12789-12881 = $187,759.66—————————-Approve
C. RESOLUTION 2009-15 Authorizing Frontier Days———————Approve
Parade Route – July 4, 2009, and Decorations on
P.G.&E. Poles
D. Appointments to Cultural Arts Commission————————–Approve
E. Appointments to Airport Commission——————————-Approve
F. Building Inspection Activity Report – April 2009———————Receive
5. RIGHT TO APPEAL - Persons who are dissatisfied with the decisions of the City Council may have the right to a review of that decision by a court. The City has adopted Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure which generally limits to 90 days the time within which the decisions of the City boards and agencies may be judicially challenged.
6. COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES
None
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review, Consideration and Possible Action on an Agreement for Possession and Use Between the City of Willits and the California State Department of Transportation for City Owned Property at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for the Construction of the State Highway Route 101 Bypass Project.
8. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Budget Reductions in the Redevelopment Agency, and Benefit Reductions Related to Council Members and the City Treasurer
B. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Use of Restricted Reserve Water Funds from Connection Fee for the Development of Water System Improvements
C. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Proposal from the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) to Amend the Joint Powers Authority to Add Authority to Undertake Role and Responsibility as an Area Energy Authority
D. Discussion and Possible Action to Purchase a Multi-Conductor Hi Cube Van with TV Inspection System for the Sewer Department
E. Contract for Professional Services with HIS Design & Drafting Services, for Plan Conversions and Updates to the Wastewater Collection System Maps
F. Discussion and Possible Action Resuming Construction on the Willits Kids Club Project by Cupples Construction
G. Other Report – Oral/No Action
9. DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Police Chief
B. City Planner
C. City Attorney
D. Public Works Director
E. City Engineer
F. Finance Director
10. CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. MCOG
B. LAFCO
C. MTA
D. REVIT-ED COMMITTEE
E. MSWMA-JPA
F. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCING CORP. (EDFC)
G. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
H. WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE
I. SEWER SYSTEM COMMITTEE
J. CALTRANS AD HOC COMMITTEE
K. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
11. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
12. ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES
A. Next Ordinance: 2009-03
B. Next Resolution: 2009-16
C. Next Planning Commission Resolution: 2009-01
D. Next Community Development Agency Resolution: 2009-02
13. GOOD & WELFARE
14. CLOSED SESSION NOTICE
A. CONFERENCE WITH AGENCY LABOR NEGOTIATORS, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6:
City of Willits Negotiator: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Employee Organization: Willits Police Officers Association
City of Willits Negotiator: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Employee Organization: International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, Local 1275
City of Willits Negotiator: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Employee Organization: Unrepresented Employees
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION / EMPLOYMENT PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957(b)(1) Title: City Manager
15. ADJOURNMENT
NOTE: The meeting room is wheelchair accessible and disabled parking is available. If you are a person with a disability and you need disability-related modifications or accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Marilyn Harden at (707) 459-7120 or FAX (707) 459-1562. Requests for such modifications or accommodations must be made at least two full business days before the start of the meeting.
NOTE: Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Willits City Council/ Planning Commission/Community Development Agency after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at City Clerk’s office at 111 E. Commercial Street, Willits during normal business hours.