City Council Minutes of December 17, 2008 – click here -

Willits City
Council 6:00 p.m.

111 East Commercial
Street Wednesday

Willits,
California December 17, 2008

Mayor Larry Stranske
called a special meeting of the City Council to order at the above
time and place. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.

Roll: Present – Council Members Victor Hanson, Greg Kanne,
Holly Madrigal, Bruce Burton (arrived 7:40 p.m.) and Mayor Larry
Stranske

Also present were staff
members Public Works Director Dave Madrigal, City Engineer Tom
Mannatt, Sewer Plant Supervisor J.C. England, City Attorney Jim
Lance, and City Manager Paul Cayler.

6:05 p.m. Council
recessed to Closed Session for Conference with Legal Counsel –
Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a):
City of Willits, et al, vs. Mildred Sanchez, et al, Case CVG 0798692

6:35 p.m. Council
reconvened. Mayor Stranske advised that no action had been taken in
Closed Session.

CONTRACT WITH
LEVENTHAL, SCHLOSSER, NEWBERGER (LSN) ARCHITECTS FOR COMPLETION OF
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR HAEHL CREEK TRAIL PROJECT -
This item had been tabled at the 12/10/08 Council meeting. Community
Development Director Alan Falleri advised the City had been awarded a
grant from the California Resources Agency Proposition 50 to complete
the Haehl Creek Trail Segment of the Willits Creekside Trail System.
He indicated that one of the tasks outlined in the work program for
the project is the completion of plans and specifications for the
trail and accessories. which include picnic tables, benches, par
course equipment, interpretive displays and a kiosk. Falleri then
addressed Council concerns of up front costs to City for the project,
long-term maintenance costs, and liability from people using the
trails. City Manager Paul Cayler indicated that insurance
requirements for LSN had been reduced from $2 Million Dollars to $1
Million Dollars. Tom Woodhouse, Chris Alfano, Tara Logan, Larry
Desmond, Ed Mitchell, Patrick Barnes, Laura Herman, Jed Diamond,
Richard Jensen, Desert Jorgensen, Pat Norris, Mike Aplet, David
Stevens, Melanie Rose, Jake McFadden, and Judy Luria spoke in favor
of project. Council member Madrigal advised she had brought 10
letters of support for project. Motion Kanne/2^nd
Madrigal and unanimous roll call vote, absent Burton, to approve a
Contract for Professional Services with Leventhal, Schlosser,
Newberger Architects to complete plans and specifications for the
Haehl Creek Trail Project for a not to exceed amount of $13,000 and
authorize the City Manager to execute same.

7:20 p.m. Council
recessed.

7:30 p.m. Council
reconvened.

EMERGENCY PURCHASE
OF QUAIL MEADOWS LIFT STATION EQUIPMENT – City Engineer Tom
Mannatt explained urgent need to replace pump equipment at Quail
Meadows Sewer Lift Station and risks if not quickly replaced and that
this was a budgeted item. Motion Madrigal/2^nd
Hanson and unanimous roll call vote, absent Burton, to purchase
equipment for Quail Meadows Sewer Lift Station for approximately
$40,100 and appurtenances that include fencing, alarm system, cover,
wiring and plumbing for a total amount not to exceed $60,000, and
that wiring and labor installation would be done by City crew.

MAYOR’S COMMITTEE
APPOINTMENTS – Mayor Stranske made the following
appointments for the coming year:

MCOG: Larry Stranske;
Alternate: Holly Madrigal

LAFCO: Holly Madrigal

MTA: Victor Hanson

Revit-ED Committee:
Holly Madrigal & Greg Kanne

MSWMA: Victor Hanson

EDFC: Holly
Madrigal

League of California
Cities: Larry Stranske

Water Resources
Committee; Larry Stranske & Victor Hanson

Sewer System Committee:
Larry Stranske & Bruce Burton

Exploration
of Potential Energy Sources Ad Hoc Committee: Holly Madrigal &
Greg Kanne

Sherwood
Valley Indian Tribe Casino Ad Hoc Committee; Greg Kanne & Larry
Stranske

Finance Committee:
Mayor & Vice Mayor

A Water Resources
Committee meeting was set for January 7^th at 3 p.m. Mayor
Stranske noted he had received a request from Fort Bragg for City
representatives on an All Cities Committee.

7:40 p.m. Council member
Burton arrived.

Council member Burton
inquired about clarification and reconsideration of the Council’s
action on the Solid Waste of Willits matter at the 12/10/08 Council
meeting. City Attorney Jim Lance advised this item could not be
taken up at tonight’s special meeting.

7:45 p.m. Motion
Hanson/2^nd Madrigal and unanimous vote to adjourn.

_____________________________

Larry Stranske,
Mayor

_______________________________

Marilyn Harden, City
Clerk