City Council Minutes of August 12, 2009 -click here-
Willits City Council 6:00 p.m.
111 East Commercial Street Wednesday
Willits, CA 95490 August 12, 2009
Mayor Larry Stranske called a regular 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, and Mayor Larry Stranske
Also present were staff members Community Development Director Alan Falleri, Finance Director Joanne Cavallari, Public Works Director Dave Madrigal, City Engineer Tom Mannatt, Water Plant Supervisor Denny Caine, City Attorney Jim Lance, and City Manager Paul Cayler.
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO WILLITS AIRPORT VOLUNTEERS - Mayor Stranske presented Certificates of Appreciation to Willits Airport volunteers Dick Johnson, Harold Weston, Dave Shelton and Jim Harden. Airport Manager Marilyn Harden noted these were extraordinary volunteers and commended them for their numerous hours of volunteer work over the past years.
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD TO CLYDE DAVIS - Mayor Stranske presented a Public Service Award to Clyde Davis and thanked him for his years of service on the Airport Commission. Airport Manager Marilyn Harden also thanked Mr. Davis for his service and efforts at the airport over the past nine years.
SETTING DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON REVISED SEWER RATES - Finance Director Joanne Cavallari noted that the sewer rates being proposed tonight had been reviewed and were acceptable to the USDA. She noted that if approved, the sewer rates would be adjusted annually to meet budgeted operating and maintenance costs, including debt service. Cavallari indicated that the City was not able to qualify for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project due to the timelines. City Manager Cayler explained the 218 process, noted the cost reductions made to sewer budget, and that the City was under a cease & decrease order from the State and mandated to pursue the Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Council members discussed obtaining competitive bids for the Phase II and III of the wastewater treatment plant project. Cayler stated that another 218 process may be required depending on the outcome of the bidding process and future operations and maintenance. Motion Kanne/2nd Hanson and unanimous roll call vote to set a public hearing for October 14, 2009 on the revised sewer rates and authorized the mailing of the Proposition 218 notice to all sewer rate payers.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS - Mayor Stranske read the public communication guidelines. Tony Orth representing REMADE advised that the original resolution adding responsibility of an Area Energy Authority to MCOG was being revised by the MCOG Executive Director and the City of Ukiah that would clarify issues and concerns raised by the City of Willits. Tom Woodhouse reported on their cleanup efforts around Brookside School and urged residents to contact them if they needed help with any cleanup. Council member Madrigal invited everyone to the hospital bed races fundraiser this Saturday and Music-Nic in the Park on Sunday. Mayor Stranske apologized for the dust created by the City’s street sweeper during the cleanup at Brookside School. Council member Kanne noted how volunteers and city employees were working together on projects.
CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION TAKEN
A. City Council Minutes of 7/22/09 Approved
B. Payment of Warrants #13243-13347 = $707,807.23 Approved
C. RESOLUTION 2009-28 Establishing the Appropriations Limit Approved
for the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year Pursuant to Article XIIIB of the
the Constitution of the State of California
D. Closing of Swimming Pool Rehab Fund Approved
E. Voluntary Early Resignation/Retirement Waiver and Release Approved
Agreement for Laura Knispel
F. RESOLUTION 2009-29 Designating the City’s Authorized Agents Approved
To Execute and File Documents Necessary to the Processing of
Seeking State or Federal Disaster Finance Assistance.
G. Letter to Mendocino County Library Re-Appointing Barbarie Approved
Gonzalez as the Willits Representative to the County’s Library
Advisory Board
H. RESOLUTION 2009-30 Finding and Determining an Industrial Approved
Disability Retirement for Police Officer David Tiller
Motion Madrigal/2nd Burton and unanimous vote to approve Consent Calendar, items A through H.
RIGHT TO APPEAL - Mayor Stranske read the guidelines for appealing Council decisions.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILLITS AND THE COUNTY OF MENDOCINO FOR BUILDING INSPECTION SAFETY SERVICES - City Manager Cayler advised this item was being brought to the Council due to the City’s on-going budget problems and to reduce costs in the Building Department as revenue and building permits were down. Cayler noted that the proposed agreement with the County of Mendocino was modeled after the City of Bragg’s, noted savings that would be achieved, that agreement could be examined at a later date, and if approved, and would become effective January 1, 2010. He further noted that the City’s Building Inspector had been offered an early retirement incentive that would have to take effect by December 31, 2009. Nash Gonzalez, Mendocino County Building Department Director, advised he had been working with City Manager Cayler in putting together the proposed agreement, that the City of Fort Bragg has been satisfied with their services, and felt this was being approached on a regional concept in other parts of the State. He further noted turn around time on plans, and that plan checks would be done at City Hall. Council members then had discussion on item and expressed some concerns. Bill Barksdale, Tom Woodhouse, Paul Riley and Jim Schultz spoke in opposition to approving an agreement with the County. Bob Blum of Affordable Plumbing was not opposed to agreement but felt Frank Howard, the present Building Inspector, provided quick turn-around and brought a lot of experience with him. Mayor Stranske expressed his support for approving the agreement and felt it was a start in the right direction to reducing the City’s deficit. No action was taken on the matter.
RESOLUTION 2009-31 ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF PHASE I OF THE WILLITS WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, PROJECT 2007-06, AND AUTHORIZE THE FILING OF THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION - City Manager Cayler advised that the City was now ready to file a Notice of Completion on Phase I of the Headworks project for the Wastewater Treatment Project and that had a final cost of the project was $3,883,431.25. He further advised that this had been a long and difficult project and commended City Engineer Tom Mannatt and the Sewer Plant crew. City Engineer Tom Mannatt then thanked Sewer Plant Supervisor J.C. England and his operators for their efforts on the project. Motion Burton/2nd Hanson and unanimous roll call vote to adopt Resolution 2009-31 Accepting Completion of Phase I of the Willits Wastewater Treatment Plant, Project 2007-06, and Authorize Filing of the Notice of Completion.
OTHER CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Cayler reported that:
1)As a follow-up to some calls he received and phone contact with the Willits Superior Court Administrator, it appears they are looking into closing the Willits Superior Court and inquired about the possibility of the City taking over the facility.
2)He expressed a “big thank you” to Cathy Gott and her Rotary team for their efforts in remodeling the bar area in the Community Center.
3)They were advertising for a Wastewater Treatment Operator due to the resignation of Sewer Plant Operator Patrick Wiley.
4)They were also advertising for a Water Operator due to a long term illness of one of our employees.
5)The Public Works Director and Water Plant Supervisor were excused tonight.
6)He reported on the levels of the water reservoirs as compared to last year.
7)The swimming pool will be closing for the summer this Saturday and individually thanked the swim pool staff.
8)The Board of Supervisors will be meeting in Fort Bragg to discuss the topic of air quality.
9)He was planning to attend the graduation of Plan Vocacional, a summer program that focuses on Latino youth that teaches art and cultural.
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Police Chief Gerry Gonzales reported they assisted the CHP with security during the recent Redwood Empire Fair, that they will have an officer available at the upcoming concert in the park, discussed that businesses need to prepare before the flu season starts due to the H1N1 swine flu, and that the State is taking some funds from their parking fees.
Community Development Director Falleri reported he was happy to see support for Building Inspector tonight, that he attended a workshop on the economy and demographics of Mendocino County, and distributed a cartoon on planning to the Council.
City Attorney Jim Lance reported that they are working on the Note and Security Agreement for the Metal F/x relocation costs; that he had a good meeting with Code Enforcement Officer John Sherman on code enforcement and ways to streamline the abatement process.
City Engineer Tom Mannatt reported on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project, that they were moving forward with some meetings with the State Health Department with regards to implementing plans at the water plant.
Finance Director Joanne Cavallari reported that Laura Knispel was retiring, her last day was Monday and she would be missed, that they are wrapping the year-end financials and hope to start the audit by the end of the month, noted that Police Department was receiving a grant for $17,000 for a radio repeater and reimbursement of personnel costs but unfortunately would not receive a grant for to pay for two additional police officers for three years, and that we received our first I.O.U. from the State for Emergency Services.
CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no reports on MCOG, LAFCO, MTA, Revit-ED COMMITTEE, MSWMA-JPA, EDFC, and WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE.
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES – Mayor Stranske reported on the Empire Division League meeting he attended in Rio Dell.
SEWER SYSTEM COMMITTEE – Mayor Stranske reported they discussed moving ahead on the 218 Sewer Rate Study and that they had discussions with Brooktrails.
CALTRANS AD HOC COMMITTEE – Council member Burton reported they reviewed the letter of response from Caltrans on the relinquishment of Main Street, discussed areas of concern, and that Caltrans was saying that going the bidding process for the freeway had been bumped to 2010 due to difficult mitigations for the wetlands. Council member Hanson expressed concern about the increased amount of traffic that would be created by the construction of the bypass and requested that the Railroad Avenue/Baechtel Road corridor project be placed on an upcoming agenda. After further discussion, staff was directed to bring back a recap and status of project in 90 days. City Manager Cayler suggested that we contact other communities to obtain their experience on the relinquishment process with Caltrans.
EXPLORATION OF POTENTIAL ENERGY SOURCES AD HOC COMMITTEE – Council member Kanne reported they had discussions regarding the Sam Pierce’s Report on greenhouse gas emissions and that this report would be coming to the Council on August 26th.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS – Mayor Stranske reported he recently attended a meeting where they were discussing recreational districts as well as open space and trails.
GOOD & WELFARE
Community Development Director Falleri noted the two electric vehicles in the City’s parking lot that were demonstration models. Code Enforcement Officer John Sherman advised that the City had been awarded a grant to purchase an electric vehicle to replace one of our present trucks and invited any interested Council members for a test ride.
Council member Madrigal reported on a recently organized soccer game and that she attended the Redwood Empire Fair.
Council member Kanne reported that he recently married a couple who were local Willits High School graduates and were now making Willits their home.
Mayor Stranske advised he also attended the Redwood Empire Fair.
8:20 p.m. Council recessed to Closed Session for Conference with Legal Counsel-Anticipated Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b): One case.
9:00 p.m. Council reconvened. Mayor Stranske announced that no action took place in Closed Session. Motion Madrigal/2nd Kanne and unanimous vote to adjourn.
______________________________
Larry Stranske, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Marilyn Harden, City Clerk