111E. COMMERCIAL STREET WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490 (707)459-46011 TEL (707)459-1562FAX  WILLITS  WILLITS CITY COUNCIL  MINUTES  WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2024  Mayor Rodriguez called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:31 p.m., in Council Roll Call: Councimembers Madge Strong, Larry Stranske, Greta Kanne, Vice Mayor Gerardo Also present were staff members: Brian Bender, City Manager; Cathy Moorhead, Assistant City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Davey Bowles, Building Official; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner; and  Chambers. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag. Gonzalez and Mayor Saprina Rodriguez were present.  Delores Pedersen, City Clerk. 2. Public Communications  Residents of Willits spoke against the plans to install a concrete pavilion in Bud Snider Lisa Kvasnicka gave an update on the Harvest Moon Festival that took place on  Park.  Saturday, September 21st.  3. Public Matters None presented. 4. Enactment of Ordinances None presented. 5. Consent Calendar a. City Council Minutes: .A August 28, 2024. ii. September 11, 2024. Public Comment: None presented. Consent Calendar item(s) (a). 6. Monthly Activity Reports  The following item(s) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:  Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to approve  Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest.  a. Business License Activity Report - August 2024. b. Building Activity Report - August 2024.  Page 1of6    Accounts Payable Activity Report - August 2024.  7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities 8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations  None presented.  a. A Five-Year Agreement Between the Willits Chamber of Commerce and the City of Willits for a Quarterly Allocation of 15.11-Percent from the Transient Occupancy Tax. John Kvasnicka and Linda Gibbons, Chamber Volunteers, both spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and expressed the need for the Transient Occupancy Mayor Rodriguez requested the following changes to the agreement: 1. Change meetings from bi-monthly to monthly with a Councimember in attendance with the Chamber Board and City Manager. 2. Change from a five-year to a three-year agreement. Mayor Rodriguez feels the Chamber has met some of the benchmark goals. Councilmember Stranske stated that the Chamber is doing a great job. Mr. Stranske has no problem with the requested increase but feels a five-year agreement is too Vice Mayor Gonzalez appreciated what the Chamber has done, he inquired if the City could do what the Chamber does with the amount of money that is being asked Councimember Kanne has had conversations with local business owners and has been told by those business owner that the City needs a Chamber of Commerce. John Kvasnicka appreciates the partnership the Chamber of Commerce has with the City. The increase of the TOT Funds would help pay for the new Chamber of Commerce Website and allow fort the increase of hours of the Chamber Coordinator. Danette Rego, Chamber Vice President, reported that during the Harvest Moon Festival, Chamber volunteers visited every vendor booth and business to introduce Raghda Zacharia suggested that the Chamber visit the corporation businesses in Linda Givens, Chamber Board Secretary, Stated that Adventist Health and other Matthew Alaniz inquired if the chamber did any kind of outreach to the new businesses in town? Mr. Alaniz suggested that there be a welcome packet that goes to all oft the new businesses that explains what the Chamber of Commerce does. Mr. Alaniz also suggested that having someone to speak to Spanish speaking business John Kvasnicka responded that the Chamber does have ay welcome packet, and they have reached out to the Spanish Community. Nuestra Alianza is going to start attending the Chamber Board meetings. There are plans to have a Dia de los Nicole Caldwell suggested having a Chamber of Commerce welcome letter send to Councilmember Strong feels that what the Chamber brings to the community is of  Funds.  long. for.  themselves and explain about the Chamber benefits. Robin Leler, spoke out against the agreement. the town and invite them to be Chamber Members. Corporations are already Chamber Members.  owners would be a good idea.  Muertos celebration with the help of Nuestra Alianza. New Businesses when the City issues the Business License. great value but agrees that ai five-year agreement is too long.  Moved by GonzalezSeconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-52 approving an agreement between the Willits  Willits City Council Minutes of September 25, 2024  Page 2of6    Chamber of Commerce and the City of Willits for a quarterly allocation of  15.11-percent from the Transient Occupancy Tax.  b. Verbal Reports - No Action. i.Project Updates:  2023 Pavement Preservation. 2024 Pavement Preservation. Main Street Fiber Optic.  Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director reported that the project is close to  being done, the contractor is finishing up the punch list. Expected to be complete by the third week of October.  Contractor is complete with the digging portion of the project working on the cleanup portion of the project. This part oft the project will be complete in about a week and PG&E is running a bit behind schedule, expect to begin the project the week of September 30th. The project is expected to continue until early January 2025. Mayor Rodriguez inquired about when the bus loading zones on Locust Street would be complete. Mr. Kolon responded that paving was completed today, September 25, striping will be done the week of September 30th. The location is usable at this time. At the corner of Locust and Walnut, the Willits Unified School District had a failed culvert, and the roadway had collapse, this was affecting drainage of rainwater, Argonaut repaired this culvert and area of road for the School District as a trade for allowing them to park their equipment there sO it would be close by. City Manager Bender reported that staff was contacted by the Pickleball Group reporting that the lights at the tennis courts were not working. Kenan O'Shea, Street and Parks Superintendent, coordinated with an electrician and PG&E to run a completely new electrical service line from the PG&E pole to the transformer to the switchbox for the lights. The switchbox needs some repairs, but the lights are working. Mr. Kolon is exploring the option of having solar lights installed.  al half.  Baechtel Road/PG&E Sidewalk.  Public Comment: None presented. 9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)  a. Adopt a Resolution to Pave Muir and' W. Van Lanes as Part of the 2024 Water Main & Sewer Main Replacement Project (Project #2023 /2024 Underground Utilities Project) for a Probable Cost of $35,000 from the Water & Sewer Enterprise Funds. Presenting staff member: Walter Kolon, Services & Facilities Director.  Public Comment: None presented.  Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-53 to pave Muir and' W. Van Lanes as part oft the 2024 Water Main & Sewer Main Replacement Project (Project #2023-08 1 2024 Underground Utilities Project) for a probable cost of $35,000 from the Water & Sewer Enterprise Funds. b. Authorization to Install a Gateway Sign at Highway 20 Park Using $30,000 from the  American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Budget Allocation. Presenting staff member: Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner.  Public Comment: None presented.  Willits City Council Minutes of September 25, 2024  Page 30 of6    Moved by Rodnguez/seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-54 approving the gateway sign design provided by Terrain Landscape Architects and authorizing the Services and Facilities Department to contract Paramount Sign Contractors Inc. to complete the gateway sign installation Presentation of Proposed Amendments to the Sidewalk Ordinances Contained in the  for an amount not to exceed $29,647.76.  Willits Municipal Code Title 12, Chapters 12.16 and 12.17. Presenting staff member: Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner.  Leiloni Shine, Contract Planner presented a PowerPoint presentation of proposed amendment to the Sidewalk Ordinance and asked council for guidance. 12.17.010 - Sidewalk inspection, replacement, and compliance certificates. Councilmember Stranske expressed his disagreement that al homeowner should be responsible for the repair and maintenance of a City owned sidewalk. City Attorney Lance explained that the homeowner being responsible for the sidewalk adjacent to their property is a California State Law. Vice Mayor Gonzalez expressed concern that some residents would not be able to afford to repair the sidewalk, he would like the city to create a fund to be able to repair sidewalks that the owners are unable to and then attach al lien to the property Councimember Kanne expressed her agreement oft thei indemnity clause, that would be tied to the sale of the property, for property owners to repair their sidewalks. Ms. Mayor Rodriguez inquired what self-certify in the Agenda Summary means. Ms. Shine responded that if a property owner is in a process of a sale, they can work with a qualified contractor to complete the self-certification if the City Inspector cannot inspect in at timely manner. Mayor Rodriguez then asked why big cities were used in the presentation to update our Sidewalk Ordinance. Ms. Shine responded that the City of Oakland was referenced because they had a backlog of unrepaired sidewalks, similar to Willits, and were looking for ways to assist property owners that are in different economic situations to allow them to repair the sidewalks in a timely manner. Ms. Shine explained that it was difficult to locate smaller cities like Willits that are willing toi take this one at this time. Mayor Rodriguez inquired what the plan was for the City to repair City sidewalks in front of City properties? Mr. Kolon responded that the city currently has a map of all the sidewalks in town from Data Works, these maps show what level of damage the sidewalks are at and what the cost for repairs could be. City Manager Bender responded that the City currently does not have sidewalk repairs budgeted, now that wel know the extent oft the needed sidewalk repairs due to the mapping, we can now start budgeting. Councimember Strong is unsure how a three percent property tax rebate will help property owners for the initial cost of repairing their sidewalks. Ms. Strong suggested that those property owners, that do not have sidewalks adjacent to their property, could contribute to a fund that is used to assist the City to help offset the cost in the priority areas that need to have sidewalks repaired. Ms. Strong does agree that an ordinance is needed to name the property owners as responsible for their sidewalk  ors some other form to collect.  Kanne agrees with a three percent property tax rebate.  repairs.  Willits City Council Minutes of September 25, 2024  Page 4of6    Public Comment:  Nicole Caldwell suggested that the cost for the repair of the sidewalks be shared by the homeowners and the City of Willits. Ms. Caldwell also feels that the City should be the one to sign off on the repairs to help eliminate the cost of the homeowner Council requested that some form of financial program be available to help property  having to hire a contractor to do the self-certify. owners that need financial assistance.  10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month).  a. Airport. - Nothing more to add. b. Community Development - Nothing more to add. C.F Finance. - Nothing more to add. d. Police Department  Mayor Rodriguez commented that it appears that based on the report that the Police Department is more active than they were a year ago. City Manager Bender responded that this is in response to the request made by Council at the previous meeting to do more Councimember Kanne reported that she has citizens commenting to her that the skate park is not opened early enough in the day. Mr. Kolon responded that he will look into having a lock installed that would lock and unlock with ai timer, similar to the ones that are  enforcement on crosswalk and traffic violations.  e. Services & Facilities  being installed that the park bathrooms.  f.Utilities - Nothing more to add. No action taken. Councimember Kanne  11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports  Finance Committee = Final Audit is delayed; the next Measure K Oversight Ms. Kanne assisted with a cleanup in Ukiah on September 21st that was organized  Committee meeting would be delayed until the audit is complete. Transportation Committee - Meets September 26, 2024.  by Supervisor Mulhern. Councimember Strong Councimember Stranske Councimember Gonzalez Mayor Rodriguez  Sonoma Clean Power - Meets October 3, 2024.  Water/Wastewater Committee - Meeting September 27, 2024.  League of California Cities/Redwood Empire Division - Briefing on Housing Bills. Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA)- MTA is installing new pilot program, that will assist with recording how many people ride public transit. The MTAI Board gave direction to include Mayor Rodriguez on all MCOG Meetings. MTA looking to get a Community members have complained about abandoned vehicles on city streets There are concerns about Railroad Avenue getting worse with the train cars, overgrown grass and drug activity. City Manager Bender reported that the City has received the asbestos report and that the rail cars that the City is responsible for do not appear to be as dangerous, there is asbestos material, but it will not be overwhelming for their removal. The City is working with the Great Redwood Trail  bus stop approved in the Harris Manor area. and would like to see enforcement done.  and the Skunk Train, there is a plan in place.  Willits City Council Minutes of September 25, 2024  Page 5of6    Public Comment: None presented.  No action taken. 12. Good & Welfare  Councilmember Strong - October 6th is the Candidates Forum at the Grange starting at Vice Mayor Gonzalez - Homecoming on Friday. Senior Center drive-through chicken  4:00 pm. dinner  Adjourned to Closed Session at 9:40 p.m. 13. Closed Session Notice  a. 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): Management Team.  Council reconvened to open session at 9:50 p.m. with no action to report, direction was given to  City Manager Bender. 14. Adjournment  Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.  For more information on the September 25, 2024 Willits City Council Meeting please view  the recording on YouTube.  SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, City Council for the City of Willits  Des  Mayor  ATTEST:  Ddacafdouen DELORES PEDERSEN City Clerk  Willits City Council Minutes of September 25, 2024  Page 6 of6