111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490 (707) 459-4601 TEL (707) 459-1562 FAX WILLITS WILLITS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2025 Mayor Stranske called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:30 p.m., in Council Chambers. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag. Roll Call: Councilmembers Gerardo Gonzalez, Tom Allman, Bruce Burton, Vice Mayor Matthew Alaniz and Mayor Larry Stranske were present. Also present were staff members: Brian Bender, City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Mike Parish, Interim Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk. 2. Public Communications Garrett Moore thanked City Manager Bender for sending a thank you letters to those that applied for the open City Council seat. Mike Adair, Willits Community Theater Representative, expressed his appreciation for City Staff for the paving that was done on Muir Lane. Andrew Hosford, Willits Redwood Little League President, invited the Councilmembers toi the WRLL opening day on April 12, 2025. Mr. Hosford informed the Council that WRLL has brought back the softball program, and this year there will be five traveling teams. Mr. Hosford also invited the Councilmembers to the Willits Rotary Grill and Give fundraiser on March 1st, at the City Hall Community Center. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to Our Daily Bread, Willits Food Bank and the Senior Center. 3. Public Matters a. Proclamation for Women's History Month - March 2025. Delores Pedersen, City Clerk presented Madge Strong the Proclamation, Ms. Strong accepted on behalf of the Mendocino Women's Political Coalition. Madge Strong spoke in support of Saprina Rodriguez being honored at the Women's History Gala. Saprina Rodriguez thanked Madge Strong for the nomination to be honored. Ms. Rodriguez thanked Ms. Strong for her contributions to the community. Ms. Rodriguez also expressed how important civic engagement is. 4. Enactment of Ordinances None presented. 5. Consent Calendar The following item(s) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows: Page 1 of 5 a. City Council Minutes: i. January 21, 2025. ii. January 22, 2025. Public Comment: Madge Strong asked when there would be an updated Mayor's Appointment List. Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Allman and carried 4/1 with Councilmember: Burton abstaining to approve Consent Calendar item(s) (a). 6. Monthly Activity Reports Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Accounts Payable Activity Report: January 2025. b. Business License Activity Report: January 2025. C. Building Permit Activity Report: January 2025. 7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities None presented. 8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations a. Verbal Reports - No Action. i. Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map. City Manager Bender reported that the City would hold a public forum and ask for the community's input on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map by the middle of March. Public Comment: None presented. Helen Sims inquired when and how the maps would be available to the public. City Manager Bender responded that once the maps are made available on February 24th, they would be available on the CalFire website as well as the City of Willits Website. 9. Department Recommendations (Action Items) a. Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Construction of the Steel Water Main and Sewer Replacement Project 2023-08 and Authorizing the Filing of The Notice of Completion. Public Comment: Saprina Rodriguez expressed her excitement for the Steel Water Main and Sewer Replacement Projects completion. Moved by GonzalezSeconded by Burton and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2025-08 accepting construction of the Steel Water Main and Sewer Replacement Project, Project No. 2023-08 and authorizing filing the Notice of Completion. b. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Advertisement of the Community Enhancement Project, Project Number 24-03, to Include Solar Pedestrian Sidewalk Lights Along Main Street, Security Lighting in Babcock Park and a Banner System Over Main Street. Public Comment: Willits City Council Minutes of February 12, 2025 Page 2 of 5 Saprina Rodriguez mentioned that the Community Enhancement Project is being paid for by the Clean California Grant. Raghda Zacharia inquired if the Community Enhancement Project would include the crosswalks? Ms. Zacharia expressed concern over how dangerous it is to cross the streets at night because drivers cannot see pedestrians. Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director, responded that no, that it is not part oft this project but is being looked into. City Manager Bender added that the City has received approximately $38,000 from Mendocino Council of Governments for crossing improvements along the Main Street corridor. Garrett Moore asked what the scope of Main Street that this project involves. Mr. Kolon responded that the project runs from E. Commercial to Oak Street. Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2025-09 authorizing the advertisement of the Community Enhancement Project, Project Number 24-03, which includes the installation of solar pedestrian sidewalk lights along Main Street, security lighting in Babcock Park, and a banner system over Main Street with funding from the Clean California Local Grant Program. C. Presentation of Proposed Park Improvements Located within Bud Snider - City Park Funded by the Clean California Local Grant Program (CCLGP). Mayor Stranske was recused from the item's discussions at 7:08 pm. Dusty Duley, Community Development Director presented a PowerPoint Presentation on the Proposed Park Improvements. Mr. Duley stated that staff would like direction from Council on placement of the Pavillion. Public Comment: Saprina Rodriguez inquired of there would be picnic tables placed at Bud Snider Park? Mr. Duley responded that there would be both covered and uncovered picnic tables as well as chess tables. Ms. Rodriguez expressed her concern about parking and the impact to the homes and businesses in the surrounding areas. Ms. Rodriguez is hoping there is a parking space plan as well as a safe routes plan. Madge Strong stated that centering the Pavilion was more appealing to her when she sat on the Council. She does not object to it being in the North/East corner. She expressed concern over the amount of paving that would be going into a project. Robin Leler spoke in favor of the Pavillion being in the North/East corner of the park. Garrett Moore spoke in favor of the Pavillion staying in the Center of the Park. Henry Rued, resident on State St. stated the area of the park that is used the most in the lawn area. Mr. Rued feels that placing the Pavillion in the middle of the park would interfere with the usage of the lawn area. Mr. Rued would like the Pavillion to be in the North/East corner of the park. Bear Kamoroff spoke in support of the Pavillion being in the North/East corner of the park. Andrew Hosford spoke in support of the Pavillion being in the North/East corner of the park. Mr. Hosford stated that he feels that reducing the size of the Pavillion is not the best option. Robin Leler stated that she is in a group that is hoping to raise funds to help replace the trees on the State Street side of Bud Snider park with more mature established trees. Garrett Moore stated that after listening to the discussion he has changed his mind, having the Pavillion in the North/East corner of the park is the best place for it. Willits City Council Minutes of February 12, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Council gave direction to Dusty Duley, Community Development Director, to move the Pavillion into the North/East corner of the park. Reduce the size of the Pavillion to 2400 square feet, concrete as the floor of the Pavillion with support of the hybrid model of the playground surface. Mayor Stranske returned to the meeting at 7:41 pm. 10. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Gonzalez Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) Workshop on the Elk County Water District Municipal Service Review and Spere of Influence Update, Potter Valley Irrigation District and Municipal Service Review. Reviewed a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Mendocino Coast Recreational and Park District to fund preparation of a Municipal Service Review. Councilmember Allman Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) There was an overview of MCOG for the benefit of the new Board Members. Mendocino County Museum Councilmember Allman reported that it is now free to go to the Museum. There are plans to have new exhibits this year. The Museum staff is excited to work with Willits Frontier Days for the 100th anniversary in 2026. Councilmember Alaniz Councimember Alaniz reported that he and Councilmember Allman attended the League of California Cities New Councilmember conference. Mr. Alaniz is looking forward to working with fellow Councilmembers in the Redwood Empire Area. Mayor Stranske Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) The meeting Mayor Stranske attended was an introduction meeting for the new board members. City Clerk Pedersen Announced that there is a Special City Council Meeting scheduled for Thursday February 13th at 12:00 pm. The topic of discussion is the Rail with Trail Project. Public Comment: Saprina Rodriguz inquired about the timeline on filling the vacancy of the Measure K Committees vacant seat. Ms. Rodriguez expressed concern over the possible change of time of the current Committee Meetings. No action taken. 12. Good & Welfare Vice Mayor Alaniz - Senior Center is having a Chili Cook- off on February 28th. Councilmember Gonzalez - Announced there is a Food Bank fundraiser on Friday February 14th. City Clerk Pedersen announced that the Community Center is currently being used by the School District for the Science Fair. Ms. Pedersen encouraged those that could to come and see the projects that the youth in our community have done. City Council Adjourned to Closed Session at 8:04 pm. 13. Closed Session Notice a. Pursuant to Government Code $54957 - Public Employee Performance Evaluation = City Manager. Willits City Council Minutes of February 12, 2025 Page 4 of 5 The City Council reconvened to open session at 10:00 pm, reporting no action was taken. 14. Adjournment Mayor Stranske declared the meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. For more information on the February 12, 2025 Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube. a4 - LARRY STRANSKE, Mayor City Council for the City of Willits ATTEST: nco Dadouaoir DELORES PEDERSEN City Clerk Willits City Council Minutes of February 12, 2025 Page 5 of 5