111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490 (707) 459-4601 TEL (707) 459-1562 FAX WILLITS WILLITS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WEDNESDAY APRIL 9, 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: Cathy Moorhead, Assistant City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Mike Parish, Interim Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk. 2. Public Communications a. Melinda Clark expressed her concern that none of the Willits Council Members attended the Mendocino College Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Huffman and Assemblyman Rogers. Congressman Huffman has expressed interest in hosting a Town Hall in Willits and Ms. Clark is hoping the Council will attend. b. Dan Louden reported that he received $71.20 reimbursement on his bank statement from the City of Willits and does not know what it is from. C. Peggy Webber asked about a canceled meeting. 3. Public Matters None. 4. Enactment of Ordinances None presented. 5. Consent Calendar The following item(s) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows: a. City Council Minutes: i. February 26, 2025. ii. March 13, 2025. iii. March 21, 2025. iv. March 28, 2025. Page 1 of 5 Public Comment: None presented. Moved by Allman/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously 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: March 2025. b. Building Permit Activity Report: March 2025. C. Business License Activity Report: March 2025. 7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities None presented. 8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations a. None presented. Public Comment: None presented. 9. Department Recommendations (Action Items) a. Appoint Sherri Ebyam to fill the Vacancy on the Measure K Oversight Committee to Ensure the Committee has the Full Complement of Members. Presenting staff member: Manuel J. Orozco, Finance Director Councilmember Allman spoke in support of Ms. Ebyam being appointed to the Measure K Committee. Public Comment: Linda Burns inquired how the decision was made to appoint Sherri Ebyam to the Measure K Committee. City Clerk Pedersen responded that Ms. Ebyam was the only application submitted. Moved by Burton/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2025-12 to appoint Sherri Ebyam to fill the vacancy on the Measure K Oversight Committee to ensure the committee has the full complement of members. b. Adoption of Resolution Establishing the Appropriations Limit for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year, Pursuant to Article XIIIB of the Constitution of the State of California. Presenting staff member: Manuel J. Orozco, Finance Director Public Comment: Sherri Ebyam inquired if the reason for the 60% appropriation is because that is what the City could afford and historically is it typical that the City would appropriate about 60% of the limit. Finance Director Orozco responded that it is based on how much the City can afford. Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2025-13 adopting the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2024- 25 Pursuant to Article XIII B of the Constitution of the State of California. Willits City Council Minutes of April 9, 2025 Page 2 of 5 C. The First Amendment to the Five-Year Agreement (Approved September 25, 2024) Between the Willits Chamber of Commerce and the City of Willits for a Quarterly Allocation of the Transient Occupancy Tax. Presenting staff member: Manuel J. Orozco, Finance Director. Public Comment: None. Moved by Burton/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2025-14 approving the First Amendment to the Five-Year Agreement (Approved September 25, 2024) between the Willits Chamber of Commerce and the City of Willlits for a Quarterly Allocation of the Transient Occupancy Tax. d. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve an Agreement Authorizing the Willits Farmers Market to Operate in Bud Snider Park. Presenting staff member: Connor Stack, City Planner Councilmember Burton inquired if there is a fee for vendors to participate in the Farmers Market. Mr. Foley responded that there was a stall fee of approximately 10% of their sales on the Farmers Market days. Councimember Burton also inquired how many non-food vendors are at the Farmers Market. Mr. Foley reports that they limit the non-food vendors to 25% of the vendors selling. Public Comment: Kathy Bouthillier inquired as to what provisions are being made for parking. Mr. Foley responded that state street would be closed to all traffic except vendors and residents and that the vendors are only allowed to park on the park side of State St. Madge Strong inquired about the restrictions and rules that the vendors have regarding the products and food that they sell. Mr. Foley responded that any product that the non-food vendor brings to sell at least 75% of it must be produced by them or sourced locally. For food vendors 100% must come from the vendors' farm. Bear Kamoroff welcomes back the Farmers Market but is concerned about the potential parking problems. Linda Burns expressed concern over the speeding vehicles that often occurs during farmers market days. Ms. Burns is concerned about the children and parents that come and go from the magination Station on Farmers Market Days. Councilmember Gonzalez suggested that Ms. Burns reports any vehicle that is unsafe to Michael Foley of the Farmers Market. Vice Mayor Alaniz requested that the Interim Police Chief Mike Parish attempt to have a police presence the first couple weeks of the Farmers Market. Police Chief Parish mentioned that he could not promise a presence for more than the first day of May 1st, Police Chief Parish stated to contact the Police Department if there are any issues with illegal parking or speeding. Willits City Council Minutes of April 9, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Allman and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2025-15 approving the Terms of an Agreement between the City and the Mendocino County Farmers' Market Association to conduct weekly Farmers' Markets for the 2025 Season at Bud Snider Park 10. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councimember Gonzalez League of California Cities/Redwood Empire Division Cal Cities has requested support to oppose of SB 634 Perez Homeless Civil Criminal Penalties. Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) Public Hearing on the Potter Valley Irrigation Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence. Public Hearing on LAFCO Proposed Budgets and Work Program for 2025/2026. Discussion on raising fees that Cities and Special Districts are charged and pay to LAFCO. Workshop on the Westport County Water District Draft Municipal Service Review and a Russian River Flood Control District Service Review and Sphere of Influence update. Councilmember Allman Finance Committee Asked to have what was presented at the Finance Committee be on the website. Vice Mayor Alaniz Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA)- Preparations for the FY 25/26 Budget. Mayor Stranske Water/Wastewater Committee - Transportation Committee Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) = Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) = Mendocino Council of Governments Discussions to change the name of the Joint Powers Agreement to include energy and climate related programs. Caltrans District One Traffic Study. It was mentioned that Round-a-Bouts are much safer than traffic lights. Public Comment: None presented. No action taken. 11. Good & Welfare Councilmember Gonzalez Sober Grads Tri Tip Dinner is on Friday April 11th. Stuart Handte announced that it is City Clerk Pedersen's Birthday. Willits City Council Minutes of April 9, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Public Comment: Linda Burns expressed concerns over the shouting that she heard during one of the closed sessions Council Meetings. Karen Cavanaugh expressed concerns over the Previous City Manager yelling at someone on the dais during a meeting that she had attended and stated that at times that yelling happens both ways. City Council Adjourned to Closed Session at 8:04 pm. 12. Closed Session Notice a. Pursuant to Government Code $54957 Consideration and Possible Appointment of an Interim City Manager. The City Council reconvened to open session at 8:44 pm, Mayor Stranske reported that the Willits City Council has entered into negotiations with a candidate for Acting City Manager no added information will be presented at this time. 13. Adjournment Mayor Stranske declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. For more information on the April 9, 2025 Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube. LARRY STRANSKE, Mayor City Council for the City of Willits ATTEST: Nesco Bdons Jon DELORES PEDERSEN City Clerk Willits City Council Minutes of April 9, 2025 Page 5 of 5