Crescent City Council Meeting

CITY OF CRESCENT CITY Mayor Jason Greenough Mayor Pro Tem Alex Campbell Council Member Blake Inscore Council Member Beau Smith Council Member Isaiah Wright MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM TUESDAY JANUARY 19, 2020 6:00 P.M. OPEN SESSION Call to order Mayor Greenough called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Blake Inscore, Council Member Beau Smith, Council Member Isaiah Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Alex Campbell, and Mayor Jason Greenough Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Patch, Finance Director Linda Leaver, Public Works Director Jon Olson, Housing Authority Executive Director Megan Miller, Fire Chief Bill Gillespie, and Police Chief Richard Griffin Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Greenough PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD The following citizens addressed the Council during public comment: Linda Sutter: spoke about the City streets in the Bertsch Tract deteriorating because of the patchwork job the City does. Residents of Lighthouse Way: 8 residents of Lighthouse Way signed one letter regarding the parking of vehicles overnight in front of their homes, they signed in opposition and asked the City to offer a remedy. CEREMONIAL ITEMS 1. Sex Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation Mayor Greenough read aloud the proclamation. Soroptimist International Crescent City President Sunny Valero accepted the proclamation and spoke about the reality of human trafficking. 2. Welcome new hire – Alissia Garcia – postponed to February 1st. CONSENT CALENDAR 3. Council Meeting Minutes • Recommendation: Approve the December 7, 2020 regular meeting minutes and the December 21, 2020 regular meeting minutes of the City Council. 1|Page 1/19/21 COUNCIL MINUTES 4. Warrant Claims List • Recommendation: Receive and file the warrant claims list for the period December 12, 2020, through December 25, 2020 and period December 26, 2020, through January 8, 2021. 5. Payroll Report • Recommendation: Receive and file the biweekly payroll report for the period ending December 19, 2020 paid December 23, 2020, and period ending January 2, 2021 paid January 8, 2021. 6. Conflict of Interest Code Amendment • Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2021-01, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE FOR THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 20, 2021. 7. Wastewater Treatment Plant Generator Project • Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement with North Ridge Electric for the installation of new transfer switch and appurtenances to connect the membrane bio-reactor portion of the WWTP to the existing generator. 8. Wastewater Treatment Plant Forklift Purchase • Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to purchase a forklift as proposed. 9. Regional Early Action Plan (REAP) Grant • Recommendation: Direct staff to make joint application with the County of Del Norte for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program (REAP) grant funds • Authorize the City Manager to sign all grant applications and agreements with the County of Del Norte required to make the REAP grant application. Council Member Smith asked for items 7-9 to be pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion. On a motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Council Member Wright, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted the consent calendar consisting of items 3-6 as presented. Council Member Smith asked for clarification of item 7; Director Olson explained the reason behind the WWTP generator needs was that presently one is needed for the membrane bio- reactor; City Manager Wier explained that if there was a power failure, the membrane bio-reactor could not be operated, which would reduce the effluent quality and could lead to a discharge permit violation and fines from the State. Council Member Smith asked if the City has electricians; Director Olson stated yes, Electric Mechanical Operations Technicians (EMOTs), but higher voltage projects electrical contractors are called in for those projects. City Manager Wier stated that our guys are generalists when it comes to electricians, we need specialists for this type of work. Council Member Smith made a motion to adopt item 7; Council Member Inscore suggested the motion to be on all items pulled from the consent calendar after they are discussed; Council was in agreement. City Manager Wier stated that for item #8, the forklift was at the end of it’s life, therefore it is time to replace it. Mayor Pro Tem Campbell asked if leasing vehicles and having their maintenance 2|Page 1/19/21 COUNCIL MINUTES done elsewhere would save money; City Manager Wier stated that City staff already provides the maintenance on our vehicles and have the experience to do so. Linda Sutter: asked if a new forklift could be purchased instead of a used one and is Measure S being used for this purchase as it seems inappropriate use of the funds. Mayor Greenough explained it is being paid from excess left over from a paving project at the WWTP. Ms. Sutter asked what the difference would be to buy new vs used? City Manager Wier stated that this option with the low level of usage for this forklift, it is a great deal and we would get 15 years of life out of it. Regarding item 9, Council Member Smith asked if the County will be involving Mental Health in any of this; Director Olson stated that he is not sure what the County’s portion would be, however of the City’s portion wouldn’t have anything to do with mental health. On an amended motion by Council Member Smith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved items 7, 8, and 9 of the consent calendar as presented. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS Council Member Inscore stated that due to medical reasons he will be turning his camera off so he can move around but would be fully engaged in the meeting and will turn the camera back on when he needs to speak. 10. Wastewater Treatment Plant Report from Dennis Burrell & Dave Zevely Dennis Burrell spoke about his work with the City and the work they have done on the WWTP since he has been working with the City. David Zevely spoke about his year working at the WWTP with Jacobs. Council Member Smith asked if there could be a virtual tour of the WWTP for the public; both Mr. Burrell and Mr. Zevely agreed it would be a good idea. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None CONTINUING BUSINESS 11. Beach Fires regulations discussion • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Give direction to staff on Beach Fires Regulations City Manager Wier stated that this item has come before the Council several times, but due to the timing of the election and when this came before the Council, the former Council chose to allow the new Council Members to weigh on the final decision. City Attorney Rice spoke about private property and “mean high tide” which will never be a precise location. City Attorney Rice further stated that the California Fire Code is not written into our municode, therefore our police officers cannot issue citations for beach fires without the Fire Code being placed into our municipal code. She went over the history that the prior Council had discussed and decided upon. Fire Chief Gillespie spoke about the Fire Code and how the City gets the code as a “default adoption”. Mayor Pro Tem Campbell asked how many fires the fire department had to put out were from tourists, locals, or vagrants; Chief Gillespie stated that most complaints come from calls from residents and more fires are out by the hotels by the harbor. Council Member Smith asked how one can stop beach fires when there are so many access points from the streets around it and the hotel. Chief Gillespie stated education and signage will help in the area. Council Member 3|Page 1/19/21 COUNCIL MINUTES Smith stated that if no beach fires are allowed for anyone, it should also be prohibited from the property owners as well. He stated if property owners were to have a beach fire that ignites the vegetation, they should be held liable for the fire. Mayor Greenough stated that the property owners would have to follow the same guidelines as everyone else regarding being 25’ from vegetation. Council Member Wright asked that if the fire was 25’ from vegetation, wouldn’t that be outside of the property line? City Manager Wier stated that not necessarily; and showed the map that had the property line and the line showing 25’ from vegetation. Council Member Inscore stated that there needs to be a consistent standard from Lighthouse Way to Preston Island. There is so little space for public access in that area and there is no place available for fire pits due to the tides. Mayor Greenough suggested signage up and down Pebble Beach Drive; Council Member Inscore stated that if there is going to be signage that changes somewhere else, it will confuse people for this stretch of beach. Council Member Inscore further stated that there is quite a bit of beach throughout the City for people to have beach fires away from homes. Mayor Pro Tem Campbell stated his agreement with Council Member Inscore and further stated that perhaps beach fires in front of houses should be restricted to be only allowed by property owners. Linda Sutter: stated beach fires should be allowed from Battery Point to Preston Island with permission from the property owners. Linda Perry: stated that there are four vacation rentals along that stretch; consistency is needed. Michael Sayre: stated it is illogical to worry about secondhand smoke from a cigarette vs a beach fire; fires should be completely banned in that area. Natalie Fahning: stated that property owners do not want beach fires in this area, asked the Council to consider the property owners’ wishes when drafting the ordinance. Heidi Kime: has property in the area and spoke in support of being able to have beach fires. On a motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, the motion was to direct staff to amend the draft ordinance to extend the restricted area to City limits at Preston Island to the Battery Point vista area and to move forward with production of the ordinance as early as possible; Mayor Greenough asked for further Council discussion before the vote was polled. On an amended motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City directed staff to amend the draft ordinance to extend the stretch of public beach upon which fires are prohibited to: from the top of the Preston Island access road south to the Battery Point Vista area, to prohibit the building of a fire upon private property without the written permission of the property owner, to establish regulations for all beach fires including limiting the size and location to match Fire Code (fuel area of no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high; must be 25 feet from structures or vegetation; fuel must be organic material) and to require beach fires be fully extinguished prior to abandonment and expressly prohibits the burying of coals. Linda Sutter: stated that vacation rental owners are liable for those who are renting their places. Michael Sayre: spoke in opposition to allowing beach fires so close to homes. Natalie Fahning: regarding any insurance claims as a result of fire damage, it is the property owner who paid for any loss, the neighbors do not. Vacation owners only want the fires for their investment, no full-time property owners want them. 4|Page 1/19/21 COUNCIL MINUTES David Gearhart: should not have fires that close to homes on that small amount of beach. 12. Draft Bylaws of Measure S Oversight Committee • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Give staff direction on the draft bylaws for the Measure S Oversight Committee City Attorney Rice went over the requirements with the FPPC that Committee Members would be required to follow as well as what they will be accomplishing while on the Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Campbell asked if Statement of Economic Interests, (Form 700s) are required by non- elected officials as well; City Attorney Rice stated that anyone who makes financial decisions on behalf of the City is required to complete one. Mayor Pro Tem Campbell further asked if a former Council Member could be on the Committee or is it a conflict of interest; City Attorney Rice stated there would be no conflict of interest. Council Member Smith asked about the Committee members meeting without the Council knowing; City Attorney Rice stated that they cannot go do presentations representing the City, they will do reports to the Council. Council Member Inscore asked City Attorney Rice if there are any other clauses for termination is section 6 still necessary; section 5 talks about termination; further stating that if the majority of the Committee felt a Committee Member was not being productive, it may be wise to allow the Committee to appeal to the City Council on the matter. The Council was in agreement that the Committee should be able to appeal to the Council and will like to add it to the bylaws. City Attorney Rice stated that another revision could be that any Committee Member that violates the bylaws can be removed from the position; the Council agreed. City Attorney Rice stated that she will add a section under termination of membership for violation of the provisions of the bylaws; also stating that it was mentioned in discussions something different from that such as certain behaviors. There are some limitations to prohibiting certain behaviors. City Attorney Rice stated she can add to the bylaws provisions that state that Committee Members should be professional and courteous. The deadline for applications will be extended to February 5th to allow more time. There were no public comments. The Council was in consensus and directed sending it back to staff to bring back to the Council at the February 1st Council meeting. NEW BUSINESS 13. Wastewater Treatment Plant Paving Project • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Award the Wastewater Treatment Plant Paving Project to GR Sundberg Inc. • Authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement with said contractor for the bid amount and authorize the City Manager to approve and sign change orders in an aggregate amount not to exceed 10% of the total bid City Engineer Olson reported to the Council that there are many uneven surfaces and trip hazards at the WWTP, therefore this proposed project will minimize them as well as the ponding and standing water issues. GR Sundberg, Inc. was the low bidder for the project therefore staff is recommending that the City Council authorize moving forward with them. 5|Page 1/19/21 COUNCIL MINUTES On a motion by Council Member Wright, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City awarded the Wastewater Treatment Plant Paving Project to GR Sundberg Inc., and authorized the City Manager to sign an agreement with said contractor for the bid amount and authorize the City Manager to approve and sign change orders in an aggregate amount not to exceed 10% of the total bid Mayor Greenough called a 5-minute recess at 7:46pm Mayor Greenough reconvened the meeting at 7:51pm 14. Water System Surge Analysis • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment 2 to Task Order 6 with Stover Engineering for a surge analysis Director Olson reported to the Council that staff issued a short format RFQ to the previously selected firms on July 24, 2019 for the development of a water system model to inform staff on decisions about replacement of pumps at the Ranney pumping station and other capital upgrades to the water system. Stover Engineering, in conjunction with Kennedy/Jenks, was selected as the most qualified to complete the requested services. The dynamic model currently being developed will help inform future planning and development efforts. From the current model and from operational events that have transpired, it has been recommended that that a transient pressure (surge) analysis be performed to help further inform the best way to protect and operate the system. There have been at least two cases in the last few years where transient pressures have cause ruptures in the main water lines between the Ranney Collector and the chlorination building. This analysis will help guide a design to mitigate future ruptures. Council Member Smith asked if we can do this ourselves; Director Olson stated that there are financial limitations to what we can do in house, City Manager Wier explained that there is a technical and complex process that would require someone with specialists and large equipment. On a motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Council Member Wright, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent authorized the City Manager to sign Amendment 2 to Task Order 6 with Stover Engineering for a surge analysis. 15. Temporary Engineering Project Manager Assistance • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Adopt Resolution No. 2021-02, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 ANNUAL BUDGET AND POSITION CONTROL City Manager Wier explained the current staffing and needs in Public Works. Director Olson stated that one of the reasons that we are only asking $15k was because we were able to leverage funds from Front Street grants funding and use it towards this to reign in the budgets. This will be 5 months of extra help and critical for the transition for the team. Director Olson went over the current projects being done and how this staffing plan will definitely help his department. 6|Page 1/19/21 COUNCIL MINUTES On a motion by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Inscore, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted Resolution No. 2021-02, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 ANNUAL BUDGET AND POSITION CONTROL 16. CCPD Budget Amendment for Cordico Wellness App • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Adopt Resolution No. 2021-03, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 BUDGET Chief Griffin showed a video from the Cordico website that outlined that the app is designed to help officers by providing a multitude of on-demand high-quality wellness tolls and resources for support. Such areas of support include alcohol abuse, anger management, anxiety, critical incidents, chaplain support, compassion fatigue, depression, emotional health, family support, financial stress, stress management, suicide prevention, relationship success, work-life balance and many others. He stated in order to keep longevity of staff, this is a vital tool for his officers to have. He also gave some personal stories of his own experiences while in law enforcement that if he had this app, would have helped him better deal with what he went through. City Manager Wier stated that one of Chief Griffin’s greatest traits was his obvious sincere care for his officers and their wellbeing. Council Member Smith asked how many people you can have per subscription; Chief Griffin stated it will cover the 15 on staff and is available to their significant others. HR Administrator Valero stated that Chief Griffin has always shown how much he cares about his officers and the RMAP money we got last year was because Chief Griffin recognized shortcomings the PD had and fixed them. Council Member Wright stated he was appreciative that it was also offered to the family as his father was a police officer and understood what the family goes through as well. Council Member Inscore stated that the change in culture of the City is safety is a culture not a program. Mayor Greenough stated that since he is a peace officer, he completely understands to a degree what our police officers go through. Council Member Smith stated he would really like to see this app also provided to the fire department. Chief Gillespie stated he has had three coworkers that committed suicide and a friend who couldn’t make it through the struggles. Firefighters have had to retire due to PTSD from calls they have been on and if there are tools available for them to help them, we need to have it. Chief Griffin stated that he will have the ability to see that the app is being used, but not who is using it, but the fact that it’s being used, even by one officer, the app pays for itself. On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, seconded by Council Member Campbell, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted Resolution No. 2021-03, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 BUDGET There were no public comments CITY COUNCIL ITEMS ➢ Legislative Matters – o Richardson Grove discussion – Council was in consensus to bring back this topic to the Council for discussion. 7|Page 1/19/21 COUNCIL MINUTES ➢ City Manager Report and City Council Directives – o Economic Development Strategic Action Plan (EDSAP) meeting – will be very interactive – the meeting is Thursday, January 21st at 5:30pm o Beachfront Park Master Plan- Planning Commission has approved the preferred plan and we will bring it back to the public on February 2nd at 5:30pm o Front Street ribbon cutting – Tuesday at noon, January 26th. In the interest to ensure that most of the Council Members could attend, the Council was in consensus to have the ribbon cutting at 4pm instead of noon. City Manager Wier stated that due to COVID, we will practice social distancing and other COVID guidelines to ensure safety. ➢ Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports – Council Member Smith: stated that his constituents have advised him of a lot of foot traffic and property damage behind Breen Street across Harding and asked him to have it addressed. Chief Griffin stated that the property being spoken of is private property. Council Member Inscore stated that the property that Council Member Smith is speaking of is Harding all the way to Cooper through the swamp and cemetery. Mayor Greenough stated this should be agendized for further discussion; the Council was in unanimous consensus. Chief Griffin stated that he already has plans in place and can talk about it at another Council meeting. The plans were in place and discussed with at a staff level pre-COVID. Mayor Pro Tem Campbell: attended the League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Members Academy. Mayor Greenough: in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr Day, offered the following quote “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” And another quote he leans on is “Do unto others as you would have done unto you”, that during these times, we need to remember those words. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Greenough adjourned the meeting at 10:09 pm to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City scheduled for Monday, February 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., via Zoom, Crescent City, CA 95531. ATTEST: ___________________________ Robin Patch City Clerk/Administrative Analyst 8|Page 1/19/21 COUNCIL MINUTES