Crescent City Council Meeting

CITY OF CRESCENT CITY Mayor Jason Greenough Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore Council Member Raymond Altman Council Member Beau Smith Council Member Isaiah Wright AGENDA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN-PERSON AT THE FLYNN CENTER 981 H STREET, CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531 AND VIA ZOOM MONDAY DECEMBER 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION Call to order Mayor Greenough called closed session to order at 5:03 p.m. Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore, and Mayor Jason Greenough Council Member absent: Council Member Beau Smith and Council Member Isaiah Wright Staff Members: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, Human Resources Administrator Sunny Valero Council Member Smith arrived to join the closed session already in progress at 5:35 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS • Conference with Labor Negotiator (Gov. Code § 54957.6), City Representative: Eric Wier, Employee Organizations: Crescent City Police Officers Association, Clerical Employees of Crescent City, Crescent City Employees Association, and Crescent City Management Employees Association • Public Employee Appointment (Gov’t Code § 54957), Title: City Attorney OPEN SESSION Call to order Mayor Greenough called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Beau Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore and Mayor Jason Greenough Council Member absent: Council Member Isaiah Wright Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Patch, Human Resources Administrator Sunny Valero, Finance Director Linda 1|Page 12/06/21 COUNCIL MINUTES  Leaver, Housing Authority Executive Director Megan Miller, Public Works Director Jon Olson, Police Officer Jonathan Cooper, Police Officer Yeng Lo, Police Sergeant Jennifer Owen, Police Officer Daniel Sanders, Police Sergeant Ed Wilson, Police Officer Ethan Miller and Police Chief Richard Griffin Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Greenough The closed session adjourned at 5:58 p.m. to reconvene after the meeting is over REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – nothing to report as the Council will return to closed session. *Moment of silence for Makenna Smith PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD The following citizens addressed the Council: Roger Gitlin: advised the Council that tonight is the last night of Hanukkah Annie Neimer: when will recreational swim be opened? City Manager Wier stated that Dr. Stutz has weighed in on the matter, the first recreation swim will be this Saturday. Cindy Vosburg: asks to wait for Council Member Wright to be back for a full Council to decide on the Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem selection. Valerie Starkey: is presently in DC and reported on the Capitol Christmas Tree and the event is exciting. Thanked the Council for making Crescent City on the map. CEREMONIAL ITEMS 1. Police Chief Commendation for Officer Cooper and Deputy Fahndrich Police Chief Griffin reported to the Council that there was a call Officer Cooper and Deputy Fahndrich responded to which an 11-day old infant who was choking. Not only did the officers save the child’s life, they also consoled the mother. Officer Cooper and Deputy Fahndrich were both presented with a Police Chief Commendation. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. Council Meeting Minutes • Recommendation: Approve the October 18, 2021 regular meeting minutes and the November 15, 2021 regular meeting minutes of the City Council. 3. Warrant Claims List • Recommendation: Receive and file the warrant claims list for the period November 6, 2021, through November 26, 2021. 4. Payroll Report • Recommendation: Receive and file the biweekly payroll report for the period ending November 20, 2021, paid November 24, 2021. 2|Page 12/06/21 COUNCIL MINUTES 5. Budget-to-Actual Financial Reports for October, 2021 • Recommendation: Receive and file monthly budget-to-actual financial reports of the City’s major operating funds for the month of October, 2021 On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Smith and carried on a 4- 0 polled vote with Council Member Wright being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted the consent calendar consisting of items 3-5 as presented. Council Member Smith asked for item 2 to be pulled for discussion; he would like an update on 200 A Street code enforcement case as residents are asking about it. On a motion by Council Member Smith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore and carried on a 4- 0 polled vote with Council Member Wright being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted the Council meeting minutes for the October 18, 2021 and November 15, 2021 regular meeting of the City Council. Roger Gitlin: thanked Council Member Smith for bringing it up for item 200 A Street; asked for this item to be agendized so the community could ask questions. PUBLIC HEARING – None CONTINUING BUSINESS 6. Professional Services Agreement with Badawi & Associates – Amendment No. 1 • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Badawi & Associates • Adopt Resolution No. 2021-65, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY Finance Director Leaver addressed the Council and advised that Measure S funds will be audited and reported on. This will be $2,500 per year, since this is directly for Measure S, those funds will be used to pay for the item. On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Altman, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Council Member Wright being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City authorized the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Badawi & Associates and adopted Resolution No. 2021-65, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020- 21 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY There were no public comments. 7. Bond Counsel Professional Services Agreement • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Authorize the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Jones Hall 3|Page 12/06/21 COUNCIL MINUTES Finance Director Leaver reported to the Council that Bond Counsel is a specialized legal firm that would deal with any debt financing that we would take on. This will be a term of three years for Jones Hall to serve the City. Council Member Smith asked if this was something the City should wait for when hire a City Attorney; Director Leaver said that the position that is currently open is a staff position, City Attorney Rice is our attorney and has been through this process. On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Smith and carried on a 4- 0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City authorized the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Jones Hall. There were no public comments 8. Municipal Financial Advisor Services Agreement Amendment No. 2 • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Urban Futures, Inc. • Adopt Resolution No. 2021-64, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET Director Leaver this was specifically for the Johnson Controls energy project; the Council then decided they wanted to do something more than the energy project. Urban Futures is being asked to expand their contract with us that will make them our Municipal Financial Advisor for the next 3 years. This will remove the timeframe for the water meter project; it will name the firm as our independent Municipal Financial Advisor for the next three years and will have the not to exceed amount of $20,000. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore asked if there would there be a possibility of having multiple people on retainer; Director Leaver stated that initially that was discussed, however it was determined that since a close personal relationship will be had with the Municipal Financial Advisor, it seems to be a better idea to have one firm deal with all of the City’s business. Council Member Smith asked about the budget $6,215 the number he comes up with is $6,125. Director Leaver stated she transposed the numbers in the staff report and the correct number is $6,125. On a motion by Council Member Smith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Council Member Wright being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City authorized the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Urban Futures, Inc., and adopted Resolution No. 2021-64, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET There were no public comments. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS - None NEW BUSINESS 9. Professional Services Agreement for Development of Clean California Grant Program Application • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion 4|Page 12/06/21 COUNCIL MINUTES  • Authorize the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with GreenDot Transportation Solutions for development of a Clean California Local Grant application for cleanup and development of a Class 1 trail project on the City owned property adjacent to the Crescent City cemetery in the not to exceed amount of $12,000 • Adopt Resolution No. 2021-66, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET City Manager Wier gave a PowerPoint presentation on the revitalization and Class 1 Trail Project in the area of the “Cooper Area Greenbelt” which sits between the cemetery and a residential neighborhood. This area has been used as a garbage dump and a transient camp; one of the possibilities to have the area cleaned up and have a hiking trail, to be funded by the Clean California Grant. Part of the grant is to restore, rehabilitate, and clean up specific areas and a stipulation of the funding is that the money needs to be spent by June 2024. A Trail Master Plan will be created from this funding as well; this grant will allow us to take care of the biggest liability which is the cleanup of the area. The deadline to apply will be February 2022 for It to be awarded in March 2022. Jeff Schwein with GreenDot Transportation Solutions spoke to the Council and gave background of the company and the work they do in rural communities. His company will be writing a competitive grant for this funding; they are very familiar with the area and will take a tour of the project area. City Manager Wier stated that for funding GreenDot to do this grant writing will come from the Risk Management Accreditation Program (RMAP) funds received. This is a blighted property and a liability to the City. Using the RMAP funds will help reduce the risk we have on this property. The grant we will apply for will be several hundred thousands of dollars; since we are a disadvantaged community, the match will be zero. Council Member Smith asked if there have been any Environmental Impact Reports done for that area. City Manager Wier stated that not that he is aware of, especially for a Class 1 Trail Project, the footprint could be minimal. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated that this is a project he’s been working on for four years and had been in discussions with Smith River Trail Alliance and is grateful to see this come to fruition. Council Member Altman asked what the liability was and what would keep it from continuing from being a dump site; City Manager Wier stated that the garbage on the City property is a liability as its unknown what is contained in there and if we create this as a destination with more people through the area, it will deter people from going back there to dump or create encampments. Chief Griffin stated that a gate has been installed as a barrier for bike and vehicular traffic in the area. He further stated having a trail through there, it will allow officers to gain access to the area for foot patrol. Mayor Greenough stated this is a great project and he supports it wholeheartedly. Roger Gitlin: asked where the funding would be coming from for clarification; does any of this property go into the County. City Manager Wier explained the RMAP funding which is through our insurance and this is something we can use to reduce our risk. We are given a refund from Golden State Risk Management Authority (GSRMA) when we are fully accredited, which we have been for the last three years. We notify GSRMA how we’ve used the money to reduce our risks to help with the following year’s accreditation and to keep the risks for the City low. Since the City qualifies as a disadvantaged community, we qualify for a zero match. This is a City owned property bordered by County property; however, the specific area in discussion is City owned. Elias Mavris: suggested for coin locked shopping carts to reduce the theft of shopping carts. Council Member Altman asked for explanation that $12k is a good deal for writing a grant, especially since GreenDot was the only one to respond to the request. City Manager Wier stated that the timing of this was quick, several other consultants were reached out to and GreenDot was the only one to respond that could get the work done in the time frame given. Due to the number of hours and level of effort for this particular grant, the range of $12k is what would be seen normally for the fees for a grant application. 5|Page 12/06/21 COUNCIL MINUTES On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Smith and carried on a 4- 0 polled vote with Council Member Wright being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City authorized the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with GreenDot Transportation Solutions for development of a Clean California Local Grant application for cleanup and development of a Class 1 trail project on the City owned property adjacent to the Crescent City cemetery in the not to exceed amount of $12,000 and adopt Resolution No. 2021-66, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET 10. Beachfront Park Sister City Monument • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Consider directing staff to bring back agreements with Piece by Piece Pottery and PGA Designs for the design and construction of a Sister City Monument to be placed in Beachfront Park Mayor Greenough called a 5-minute recess at 7:20 p.m. and called the meeting back to order at 7:27 p.m. City Manager Wier stated that this item is for the Council to direct staff to bring agreements with Piece by Piece Pottery and PGA Designs for a Sister City Monument for Beachfront Park at a future meeting. This monument piece will be a destination spot for anyone to come and learn more about the Sister City relationship. April of 2023 will be the 10 year anniversary of when Kamome washed ashore. City Manager Wier gave some examples of tile murals around the community that closely resemble what this monument would look like. These tile murals are not only done by Harley Munger of Piece by Piece Pottery, but it was done with students. This is an opportunity to even have exchange students come over and help develop it as well. The $10k quote represents about 6-9 months of work and is at a discount. PGA Designs would need $8200 for the design and construction of the monument and will be funded by Prop 68. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stressed the importance of this piece and how it will be there for generations to come to see the relationship the City has with Rikuzentakata. Jill and Harley Munger of Piece by Piece Pottery addressed the Council and stated how excited they are for this project. Not only did their daughter teach in Japan near the area, but their son was a commercial fisherman whose fleet went out at 4am the day of the tsunami and could not return to harbor as it was badly damaged. City Manager Wier stated that there is currently $12k budgeted in the Sister City budget and this can be funded by using those funds. The Council was in consensus to have these items brought back for approval at the next Council meeting. Annie Nehmer: spoke about the condition of Front Street and asked when it would be fully repaired if we are wanting to draw tourists in. City Manager Wier answered the process for the repair of Front Street. 11. Selection of City / District Representative for GSRMA (Golden State Risk Management Authority) Board of Directors • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • If desired, nominate the City of Crescent City to be a member of the GSRMA Board of Directors 6|Page 12/06/21 COUNCIL MINUTES Human Resources Administrator Valero reported to the Council stating that GSRMA Board of Directors City representative ends in June, and the Council would need to choose if they would like the City to be represented on the board. Mayor Greenough stated that Council Member Wright has always brought information back to the Council from those meetings that has always been helpful. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated that it is important to have a City representative on this Board. On a motion by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Altman and carried on a 4-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City nominated the City of Crescent City to be a member of the GSRMA Board of Directors There were no public comments. 12. 2022 Council Calendar • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Adopt Resolution No. 2021-67, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY ADOPTING THE 2022 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CALENDAR City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Patch reported to the Council that the resolution before them tonight was to establish every meeting called of the City Council be a “regular” meeting even when not on the first or third Monday of the month. There were two particular meeting dates in January, the 3rd and the 17th that staff recommends moving to the 10th and 24th. On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Smith and carried on a 4- 0 polled vote with Council Member Wright being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted Resolution No. 2021-67, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY ADOPTING THE 2022 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CALENDAR There were no public comments. 13. Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Council discussion • Select a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore to serve for the next year City Manager Wier stated that this has been before the Council on a number of occasions, it can be heard tonight or a special meeting can be called. Mayor Greenough stated that a special meeting should be called in order to hear this item when all Council can be present. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated that he cannot make any meetings the following week. On a motion by Council Member Altman, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore and carried on a 4-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City postponed the selection of a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore until the next regular meeting or a special meeting held earlier There were no public comments 7|Page 12/06/21 COUNCIL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL ITEMS ➢ Legislative Matters – None ➢ City Manager Report and City Council Directives – City Manager Wier reported on the following: o Resginations: Officer Cooper, Relief Supervisor Sarah Enos, and Account Clerk Morgan Love will be moving on to other aspirations. o New hires: Stephanie Stover will be the new Housing Authority Office Technician as Mary Ann Weidig is retiring. o The Christmas Light Parade was a great success, the tree was donated by the Pumpkin Patch. o Measure S Oversight Committee will give an update to the Council at the next Council meeting on the expenditures. o Alissa Garcia, Pool Supervisor, announced that recreation swim will be open this Saturday. The pool is currently taking donations for the Community Assistance Network as well as the dog pound. o 200 A Street – is an active code enforcement case. ➢ Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports – Council Member Altman: asked about the comments made about 200 A Street for an update and having an item on a future agenda. City Attorney Rice stated that with open code enforcement cases that have potential litigation, we cannot go into detail about the case. Council Member Smith: stated that the Light Parade was a great success and City staff should pat themselves on the back for the work put into the parade Mayor Pro Tem Inscore: echoed Council Member Smith’s sentiments. Reported on the Go For the Gold meeting – an idea was presented to have an art project to create replica Kamome boats and turn it into an art walk. Mayor Greenough: was unable to attend the Light Parade but could see that people fully enjoyed it. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Greenough adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. to return into closed session. The closed session adjourned at 9:20 p.m. until the regular meeting with the City Council of the City of Crescent City scheduled for Monday, December 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., in the Board Chambers at 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 and via Zoom. ATTEST: ___________________________ Robin Patch City Clerk/Administrative Analyst 8|Page 12/06/21 COUNCIL MINUTES