WEED CITY COUNCIL

    REGULAR MEETING

    MARCH 9, 2000

 

The City Council of the City of Weed held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 9, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. 

Mayor Neva Barnett called the meeting to order and Council Member Roy Bergfors led recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present, in addition to Mayor Barnett and Council Member Bergfors were Council Members Amelia “Mel” Borcalli, and Vince Tallerico.  Mayor Barnett reported that Council Member Joel Obuchon is absent due to a work-related conflict.  Council Member Borcalli moved to excuse the absence of Council Member Obuchon, and Council Member Tallerico seconded the motion. 

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

Also present were City Administrator Earl Wilson, City Attorney Allen King, Finance Director M. Kelly McKinnis, Fire Chief Darin Quigley, Public Works Director Craig Sharp, and City Clerk Deborah Salvestrin. 

RECOGNITIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS

A.  Census 2000:  The American Community Survey – New Road Map to America’s Future; In Any Language, the Census is Important

Michelle McKinnis, community census worker, gave a brief presentation on the importance of the census, and the process including the urban, rural, and wilderness operations.  Ms. McKinnis displayed posters that are available for display in businesses and public buildings as public service announcements.  Ms. McKinnis stressed that the importance of the census is for funding purposes for which future funding is based. 

City Administrator Wilson noted that part of the City’s revenue is dependent upon population, specifying that gas and motor vehicle taxes are examples. 

PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

Mayor Barnett invited comments from the audience on specific agenda items or any item of interest that is within the Council’s jurisdiction noting that no action can be taken by the Council except to set the matter presented for the next regular Council meeting. 

Steve Rock, local small business owner, questioned the proposed sign changes and how it will affect getting traffic into the north part of town.  Mr. Rock was told that his questions and comments would be appropriate at the time of the public hearing on this matter.  Mayor Barnett noted that the Council is scheduled to set the hearing date later in this agenda. 

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS

Council Member Bergfors reported on attendance at the League of Siskiyou Cities’ Board of Director’s meeting at which time the joint powers agency for the purchase of Pacific Power and Light Company was discussed, and Council Member Ken Humberston, City of Dunsmuir was nominated to the Board for the Nor Cal electric authority. 

Council Member Borcalli gave an update on the status of the Adopt a Street Program. 

Mayor Barnett reported on attendance at a Community Center meeting noting the emphasis was on budgets, and announced that the D.A.R.E. graduation is taking place at the Elementary School concurrently with the Council meeting.   Mayor Barnett also displayed an article from the San Francisco Examiner about an athlete currently attending College of the Siskiyous. 

REGULAR AGENDA

A.  A Resolution of The City Council of The City Of Weed Approving an Application and Contract Execution for Funding From the General/Native American Allocation of the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Authorizing the Execution of a Grant Agreement and any Amendments Thereto With the State Of California for the Purposes of this Grant

City Administrator Wilson reviewed that application for housing rehabilitation funding was authorized by Council at its February 24 meeting, and added that the resolution approving submittal of the application has been drafted for Council action.  City Administrator Wilson also reviewed the application totals and the leveraging amounts. 

Council Member Borcalli moved, seconded by Council Member Bergfors, that the reading in full of the body of Resolution No. 02-2000 be waived, said resolution being introduced and adopted by title only.

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

Council Member Borcalli read the title of Resolution No. 02-2000 and moved adoption, seconded by Council Member Bergfors, said resolution being in the words and figures following:

RESOLUTION NO. 02-2000

                     A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEED

   APPROVING AN APPLICATION AND CONTRACT EXECUTION

FOR FUNDING FROM THE GENERAL/NATIVE AMERICAN ALLOCATION OF THE STATE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT         AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO

WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS GRANT

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Weed as follows:

Section 1.  The City Council has reviewed and hereby approves an application for up to $500,000 as follows:

Housing Rehabilitation                        $462,500

General Administration                        $ 37,500

Total                                    $500,000

Section 2.  If the grant application is approved, the City will provide local leverage as follows:

Staff time                                                $ 12,500

Permit fee waivers                                    $   2,000

Heat source                                                $ 15,000

Miscellaneous Income                        $ 40,000

Total                                    $ 69,500

Section 3.  The City Administrator, or the Finance Director in the absence of the City Administrator, is hereby authorized and directed to act on the City’s behalf in all matters pertaining to this application.

Section 4.  If the application is approved, the City Administrator or the Finance Director, in the absence of the City Administrator, is authorized to enter into and sign the grant agreement and any amendment thereto with the State of California for the purposes of this grant. 

            Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

            Council Member Tallerico asked whether Council would have to consider a replacement on the Loan Committee for Elmer Zimmerman.  Staff agreed to find out.  B.  City Council Meeting Schedule:  Review and discussion – Municipal Code §2.04.010 (“The City Council shall hold regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the hour of seven p.m., provided however, that in the months of November and December, the regular meeting shall be held only on the second Thursday of said months.”)

            Council Member Tallerico asked Council to consider changing the meeting times.  Council Member Tallerico suggested a morning meeting for the first meeting of the month, and a 6:00 p.m. starting time for the second meeting of the month.   Council Member Tallerico added that several cities in Shasta County have changed their meetings to day times, and the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors also meets during the day. 

            Mayor Barnett stated that a schedule change would take an ordinance amendment that requires a first reading, an adoption, and then a thirty period before it becomes effective. 

            Council discussed various days, times, and conflicts, and directed staff to draft an ordinance to initiate discussion using 9:00 a.m. for the first meeting on the second Thursday of the month, and 6:00 p.m. for the second Thursday of the month.

C.  Resolution of the City Council of the City of Weed Authorizing the County of Siskiyou to Act as Lead Applicant for a Regional Use Oil Recycling Block Grant

City Administrator Wilson reported receipt of request from the County Public Works Department inviting participation in an application for funding from the California Oil Recycling Enhancement Act to establish and maintain local used oil collection programs that encourage recycling or appropriate disposal of used oil. 

Council Member Tallerico moved, seconded by Council Member Borcalli, that the reading in full of the body of Resolution No. 03-2000 be waived, said resolution being introduced and adopted by title only.

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

            Council Member Bergfors pointed out an obvious typing error in the drafted resolution presented to Council, and staff assured Council the final resolution would be for the 2000/2003 funding cycle. 

Council Member Tallerico read the title of Resolution No. 03-2000 and moved adoption, seconded by Council Member Borcalli, said resolution being in the words and figures following:

RESOLUTION NO. 03-2000

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEED

AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SISKIYOU TO ACT AS LEAD APPLICANT

FOR A REGIONAL USED OIL RECYCLING BLOCK GRANT

WHEREAS, the people of the State of California have enacted the California Oil Recycling Enhancement Act that provides funds to cities and counties for establishing and maintaining local used oil collection programs that encourage recycling or appropriate disposal of used oil; and

            WHEREAS, the California Integrated Waste Management Board has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the program within the State, setting up necessary procedures governing application by cities and counties under the program;

            WHEREAS, the applicant will enter into an agreement with the State of California for development of the project;

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Weed authorizes the County of Siskiyou to submit to the California Integrated Waste Management Board a regional application for the 2000/2003Oil Recycling Block Grant on its behalf; and

            FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Weed hereby authorizes the County of Siskiyou to submit to the California Integrated Waste Management Board a regional application for the 2000/2003 Used Oil Recycling Block Grant on its behalf; and

FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED the County of Siskiyou is hereby authorized and empowered to execute all necessary applications, contracts, payment requests, agreements and amendments hereto for the purposes of securing grant funds and to implement and carry out the purposes specified in the grant application.

            UPON ROLL CALL, THE VOTE WAS:

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

D.  Zoning ordinance text amendment: 

            Mayor Barnett reported that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 1 to consider an amendment of the zoning ordinance to permit off-site advertising signs. 

City Administrator Wilson recommended setting a hearing date, and Mayor Barnett encouraged the Council Members to become informed on the issue. 

Council Member Borcalli moved to set the hearing for April 13, 2000, and Council Member Tallerico seconded the motion. 

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

E.  Personnel Ordinance Amendment: 

            City Administrator Wilson reviewed that the City staff was directed to update the City’s personnel system, and reported the drafting of an ordinance to replace the existing ordinance and which will serve as a foundation for the rest of the personnel system. 

            Council Member Tallerico moved, seconded by Council Member Borcalli, that the reading in full of the body of Ordinance No. 349-2000 be waived, said ordinance being introduced for first reading by title only.

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

Council Member Tallerico read the title of Ordinance No. 349-2000 and moved introduction for first reading, seconded by Council Member Borcalli, said ordinance being in the words and figures following:

ORDINANCE NO 349-2000

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEED

AMENDING TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL

OF THE WEED MUNICIPAL CODE

ESTABLISHING A PERSONNEL SYSTEM

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEED DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1.  Section 2.12.100 of the Weed Municipal Code is hereby amended to delete “or employee” after “department head” in the first sentence.  Said first sentence shall read as follows:  “It shall be the duty of the city administrator to recommend to the council the appointment, removal, promotion, demotion of any department head.”;

            Section 2.  Chapter 2.36 of the Weed Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.

            Section 3.  Chapter 2.36 is hereby added to the Weed Municipal Code to read as follows:

Chapter 2.36

PERSONNEL SYSTEM

Sections:

            2.36.010            Adoption of personnel system

            2.36.020            Definitions

            2.36.030            Administration

            2.36.040            Competitive service

            2.36.050            Adoption and amendment of rules

            2.36.060            Appointments

            2.36.070            Probationary period

            2.36.080        Status of present employees

            2.36.090            Demotion, dismissal, reduction in pay, suspension, reprimand

            2.36.100        Right of appeal

            2.36.110        Lay-off and re-employment

            2.36.120            Political activity

            2.36.130            Contracts for special service

            2.36.140            Severability  

2.36.010  Adoption of personnel system.  In order to establish an equitable and uniform system for dealing with personnel matters, and to comply with applicable laws relating to the administration of the personnel process, the following personnel system is hereby adopted.

2.36.020  Definitions.  The terms used to administer the personnel system shall be defined in the personnel rules.

2.36.030  Administration.  The city administrator shall administer the city personnel system and may delegate any of the powers and duties to a personnel director or may delegate the appointing authority granted by the city council to any other officer or employee of the city or may recommend that such powers and duties be performed under contract as provided in section 2.36.130 of this chapter.  The city administrator shall:

A.      Act as the appointing authority for the city.

B.       Administer all the provisions of this ordinance and of the personnel rules not specifically reserved to the city council.

C.     Prepare and recommend to the city council personnel rules and revisions and amendments to such rules.

D.     Prepare or cause to be prepared a position classification plan, including class specifications, and revisions of the plan.

E.      Have the authority to discipline employees in accordance with this title and the personnel rules of the city.

F.      Provide for the publishing or posting of notices of tests for positions in the competitive service; and receiving of applications therefore; the conducting and grading of tests; the certification of a list of all persons eligible for appointment to the appropriate position in the competitive service; and performing any other duty that may be required to administer the personnel system.

2.36.040  Competitive service.  The provisions of the ordinance shall apply to all officers, positions and employments in the service of the city, except:

A.      Elective officers.

B.       The city administrator and any assistants to the city administrator.

C.     The city attorney and any assistant or deputy city attorneys.

D.     The city clerk and any assistant or deputy city clerks.

E.      Members of appointive boards, commissions, and committees.

F.      The following department heads:

1.                  chief of police

2.                  director of finance

3.                  director of public works

4.                  fire chief

G.     Volunteer personnel, such as volunteer fire fighters.

H.     All council appointed city officers.

I.        Emergency employees who are hired to meet the immediate requirements of any emergency condition, such as extraordinary fire, flood, or earthquake that threatens life or property.

J.       Employees, other than those listed elsewhere in this section, which are not regularly employed in permanent positions.  “Regularly employed in permanent positions” means an employee hired for an indefinite term into a budgeted position, who is regularly scheduled to work no less than one thousand and forty (1040) hours per year, and has successfully completed the probationary period and been retained as provided in this ordinance and the personnel rules.

K.     Any position primarily funded under a state or federal employment program.

L.      Employees not included in the competitive service under this section shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.

2.36.050  Adoption and amendment of rules.  Personnel rules shall be adopted by resolution of the city council.  The rules may establish regulations governing the personnel system, including:

A.      Preparation, installation, revision, and maintenance of a position classification plan covering all positions in the competitive service, including employment standards and qualifications for each class.

B.       Appropriate announcement of the selection process and acceptance of applications for employment.

C.     Preparation and conduct of tests and the establishment and use of resulting employment lists containing names of persons eligible for appointment.

D.     Certification and appointment of persons from employment lists, and the making of provisional appointments.

E.      Establishment of probationary testing periods.

F.      Evaluation of employees during the probationary testing period and thereafter.

G.     Transfer, promotion, demotio0n, reinstatement, disciplinary action and layoff of employees in the competitive service.

H.     Separation of employees from the city service.

I.        The establishment and maintenance of adequate personnel records for purpose of accounting and legal requirements.

J.       The establishment of any necessary appeal procedures.

2.36.060  Appointments.  Appointments to vacant positions in the competitive service shall be made in accordance with the personnel rules.  Appointments and promotions shall be based on merit and fitness to the ascertained so far a practicable by competitive examination.  Examinations may be used and conducted to aid the selection of qualified employees and shall consist of selection techniques which will test fairly the qualifications of candidates such as achievement and aptitude tests, written tests, personal interview, performance tests, physical agility tests, evaluation of daily work performance, work samples or any combination of these or other tests.  The probationary period shall be considered an extension of the examination process.  Physical, medical and psychological tests may be given as part of any examination.

In any examination the City Administrator or his/her designee may include, in addition to competitive tests, a qualifying test or tests, and set minimum standards therefore.

The appointing authority of employees in the competitive service is the city administrator.  The city administrator may delegate the appointing authority to any other officer or employee of the city.

2.36.070  Probationary period.  All regular appointments, including promotional appointments, shall be for a probationary period of not less than one year.  The appointing authority may extend such probationary period up to six additional months.  The probationary period shall commence from the date of appointment.  In the event of illness or injury requiring absence from work the number of days absent shall be added to the length of the probationary period.  During the probationary period, the employee may be rejected at any time without the right of appeal, hearing or any grievance procedure.

If the service of the probationary employee has been satisfactory to the appointing authority, then the appointing authority shall file with the Personnel Officer a statement in writing to such effect and stating that the retention of such employee in the service is desired.  If such a statement is not filed, the employee will be deemed to be unsatisfactory and his employment terminated at the expiration of the probationary period.  Where a statement of satisfactory service has not been filed, the personnel officer shall serve notice of the termination on the terminated employee after the expiration of the selection period.

An employee rejected during the probationary period from a opposition to which he has been promoted shall be reinstated to a position in the class from which he was promoted unless he is discharged from the City service as provided in the personnel rules.  If no vacancy exists in such position, he shall be placed on a re-employment list as provided in the personnel rules.

2.36.080  Status of present employees.  Any person holding a position included in the competitive service who, on the effective date of this ordinance, shall have served continuously in such position, or in some other position in the competitive service, for a period equal to the probationary period prescribed in the rules for his class, shall assume regular status in the competitive service in the position held on such effective date without qualifying test, and shall thereafter be subject in all respects to the provisions of this ordinance and the personnel rules.

Any other persons holding positions in the competitive service shall be regarded as probationers who are serving out the balance of their probationary periods as prescribed in the rules before obtaining regular status.  The probationary period shall be computed from the date of appointment or employment.

2.36.090  Demotion, dismissal, reduction in pay, suspension, reprimand.  The city administrator or any appointing power shall have the authority to demote, discharge, reprimand, reduce in pay, or suspend, any regular employee for cause in accordance with procedures included in the personnel rules.

2.36.100  Right of appeal.  Any employee in the competitive service shall have the right to appeal a demotion, reduction in pay, suspension, or discharge for disciplinary or medical reasons, except in those instances where the right of appeal is specifically prohibited by this ordinance or the rules adopted hereunder.

All appeals shall be processed in accordance with the requirements and procedures as set forth in the personnel rules adopted pursuant to this ordinance.

2.36.110  Lay-off and re-employment.  Lay-off and re-employment actions shall follow the process outlined in the personnel rules.

2.36.120  Political activity.  The political activities of city employees shall conform to pertinent provisions of state law and any local provisions adopted pursuant to state law.

2.36.130  Contracts for special service.  The city administrator shall consider and make recommendations to the city council regarding the extent to which the city should contract for the performance of technical services in connection with the establishment or operation of the personnel system.  The city council may contract with any qualified person or public or private agency for the performance of all or any of the following responsibilities and duties imposed by this ordinance:

A.     The preparation of personnel rules and subsequent revisions and amendments thereof.

B.      The preparation of a position classification plan, and subsequent revisions and amendments thereof.

C.     The preparation, conduct and grading of competitive tests.

D.     The conduct of employee training programs.

E.      Special and technical services of advisory or informational character on matters relating to personnel administration.

2.36.140  Severability.  If any part of this chapter is found to be unenforceable, the other parts shall remain in force insofar as they can be given meaning and effect."

Section 4.  This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after its passage.

Section 5.  This ordinance shall be printed in the Weed Press within fifteen (15) days after its passage.

            Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Barnett stated that all items listed under the published consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion, and there will be no separate discussion of the items unless members of the audience or Council request specific items be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion prior to the time the Council votes. 

Mayor Barnett asked if there are items to be removed from the consent agenda.   There was none other than as published. 

            Council Member Borcalli moved, seconded by Council Member Bergfors to approve as published, the minutes of February 10 and 24, 2000; payment of Claims #26300 – 26304, #26306 – 26315, #26316 – 26329, #26331 – 26339, #26376, #26432 – 26441, #26480 – 26493, #26496 – 26508, and #26511 – 26558 in the amount of $1,131,127.84; the Financial Status Report for Month Ending February 29, 2000, and fund transfer to cover the purchase of fire hose authorized by Council on July 22, 1999 in the amount of $3,369.98 from Account 10-410-422 to Account 10-422-475. 

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

A.  Claim #26509 to D & R Hardware in the amount of $287.06

            Council Member Borcalli stepped from the dais due to a monetary conflict of interest. 

            Council Member Tallerico moved to approve payment of Claim #26509 to D & R Hardware in the amount of $287.06.  Council Member Bergfors seconded the motion. 

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Members Borcalli, and Obuchon

            Council Member Borcalli returned to the dais. 

STAFF REPORTS

City Attorney King reported that an answer has been filed to the Caldwell Complaint for Declaratory Relief. 

ADJOURNMENT

            Council Member Tallerico moved adjournment, and Council Member Bergfors seconded the motion.

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Bergfors, Borcalli, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:            Council Member Obuchon

MEETING ADJOURNED SINE DIE AT 7:46 P.M.