WEED CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

JULY 12, 2001

The City Council of the City of Weed held a regular meeting on Thursday, July 12, 2001, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Amelia “Mel” Borcalli called the meeting to order and led recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Present, in addition to Mayor Borcalli, were Council Members Neva Barnett, Brian Ramsey, Chuck Sutton, and Vince Tallerico. Also present were City Administrator Earl Wilson, City Attorney James Pierce, Finance Director M. Kelly McKinnis, Police Chief Martin Nicholas, Fire Chief Darin Quigley, Public Works Director Craig Sharp, and City Clerk Deborah Salvestrin.

III. PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

Mayor Borcalli 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. There were none.

IV. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS

Council Member Tallerico commented on the rehabilitative work on the exterior of City Hall saying it is looking very good.

Council Member Barnett reported attending a Community Center meeting at which time a representative of the Ford Family Foundation was present to review project status. Ms. Barnett added that the Committee is also working toward getting an initiative on the ballot for a parcel tax that will benefit the Community Center’s operating budget, and that applications are being received for the position of project manager.

Council Member Barnett also reported attending a League of Siskiyou Cities meeting in Dunsmuir where they are about to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the chemical spill in the Sacramento River that devastated the river and that area’s economy. Ms. Barnett added that recovery has been successful.

Council Member Barnett then reported that a future agenda would have opportunity for Council action on whether to dissolve the League as it now exists and reinvent an organization of local agencies that will allow membership by area special districts.

Mayor Borcalli reported attending the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner at which time officers for the upcoming year are installed, and various awards are given. Mayor Borcalli noted that John Oliver was selected Citizen of the Year for his ongoing work to get the Centennial Plaza from dream to reality, and Ronda Gubetta and Kim Greene were selected for Meritorious Service award for their work on a successful Carnevale. Mayor Borcalli added that the Weed Historic Museum was selected as organization of the year.

Mayor Borcalli asked that the next agenda include opportunity to discuss having invocations prior to the City Council meetings similar to what the County Board of Supervisors does. City Attorney Pierce agreed to research the matter for the discussion at the next meeting.

V. REGULAR AGENDA

A. Public Safety – Abandoned Vehicle Abatement, Larry Smith 591 Gilman Avenue: Continued appeal of removal requirement.

Police Chief Nicholas updated the Council noting that the vehicle is now mechanically operative however the registration is still outstanding.

City Attorney Pierce recommended staying the decision on the appeal for 60 days to allow Mr. Smith opportunity to either register the vehicle or store it in a manner in accordance with the ordinance.

Mr. Smith appeared before the Council to say that he has received conflicting information from the Police Department as to compliance, and feels that he has done what he can.

Council briefly discussed options, and then Council Member Sutton moved, seconded by Council Member Ramsey, to accept the Attorney’s recommendation and stay the decision for 60 days to allow Mr. Smith to come into compliance with the ordinance.

AYES: Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Ramsey, Sutton, and Tallerico

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

B. Public Works Department – Shastina Drive STIP project: Council will consider Contract Change Orders No. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 to Hayes & Sons, Inc. resulting in increase of $23,745.07.

City Administrator Wilson recommended approval of several contract change orders to close out the Shastina Drive project.

Council Member Barnett moved approval of Contract Change Orders #8 – 12 in an amount of $23,745.07. Council Member Tallerico seconded the motion.

AYES: Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Ramsey, Sutton, and Tallerico

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

C. Public Works Department – Shastina Drive STIP project: Council will consider acceptance of project and direct the filing of the Notice of Completion.

Council Member Barnett moved acceptance of the Shastina Drive STIP project, and that staff is directed to file the Notice of Completion. Council Member Tallerico seconded the motion.

AYES: Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Ramsey, Sutton, and Tallerico

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

D. Administration -- Budget: City Council will receive a proposed budget for fiscal year 2001/2002.

City Administrator Wilson reviewed the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, discussed various aspects of its preparation and presentation, and then stated there are still unknowns, as the State has not adopted a budget.

City Administrator Wilson then introduced the idea of a two-year budget and discussed how it works in practice. Council concurred with the idea of a two-year budget and City Administrator Wilson will draft the necessary information.

Council Member Barnett moved to set a budget workshop at a special meeting on August 2 at 4:00 p.m. Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion.

AYES: Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Ramsey, Sutton, and Tallerico

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

E. Public Safety – Animal Control: Council will consider drafted ordinance to amend existing regulations.

City Administrator Wilson reviewed that Council previously asked staff to look at options for the quarantine of cats.

City Attorney Pierce reported that City codes provide the legal authority for the quarantine of cats however the City may not have the physical capability. Chief Nicholas confirmed that the dog pound is not set up to hold cats. City Attorney Pierce suggested that small kennels could be purchased to hold cats, or the City could contract with another local agency for the quarantine. Police Chief Nicholas reported that the latter option is the current practice.

Council Member Tallerico moved that staff is directed to proceed with providing the capabilities to quarantine cats when necessary. Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion.

AYES: Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Ramsey, Sutton, and Tallerico

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

F. Public Safety – Code Enforcement: Council will consider drafted ordinance regulating vacant buildings and property blight.

City Administrator Wilson reviewed that staff presented a proposed ordinance to City Attorney Pierce for review for use by the City.

City Attorney Pierce noted the proposed ordinance is from the City of Redding and may not be perfectly transferable to the City of Weed. Mr. Pierce added that he refined the definition of blighted property, and then recommended the Council review the draft as to its applicability to the City of Weed.

Council members reviewed the ordinance and made requests for amendments or revisions. Staff will make the changes and present the ordinance at the next meeting.

VI. CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Borcalli stated that all items listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine, 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 Borcalli asked if there are items to be removed from the consent agenda. There were none.

Council Member Ramsey moved, seconded by Council Member Sutton, to approve the consent agenda as published including the approval of minutes of June 14 and 28, 2001, approval of Claims #28438 – 28450, #28511 – 28518, #28548 – 28562, #28565 – 28572, #28574 – 28619, #28634 – 28673, and #28723 - 28730 in the amount of $485,977.82, acceptance of the Financial Status Report for Month Ending June 30, 2001, and approval of Shastina Drive STIP project Contract Change Order No. 1 to Omni-Means.

AYES: Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Ramsey, Sutton, and Tallerico

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

VII. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Borcalli declared an economic conflict of interest, and stepped from the dais. Council Member Barnett moved, seconded by Council Member Sutton, to approve the payment of claims #28573 and #28723to D & R Hardware in the amount of $573.87.

AYES: Council Members Barnett, Ramsey, Sutton, and Tallerico

NOES: None

ABSENT: Council Member Borcalli

Mayor Borcalli returned to the dais.

VIII. STAFF REPORTS

Finance Director McKinnis updated the Council on the status of the FEMA/OES grants, and then on business development efforts.

City Attorney Pierce stated he has heard rumors that the issue of public acquisition of the power company may be resurfacing.

City Administrator Wilson reviewed new laws affecting the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and how it affects the entity here in Siskiyou County. Mr. Wilson added that pertinent items would be coming to Council for action in the future.

City Administrator Wilson announced a workshop scheduled for July 19 that will be of interest to local business people and elected officials.

City Clerk Salvestrin announced the League of California Cities’ Annual Conference to be held in September and alerted the Council to the required appointment of a voting delegate that will be on the next agenda.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

Council Member Tallerico moved adjournment and Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion.

AYES: Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Ramsey, Sutton, and Tallerico

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

MEETING ADJOURNED SINE DIE AT 6:08 P.M.