WEED CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

JULY 26, 2001

The City Council of the City of Weed held a regular meeting on Thursday, July 26, 2001, at 6:00 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, 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 could 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 reported attendance at a meeting of the Siskiyou County Solid Waste Committee noting that the Committee heard a presentation on the future of the Black Butte landfill.

Mayor Borcalli gave honorable mention to those owners of property who are making efforts to clean up, paint up, and fix up prior to our upcoming centennial celebration and specifically complemented the work at City Hall. Mayor Borcalli added that the Centennial Committee is meeting weekly now to finalize preparations for the September celebration, and if anyone wants to get involved, they can call John Oliver, Scott Durbin, Bob Winston, or any of the other Committee members.

V. PUBLIC HEARING(S)

A. Community Development Block Grant Funds: Economic Development & Planning And Technical Assistance Grants

Mayor Borcalli reviewed the procedures for the conduct of public hearings, and then declared the present as the time and place for the scheduled hearing. Mayor Borcalli asked for and received verification that proper notice had been given in accordance with the law, and then declared the hearing open at 6:06 p.m.

City Administrator Wilson reported a public hearing was scheduled for the purpose of taking public input with regard to funding from the State’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

Finance Director Kelly McKinnis provided information concerning the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the allocations for the various eligible activities that include the Native American program, General and Economic Development, and General and Economic Development Planning and Technical Assistance programs. Mr. Aston stated that the four major activity categories are Housing-New Construction, Housing-Rehabilitation, Community Facilities/Public Services, and Public Works. Mr. McKinnis also reviewed that projects funded with CDBG allocations must carry out at least one of three National Objectives such as Benefit to Targeted Income Group (TIG) persons, elimination of slums and blight, and meeting urgent community development needs.

Finance Director McKinnis then reviewed two projects that have been submitted for consideration for funding applications. The first is for the update of the City’s Master Water Plan, and the second is to fund the predevelopment work for the Rural Elders project.

Mayor Borcalli asked for public input as to any other projects that could be considered for funding. There were none. Mayor Borcalli declared the hearing closed and asked for Council input as to projects for funding consideration. There were none.

City Administrator Wilson noted that program regulations require a second hearing

VI. REGULAR AGENDA

A. Rick Riggins: Mr. Riggins will introduce himself as a candidate for Siskiyou County Sheriff and talk about his candidacy.

Rick Riggins appeared before the Council for the purpose of introducing himself as a candidate for Siskiyou County Sheriff. Mr. Riggins briefly reviewed his work and personal history and then told the Council he is a candidate for the office of Sheriff.

Council thanked Mr. Riggins for his appearance.

B. Public Safety Department – DARE Program: Council will consider acceptance of the Ford Foundation Grant.

Police Chief Nicholas reported his Department has applied for and received $5,000 from the Ford Family Foundation for the DARE program, and recommended Council acceptance of the funding.

Council Member Tallerico moved acceptance of the DARE program grant funding from the Ford Family Foundation. Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion.

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

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

Police Chief Nicholas reviewed that this item was continued from the last meeting at which time the Council reviewed a draft of an ordinance that will strengthen existing City codes with regard to nuisance and property blight.

City Attorney Pierce added that revisions discussed by the Council at the time of the last meeting have been made as directed. Mr. Pierce reviewed the areas where the corrections or additions were made.

Council Member Sutton moved, seconded by Council Member Ramsey, that the reading in full of the body of Ordinance No. 356-2001 be waived, said ordinance being introduced for first reading by title only.

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

Council Member Sutton read the title of Ordinance No.356-2001 and moved introduction for first reading, motion seconded by Council Member Ramsey, said ordinance being in the words and figures following:

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

D. City Council – League of California Cities’ Annual Convention: Council will consider appointment of a voting delegate.

City Administrator Wilson reported that the City Council is being asked to appoint someone who is planning to attend the annual League of California Cities’ annual conference as voting delegate for the purpose of representation at the annual business meting held during the Convention.

Council members briefly discussed possible attendance, and then asked to continue action to the next agenda to allow members time to look at their calendars.

E. City Council – Invocations: City Council will consider.

Mayor Borcalli reported the local Ministerial Association has volunteered an individual to appear at Council meetings and give an invocation if the Council so desires.

City Attorney Pierce reviewed that he researched the issue of invocations at the commencement of a meeting of a municipal legislative body and found they are legal under certain conditions. Mr. Pierce provided copies of an opinion from the California Attorney General’s office and these copies were distributed to the Council prior to the time of the meeting.

Council discussed that invocations cannot be required by law, cannot be part of the deliberative agenda, cannot be offered, supervised, or approved as to content by a public officer, cannot be officially limited to a particular religion, cannot be disparaging of others, or directed toward proselytizing.

After Council discussion, Council Member Tallerico moved to devote time for a moment of silence at the beginning of each meeting in lieu of an invocation. The motion died for lack of a second.

Council Member Ramsey moved to continue action to the next agenda to allow time for Council members to further consider the matter. Council Member Sutton seconded the motion.

AYES: Council Members, Borcalli, Ramsey, and Sutton

NOES: Council Members Barnett and Tallerico

ABSENT: None

F. Public Works Department – Water Systems: Council will consider application to the Department of Water Resources for funding for rehabilitation of the North Water distribution system.

City Administrator Wilson reported this item was removed from the agenda after it had been published because the information to support it had not been received.

G. Administration -- Budget: City Council will receive a proposed two-year budget for fiscal year 2001/2002 and fiscal year 2002/2003 to be continued to a budget workshop scheduled fro August 2, 2001, 4:00 p.m.

City Administrator Wilson reported he has prepared, at the direction of the Council, a two-year budget. Mr. Wilson reviewed the format of its presentation and reminded Council that a budget workshop has been scheduled for Thursday, August 2, 2001, at 4:00 p.m.

VII. STAFF REPORTS

Finance Director McKinnis reported meeting with Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and Office of Emergency Services (OES) representatives and noted that everyone is encouraged about the joint project to restore the stream.

Council Member Sutton mentioned receipt of a letter from the Weed Revitalization Committee and Council Member Barnett moved to have it placed on the next Council agenda. Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion.

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

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

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

MEETING ADJOURNED SINE DIE AT 7:02 P.M.