WEED CITY COUNCIL

                                                 REGULAR MEETING

                                                 OCTOBER 25, 2001

 

 

The City Council of the City of Weed held a regular special meeting on Thursday, October 25, 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, 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 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

 

Mayor Borcalli read a card she received from Weed High School thanking the Council for participation in the Homecoming Parade. 

 

 

V.  REGULAR AGENDA

 

A.  Public Works Department – Gazebo:  Council will consider request submitted by Weed Centennial Committee to move the gazebo.  Weed Recreation and Park District has agreed to accept it for placement on District property. 

 

City Administrator Wilson reported receipt of letter submitted by the Weed Centennial Committee requesting that the gazebo be moved from the Centennial Plaza. 

 

Nan Mazzier, representing the Centennial Committee, appeared before the Council in support of the Committee’s request stating that it complicates the view of the plaza from vehicle traffic.  Ms. Mazzier noted that the gazebo was moved to the south edge of the lawn as a temporary solution to make way for the plaza construction.  Ms. Mazzier added that Mike Rodriguez, Director of the Weed Recreation and Park District, has expressed an interest in accepting the gazebo for one of the parks. 

 

Council Member Barnett suggested the gazebo be offered to the Museum to create a “people place” there with shade. 

 

Council Member Sutton stated the Postmaster has offered to accept the structure. 

 

Council Member Sutton moved to table action to the next meeting to permit time to offer the gazebo to the Weed Museum.  Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion. 

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

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

 

 

B.  Public Safety – Public Safety Complex:  Council will consider acceptance of a Ford Foundation Grant for $32,500 for planning and technical assistance for site and architectural design for a future public safety complex. 

 

City Administrator Wilson reported receipt of notice of grant funding awarded by the Ford Family Foundation for planning and technical assistance for site and architectural design for a public safety facility.  Mr. Wilson added that such a facility, for the relocation and central consolidation of police and fire functions, has been a topic of discussion for several years.  Mr. Wilson noted that the funding would be used for the purpose of a study to determine what will fit the future needs of the city, and then he recommended acceptance of the funding. 

 

Police Chief Nicholas noted that a central location could permit inclusion of a training facility that can be accessed by and funded through the College. 

 

Council Member Sutton moved to accept the grant from the Ford Family Foundation for the purpose of a public safety facility site study and plans development.  Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion.

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

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

 

 

C.  Public Works Department – Gas Franchise:  Council will consider adoption of Ordinance No. 353-2001 adding Chapter 12 to Title 16 of the Weed Municipal Code Regulating Gas Franchises. 

 

City Administrator Wilson reviewed that the ordinance authorizing and regulating the granting of utility propane gas franchises was introduced by Council at the last regular meeting, and is scheduled here for second reading and adoption. 

 

Council Member Barnett moved, seconded by Council Member Tallerico, that the reading in full of the body of Ordinance No. 353-2001 be waived, said ordinance being read and adopted by title only.

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

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

 

Council Member Barnett read the title of Ordinance No. 353-2001 and moved adoption, seconded by Council Member Tallerico, said ordinance being in the words and figures following:

 

 

 

INSERT ORDINANCE FOR MINUTE BOOK

 

 

 

 

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

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

 

D.  Public Works Department – Streets and Roads:  Council will consider project priority for State Transportation Improvement Program funding. 

 

City Administrator Wilson reviewed that the Siskiyou County Local Transportation Commission has approved State Transportation Improvement Program funding for the City of Weed in the amount of $2,060,000 for projects over a four-year period.  Mr. Wilson added that $310,000 is required to complete the College Avenue project in 2002, and project study reports have been completed for Alamo Avenue, Hillside Drive, Siskiyou Way, South Weed Boulevard, and Vista Drive. 

 

Public Works Director Sharp reviewed the proposals for each of the projects, noting that funding is not available for the whole list.  Mr. Sharp noted there is pavement failure in all areas and then recommended the Siskiyou Way and project and revision of the Alamo Avenue project to fit the remaining funding.  Mr. Sharp added that leftover funding could also be used for smaller sections around the City that don’t have to be named right now. 

 

Council Members discussed the named areas, funding cycles, and future chip sealing projects.  Council Member Sutton questioned improvement of South Davis Avenue, and Public Works Director Sharp replied that South Davis Avenue was not included here because underlying infrastructure should be repaired or replaced prior to a major pavement project there. 

 

Council Member Barnett moved approval of the Siskiyou Way and Alamo Avenue projects as discussed.  Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion. 

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

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

 

 

VI.  STAFF REPORTS

 

City Attorney Pierce announced that an item concerning anticipated litigation came to his attention after the publishing of the agenda and requires Council attention prior to the time of the next Council meeting.  City Attorney Pierce recommended the closed session agenda be amended to allow for that discussion.  

 

Council Member Sutton moved amendment of the closed session agenda to allow for discussion of anticipated litigation because it came to the attention of City staff after the publishing of the agenda, and requires action prior to the time of the next regular meeting.  Council Member Ramsey seconded the motion. 

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

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

 

City Attorney Pierce also announced a minor legal victory in Court, explaining that some times criminal defendants seek exposure of Police officer personnel files and those efforts are resisted by City staff and then in this instance the motion was successfully opposed in Court. 

 

City Attorney Pierce reported that he has attempted to sort out issues with regard to the Transient Occupancy Tax dispute between the Chamber of Commerce and Weed Revitalization Committee, and has prepared a letter with his findings.  Mr. Pierce noted that research indicates the Council does not have the express authority to police the management of the funds.  Mr. Pierce added that the Council’s intent for use of the funds is included the public record and it is up to the two entities to sort out the funding and move on with the projects for which it was intended. 

 

Public Works Director Sharp reported that his Department is working on the golf course road where there is some bank failure. 

 

Finance Director McKinnis reported he and Public Works Director Sharp attended at a grant workshop sponsored by the Department of Water Resources in anticipation of the $60,000,000 available and 240 entities around the State are eligible for funding for water infrastructure rehabilitation.  Mr. McKinnis noted the application window is very short, and City staff is working diligently to meet that deadline. 

 

 

VII.  ADJOURNMENT

 

A.  Closed Session –

 

  1. Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6, Conference with labor negotiator
    Agency negotiator:           City Council Committee
    Employee organization:   Miscellaneous and Safety employee Units

 

2.      Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9 (b)(3)(A):  conference with legal counsel -- anticipated litigation

 

Mayor Borcalli moved to adjourn to closed session for the published and as amended purposes, and Council Member Tallerico seconded the motion. 

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

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

 

Council adjourned to closed session t 6:38 p.m., and returned to open general session at 8:02 p.m.

 

City Attorney Pierce reported that during closed session the City Council received information and direction from City staff concerning possible litigation and the Council took no action. 

 

City Attorney Pierce added that also during closed session the Council received information from the negotiating committee for the Miscellaneous and Safety bargaining units and voted unanimously to give direction to the negotiating committee to present an offer of finality to some degree to the bargaining units and the terms of those offers will remain confidential. 

 

B.  Sine Die

 

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 8:04 P.M.