Alturas City Council



Alturas City Council

Regular Meeting

City Hall Council Chambers

August 15, 2017 2:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor John Dederick at 2:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Bobby G. Ray, Jim Irvin, Mark Steffek. Councilmembers absent: Cheryl Nelson. Staff present: City Clerk Cary L. Baker, City Treasurer Sara Peet, City Attorney Jeff Hedlund, DPW Joe Picotte, Police Sergeant Mark Muller, Fire Marshal Eric Hunter, City Planning Commissioners Bill Hall & Tom Romero. Public attending: 4. An opening prayer is given by Pastor Robert Fendler. All present joined together in the pledge of allegiance.

Judy Mason, representing the American Red Cross, is present under the public forum and thanks the City Council and staff for their generosity and support. The office space provided at the old City Hall building is working out great; they have been open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Jackie Walton, representing St. Michaels Episcopal Church, requests a possible amendment to the contract between the Church and the City of Alturas relating to the City’s use of the Church’s vacant lot; property bound by North St., First St. and Rine St. She further states that the Church has been working with Modoc County Public Health on a community garden to be located on a portion of the lot the City leases.

DPW Picotte responds that the City has not used the lot in the past couple years. It would be his recommendation to terminate the lease and give the required fifteen day notice to the Church; they would have full use of the lot by September 1st.

MOTION by Councilmember Ray, SECONDED by Councilmember Irvin to terminate the contract with St. Michaels Episcopal Church on September 1, 2017, and direct the City Clerk to send written notice to the Church. ALL AYES.

Mayor Dederick reports he and City Clerk Baker met with Ross and Cody Cockrell of Cockrell Construction regarding repairs to the exterior of the City Hall building. There is a lot of deferred maintenance that needs to be addressed this year including several bad/broken windows, trim, paint, and exterior lighting replacement. The rough estimate of $11,959.07 is for labor and materials; the City would be responsible for the materials and contract with Cockrell Construction for the labor only. The estimate for labor is $7,200 which includes the replacement of one window. Labor for each additional window would be an extra $360. The estimate reflects pricing for both vinyl and aluminum windows from Four Seasons Supply.

Mayor Dederick will contact the contractor and request a contract that reflects the cost for labor only, with pricing for additional labor if needed.

DPW Picotte suggests replacing with aluminum windows so they will match the remaining existing windows; even though they are more expensive they will last longer. Also, he will make a recommendation for the exterior lighting since his department will be responsible to maintain them.

Mayor Dederick also comments the City will consider exterior paint colors that will match the color scheme on the County’s Court House. Cockrell Construction could start the work late summer.

MOTION by Councilmember Steffek, SECONDED by Councilmember Irvin to approve the City Hall exterior rehab project as discussed with a total price, including materials and labor, not to exceed $18,000. ALL AYES.

MOTION by Councilmember Steffek, SECONDED by Councilmember Ray to approve a Third Amendment to the Garbage Service Contract with Alturas Disposal granting a six-month extension through February 28, 2018. ALL AYES.

MOTION by Councilmember Ray, SECONDED by Councilmember Irvin to approve the second reading and adoption of Ordinance #509 amending Chapter 5, Section 5-43 of the Alturas City Code to collect a fee for the certificate of occupancy in accordance with the rate schedule adopted by resolution of the City Council. ALL AYES.

MOTION by Councilmember Ray, SECONDED by Councilmember Steffek to adopt Resolution #2017-25 setting the fee for the certificate of occupancy as provided for in the amended Chapter 5, Section 5043 of the Alturas City Code; this resolution will become effective on September 14, 2017. ALL AYES.

DPW Picotte reports the Modoc Jr. Girls All Stars Softball Team made it to the National Championship play offs which were held in Tucson, Arizona; they placed 4th in a tournament of nine teams. They would like to use the Alturas Municipal Pool to celebrate with a pool party on Sunday, August 20th. This is right after our final day of the pool season, and would work out very well as the water will still be treated and the pumps will be operating. Staff would still be available for lifeguard duties. The event is planned to run from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost to the City to staff the event would be around $117.00 consisting of the pool manager and one lifeguard. It is recommended that the City waive the fee for the girls to use the pool; other businesses in town are donating food, etc. for the celebration.

MOTION by Councilmember Irvin, SECONDED by Councilmember Steffek to waive the cost of the fees for the Modoc Jr. Girls All Stars Softball Team to use the City’s pool for their celebration pool party to be held August 29, 2017. ALL AYES.

Councilmember Irvin reports that City staff is interested in pursuing current grant opportunities for the City. There is another round of funding with the USDA available this fall. These grants could help with rehabbing City Hall, building community centers, pools, and other related community facilities.

Mayor Dederick comments that since the City of Alturas is considered a “disadvantaged community” this gives us another positive point towards eligibility.

City Planning Commissioner Hall comments that the Public Health Department could also write a letter on healthy communities and have the Public Health Officer sign it.

Council consensus is to authorize City staff to pursue available grant funding and bring back recommendations to City Council for review and approval.

MOTION by Councilmember Irvin, SECONDED by Councilmember Ray to approve the consent agenda as follows: a) Approve minutes of the July 18, 2017 meeting; b) Approve City warrants for June 2017/$294,639.22 & July 2017/$333,156.00; c) Adopt Resolution #2017-26 removing inactive water & sewer accounts in the amount of $136.00. ALL AYES.

COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS: DPW Picotte reports the Fire Camp at the Livestock Arenas and Rotary baseball fields will be gone by tomorrow. They did a lot of weed cleanup for the City and there has been no damage so far. The Forest Service will also be paying the added cost to the City’s power bill.

The Airport fire operations also went well. Paula Jessup received an award from the Forest Service for their gratitude on her professionalism, hospitality and willingness to help with whatever was needed. A letter was received from a private pilot commending Paula for her hospitality and help.

Also, met with a gentleman last week who is a grant writer and discussed the importance of a master plan for the arena and ballfield area; this will help with scoring higher on a grant application; met with Caltrans on future projects with a positive discussion on the needs of the local agencies; we need to have an approved budget in place by October 1st to qualify for SB#1 funding; the Chip Seal Project is scheduled for the end of next week; will start aggressively patching potholes next week; and the leak on the roof of the old Citizens building has gotten worse.

Lastly, there has been discussion at the Planning Commission level on the abandoned signs on Main St., and the sign in the vacant lot next to Rubio’s Market which states “State of Jefferson”. This does not advertise an existing business and is more like a billboard sign. Hoping to plan a one-time initiative in the near future to dismantle abandoned signs that no longer advertise an existing business.

Fire Marshal Hunter reports the Fire Barn project is almost complete; still need to put lights on the Fire Chief’s new vehicle; was approved for the USDA grant for $37,000 for new turnouts; also, Fire Chief Jacques broke his leg last week and is having surgery; he will be out for several months recovering.

City Treasurer Peet is preparing for the year-end audit; would like to have department heads budgets by the end of the month; and she and Mayor Dederick met with Golden State Risk Management Authority and reviewed a better health plan for the employees.

Councilmember Steffek reports there will be a Pool Committee meeting tomorrow morning at 8:00; will attend a SCEDD meeting in Redding this Thursday; and is planning on attending the County’s Housing Element meeting on August 22nd.

Mayor Dederick had a LAFCO meeting last week and discussed the Daphnedale Community Services District current issues with the delinquent sewer fees; will study the issue and report the options back to the City Council at the next meeting.

DPW Picotte responds that by default it is Modoc County’s responsibility. He suggests that he and a councilmember attend the next Board of Supervisor’s meeting to discuss the issue.

With no further business to come before Council, meeting adjourned at 3:14 p.m. to return in regular session on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., City Hall.

Respectfully,

Cary L. Baker

City Clerk

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