Meeting Notes
Wednesday, July 5th, 2006
Regular Council Meeting
The regular council meeting was held on Wednesday due to the Fourth of July holiday. The meeting began with a closed door study session regarding two CDBG rehab loans, one on Riverside Dr. and one on Ogle Ave.
The public session started at 6:30 with the full council in attendance plus Acting City Manager/Chief of Police Graham Hill, Public Works Director Jim Hale and John Miller of PlanWest. There were a few more faces in the crowd than usual, which is nice to see. The council action began with Mayor Bud Leonard announcing an addition to the closed door session he referred to as a Personnel Matter-City Manager. Leonard then read the items that make up the consent calendar. This included the usual proclamation extending the local water emergency to the next council meeting. The consent calendar was passed unanimously.
Next came a resolution authorizing Humboldt Waste Management Authority as the executor of the used oil grant. The information was presented to the Council by Carla Ralston, Code Enforcement Officer for Rio Dell. The city receives a block grant for the disposal of used oil. Currently the only place in Rio Dell to take the used oil to is the Napa shop on Center St. Council member Melissa Marks inquired about the length of the contract, which would expire in 2014. Ralston stated this was a five year contract with three more years after that to actually use up the grant money. The length of the contract would also prevent the issue from coming back before the council every year for renewal. The resolution passed unanimously.
The ratification of the police officers memorandum of understanding (MOU) was next. Police Chief Graham Hill stated that this was the agreement that the council had reviewed earlier. The agreement would increase the number of base salary steps to 7 rather than the current 5, to be implemented in two years. There will be a 7% raise between the steps, up from the current 5%. They spoke of a beverage allowance amount as well. The issue passed unanimously.
An agreement with a local land owner/developer regarding the Dinsmore Plateau water tank was next on the agenda. The plan had been to put a 27,000 gallon water tank at the site but the land owner would like to see that increased to 100,000 gallon tank to allow for future development at their site. The land owner, Jordan Pythila, would contribute the money necessary for the increased tank capacity. The resolution would authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement when finalized. The resolution passed unanimously.
The designation of a voting delegate and alternate for the League of Cities 2006 business meeting followed. There was also a subsequent special call item to approve the travel expense for the representative listed for later on the agenda but it was discussed at this time since the two things are closely related. Hill stated that the resolution was needed in order to give the representative the right to vote as well as provide for the funds needed to attend. The money could come from the City Manager training fund according to Hill. Council Member Mike Dunker has been Rio Dell's representative in the past and briefed the council on some of what the League does. Currently, Dunker sits on the Community Services Committee which works on quality of life related issues. (He could do a much better job of explaining the work done by the League than I can and I am sure would be happy to answer any questions from citizens) Leonard mentioned the high cost of attendance and what a high percentage of the yearly training budget it would be. His opinion is that it is a "waste of time and money." The cost mentioned for the meeting totaled $1,940. Council Member Melissa Marks expressed her hesitation over the costs as well considering the current budget but stated her wish to be able to send Dunker if the money was there. Dunker agreed that it was pretty expensive in the current budget situation but that he hoped the city would figure out a way to participate in the future as it is a benefit to the community. Council Members Julie Woodall and Marc Barsanti agreed that the costs were too high at this time and the resolution failed.
The special call items were next and began with pay request #11 from SJ&B Group in the amount of $105,108.72 for the water infrastructure rehab project. Hale spoke about the current work being done of paving and resetting valves. He stated that the company considered Wildwood Ave as done but he disagreed and was not signing off on the work until it is repaired. Hale stated that the paving done on Riverside Ave is considerably better than the paving done on Wildwood and there is a 10% holdback on the money until it is completed to the cities satisfaction. The pay request was approved unanimously.
Pay request #8 for Granite Construction was next, totaling $37,419.30 for the water infrastructure rehab project. Hale stated that the water tank on Douglas St. should be online in time for Wildwood Days (Aug. 5th). He stated that he anticipated the "water emergency" could be lifted from the agenda in the near future once this tank is online. *I do not know if that means no more triple the rates for using over the allotted amount of water. Marks and Hale conversed on the drainage problems at a house on Douglas and whether or not they were repaired. Hale stated the repairs were made to the homeowner's satisfaction. The pay request was approved unanimously.
There was a third pay request on the agenda. Pay request #11 in the amount of $172,438.59 to John N. Petersen Inc. for the raw water intake project. Hale stated that the project was on schedule. There were still some storm damage reimbursement issues that needed to be worked out but he would not elaborate at this time. The council had approved $30,000 at an earlier meeting to facilitate repairs quickly. The pay request was approved unanimously.
The issue of a council training fund as a budget item came up next. This was something talked about during the budget meeting of the previous week. The '06-'07 budget has no money for reimbursement of expenses for the council members to attend trainings, such as the ethics training the current council members attended recently. Leonard spoke of the cost for the trainings and the fact that any new council members would have to attend these trainings, it is required of them. Marks stated her concern of future council openings being available only to those who can afford the out-of-pocket expenses and thereby exclude many qualified people. *Council members are required to attend some trainings and others offer a very real benefit to the community and we would want our representatives to attend. This is a valid use of our community dollars and should be budgeted for. Dunker mentioned the possible need for a study session for the council to look at things such as the League meetings as well as other trainings. Hill referred to the advanced training that is available to himself and Hale as an example of trainings that would benefit the community and should be considered. Woodall stated that they should be looking at the trainings for both the council and city staff as well. Hale agreed that they should include staff in their deliberations since there are many trainings that are not attended due to budget constraints. Hill reminded the council that some of the trainings are mandatory, both for the police department and public works. Hill reminded the council that they should keep focused on solving the current problem and work out a budget that would allow for trainings specifically. Hill agreed that a study session would be in order and also they should be looking at what other small cities are doing for their training issues.
The final item on the special call items was the travel expenses for the League meeting that was discussed earlier. No delegate will be attending due to lack of money.
Public presentations were next on the agenda. I spoke briefly to ask the council about the sudden and miraculous appearance of a budget surplus, according to the public announcement posted in City Hall and provided to the press. I reminded the council that I was at the budget meeting and there was no surplus, in fact there is a deficit that must be dealt with. Sewer rates will be going up soon due to the deficit in the sewer fund and the need for large equipment at the sewage treatment plant. The public announcement listed the parks grant of $220,000 as if it was revenue. I reminded the council that this grant was talked about during the budget meeting and it is certainly not income and can not be included in the budget as revenue. I asked that the public announcement be amended to show the actual budget situation. *I looked at the posting on City Hall yesterday, July 9th, and it still shows the incorrect surplus.
Next came a citizen of Birch St. who has been dealing with nuisance abatement issues. John Edwards stated that he would satisfy the issues before the end of the month and reassured the council that he was working towards that goal. Some of the issues have already been resolved and the building inspector would be coming over to inspect soon. He reassured the council that the hot tub recently placed in his driveway was not permanent and would be moved. He asked if the council had any questions of him. Leonard stated that the best person to address the issue would be Carla Ralston of Code Enforcement. Ralston stated that the city had a court order to abate the property and that the city would go on the property only to fulfill that court order. She stated that Edwards should review the court order for the specifics of what needs to be addressed. The city will do any of the remaining nuisance abatement work and Edwards would receive the bill but any work he can get done himself would lessen that bill. Edwards stated again that he would have it done by the end of the month.
Staff reports were next and started off with the Acting City Manager. Hill stated that there was an annexation meeting earlier that day with Palco to discuss the many issues. As Police Chief, Hill also updated the council on some equipment the city received from the forest service. Some of the equipment isn't really needed by Rio Dell but would be traded with Fortuna for some needed equipment. The Rhino ATV recently received by the police department still was not out of the shop where it is being outfitted for police use. Hill was frustrated with the length of time it is taking but stated it would hopefully be ready by next week.
Public Works was next with Hale deferring to Shane Wilson from the Rio Dell Fire Department for updates on the upcoming Wildwood Days. Wilson spoke about the new events for this years activities, such as a BBQ cook-off and the bocce ball tournament. The petting zoo will be done by Miranda's Rescue on Saturday and Sunday with pet adoptions possible. The logging show will be near Kreations across from Fireman's Park this year. Thursday will be kids night and they need donations for prizes. Saturday will be a Texas hold 'em tournament at the Firehall. The car cruise will be right after the parade this year. The bocce ball tournament currently has 18 or 19 teams signed up already and there is a 32 team limit. The Rio Dell Fire Department has challenged the Scotia Fire Department. Information and sign up sheets are available from City Hall. Hale commended the Fire Department for their work on Wildwood Days and spoke about how the event almost was ended until the Fire Department took over and have made it such a success. In the near future Hale stated the city will have to look at ways to help and accommodate the growth of Wildwood Days. The Fire Department still needs volunteers to help with Wildwood Days.
Marks asked about the city's dog ordinances and referred to possible loopholes that make it tough for law enforcement to respond. In particular, there was a dog that was designated as a nuisance/dangerous animal and removed to Miranda's Rescue quite awhile ago, when Chief Pat Medina was in office. For whatever reason, the dog was not put down and the owner has brought it back into the community. Hill was unaware that the dog was back in Rio Dell and will be looking into the situation.
Accounting Supervisor Gordon Elton was not present so he was unavailable to address the issue of the budget public announcement. Woodall reassured me later on that she will be asking Elton about the announcement when he returns. *I hope the announcement will be amended soon. Everyone present at the budget meeting knows there is no surplus.
Leonard read the items to be discussed in closed session.
The Closed Session was as follows:
1. Potential Litigation - Roberts vs. Rio Dell
2. Potential Litigation - Nuisance Abatement Issues
3. Personnel Matter - Police Department
4. Personnel Matter - Acting City Clerk
5. Litigation - Concerned Citizens vs. Rio Dell
6. Potential Litigation - Property Damage Claim
7. Personnel - Rio Dell Employees Association Contract Negotiations
* Indicates my humble opinion and/or commentary
City Council Rio Dell California