City wraps up 2021 with new Mayor and IMD rate increase

Lauren Westmoreland
[email protected]

The Wednesday, December 22 meeting of Portola City Hall opened with the pledge of allegiance. Without any public comment, council moved directly into the brief agenda.

City Council communications and committee reports

Mayor Bill Powers reported that he had attended a meeting of LAFCo, where municipal services were being discussed. He also noted that he had the “honor of lighting the Christmas tree” at the city lighting this year.

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Mayor Pro Tem Pat Morton reported that she had been part of the successful Angel Tree program for yet another Christmas season. “The angels are up, and we will have people come pick up their packages,” Morton said with a smile.

Councilmember Tom Cooley had worked on a couple of occasions spreading wood chips on the disc golf course, assisting the Fire Wise committee with the preparation of an annual report, working with consultants in the fire reorganization feasibility study, as well as food drive baskets distribution with EPCAN for the holidays.

Councilmember Phil Oels reported that he had attended a Transportation meeting. “The Sage Stage starts in Modoc and runs to Reno, and we will soon have a tie in that hooks up, I believe twice a week, at Hallelujah Junction,” Oels said.

Staff Communications/Fire Report/Sheriff’s Report/Air Quality Report

An email from Plumas County Sheriff Office (PCSO) Sgt. Tom Klundby email was read by Lauren Knox to council.

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The email stated that between October 31, 2021 and December 22, 2021 there had been 198 calls for services in the city limits. Of those calls there were 12 property crimes, eight crimes against persons, and 10 drug related calls. “The surprising issue has been the increase in traffic related calls which are up at 10, with a much bigger increase than in years past.” The email went on to remind community members to lock their residence and vehicle doors against property crime. “We wish everyone a happy holiday and happy new year,” it concluded.

City Finance Officer Susan Scarlett also mentioned that budgeting had been put on hold. “It is time to get started on updating the master plans,” she said.

City Manager report

City Manager Lauren Knox reported that the Renegade Parade and Old Town Christmas event went very well, with lots of people and children.

“Staff has been in testing and training for new software, and we are weathering storms and keeping the roads as clear as possible,” Knox said. “We will see what the upcoming weather system brings us.” Knox also reported that she had attended a meeting with a consultant of the Local Emergency Services Study Group (LESSG).

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“Little League approached us about some items they could do with the ballfields- with potential grants, and we will return with more information, things like lighting that are not ‘to spec’ for Little League,” she said.

Knox noted that the Sheriff contract discussions are still moving along, with the city currently waiting for a redlined version to come back. Knox also touched base with Tim Rhode on the topic of the Disc golf course and what is left to do.                                                    “Tim noted items such as laying the chips down, maintenance, watering the trees,” Knox explained. “There is some potential for lighting in the future but not any time soon.”

All voted in favor of the corrected consent calendar and moved to the next item on the agenda.

Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem appointment

On March 13, 1999 the Portola City Council voted to appoint the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem to serve one-year terms beginning in December of every year.

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The motion also approved the process for the Mayor Pro Tem to be appointed as the Mayor, unless a 3/5 vote of the Council was to direct otherwise.

After minimal discussion, all present voted in favor of Pat Morton becoming mayor, and Tom Cooley was nominated and voted in by all as mayor pro-tem. All council members switched seats as was tradition before resuming the meeting with Morton assuming the role of mayor.

Resolution No. 2492 Concerning COVID remote meetings

Knox explained that this was the standard review resolution No. 2492 which re-ratifies the proclamation of a state of emergency and re-authorize remote teleconference meetings of the legislative bodies of the City of Portola. With no public comment, the resolution was adopted by unanimous roll call vote.

Community Development Block Grant MOU with Plumas County

Knox explained, “On April 28, 2021, Council agreed to allow the County to apply for the City’s allocation of the Community Block Development Grant CV 2 and 3 funds, to further the development of a county- wide Small Business Grant program, that city businesses would also be able to apply for.”

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An application was made by the county and requires a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU between the county and the city. The MOU was approved by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors on December 7 of this year.

Knox clarified again that city businesses will be able to apply for grants made available through the program. Council then voted to authorize staff to execute the MOU on behalf of the city.

Sewer and Water Connection Fees

Council discussed the necessity of increasing rates to keep up with costs. “This is a standard annual increase,” Knox said. For example, a standard 32-gallon can was $12.51 but will now be $13.13 as of January 1, 2022. “We have received a few protests.” City Clerk Tara Kindall then read three written communications into the record.

Knox addressed one concern regarding green waste fees, noting that “green waste is not considered a mandatory fee, which is why it is not on this fee schedule.”

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Resident Ashlee Sims conveyed that the additional fees were unfair to the people in the city of Portola, with many on fixed incomes and struggling due to covid. “The people are already paying enough,” Sims said.

Richard Ross with Inter Mountain Disposal (IMD) then spoke briefly and spoke to the fact that there is “never a good time for a rate increase, but labor, fuels and all other costs have gone up as well. We are doing a five percent increase rather than the eight percent we were entitled to.”

Ross went on to state, “We are working diligently on finding a solution for cheaper green waste options. We understand the concerns, but the increases are a part of business.”

With no majority protest to the rates, council proceeded to approve the new rates by unanimous roll call vote.

Mayors Powers then raised the idea of requesting an item for the Council to discuss infrastructure related items, such as water and sewer connection fees and mechanisms to finance them.

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Powers listed ideas such as payment schedules to ease the burden of upfront costs to those that might be buying property or even a house for cash in the city.

“Then we could possibly start to fill this gap that has been needed for years,” Powers said. “Perhaps we can take this on in the spring of next year; the bundle of complaints related to city infrastructure such as paving the roads and the incredibly corroded piping system, and the constant frustration public works has with getting pipes fixed. We need to work as a major goal on how to go after this in the spring and create a structure of fees for those coming into the community.”

Cooley said that he would support including the item to be addressed in the Infrastructure Committee and returning their findings to council. “Lower our fee costs,” Oels added. “Encourage some growth.” All agreed to look into the matter in the near future before moving directly into closed session.

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The Portola City Council welcomes all to its meetings which are regularly held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. Local interest and participation is encouraged and welcome.

The City Council meeting is accessible to the public via live streaming at https://zoom.us/j/3583067836 or by phone at: Phone Number 1.669.900.6833; Meeting ID: 358 306 7836. Any person desiring to address the City Council on any item not on the agenda may do so during public comment. Public comments made during a regular council meeting may be recorded.

Public comment will be accepted via email or chat on any item on the agenda at any time beginning at 6:00 p.m. and ending at the close of public comment on the item. Please direct your comments to Tara Kindall, Deputy City Clerk, [email protected] or access the chat function on the Zoom meeting platform during the live stream.