LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met April 16th. Under Staff Reports, Mayor Darlene Riede appointed Nancy Rogers to the Transportation Commission as the public representative and Joy Markum as Vice Mayor. She stated the last cement pour at the Verizon Tower would be that Thursday, then cover up and completion mid May or first of June.
The Council agreed to order the prior approved skimmer for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Concerning the old church building, Musica Sierra CEO Lindsay McIntosh presented a new MOU, using the Senior Center template, saying she’d pay her portion of insurance. Council member Joy Markum asked if she’d talked to her Board about paying for the time of the city attorney, the 2-3 hours looking over what she’d sent. Lindsay asked if the Senior Center had paid with Joy saying that agreement had been accepted in 2007 on an automatic renewal and a whole different Council and they were not obligated to follow the same agreement. As for attorney’s hourly charges, Joy said he’s not on a retainer and he feels the City gets no funds and they would not be generating revenue for the City. Attorney Steve Gross recommended the Council not approve the first agreement.
From the audience Laurie Belli voiced her support for “a lot of programs” with music, calling it “extraordinary,” and how it benefits the community and for the Council to work through the issues. Phyllis DeMartini asked if the project was “dead on arrival” if Lindsay paid no attorney fees? Joy stated they were not making $1 for 30 years and to leave the Senior Center out of it. Council member Sue McIlravy wanted to ask Attorney Steve Gross for an estimate of cost to do this. Joy said Steve had said it. Again from the audience, Joyce Cameron talked of the “just amazing music,” and after school instruction, performances and productions and how it’s “for our community.” Lindsay called the new MOU the “first step.”
Under Fire Department Report, Assistant Chief Robert DeMartini was called out so Phyllis reported 67 calls for the year; April has had 23 calls, 3 fire, 10 medical, 9 lift assists and one cat rescue. She stated they are trying to get rid of the cut up cars at the fire house and Sheriff Mike Fisher stated to get a junk permit and pay the tow bill. There has been no reconciliation and no finals on the finances. April 30th at 4:30 p.m. will be a special finance meeting.
On the water infrastructure, the $2 million Federal Allocation is not here yet. RDC is to do the Van Daam project. Church Street will be out to bid with three new hydrants and lines all one size.
Much discussion was held over the new Housing Element. Former Mayor Sarah Jackson was in the audience and stated they’d gotten a grant in 2019. Planning services are $150/hour plus mileage and sub-consultants. Cost for Price Consulting Services to prepare the Housing Element Update is approximately $55,000. This is in spite of the fact: The Housing Element was updated in 2021 and there has been very little change in Loyalton’s housing conditions since then; The City has a small and declining population; The City has limited resources to spend on understanding housing issues in California and The City is undergoing infrastructure capacity issues that essentially restricts any opportunity for housing growth. Housing Element Noncompliance consequences include the City’s general plan could be found inadequate and invalid, vulnerable to litigation from housing rights’ organizations, developers and Housing and Community Development and the court may suspend authority to issue building permits, grant zoning changes, variances or subdivision map approvals. Sue questioned where the $55,000 would
come from, Joy called it “outrageous,” yet she moved to go ahead with Gary Price and accept his proposal, seconded by Bill Mertton with approval of Mayor Darlene Riede and Sue voting no.
The Council approved purchase of the $27,000 influent pump for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, paid for by the sewer grant. It approved $3,905 for the influent chart recorder with Sue offering to drive to pick it up.
Joe Dines was voted recipient of the 10th annual Richard Meder Award for all he volunteers to help the City, going back to having helped with the skate park. Other candidates, Jake Marsh and Wendy Bergstrom will receive certificates of appreciation for all they do.
The Council agreed to order the prior approved skimmer for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Concerning the old church building, Musica Sierra CEO Lindsay McIntosh presented a new MOU, using the Senior Center template, saying she’d pay her portion of insurance. Council member Joy Markum asked if she’d talked to her Board about paying for the time of the city attorney, the 2-3 hours looking over what she’d sent. Lindsay asked if the Senior Center had paid with Joy saying that agreement had been accepted in 2007 on an automatic renewal and a whole different Council and they were not obligated to follow the same agreement. As for attorney’s hourly charges, Joy said he’s not on a retainer and he feels the City gets no funds and they would not be generating revenue for the City. Attorney Steve Gross recommended the Council not approve the first agreement.
From the audience Laurie Belli voiced her support for “a lot of programs” with music, calling it “extraordinary,” and how it benefits the community and for the Council to work through the issues. Phyllis DeMartini asked if the project was “dead on arrival” if Lindsay paid no attorney fees? Joy stated they were not making $1 for 30 years and to leave the Senior Center out of it. Council member Sue McIlravy wanted to ask Attorney Steve Gross for an estimate of cost to do this. Joy said Steve had said it. Again from the audience, Joyce Cameron talked of the “just amazing music,” and after school instruction, performances and productions and how it’s “for our community.” Lindsay called the new MOU the “first step.”
Under Fire Department Report, Assistant Chief Robert DeMartini was called out so Phyllis reported 67 calls for the year; April has had 23 calls, 3 fire, 10 medical, 9 lift assists and one cat rescue. She stated they are trying to get rid of the cut up cars at the fire house and Sheriff Mike Fisher stated to get a junk permit and pay the tow bill. There has been no reconciliation and no finals on the finances. April 30th at 4:30 p.m. will be a special finance meeting.
On the water infrastructure, the $2 million Federal Allocation is not here yet. RDC is to do the Van Daam project. Church Street will be out to bid with three new hydrants and lines all one size.
Much discussion was held over the new Housing Element. Former Mayor Sarah Jackson was in the audience and stated they’d gotten a grant in 2019. Planning services are $150/hour plus mileage and sub-consultants. Cost for Price Consulting Services to prepare the Housing Element Update is approximately $55,000. This is in spite of the fact: The Housing Element was updated in 2021 and there has been very little change in Loyalton’s housing conditions since then; The City has a small and declining population; The City has limited resources to spend on understanding housing issues in California and The City is undergoing infrastructure capacity issues that essentially restricts any opportunity for housing growth. Housing Element Noncompliance consequences include the City’s general plan could be found inadequate and invalid, vulnerable to litigation from housing rights’ organizations, developers and Housing and Community Development and the court may suspend authority to issue building permits, grant zoning changes, variances or subdivision map approvals. Sue questioned where the $55,000 would
come from, Joy called it “outrageous,” yet she moved to go ahead with Gary Price and accept his proposal, seconded by Bill Mertton with approval of Mayor Darlene Riede and Sue voting no.
The Council approved purchase of the $27,000 influent pump for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, paid for by the sewer grant. It approved $3,905 for the influent chart recorder with Sue offering to drive to pick it up.
Joe Dines was voted recipient of the 10th annual Richard Meder Award for all he volunteers to help the City, going back to having helped with the skate park. Other candidates, Jake Marsh and Wendy Bergstrom will receive certificates of appreciation for all they do.
