LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met November 21st with Mayor Mark Marin announcing he’d turn the gavel over to Vice Mayor Nancy Rogers after the meeting until the first of the year due to medical issues.
Marin reported that Verizon wouldn’t return his calls over the proposed cell tower due to the property at the cemetery can’t have building on it; it’s for graves and parking.
Marin introduced Detective Mike Fisher with the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office over the camp trailers and mess left by people from the trailer park.
Fisher talked about putting a committee together including the sheriff’s office to look at ordinances. He said there’s been no abatement in 15 years. With the trailer park cleaned up, he’d like to see the City of Loyalton follow suit. He spoke of the issues out of the park storing of camp and cargo trailers and to do so in a lawful manner using city ordinances. He called it “not fair” to deal with only those out of the park and if the sheriff is involved, make it universal across the board and fair to all residents. He said to pick and choose what is a priority. He told it would cost money whether it was cars or broken windows to attract squatters. He stated those displaced still have rights of property owners doing lawful things. He would be happy to assist a committee. Under question, Fisher said with the city, the sheriff’s office would do investigation and then the council would follow up with abatement. The council took no action.
CalPERS retirees pay
Retiree Don Yegge acknowledged none of the present council members ended CalPers but the employees had lost more than half their retirement and would like a contract. On the contract they’d had, they‘d been advised not to sign over a CA Civil Code 1542. The mayor stated they’d been told there’s no money to continue this. It was agreed to look at a new contract and get together. Bookkeeper Tracy Smith wanted to know where to allocate the next payment. There was discussion over the payment of the property sold the county. Retiree John Cussins questioned the council not wanting to take money from water and sewer to pay the retirees when the biggest part of their pay was from water and sewer.
It was agreed to meet December 5 with the attorney and the mayor stated they’d have to figure where to get the money.
From the audience, Mark Lombardi told the horrors of having an attorney and urged them to work among themselves.
Council member Joy Markum said she wouldn’t vote for anything until there’s a budget. Tracy needed direction for payment for December 1st. Joy made motion to pay $5,000 out of contingencies for retiree pay and it passed unanimously.
Bills paid
Total of bills was $56,492.53. Tracy pointed out $2100 paid to the attorney, of that $1,040 was legal fees for the probation rental which pays $900. Another part of legal fees was for the fire district.
Fire District
Concerning an 8-man committee for a proposed fire district for the greater Loyalton area, the mayor stated, “We don’t have the money to start our fire district.”
Joy Markum stated if they contract with Sierra County Fire Protection District #1, “We can make up to $50,000 a year.” From the audience, Craig Fassbender felt the jury was still out with no guarantees. Joy talked of costs to form a new district which Craig called “scare tactics.” Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen was in the audience and stated district boundaries drive the cost and the lines have to be redrawn. Craig stated the fire department would lose 15% taxable income. Joy said District #1 has fees put away for LAFCO costs. “They have money; we don’t,” she said.
Marin made the motion not to go with an 8-man board “because we don’t have money to go through LAFCO. We’re broke.” Rogers and Markum voted no. Jason Vandaam voted yes.
Feather River Archery Club on Pool
President of Feather River Archery Club, Jim Smith, approached the council on engineering the swimming pool building’s floor, creating a “floating floor” system, pulling permits and being “totally legal,” as a temporary action which can be removed but to use the facility one day a week. It would take all liability away from the city and if the city came up with funding, could bring the pool back.
Yours truly had heard talk of the need of another gymnasium and asked Supervisor Roen of the need and if the archery club would work with the school district. The council agreed to get with Jim and the school board to talk.
From the audience, Leroy Vanetti was in favor of the building being used. Tammy Johnson questioned donations previously collected for the swimming pool. Libby Ryan asked about the building’s rent. “How much,” she asked.
Marin reported that Verizon wouldn’t return his calls over the proposed cell tower due to the property at the cemetery can’t have building on it; it’s for graves and parking.
Marin introduced Detective Mike Fisher with the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office over the camp trailers and mess left by people from the trailer park.
Fisher talked about putting a committee together including the sheriff’s office to look at ordinances. He said there’s been no abatement in 15 years. With the trailer park cleaned up, he’d like to see the City of Loyalton follow suit. He spoke of the issues out of the park storing of camp and cargo trailers and to do so in a lawful manner using city ordinances. He called it “not fair” to deal with only those out of the park and if the sheriff is involved, make it universal across the board and fair to all residents. He said to pick and choose what is a priority. He told it would cost money whether it was cars or broken windows to attract squatters. He stated those displaced still have rights of property owners doing lawful things. He would be happy to assist a committee. Under question, Fisher said with the city, the sheriff’s office would do investigation and then the council would follow up with abatement. The council took no action.
CalPERS retirees pay
Retiree Don Yegge acknowledged none of the present council members ended CalPers but the employees had lost more than half their retirement and would like a contract. On the contract they’d had, they‘d been advised not to sign over a CA Civil Code 1542. The mayor stated they’d been told there’s no money to continue this. It was agreed to look at a new contract and get together. Bookkeeper Tracy Smith wanted to know where to allocate the next payment. There was discussion over the payment of the property sold the county. Retiree John Cussins questioned the council not wanting to take money from water and sewer to pay the retirees when the biggest part of their pay was from water and sewer.
It was agreed to meet December 5 with the attorney and the mayor stated they’d have to figure where to get the money.
From the audience, Mark Lombardi told the horrors of having an attorney and urged them to work among themselves.
Council member Joy Markum said she wouldn’t vote for anything until there’s a budget. Tracy needed direction for payment for December 1st. Joy made motion to pay $5,000 out of contingencies for retiree pay and it passed unanimously.
Bills paid
Total of bills was $56,492.53. Tracy pointed out $2100 paid to the attorney, of that $1,040 was legal fees for the probation rental which pays $900. Another part of legal fees was for the fire district.
Fire District
Concerning an 8-man committee for a proposed fire district for the greater Loyalton area, the mayor stated, “We don’t have the money to start our fire district.”
Joy Markum stated if they contract with Sierra County Fire Protection District #1, “We can make up to $50,000 a year.” From the audience, Craig Fassbender felt the jury was still out with no guarantees. Joy talked of costs to form a new district which Craig called “scare tactics.” Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen was in the audience and stated district boundaries drive the cost and the lines have to be redrawn. Craig stated the fire department would lose 15% taxable income. Joy said District #1 has fees put away for LAFCO costs. “They have money; we don’t,” she said.
Marin made the motion not to go with an 8-man board “because we don’t have money to go through LAFCO. We’re broke.” Rogers and Markum voted no. Jason Vandaam voted yes.
Feather River Archery Club on Pool
President of Feather River Archery Club, Jim Smith, approached the council on engineering the swimming pool building’s floor, creating a “floating floor” system, pulling permits and being “totally legal,” as a temporary action which can be removed but to use the facility one day a week. It would take all liability away from the city and if the city came up with funding, could bring the pool back.
Yours truly had heard talk of the need of another gymnasium and asked Supervisor Roen of the need and if the archery club would work with the school district. The council agreed to get with Jim and the school board to talk.
From the audience, Leroy Vanetti was in favor of the building being used. Tammy Johnson questioned donations previously collected for the swimming pool. Libby Ryan asked about the building’s rent. “How much,” she asked.
