Good evening everyone. Welcome to the July 22nd regular city council meeting
in Willlets. We appreciate you spending your Wednesday evening with us. Um we're
going to start with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and it's going to
be led by Gary Martin who's later going to give us a part presentation. Gary,
thank you for being here. >> Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the
flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One
nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
» Thank you. >> Council member Burton,
» I'm here. >> Gonzalez,
» present. >> Stransky,
» yes. >> HERE.
» The city council welcomes input from the audience. If there is a matter of
business on the agenda that you are interested in, you may address the
council when the matter is considered. If you wish to speak on a matter that is
not on the agenda, you may do so at this time. In order for everyone to be heard,
please limit your comments to 3 minutes per person. The Brown Act regulation
do not allow action to be taken on audience comments in which the subject
is not listed on the agenda. So, the two things about public comment is um if
there's something not on the agenda, we welcome you to um give say your name,
give three minutes. If there's something that's on the agenda and your life is so
busy you need to get out of here. Then after we're done with the
non-aggendaized item, you're welcome to tell us which item it is. You say your
piece and you're welcome to leave. But we're going to start with third district
supervisor John Hashack because he has to be in Leightonville soon. Thank you
for being here, John. >> All right. Thank you. Good evening,
council. and John Hashjack, third district supervisor. I just wanted to
give you a quick um report on what's happening at the county. We had a
meeting yesterday. We approved um contracts for three bargaining units. We
also approved um funding for five deputy sheriffs and one sergeant position
because the sheriff says that u you know due to some medical leaves and such that
they're down. So, we needed to fill those spots and um it's going to cost
over a million dollars, but public safety is the number one task that we
have as county supervisors. So, um the sales tax we've talked about about for
road maintenance, you know, the proposal was for a 1%
sales tax in in the unincorporated areas and that needed a four-fifths vote. and
we only got three fifths of the council. So that will not be going to the
November ballot and the roads in the unincorporated areas will continue to be
um funded as they are. So, um I attended a ribbon cutting in, um off of Retomire
Road, which is east of Yukaya, and for Sonoma Clean Power, because I'm on that
board. And um it's a 4 megawatt project, 25 acres of over 9,000 solar
panels and five huge battery units. And so um it's very it's an impressive
project to say the least. They're also looking at some sites around Willlets
and Lakeville and one in another one in Yukaya. So trying to get the local
energy production happening here instead of buying it from Utah or Wyoming, other
places like that. And then I had a meeting um last week with Captain Billy
O' Conor who is the new um area captain for CHP and they they're shifting their
their areas of coverage and instead of having Garberville cover the Willlets
area that um the Yukaya captain is going to be covering up the legit now. So, so
it's a quite a shift in coverage and I just wanted to let you know about that.
And then the county library is going to have some remodeling done and um some of
their their whole computer system is going to be updated. And so I think it's
towards the end of July and early August that they'll be just accepting books or
you know not having the full services that they normally have. So I wanted
people to be aware of that. And um oh and also from
I don't have that sheet but Sonoma Clean Power is got a grant from the CPU which
is California uh public utilities commission and the
grant is to kind of do a survey of people who are using propane and um
liquid gas and and to see what their viewpoints are on certain issues. And so
it's an email that's going to come to people who are Sonoma Clean Power
uh users and and if people could fill that out and then you'll be entered into
a raffle for some prizes and everything too. But the the intent is to see if we
can use that information to provide better service and cheaper rates for
people. So that's about it. if there's any questions or comments.
» John, thank you very much. >> All right. Thank you all.
» Safe travel.
» Is there anybody else who would like to speak on any non-aggendaized items?
» Thank you. >> By all means.
» Good evening. >> Good evening. Would you mind just pass
this on all the time? >> No, it's for the audience. It doesn't
amplify your voice. Is just for the video.
» Yeah, no problem. Uh wanted to introduce not only myself, John Buchanan. I'm
currently the chairperson for the board of directors for a group we now do
business as Vendo Matters. And a few years ago, many of you may
have known that group as the employers council.
Uh but it's sort of been revitalized and we're doing business as Meno Matters.
And I just wanted to let you know that uh as we sort of get started with a
larger membership drive and that kind of thing of of uh active residents around
the county that will hopefully be showing up here in uh in Willlets a lot
more often in the near future uh to the point where we want to have our
membership meeting for October here in Willlets. And uh so any advice you have
on uh where we should have it or what guest speaker we might have and what
issue that guest speaker would uh represent the town of Willlets really
well, then we'd like to hear about that. The rest of the items on my sheet are
just a review of what we just went over with our membership at a meeting last
Friday. So you can see for the last year and a half or so we've been focused on
uh many issues around the county and of course now with the November 3rd
election we're focused on elections as well but you can see the kinds of things
we get involved with and uh so that's truly uh all I wanted to say and
introduce uh Meno Matters to everyone and uh thank you very much for your
time. >> Thank you very much, John. If
[clears throat] you have any extra of these, if you could leave them on the
back table, maybe right here people grab those. Thank you very much. Is there
anybody else who would like to speak on a non-aggendaized item?
Once twice. Is there anybody who has a time schedule they need to speak of an
agenda item and get out of here?
Okay, moving on then. So, our first public matter is Gary Martin.
Presentation, a public art overview sculpture proposal.
[clears throat]
» Do we have the everything? >> No.
» All right. posing this up and give your presentation.
» Okay, there we go.
And I just >> Yeah, you want to use it on this right
here. >> Oh, okay.
» Okay, got it.
» Yeah, there you go. So there's your first picture. When you need to go to
the next, just scroll down a little bit and then you can see it. Okay.
» Okay. Great. >> All right, Gary, you're on.
» Yes. Thank you. Uh today I'm bringing you the state of the
arts in Willlets. Uh good evening, mayor, board members, and city
employees. And thank you for having me as a speaker.
Wait a minute. This isn't working. Okay. The arts not only enrich
community, the arts are community perhaps better than all other symbols.
The arts cut across separations. They give rise to many voices, making it
possible for people who are racially, economically, and ethnically divided to
begin to understand one another on a more authentic level. The arts connect
each new generation to those that have gone before. The arts of society's gift
to itself, linking hope to memory, inspiration,
inspiring courage and discipline, enriching our celebrations
and making our tragedies bearable. Public art plays a significant role in
the shaping of experience.
I'm sorry.
There we go. There we go. Get rid of that. Okay. Public art plays a
significant role in shaping the experience of both residents and
visitors within a community. For citizens, public art is more than a
decoration. It is a reflection of local identity and values. Murals, sculptures,
and installations transform everyday spaces, streets, and plazas and parks
into areas that inspire and reflection, provoke thought, and foster a sense of
pride. For citizens, public art is more than decoration. Like I said, by
intriguing uh by integrating art into public spaces, communities signal that
creativity is valued and that the environment itself contributes to the
quality of life. This was a rural project done right outside here
by Laura Wick.
Where am I here? Okay. So, here we have uh JD Red House. They give us a
panoramic view. [clears throat]
St. uh Francis Episcopal Church mural. It's very hard to see. Uh dies a hug.
The book juggler commission dies. I hope for this mural.
I'm going the wrong way. I believe it was that mural there. Yeah.
» Yeah, I think that's better. >> Okay. I could just click it and it'll
work >> cuz I think I made the one that you were
show >> the uh Yeah, he
» Yeah. >> Yeah. Will Charter Elementary School.
Willis High School has several the uh let's see this is Stanza Davis Sherwood
School and my favorite
Napa Auto Parts. That's another one. We also
have this uh commissioned by and gifted to well it's by Jane Camp.
It's a window 20.
And for visitors, public art serves as an accessible introduction to a
community's character. Unlike gallery or museum exhibitions, public art is freely
available and immediate. It attracts attention, encourages exploration, and
often becomes a focal point for cultural tourism. Through these visual intervent
inter interventions, tourists gain insight into the stories, traditions,
and aspirations of the people who live there. Public art thus enhances both
aesthetic appeal and interpretive depth.
Wait a minute.
I'm sorry. This is uh I'm going the wrong way.
Yeah, here we go. It attracts attention, encourages
exploration, and often becomes a focal point for cultural tourism. Through
these visual inter interventions, tourists gain insight into the stories,
traditions, and aspirations of the people who live there. Public art thus
enhances both the aesthetic appeals of a place and its interpretive depth
providing a meaningful connection between visitor and community.
And this
isn't going to show up. All right. It was the uh residence and
they were painting the uh uh mural and Jud's mural here which is on the
back of the band stand. >> Eric, can you try to click the arrow at
the very bottom?
» Oh, it >> not on your computer. On the one that's
on the screen. Let me see.
Just take past that one.
Oh, there it is. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, this is people doing
it fast. They don't have coffee. We have coffee.
And this is the final adjusted.
And let's see. Yes, this here is Tower Mark and they are the mural is down.
They're having it repainted and redone.
It's right here.
What we got here? Bubblegar has a profound effect on the civic and
cultural life of a community. It enriches the daily experience of
residents, enhances the engagement of visitors, and elevates the shared public
realm. By investing in public art, communities not only beautify their
surroundings, but also reinforce their identity, values, and sense of
collective belonging.
And I have to get this up on my computer here. I'm getting yours instead.
Let's just hop over to this. Programs such as Art Under 20 showcase the talent
of local youth, providing young artists with the opportunity to display their
work in a professional gallery setting and gain recognition for their
creativity. Alongside this, the center host exhibitions, art talks, art classes
that engage the broader community, making it a gathering place where people
of all ages can connect and be inspired by the arts.
I'm going the wrong way again.
There we go. Okay. Uh this one here, the true purpose
of the arts education is not necessarily to create more professional dancers or
artists. It's to complete human complete human
beings who are critical thinkers and who have curious minds and can lead a
productive life. The Willis Center for the Arts is proud to bring presentations
directly to school children from K prek through 12th grade reaching as many as
2500 students each month in Willlets Leightonville to Kovalo. Recently we
expanded efforts by opening a branch in Gualala allowing us to connect with even
more young students in Ventino County. Uh
yeah, here it is. The Wild Community Theater is a vibrant
cultural hub of menino county dedicated to performing
performances on an intimate setting. Established in 1977, the theater is
volunteer drive-in and showcases a wide range of productions including drama,
comedy, musical concerts, and original works by playrights.
move the center for the arts here.
There we go. The Will Center for the Arts is a
cornerstone of cultural life in the community, offering a welcoming space
where creativity and connection thrive. By providing public access to visual and
performing arts, it center for the arts strengthens community bonds and enriches
the cultural fabric of the region.
Too soon. Too soon. Here we go.
The Goat and Ridden House Square in Philadelphia has a charming history as
part of the park's public art and playground tradition. Installed over a
century ago, the bronze goat sculpture became a beloved fixture for children
who would climb, play, and interact with its presence,
reflect an era where urban parks were designated not only for passive
enjoyment, but also to engage young imaginations with whimsical and
approachable sculptures.
Let's see if we can get this. Have I got the goat up there?
» Yeah, he's there. >> Wrong goat.
» He's got a little strip there. >> Okay.
Well, a bronze sculpture for the children's playground across from
Willlet Center uh City Park would serve as far more than a decoration.
» Um
here we go. Public art has a unique ability to spark curiosity and inspire
wonder, especially in young minds. A sculpture in bronze with its durability
and timeless beauty would offer children a tangible connection to the arts in
their everyday lives, encouraging creativity while also aesthetically uh
pleasing.
What is this thing that keeps showing up? Anyway, here's a what uh a bronze
horse is another suggestion. Brown's turtle. Another suggestion.
My favorite, the cake. Our plays a vital role in development of young people by
fostering creativity, critical thinking, and selfexpression.
H.
» There it is. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. Yeah.
» Uh through drawing, painting, music, and
other artistic activities, children learn to communicate ideas and emotions
that are often difficult to express in words.
As writer and educator Thomas Merton observed, "Art enables us to find oursel
and lose ourselves at the same time, reminding us that art helps young people
discover their identities while engaging in imagination."
Art education advocate Elliot Eisner argues that creativity is a capacity
common to all, one that should effectively be developed in the schools
by encouraging observation, problem solving, and personal expression. The
arts help young people become more confident.
And let's do this last one. That's where I want to write that. Let
me close with this. The impulse and ability to create art, create art is one
of the highlights of being human. It is the key quality that sets us apart from
the animal world. One that makes life more meaningful and enjoyable. While
there are artistic skills that make it easier for people to bring their
imaginations into visible tangible world, art does doesn't abide by any of
these rules. especially in kids art, especially young kids art.
While there are artistic skills that may make it easier for people to bring their
imaginations into the visible tangible world. Oh, I already read that, didn't
I? Okay. Well anyway as the famous quote from quote goes from uh the dead man's
society dead man's poet society medicine law business and engineering these are
noble pursuits [clears throat] and necessary to sustain life but poetry
beauty and love these are what you stay alive for.
Thank you.
[applause]
The four examples that I show you are going into the willitz news in a couple
of weeks and people will vote on which one they want.
» Well, I certainly appreciate you bringing a presentation. I really
appreciate you not asking us for money because we're still broke.
» I know. >> Okay. I'm ready to go out there and you
know, get the money. >> All right.
» Any other questions? >> Any prep questions from All right.
Great. Thank you very much for the presentation. Thank you for politely
asking to be here last month last month >> and giving us a 10-minute presentation.
» Okay. >> Your man of your word.
» Great. Thank you.
[laughter]
» All right. Uh there's no ordinances. We're in acting and we're moving on to
consent calendar. City council. >> The consent calendar.
» I'm going to read it first to the public. City Council considers matters
listed on consent calendar as routine. The council will take action with a
single vote and roll call vote. A council member may request the removal
of an item from the consent calendar for separate discussion and subsequent
action. >> I think she has a question.
» Okay. I'm about to call for >> I think it goes with that.
» Oh. Oh. Public comment for Gary's presentation. I'm sorry, Norma. Let's
go. Public comment for Gary's presentation.
my comment because I want to read a letter that Jane Camp wrote because she
couldn't be here. So, good evening, council members. I regret that I cannot
attend this meeting in person, but I write to strongly support the sculpture
that Gary is so generously willing to give the city. Willlets is becoming well
known for its artistic culture. And this particular sculpture will not only
enliven children's curiosity and interest in this form of art, but will
also be a lovely and whimsical sculpture for all to enjoy. I hope you will give
this project the green light. Jane Camp. >> Thank you very much.
» And I agree. I like pigs. I think it's adorable.
» Helen, you have public comment on Gary's presentation.
» Good evening and welcome. >> Thank you. Welcome. No, welcome to me.
Thank you to you, >> Helen Sims. Thanks, Gary. Good
presentation. I would like to suggest that whatever is chosen, we have a
public contest to name it. >> I'll name it.
» I will name whatever we pick. The tortoise pig little pork chop
as much as I can. >> Thank you.
» Any other public comment on the art presentation?
All right. And I want you to know we have thick skin. If anybody came here
just for the art presentation and would like to leave, we will not hold it
against you. Okay.
» So, continuing on with with consent calendar.
» You're welcome to go if you want. That's Thank you very much.
» A council member may request the removal of an item from the consent calendar for
separate discussion and subsequent action. Is there any public comment on
the consent calendar?
one twice. Okay. Public comments closed to the council.
» I move the consent copy. >> I'd like to second that.
» We have a motion in a second. Is there any discussion?
» I just want to say thank you to staff regarding the proposed
adopting a resolution our project list for roads. It was realistic given our
funding situations. >> I have a question on the cassette
calendar. Um, so the Earth Scope Consortium Incorporated has a GPS.
Do they have a city business license? >> Not that I'm aware of.
» Should they have a city business license if they're operating a business here?
No. >> Organization.
» Okay. >> Right. Okay.
» All right. Any other questions from council?
» Council member Burton. >> Hi.
» Gonzalez. >> Yes.
» Stransky. >> Yes. Hollanese.
» Yes. >> Mayor
» Hi. >> Um and and to the to the public, I'm
sorry. The four items that we voted vote on were the city council meeting from
June 26th, the special meeting from June 29th, an approval to renew a lease
agreement between the city Willlets and Earth Scope Consortium Incorporated for
GPS station located to Willlet Municipal Airport, and discussion of possible
action adopting a resolution establishing a city 2026 27 project list
for local streets and roads program SP1 fund requirements. All right, moving on
to monthly activity reports which do not require action from the council. The uh
information was in your packet. Is there any public comment on the city or the
month of activity reports?
Hearing none public comment is closed. We had in in the packet that you can
find online the account payable activity report, the building permit activity
report and business license activity report. I did not see the account
payable report in my agenda. Did I might >> to Joseph?
» It is in the agenda packet. I could give you this copy if you'd like to review
it. I mean, I just uh I Yeah, I I just uh go opened what was sent to me.
» Yeah. What's up? And then what was up? So
maybe we could just have it for the next meeting just to include it in in our
next meeting and or both of them or whatever.
» We can do that. >> I can look at it then. That would be
fine.
Any other questions regarding the reports?
All right, moving on um to the city manager report. Verbal report.
» City manager report. Okay, there we are. We might set a record tonight.
Um, department recommendation. There's no department recommendations in front
of us. Uh, department monthly report to start
with administrative services.
Did the administrative services or these department reports make it out in the
packet they received? Yeah, that's an electronic packet in the
packet. >> That was so I will I will check what's
in it next time because we do have the the file that's in our shared drive that
has a printable packet. That's where I got the um accounts payable report, but
I didn't verify that that was in the email that went out.
» Okay. >> So, that's what I'll do next time to
make sure. >> Thank you. uh for the month report uh
the achievements and activities uh are there for you to read. U obviously a
large bullet point was the uh budget discussion. Uh but what we're really
looking forward to right now in the current month is uh the 2425 audit that
is currently underway. Uh we are going to have Andy Heath come back next week
and we are going to continue working on the finalization of the last items with
the auditor that is virtual. The auditors are still going to be virtual
until they come to an on-site visit next month where we're looking to finalize
» and we're still talking 23 24 audit >> 2425 2425.
» Correct. >> Okay. Anything else?
» Okay. to the airport. >> No, I'm sorry.
» No, I just wanted to in your in your report, Joseph, you I saw something that
I I was happy to see. I guess I just want to follow up on it briefly.
» Spring Book successes. I haven't heard Spring Book successes.
Uh is that mean that you're actually getting function out of that
software now and it is doing what it was intended?
» Well, step by step, the first thing that was a success was that nobody noticed
that we switched to the new fiscal year in Spring Brook. That means that it was
a seamless transition. the accounts were opened and we're posting as normal and
no one really noticed that we did it. So, that's that's what we like to hear
and what we consider a success is when we don't have any problems. Um, as far
as the additional reporting that we're going to be putting in place, that's the
focus um that we have along with doing this audit is we're going to use that
experience and that practice with Andy Heath and the auditors to practice
pulling these reports and finding out how good we're doing and pulling the
information back out of Spring Brook. Um, one other thing if I may, I I thank
you for the summary of the accounts uh, account balances. Um,
within that, is there um, are there any outstand or accounts receivable of note
that would help offset the the 20% shrinking of the fund from the
last one I saw? But do we have some sizable accounts
receivable pending?
» Uh we can we can get probably some of our uh folks that do
the capital projects. U a lot of the the money that's going out is for those. Uh
this construction company payment that I noted on the recent activity is part of
that Rails with Trails project. And so we're still putting out some of these
expenses and the the reimbursements are to come later, but that's that's what we
need to make sure and be careful of is that we don't um have a cash flow issue.
Um but we do have some payments coming in, taxes,
those types of things will come in uh later in this year. So we do have some
receivables coming in that will offset some of these costs. Yeah, I I think if
it was possible to add uh one more column on that of accounts receivable uh
what we build and haven't been and I'm mainly thinking of these capital project
deals, but uh uh until we get kind of an up and
running balance on everything, I I would think that that would be
uh would hopefully soften a little bit of the fear that comes from seeing this
account. >> I agree. We we are currently talking
about what we've been using before or what was used before to track and
project out some of the receivables as well as some of the large expenses and
building those calendars. So, we're going to be working with the department
heads, see what they've already been using, and go back to tracking that once
again so that we can report a little bit further out for you to show some of the
large ticket items that are either going out or coming in. Okay. Thank you.
» Thank you. >> Any other council?
» All right. Airport. Anything? >> Oh, just one short item. There was
17. >> Can I ask you?
Just the only item I wanted to share was that the annual tank cleaning that was
listed as tentative on your council report is complete now.
» Thank you. >> Anything from community development?
That's >> uh nothing new to add. Happy to answer
any questions or questions I have >> to the police department. Chief,
» I would like to thank everyone for helping with the parade route and the
detour route parking. Thank you to the community. It was very much appreciated.
The parade was phenomenal as as usual. >> No drama.
» No drama. >> No towed cars.
» Two towed cars. >> Okay. Well,
» two towed cars. And then I would like to invite the community on Tuesday, August
4th to the park across the street for a national night out. 5:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. Uh come meet with the police department. Come meet your fire
departments and uh other civic other civic groups. We hope to have a
wonderful uh community outing again Tuesday, August 4th, 5 to 9 across the
street >> at Snyder Park.
» Correct, sir. Thank you, Chief. Public works
and utilities. Goodbye. >> Combined, though. I got nothing really
new to add unless you guys have any specific questions. I do want to commend
staff for all the extra effort they put in for our Fourth of July festivities
and all the um extra effort that goes into keeping our town and clean and
organized and decorated and it's all a lot of it's behind the scenes and u I
just want to let them know I really appreciate all the extra work and uh now
they have all this extra time on their hands we'll be getting back to more of
the standard practice of maintaining the city. Um it does take an extraordinary
amount of time to prep for all our events. So um I want to thank them for
that. Um >> can you give us a status on our new
solar array of what it's it's actually producing and what we're getting out of
it? >> Yeah. So I uh so it is on as of last
month it was turned on. We will be posting it'll be on our website. We do
have a monitoring little snippet that kind of uh monitors its daily output. I
believe it's uh about 580 kilowatts a day and right now it's it's pretty much
max maxing out with our summer sunshine. Um but yeah, we'll be posting that so
it'll be available through a click of a button so people can watch it money
back. Um >> that'll be on our website.
» It'll be on our website. It's a little feelood link
» the city of Willis website. >> City of Willis website. Um, I just got
that last week from our vendor. Um, because we haven't had time to post it,
but we'll be posting that. Uh, it'll be a little tells you how much energy
you're trees you're saving and gas you're saving, all the things that
offset power from the sun. So, um, yeah. Um, that job's almost uh closing out. Um
we'll probably be taking the uh notice of completion to council here in the
next probably next month be the second meeting probably in August um for
completion of that to get it recorded. >> Thank you. Anything else?
» Um the merrygoround we're working on getting it fixed. It's been a couple of
uh uh we had some really rambunctious children. Um
» 200 pounders >> 200 pounders. you know, I won't I won't
say it was me or my friends, but um uh anyway, we are working uh to get that
fixed. So, it should be up and running here as soon as we can soon as we can do
that. But that was something that community members had been asking me
about. So, um we are working on it. It's not just sitting there wrapped in bubble
wrap. We are trying to get it fixed. >> Well, we're going to get on to city
council. Is there anything else? I'm sorry.
» Unless you guys have any questions. Is there any public comment on the
department monthly reports? Sir, go ahead. You have to go to the
microphone so it's video. >> Sorry.
» Is it a public comment? Sure. Go ahead. >> Yes. I just had a a question or a
comment about how you were doing with the earthquake damage.
» I'm going to bring that up in just a minute.
» Thank you. >> Thank you.
» Thank you very much. So, we're going to do city council um
reports, but I will say that when the when the earthquake happened, I was in
touch with the city manager, was in touch with police chief, everybody,
every city employee stepped up. No one complained. Everybody did their job.
They knew what to do. All the training that we've all had fell into place. And
yeah, we suffered some some damage. Um the grocery outlet's still going to be
closed for several weeks, but I it's nice to see city cones around some of
the damaged buildings letting people know, you know, that they're we're aware
of the damage and we're working with the businesses and and that goes for every
employee, not just the ones who are on the street, but the office employees who
handled all the phones, who wondered why P Gen was out, and certainly to the city
of Willlets. Thank you very much to the to the citizens. Um we went for a long
time without power, without traffic lights, without grocery stores, and um
there certainly was some water that was brown because of the shaking and
rattling, but commendations go to everybody across the
board for what we're we are prepared for what happened. We don't want it any
worse, but um what happened happened and we um are are learning from it. I know
that um the city is is the community development department is working um
with businesses and residents. If there have been damage, it needs to be
reported to the city um to we can tally it up and and maybe go to FEMA. We don't
know the answer to that, but we need to know the damage. So to the city council,
um I'd like for you to combine good and welfare and announcements and
communications. Who's here? >> Um, only one thing came to mind, uh,
was, uh, I I've been enjoying seeing James's weekly summary of activity. Uh,
it's something I haven't seen in all my years of being on the council is, of
course, I haven't always had the benefit of internet either, but uh, but in that,
but uh, anyway, I found that I I appreciate that uh
that information you pass along every week. Thank you.
» Thank you very anything.
» Um I had laughco on the 6th and the only thing we any note would be we had the
medicine coast recreation park district municipal service review and sphere of
influence and that was it. >> Anything to report? I would like to say
that the bikes are still going down in front of the buildings and somebody's
going to get nailed and I'm just saying it once again. Thank you.
» Well, that guy on the electric scooter is in the bike lane. Somebody has had a
discussion with him and he's in the bike lane. That's good.
» Okay. I got a few. Uh first of all um on the 15th I had the pre uh the pleasure
and privilege to meet with Senator Schiff, our California senator here. He
sent his field representative um Mr. Frank uh to the rural communities out
here and had that chance to meet with him on uh the 15th of July when Mr.
Connor and myself and Mr. we're able to discuss a number of issues um that
potentially have a federal impact or federal issues that have an impact on
the city of Willlets. Um I will share with the community I brought up several
different issues including our our need for continue transportation funding. Um
our support for local hospitals. I mean it's not we have a good hospital here
but remember they close down all the hospitals put more pressure on our
hospital. of um we need to continue our support for rural hospitals as well as a
concern [clears throat] for forest management, the national forest um and
the way that that affects our fire insurance and the way that the federal
government's insurance policies affect our state insurance policies and that's
affecting us as a community. So I believe I was able to express that
pretty clearly. he was um very excited about open up a opening up a dialogue
between the rural communities and the senator's office and uh just wanted to
share that that folks. Um additionally, I just want to encourage anyone who is
interested or anybody watching at home that if you know someone and you're
tired of hearing a complaint, uh remind them that there is an election coming up
and that you can uh get yourself involved u directly by taking out
paperwork to file for the city council. Um I believe you have until August the
7th. So, if you are interested, look, you can just get paperwork and just find
out the interest and still not learn it later. Um, but if you have any interest,
please make a appointment with our city clerk um and uh she'll be able to meet
with you and give you a the lowdown on all that. I'd like to encourage everyone
to to think about that. Of course, you do have to live inside of the city
boundaries. So, that is an important aspect. I know some of you are very
connected to Willlets, but you live right outside the boundary. Um so to be
a member of the city council you do have to be um in the city boundaries as a
whole. Um also I want to um um highlight on some sad news. Um so many of you know
um there was a local student who was recently hurt in a motorcycle accident.
Um Zach Thompson he was a student of mine previously as recently as last
school year. um he is seriously injured and his family is uh working with the
Willis School District to provide um community support for him and his
family. Um they're going to be meeting here um excuse me, they're going to be
meeting at the Willis High School auditorium on the 26th, which I believe
is this Sunday at 11:00. They're organizing some kind of walk. So, uh my
understanding is that due to his medical condition, he is very, very injured. Um
and the school district and the family thought it'd be a good idea to let
people show the support to the community. So, if that is something you
see on Facebook or that's something that strikes your mind on a Sunday at 11:00
a.m. you see people gathering at the high school, you know what that's all
about. And if you have the time and inclination to do so, um it'd be great
to see the community really come out and join this this young man who who um has
some serious issues now. Um and it was just there was an accident. Um also, I
want to point out our first Friday, which will be coming back here in
August, August the 7th. So, uh, make plans, bring your friends, bring your
family, u, make sure you get your driver, and we'll meet you out on
October on August the 7th for our first Friday coming up. That's happening
before our next meeting. So, I want to remind everybody. And then finally, last
but not least, um, on the 26th of June, um, I received my reply from the FPPC,
the Fair Practice Political Commission. There was a question about a potential
conflict of interest that was related to an item that was brought to our council.
Um, it's not exactly city business, so I'm not going to go into the details
here. It's more of a personal issue, but I will want to let everybody know that
the finding did come back that there was no conflict of interest between myself
and the general manager of road trails. Now, of course, there's a lot of details
on that and a lot of it is legal details. So again, I'm not going to um
go into the details of that, but I will be posting about it on my web on my
Facebook page. If you want to uh look at it yourself and read it yourself and
learn everything about it, you possibly can if you are so inclined. Um but in
general, there is no the finding was that there was NO SENSE.
So So um appreciate your patience on that.
I'm not sure as a city how we're going to move forward on that particular issue
where there's a number of things still being worked out. Um but I just want to
let everybody know that that has been concluded. Um and therefore whatever
action we take after that will be that in mind.
» All right, that's everything. Yes. Thank you.
» All right. Well, there's a lot. Thank you very much. I certainly want to
congratulate Frontier Days on their 100th
Frontier Days that went as far as I know flawlessly. A lot of work was put into
it by the city, by the citizens, by Frontier Days, by Marcy and her team,
and it it benefited the city greatly. And uh we're looking forward to the
101st annual Frontier Days next year. With that, anything else from council?
With that, um this meeting is adjourned. Thank you.