[0:01] Good evening everyone. Welcome to the July 22nd regular city council meeting

[0:07] in Willlets. We appreciate you spending your Wednesday evening with us. Um we're

[0:11] going to start with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and it's going to

[0:14] be led by Gary Martin who's later going to give us a part presentation. Gary,

[0:18] thank you for being here. >> Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the

[0:22] flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One

[0:29] nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

[0:34] » Thank you. >> Council member Burton,

[0:37] » I'm here. >> Gonzalez,

[0:39] » present. >> Stransky,

[0:40] » yes. >> HERE.

[0:46] » The city council welcomes input from the audience. If there is a matter of

[0:50] business on the agenda that you are interested in, you may address the

[0:53] council when the matter is considered. If you wish to speak on a matter that is

[0:58] not on the agenda, you may do so at this time. In order for everyone to be heard,

[1:03] please limit your comments to 3 minutes per person. The Brown Act regulation

[1:08] do not allow action to be taken on audience comments in which the subject

[1:13] is not listed on the agenda. So, the two things about public comment is um if

[1:18] there's something not on the agenda, we welcome you to um give say your name,

[1:23] give three minutes. If there's something that's on the agenda and your life is so

[1:26] busy you need to get out of here. Then after we're done with the

[1:29] non-aggendaized item, you're welcome to tell us which item it is. You say your

[1:33] piece and you're welcome to leave. But we're going to start with third district

[1:36] supervisor John Hashack because he has to be in Leightonville soon. Thank you

[1:41] for being here, John. >> All right. Thank you. Good evening,

[1:43] council. and John Hashjack, third district supervisor. I just wanted to

[1:48] give you a quick um report on what's happening at the county. We had a

[1:52] meeting yesterday. We approved um contracts for three bargaining units. We

[1:59] also approved um funding for five deputy sheriffs and one sergeant position

[2:05] because the sheriff says that u you know due to some medical leaves and such that

[2:11] they're down. So, we needed to fill those spots and um it's going to cost

[2:17] over a million dollars, but public safety is the number one task that we

[2:23] have as county supervisors. So, um the sales tax we've talked about about for

[2:30] road maintenance, you know, the proposal was for a 1%

[2:35] sales tax in in the unincorporated areas and that needed a four-fifths vote. and

[2:42] we only got three fifths of the council. So that will not be going to the

[2:47] November ballot and the roads in the unincorporated areas will continue to be

[2:54] um funded as they are. So, um I attended a ribbon cutting in, um off of Retomire

[3:04] Road, which is east of Yukaya, and for Sonoma Clean Power, because I'm on that

[3:09] board. And um it's a 4 megawatt project, 25 acres of over 9,000 solar

[3:18] panels and five huge battery units. And so um it's very it's an impressive

[3:27] project to say the least. They're also looking at some sites around Willlets

[3:32] and Lakeville and one in another one in Yukaya. So trying to get the local

[3:39] energy production happening here instead of buying it from Utah or Wyoming, other

[3:45] places like that. And then I had a meeting um last week with Captain Billy

[3:51] O' Conor who is the new um area captain for CHP and they they're shifting their

[4:00] their areas of coverage and instead of having Garberville cover the Willlets

[4:05] area that um the Yukaya captain is going to be covering up the legit now. So, so

[4:13] it's a quite a shift in coverage and I just wanted to let you know about that.

[4:18] And then the county library is going to have some remodeling done and um some of

[4:25] their their whole computer system is going to be updated. And so I think it's

[4:32] towards the end of July and early August that they'll be just accepting books or

[4:38] you know not having the full services that they normally have. So I wanted

[4:43] people to be aware of that. And um oh and also from

[4:51] I don't have that sheet but Sonoma Clean Power is got a grant from the CPU which

[4:57] is California uh public utilities commission and the

[5:03] grant is to kind of do a survey of people who are using propane and um

[5:09] liquid gas and and to see what their viewpoints are on certain issues. And so

[5:15] it's an email that's going to come to people who are Sonoma Clean Power

[5:20] uh users and and if people could fill that out and then you'll be entered into

[5:25] a raffle for some prizes and everything too. But the the intent is to see if we

[5:33] can use that information to provide better service and cheaper rates for

[5:38] people. So that's about it. if there's any questions or comments.

[5:43] » John, thank you very much. >> All right. Thank you all.

[5:47] » Safe travel.

[5:51] » Is there anybody else who would like to speak on any non-aggendaized items?

[5:54] » Thank you. >> By all means.

[6:01] » Good evening. >> Good evening. Would you mind just pass

[6:10] this on all the time? >> No, it's for the audience. It doesn't

[6:12] amplify your voice. Is just for the video.

[6:14] » Yeah, no problem. Uh wanted to introduce not only myself, John Buchanan. I'm

[6:20] currently the chairperson for the board of directors for a group we now do

[6:25] business as Vendo Matters. And a few years ago, many of you may

[6:30] have known that group as the employers council.

[6:35] Uh but it's sort of been revitalized and we're doing business as Meno Matters.

[6:40] And I just wanted to let you know that uh as we sort of get started with a

[6:46] larger membership drive and that kind of thing of of uh active residents around

[6:51] the county that will hopefully be showing up here in uh in Willlets a lot

[6:57] more often in the near future uh to the point where we want to have our

[7:01] membership meeting for October here in Willlets. And uh so any advice you have

[7:08] on uh where we should have it or what guest speaker we might have and what

[7:14] issue that guest speaker would uh represent the town of Willlets really

[7:19] well, then we'd like to hear about that. The rest of the items on my sheet are

[7:24] just a review of what we just went over with our membership at a meeting last

[7:29] Friday. So you can see for the last year and a half or so we've been focused on

[7:35] uh many issues around the county and of course now with the November 3rd

[7:42] election we're focused on elections as well but you can see the kinds of things

[7:47] we get involved with and uh so that's truly uh all I wanted to say and

[7:55] introduce uh Meno Matters to everyone and uh thank you very much for your

[8:00] time. >> Thank you very much, John. If

[8:02] [clears throat] you have any extra of these, if you could leave them on the

[8:04] back table, maybe right here people grab those. Thank you very much. Is there

[8:10] anybody else who would like to speak on a non-aggendaized item?

[8:15] Once twice. Is there anybody who has a time schedule they need to speak of an

[8:21] agenda item and get out of here?

[8:26] Okay, moving on then. So, our first public matter is Gary Martin.

[8:32] Presentation, a public art overview sculpture proposal.

[8:39] [clears throat]

[8:55] » Do we have the everything? >> No.

[8:58] » All right. posing this up and give your presentation.

[9:02] » Okay, there we go.

[9:10] And I just >> Yeah, you want to use it on this right

[9:13] here. >> Oh, okay.

[9:18] » Okay, got it.

[9:25] » Yeah, there you go. So there's your first picture. When you need to go to

[9:29] the next, just scroll down a little bit and then you can see it. Okay.

[9:31] » Okay. Great. >> All right, Gary, you're on.

[9:35] » Yes. Thank you. Uh today I'm bringing you the state of the

[9:40] arts in Willlets. Uh good evening, mayor, board members, and city

[9:44] employees. And thank you for having me as a speaker.

[9:53] Wait a minute. This isn't working. Okay. The arts not only enrich

[9:58] community, the arts are community perhaps better than all other symbols.

[10:03] The arts cut across separations. They give rise to many voices, making it

[10:08] possible for people who are racially, economically, and ethnically divided to

[10:13] begin to understand one another on a more authentic level. The arts connect

[10:19] each new generation to those that have gone before. The arts of society's gift

[10:24] to itself, linking hope to memory, inspiration,

[10:29] inspiring courage and discipline, enriching our celebrations

[10:33] and making our tragedies bearable. Public art plays a significant role in

[10:38] the shaping of experience.

[10:45] I'm sorry.

[10:55] There we go. There we go. Get rid of that. Okay. Public art plays a

[11:00] significant role in shaping the experience of both residents and

[11:04] visitors within a community. For citizens, public art is more than a

[11:08] decoration. It is a reflection of local identity and values. Murals, sculptures,

[11:14] and installations transform everyday spaces, streets, and plazas and parks

[11:20] into areas that inspire and reflection, provoke thought, and foster a sense of

[11:25] pride. For citizens, public art is more than decoration. Like I said, by

[11:30] intriguing uh by integrating art into public spaces, communities signal that

[11:36] creativity is valued and that the environment itself contributes to the

[11:40] quality of life. This was a rural project done right outside here

[11:47] by Laura Wick.

[11:51] Where am I here? Okay. So, here we have uh JD Red House. They give us a

[11:58] panoramic view. [clears throat]

[12:02] St. uh Francis Episcopal Church mural. It's very hard to see. Uh dies a hug.

[12:09] The book juggler commission dies. I hope for this mural.

[12:17] I'm going the wrong way. I believe it was that mural there. Yeah.

[12:22] » Yeah, I think that's better. >> Okay. I could just click it and it'll

[12:25] work >> cuz I think I made the one that you were

[12:28] show >> the uh Yeah, he

[12:33] » Yeah. >> Yeah. Will Charter Elementary School.

[12:36] Willis High School has several the uh let's see this is Stanza Davis Sherwood

[12:44] School and my favorite

[12:51] Napa Auto Parts. That's another one. We also

[12:59] have this uh commissioned by and gifted to well it's by Jane Camp.

[13:05] It's a window 20.

[13:13] And for visitors, public art serves as an accessible introduction to a

[13:17] community's character. Unlike gallery or museum exhibitions, public art is freely

[13:22] available and immediate. It attracts attention, encourages exploration, and

[13:28] often becomes a focal point for cultural tourism. Through these visual intervent

[13:33] inter interventions, tourists gain insight into the stories, traditions,

[13:38] and aspirations of the people who live there. Public art thus enhances both

[13:42] aesthetic appeal and interpretive depth.

[13:50] Wait a minute.

[13:54] I'm sorry. This is uh I'm going the wrong way.

[14:02] Yeah, here we go. It attracts attention, encourages

[14:07] exploration, and often becomes a focal point for cultural tourism. Through

[14:12] these visual inter interventions, tourists gain insight into the stories,

[14:16] traditions, and aspirations of the people who live there. Public art thus

[14:21] enhances both the aesthetic appeals of a place and its interpretive depth

[14:27] providing a meaningful connection between visitor and community.

[14:32] And this

[14:35] isn't going to show up. All right. It was the uh residence and

[14:42] they were painting the uh uh mural and Jud's mural here which is on the

[14:48] back of the band stand. >> Eric, can you try to click the arrow at

[14:51] the very bottom?

[14:58] » Oh, it >> not on your computer. On the one that's

[15:02] on the screen. Let me see.

[15:07] Just take past that one.

[15:12] Oh, there it is. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, this is people doing

[15:16] it fast. They don't have coffee. We have coffee.

[15:22] And this is the final adjusted.

[15:30] And let's see. Yes, this here is Tower Mark and they are the mural is down.

[15:36] They're having it repainted and redone.

[15:42] It's right here.

[15:47] What we got here? Bubblegar has a profound effect on the civic and

[15:52] cultural life of a community. It enriches the daily experience of

[15:56] residents, enhances the engagement of visitors, and elevates the shared public

[16:01] realm. By investing in public art, communities not only beautify their

[16:06] surroundings, but also reinforce their identity, values, and sense of

[16:11] collective belonging.

[16:22] And I have to get this up on my computer here. I'm getting yours instead.

[16:27] Let's just hop over to this. Programs such as Art Under 20 showcase the talent

[16:32] of local youth, providing young artists with the opportunity to display their

[16:36] work in a professional gallery setting and gain recognition for their

[16:40] creativity. Alongside this, the center host exhibitions, art talks, art classes

[16:47] that engage the broader community, making it a gathering place where people

[16:51] of all ages can connect and be inspired by the arts.

[16:59] I'm going the wrong way again.

[17:04] There we go. Okay. Uh this one here, the true purpose

[17:10] of the arts education is not necessarily to create more professional dancers or

[17:15] artists. It's to complete human complete human

[17:21] beings who are critical thinkers and who have curious minds and can lead a

[17:25] productive life. The Willis Center for the Arts is proud to bring presentations

[17:29] directly to school children from K prek through 12th grade reaching as many as

[17:34] 2500 students each month in Willlets Leightonville to Kovalo. Recently we

[17:40] expanded efforts by opening a branch in Gualala allowing us to connect with even

[17:45] more young students in Ventino County. Uh

[17:53] yeah, here it is. The Wild Community Theater is a vibrant

[17:59] cultural hub of menino county dedicated to performing

[18:03] performances on an intimate setting. Established in 1977, the theater is

[18:09] volunteer drive-in and showcases a wide range of productions including drama,

[18:13] comedy, musical concerts, and original works by playrights.

[18:24] move the center for the arts here.

[18:33] There we go. The Will Center for the Arts is a

[18:37] cornerstone of cultural life in the community, offering a welcoming space

[18:41] where creativity and connection thrive. By providing public access to visual and

[18:47] performing arts, it center for the arts strengthens community bonds and enriches

[18:52] the cultural fabric of the region.

[19:00] Too soon. Too soon. Here we go.

[19:05] The Goat and Ridden House Square in Philadelphia has a charming history as

[19:09] part of the park's public art and playground tradition. Installed over a

[19:14] century ago, the bronze goat sculpture became a beloved fixture for children

[19:19] who would climb, play, and interact with its presence,

[19:23] reflect an era where urban parks were designated not only for passive

[19:28] enjoyment, but also to engage young imaginations with whimsical and

[19:33] approachable sculptures.

[19:39] Let's see if we can get this. Have I got the goat up there?

[19:43] » Yeah, he's there. >> Wrong goat.

[19:45] » He's got a little strip there. >> Okay.

[19:50] Well, a bronze sculpture for the children's playground across from

[19:53] Willlet Center uh City Park would serve as far more than a decoration.

[20:04] » Um

[20:09] here we go. Public art has a unique ability to spark curiosity and inspire

[20:14] wonder, especially in young minds. A sculpture in bronze with its durability

[20:19] and timeless beauty would offer children a tangible connection to the arts in

[20:24] their everyday lives, encouraging creativity while also aesthetically uh

[20:31] pleasing.

[20:37] What is this thing that keeps showing up? Anyway, here's a what uh a bronze

[20:42] horse is another suggestion. Brown's turtle. Another suggestion.

[20:51] My favorite, the cake. Our plays a vital role in development of young people by

[20:58] fostering creativity, critical thinking, and selfexpression.

[21:03] H.

[21:11] » There it is. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. Yeah.

[21:16] » Uh through drawing, painting, music, and

[21:20] other artistic activities, children learn to communicate ideas and emotions

[21:24] that are often difficult to express in words.

[21:28] As writer and educator Thomas Merton observed, "Art enables us to find oursel

[21:32] and lose ourselves at the same time, reminding us that art helps young people

[21:37] discover their identities while engaging in imagination."

[21:43] Art education advocate Elliot Eisner argues that creativity is a capacity

[21:49] common to all, one that should effectively be developed in the schools

[21:55] by encouraging observation, problem solving, and personal expression. The

[22:00] arts help young people become more confident.

[22:06] And let's do this last one. That's where I want to write that. Let

[22:12] me close with this. The impulse and ability to create art, create art is one

[22:17] of the highlights of being human. It is the key quality that sets us apart from

[22:22] the animal world. One that makes life more meaningful and enjoyable. While

[22:27] there are artistic skills that make it easier for people to bring their

[22:30] imaginations into visible tangible world, art does doesn't abide by any of

[22:36] these rules. especially in kids art, especially young kids art.

[22:43] While there are artistic skills that may make it easier for people to bring their

[22:48] imaginations into the visible tangible world. Oh, I already read that, didn't

[22:53] I? Okay. Well anyway as the famous quote from quote goes from uh the dead man's

[23:01] society dead man's poet society medicine law business and engineering these are

[23:07] noble pursuits [clears throat] and necessary to sustain life but poetry

[23:12] beauty and love these are what you stay alive for.

[23:16] Thank you.

[23:21] [applause]

[23:25] The four examples that I show you are going into the willitz news in a couple

[23:30] of weeks and people will vote on which one they want.

[23:34] » Well, I certainly appreciate you bringing a presentation. I really

[23:38] appreciate you not asking us for money because we're still broke.

[23:40] » I know. >> Okay. I'm ready to go out there and you

[23:44] know, get the money. >> All right.

[23:47] » Any other questions? >> Any prep questions from All right.

[23:51] Great. Thank you very much for the presentation. Thank you for politely

[23:54] asking to be here last month last month >> and giving us a 10-minute presentation.

[23:58] » Okay. >> Your man of your word.

[24:00] » Great. Thank you.

[24:04] [laughter]

[24:08] » All right. Uh there's no ordinances. We're in acting and we're moving on to

[24:12] consent calendar. City council. >> The consent calendar.

[24:17] » I'm going to read it first to the public. City Council considers matters

[24:20] listed on consent calendar as routine. The council will take action with a

[24:24] single vote and roll call vote. A council member may request the removal

[24:27] of an item from the consent calendar for separate discussion and subsequent

[24:32] action. >> I think she has a question.

[24:36] » Okay. I'm about to call for >> I think it goes with that.

[24:39] » Oh. Oh. Public comment for Gary's presentation. I'm sorry, Norma. Let's

[24:43] go. Public comment for Gary's presentation.

[24:49] my comment because I want to read a letter that Jane Camp wrote because she

[24:52] couldn't be here. So, good evening, council members. I regret that I cannot

[24:58] attend this meeting in person, but I write to strongly support the sculpture

[25:02] that Gary is so generously willing to give the city. Willlets is becoming well

[25:06] known for its artistic culture. And this particular sculpture will not only

[25:11] enliven children's curiosity and interest in this form of art, but will

[25:15] also be a lovely and whimsical sculpture for all to enjoy. I hope you will give

[25:20] this project the green light. Jane Camp. >> Thank you very much.

[25:24] » And I agree. I like pigs. I think it's adorable.

[25:28] » Helen, you have public comment on Gary's presentation.

[25:36] » Good evening and welcome. >> Thank you. Welcome. No, welcome to me.

[25:39] Thank you to you, >> Helen Sims. Thanks, Gary. Good

[25:43] presentation. I would like to suggest that whatever is chosen, we have a

[25:47] public contest to name it. >> I'll name it.

[25:51] » I will name whatever we pick. The tortoise pig little pork chop

[25:57] as much as I can. >> Thank you.

[25:59] » Any other public comment on the art presentation?

[26:04] All right. And I want you to know we have thick skin. If anybody came here

[26:08] just for the art presentation and would like to leave, we will not hold it

[26:12] against you. Okay.

[26:16] » So, continuing on with with consent calendar.

[26:20] » You're welcome to go if you want. That's Thank you very much.

[26:27] » A council member may request the removal of an item from the consent calendar for

[26:30] separate discussion and subsequent action. Is there any public comment on

[26:33] the consent calendar?

[26:37] one twice. Okay. Public comments closed to the council.

[26:42] » I move the consent copy. >> I'd like to second that.

[26:44] » We have a motion in a second. Is there any discussion?

[26:47] » I just want to say thank you to staff regarding the proposed

[26:54] adopting a resolution our project list for roads. It was realistic given our

[26:59] funding situations. >> I have a question on the cassette

[27:02] calendar. Um, so the Earth Scope Consortium Incorporated has a GPS.

[27:09] Do they have a city business license? >> Not that I'm aware of.

[27:14] » Should they have a city business license if they're operating a business here?

[27:17] No. >> Organization.

[27:21] » Okay. >> Right. Okay.

[27:25] » All right. Any other questions from council?

[27:29] » Council member Burton. >> Hi.

[27:30] » Gonzalez. >> Yes.

[27:32] » Stransky. >> Yes. Hollanese.

[27:33] » Yes. >> Mayor

[27:34] » Hi. >> Um and and to the to the public, I'm

[27:39] sorry. The four items that we voted vote on were the city council meeting from

[27:44] June 26th, the special meeting from June 29th, an approval to renew a lease

[27:50] agreement between the city Willlets and Earth Scope Consortium Incorporated for

[27:53] GPS station located to Willlet Municipal Airport, and discussion of possible

[27:57] action adopting a resolution establishing a city 2026 27 project list

[28:02] for local streets and roads program SP1 fund requirements. All right, moving on

[28:07] to monthly activity reports which do not require action from the council. The uh

[28:13] information was in your packet. Is there any public comment on the city or the

[28:18] month of activity reports?

[28:23] Hearing none public comment is closed. We had in in the packet that you can

[28:28] find online the account payable activity report, the building permit activity

[28:33] report and business license activity report. I did not see the account

[28:37] payable report in my agenda. Did I might >> to Joseph?

[28:46] » It is in the agenda packet. I could give you this copy if you'd like to review

[28:50] it. I mean, I just uh I Yeah, I I just uh go opened what was sent to me.

[29:00] » Yeah. What's up? And then what was up? So

[29:06] maybe we could just have it for the next meeting just to include it in in our

[29:11] next meeting and or both of them or whatever.

[29:14] » We can do that. >> I can look at it then. That would be

[29:17] fine.

[29:21] Any other questions regarding the reports?

[29:24] All right, moving on um to the city manager report. Verbal report.

[29:31] » City manager report. Okay, there we are. We might set a record tonight.

[29:38] Um, department recommendation. There's no department recommendations in front

[29:43] of us. Uh, department monthly report to start

[29:46] with administrative services.

[29:53] Did the administrative services or these department reports make it out in the

[29:58] packet they received? Yeah, that's an electronic packet in the

[30:03] packet. >> That was so I will I will check what's

[30:08] in it next time because we do have the the file that's in our shared drive that

[30:13] has a printable packet. That's where I got the um accounts payable report, but

[30:18] I didn't verify that that was in the email that went out.

[30:21] » Okay. >> So, that's what I'll do next time to

[30:23] make sure. >> Thank you. uh for the month report uh

[30:26] the achievements and activities uh are there for you to read. U obviously a

[30:31] large bullet point was the uh budget discussion. Uh but what we're really

[30:36] looking forward to right now in the current month is uh the 2425 audit that

[30:43] is currently underway. Uh we are going to have Andy Heath come back next week

[30:50] and we are going to continue working on the finalization of the last items with

[30:55] the auditor that is virtual. The auditors are still going to be virtual

[30:59] until they come to an on-site visit next month where we're looking to finalize

[31:03] » and we're still talking 23 24 audit >> 2425 2425.

[31:09] » Correct. >> Okay. Anything else?

[31:14] » Okay. to the airport. >> No, I'm sorry.

[31:16] » No, I just wanted to in your in your report, Joseph, you I saw something that

[31:23] I I was happy to see. I guess I just want to follow up on it briefly.

[31:28] » Spring Book successes. I haven't heard Spring Book successes.

[31:35] Uh is that mean that you're actually getting function out of that

[31:43] software now and it is doing what it was intended?

[31:49] » Well, step by step, the first thing that was a success was that nobody noticed

[31:54] that we switched to the new fiscal year in Spring Brook. That means that it was

[31:57] a seamless transition. the accounts were opened and we're posting as normal and

[32:03] no one really noticed that we did it. So, that's that's what we like to hear

[32:07] and what we consider a success is when we don't have any problems. Um, as far

[32:11] as the additional reporting that we're going to be putting in place, that's the

[32:15] focus um that we have along with doing this audit is we're going to use that

[32:20] experience and that practice with Andy Heath and the auditors to practice

[32:24] pulling these reports and finding out how good we're doing and pulling the

[32:28] information back out of Spring Brook. Um, one other thing if I may, I I thank

[32:35] you for the summary of the accounts uh, account balances. Um,

[32:43] within that, is there um, are there any outstand or accounts receivable of note

[32:49] that would help offset the the 20% shrinking of the fund from the

[32:57] last one I saw? But do we have some sizable accounts

[33:02] receivable pending?

[33:05] » Uh we can we can get probably some of our uh folks that do

[33:11] the capital projects. U a lot of the the money that's going out is for those. Uh

[33:18] this construction company payment that I noted on the recent activity is part of

[33:23] that Rails with Trails project. And so we're still putting out some of these

[33:28] expenses and the the reimbursements are to come later, but that's that's what we

[33:34] need to make sure and be careful of is that we don't um have a cash flow issue.

[33:39] Um but we do have some payments coming in, taxes,

[33:44] those types of things will come in uh later in this year. So we do have some

[33:48] receivables coming in that will offset some of these costs. Yeah, I I think if

[33:53] it was possible to add uh one more column on that of accounts receivable uh

[33:58] what we build and haven't been and I'm mainly thinking of these capital project

[34:03] deals, but uh uh until we get kind of an up and

[34:09] running balance on everything, I I would think that that would be

[34:14] uh would hopefully soften a little bit of the fear that comes from seeing this

[34:21] account. >> I agree. We we are currently talking

[34:26] about what we've been using before or what was used before to track and

[34:30] project out some of the receivables as well as some of the large expenses and

[34:34] building those calendars. So, we're going to be working with the department

[34:38] heads, see what they've already been using, and go back to tracking that once

[34:43] again so that we can report a little bit further out for you to show some of the

[34:47] large ticket items that are either going out or coming in. Okay. Thank you.

[34:51] » Thank you. >> Any other council?

[34:56] » All right. Airport. Anything? >> Oh, just one short item. There was

[35:04] 17. >> Can I ask you?

[35:12] Just the only item I wanted to share was that the annual tank cleaning that was

[35:16] listed as tentative on your council report is complete now.

[35:20] » Thank you. >> Anything from community development?

[35:24] That's >> uh nothing new to add. Happy to answer

[35:28] any questions or questions I have >> to the police department. Chief,

[35:34] » I would like to thank everyone for helping with the parade route and the

[35:39] detour route parking. Thank you to the community. It was very much appreciated.

[35:44] The parade was phenomenal as as usual. >> No drama.

[35:49] » No drama. >> No towed cars.

[35:52] » Two towed cars. >> Okay. Well,

[35:54] » two towed cars. And then I would like to invite the community on Tuesday, August

[36:00] 4th to the park across the street for a national night out. 5:00 p.m. to 9:00

[36:06] p.m. Uh come meet with the police department. Come meet your fire

[36:10] departments and uh other civic other civic groups. We hope to have a

[36:16] wonderful uh community outing again Tuesday, August 4th, 5 to 9 across the

[36:22] street >> at Snyder Park.

[36:23] » Correct, sir. Thank you, Chief. Public works

[36:30] and utilities. Goodbye. >> Combined, though. I got nothing really

[36:34] new to add unless you guys have any specific questions. I do want to commend

[36:37] staff for all the extra effort they put in for our Fourth of July festivities

[36:41] and all the um extra effort that goes into keeping our town and clean and

[36:48] organized and decorated and it's all a lot of it's behind the scenes and u I

[36:53] just want to let them know I really appreciate all the extra work and uh now

[36:57] they have all this extra time on their hands we'll be getting back to more of

[37:01] the standard practice of maintaining the city. Um it does take an extraordinary

[37:05] amount of time to prep for all our events. So um I want to thank them for

[37:09] that. Um >> can you give us a status on our new

[37:13] solar array of what it's it's actually producing and what we're getting out of

[37:17] it? >> Yeah. So I uh so it is on as of last

[37:21] month it was turned on. We will be posting it'll be on our website. We do

[37:25] have a monitoring little snippet that kind of uh monitors its daily output. I

[37:31] believe it's uh about 580 kilowatts a day and right now it's it's pretty much

[37:38] max maxing out with our summer sunshine. Um but yeah, we'll be posting that so

[37:44] it'll be available through a click of a button so people can watch it money

[37:48] back. Um >> that'll be on our website.

[37:50] » It'll be on our website. It's a little feelood link

[37:52] » the city of Willis website. >> City of Willis website. Um, I just got

[37:56] that last week from our vendor. Um, because we haven't had time to post it,

[37:59] but we'll be posting that. Uh, it'll be a little tells you how much energy

[38:03] you're trees you're saving and gas you're saving, all the things that

[38:07] offset power from the sun. So, um, yeah. Um, that job's almost uh closing out. Um

[38:17] we'll probably be taking the uh notice of completion to council here in the

[38:21] next probably next month be the second meeting probably in August um for

[38:27] completion of that to get it recorded. >> Thank you. Anything else?

[38:33] » Um the merrygoround we're working on getting it fixed. It's been a couple of

[38:38] uh uh we had some really rambunctious children. Um

[38:43] » 200 pounders >> 200 pounders. you know, I won't I won't

[38:46] say it was me or my friends, but um uh anyway, we are working uh to get that

[38:52] fixed. So, it should be up and running here as soon as we can soon as we can do

[38:56] that. But that was something that community members had been asking me

[38:59] about. So, um we are working on it. It's not just sitting there wrapped in bubble

[39:04] wrap. We are trying to get it fixed. >> Well, we're going to get on to city

[39:08] council. Is there anything else? I'm sorry.

[39:10] » Unless you guys have any questions. Is there any public comment on the

[39:14] department monthly reports? Sir, go ahead. You have to go to the

[39:18] microphone so it's video. >> Sorry.

[39:22] » Is it a public comment? Sure. Go ahead. >> Yes. I just had a a question or a

[39:27] comment about how you were doing with the earthquake damage.

[39:30] » I'm going to bring that up in just a minute.

[39:32] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[39:33] » Thank you very much. So, we're going to do city council um

[39:39] reports, but I will say that when the when the earthquake happened, I was in

[39:43] touch with the city manager, was in touch with police chief, everybody,

[39:47] every city employee stepped up. No one complained. Everybody did their job.

[39:53] They knew what to do. All the training that we've all had fell into place. And

[39:57] yeah, we suffered some some damage. Um the grocery outlet's still going to be

[40:02] closed for several weeks, but I it's nice to see city cones around some of

[40:07] the damaged buildings letting people know, you know, that they're we're aware

[40:12] of the damage and we're working with the businesses and and that goes for every

[40:16] employee, not just the ones who are on the street, but the office employees who

[40:20] handled all the phones, who wondered why P Gen was out, and certainly to the city

[40:25] of Willlets. Thank you very much to the to the citizens. Um we went for a long

[40:31] time without power, without traffic lights, without grocery stores, and um

[40:37] there certainly was some water that was brown because of the shaking and

[40:41] rattling, but commendations go to everybody across the

[40:46] board for what we're we are prepared for what happened. We don't want it any

[40:51] worse, but um what happened happened and we um are are learning from it. I know

[40:57] that um the city is is the community development department is working um

[41:03] with businesses and residents. If there have been damage, it needs to be

[41:07] reported to the city um to we can tally it up and and maybe go to FEMA. We don't

[41:13] know the answer to that, but we need to know the damage. So to the city council,

[41:18] um I'd like for you to combine good and welfare and announcements and

[41:21] communications. Who's here? >> Um, only one thing came to mind, uh,

[41:28] was, uh, I I've been enjoying seeing James's weekly summary of activity. Uh,

[41:37] it's something I haven't seen in all my years of being on the council is, of

[41:43] course, I haven't always had the benefit of internet either, but uh, but in that,

[41:48] but uh, anyway, I found that I I appreciate that uh

[41:55] that information you pass along every week. Thank you.

[41:58] » Thank you very anything.

[42:01] » Um I had laughco on the 6th and the only thing we any note would be we had the

[42:08] medicine coast recreation park district municipal service review and sphere of

[42:12] influence and that was it. >> Anything to report? I would like to say

[42:19] that the bikes are still going down in front of the buildings and somebody's

[42:23] going to get nailed and I'm just saying it once again. Thank you.

[42:29] » Well, that guy on the electric scooter is in the bike lane. Somebody has had a

[42:33] discussion with him and he's in the bike lane. That's good.

[42:37] » Okay. I got a few. Uh first of all um on the 15th I had the pre uh the pleasure

[42:43] and privilege to meet with Senator Schiff, our California senator here. He

[42:48] sent his field representative um Mr. Frank uh to the rural communities out

[42:53] here and had that chance to meet with him on uh the 15th of July when Mr.

[42:58] Connor and myself and Mr. we're able to discuss a number of issues um that

[43:04] potentially have a federal impact or federal issues that have an impact on

[43:07] the city of Willlets. Um I will share with the community I brought up several

[43:10] different issues including our our need for continue transportation funding. Um

[43:15] our support for local hospitals. I mean it's not we have a good hospital here

[43:19] but remember they close down all the hospitals put more pressure on our

[43:22] hospital. of um we need to continue our support for rural hospitals as well as a

[43:26] concern [clears throat] for forest management, the national forest um and

[43:30] the way that that affects our fire insurance and the way that the federal

[43:33] government's insurance policies affect our state insurance policies and that's

[43:37] affecting us as a community. So I believe I was able to express that

[43:40] pretty clearly. he was um very excited about open up a opening up a dialogue

[43:45] between the rural communities and the senator's office and uh just wanted to

[43:49] share that that folks. Um additionally, I just want to encourage anyone who is

[43:54] interested or anybody watching at home that if you know someone and you're

[43:57] tired of hearing a complaint, uh remind them that there is an election coming up

[44:00] and that you can uh get yourself involved u directly by taking out

[44:06] paperwork to file for the city council. Um I believe you have until August the

[44:10] 7th. So, if you are interested, look, you can just get paperwork and just find

[44:14] out the interest and still not learn it later. Um, but if you have any interest,

[44:17] please make a appointment with our city clerk um and uh she'll be able to meet

[44:21] with you and give you a the lowdown on all that. I'd like to encourage everyone

[44:24] to to think about that. Of course, you do have to live inside of the city

[44:29] boundaries. So, that is an important aspect. I know some of you are very

[44:32] connected to Willlets, but you live right outside the boundary. Um so to be

[44:36] a member of the city council you do have to be um in the city boundaries as a

[44:41] whole. Um also I want to um um highlight on some sad news. Um so many of you know

[44:48] um there was a local student who was recently hurt in a motorcycle accident.

[44:52] Um Zach Thompson he was a student of mine previously as recently as last

[44:57] school year. um he is seriously injured and his family is uh working with the

[45:01] Willis School District to provide um community support for him and his

[45:06] family. Um they're going to be meeting here um excuse me, they're going to be

[45:10] meeting at the Willis High School auditorium on the 26th, which I believe

[45:13] is this Sunday at 11:00. They're organizing some kind of walk. So, uh my

[45:17] understanding is that due to his medical condition, he is very, very injured. Um

[45:21] and the school district and the family thought it'd be a good idea to let

[45:25] people show the support to the community. So, if that is something you

[45:28] see on Facebook or that's something that strikes your mind on a Sunday at 11:00

[45:31] a.m. you see people gathering at the high school, you know what that's all

[45:34] about. And if you have the time and inclination to do so, um it'd be great

[45:37] to see the community really come out and join this this young man who who um has

[45:43] some serious issues now. Um and it was just there was an accident. Um also, I

[45:48] want to point out our first Friday, which will be coming back here in

[45:50] August, August the 7th. So, uh, make plans, bring your friends, bring your

[45:54] family, u, make sure you get your driver, and we'll meet you out on

[45:57] October on August the 7th for our first Friday coming up. That's happening

[46:01] before our next meeting. So, I want to remind everybody. And then finally, last

[46:05] but not least, um, on the 26th of June, um, I received my reply from the FPPC,

[46:16] the Fair Practice Political Commission. There was a question about a potential

[46:20] conflict of interest that was related to an item that was brought to our council.

[46:26] Um, it's not exactly city business, so I'm not going to go into the details

[46:30] here. It's more of a personal issue, but I will want to let everybody know that

[46:33] the finding did come back that there was no conflict of interest between myself

[46:38] and the general manager of road trails. Now, of course, there's a lot of details

[46:42] on that and a lot of it is legal details. So again, I'm not going to um

[46:45] go into the details of that, but I will be posting about it on my web on my

[46:48] Facebook page. If you want to uh look at it yourself and read it yourself and

[46:52] learn everything about it, you possibly can if you are so inclined. Um but in

[46:56] general, there is no the finding was that there was NO SENSE.

[47:01] So So um appreciate your patience on that.

[47:06] I'm not sure as a city how we're going to move forward on that particular issue

[47:10] where there's a number of things still being worked out. Um but I just want to

[47:13] let everybody know that that has been concluded. Um and therefore whatever

[47:17] action we take after that will be that in mind.

[47:19] » All right, that's everything. Yes. Thank you.

[47:22] » All right. Well, there's a lot. Thank you very much. I certainly want to

[47:25] congratulate Frontier Days on their 100th

[47:29] Frontier Days that went as far as I know flawlessly. A lot of work was put into

[47:35] it by the city, by the citizens, by Frontier Days, by Marcy and her team,

[47:42] and it it benefited the city greatly. And uh we're looking forward to the

[47:47] 101st annual Frontier Days next year. With that, anything else from council?

[47:53] With that, um this meeting is adjourned. Thank you.

Willits City Council Meeting 7/22/2026.

Transcript