Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The council approved switching from citywide to district-based council elections, with Martinez voting no and Willis abstaining. Under the current system, all residents can vote for every council seat, but the new district system would limit voters to choosing only their neighborhood representative.

The council also approved a $125,000 study of manager salaries plus buyout packages as part of a department reorganization, with Martinez again voting no and Willis abstaining. The study will examine management pay across all city departments and offer voluntary buyouts to displaced managers.

New marijuana business rules were approved 6-1, with Bates voting no. The updated regulations will cover all commercial cannabis operations and add rules for personal marijuana use, replacing the city's old medical-only framework.

The council approved 4 routine items on consent, including a $150,000 increase to a contract with Ninyo and Moore for construction materials testing and a $73,500 wood chipper purchase. The consent calendar also included an $18,050 agreement with the county for a mobile tool lending library.

All budget-related items passed unanimously, including final adjustments for fiscal year 2019 and the first quarter budget report. The council also received a presentation on sewer rate studies and endorsed a countywide 0.5% sales tax to fund transportation improvements."}