MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - January’s items flew by with unanimous approval at the January 16th City of Marysville Council meeting.

Council members passed a motion unanimously to “1) approve an agreement not to exceed $36,000 with William Berry Campaigns (WBC) for consulting services to assist with assessment of community support, public engagement, and messaging materials for a potential ballot measure, 2) authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, and 3) authorize the Finance Director (to) make $50,080 in associated supplemental appropriations to cover the costs of related activities…” to reaffirm Measure C.

The 1% tax measure will expire October 26th, City Manager Jim Schaad reported. It accounts for about 1/3 of the general fund, and has allowed the city to provide additional services and significant infrastructure. Schaad said it allowed the city to build its reserve in excess of 30%. To not reaffirm the measure in November would put the city back to pre-Measure C level. The agreement with Berry would cost about $93,580.

William Berry spoke on having worked on Measure C in 2016, saying his present plan is to gauge how voters felt about how it was enacted last time, obtain their present opinions through town halls and surveys, and develop draft language for the measure should renewal be what they want.

Mayor Branscum asked how the sales tax breaks down as to the portion paid by those passing through the city. Berry replied he would work with staff to help determine that.

Council unanimously passed a motion to change the Marysville Municipal Code entitled “Massage Establishments and Massage Therapist” to establish a registration program that grants local government the ability to either suspend or revoke a registration of massage business for specific violations.

It was reported that staff has completed several investigations regarding complaints at these establishments not following the ordinance. Currently, the only administrative process is to suspend or revoke a license and no current administrative fines can be assessed. These investigations exhaust resources as they are time-consuming, it was reported. Of the three recent massage parlors in the city, one has been closed. This is a repeal and reenact effort, with the biggest changes for administration, fees and assessments, plus outlining for enforcement personnel.

Council also considered an amendment to Marysville’s current Fee Schedule to notice a public hearing for comments on proposed changes to it; and 2) adopt a resolution with the recommended changes and rescind all resolutions in conflict.

It was stated the city “regularly reviews its cost of doing business and proposes changes to the schedule of fees it charges users for a variety of city services. But before the fees can be adjusted, a public hearing is required for public comment. The last change to the Fee Schedule was adopted on June 20, 2023.” Some examples of changes discussed were updating lighting fees, updating $50-$100 on special events fees, adding space sizes for vendors and set specific fees for triple or quadruple spaces for vendors.

Mayor Branscum asked about bodycam recording fees, which would be $34 per half hour of personnel time. It was reported that contracts will override fee schedules, so, for example, lighting fees in contracts would stand.

Commissioner Dominique Belza wanted to revisit/reset the bar on the previous strategy meeting of almost three years ago. Commissioner Stuart Gilchrist reported he attended the Public Input Meeting on Ellis Lake at the Elks Lodge and thought “it was a great site.” About 125 attended. Such public inputs are required in order to receive many grants. Positive feedback on Ellis Lake was reported and Gilchrist requested the city manager give him a general plan update, especially on the noise ordinance, and the replacement of street light bulbs.

Commissioner Bruce Buttacavoli requested an update and conversation on “the 22nd Street debacle” and improvement on the traffic circle. It was reported the bike lane had been redesigned into a traditional one with minimum striping, but the striping had not been finished. Appropriate signage of about 25 pieces is to be put out later. Mayor Branscum added it was “nice work on 22nd so far; it just needs some fine tuning.”

Resident Kathleen Hering was present to express her gratitude for the city finally cleaning the property at 220 18th St., stating, “For years I could not walk down the street; now I can.” Hering reported one person trying to access it for herself has been removed, but there is still another trying to get in, and inquired if it was known who was going to take possession of the property, and whether a family member, as the property had not been kept up for years.

Mayor Branscum stated he had been given a tour of the Training Zone to open soon and would like a presentation on that to the Council and that the transition date for that is Feb. 3rd, adding, “What they are doing there is really exciting,”

Adjournment was at 6:57 p.m. The next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.