Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:31 pm by Mayor Iva Walton.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Mayor Iva Walton, Vice-Mayor David Kent, Councilmember Pamela Bulahan, Councilmember Aleida Suarez
  
  Absent: Councilmember Dean Dockery
  
  Staff Present: A quorum was establishedVice Mayor David Kent was appointed Clerk Pro TemporePUBLIC COMMENTS PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION: Request that City Council, in the midst of the bigger struggle, respect individuals and give them the opportunity to retire instead of being laid off, concern over public safety, and where to go if City Hall is closed.Public Session Adjourned at 5:40 PMClosed Session Convened at 5:46 PM
Closed Session
1. Conference with Labor Negotiators -
  Agency Designated Representatives: Interim Co-City Managers Adam Cox and Jon Kennedy, and City Attorney Rebekah Mojica
  Bargaining Units: All employees
  No Action
2. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release No Action
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2) or (3) No Action
4. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1) No Action
5. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4) No Action
Public Comments
Open Session Reconvened at 6:32 PM
No Public comment
Approve Minutes for the January 15, 2025 Special Meeting
THE MOTION PASSED
Councilmember Aleida Suarez motioned to approve. Councilmember Pamela Bulahan seconded the motion.

The roll call vote:

Aye Mayor Iva Walton Aye Vice-Mayor David Kent Aye Councilmember Pamela Bulahan Aye Councilmember Aleida Suarez Absent Councilmember Dean Dockery
Bank Account Signature Authorization and Removal
DISCUSSION;
Recommended Bank account signatories:

Adam Cox Interim City Manager

Jon Kennedy Interim City Manager

David Kent Vice Mayor

Iva Walton Mayor

Remove all other signatories
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Wanted to know that the contract with the new City Managers was finalized. Some did not see previously posted Agendas. Council offered to add anyone to an email list to receive future Agendas and noted that the bank only requires 1 signature on checks whereas the City requires 2 for checks over a certain amount.
THE MOTION PASSED
Vice-Mayor David Kent motioned to approve. Councilmember Aleida Suarez seconded the motion.

The roll call vote:

Aye Mayor Iva Walton Aye Vice-Mayor David Kent Aye Councilmember Pamela Bulahan Aye Councilmember Aleida Suarez Absent Councilmember Dean Dockery
Budget Review
DISCUSSION:
The Finance Director was let go in February or March of last year - rying to establish a budget, but need to untangle a mess, rebuild the books
Fiscal year july1-June30 Revenue about $600K
Spent about $480K on payroll + $440K on “other – unknown” already overspent by $320K
Staff was not paying the “right” bills, such as insurance
New administration more transparent, will run out of cash in 3 – 5 months at this rate
This spending has been going on for a decade
CPA was not getting support from Staff
Need to find way to serve the citizens as best we can under the circumstances

Outside sources, invoices may not be reliable, needs investigation
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Want to know what is going to happen, what is the “end game”
Council will help with “hypothetical” investigations by DA, Sheriff, Grand Jury.
City insurance policy did not include “crime coverage”. There are strong hints that city management demonstrated the opposite of good government, took advantage of taxpayers and we need to right the ship
Debt and Bankruptcy Filing Update
DISCUSSION:
Legal council is reaching out to creditors, bankruptcy not filed although approved it is a last resort, we are still trying to get a clear picture, we need to have a plan to submit when filing. It was previously represented that the debt was known, this is not the case. There has been no independent audit since 2021, records need to be recreated, requires substantiation,
Revenue also missing: e.g. No road funding received for 2 years because forms were not filed
Council may be able to negotiate reduction of RDA debt
Instances found where Staff reports were substantially different for actual facts, e.g. Red Tower Loan predatory at 12%, not “regular” lender, possibly friend of a friend

Financial crimes investigations may be pending
Insurance Update: Small Cities Organized Risk Effort (SCORE)
DISCUSSION:
This is the #1 Issue right now
SCORE pools risk, city did not pay premiums since 2022. By June 30^th we have $211K due.
The Executive Board just voted to terminate our membership, alternative insurance is not possible. Public agencies can’t operate without insurance.
Staff stopped paying this bill in October. We were on a payment plan of $15K/month. This same thing occurred in 2016-2018.

Full Board meets Friday, Adam, Jon and Vice Mayor Kent will go in person to meeting in Anderson to appeal with a check in hand .
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Can we ask the County for a loan to pay off all the others, give us relief?
Staff response was to try to be as creative as possible
Reduction in Force and Employee Handbook Updates
DISCUSSION:
We do not have the luxury of having a full payroll while we figure things out. We need to immediately staunch the bleeding. We are losing $50K / month.
Recommend removing all paid fire department positions
Assistant city manager
Accounts payable clerk
Building inspector
Close City Hall
Fire department payroll alone is more than double Measure B revenues. The city can introduce a sales tax measure if it wants a higher level of service. City reached out to River Delta who assured us that our immediate needs would be covered.

The city has 2 full time public works employees, funding available from sewer rates, and the community service officer with substantial reassignment to assist with general city business to keep essential infrastructure working
PUBLIC COMMENT:
How to handle building permits, 2 week notice or 2 weeks’ pay for firefighters, recruit volunteers to help the staff
DISCUSSION:
Call us about permitting, old city manager had turned off phones, we need to learn to rule the routine and provide all legally and morally mandated services

The employee handbook has problems with no vacation rollover limits, lack of social media engagement guidelines. Will review but not the priority at this time.
THE MOTION PASSED
Vice-Mayor David Kent motioned to approve. Councilmember Aleida Suarez seconded the motion.

The roll call vote:

Aye Mayor Iva Walton Aye Vice-Mayor David Kent Aye Councilmember Pamela Bulahan Aye Councilmember Aleida Suarez Absent Councilmember Dean Dockery
City Fire Services
DISCUSSION:
They have 2 weeks left and a good corps of volunteers, we can rely on mutual aid partners who surround the city. We have a few weeks to figure out our service model, there are many possibilities and unknowns. We are not losing fire protection. Former fire chiefs make figuring out the situation more difficult and they did not attend this meeting.

Partnership with River Delta makes the most logistical sense, met with Chief Cutino, need direction from Council to enter into and agreement with them, and obtain an inventory of remaining volunteers. Chief Cutino stated that if Isleton needs help River Delta will come. They are a training department, open 24/7/365, would integrate Isleton volunteers
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Why not partner with Rio Vista? Bridge, distance, traffic, different County. Isleton needs to work together as a Delta community with River Delta, let go of old grievances, establish a better relationship, Service first, no room for personal disagreements, focus on local knowledge
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF:
Propose an agreement for restructuring the fire services in Isleton

Cancel the Regular Meeting on January 28^th and reschedule to February 4^th to allow time to develop the agreement and consult with all parties
Financial Consulting Agreement with Ridgeline Municipal Strategies, LLC
DISCUSSION:
Adam Cox used them 2-3 times, they have done work for CalCities, Special Districts and specialize in smaller public agencies. He vouches for the quality of their work. Time based billing not to exceed $10K. deliverable is a recommendation as to whether the City can restructure or must file Chapter 9,if they broker a new loan they will be paid out of the proceeds
A Motion was made for City Managers to be authorized to move forward to execute a financial consulting agreement with Ridgeline Municipal Strategies, LLC and the City of Isleton.
THE MOTION PASSED
Mayor Iva Walton motioned to approve. Vice-Mayor David Kent seconded the motion.

The roll call vote:

Aye Mayor Iva Walton Aye Vice-Mayor David Kent Aye Councilmember Pamela Bulahan Aye Councilmember Aleida Suarez Absent Councilmember Dean Dockery
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 PM by Mayor Iva Walton