City of Portola
Minutes
Regular Meeting
May 28, 2025 06:00 PM
35 Third Ave, Portola, CA 96122
https://www.cityofportola.com/


  1. Call to Order
    The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mayor Jim Murphy.

    1. Roll Call

      Present: Mayor Jim Murphy, Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Powers, Councilmember Leah Turner, Councilmember Mikki Battaglia, Councilmember Pat Morton

      Staff Present: City Manager Ryan Bonk, Deputy City Clerk Malachi Mansfield, Finance Officer Susan Scarlett (Zoom), City Attorney Steve Gross (Zoom)


    2. Pledge of Allegiance
      Led by Mayor Jim Murphy

  2. Public Comments

    No Public Comment

  3. City Communications
    1. City Council Communications

      Councilmember Turner: Turner met with Public Relations Officer Brian Attama and spoke about his work and the challenges he faces. Turner also attended the Firetruck Dedication ceremony at the Williams House.

      Councilmember Morton: Morton attended the Firetruck Dedication ceremony at the Williams House and attended a Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery.

      Councilmember Battaglia: Battaglia attended the wildfire preparedness fair in Quincy Ca. representing the Portola area. She went to the Lost Sierra Chamber of Commerce and discussed the event plans for Railroad Days.

      Mayor Pro Tem Powers: Powers met with Councilmember Battaglia to discuss hazardous fuels reduction. Powers expressed the need for cooperation between local fire hazard mitigation agencies. Powers also expressed thanks to the Department of Public Works in their efforts in getting the parks ready for summer. Powers also attended the Firetruck Dedication ceremony.

      Mayor Murphy: Murphy attended the Firetruck Dedication ceremony and accepted a dedication plaque on behalf of the city council. 

    2. Reports: Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District / Plumas County Sheriff / Northern Sierra Air Quality 

      Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District: No report.

      Plumas County Sheriff: No report.

      Northern Sierra Air Quality District: Councilmember Mikki Battaglia reported for the NSAQD. Green waste disposal begins June 1st. Announcements for the disposal program has been made on district websites and social media. Forms for Firewise equity tracking has been distributed. The form aims to capture actual costs as well as sweat-equity, the data is used in grant reporting. 

    3. Staff Communications

      City Manager Ryan Bonk reported: A community cleanup day has been planned for June 7th. The city pool has been opened to the swim team for practices. Prop 68 vaulted toilets are scheduled to be installed on June 6th, ahead of the upcoming Gravel Grinder event. A town hall is scheduled for May 29th, attendance is looking to be substantial. 

      A joint effort by the Hospital, Forestry and the City of Portola have removed illegal encampments.

    4. City Manager Report

  4. Consent Agenda
    1. Claims:

      Adopt Resolution No. 2614. The resolution authorizes payment of payroll from May 3rd, 2025 through May 16th, 2025 and accounts payable from May 15th, 2025 through May 28th, 2025

      The amount of payroll to be paid is $34,040.27.

      The amount of accounts payable to be paid is $157,015.07.

      The total amount to be paid is $191,055.34.

    2. Minutes

      Adopt the minutes of the May 14th, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting.
      Adopt the minutes of the May 14th, 2025 Budget Workshop Special Meeting.

    The consent agenda was adopted with an amendment to the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on May 14th fixing an omitted word.

    Councilmember Turner commented on an expense that will be reimbursed.

    Public Comment: None

    Councilmember Pat Morton motioned to approve. Councilmember Mikki Battaglia seconded the motion.

    The roll call vote:

      Aye   Mayor Jim Murphy     Aye   Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Powers     Aye   Councilmember Leah Turner     Aye   Councilmember Mikki Battaglia     Aye   Councilmember Pat Morton  

  5. Ordinance No. 363: Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones

    Public Comment: None

    Councilmember Mikki Battaglia motioned to approve. Councilmember Leah Turner seconded the motion.

    The roll call vote:

      Aye   Mayor Jim Murphy     Aye   Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Powers     Aye   Councilmember Leah Turner     Aye   Councilmember Mikki Battaglia     Aye   Councilmember Pat Morton  

  6. Consider Resolution 2613 Project List in Consideration of SB-1 the Road Repair and Accountability Act.  Councilmember Pat Morton motioned to approve. Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Powers seconded the motion.

    The roll call vote:

      Aye   Mayor Jim Murphy     Aye   Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Powers     Aye   Councilmember Leah Turner     Aye   Councilmember Mikki Battaglia     Aye   Councilmember Pat Morton  

  7. 2025 Pool Season Schedule & Fees

    The first proposal to approve the schedule was motioned by Councilmember Turner, Councilmember Battaglia second. The motion passed unanimously.

    The second proposal to adopt a fee schedule was presented to the council. Councilmember Turner motioned and Councilmember Morton second. The council voted unanimously to adopt rate two as presented by staff.

    The third proposal was to accept the buy-one get-one pass for the PTA. Councilmember Turner motioned with findings that the proposal encourages pool use and it will benefit the city. Mayor Pro Tem Powers second with findings that adoption of the proposal displays cooperation between city and its citizens and inhabitance of the surrounding area. Councilmember Turner approved the findings of the second. The proposal passed unanimously.

    City Attorney Steve Gross provided expert guidance to the council.

    Public Comment: Mrs. Murphy commented.

  8. Adjournment

    The Regular Meeting of the City Council adjourned at 6:35 PM.