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 Mikki Battaglia, Councilmember Pat Morton
  
  Staff Present: City Attorney Steve Gross (Zoom), Solid Waste Consultant Tom Valentino (Zoom), Administrative Services Manager Kristen Schiavone
2. Pledge of Allegiance
  Led by Mayor Jim Murphy
Public Comments
Council Reorganization
City Communications
1. City Council Communications
  
  Councilmember Morton attended the Beckwourth Fire District meeting last week and reported that the Fire district is working on a strategic plan and making a list of repairs to be completed at various fire stations in town. She also attended the LAFCo meeting and reported that Angel Tree program is in full gear and gift fundraising has over 100 families. Gifts will be ready for pick up at the Catholic Church on December 18th between 10am-3pm.
  Councilmember Murphy attended the LAFCo meeting where a new chairperson was elected and during the meeting a public comment was open and heard on the Grizzly Lake Resort Improvement District's MSR municipal review which was approved.
  Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia reported that she attended the quarterly Rural Coalition in which there were discussions regarding the various Caltrans projects and how to handle challenges of this work to our communities. The Airport Lands Commission was cancelled due to lack of agenda items. She attended the Integrated Waste Management Task Force meeting and reported that the Air Curtain incinerator that Cal Fire has loaned to IMD under a pilot program has been fired up and is actively being used to burn green waste. In addition, she met with the Plumas Sierra Resource team for their quarterly meeting.
  Mayor Powers attended the LAFCo meeting.
2. Reports: Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District / Plumas County Sheriff / Northern Sierra Air Quality
  
  No formal report from Beckwourth Peak Fire, however City Manager Bonk did meet with Chief Rosevear last week and reported that the department is going to be adding on some new positions funded by a multi year grant.
  No formal report from the Sherriff's department but Manager Bonk did attend a meeting with the Sheriff's office staff to discuss Law Enforcement Services Contract. More information to be presented to the Council early next year.
  Northern Sierra Air Quality report. Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia provided some reporting statistics on the Woodstove change out program and reported that the wood smoke curtailment season is underway.
3. Staff Communications
  
  City Attorney Gross made a brief statement about upcoming legislative changes to the Brown Act SB 707 which he will go into more detail with council early next year.
4. City Manager Report
  
  City Manager Bonk provided a report on the Gulling St Bridge Rehabilitation project and advised that we are still waiting for Caltrans to provide details on when the underwater inspection will take place. He also reported that Caltrans provided the City with a letter of support for potential application to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Bridge Investment program.
  Attended the Cal Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Winter Preparedness Meeting on 11/20/25 as well as the Cal OES Public Information meeting on 12/2/2025.
  Provided an update on the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
  Provided an update on a active code enforcement case in which the owner has made significant progress in clean up of his property.
  Provided statistics for November Public Records Requests.
Consent Agenda
1. Claims:
  Adopt Resolution No. 2630. The resolution authorizes payment of payroll from November 1st, 2025 through November 28th, 2025 and accounts payable from November 13th, 2025 through December 10th, 2025
  The amount of payroll to be paid is $68,275.89
  The amount of accounts payable to be paid is $248,085.71
  
  The total amount to be paid is $316,361.60
2. Minutes
  Adopt the minutes of the November 12, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting.
Mayor Jim Murphy 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 Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Pat Morton
Refuse Collection Rate Increase 2026: Public Hearing for Resolution No. 2631
A public hearing was held to receive public comment on the rate increase. Solid waste consultant Tom Valentino provided the staff report to the Council. Report addressed the Prop 218 process, proposed rate increases and their calculations, provided contractual justification for rate increases.

City Manager Bonk reported on the number of protests received.

Public Commented.

Mayor Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Councilmember Pat Morton seconded the motion.

The roll call vote:

Aye Mayor Jim Murphy Aye Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Powers Aye Councilmember Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Pat Morton
AR 6425/6426 City of Portola Drinking Water & Waste Water Projects (SAFER) Grant: Authorizing Resolution 2632
City Manager Bonk explained that this resolution would allow the City Manager to act as a signatory on all necessary forms and complete funding applications for the SAFER program managed by Sacramento State College.
Councilmember Mikki Battaglia motioned to approve. Councilmember Pat Morton seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  4   In Favor         Opposed
     Abstained         Absent         Recused
Water Leak Billing Adjustment Policy & Resolution 2633
This resolution is to standardize an internal process for determining if a customer is eligible for a billing adjustment when a customer is affected by water leaks through no fault of their own. The policy also provides staff with a calculation template to determine the credit.
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 Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Pat Morton
Vacancy on City Council: Review, Interview, and Potential Appointment
City Council discussed the City Council Vacancy and applicant Lauren Miller. Council took action to appoint applicant Lauren Miller to the vacant position on the City Council for the remainder of the term.
Mayor Jim Murphy 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 Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Pat Morton
Designation of Labor Negotiator
Council discussed the designation of Jim Murphy to be the City's labor negotiator for all labor related items pertaining to the City Manager.
Councilmember Mikki Battaglia motioned to approve. Councilmember Pat Morton seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  4   In Favor         Opposed
     Abstained         Absent         Recused
Closed Session
1. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Performance Evaluation
  
  City Manager
  
  No reportable action from closed session
2. Conference with Labor Negotiator: City designated negotiator - Jim Murphy; Unrepresented employee – City Manager – Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957.6
  
  No reportable action from closed session
Consider Adjustment to the City Manager’s Compensation
Labor negotiator Jim Murphy requested the Council consider a 5% increase to the City Manager's base salary effective January 1, 2026. Council voted to approve increase to City Manager's base salary effective January 1, 2026.
Resolution will be brought to the Council to ratify minute action taken by Council.
Mayor Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Councilmember Pat Morton seconded the motion.

The roll call vote:

Aye Mayor Jim Murphy Aye Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Powers Aye Councilmember Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Pat Morton
Adjournment
The regular meeting of the Portola City Council adjourned at 8:07pm.