The first meeting of the new year showed openness to hear from the public

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The last couple council meetings had a series of 5-0 votes with two new councilmen, no women, and a 9-year council veteran as Mayor, but the first meeting of the new year showed an inkling of individual thinking and openness to hear from the public.

In the public hearing portion of the meeting, the first item of discussion was to establish the offices of the Elected City Clerk and the Administrative City Clerk and denote their duties brought forth by City Attorney Doug White. The job duties for each were approved unanimously.

The next item was a proposed Ordinance to add to the Dixon Municipal Code "another layer" of police empowerment by adding the "Obstructive Conduct in Public Places and Rights of Way" to the already existing Chapter of Public Peace, Morals and Welfare under Miscellaneous Offenses.

When a member of the public asked who brought this forward and why, it was learned that this was not because of basketball hoops in the middle of Dixon's sidewalks. This was about a giant inflatable cat that was used when Amazon was being built in Patterson in a labor union protest that blocked the sidewalk. That town is also represented by Churchwell White LLP.

Years ago while the old Dixon Fire Department was being renovated by Dr. Kristina Wiley by out of town non-union laborers but local ones she employed, that same cat was on Dixon's sidewalks and citizens going to the nearby coffee shop simply walked around it.

Councilman Scott Pederson (Dist. 1) was for "adding another layer" and there was discussion about aggressive behavior, violence, damage, cause of fear or intimidation and he asked White if he worked with the Dixon Chief of Police but White answered no.

Councilman Kevin Johnson (Dist. 3) asked about public nuisance laws already on the books and said he had a 4-part test for all laws proposed: "1. Is it easy to understand? 2. Is it enforceable? 3. Is it fairly enforced to all involved? and, 4. Will it be enforced?" He said the proposed ordinance did not pass the test.

It's getting more difficult to prosecute, explained Dixon Police Chief Robert Thompson.

"The more avenues we have, the more tools, the better." The ordinance passed 4-1 with Johnson dissenting for the first time since elected.

Under new business, City Engineer Joe Leach gave a presentation on Phase 2 of the Pardi Market site that was requested by a couple Councilmen. Plans to finish the corner at First and A Streets will cost another $750,000 approximately for several concrete benches, a water fountain, lighting and many other beautification details.

Newly elected City Treasurer Jim Ward, who said he went "line by line through the papers," brought up concerns about a water fountain costing $15,000 and six concrete benches at $11,000 but those plans and the additional plans skyrocketed to nearly $1.2 million. There is additionally $107,750 for "contract management." The hope is to finish Phase 2 between May Fair and Grillin' and Chillin', Leach said.

"My number one concern is can we afford this?" said Johnson. Comments from the public echoed similar concerns and one said this was not the best time due to the pandemic and its possible far reaching effects on our small businesses but the project is moving on.

The next issue offered praise and gratitude for Economic Development/Grants Manager Larry Burkhardt who secured a $177,592 grant (with matching 20% from the city) for new playground equipment and improvements at Hall Park and Northwest Park. Burkhardt also announced $150,000 is approved at the state level for La Esperanza Park that will be built soon.

There was a proposed resolution for compensation of the City Clerk, and increasing stipends significantly for all the advisory committees although there were no "comparisons" provided. After much discussion amongst council who most had done their own research, the motion made by Johnson was to table until further information can be collected with the exception of the part where the City Clerk gets a "temporary" stipend of $250. Motion was made by Johnson and passed 3-2 with Mayor Steve Bird and Pederson dissenting. This was also a first.

Toward the end of the meeting, in item 12.5, there was a motion to change the employee handbook. It would eliminate the last public speaking opportunity on non-agenda items at each council meeting so it "would remove the duplicity," explained White. Currently there is opportunity for both at the beginning and the end of the meetings for council and public comments on non-agenda items. He also said the comments at the end of the meetings from the City Treasurer which were shown in their agendas was a clerical error, and are no longer in the handbook.

"You have to understand what direction you are going," said community activist Michael Ceremello. "You are stifling public input whether it be council or public."

Councilman Don Hendershot (Dist. 4) was concerned that if a citizen came into a meeting late because of traffic, he would have missed the opportunity. Councilman Jim Ernest (Dist. 2) was willing to keep the public comments but said he didn't think people should be allowed to say the same thing twice so that meetings don't drag on. Johnson wanted to see the Council "do everything we can to create more public involvement."

Mayor Bird said that considering what had been expressed by the other councilmen, there was a consensus and to leave the input at the end. "Since there hasn't been a Treasurer's comment for four years," said Pederson, "it should be kept off" despite that City Treasurer Ward was in the Zoom audience.

Pederson then made a motion that led further discussion and caused some confusion of the original motion but it ultimately passed 5-0 for only council and public to have final comments. Some citizens online felt this one decision was a symbolic move for this council to show the goal to better engage the public.

The discussion was also a clear reminder there needs to be an opportunity for Dixon's duly elected City Treasurer to have the opportunity to address the Council and constituents.