LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - At the Jan. 21 meeting of the Live Oak City Council, resident Cruz Mora spoke during public comment, stating that his microphone had been cut during his public comments given over Zoom at two prior meetings. Mora said this violates state law as well as “erodes public trust.” 

Finance Director Ethan Gutierrez presented the annual audited financial statement for fiscal year 2025, which ended last June.

The audit opinion stated that the city demonstrated consistent accounting policies, reasonable estimates and appropriate disclosures. No material errors, irregularities or significant accounting issues were discovered.  

Councilmember Nancy Santana said she had difficulty reading the documents included in the report.

“I just need some more time. There are hundreds of pages of numbers. I just feel like I should go over them,” Santana said.

Mayor Jeramy Chapdelaine appreciated all the time that went into the report, and said, “I think this is the cleanest audit we’ve had in years.” 

The council voted 4-1 to accept and file the report, with Santana dissenting, stating her need for further review.

The council also considered the adoption of a standard Department Director Employment Agreement, which would create consistency among employment agreements for director-level city employees. The change would provide a clear and consistent framework to guide the city manager’s negotiations on salary and benefit packages, within the salary ranges and staffing budgets approved by the council. 

Councilmember Santana asked if this would “take anything out of the council’s hands?” 

City Attorney Nicole Rosser explained that the council is only responsible for the hiring of the city attorney and the city manager, while all other employees are hired at the discretion of the city manager.

“This does not add or take away anything from the city council or the city manager. It’s just clarifying a more standardized contract,” said Rosser. 

Councilmember Ashley Hernandez said having a standard model will streamline the process and avoid confusion. 

Mayor Chapdelaine agreed that it will provide consistency and better guide the hiring negotiations. 

The council voted unanimously to approve the standardized director agreement.

Councilmember Santana pulled two items from the consent calendar for council discussion. First, the approval of up to $70,000 with 10% contingency for the purchase of a used tractor. 

Parks and Recreation Director Luis Cibrian explained that the city’s tractor is over 20 years old with low horsepower. The tractor is used on a daily basis, but it needs frequent repairs and consistently overheats during jobs. The city’s budget included up to $100,000 for a new tractor, but in October the council requested staff look for used options to save money, so Cibrian said the item is coming back now with an updated cost for good-quality used tractors. 

Santana said she was concerned about making any making purchases right now, since she said the city can’t afford fire and police — referencing the city’s efforts to renegotiate terms for fire and police services through Sutter County. 

City Manager Moody clarified that there are different funding sources available for different services, and the tractor purchase would be coming from wastewater, water and street funds, which would not negatively impact the availability of general fund monies that pay for public safety costs. 

Santana said, “Our community doesn’t really realize that. So, I just wanted to mention that, so that I feel like we need to be conservative when buying things right now.”

She suggested that the tractor could last for a while longer until the city is in a better financial position. Santana added that buying used could result in a tractor that also needs frequent repairs, so the city could end up paying more in the long run than if they had purchased new. 

Councilmember Hernandez said that the problems with the current tractor are “delaying jobs. … It’s taking a lot more staff time, wasted time, on something that doesn’t need to be wasted.”

Councilmember Bob Woten asked if any of the used options provide warranties, and Cibrian confirmed that some do, and that many of the used options are almost brand new. 

Vice Mayor Aaron Pamma agreed that buying used equipment provides better value, since you can buy nearly new tractors for about half the price.

“One year of having that tractor, it’s going to pay for itself,” Pamma said. “It is used every day, and if they have to rent one to get the work down, it will cost the city much more money over time than it would investing in a quality tractor now.”

The council voted unanimously to approve the tractor purchase. 

The second item pulled from the consent calendar was an amendment to the professional services agreement with Miguel Campos for building services. City Manager Moody requested that the agreement be extended for the remainder of the 2025-2026 fiscal year at the additional cost of $45,000. 

The city is legally required to provide the services of a chief building official, to oversee building plans, inspections, etc. Previously, the city contracted out for those services, at a cost of $18,500 per month. In October 2015, they switched to hybrid model with consultant services from Miguel Campos, supported by part-time city staff positions, for a total monthly cost of $9,000. Moody said the hybrid model is saving the city approximately $9,500 per month, or $115,000 per year. In addition to the cost savings, Moody said the change has provided better customer service to residents, so he asked council to extend the contract with Campos. 

Councilmember Hernandez said the process is more “welcoming” now, and it’s better to have local in-house control: “When you’re local, you care a little more.”

Mayor Chapdelaine thanked Moody for following the council direction to evaluate service contracts and find places to save money and improve efficiency. The council voted unanimously to approve the extended contract. 

The next meeting of the Live Oak City Council is scheduled for Feb. 4.