Claremont City Council Meeting - May 13, 2026

This meeting of the Claremont City Council on May 13, 2026, covered a wide range of topics including proclamations, appointments, ordinance discussions, union contract ratifications, grant approvals, and budget reviews. The council voted on several items, with some passing and others failing or being tabled.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from April 22, 2026, were approved unanimously by roll call.
• Appointments to Boards and Committees:
  • Personnel Advisory Board: The application of Gina Dauphinais was withdrawn after it was noted she serves on another city board, which is not allowed per PAB rules.
  • Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District: Felicia Dalke (seat 1, term to June 30, 2028) and Gary Merchant (seat 4, same term) were both appointed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizens Forum: No members of the public spoke. The forum was opened and closed with no participants.

Discussion Items

• Old Business – Ordinance 644 (Motor Race Tracks): The city manager reported that the Licensing Board received significant feedback from the council and public. The board recommends a "slow track" on ordinance changes to ensure thorough vetting, and will issue a temporary license for the current season under existing guidelines. The council concurred with this approach.
• New Business – Water and Sewer Rate Ordinances (645 & 646): A presentation by Toby Feder of RAF Tellis outlined a five-year rate study. Recommended increases: water rates – 8.75% in FY27, 5% in FY28, then 2% annually; sewer rates – 2% annually. For an average residential customer, the combined increase totals about $43/year or 12 cents/day. Several councilors expressed concerns about the large first-year water increase, preferring a more gradual straight-line approach. The council did not vote on the ordinances, deferring further discussion.
• New Business – Sullivan House PILOT Renewal: A three-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the county-owned facility at $12,000 per year was approved unanimously.
• New Business – Union Contracts:
  • Teamsters Local 633: The contract covering July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029, was voted down (3-6). Councilors cited the uneven payment schedule and cost impact on taxpayers.
  • IAFF Local 1571 (Firefighters): Similar contract with a large first-year increase was also voted down (5-4, failing the required two-thirds vote). Councilors acknowledged the need for raises but favored a more level payment schedule.
• New Business – VOCA Grant for ACERT Program: A $84,832 federal grant with a 20% local match (mostly in-kind) to fund the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team coordinator was approved unanimously.
• New Business – Golden Cross Ambulance Contract: The council voted to table this five-year, $300,000 contract (at $60,000/year) until the next meeting to review the full contract and a non-appropriation clause.
• New Business – Audit Services Fund Transfer: A $35,000 transfer from the finance budget to cover increased audit costs was approved unanimously.
• New Business – Capital Reserve Transfer for Pool Resurfacing: $57,340 from the Community Center building maintenance capital reserve to acid wash and resurface the pools was approved unanimously.
• Budget Discussions: The council began reviewing departmental budgets for FY27. Presentations were given by the Police Chief (421 budget), Communications (dispatching), Fire Chief, and Airport. No votes were taken; the council will continue budget discussions at a later date, particularly pending outcomes of the failed CBA negotiations.

Key Outcomes

• Votes Taken:
  • Agenda change (add non-public): Passed 8-1.
  • Minutes approval: Unanimous.
  • TIF appointments (Dalke, Merchant): Both unanimous.
  • Sullivan House PILOT: Unanimous.
  • Teamsters CBA: Failed (3-6).
  • Firefighters CBA: Failed (5-4, did not meet two-thirds requirement).
  • VOCA grant: Unanimous.
  • Golden Cross contract: Tabled to next meeting.
  • Audit fund transfer: Unanimous.
  • Capital reserve pool: Unanimous.
• Other Decisions:
  • Licensing board to issue temporary motor race track license for this season; ordinance changes to be developed slowly.
  • Water/sewer rate ordinances held for further discussion; council favored exploring a more gradual increase.
• Next Steps:
  • Administration will renegotiate union contracts after votes failed, causing potential budget delays.
  • The Golden Cross contract will be brought back with full contract details.
  • Budget review will continue, with additional information requested on police grants and other items.
  • Non-public session held at end of meeting for personnel matters.