Topics Include:
- Minutes and governance: The council approved minutes from three meetings; planning commission added Victor Prusak and removed Jim Rose; Kerry Arnett re-elected mayor with Tom Bolch as vice mayor.
- Redistricting and planning: Discussion to keep Nevada City and its sphere of influence in a single district, with LAFCO involvement and debates over sphere versus geographic coherence; two workshops planned; bylaw changes for LAFCO conflicts of interest; Sierra College requested use of the old airport; a regional transportation mitigation fee was introduced.
- Ordinances: Ordinance 2001-8 (3% at 50 retirement for safety personnel) adopted; Ordinance 2001-9 on after-the-fact demolition permits continued to the next meeting.
- Chinese Quarter project: Chinese Quarter Monument Sign design approved (3–2) with maintenance and ADA conditions; Michael Kirby presented a naturalistic Chinese rock water garden design emphasizing accessibility and landscaping.
- Governance and fund status: CATS (501(c)(3)) will act as pass-through/administrator for donations to the Chinese Corner Society, allowing tax-deductible gifts routed through CATS (with a small management fee); other pass-through options were discussed but not used.
- Project finance and design: Pass-through remains with CATS; design approved with ADA conditions; next steps include securing funding and fundraising activities (e.g., book sales).
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad project: Groundbreaking marks a milestone after ~17 years and a 60-year gap; funds secured by Dan Landon; artifact to be displayed in a museum; officials and volunteers recognized.
- Ceremony and adjournment: Acknowledgments to partners and contributors; plans for a railroad museum dedication; adjourned with a recess to reconvene at 7:15 PM.

Full Transcript of the Video:

* * * * * * * * * Thank you.

We have before us the minutes of the city council meeting from June 25th and June 29th.

And the Nevada City financing corporation annual meeting from June 25th.

Move for adoption of both.

I'll second that.

All three in effect.

Okay.

Move and second it to adopt all three minutes.

Any further discussion?
All those in favor?
Aye.

Opposed?
Aye.

Abstain.

All right.

Thank you, Carrie.

Just take a second to thank the council that I'm back here hopefully well-mended now.

In the last couple of months having this total knee replaced, once you decide you're going to do that, it seems like that's basically all that's on your mind.

And so I did miss a couple, three meetings.

But I apologize for that.

But I think we're through the crisis.

And so I hope to be back here fulfilling my duties.

Glad to have you back.

Welcome back.

Good luck with your knee.

Thank you.

Pat?
Yes.

I have an announcement that I announced some concern normally at the end of the meeting, but I asked if we could put that to the front of the meeting because oftentimes we lose people as we go through the meeting and your item seems to have been dealt with.

And it concerns my appointee at the planning commission level.

And a lot of the work that's been done lately with the citizenry and the work that was done on the great citizenry involvement to reverse the planning commission's decision to approve the project -- excuse me, reverse is the wrong name, the wrong word to use -- but to essentially defeat the project at Upper Broad Street, the 80-unit apartment complex, and how thankful I am at the citizenry and how hard they work to preserve what they know and love and think is important for Nevada City.

And in my opinion, the planning commission had made some errors that made it complicated, brought all the citizenry out, which was a good thing.

And in the end, I believe, we've accomplished what everyone wants to have happen.

Jim Rose is the appointee to the planning commission who is under my name as being appointed by me.

In fact, I did not -- I did reappoint him.

He was not particularly my choice at the time.

I didn't really have anybody else in mind, and he was well-versed and seemed to be doing his job okay.

I inherited him as an appointee when I got elected, and I chose at that time not to make a change.

At this time, I am choosing to make a change, and the reasons are, I think, that Jim Rose -- and other members, perhaps, of the planning commission, but I only have control of one -- that Jim Rose approved an excess of variances, which dilute the general plan and go against the long-term good goals of Nevada City, and I think the citizenry came out at the right time and agreed that that excess use of variances was a dilution of the general plan, and they wanted it stopped.

So for those reasons, and his voting record supports that, and his general disrespect at a few meetings for the general public and courtesy to the general public for the position that he held that I was responsible, at least, of late, of him having.

And in his place, a young person, a relative newcomer to Nevada City, has proven himself, in my opinion, to be very much what Nevada City is all about, and I'm very happy to appoint Victor Prusak to the planning commission.

He has accepted -- [applause] He has accepted the appointment, and he very much impressed me, as did everyone who had a dedicated responsibility in the recent hearings that we went through.

I was very proud of everybody.

And another thing in the very short phone conversations that I've had with Victor, but I'm very impressed with the way he handles himself, one thing that I pointed out to him that I think is very important is there is somewhat of a changing of the guard going on in Nevada City.

A lot of us have been here a long time.

A lot of us have done a lot of hard work.

And when new people, young people, come along and respect what Nevada City is about and the ground rules that were laid out so long ago, starting back in the '60s, then I feel comfortable that we've done a good job and we've got to let that responsibility go to a new generation with the confidence that they're going to do the right job.

And when people like Victor shows up and all the rest of you that did, I'm comfortable that the ball's being passed to the right person and the groundwork that we did and many, many others way back in the '60s and all those other times, and I haven't been involved that long, but there was a lot of good groundwork done and that general plan basically stands as is.

And if new people can come along and appreciate that, we know we did a good job and we just got to keep that good job going.

So welcome, Victor.

Thank you for your good work and good luck.

[applause] >>Karen, before you go on, Victor, you'll have to come and see me.

I've got a lot of paperwork for you today.

[laughter] >>Okay, thank you.

The next item is Council Reorganization, Recap of the Year and other comments by the mayor.

I'd like to just say thank you for the opportunity to serve as mayor.

It has been an honor and a privilege.

I tell just about anybody who's willing to listen that next to meeting and marrying my wife, Shar, it's one of the best things that's happened in my life.

I've had the opportunity to speak to children and seniors and service groups and foreign dignitaries and many, many more, plus the opportunity to network with the county officials, Grass Valley and Truckee elected officials has been very rewarding.

I've had the opportunity to have breakfasts, lunch, dinner and buffets in brunches.

It seems that one of the requirements that I show up and they seem to feed me, so hey, I'm happy with that.

I was able to perform a marriage for a very wonderful couple who asked me to do that and gave me the honor of joining them in marriage.

I thank F-Cat for the opportunity to invite me on every three months to give me the chance to brag about the city that I love.

One of the things that I learned about as mayor is that every check that the city of Nevada City issues needs to be signed by the mayor.

I didn't know that.

Jeez, Willie Brown must get really tired signing all those checks in San Francisco.

During the last year, we've had some hotly debated meetings.

We've had a historic meeting and through them all, it's been a challenge and it's been an adventure and it's been a lot of fun.

The greatest honor that I think that we've had is I've had as being part of the city hall dedication.

It's definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

Obviously I've enjoyed speaking to the people in Nevada City.

I happen to have a fairly accessible position and people know where to find me and they come and see me and they tell me what they think and I really do appreciate that.

At the risk of being redundant and repetitious, I just would like to remind everybody that I feel that that is a key to the way our government works is communicating with your elected officials and to encourage everyone to let us know what you think.

So thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

Okay, the next order is the selection of mayor.

I'd like to make a motion to have you serve a second term as mayor, Mr.
Arnett.

Thank you.

I'll second that motion.

Are there any other motions?
Well, if there's a motion on the floor as opposed to nominations.

Oh, nomination.

I'm sorry.

You are correct.

That's a nomination.

Yes.

Okay, excuse me.

Yes, I nominate Steve Cottrell for the position of mayor.

Okay, and as I recall, nominations do not need seconds.

Thank you.

All right.

Well then, we'll take them in the order in which they came.

All those in favor of Kerry Arnett as mayor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed?
No.

Then by a three to two vote, I am pleased and honored to be retained as mayor.

Thank you very much.

I'd just like about 30 seconds to thank Pat Dyer for his loyalty and his friendship and his personal sacrifice.

Everybody in this room knows that had Pat wanted to be mayor at any time the past four years, he could have been.

And for four years in a row, he nominated me, knowing it was a suicide mission.

And Pat knows that my friendship with him will last as long as I'm alive.

But it goes beyond friendship.

It goes to loyalty and it goes to class.

And I think there's some folks at this table that could learn a lot if they watched what Pat Dyer does.

Thank you, Steve.

Thank you.

Okay, the selection of vice mayor.

Open the floor and table denominations.

I'd make the motion that -- I mean, I'll make the nomination that we just -- you want to still do it?
We haven't talked about this.

We discussed things.

I don't know who wants to be vice mayor.

I would be glad to fill it.

Okay, well, I'd nominate you, Tom.

Okay.

I'll make the nomination for Tom Bolch as vice mayor.

Are there any further nominations?
Hearing none, we'll call the question.

All those in favor?
Aye.

Opposed?
Motion carries.

Thank you, Tom.

Department reports.

Abstain.

Department reports.

Greg, do you have anything to say?
Okay, thank you very much.

And please, is the chief here?
I don't see the chief.

Okay, well, then we'll move along.

Administrative.

Okay.

Well, yes.

I put Peter here at the front of the agenda.

Our supervisor had called and wanted to discuss with the council the city's representation in the proposed redistricting and the sphere of influence.

And so, as a matter of fact, the proposed resolution, I think we did just receive it today.

So I suggested that we put him under the front of the agenda and he could discuss with the council his concerns.

Am I in the right place?
Thank you.

Congratulations to the new leadership and congratulations on the groundbreaking over at the railroad museum.

I think there's going to be a really good step forward for Nevada City.

As you know that after the 2000 census, we are in the process of redistricting the county.

We've had two workshops already.

And after we finished the first workshop and looked at the map, I realized that Nevada City, I've been -- had the pleasure of representing for the last four and a half years, was like it had been for the last decade, cut right north of the city here.

As Bruce Conklin said, you walk out of the front of the Rood Center, you're in District 1, you walk out the back, you're in District 5.

So we have this opportunity to fix some of the mistakes of the past districting.

One of the principles we've used is to have all communities of interest in the same district to reduce confusion and also to give a focused voice for different groups.

So tomorrow morning we will go at our third workshop.

May take a fourth one to get through.

There will be two proposals tomorrow that are on the table, both of which include all of Nevada City's sphere of influence -- well, the current boundaries and the entire sphere plus the neighborhoods such as Saman Hill and Lake Vera who relate to Nevada City in one district, in District 1.

So I'm here with a resolution which is before you which essentially asks the county from the city to continue on that path of including the city, the sphere and the neighborhoods of interest in District 1.

So that's it.

If there's any questions, I'll be glad to answer them.

I think that this is a good idea as to getting all of Nevada City.

I didn't realize that it chopped off that quick.

Oh, it chopped off very quick, yes.

Another side of 49.

At least on this portion, though, I think it would be a very good idea that all of Nevada City be in one district.

Well, good.

The city you're talking to, the city limits?
No, I mean all of the sphere of influence.

Yeah.

Excuse me, the sphere of influence.

When we heard from some of the citizens in District 1, it's really amazing how far away folks relate to Nevada City.

There was some talk about putting Cascade Shores in District 5 and they said, "No, we're in Nevada City.

We're in Nevada City neighborhood and it's fairly far away.

"
Same way with Lake Vera and Cement Hills.

So I think it's logical.

I think it makes good government and I would certainly look forward to working with you as we have in the past and including just a wider range of folks who think of themselves as Nevada Cityans.

Next question, "Do district lines have anything to do with zip codes?"
No.

Okay.

Well, I support the idea.

I think that it's Grass Valley requested it and I think that that's moving along.

Same with Truckee.

And so I feel that it is good to have our neighborhoods and our sphere of influence within one district.

Okay.

Although I do agree with the letter that was written in the paper today that regardless of the outcome, both districts are well represented.

I would agree with that 100 percent.

So anyway, there is a resolution that suggested language which affects that and I'd be proud to report tomorrow morning at our workshop that Nevada City supports that principle of redistricting.

Well, you know, Peter, I have a problem with number two and, you know, I certainly agree with number one.

Nevada City wants to be represented by one supervisor.

The balance of it is a political dilemma you've gotten yourself into.

And I'm just not sure what purpose is served by this council supporting what you're trying to do politically.

I mean, you have created a redistricting that you've caught some flack for.

And I'm not sure that what purpose is served by us as a city supporting number two, which has to do about the sphere of influence and ten-year time frames.

I mean, I don't think that that part is appropriate, frankly.

I just think Nevada City should be in one district.

Yes, we should.

Period.

Yeah, the -- I appreciate that.

As far as your comment about catching flack, this is Nevada County, almost anything you do you catch flack over from somebody or another.

But having said that, this is a ten-year redistricting plan because it won't happen again until the next ten-year census.

That's why Grass Valley requested that their ten-year horizon be included in one district so that over this decade there will be a consistency of relationship between the city and the county.

So I think it makes a certain amount of sense, Steve.

But I understand if you have a problem with the specifics of number two and the council agrees, I have no problem with that.

The proposals on the table include that sphere as far as -- your sphere as far as I can tell for the next ten years anyway.

It seems to me I don't understand, Steve.

LAFCO is an agency that is made up by our local representatives, Tom Balch.

And they have some pretty well-studied guidelines and things.

We have our zero to five and six to ten-year frames.

It just makes sense.

It's a win-win for everybody.

Actually what's really interesting is that unless Mr.
Van's aunt were to move, he's doing himself out of a job in two more years.

So as far as the politics go, I don't see where they are.

I mean, who knows if he wants to run again or not, but he's just got himself out of a district unless he moves closer to Nevada City.

So it's just lines on the ground and it's meant to balance out populations and it makes sense that we have all of not only our city limits but our sphere of influence.

How many times have we heard people up on some man-hill that have lived there for 50 years saying, "How come I can't vote in Nevada City?"
Eventually they may or may not.

It depends on the cost-effectiveness of those services.

But still, people do consider even all the way out to Lake Veer and Scotts Flat, Nevada City, as when they say, "Where do you live?"
They say, "Nevada City.

"
It just makes sense.

And I'm not worried about the politics of it at all.

The thing with the sphere of influence is I wonder, after having been through the recent debate about 80 units on top of the hill, is why are we even talking about the sphere of influence?
Our city engineers told us we can't be guaranteed to have the ability to handle 80 more units on top of the hill.

I mean, the sphere of influence is a fantasy, David.

We're not going to grow.

You know that.

These people are never going to be in Nevada City.

So you have no problem with deleting the second paragraph?
Not in the least.

I would move to delete the -- I would move to delete item two in the resolution.

And I guess I would take that as delete number two and support the rest of the resolution?
Oh.

That's good to resolve.

Before I would second that -- or I will second it so we can discuss it, okay?
Just be accurate about things.

I'm confused as to really kind of what your concern is.

I don't see what the negative side of this -- Well, I just don't think we should be a party to Peter's political dilemma.

Well, I don't think it's -- It has been well publicized.

I mean -- Well, I agree with that.

I admire your creativity, Peter, in coming into Nevada City and asking for support.

But I think you've got yourself into a dilemma.

And that is a political issue for you to deal with, not for the city of Nevada City.

I don't think he got himself into a dilemma.

This county grew by population, and they have to do this.

And everything they've done -- and I've been there and I've watched with all the supervisors -- Peter's just one of five, and he's done a very good job.

I'm glad that we've got the kind of leadership we have there.

And I think this is ridiculous to be putting him on the spot when he's not asking anything of us that is ridiculous.

You know, I think the -- you know, I love political discussions, but I'm not sure I want to waste your time, but continuing.

But when we launched into the redistricting, we started off with the absolute shell from the feds, which is you try to do population balancing in each district.

You have to do that.

Then you go into the other issues -- geography, communities of interest, that sort of thing.

When we looked at our old districts, there were some communities that were pretty well chopped up.

Alta Sierra was in two districts.

Grass Valley was in three districts.

Nevada City was in two districts.

And there's some other neighborhoods that were in the same situation.

Brunswick Basin was in two different districts.

So we launched a program to make those communities whole into one supervisory district.

Political considerations aside and all the rest of it -- by the way, one of the options tomorrow would be to include Chicago Park back in District 1.

So that addresses that problem in one sense.

But that isn't the reason I'm here.

I'm here because I have worked well with Nevada City, in my opinion, over the last four and a half years.

I continue to work well with you.

And I get a lot of calls from Lake Vera and Smet Hill and North Bloomfield when Caltrans dropped that light on us all of a sudden.

My phone was ringing off the hook with constituents in District 5.

And Sam said, "Well, you deal with them.

They're kind of like in your neighborhood.

"
So I've been working with those neighbors and the larger Nevada City community for years.

And I think what this does is make it a more legitimate redistricting, recognizing the influence and the needs of Nevada City.

>> Okay.

We'll call a question.

All those in favor of deleting Item 2 from this resolution signify by saying aye.

>> Aye.

>> Opposed?
>> No.

>> Okay.

>> The motion is defeated.

>> I will be happy to support it, but I just thought that should be excluded.

>> Entertain a motion then?
>> I would entertain a motion to adopt a resolution.

>> Next resolution in order.

>> The next resolution in order.

That sounds good.

I'll second that.

>> Okay.

It's been moved and seconded to adopt the next resolution number, resolution, the City Council of the City of Nevada City providing input regarding the redistricting of Nevada County's Supervisory Districts.

Is there any further discussion?
All those in favor?
>> Aye.

>> Opposed?
>> Thank you very much.

I look forward to continuing to work with you.

>> Thank you.

Council committee reports.

See none.

Agendized.

We will move on to hearing from the public.

Comments on items not on the agenda are welcome at this time.

However, action or discussion by the council may not occur at this time.

Comments are limited to three minutes.

Is there anyone in the audience that would like to address the council on an item not on this evening's agenda?
See no one.

We close the public hearing.

And move on to correspondence.

Kathy?
>> Three items of correspondence that came in at the point that the agenda had been prepared.

There was also an item that came in this evening or late this afternoon that I placed before you from freed and I believe there might be some people in the audience that are here to discuss that letter at the time that we talk about the Chinese quarter.

So the three items that you did have in your packet, letter from waste management, about a gate fee increase for commercial accounts at this point in time, 6.

25%.

They're not talking about residential at this time.

Sierra College requesting the use of the old airport for their exploring the night skies program that they put on.

It's always been a really successful program.

The airport property is perfect for it because it's so dark and you can see it's level.

We've done this in the past.

So they would be asking for action from you tonight on that to allow that to continue.

And then the LAFCO has a revision to their bylaws.

This is to just let you know that that is something they're working on.

Our LAFCO representative is Tom.

Maybe you've been out of action so I'm not sure if you're familiar with it or not.

I was around when we did this.

All this basically is is just the bylaws did not set forth when you should disqualify yourself from a situation that that LAFCO has influence over.

And so it's pretty common sense type of thing.

Basically if a person is before the LAFCO board and they worked with you in the last election say then this just gives you a way to more or less disqualify yourself or just not vote on that issue.

So it has never been a problem but we just felt that perhaps the language should be included.

>> Thank you.

>> You're recommending we support it.

>> I recommend we support it.

>> So moved.

>> Second.

>> Move and second that we support the LAFCO revision to bylaws.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

>> Aye.

>> Opposed?
>> What about Sierra College?
>> Sierra College.

>> I move and second that.

>> Okay.

Move and second it.

Any further discussion?
All those in favor?
>> Aye.

>> Opposed?
Thank you, Kathy.

New business.

Ordinance 2001-8.

>> I move that -- >> Wait a minute.

We have to open the public hearing.

One that would like to address the council on Ordinance 2001-8 which is implementing 3% at 50 for our safety personnel.

Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing.

>> I move that we read title only for Ordinance 2000-01-08.

>> Second.

>> Move and second it.

All those in favor?
>> Aye.

>> Opposed?
>> Aye.

>> Jim?
>> Aye.

>> I move that we read title only for Ordinance 2001-8, an Ordinance authorizing an amendment to the contract between the City Council of the City of Nevada City and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees Retirement System.

>> Move for adoption.

>> I'll second that.

>> Okay.

It's been moved and seconded.

Is there any further discussion?
All those in favor?
>> Aye.

>> Opposed?
Motion carries.

Next item, Ordinance 2001-9 regarding after-the-fact demolition permits.

>> We should continue that to the next meeting.

It has not come up from the Planning Commission.

We hoped it would be here, but it isn't.

So we'll continue it two weeks to our next meeting.

>> That would be great.

>> Very well.

>> We don't need them.

>> No.

Additional new business.

Regional transportation mitigation fee agreement between the Nevada County Transportation Commission and the City of Nevada City.

>> This is an agreement that follows up the ordinance that we did about a month ago, agreeing to collect fees.

And this basically handles that between the City and the Transportation Committee or Transportation Commission.

I would add to that is that we need to place a clause in there that stating the city can withdraw from the agreement just as the same language we put into the ordinance.

Otherwise the agreement looks fine.

>> Okay.

>> This is a first reading.

>> This is actually just an agreement.

So this would be just a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign with the changes as indicated by me.

>> Well, I would therefore move then that the council authorize the mayor to sign an agreement between the Transportation Commission and the City of Nevada City.

>> I'll second that.

>> I voted for the ordinance as a proxy for Mr.
Balts since he was unavailable, but I'm certainly not going to vote now since he's here to vote for himself.

>> Okay.

Moving seconded.

Is there any further discussion?
All those in favor?
>> Aye.

>> Opposed?
>> No.

>> Okay.

Motion passes to 3-2.

>> Nevada City Chinese Quarter Monument Sign Approval.

>> Bob?
>> Yes, I'm Bob Buellis, Chairman of the Chinese Quarter Society.

>> Design.

>> Yeah, design approval.

>> It should be a typo that I made in my case to meet town.

>> Excuse me, Bob.

Head to Homer.

Excuse me, Bob.

>> Certainly.

>> I'll give a brief introduction.

I have Paul kick things off and then we'll go.

>> Very well.

>> I won't be describing the monument, but I'll describe the process.

I'm going to get to the table here tonight and it's a partnership with the Chinese Quarter Society that the city will be carrying on after the monument is approved.

The Planning Commission last October reviewed the design, liked what they saw, endorsed it very enthusiastically with I think only one minor change and left the issues of the conditions of approval for later when it will come to the city council.

The monument has various elements that need a bit of maintenance.

It's got a water element.

It's got some landscaping and some watery.

Following the Planning Commission meeting, Public Works Director Vern Taylor, myself, Chief of Police, Lou Trevado, and the city manager have gone through the monument, all the issues that will be involved for the city and we put together a list of conditions of approval which we submitted to the society and they reviewed it and they responded very positively to those conditions a couple of weeks ago.

And I've come here tonight.

They're asking for approval of the design with those conditions that we put forward and as you probably saw in your packet.

Just a few minutes ago I was handed the letter from Freed, which you all have, and I would agree heartily that the monument, the design of the monument should be modified to be insurance and compliance with the American Disability Act.

I believe by placing a cut in the curb that could be accomplished and I would suggest that the conditions of approval add that as a condition to the satisfaction of the city engineer and other than that, I think that's my report, but now on to Bob who will describe the monument to you.

Thank you, Paul.

Actually, what I wish to do is to report that I've already had discussions with the designer about adding the access for the handicap and he feels that he can include that in the design.

So you have the background.

We are asking for your acceptance of our design and I'd like next to introduce the designer who will explain the design to you.

His name is Michael Kirby.

He's an architect from Auburn who has made the design.

So Michael, if you will present the design.

Good evening.

The design is a Chinese rock water garden and basically it's a transplanted granitic up thrust.

It will be all natural.

The water feature is instead of a waterfall, it's more of a spring-like trickle culminating in a small reflection pond and that pond surface will be occluded by the placement of some boulders.

And we'll do that in such a way as to prevent access to the water.

There won't be enough water surface for people to actually get in the water.

We'll do it in such a way that there's no entrapment potential and there's no potential for vandalism or sudsing or that type of thing.

It'll be low agitation, a high circulation rate of the water with the pumps to prevent organisms from developing and that type of thing.

And because of the low surface area of the water, the actual sunlight interaction with the microorganisms will be minimized.

The landscape material will be minimal.

We have one large tree that we'll bring in and transplant.

It'll have a grouping, a tree grove of three ginkos in the background behind the actual rock outcropping and those will minimize reflected heat and austerity of the building next door as also giving a backdrop to the monument.

The idea is to provide something that's totally natural in feel as if the parking lot itself were constructed around a natural up thrust.

All the materials are going to be hand selected and hand placed.

We already have a contractor, Earth Dynamics and Lumis, that feels that they can do the project and they will do it with my interference and supervision.

It's kind of a hands on thing.

It almost goes a little bit beyond the level of standard landscape architecture in that it's all hands on.

And what you see, the conceptual plan is fairly accurate.

I've seen numerous rock up thrusts like that in the surrounding counties and I think we have a good chance of getting that.

There's some symbolism involved to the monument in that the concept itself had to do with the representational symbolism of the labor of the Chinese people, the contribution they made to early Nevada City, their perseverance and their engineering skills as well.

Some of the handy work from that period of time and the flooring will be from remnants, from quarried granite remnants from some of the surrounding mines.

We'll floor the foreground with that.

And apart from the landscape material that I mentioned, there will be some shrubbery in the foreground but it won't look like a conventional landscape.

It's more representational and very much in keeping with what the early Chinese value as far as planned material.

We plan to make a cut in the existing retaining wall off the street to allow access from the street and that should be pretty straight forward.

Looks like about three steps.

And then from the parking lot side, there's an actual space that would accommodate the wheelchair ramp between the existing water boxes and the terminus where the actual stub up for the water feature is.

So just a matter of making two cuts there, removing that section of curb and ramping it down and then ramping the actual entry, the flooring into the monument itself.

And we can -- it should be fairly safe.

Most of the -- we're going to do it in such a way that the actual up thrust is not immediately accessible to the public.

It's set back, I would say, probably five feet, maybe six feet.

And the rock up thrust actually is about between five and five and a half feet.

We've designed it in such a way that there's no obstruction coming from the parking lot to street access.

We have a clear field of view to the street.

And we will provide lighting, uplighting, not only for visual effect but for security and irrigation and drainage as well.

If there are any other questions, I'd be happy to answer them at this time.

>> That sounds real thorough.

I mean, it's good to hear that.

On this drawing, are these rocks or are those ponds -- >> Pardon?
>> Right here.

Are those rocks or is that -- where's the little reflection pond in the -- >> You see those two rocks?
>> These two right here?
>> Yeah, they will actually be in the pond surface.

>> Okay.

>> That's shaded areas.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> The shaded area?
Oh, I see.

Okay.

That's neat.

>> Since we're now going to make it accessible, I'm sure glad that that was brought to our attention before we got too far along.

The accessibility will be limited.

I take it to just this front section then.

>> That's right.

>> And those are our slabs?
>> Slabs.

Yeah.

>> So, cord remnants that we'd have to hand fit together.

>> Okay.

That was my question.

They will be smooth in the same surface.

>> Absolutely.

>> Okay.

>> So, it won't create -- >> Right.

>> -- rises like an old sidewalk for the wheelchair or anything?
>> No, not only that, but most of those granite slabs probably go over 300 pounds apiece.

>> Oh, well.

>> You know, they'll be -- most of them run about 6 to 8 inches thick.

>> I just want to make sure there's going to be a flat surface.

>> It'll be flat, yeah.

>> Okay.

Great.

Excellent.

All right.

>> I have a question.

I guess a blog or a picture or something.

We have the whole board of directors here tonight, huh?
>> Okay.

>> All right.

Are you guys now an adjunct of CATS or an adjunct of the chamber?
>> No, CATS is a separate organization that we work with.

We have members of CATS on our board.

>> You are now your own 501(c)(3) independent?
>> No, no, no.

>> No, CATS is there on product group.

>> CATS has the 501(3)(c).

We funds that need to be -- or people who -- we say this right.

People who want a tax write-off for the donation to Chinese Corner Society sends it to CATS, and CATS manages that, and then keeps a small percent for the management of that.

And then we get the difference.

>> Well, that's what I meant by being an adjunct of CATS.

>> Well, okay.

>> Because in the beginning, as I recall, it went to the chamber.

We were talking about that, but we never did do it.

>> Oh, okay.

>> No, it was actually through the Nevada County Arts Council, which then arranged to have it meet.

>> We never collected funds to the Nevada -- >> Okay, but it started out under that umbrella.

>> We talked about that.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah, there were a number of pass-throughs that were considered.

So your pass-through is CATS.

>> CATS.

>> In that sense, you're an adjunct of CATS.

>> In that sense, we are, yes.

>> Okay.

>> But only in that sense.

>> Yeah, I understand.

Okay, thank you.

>> Okay, well, we need a motion then.

>> Okay.

>> I move to approve the design.

>> So I got -- >> With the conditions -- >> For ADA.

>> The additional descriptions -- >> ADA requirements.

>> Right.

>> And there are a whole series of conditions.

>> Okay.

>> Yeah, but I mean, in addition to these conditions, the ones that have been raised tonight.

>> Yes.

>> Okay.

It's been moved and seconded.

Is there any discussion?
Okay.

All those in favor?
>> Aye.

>> Opposed?
Motion carried.

>> Thank you, gentlemen.

>> Congratulations.

>> Nice work.

>> Yep, keep up the money.

>> Get the money.

>> Yes.

Now the funding.

>> Now we've got to get the money.

>> Sell a lot of books tomorrow night.

Sell a lot of books.

>> Are there any announcements this evening?
And we'll be having a -- [ ] >> More dignitaries?
>> Yes.

>> Okay.

>> Very proud moment.

>> Thank you.

>> Thank you.

>> Well, thank you very much for coming this evening.

It was a very grand occasion, very historic moment after nearly a 60-year absence.

The Nevada County Narrow Gage Railroad is returning to Nevada City.

And this is the beginning, the groundbreaking.

Seventeen years its process has been ongoing, I'm told.

One of the longest labors in recorded history, but we're about ready for the birth.

And I'd just like to say real quickly welcome to the council and staff, but also our architects, Bruce Boyd and Connelly Weaver, John Christensen, who has been instrumental in this endeavor, Peter Van Zant, first district supervisor, and all the other people that I'm forgetting at this moment.

Welcome, welcome, and thank you very much for coming.

>> Thank you.

>> John, did you have something to say on this auspicious occasion?
>> Well, first off, I just want to thank everybody for being here.

This is a wonderful occasion for all you railroad enthusiasts and also for the Nevada County Narrow Gage.

A lot of people have put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this project over the last 17 and a half years.

A lot of people have donated personal time, energy, property.

Thank you very much to the Ramey family for all their support over the years and the Nevada County Historical Society and Madeline Helling, who was the president of the society when this project began.

Also, we don't want to forget those who have passed before us.

Cliff Summerstrom, who was our director when this project started and passed away six months after it started.

And of course, the city of Nevada City, Kathy and Burl, I've been working with both of them all these years and been very supportive.

It's just been wonderful.

We've had our ups and downs.

There were times when we thought we'd never get here, but we're here today.

And I just want to thank everybody for being here again.

The city council, thank you for all your support and help us get here.

And again, I don't want to forget anybody's names, but I want to thank everybody.

Thank you.

A couple of people.

Ken Kay Baker, thank you very much for helping this project along and the good people at TDK.

We greatly appreciate.

And shooting construction is going to be doing the work on this project.

Thank all those people.

Oh, I think it's photo op time.

We have John.

We've got an extra shovel.

Travis, you'd like to join us?
One last thing.

I keep remembering these.

Dan Landon, Nevada County Transportation Commission, a very big thank you too for helping secure alliance share of the funds for this project.

What do you want us to do?
Well I think you put your foot here.

I'm using the wrong name.

I've got the bad name.

I've got a hex.

I'm the first artifact.

Uh oh.

I'll hang up.

We'll hang in the museum.

Uh oh.

Alright.

You bet.

You bet.

What is it?
Yeah, look right here.

That's good.

Hey, great.

Good.

Yeah, thank you.

Good way out.

What else to say?
Thank you.

Otherwise, okay.

Well, thank you very much.

We'll expect all of you back in a few months when we have the dedication of our new railroad museum.

Oh, that's what we did.

Thank you.

We will recess this council meeting until 715 where we will reconvene at the city hall.