MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING August 9, 2022
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
The regular council meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Sheppard. Vice Mayor Bassett, Councilmembers Buck, Nuchols and Squires were present. Staff present: Interim City Administrator Dennis Schmidt, City Attorney Greg Einhorn, and City Planner Bob Summerville and City Clerk Roben Benish.
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Mayor Sheppard.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL:
Present: Bassett, Buck, Nuchols, and Sheppard. Squires via Zoom
Absent:
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Lisa Strange with CA Department of Insurance discussed reducing wildfire risk.
Brenda Wylie asked to be added to the agenda next month to discuss a cat trap and release program.
Amy Jernigan with Butte County Fair invited Council to a sponsor’s event at the fair.
Employee Paul Pratt stated his concerns about the future of the City of Biggs and their employees
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Delinquent Charges.
Interim City Administrator, Dennis Schmidt, asked Council to consider approval and confirmation of a report of delinquent charges.
Mayor Sheppard opened the hearing to the public. With no public comment, he closed the hearing.
Motion/Second to approve Resolution No 2022-15, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE
REPORT OF DELINQUENT CHARGES AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK
TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTIONS TO EFFECTUATE THE LEVY OF
DELINQUENT CHARGES IDENTIRIED IN THE REPORT.” (Nuchols/Bassett, MCU)
B. Tentative Parcel Map 22-01 Phagura – 395 E Street, APN 001-053-008.
City Planner, Bob Summerville, asked Council to consider a request to divide a 0.3- acre parcel.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS August 9, 2022
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Sheppard opened the hearing to the public. With no public comment, he closed the hearing.
Motion/Second to adopt Resolution No. 2022-16, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2022-01 (PHAGURA) determining that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 In-fill Development Projects and Section 15315 Minor Land Divisions, and approving Tentative Parcel Map 2022-01 (Phagura), subject to the recommended conditions.” (Buck/Bassett, MCU)
6. PRESENTATION: Butte County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Steve Collins spoke to Council about emergency evacuation protocols.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Approval of July 2022 warrants 36843 – 36992, 72020221-72020224, 72820221, 9302471– 9302507 in the amount of $1,111,130.82.
B. Approval of minutes for Special Meetings of July 8, 2022, July 11, 2022, July 12, 2022, and Regular Meeting of July 12, 2022.
C. Authorize the Interim City Administrator to write off old, uncollectible utility accounts.
D. Ratify the Agreement between City of Biggs and William Avery & Associates.
E. Acknowledge receipt of Butte County Animal Control Activity Log for July 2022.
F. Acknowledge receipt of Butte County Animal Control Impound Report July 2022.
Motion/Second to approve the consent calendar. (Nuchols/Buck, MCU)
8. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
A. Public Safety: Butte County Sheriff’s Office Report for July 2022 included in agenda.
B. Planning: Activity Report by City Planner, Bob Summerville.
C. Engineering:
1. Activity Report by City Engineer, Trin Campos.
2. Eleventh Street Sewer Replacement Project.
City Engineer, Trin Campos, confirmed the construction work for the Eleventh Street Sewer Replacement Project had been completed.
Motion/Second to authorize the Interim City Administrator to accept on behalf of the City, the construction contract No. 22-01 for the construction of the Eleventh Street Sewer Replacement Project. (Buck/Nuchols, MCU)
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS August 9, 2022
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
3. Biggs Second Street Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements Project.
Mr. Campos informed Council the City had received 2022 RTIP/STIP funds in the amount of $500,000 for construction of the Biggs Second Street Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements.
Motion/Second to authorize a project budget in the amount of $600,000 and authorize the Interim City Administrator to execute a Task Order with Bennett Engineering for engineering and right-of-way in the amount of $100,000. (Sheppard/Bassett, MCU) D. Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency (SBFCA). Report by Mayor Sheppard.
E. Public Works. No report.
F. Electric. Report by Interim City Administrator Dennis Schmidt.
G. BCAG. No report.
H. Air Quality. No report.
I. Solid Waste. No report.
J. Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control. No report.
K. SCORE. No report.
L. LAFCo. No report.
M. Biggs Unified School District. Report by Vice Mayor Bassett.
N. Other commission reports. None
O. City Attorney.
City Attorney Greg Einhorn asked Council to consider the appointment of Dennis Schmidt, CalPERS Retired Annuitant to the position of Interim City Administrator.
Motion/Second to approve employee agreement with Denis Schmidt as the Interim City Administrator. (Buck/Sheppard, MCU)
P. Interim City Administrator.
1. Mr. Schmidt asked Council to approve Resolution No. 2022-17 certifying direct charges for the North Biggs Estates Community Facilities District.
Motion/Second to approve Resolution No. 2022-17, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS CERTIFYING TO THE COUNTY OF BUTTE
THE VALIDITY OF THE LEGAL PROCESS USED TO PLACE DIRECT CHARGES MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS August 9, 2022
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
(SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS) ON THE SECURED TAX ROLL FOR THE NORTH BIGGS ESTATES COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT.” (Sheppard/Bassett, MCU)
2. Mr. Schmidt asked Council to consider approval of a resolution designating Roben Benish as the employee authorized to provide Notary Services for the City of Biggs and fixing the compensation of the Notary Stipend at $100 per month.
Motion/Second to approve Resolution No. 2022-18, “RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS ESTABLISHING STIPEND FOR NOTARY
CERTIFICATION AND NOTARY SERVICES AND DESIGNATION OF
EMPLOYEE AS NOTARY.” (Nuchols/Sheppard, MCU)
3. Mr. Schmidt asked Council to consider approval of a resolution fixing the compensation of the City Clerk at $400 per month.
Motion/Second to approve Resolution No. 2022-19, “RESOLUITON OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS FIXING COMPENSATION OF THE CITY CLERK.” (Squires/Nuchols, MCU)
4. Mr. Schmidt asked Council to consider approval of a recruitment flyer for the position of City Administrator.
Motion/Second to approve the City Administrator Recruitment flyer. (Sheppard/Nuchols, MCU)
9. INFORMATIONAL: None.
10. CLOSED SESSION:
Council adjourned to closed session at 6:37 p.m.
11. RESUME REGULAR SESSION:
Council resumed the regular session at 8:04 p.m. No reportable action taken.
12. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned the regular meeting at 8:05 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Roben Benish, CITY CLERK James T. Sheppard, MAYOR