MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING October 10, 2023
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
The regular council meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Bassett. Staff present: City Administrator Josh Cook, City Attorney Greg Einhorn, City Planner Bob Summerville, and City Clerk Roben Benish.
1. SUNWEST RICE MILL TOUR FOR CITY COUNCILMEMBERS.
From 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., SunWest Mill Operations Manager, Easton Mattos, provided a tour for councilmembers and staff. City Administrator Josh Cook, City Roben Benish and Mayor Brian Bassett were present for the tour.
2. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mayor Bassett
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. ROLL CALL:
Present: Buck, Sheppard, Squires, Nuchols and Bassett
Absent:
5. PUBLIC COMMENT: Christian Garcia with Waste Management informed Council that the citywide cleanup held on September 23rd was a success and thanked the City of Biggs for their support.
6. NEW BUSINESS: Halloween and Christmas Events in Downtown Biggs.
Marci Shadd with Project Biggs spoke to Council about the upcoming Halloween trunk or treat event to be held in downtown Biggs on October 31 and the Christmas Tree lighting event at the City Park in Downtown Biggs on December 3rd. She wished to block off the street for the trunk or treat and hoped the City would update the electrical outlets at the city park for the tree lighting. She also invited council members to attend the tree lighting event.
Motion/Second to have the City of Biggs support the Halloween and Christmas events that are being planned by community members and publicize such events through City communications. (Nuchols/Buck, MCU)
7. PRESENTATION: Executive Officer of LAFCO, Steve Lucas, addressed the Council on matters regarding the Biggs-Gridley land use planning areas of concern policy.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Approval of warrants: 37921 – 37960, 9302858 – 9302884, and 92020231 for the month of September 2023 in the amount of $350,919.45.
B. Approve minutes for meetings of August 8, 2023, September 5, 2023, September 12, 2023, September 19, 2023, and September 28, 2023.
C. Acknowledge receipt of Animal Control Reports for September 2023.
D. Adopt the updated Electric Utility Security Plan and forward it to the Butte County Sheriff.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS October 10, 2023
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
E. Authorize the City of Biggs to participate with Butte County and other local governments to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) funding and designated the City Administrator as the City representative.
Motion/Second to approve the consent calendar. (Buck/Nuchols, MC; Abstain: Sheppard)
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
A. Public Safety: Deputy Voris with Butte County Sheriff’s Office presented the monthly activity report to Council.
B. Planning:
1. Activity report presented by City Planner Bob Summerville.
2. Phased Annexation Plan Adoption
Mark Teague, with Place Works, presented a Power Point about the plan document.
Motion/Second to adopt Resolution No. 2023-19, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BIGGS ADOPTING A SB2 GRANT FUNDED PHASED ANNEXATION
PLAN.” (Nuchols/Buck, MCU)
C. City Administrator Reports
1. Council Goals
City Administrator Cook stated each council member was sent a link to a Google form in which they could submit their goals for the City of Biggs. Their responses included public safety, restore the look, and feel of the City, rundown buildings and properties, road repair, utility rates, 4th of July Celebration, update community hall’s electrical system, and restore downtown.
2. Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plan 2023 Updated
City Administrator Cook stated the City of Biggs must adopt an updated Wildfire Mitigation Plan for 2023 and submit it to the California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board.
Motion/Second to repeal the Council Statement of September 11, 2018, “Regarding Wildfire Mitigation Measures,” and adopt the attached 2023 Wildfire Mitigation Plan and direct the City Administrator to complete the independent review process. (Sheppard/Buck, MCU)
3. Monthly Budget Update
City Administrator Cook provided budget information to council as requested at the September budget workshop meeting.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS October 10, 2023
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
D. Councilmember Reports – None
10. INFORMATIONAL: None
11. CLOSED SESSION: Council adjourned to closed session at 6:25 p.m.
12. RESUME REGULAR SESSION: Council resumed the regular session at 7:02 with no announcements.
13. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Roben Benish, CITY CLERK Brian Bassett, MAYOR