MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING May 21, 2024
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
The special council meeting was called to order at 12:00 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. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mayor Bassett
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
3. ROLL CALL:
Present: Bassett, Buck, Nuchols and Sheppard
Absent: Squires
4. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Approval of warrants: 38371 – 38447, 9303063 – 9303089, and 41920241 for the month of April 2024 in the amount of $546,917.07.
B. Approval of minutes for Regular City Council Meeting of April 9, 2024.
C. Acknowledge receipt of the Butte County Animal Control Reports for April 2024.
D. Acknowledge receipt of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office Report for April 2024.
E. Receive and file the Sutter Butte Basin Regional Levee Improvement Program Nexus Study, authorizing documents, and collection agreement.
F. Acknowledge receipt of the Debt Transparency Reports filings posted to date at the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission.
G. Approve the City of Biggs Catalog of Enterprise Systems.
H. Approve the City of Biggs participation in the Butte College Learning Aligned Employment Program.
I. Approve Single Audit Exemption Reports for 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 to receive funding from CalTrans.
J. Additional REAP funds have become available and staff seek authorization to use the funds for state housing mandate compliance.
Motion/Second to approve the consent calendar. (Nuchols/Buck, MC; Abstain: Sheppard,
Absent: Squires.)
6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
A. Public Safety: City Administrator Cook reported that the Community Services Officer will return to the City office at the end of the month.
B. Public Works: Report by City Administrator Cook
C. Planning:
1. Activity report by City Planner Bob Summerville
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING May 21, 2024
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Resident Jon Crawford suggested the address to the corner lot of Aleut and First Street have an Aleut Street address.
Mr. Summerville said that he could make this change if the Council desired.
Motion/Second to change the address to the corner lot of Aleut and First Street to an Aleut Street address and require the front door face Aleut Street. (Nuchols/Sheppard, MCU; Absent: Squires)
2. Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Plans.
Previously, the council approved regulations for residents to build accessory dwelling units. By pre-approving three specific home plans, residents can expedite the process.
Motion/Second to direct staff to complete a contract between Jackson & Sands Engineering, Inc. and the City of Biggs to secure copyrights for Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit plans. (Buck/Nuchols, MCU; Absent: Squires) D. Engineering: No report.
E. City Administrator
1. City Administrator Cook stated citizen Doug Arnold had circulated a petition to legalize fireworks in the City of Biggs. There are currently 86 valid signatures. Mr.
Arnold would obtain more signatures and bring this item back at a special meeting.
2. City Administrator Cook informed the Council that on March 28, 2024, the NCPA Commission adopted Resolution 24-40 approving the Transmission Owner Rate Case Program Agreement.
Motion/Second to approve the Transmission Owner Rate Case Program Agreement and direct staff to sign. (Sheppard/Nuchols, MCU; Absent: Squires)
3. City Administrator Cook provided information to the Council about the Emergency Planning activities. The Council agreed to participate in the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, including financial participation.
4. City Administrator Cook stated at a previous Council meeting, staff received directions to acquire certain blighted and hazardous buildings in the downtown area.
Motion/Second to proceed to engage with the County to ascertain if the blighted hazardous properties in question can be acquired using the Chapter 8 Tax Delinquent Sale. (Buck/Nuchols, MC: Noes: Sheppard; Absent: Squires)
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING May 21, 2024
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
5. LAFCO Letter of Agreement.
Vice Mayor Nuchols recused himself from this discussion.
City Administrator Cook stated the Deputy Executive Officer had prepared a draft letter agreement that would outline expectations and processes necessary to ensure cooperation that was augmented by the districts staff with their specific policies and specifications when addressing impacts to their services or infrastructure.
Motion/Second to direct the City Administrator to sign the LAFCO Letter of Agreement or draft a response to LAFCO or a policy statement. (Buck/Bassett, MC; Noes: Sheppard; Recuse: Nuchols; Absent: Squires)
6. Electric Fund Imbalance.
City Administrator Cook stated the 22/23 financial statements showed a loss to the electric fund of $1,386,397. A resolution passed in 2003 allowed for CPI adjustments annually. These adjustments were never implemented.
Motion/Second to increase rates by 15 percent and have the City Administrator bring back suggested rates for the next four years. (Nuchols/Buck, MC; Noes: Sheppard;
Absent: Squires)
7. 2022-2023 Financial Audit
The Council was asked to review and accept the 2022-2023 Financial Audit. (Agenda posted fiscal year 2023-2024 instead of 2022-2023)
Motion/Second to accept the Annual Audit of the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023. (Buck/Nuchols, MC; Abstain: Sheppard; Absent: Squires)
8. Major Infrastructure Projects
Vice Mayor Nuchols recused himself from this discussion.
City Administrator Cook discussed the replacement of the water tank and the incasement of the ditch on Second Street.
F. Flood Control – Report by Councilmember Sheppard
G. Electric – Report by Councilmember Sheppard
H. BCAG – No report
I. Air Quality – No report
J. Solid Waste – Report by Mayor Bassett
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING May 21, 2024
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
K. Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control – Report by Councilmember Sheppard L. SCORE – No report.
M. LAFCO – No report.
N. Biggs Unified School District – Verbal report by Councilmember Buck O. Other Commission Reports – No report
7. INFORMATIONAL: None
8. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned the Special Meeting 2:36 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Roben Benish, CITY CLERK Brian Bassett, MAYOR