MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING July 9, 2024
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. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mayor Bassett
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
3. ROLL CALL:
Present: Buck, Sheppard, Squires, Nuchols and Bassett
4. PUBLIC COMMENT: Councilmember Mike Buck stated he was asked by his constituents if Sheriff Honea requested the City of Biggs not set off the safe and sane fireworks on the 4th of July, but the residents did it anyway. City Administrator Cook said no one asked him to cancel the lighting of safe and sane fireworks.
5. PUBLIC HEARING: Delinquent Charges
A. City Administrator Cook asked the Council to approve and confirm a report of delinquent charges to send to the County for collection.
B. Mayor Bassett opened the hearing to the public.
1. Proponents: None
2. Opponents: None
C. Mayor Bassett closed the hearing to the public.
D. Motion/Second to approve Resolution No. 2024-13, “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 IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT.” (Sheppard/Nuchols, MCU)
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Approve warrants: 38500, 38518 – 38588, 61920241 – 61920244, 9303129 – 9303155 in the amount of $419,148.03.
B. Approve minutes for Regular City Council Meeting of June 11, 2024.
C. Approve Resolution No. 2024-12, “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 (SPECIAL
ASSESSMENTS) ON THE SECURED TAX ROLL FOR THE NORTH BIGGS ESTATES COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT.”
D. Adopt Ordinance No. 434 by reading of title only, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 10.10.045 OF THE BIGGS MUNICIPAL CODE (CITY WATER SYSTEM) TO INCREASE WATER SERVICE FEES, RATES, AND CHARGES.”
E. Adopt Ordinance No. 435 by reading of title only, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 10.05.240 OF THE BIGGS MUNICIPAL CODE (CITY SEWER SYSTEM) TO INCREASE SEWER SERVICE FEES, RATES AND CHARGES.”
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING July 9, 2024
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
F. Acknowledge receipt of the June 2024 Animal Control Reports.
G. Acknowledge receipt of the June 2024 Sheriff’s Office Report.
H. Receive and file Power Content Label Information.
Motion/Second to approve the consent calendar. (Buck/Nuchols, MC; Noes: Sheppard)
7. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
A. Public Works Superintendent Report: City Administrator Cook updated the Council on the newly constructed ramp at the Biggs Community Hall and the water line at the industrial park.
B. Planning Report: City Planner Bob Summerville reviewed the planning report.
The Council discussed a proposed project consisting of 42-units within 2 two-story buildings and a single-story community building located in the north-most portion of the Hammon subdivision on Sixth Street. The Council’s consensus was to direct staff not to pursue this project.
C. City Administrator
1. C-4 Rate Resolution: City Administrator Cook said at the previous council meeting a majority approved revising the C-4 (SunWest) rate to cover the service for one year with instruction to revisit the rate in July of 2025.
Mr. Cook presented a revised rate from the one included in the agenda packet with $0.195 per kWh energy charge and $14.00 per kWh demand charge. Rate C4 also included a Power Factor Adjustment.
Motion/Second to adopt Resolution No. 2024-15, “RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF
BIGGS ESTABLISHING THE ELECTRIC UTILITY SERVICE RATES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS MUNICIPAL SYSTEM, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024.” (Buck/Squires, MC; Noes: Sheppard)
2. Chapter 8 Tax Sale Blighted Properties Downtown: City Administrator Cook stated staff received direction at the April 2024 City Council Meeting to acquire certain blighted and hazardous buildings in the downtown area. The Council asked where the money would come from. Mr. Cook said there were funds in the Community Development Block Grant Account. The properties could be sold, redeveloped, or rented out. He asked the Council to adopt the resolution with a 30-day due diligence period to conduct a level 1 site assessment.
Motion/Second to approve Resolution No. 2024-14, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
COUNTY OF BUTTE TO ACQUIRE TAX-DEFAULTED PROPERTY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND TO ACCEPT SAID PROPERTY.” (Buck/Bassett; Noes:
Nuchols, Sheppard, and Squires) Resolution failed 2/3.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING July 9, 2024
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
3. SCORE Grant: City Administrator Cook stated the City of Biggs receives insurance services through a Joint Powers Authority called the Small Cities Organized Risk Effort (SCORE). To assist the member cities in reducing their liabilities for theft, vandalism, and losses related to OSHA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation, SCORE has developed a grant program to fund city efforts to make improvements that reduce the liability and risk for all the member cities in the pool.
City Administrator Cook included a list of cameras that could be purchased through the grant and installed at Public Works, Industrial Park, Community Hall, and City offices.
This list also includes internet relays that would allow for Wi-Fi Internet infrastructure enhancements.
Motion/Second to authorize the City Administrator to apply for funds through the SCORE Loss Control Grant Funds process to increase security of City buildings. (Nuchols/Buck, MCU)
4. Sixth Street Apartment – Easement: As discussed earlier in the agenda, the Council did not wish to approve the building of apartments on Sixth Street.
8. INFORMATIONAL: None
9. CLOSED SESSION: Meeting adjourned to Closed Sesson at 6:41 p.m.
10. RESUME REGULAR SESSION: Council resumed the Regular Session at 7:02 p.m. with no announcements.
11. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned the Regular Meeting at 7:02 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Roben Benish, CITY CLERK Brian Bassett, MAYOR