MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING April 22, 2025
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
The regular council meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Sheppard. Staff present:
Interim City Administrator Cliff Wagner and City Clerk Roben Benish.
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mayor Sheppard
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
3. ROLL CALL:
Present: Squires, Arnold, and Sheppard
Absent: Wilks
4. PUBLIC COMMENT: Resident Mandy Mattos stated her concerns regarding the ongoing efforts of the city officials, administration, and consultants proceeding with the apartment development.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meetings of March 25, 2025, and April 8, 2025.
Motion/Second to approve the Consent Calendar. (Arnold/Squires, MCU, Absent: Wilks)
6. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Agreement with Butte County Department of Development Services.
Interim City Administrator Cliff Wagner stated the City of Biggs has maintained an agreement with the Butte County Department of Development Services since 2012, for planning services, and building plan check and inspections. The County of Butte is transitioning to a new software platform, Accela, which will serve as an integrated system for building permit tracking and development services. The County is offering access to the Accela system for City use at a cost of $3,560 per user license, effective July 1, 2025.
Motion/Second to adopt Resolution No. 2025-11, “RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE
AGREEMENT WITH THE BUTTE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR PLANNING AND BUILDING SERVICES.” (Squires/Sheppard, MCU;
Absent: Wilks)
B. CalRecycle Grant and Payment Programs
Mr. Wagner stated that in order to participate in the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery Program, the governing body is required to adopt a resolution.
Motion/Second to adopt Resolution No. 2025-12, “RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING
SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION(S) FOR ALL CALRECYCLE GRANT AND
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING April 22, 2025
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PAYMENT PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THE CITY OF BIGGS IS ELIGIBLE.” (Arnold/Squires, MCU; Absent: Wilks)
C. Fireworks Ordinance Update
Mr. Wagner reminded the Council that a fireworks ordinance was adopted last year, and he suggested that some of the existing elements need to be realigned to be consistent with the California State Code. This also gives the Council an option to give staff directions on how they would like to approach the sale of fireworks this year.
Jason Hood with TNT fireworks recommended giving the school a permit to have a booth to sell fireworks again this year. He stated AB 1403 caps the fee that can be charged at 7% of the gross sales. He suggested a flat fee or a rental fee could be charged.
Motion/Second to direct staff to begin the process to realign the language of the fireworks ordinance and bring back for adoption. (Sheppard/Arnold, MCU; Absent: Wilks) D. State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
Mr. Wagner reminded the Council that the City of Biggs had received $449,497 during the COVID Pandemic. It is necessary that the funds be reported consistently with the rules established by the US Treasury. The City of Biggs has successfully completed its use of SLFRF funds, meeting all obligations, expenditure, and reporting requirements.
E. Request for Proposals for Code Enforcement Services from Butte County Department of Development Services.
Mr. Wagner stated our current contract with DDS allows for Code Enforcement Services.
The County officials are trained, certified and uniformed.
Motion/Second to authorize the Interim City Administrator to issue a Request for Proposals to the Butte County Department of Development Services for the provision of code enforcement services using a Hybrid Model. (Sheppard/Squires, MCU; Absent: Wilks) D. Request for Proposals for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Services Mr. Wagner informed the Council that the contract with the Butte County Sheriff’s Department expires June 30, 2025.
Motion/Second to authorize the Interim City Administrator to issue a Request for Proposals to solicit law enforcement and public safety services from qualified agencies, including the Butte County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Gridley Police Department, or others, to support service continuity beyond the current contract term ending June 30, 2025. (Squires/Arnold, MCU; Absent: Wilks)
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING April 22, 2025
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
7. DEPARMENT UPDATE REPORTS
Fire Chief Chip Fowler reported that hydrant maintenance had been completed. Thirty firefighters had been outfitted with gear. There was training for water rescue, incident management, and leadership training. Engine 73 passed the pump test.
8. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Sheppard attending Mosquito Abatement and Flood Control Meetings. He will be going to Washington D.C for six days to attend a conference.
9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
Mr. Wagner reported the gate at the industrial park had been installed. The Public Works department had recycled the accumulated tires from the industrial park and public works.
10. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned the Regular Meeting 7:09 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Roben Benish, CITY CLERK James T. Sheppard, MAYOR