MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING August 12, 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 Rodney Harr, City Attorney Greg Einhorn, City Planner Bob Summerville, and City Clerk Roben Benish.
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mayor Sheppard
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
3. ROLL CALL:
Present: Squires, Wilks, Arnold, and Sheppard
Absent:
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Resident Ricki Donnahoe addressed the Council regarding her dissatisfaction with her driveway apron recently installed.
Amy Jernigan representing the Butte County Fair wished to invite everyone to fair beginning Thursday August 21st.
Resident Mandy Mattos asked the City Council to consider holding the special election to allow write-in candidates.
5. PUBLIC HEARING: Lot Line Adjustment 2025-01 (Durso)
City Planner Bob Summerville stated the proposal is to modify the common property line between two parcels to match the existing fence line. Also, the sewer line serving 359 B Street is currently located on the 365 B Street property. The proposed lot line adjustment would also correct that issue by locating the sewer line on the property that it serves.
Mayor Sheppard opened the hearing to the public.
Proponents: Ricki Donnahoe and Nick Johnson spoke in favor of the lot line adjustment Opponents: None
Mayor Sheppard closed the hearing to the public.
Motion/Second to adopt Resolution No. 2025-28, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS APPROVING LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT 2025-01 (DURSO) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS 001-150-082 AND 001-150-008.” (Wilks/Squires; MCU)
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Acknowledge Cash and Investment Report for June 2025.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING August 12, 2025
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
B. Approve warrants 39408 – 39514, 51920253 – 5192057, 71720251, 72220251, 9303477 – 9303512 for the month of July 2025 in the amount of $1,081,644.99.
C. Approve minutes for the Regular City Council Meetings of July 8, 2025, and July 22, 2025.
Motion/Second to approve the Consent Calendar. (Wilks/Squires, MCU)
7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Engagement Letter with Best, Best & Krieger
City Attorney Greg Einhorn discussed the proposed letter of engagement between the City of Biggs and Best, Best & Krieger. This firm specializes in land use matters. The engagement letter would permit the law firm to provide legal counsel with respect to expected enforcement action against the City by project owner Kory Hamman in an amount not to exceed $15,000.
Motion/Second to authorize the city attorney to execute the engagement letter. (Arnold/Squires, MCU)
B. Response to 2024-2025 Butte County Grand Jury Report Interim City Administrator Rodney Harr informed the Council that the Butte County Grand Jury submitted its final report for 2024-2025 on June 20, 2025. It identified deficiencies in the fiscal oversight, lease management, and operational governance of the Biggs Industrial Park located at 2837 W. Biggs-Gridley Road.
Mr. Harr read a draft response letter.
Motion/Second to authorize the Interim City Administrator to finalize and transmit the response on behalf of the City of Biggs. The final response shall be signed by Mayor James T. “Bo” Sheppard and submitted to the Honorable Michael R. Deems, Judge of the Superior Court. (Squires/Arnold, MCU)
C. Proposal from California Consulting for Grant Writing Services Mr. Harr stated California Consulting gave a presentation at the previous council meeting regarding their grant writing services. He presented their proposal for a monthly retainer model, or a per-grant basis.
Council agreed to decline their offer and bring this item back at a future meeting.
D. Reversion of First Street between B Street and Aleut Street to Two-way Traffic Flow Mr. Harr stated that in 2019, the City Council directed First Street between B Street and Aleut Street to be converted to a one-way southbound street. Since implementation, residents and staff have raised concerns related to circulation constraints, emergency vehicle access, and driver confusion.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING August 12, 2025
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Motion/Second to approve Resolution No. 2025-27, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS REVERSING THE ONE-WAY TRAFFIC
DESIGNATION ON FIRST STREET BETWEEN B STREET AND ALEUT STREET AND RESTORING TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FLOW.” (Arnold/Wilks, MCU) E. Chief of Police
Mr. Harr introduced a proposed ordinance that would designate the Chief of Police of the Gridley Police Department as the Chief of Police of the City of Biggs, effective July 1, 2025.
Motion/Second to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 439 by reading of title only, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BIGGS AMENDING CHAPTER 2.20 OF THE BIGGS MUNICIPAL CODE CHIEF OF POLICE APPOINTED.” (Squires/Sheppard, MCU) F. Regional Government Services (RGS) Accounting Contract Review and Discussion Mr. Harr stated the City of Biggs entered a contract with RGS on February 21, 2025, for professional accounting services through March 1, 2026, with an initial cost not-to-exceed $36,000. As of May 2025, RGS has billed the City of Biggs $31,400. RGS has submitted a proposal for an amendment to increase their contract amount from $36,000 to $68,500.
Mr. Harr presented several options to Council.
Motion/Second to approve a limited amendment with RGS up to $10,000 conditioned on a performance improvement plan, monthly reporting, and budget adherences. (Wilks/Sheppard, MCU)
G. Adopt the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA) Mr. Harr informed the Council that all public projects more than $5000 must be awarded through formal bidding procedures. This includes detailed bid specifications, public notices, and competitive bid openings, regardless of project scale.
This process is effective for large-scale capital projects but can be disproportionately timeconsuming and costly for smaller maintenance and repair efforts. To streamline project delivery and reduce administrative overhead, many California municipalities have adopted the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA).
Motion/Second to adopt Resolution No. 2025-29, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS ELECTING TO BECOME SUBJECT TO THE
UNIFORM PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION COST ACCOUNTING ACT (CUPCCAA) PURSUANT TO PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE §22030.” (Wilks/Arnold, MCU)
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING August 12, 2025
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
8. DEPARMENT UPDATE REPORTS
Fire Chief Chip Fowler provided a verbal City of Biggs Fire Department update to the City Council.
City Planner Bob Summerville provided a verbal planning update to the City Council.
9. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Wilks reported that National Night Out was a great event. Mayor Sheppard and Vice Mayor Arnold attend the NCPA meeting in Murphys.
10. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
Mr. Harr attended the LEC and the NCPA meeting.
11. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Council took a brief recess from 8:01 to 8:15 then adjourned to Closed Session.
12. RESUME REGULAR SESSION
The Council resumed the Regular Session at 8:55.
13. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:55 p.m. with no reportable action.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Roben Benish, CITY CLERK James T. Sheppard, MAYOR