MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING October 28, 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: Brown, Squires, Wilks, Arnold, and Sheppard
Absent:
4. PUBLIC COMMENT: Resident Mandy Mattos expressed her concern about how City employees speak to residents and asked that residents be treated with respect.
5. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Continuation of the City of Biggs Feral Cat Program through the PAWS Clinic in Oroville Local volunteers, Berenice Martinez and Brenda Wylie, stated they were making great progress to help control the cat population and they were seeking approval for Council to continue its support of the Biggs Feral Cat Program.
Motion/Second to authorize continuation of the Feral Cat Program through the PAWS Clinic of Oroville for an additional six-month period, in an amount not to exceed $3,000 and authorize the Interim City Administrator to execute any necessary service forms or agreements. (Wilks/Brown, MCU)
B. Adoption of the 2025 City of Biggs Wildfire Mitigation Plan and Vegetation Management Plan
Interim City Administrator Rodney Harr stated California Public Utilities Code §8387 requires publicly owned utilities to prepare, implement, and annually review and update a Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP). The City of Biggs Electric Department initially developed its WMP in coordination with other Northern California Power Agency member utilities in 2020.
The 2025 update will ensure continued compliance with the California Public Utilities Commission’s Wildfire Safety Division and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety requirements. The Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) was developed as a stand-alone but integrated document to provide clear operations guidance for vegetation clearance, herbicide use, inspection frequency, and coordination with CAL Fire.
Motion/Second to adopt Resolution No. 2025-33, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTNG THE 2025 CITY OF
BIGGS WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING October 28, 2025
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES CODE §8387 AND PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE §§4292–4293.” (Squires/Arnold, MCU)
C. Assembly Bill – 430 Review: 2nd Revised Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map 2021-01 & General Plan Amendment 2024-01, Rezone 2024-01 & Site Plan Review 24-05 (Hamman) City Planner Bob Summerville stated this project was previously reviewed by the City Council at the June 24, 2025, meeting. Following the staff report and closing of the public hearing, a motion was made to adopt the first action, i.e., a resolution approving the General Plan Amendment. That motion died for lack of second therefore stopping the remaining actions. The applicant reported the Council’s action to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). HCD recommended that the Biggs City Council consider agendizing the same project actions again and reach a decision of approval or denial with findings. This is all being done under the umbrella of AB 430, Campfire Housing Assistance Act.
Councilmember Squires recused himself from discussion due to the proximity of his property to the proposed project.
Jim Lobo asked if this project would include 42 apartments and Mr. Summerville said yes.
Resident Mandy Mattos stated her concern that the public hearing notice sent to residents within 300 feet of the project was not translated in Spanish as well. Ms. Mattos also referred to a statement in the staff report she felt was inaccurate. She suggested these matters be rectified before voting on this project.
Resident Jon Crawford stated he was in full support of this project and felt many people would benefit from it.
1. Move to adopt Resolution No. 2025-20, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BIGGS APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2024-01 IN COMPLIANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 430, 2019 – GALLAGHER APNS 001-103-007 & 022-160- 091.” Motion/Second – Arnold/Brown
Roll Call: Brown-Yes, Squires-Recuse, Wilks-Abstain, Arnold-Yes, Sheppard-Yes, MC City Attorney stated since there was no basis for Councilmember Wilks’ abstention, her abstention would count as a vote with the majority.
2. Move to introduce Ordinance No. 438, by reading of title only, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS REZONE 2024-01 IN COMPLIANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 430, 2019 – GALLAGHER, ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS 001-103-007 AND 022-160-091.”
Motion/Second – Arnold/Brown
Roll Call: Brown-Yes, Squires-Recuse, Wilks-Abstain (Councilmember Wilks did not believe AB 430 was intended for the City of Biggs but rather for the Town of Paradise), Arnold-Yes, Sheppard -Yes MC.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING October 28, 2025
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
3. Move to adopt Resolution No. 2025-21, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS APPROVING 2ND REVISED VESTING TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP 2021-01 (HAMMAN), IN COMPLIANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 430, 2019 – GALLAGHER, ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS 001-103- 007 & 022-160-091.”
Motion/Second – Sheppard/Brown
Roll Call: Brown-Yes, Squires-Recuse, Wilks-Abstain (Councilmember Wilks felt that Gallagher intended AB 430 for the Town of Paradise), Arnold-Yes, Sheppard-Yes, MC.
4. Move to adopt Resolution No. 2025-22, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIGGS APPROVING SITE PLAN REVIEW 2024-05 (HAMMAN), IN COMPLIANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 430, 2019 – GALLAGHER, ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS 001-103-007 & 022-160-091.”
Motion/Second – Arnold/ Brown
Roll Call: Brown-Yes, Squires-Recuse, Wilks-Abstain, Arnold-Yes, Sheppard-Yes, MC.
6. DEPARMENT UPDATE REPORTS
Verbal reports by a member of the Gridley Police Department and Fire Chief Chip Fowler.
7. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Wilks reported Trunk or Treat would be held in downtown Biggs on October 31st.
Mayor Sheppard reported he had attended the NCPA Meeting.
8. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
Mr. Harr provided a verbal activity report.
9. CLOSED SESSION: Council took a brief recess from 6:52 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and adjourned to closed session at 7:00 p.m.
10. RESUME REGULAR SESSION: Council resumed the Regular Session at 8:19 p.m. with no reportable action.
11. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:19 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Roben Benish, CITY CLERK James T. Sheppard, MAYOR