MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING April 28, 2026
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
The regular council meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice Mayor Arnold. Staff present:
City Administrator Nicolas Gauthier, City Attorney Greg Einhorn, and City Clerk Roben Benish.
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Vice Mayor Arnold
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
3. ROLL CALL:
Present: Brown, Squires, Wilks, and Arnold
Absent: Sheppard
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Resident Valentine, who lives on Trent Street near the park, stated his concerns regarding his children’s safety and asked to have speed bumps installed in the road to slow vehicles down.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR: Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 14, 2026.
Motion/Second to approve the consent calendar. (Brown/Wilks, MCU; Absent: Sheppard)
6. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:
A. City Administrator Nic Gauthier asked Council to consider adopting a new accounts payable, bill pay policy. He stated the City currently pays their obligations with paper checks.
Motion/Second to authorize the City Administrator to implement a new accounts payable, bill pay policy, to allow the use of ACH in paying City obligations. (Wilks/Brown, MCU;
Absent: Sheppard)
B. Mr. Gauthier asked Council to consider adopting two amendments to the City Council Policies & Procedures.
1. 3.4.5 Conflict of Interest:
Council Members shall abstain from any action which may cause a conflict of interest as defined by State Law, including accepting employment which is incompatible with the proper discharge of official duties, or using the office of City Council in any manner to induce any person or entity to provide anything of value or benefit to themselves or any other person (Add “perceived or actual”).
2. 7.1 Rules of Order:
Basic Format - Ninth, the Chair takes a vote. Simply asking for the "ayes” and then asking for the "nays" normally does this. If members of the body do not vote, then they "abstain" or (Add “not voting for _____ reason”). Unless the rules of the body provide
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING April 28, 2026
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
otherwise (or unless a super-majority is required as delineated later in these rules) then a simple majority determines whether the motion passes or is defeated.
Motion/Second to authorize the City Administrator to amend the City Council Policies & Procedures Manual as adopted on January 14, 2025, with the two requested amendments. (Squires/Brown, MCU; Absent: Sheppard)
C. Mr. Gauthier asked Council to authorize adopting amendments to the City Travel Reimbursement Policy.
1. Adding – Official travel, not covered by association with the City and costing more than $450 in total expenses, shall require prior approval from the City Council.
2. Adding – Receipts must be submitted for all expenses within 10 business days of returning to the City.
The Council directed Mr. Gauthier to bring this item back to the next meeting.
D. Residents Bernice and Brenda asked Council to consider continuation of the City of Biggs Feral Cat program through the PAWS Clinic, in Oroville.
They stated that about 450 cats have been fixed since the program began nearly four years ago.
Mr. Gauthier stated he was concerned about City finances. This was not in the budget when it was approved, and the account drawn upon has a deficit at this point.
Mr. Gauthier stated there are grants the City could apply for.
Motion/Second to authorize the City Administrator to work with TNR (Trap-NeuterReturn) to identify outside funding to either match or supplement budgeted financial efforts. (Wilks/Squires, MCU: Absent: Sheppard)
E. Mr. Gauthier presented a list of parcels in the City of Biggs eligible to be offered at a public auction of tax-defaulted properties scheduled for June 5 through 8, 2026.
Council was not interested in purchasing the tax-defaulted properties.
Motion/Second to direct the City Administrator to report back to the Council results of the county auction.
7. DEPARMENT UPDATE REPORTS
Lt. Garinger reported an accident with a car versus bicycle on the 400 block of Trent Street.
Police would increase patrols in this area during 2 pm and 8 pm.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BIGGS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING April 28, 2026
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
8. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Meeting would be held in the Biggs Council Chambers on May 14th at 1 p.m.
9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
Mr. Gauthier reported on meetings he had attended since the last council meeting and items he will be bringing to the next council meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned the Regular Meeting at 6:58 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Roben Benish, CITY CLERK James T. Sheppard, MAYOR