REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 5, 2023
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to Order - 6:00 p.m.
12/5/23 Agenda
1.2. Invocation Pastor Heath Jarrett, Living Hope Fellowship
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. December 5, 2023 Closed Session Announcement
1.6. Presentation - Chico Rescue Mission, Richard Hathaway
2. CONSENT AGENDA - All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine in nature.
2.1. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO DETERMINING THAT THE PREPARATION OF THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (ATP) IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.20(A)(1) AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF CHICO ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Adopt - a resolution, determining the project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Public Resources Code Section 21080.20(a)(1) and approving the City of Chico Active Transportation Plan (ATP). (Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director-Engineering)
2.1. Staff Report
Att A - Resolution
Att B - Draft ATP
Att C - ATP Appendices
Att D - ATP Public Draft Proposed Comments Incorporation
2.2. SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF CHICO AND CHICO MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES A side letter agreement between the City of Chico and Chico Management Employees modifying the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to include the position of Senior Human Resources Analyst. (Chelsea Phebus, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management)
2.2. Staff Report
2.3. CONFIRMATION OF MAYOR S APPOINTMENT OF LIAISON TO THE DOWNTOWN CHICO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Confirmation of the Mayor s appointment of Councilmember Bennett to replace Councilmember van Overbeek as the Liaison to the Downtown Chico Business Association. (Andrew Coolidge, Mayor)
2.3. Committees & Reps - DCBA
2.4. CONSIDERATION OF HOMELESS HOUSING, ASSISTANCE, AND PREVENTION PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION The County of Butte Department of Employment and Social Services issued a Request for Proposals for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 4 (HHAP-4) grant program. The grant program is in alignment with existing City operations for outreach and engagement and emergency shelter provision. The Council is being requested to approve an application submittal in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000. (Jennifer Macarthy, Deputy City Manager)
2.4. Staff Report
2.5. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Members of the public may address the Council at this time on any matter not already listed on the agenda and within the jurisdiction s authority. Comments will be limited to three minutes or as determined by the Mayor based on the number of speakers. The Council cannot take any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
5. REGULAR AGENDA
2.1. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO DETERMINING THAT THE PREPARATION OF THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (ATP) IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.20(A)(1) AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF CHICO ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Adopt - a resolution, determining the project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Public Resources Code Section 21080.20(a)(1) and approving the City of Chico Active Transportation Plan (ATP). (Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director-Engineering)
5.1. CONSIDERATION TO EXECUTE A WORK ORDER WITH PG&E FOR PROJECT PROPOSAL PHASE-3 UNDER THE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TURNKEY (SST) PROGRAM USING INTERNAL FINANCING In support of the City s Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals and continued expense reduction efforts, staff have partnered with PG&E and Southland Energy participating in large-scale Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) through their Sustainable Solutions Turnkey (SST) program for multiple years. Staff are now ready to execute phase-3 ECMs totaling $9,637,129 that will further reduce annual utility costs by $485,901 and bring the City near net-neutrality with only 4% of remaining building electrical usage coming from the grid. Phase-3 ECMs will be funded using internal reserve funds and available Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. Reserve fund balances will be restored with annual transfers realized by utility cost savings. (Report - Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director-Operations and Maintenance) Recommendation : The Public Works Director - Operations and Maintenance recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Work Order with PG&E to complete proposed phase-3 ECMs under the SST program contract and execute the necessary reserve fund balance transfers to fund the projects.
5.1. Staff Report
5.2. CONSIDERATION OF POLICE STAFFING, ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIFORMS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT CAPITAL PROJECT, AND APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION/ BUDGET MODIFICATION 2024-PD-001 Due to a significant increase in the Police Department Sworn ranks, staff is requesting to unfreeze five vacant Police Officer positions. In addition, with four retirements by the end of 2024, staff is requesting to over-hire four Police Officer positions. By achieving this hiring scenario, the Police Department expects to be fully staffed within the Police Officer positions by the end of 2024.
Staff is also requesting to establish a new Capital Improvement Project (CIP) for Uniforms and Safety Equipment. The LiveScan Machines CIP current balance is $134,234.00. Pricing of this technology has significantly decreased and the cost to replace both LiveScan machines is $26,000. Transferring $100,000 in excess funds from the LiveScan Machines CIP to a new Uniforms and Safety CIP will address a pressing need in the Police Department. (Report Billy Aldridge, Chief of Police) Recommendation : The Chief of Police recommends the following: 1) unfreeze five Police Officer positions to be made immediately available to fill with both hourly and full-time employees; 2) allow for the over-hire of four Police Officer positions to backfill retirements through the end of 2024; and 3) approve the establishment of a new Capital Improvement Project for Uniforms and Safety Equipment and approve Supplemental Appropriation/Budget Modification No. 2024-PD-001.
5.2. Staff Report
5.3. CONSIDERATION OF 11/06/23 INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Council is being asked to consider and approve the recommendations made by the Internal Affairs Committee at their 11/06/23 meeting.
5.3. IAC Recommendations - 11/6/23
A.
COUNCILMEMBER VAN OVERBEEK REQUEST CHANGE REFERENCES TO DOWNTOWN CHICO IN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS AND SIGNAGE TO HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CHICO At its meeting of April 18, 2023, the City Council voted to refer discussion of Councilmember van Overbeek s request to change references to Downtown Chico in Chico s public documents and signage to Historic Downtown Chico to the Internal Affairs Committee. At its meeting of May 1, 2023, the Internal Affairs Committee postponed this item to the next regular meeting.
Recommendation : The Internal Affairs Committee recommends (2-0-1, Reynolds absent) that the Council not make a name change at this time but to revisit the idea in one year.
B.
DISCUSSION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS
At its meeting of October 17, 2023, the City Council voted to refer discussion of short-term rentals to the Internal Affairs Committee.
Recommendation : The Internal Affairs Committee recommends (2-0-1, Reynolds absent) that Council leave the Short-term rental process as it is currently and direct staff to continue to monitor the situation and return in a year with an update from staff.
5.4. ITEMS ADDED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
6. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS - The following reports and communication items are provided for the Council s information. No action can be taken on items under this section unless the Council agrees to include it on a subsequent agenda.
6.1. CITY MANAGER S REPORT - Verbal Report, City Manager Sorensen
6.2. COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS - Pursuant to AP&P 10-10, Councilmembers may verbally request an item to be agendized at a future meeting. After stating what the item would be, a majority vote of Council is needed in order for staff to agendize.
7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourn to the City Council Closed Session meeting on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico.
CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL
Closed Session Meeting Agenda
December 5, 2023
5:00 p.m.
Chico Municipal Center, Conference Room 2
421 Main Street, Chico, CA
12/5/23 Agenda - Closed Session
1. CALL TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
1.1. ROLL CALL
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - Members of the public may address the Council at this time on any item on the Closed Session agenda, with comments being limited to three minutes or as determined by the Mayor based on the number of speakers.
2.1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 Negotiator: Laura Izon (Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo law firm (AALRR)) & Chelsea Phebus, Human Resources Director Employee Organizations: Chico Fire Management Employees, Chico Management Employees, Chico Police Management, Chico Police Officers Association, Chico Public Safety Association, Confidentials, International Association of Fire Fighters, Service Employees International Union - Trades & Crafts, Stationary Engineers Local 39, United Public Employees of California - Local 792
2.2 SECURITY OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS - Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54957(a) Consultation With: Chief of Police
2.3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL PENDING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1) (USDC Case No.: 2:18-cv-01692-MCE-AC): Estate of Tyler Rushing, et al. v. City of Chico, et al.
2.4. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
3. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting will adjourn to the Regular City Council Meeting on December 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.