ADJOURNED REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - March 5, 2024 Minutes
1.1. Call to Order - Mayor Coolidge called the March 5, 2024 - Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.
1.2. Invocation - Minister Chet Rutledge, Chico Church of Christ
1.3. Moment of Silence - Tom Dauterman
1.4. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Present: Bennett, Morgan, van Overbeek, Winslow, Reynolds, Coolidge
Absent: Tandon
1.5. Roll Call
1.6. March 05, 2024 Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam City Attorney Lam announced that Council met in Closed Session with staff, all members present except for Councilmember Tandon who was absent from this meeting Item 2.1. Labor Negotiations - Council was briefed; no formal action was taken.
Item 2.2. Warren v Chico - Not discussed
Item 2.3. Public Employee Evaluations - City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk - No action taken; nothing to report.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Reynolds and seconded by Mayor Coolidge to approve the Consent Agenda, as read.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bennett, Morgan, van Overbeek, Winslow, Reynolds, Coolidge NOES: None
ABSENT: Tandon
2.1. ORDINANCE NO. 2597 - ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING THE PRE-ZONING OF PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED AS ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NOS. 042-740-020 AND 042-070-196 TO R1 (LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL), AND 042-070-197 TO PQ (PUBLIC/QUASI PUBLIC FACILITIES) (RZ 22-02; Orchard Creek Estates; Chuck Tatreau Construction, Inc.) - Final reading and adoption by reading of title only Adopted an ordinance amending the pre-zoning of the Orchard Creek Estates subdivision site (APNs 042-740-020 and 042-070-196) to R1 (Low Density Residential), and of the Masonic Hall (APN 042-070-197) to PQ (Public/Quasi Public Facilities). (Mike Sawley, Principal Planner)
2.2. RESOLUTION NO. 28-24 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 851 POMONA AVENUE (PORTION OF APN 004-510-032) - CHICO GARDENS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP March 5, 2024 City Council Minutes Page/1
RESOLUTION NO. 29-24 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 910 POMONA AVENUE (PORTION OF APN 004-530-066) - OSM INVESTMENTS COMPANY, A CALIFORNIA
CORPORATION
RESOLUTION NO. 30-24 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 914 POMONA AVENUE (PORTION OF APN 004-530-005) - CHARLES W. BELL AND MARYA BELL,
HUSBAND AND WIFE AS COMMUNITY PROPERTY WITH RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP RESOLUTION NO. 31-24 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 915 POMONA AVENUE (PORTION OF APN 004-530-011) - THOMAS E. BUSH AND VALENTINA M. FLYNN, TRUSTEES OF THE BUSH- FLYNN FAMILY TRUST, DATED NOVEMBER 9, 1992 RESOLUTION NO. 32-24 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 921 POMONA AVENUE (PORTION OF APN 004-530-010) - OSM INVESTMENTS COMPANY, A CALIFORNIA
CORPORATION
Adopted resolutions authorizing the City Manager to execute purchase agreements and any related documents necessary to acquire temporary construction easements in order to construct the Pomona Avenue Bridge Replacement Project. (Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director - Engineering)
2.3. MINUTE ORDER NO. 1-24 - AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO DONATE
SURPLUS FIRE EQUIPMENT TO BUTTE-GLENN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT TO SUPPORT ITS FIREFIGHTER 1 FIRE ACADEMY
Approved a minute order declaring a cache of fire equipment as surplus property and authorizing the City Manager to donate the items to Butte-Glenn Community College District. (Steve Standridge, Fire Chief)
2.4. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION NO. 2024-FD-004 The City Council was asked to consider a supplemental appropriation, that if approved will fund Capital Project 50628 (CIP50628) to retrofit/install a Cradle Point modem system to 18 fire apparatus. The requested funding will be drawn from the Fire Department's Prefunding Equipment Liability Reserve Fund 938 as its purpose is to help offset funding for Fire Department apparatus, equipment, or station renovation, replacement, or new construction. The Fire Chief recommended the City Council approve Supplemental Appropriation No. 2024-FD-004 in the amount of $200,000 to fund CIP50628 Cradle Point Retrofit. (Steve Standridge, Fire Chief)
2.5. SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF CHICO AND INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS (IAFF)
A side letter agreement between the City of Chico and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) modifying the 2022 IAFF Memorandum of Understanding, effective upon ratification and approval, which provided a one-time exception to pay step progression. (Chelsea Phebus, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management)
2.6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA - None
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Members of the public addressed the Council on matters not already listed on the agenda and were within the jurisdiction's authority. The Council was prohibited from taking any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
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Addressing the Council were Melinda Vasquez and Steve Perez.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. HEARING ON W. EAST AVENUE ANNEXATION DISTRICT NO. 2 (ANX 22-01a) A hearing to consider adopting a resolution initiating annexation of a 20-acre area located on the east side of Nord Avenue, between W. East and Henshaw Avenues (2516, 2608, and 2676 Nord Avenue, 1181 Henshaw Avenue, and 1110 W. East Avenue; APNs 042-740-020, 042-070-196 and 042-070-197). The annexation was initiated to accommodate the Orchard Creek Estates residential subdivision (SUB 22-01), approved on 02/20/2024. A Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (Report - Mike Sawley, Principal Planner) Mayor Coolidge opened the hearing to the public. Addressing the Council was Chuck Tatreau.
The hearing was closed to further comment.
A motion was made by Councilmember Morgan and seconded by Councilmember Bennett to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 33-24 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO
INITIATING PROCEEDINGS TO ANNEX PROPERTY NOW LOCATED IN THE
UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY OF THE COUNTY OF BUTTE TO THE INCORPORATED TERRITORY OF THE CITY OF CHICO: W. EAST AVENUE ANNEXATION DISTRICT NO. 2 (CITY OF CHICO; ANX 22-01a; VARIOUS APNs)
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bennett, Morgan, van Overbeek, Winslow, Reynolds, Coolidge NOES: None
ABSENT: Tandon
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE DOWNTOWN CHICO COMPLETE STREETS
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
The Public Works Director-Engineering recommended Council review the report and approve the various design elements presented. (Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director- Engineering)
Councilmember van Overbeek was disqualified on this item due to owning a business in the downtown area. He left the dais and the Chamber.
Addressing the Council on this item were Jill Circo, Corbin Vincent, Dan Brooks, Kathy Squyres, Marilyn Souza, Kathleen Gabriel, Carol Whipple, Carla Norlie, Kirk Monfort, Leanne Powell, Katie Hawley, Kathleen Cordy, Brandon Squires, Carol Mensoh, Jonathan Macias, Imhoff, John Kelly, Greg Scott, Adam Fedeli, Kelly Leser, Kevin Cook, Whitney Garcia, Bryce Goldstein, Justis Jusumoto, Zach Meisel, Sam Steedman, Drew Gilbert, Jann Reed, and Karen Laslo.
The Council recessed at 7:49 p.m. for a ten-minute break. The meeting was reconvened, and all members were present, with it noted that Tandon was absent and van Overbeek was disqualified on this matter.
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1. Vaults in the Downtown Public Right-of-Way for Private Building Access A motion was made by Councilmember Morgan and seconded by Vice Mayor Reynolds to accept "Option #1" and have staff talk to owners, and if they want to keep it, pay half of it, with the costs of the grant of license included
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bennett, Morgan, Reynolds, Coolidge
NOES: Winslow
ABSENT: Tandon
DISQ: van Overbeek
2. Street Trees
A motion was made by Councilmember Morgan and seconded by Councilmember Winslow to accept "Street Trees - Alternative 1," including a friendly amendment that, when possible, staff will preserve some of existing trees. The amendment was accepted The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bennett, Morgan, Winslow, Reynolds, Coolidge
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tandon
DISQ: van Overbeek
3. Bike Lane Buffer Treatments
A motion was made by Councilmember Morgan and seconded by Vice Mayor Reynolds to proceed with the design of "Option 2" with the suggestion to narrow down the proposed 5-ft width curb.
The motion failed by the following vote:
AYES: Morgan, Reynolds
NOES: Bennett, Winslow, Coolidge
ABSENT: Tandon
DISQ: van Overbeek
A motion was made by Mayor Coolidge and seconded by Councilmember Winslow to select an option that would include both planters and trees, along with a 5-ft curb The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Winslow, Reynolds, Coolidge
NOES: Bennett, Morgan
ABSENT: Tandon
DISQ van Overbeek
4. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Streets Cross-Section Features
A motion was made by Councilmember Morgan and seconded by Mayor Coolidge for 2nd and 3rd to remain at two lanes and to find a way to make the bike path work and go all the way through on 4th, trying to keep it to two lanes as well.
Mayor Coolidge asked for a friendly amendment to have staff come back with alternatives to include both one lane and two lanes configuration. Councilmember Morgan accepted the amendment.
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The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bennett, Morgan, Reynolds, Coolidge
NOES: Winslow
ABSENT: Tandon
DISQ: van Overbeek
5. Main Street and Broadway Street Cross-Section Features - Council Input Mayor Coolidge - "As for priorities, very concerned about deliveries, on-street parking and keeping the same numbers is very important. Would like to see Main stay the same but it may be the opportunity for a bike lane but would not want to see that on Broadway." Councilmember Bennett - "I will not be prioritizing these options as I am a policy maker not an engineer. I would like to see the various options that staff comes back with." Councilmember Morgan - "Number one, prioritize parking. Then prioritize trying to keep it as "Chico" as possible. Never going to vote for bike lanes on Main and Broadway, it is a bad idea and it's going to cost in parking and would be punishing the business owners. A street that seems to work, as an example, is 2nd Street between Broadway and Main. On one side you have diagonal parking which adds parking, on the other side you have parallel parking. It is two lanes, I am not excited about two lanes unless it gains us significant parking which is 60 spots, and it would also require some code or ordinance that levied some huge punishable fine on anyone who double parks, like $500 to make sure that is not happening again. It will take some training to do. But is the tradeoff worth it? Sixty additional spaces for the two lanes. We will get some more community input based on that. Which means you are going to have to figure out what you do with those bike lanes. Do you go down Salem, which is problematic, or go down Wall, which you could make work? As far as keeping it Chico, I think we could get people to buy into the two streets, if we can gain parking and make sure we enforce the double-parking situation. And the bikers will understand that we are giving them a route that can get them to the park. We need to find a way to keep it safe for everybody." Councilmember Winslow - "It is important to keep in mind that one, we are not getting the state or the federal government to help us with this project if we are going to prioritize cars. We have to just understand we are pulling out of our General Fund, and we are not fixing potholes in the rest of the city if we do not prioritize access for other people who do not have access with cars. Alternative 3 has protected lanes on Main and Broadway and we do not lose parking.
That is an option that has been presented to us. It just wasn't a recommendation of the Internal Affairs Committee."
Vice Mayor Reynolds - "We definitely need to work on the situation with garbage cans because there are businesses that have no outside space, so they are pulling their cans into their lobbies at night and then having to put them back out. I think we have provided a lot of input. I don't want to give up any of the ATP grant funds. And realistically, if you put a bike lane going two ways on Main Street and nothing on Broadway, you are never going to convince me that bikes aren't automatically going on Broadway because naturally bikes are going to go with the flow of traffic. So, I inherently see a problem with the two-way bike lanes. I love connecting to 4th and getting that connection in and could probably get away with one lane.
Brendan has committed that we are not going to do something for Chico that is not Chico just to make a deadline. It would be great to get the funds, but we shouldn't sacrifice who we are as a community and what we want for our community just to make a deadline. So, I would recommend that you take the input from Councilmember Morgan and Councilmember Winslow and see if we can mesh all of that together and still be ATP eligible and keep as many lanes open as possible. Prioritize spots for garbage cans and storage of bicycles. Bring us back some drawings and bring them back quick. And maybe Flume is an option instead of going through the Boys and Girls area."
Councilmember Bennett - "Appreciates what staff has done and looks forward to what comes back."
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Mayor Coolidge - "I might add that maybe the designer has done multiple cities and gone and looked at multiple cities and redone them. I am more interested in finding out where they are ten years later. So, that is a priority not necessarily how beautiful it was in year 1, 2 or 3 but how it looked ten years later. I know that bicycle facilities make this financially worthwhile, and the grant funding would help. I think that you have fairly good direction." Councilmember Winslow - "Are you sure it is fairly good direction? I feel like I just heard fairly contradictory things. We were supposed to give priorities. Sean said parking before everything else. It is certainly not how I feel."
Mayor Coolidge - "Not sure, and I am not sure that's what he has heard from everybody else.
I think he has heard a wide variety."
Councilmember Winslow - "Well that is not why I am saying it is contradictory. What kind of direction are we giving to make a firm enough decision to get somewhere right? The comments have been contradictory. What kind of direction are we giving? Councilmember Morgan has indicated prioritizing parking and not sure everyone feels that way. We need to firm up the direction that we are giving in order to get somewhere. Right?" Councilmember Bennett - "This was a request; not a "you must do this." Councilmember Winslow - "The request that we have is to prioritize these functions. And Councilmember Morgan was fully willing to give the priorities. I have done this policy making job. I am not hearing that from anyone else. Where are we going with this?" Mayor Coolidge - "Mr. Ottoboni, hearing everything that you have heard from the variety of councilmembers up here, do you think you will be able to bring back a couple of variable alternatives?"
Public Works Director Brendan Ottoboni - "Yes, I think we can bring back alternatives and different options in those cross sections. I think we have heard enough input tonight, the survey and stakeholder engagement. So, I am confident we can come back with maybe four or five options that prioritize those various features."
5.2. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE FLEET PROCUREMENT AND SPECIFICATION
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE AND POLICY (AP&P)
The Fleet Procurement and Specification Administrative Procedure and Policy (AP&P) memorializes a process for vehicle and equipment procurement that ensures vehicles are appropriate for their intended use, are the most economical, fuel efficient, and are standardized to guarantee low operating costs during the life cycle of the vehicle. The policy will guide the procurement process requiring interaction between the requesting department and the Fleet Services Division of the Department of Public Works O&M tasked with maintenance of the vehicle. (Report - Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director-Operations and Maintenance) A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett and seconded by Vice Mayor Reynolds to approve the Fleet Procurement and Specification AP&P
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bennett, Morgan, van Overbeek, Winslow, Reynolds, Coolidge NOES: None
ABSENT: Tandon
5.3. ITEMS ADDED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
6. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS - The following reports and communication items were provided for the Council's information. No action could be taken on items under this section unless the Council agreed to include it on a subsequent agenda.
6.1. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - Verbal Report, City Manager Sorensen March 5, 2024 City Council Minutes Pagel6
6.2. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT AND BUDGET MONITORING REPORTS - Information only
6.3. COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS
Cal Trans Letter - Councilmember Winslow
A motion was made by Councilmember Winslow and seconded by Mayor Coolidge to agendize a discussion regarding sending a letter to Caltrans to ask them to participate in the Downtown Chico Complete Streets Improvements Project.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Bennett, van Overbeek, Winslow, Reynolds, Coolidge
NOES: Morgan
ABSENT: Tandon
7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 8:32 p.m. to the City Council Closed Session meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Adjourned Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico.
Date Approved: /drp 4/16/24
Wear ank Messen
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
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CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL
Closed Session Minutes
March 5, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER -5:00 p.m.
1.1. ROLL CALL - All members present except for Councilmember Tandon
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - There were no speakers and no Council disqualifications.
2.1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 - Council was briefed; no formal action was taken.
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 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): USDC (ED) Case No. 2:21-cv-00640 - MCE-DMC: Warren v. Chico - Not discussed.
2.3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: (Gov. Code Section 54957(b).) Title: City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager - No action taken; nothing to report.
2.4. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. to the Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting on March 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.
Date Approved: /drp 4/16/24
Vibrant Messen
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
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