REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 21, 2024
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to Order - Mayor Coolidge called the May 21, 2022 - Regular City Council meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, California.
May 21, 2024 Agenda
1.2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.3. Roll Call
1.4. BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
A.
DEPARTMENT BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
1. City Manager – General Message
2. Administrative Services Department – Vision & Goals
3. Human Resources & Risk Management
4. Fire & Rescue Department
5. Police Department
6. Community Development Department
7. Public Works – Operations & Maintenance
8. Public Works – Engineering
B.
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE FY2024-25 PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET - Continued to June 4, 2024 Meeting
At its meeting of May 21, 2024, the 2024-25 Proposed Budget was presented and discussed by the City Manager and Department Directors with the City Council. In order to allow for additional discussion on specific areas as outlined below, the City Council referred the approval of the Proposed Budget for the City of Chico and the Successor Agency to the Chico Redevelopment Agency to its June 4, 2024 meeting. (Report - Mark Sorensen, City Manager)
The following items were requested for consideration by City Council Members:
$200,000 for fire hazard mitigation in Lindo Channel
Additional funding for paving, shade structures, and greenery at Genesis shelter site as well as a portable building for dining Additional funding for Airport Revenue Guarantee
Additional funding using Measure H (Fund 005) surplus
Additional police officer personnel (estimated annual cost of $155,000 cost for an entry level officer or $192,000 for a lateral officer hired closer to top-step plus start-up costs – unforms, radios, vehicle, etc.) Recommendation : The City Manager recommends adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ADOPTING THE 2024-25 PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF CHICO AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CHICO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1.4. FY24-25 Proposed Budget
Following the Budget Session, the Council recessed at 4:25 p.m. and reconvened at 5:00 p.m. for Closed Session, followed by the Adjourned Regular Meeting in the Council Chamber.
1.5. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA -
The Council recessed at 5:00 p.m. into Closed Session in Conference Room 2. There were no speakers nor any Council disqualifications regarding the Closed Session items.
A.
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 B.
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 C.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(1): One (1) case D.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager E.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
1.6. RECONVENE AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER - 6:00 p.m.
1.7. Invocation – Pastor Gabe Ruhl, North Valley Baptist
1.8. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.9. Proclamation – City of Chico Travel & Tourism Month Closed Session Announcement
- City Attorney Lam announced that Council met with staff in Closed Session to receive updates on the following items with direction provided; no action taken. It was noted for the record that Councilmember Tandon was not in attendance at this meeting.
Item A - Labor Negotiations
Item B - Warren v. City of Chico
Item C - Anticipated Litigation (1 case)
Item D - Public Employment Performance Evaluations (City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk)
2. CONSENT AGENDA
2.1. ORDINANCE NO. 2598 - ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTERS 5.42 AND 5R.42 OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO COMMERCIAL CANNABIS BUSINESSES - Final reading and adoption, by reading of title only
2.1. Ordinance - Cannabis Regulation Amendments
2.2. LETTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF CHICO AND CPSA
A side letter agreement between the City of Chico and Chico Public Safety Association (CPSA), modifying the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) effective July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025, regarding bilingual pay allocation. (Chelsea Phebus, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management)
2.2. Staff Report
2.3. LETTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF CHICO AND CPSA
A side letter agreement between the City of Chico and Chico Public Safety Association (CPSA), modifying the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) effective July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025, regarding uniform allowance. (Chelsea Phebus, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management)
2.3. Staff Report
2.4. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 5/7/24
2.4. Draft Minutes 5/7/24
2.5. MINUTE ORDER NO. 03-24 - MINUTE ORDER AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LEASE OF THE CHICO COMMUNITY OBSERVATORY IN UPPER BIDWELL PARK TO THE CHICO AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT Approve a minute order authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease of the Observatory in Upper Bidwell Park to the Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD). At its 3/25/24 meeting, the Bidwell Park & Playground Commission recommended (5-0-2) City Council approval of the lease to CARD. (Erik Gustafson, Director of Public Works - Operations & Maintenance)
2.5. Staff Report
2.6. APPROVAL OF EXTENSION/NEW GROUND LEASE WITH TRUE NORTH HOUSING ALLIANCE, INC.
In 2001, the City and Chico Community Shelter Partnership, currently known as True North Housing Alliance, Inc. (TNHA), entered into a thirty (30) year lease of the City-owned property located at 101 Silver Dollar Way for the purpose of operating an emergency housing shelter and services program. TNHA submitted a request for an extension of the ground lease to facilitate obtaining financing for the construction of a 4,900 sq. ft. Navigation Center on the property. The Navigation Center would offer a consolidated, one-stop service center for triage and provision of services to homeless individuals in Chico. (Marie Demers, Housing Manager)
2.6. Staff Report
2.7. RESOLUTION NO. 41-24 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL EXCESS PERSONAL PROPERTY (FEPP) PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH COOPERATIVE FORESTRY ASSISTANCE (CFAA) OF 1978 (16 U.S.C. CHAPTER 41 § 2101) Adoption of this resolution allows the City of Chico Fire Department to continue its participation in the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) Program. (Steve Standridge, Fire Chief)
2.7. Staff Report
2.8. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA - None
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Addressing the Council were Eric Nilsson, Susan Tchudi, Elizabeth Devereaux, Jacquelyn Chase, Marty Dunlap, Bill Loker, Lauren Meichtry, and Ann Bykerk-Kauffman.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. HEARING TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE 2024-2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE USE OF FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT (HOME) FUNDS The City receives an annual award of community development and housing funds from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each year, the City must submit an Annual Action Plan (AAP) to HUD describing the City's plans for using these funds in the upcoming year. The AAP was made available for 30-days following the Public Hearing on April 16, 2024. At that meeting, the City Council conducted a hearing on the draft 2024-2025 Annual Plan and directed staff to schedule a second hearing for adoption of the Final Annual Action Plan at this meeting. (Report - MaryJo Alonzo, Housing Program Analyst)
Recommendation : The Community Development Director recommends that City Council 1) hold a public hearing on the 2024-2025 HUD Annual Action Plan; 2) consider any public comment received during the hearing; and 3) approve the Annual Action Plan, as revised or amended, and authorize its submittal to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
4.1. Staff Report
4.2. INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 15.36 REGARDING ADMINISTRATION OF THE SEWER SYSTEM AND PROCESSING AND COLLECTION OF SEWER FEES Since transitioning sewer utility billing services from CalWater to Utl360 in July of 2023, become aware that collection services for delinquencies are not currently included in Chico Municipal Code (CMC) Chapter 15.36 Sewer Services and Fees. Approving this ordinance amendment will add sections to the CMC Chapter 15.36 allowing the City to determine the owners are responsible for sewer fees and the City can add an administrative service fee of 10% for delinquent accounts. It also gives options to collect delinquent sewer accounts annually by means of filing a property tax assessment with Butte County, or collecting delinquent sewer fees by recording a lien against the parcel, entering into a repayment plan, utilizing collection agency services, or pursuing court legal action. (Report - Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director O&M)
Recommendation : The Public Works Director - Operations and Maintenance recommends the City Council introduce the following ordinance by reading of title only, amending Chapter 15.36 of the CMC, and initiate the public hearing process:
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 15.36 REGARDING ADMINISTRATION OF THE SEWER SYSTEM AND PROCESSING AND COLLECTION OF SEWER FEES
4.2. Staff Report
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. 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
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 would be needed in order for staff to agendize.
7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 6:25 p.m. to the City Council Closed Session meeting on June 4, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m., followed by the Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico.