REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 28, 2025
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to Order - Mayor Reynolds called the January 28, 2025 - Adjourned Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, California. 1/28/25 Agenda
1.2. Invocation - Chaplain Tony Stover
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. Presentation – Winter Flood Preparations by Josh Pack, Butte County Public Works Director
1.6. January 28, 2025, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam The City Attorney announced that Council met in Closed Session with designated staff to discuss the matters as listed on the agenda.
On Item 2.1., Sutton v. City of Chico, update was provided; no formal action was taken; direction was provided.
On Item 2.2., Warren v. City of Chico, an update was provided; no formal action taken.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
2.1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 1/7/25
2.1. 1/7/25 Minutes
2.2. 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 within the jurisdiction's authority. The Council cannot take any action on requests made under this section of the agenda.
Addressing Council under Public Comment were Anne Perry, James Hutchinson, Dave Donna, Stephen Hazel, Robin McCollum, and Steve Depa.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. CONSIDERATION OF COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
At its meeting on January 7, 2025, the City Council heard from citizens interested in serving as members of the Arts Commission, Bidwell Park & Playground Commission, Climate Action Commission, and Planning Commission. At that time, the Council was provided with a nomination form that was due by Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The City Clerk's Office has compiled the individual nominations made by Councilmembers for the four 4-year positions on the Arts Commission, Bidwell Park & Playground Commission, Climate Action Commission, and Planning Commission and are included in the staff report. A vote by the full Council would be needed for final confirmation of these nominations. The Council also considered two appointments to the Airport Commission and to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the Climate Action Commission. A balloting process was used to fill these positions. (Report - Deborah R. Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official) Recommendation : The City Clerk recommends that the Council: (1) confirm the individual appointments made by Councilmembers Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, and Vice Mayor Bennett, and (2) using a balloting process, appoint two citizens to serve on the Airport Commission and one citizen to fill a vacancy on the Climate Action Commission.
5.1. Staff Report
5.2. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TERMINATING BUTTE CHOICE ENERGY JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT (JPA) City Council considered adoption of a resolution terminating the City's membership in the Butte Choice Energy Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between City of Chico, Butte County, and City of Oroville. Due to continued unfavorable market conditions impacting the potential startup of a new Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), Staff recommended terminating the Butte Choice Energy JPA and joining the existing CCA, Pioneer Community Energy. The first step would be adoption of a resolution to dissolve Butte Choice Energy JPA and then consider joining Pioneer Community Energy as a follow up agenda item. (Report - Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director-Operations & Maintenance) Recommendation : The Public Works Director - Operations and Maintenance recommends the City Council adopt the following resolution to terminate the Butte Choice Energy JPA:
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CHICO CITY COUNCIL TERMINATING THE BUTTE CHOICE ENERGY JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
5.2. Staff Report
5.3. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO JOIN PIONEER ENERGY CCA In 2024 representatives from Pioneer Community Energy engaged staff to advise of their expansion efforts and discuss the advantages of joining an existing Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program. Pioneer Energy is a well-established CCA offering 10% savings to their customers in 2024 compared to PG&E rates. After much consideration, Staff believed joining Pioneer Energy is the best path forward to give Chico customers a choice in their energy purchased and offer savings for both residential and commercial customers. Joining an existing CCA program is much more cost effective than attempting to launch a startup in unfavorable market conditions. (Report-Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director-O&M)
Recommendation : The Public Works Director - Operations and Maintenance recommends the City Council introduce the following ordinance authorizing the implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program with Pioneer Community Energy and amending Chapter 15.60 of the Chico Municipal Code.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATION PROGRAM WITH PIONEER ENERGY AND AMENDING CHAPTER 15.60 OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE
5.3. Staff Report
5.4. STORM WATER MASTER PLAN
The Storm Water Master Plan (SWMP) has been updated to provide a comprehensive report of the City of Chico's (City) drainage systems within its Sphere of Influence and includes recommendations for necessary improvements. (Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering) Recommendation : The Director of Public Works - Engineering recommends the adoption of the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ADOPTING AN INITIAL STUDY/NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE CITY OF CHICO STORM WATER MASTER PLAN AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF CHICO STORM WATER MASTER PLAN
5.4. Staff Report
SWMP Part 1
SWMP Part 2
SWMP - Appendices
5.5. CONSIDERATION OF TIMELINE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET City of Chico's annual budget process begins in January, culminating in City Council adoption by June 30 each year. The goal is to establish the programs, projects, personnel, and funding levels for the coming fiscal year. In recent years, there have been two approaches to the timeline and presentation of information to the City Council. (Report - Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director) Recommendation : The Administrative Services Director is requesting direction from City Council regarding a preferred timeline for fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
5.5. Staff Report
5.6. CONSIDERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND HUMAN RESOURCES & RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION The City Manager recommended the reorganization of the Human Resources & Risk Management Department to a division of the Administrative Services Department, a reclassification of the Human Resources & Risk Management Director to a Deputy Director, and a one-time salary adjustment for the Administrative Services Director. (Report - Mark Sorensen, City Manager)
Recommendation 1) Approve the reorganization of the Human Resources and Risk Management Department as a division under the Administrative Services Department; 2) authorize the reclassification of the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management to Deputy Director - Human Resources and Risk Management; and 3) approve a one-time off-cycle 3% salary increase, effective January 26, 2025, for the Administrative Services Director to account for the expanded responsibilities.
5.6. Staff Report
5.7. COUNCILMEMBER WINSLOW REQUEST - TENANT PROTECTIONS At its meeting of 10/1/24, the Council voted to agendize a discussion regarding City enforcement of tenant protections.
5.7. Councilmember Winslow Request
5.8. COUNCILMEMBER GOLDSTEIN REQUEST - ELECTION REFORMS At its meeting of 12/17/24, the Council voted to agendize a discussion regarding possible election reforms, such as a formal redistricting commission.
5.8. Councilmember Goldstein Request
5.9. COUNCILMEMBER HAWLEY REQUEST - STREET LIGHTING
At its meeting of 12/17/24, the Council voted to agendize a discussion regarding streetlight master planning for standardization of lighting utilities installed by both the City and outside agencies.
5.9. Councilmember Hawley Request
5.10. STATUS OF THE AD HOC GROWTH & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
5.11. 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. CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - 2024 ANNUAL REPORT - Information Only
6.2. City Clerk Annual Report
6.3. 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 - Adjourned at10:06 p.m. to the City Council Closed Session meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 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.
Closed Session Meeting Agenda
January 28, 2025
5:00 p.m.
Chico Municipal Center, Conference Room 2
421 Main Street, Chico, CA
1/28/25 Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER - Mayor Reynolds called the January 28, 2025 Closed Session to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, California.
1.1. ROLL CALL - All members were present.
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA -
Stephen Hazel addressed the Council on the Closed Session. There were no Council disqualifications. Council adjourned into Conference Room 2 for Closed Session.
2.1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): Leigh Ann Sutton v. City of Chico, Case No. 23CV01870
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
2.3. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
3. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting will adjourn to the Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting on January 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA. J