REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 18, 2025
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to Order - Mayor Reynolds called the February 18, 2024 Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, California. 2/18/25 Agenda
1.2. Invocation - Chaplain Peter Hansen
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. Mayor’s Certificate of Appreciation – Retirement of Linda Herman, Park & Natural Resources Manager
1.6. Presentation - Fire Station 6 by Steve Standridge, Fire Chief
1.7. February 18, 2025, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam City Attorney Lam announced that Council met in Closed Session with staff, with all members of Council present, to consider the following items:
2.1. Property Negotiations
- Direction was provided; no formal action was taken
2.2. Existing Litigation
- Direction was provided; no formal action was taken
2.3. Potential Litigation
- Update provided; no final action was taken. (
It was noted for the record that Councilmember van Overbeek recused himself on this item due to owning property within 500 feet of the area/item being discussed.)
2. CONSENT AGENDA - All matters listed under the Consent Agenda were considered routine in nature and could therefore be enacted by one motion.
2.1. ORDINANCE NO. 2607 - 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 - Final reading and adoption, by reading of title only
RESOLUTION NO. 04-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO TO APPROVE BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY AND THE AMENDED AND RESTATED JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT AS AMENDED At its January 28, 2025 meeting City Council passed 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. City Council also introduced an ordinance to join Pioneer Community Energy, an existing well-established Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program. The council considered adoption of an ordinance to join Pioneer Community Energy along with considering adopting a resolution to join Pioneer Community Energy as required by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). (Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director Operations & Maintenance)
2.1. Staff Report
2.2. RESOLUTION NO. 05-25 - 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 820 BRUCE ROAD (PORTION OF 002-610-050) - SAYEGH BROTHERS INC.
Adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase agreement and any related documents necessary to acquire real property in order to construct the 2025 Road Rehabilitation Project. (Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director - Engineering)
2.2. Staff Report
2.3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 1/28/25 AND 2/4/25 01-28-25 Draft Minutes
02-04-25 Draft Minutes
2.4. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
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 was prohibited from taking action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. CONSIDERATION OF CLOSING SOUTH PARK AND PETERSEN DRIVES IN LOWER BIDWELL PARK TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS The City Council reviewed the results of the Headway Transportation 2023 Lower Bidwell Park Traffic and Circulation survey/report and staff's recommendations regarding closing South Park and Petersen Drives in Lower Bidwell Park to vehicular traffic. (Report - Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director Operations & Maintenance) Recommendation : The Public Works Director - Operation & Maintenance recommends City Council consider the following options: 1) only closing South Park Drive to vehicular traffic from Caper Acres to Centennial Ave and leaving Petersen Memorial Drive open to vehicular traffic seven days per week for a six month trial; or 2) leave vehicular access as is.
5.1. Staff Report
5.2. STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE
The City of Chico seeks to enhance governance practices and strategic direction by engaging in a facilitated process involving the City Council and leadership team. At its meeting of February 4, 2025, the City Council directed Mayor Reynolds to determine how to proceed on setting up a strategic planning session for the Council and to bring back an update at its next meeting. Mayor Reynolds and City staff reached out to a third-party consultant to request impartial assistance with this process (Report - Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk and Elections Official) Council scheduled its Strategic Planning Session for Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
5.2. Staff Report
5.3. COUNCILMEMBER WINSLOW REQUEST - IMPROVEMENTS FOR STREET SWEEPING AND LEAF PICK UP At its meeting of 1/28/25, the Council voted to agendize a discussion regarding the City's street sweeping and leaf pickup programs and ways to improve these services.
5.3. Councilmember Winslow Request
5.4. 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 was needed in order for staff to agendize.
7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 8:18 p.m. to the City Council Closed Session meeting on Tuesday, March 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 OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL
Closed Session Minutes
February 18, 2025
2/18/25 Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER - Mayor Reynolds called the Closed Session meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, California and announced the items that were to be discussed in Closed Session.
1.1. ROLL CALL - All Councilmembers were present.
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - There were no speakers and no Council disqualifications. The Council then adjourned into Conference Room 2 to conduct Closed Session.
2.1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.8.
Agency Negotiator: Mark Sorensen, City Manager
Party Negotiating with: 3ZM Cattle Company LLC
Property: A portion of APN 040-400-092
Address: N/A
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment, in association with P-18 Trunkline Sewer Project Phase 2
2.2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a) Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition vs. City of Chico et al Case No. 24CV03294
2.3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - POTENTIAL LITIGATION: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(2) - (1 case)
2.4. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
3. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting on February 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.