REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 4, 2025
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to Order - Mayor Reynolds called the March 4, 2025 - Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
March 4, 2025 Agenda
1.2. Invocation - Pastor Heath Jarrett, Living Hope Fellowship
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. March 4, 2025, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam City Attorney Lam announced that the Council met in Closed Session with staff, with all members of Council present.
Item 2.1. Council received an update. Direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
Item 2.2. Council received an update. Direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
Item 2.3. Council received an update. Direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
2.1. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION/BUDGET MODIFICATION NO. 2025-ASD-004 The Administrative Services Director requested consideration and approval of a Supplemental Appropriation/Budget Modification to the FY 2024-25 Budget. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.1. Staff Report
2.2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 2/18/25
2.2. Minutes
2.3. 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 action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. HEARING TO CONSIDER OLD HUMBOLDT ROAD CLOSURE EXTENSION Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101.4, the Chico City Council adopted an ordinance amending Title 10 of the Chico Municipal Code (CMC) relating to the temporary closure of streets and roads if certain conditions exist. To address criminal activity and illegal littering/dumping, the City Council adopted a resolution to temporarily close Old Humboldt Road adjacent to Hwy 32 for 18 months. Both codes, allow the City Council to renew such closure for additional 18-month periods if the conditions precipitating the closure continue to exist and a public hearing is held. (Report - Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director Operations & Maintenance) Recommendation : The Public Works Director Operations and Maintenance recommends City Council approval of the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ORDERING CONTINUED TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A PORTION OF OLD HUMBOLDT ROAD PURSUANT TO CHICO MUNICIPAL CHAPTER 10.53
4.1. Staff Report
4.1. Resolution
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9.29 RELATED TO SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS The proposed ordinance amends Chapter 9.29 of the Chico Municipal Code regulating syringe exchange programs ( SEPs ). The amendment would amend Chapter 9.29 to prohibit SEPs and the furnishing of syringes, except as provided by California Health and Safety Code Section 121349, et seq. or other state or federal law. The amendment would also establish reasonable restrictions on SEPs for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. (Report - John W. Lam, City Attorney)
Recommendation : 1. Consider introducing and waiving first reading of the following ordinance amending Chapter 9.29 of the Chico Municipal Code:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMMENDING CHAPTER 9.29 OF THE CITY OF CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE PROHIBITING UNAUTHORIZED SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AND THE FURNISHING OF SYRINGES OR HYPODERMIC NEEDLES WITHIN THE CITY EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY STATE LAW AND ESTABLISHING REASONABLE REGULATIONS OF SAME
2. Provide the City Attorney additional direction.
5.1. Staff Report
5.2. CLOSURE OF SOUTH PARK AND PETERSEN DRIVES IN LOWER BIDWELL PARK TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS At its February 18, 2025 meeting, the City Council reviewed the results of the Headway Transportation Lower Bidwell Park Traffic and Circulation report and staff's recommendations regarding closing South Park and Petersen Drives to vehicular traffic. The City Council moved to close both roads to vehicular traffic on weekends and national holidays for a six-month trial and directed staff to return with a schedule for when the closures can be implemented. (Report Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director Operations & Maintenance) Recommendation : The Public Works Director - Operations & Maintenance recommends City Council consider the following closure proposals:
1. Close Petersen Memorial Drive to vehicular traffic weekends and National holidays for a six-month trial starting March 8, 2025.
2. Close South Park Drive between Caper Acres and Centennial Ave to vehicular traffic weekends and national holidays for a six-month trial starting March 8, 2025.
3. Maintain vehicular access on South Park Drive from the Cypress entrance to Caper Acres allowing access to parking lots at One Mile, Sycamore Field, and Caper Acres until Engineering staff completes the design for roadway rehabilitation.
5.2. Staff Report
5.3. INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION BARNACLE PARKING ENFORCEMENT DEVICE At its meeting of 02/03/25, the Committee considered assessing a fee to cover staff costs associated with removal of the Barnacle device in addition to paying for any outstanding violations.
Recommendation : The Internal Affairs Committee recommends Council direct staff to amend the Fee Schedule to include a $200.00 release fee for removal of the Barnacle device, in addition to paying for any outstanding violations.
5.3. Internal Affairs Committee Recommendation
5.4. COUNCILMEMBER GOLDSTEIN REQUEST TOOLS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS At its meeting of 2/4/25, the Council voted to agendize a discussion regarding ordinances, code changes, and programs beyond enforcement that the City can use as tools to address homelessness.
5.4. Councilmember Goldstein Request
5.5. 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. CHICO FIRE DEPARTMENT 2025-2030 STRATEGIC PLAN - Information only
6.2. Chico Fire Department Strategic Plan
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 to Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. for a special strategic planning session in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico.
Closed Session Meeting
March 4, 2025
March 4, 2025 Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER - Mayor Reynolds called the March 4, 2024 Closed Session meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
1.1. ROLL CALL - All Councilmembers were present.
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - There were no speakers nor any Council disqualifications. The Council recessed into Conference Room 2, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA for Closed Session.
2.1. 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 - Council received an update. Direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL POTENTIAL LITIGATION: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(2) - (2 cases) - Council received an update. Direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.3. 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 - Council received an update. Direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.4. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
3. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting on March 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.