REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 15, 2025
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to Order - Mayor Reynolds called the April 15, 2025 - Adjourned Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, California. 04/15/25 Agenda
1.2. Invocation – Chaplain Hawkins
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. April 15, 2025, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam City Attorney Lam announced that Council met in Closed Session with staff on the regarding items:
Item 2.1. - Performance Evaluations for City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney - Continued to next meeting.
Item 2.2. - Labor Negotiator for CPOA, CPSA, and Local 39 .
C
ouncil was briefed
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No action was taken; direction was provided.
Item 2.3. Existing Litigation - Believe in Chico v. City of Chico -
Council was briefed. No action was taken; direction was provided.
Item 2.3. Existing Litigation - Warren v. City of Chico - Council was briefed. No action was taken; direction was provided.
2. CONSENT AGENDA - All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine in nature.
2.1. RESOLUTION NO. 12-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO DECLARING PUBLIC NUISANCE AND SETTING TIME FOR HEARING ON OBJECTIONS TO ABATEMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF COSTS RELATED TO THE ABATEMENT OF WEEDS, RUBBISH, REFUSE AND/OR DEBRIS The lot clearing and weed abatement program is conducted each year under the provisions of the California Government Code. Adoption of a resolution (1) required the abatement of weeds, rubbish, refuse and/or debris; (2) set a public hearing for 5/06/25; and (3) directed the City Clerk to mail notices of the public hearing to all owners of affected parcels. (Charlene Durkin, Code Enforcement Supervisor)
2.1. Staff Report
2.2. CONSIDERATION OF SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF CHICO AND CHICO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION REGARDING LATERAL SIGNING BONUSES AND PROMOTIONS Upon approval, this item updated the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Chico and the Chico Police Officers Association (CPOA) Regarding Pay, Hours, and Other Terms and Conditions of Employment for the Period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026 (2023 MOU-CPOA) with the provisions of the Side Letter Agreement. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.2. Staff Report
2.3. CONSIDERATION OF SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHICO AND THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, LOCAL 1021 REGARDING A RECRUITMENT SIGNING BONUS FOR EQUIPMENT MECHANIC II Upon approval, this item updatesd the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Chico ("City") and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 1021, effective January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025 ("2022 - 2025 MOU") with the provisions of the Side Letter Agreement. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.3. Staff Report
2.4. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 4/1/25
4/1/15 Minutes
2.5. 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 was prohibited from taking any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. HEARING TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT 2025-2029 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND DRAFT 2025-2026 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, INCLUDING THE ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING, FOR THE USE OF FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT (HOME) FUNDS The City of Chico is an entitlement grantee for the receipt of federal funds through two programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD): Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships Grant (HOME). As an entitlement grantee, the City's receipt of funds is contingent upon City compliance with a variety of planning and administrative requirements. One of the requirements is the submission of a "Consolidated Plan" every five years, including the first Annual Action Plan, a review of the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing and review of the City's Citizen Participation Plan. The City receives an annual award of community development and housing funds from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (Report - MaryJo Alonzo, Housing Program Manager)
Recommendation : The Community Development Director recommends that the City Council: 1) Hold a public hearing on the Draft 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, including the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, Citizen Participation Plan, Draft 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan and proposed budget; 2) Consider any public comment received during the hearing; and 3) Schedule a final public hearing on the final Consolidated Plan at the end of the 30-day public comment period to be held June 3, 2025.
4.1. Staff Report
5.1. STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE
At a special meeting held on March 19, 2025, the City Council held a strategic planning session with local consultant, Jeff Boian of Morrison. A worksheet has been provided by the consultant to summarize the items that Council listed during the meeting. (Report - Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk and Elections Official) Recommendation : The City Clerk recommends the City Council review the enclosed summary on the strategic plan and consider the next steps.
5.1. Staff Report
4.2. RESIDENTIAL READINESS AMENDMENTS PHASE TWO - CODE AMENDMENT 25-01 Planning staff and the Planning Commission recommended amendments to Title 19 of the Chico Municipal Code referred to as phase two of the "Residential Readiness" program, as the majority of proposed amendments are intended to streamline existing processes, reduce barriers for residential development, and facilitate housing production. The Code amendments implement Housing Element Actions, support pro-housing policies, resolve minor inconsistencies in the Code, formalize interpretations made by the Community Development Director, respond to new State legislation, and clarify terms and definitions.
At its meeting of March 20, 2025, the Planning Commission voted unanimously (6-0, with 1 absent) to forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council on the proposed amendments (CA 25-01). (Report - Kelly Murphy, Senior Planner)
Recommendation : The Community Development Director recommended that the City Council hold a public hearing and introduce the following ordinance to amend Title 19 of the Chico Municipal Code by reading its title only:
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO APPROVING CODE AMENDMENT 25-01 AMENDING TITLE 19 OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE TO SUPPORT RESIDENTIAL READINESS (CITY OF CHICO)
4.2. Staff Report
4.3. ASSEMBLY BILL 481 (AB 481) - ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE REPORT The Chico Police Department Annual Military Equipment Use Report was prepared for the 2024 Calendar Year. The report contained a summary and quantity of Chico PD's military equipment, its use, a summary of complaints or concerns and internal audits, fiscal impact, training summary and projected acquisitions for 2025. (Report - Billy Aldridge, Chief of Police)
Recommendation : It is the recommendation of the Chief of Police that the Council receive the annual Military Equipment Use report, review the Ordinance to adopt the Military Equipment Use Policy, approve the Military Equipment Use Policy, and approve the purchase of the additional proposed acquisitions for 2025.
4.3. Staff Report
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.2. 2025 SANITARY SEWER MASTER PLAN UPDATE
The 2025 Sanitary Sewer Master Plan Update (SSMP) was updated to provide a comprehensive report of the City of Chico's (City) sewer collection system and included recommendations for necessary improvements.
(Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering) Recommendation : The Director of Public Works - Engineering recommends 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 2025 SANITARY SEWER MASTER PLAN UPDATE AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF CHICO 2025 SANITARY SEWER MASTER PLAN UPDATE
5.2. Staff Report
5.3. COUNCILMEMBER HAWLEY REQUEST - CODE ENFORCEMENT PENALTIES At its meeting of 3/18/25, the Council voted to agendize a discussion regarding the need for the development of an ordinance that looks at enhanced penalties for code enforcement.
5.3. Councilmember Hawley 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 is needed in order for staff to agendize.
7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 8:23 p.m. to the Closed Session meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 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
April 15, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
1.1. ROLL CALL - All Councilmembers were noted as present.
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA -
There were no speakers.
Councilmember van Overbeek was recused on Item 2.3. due to living within 500 ft. of the area being discussed under this item. He did leave the conference room and did not participate in that particular discussion.
2.1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager - The evaluations were continued to the next meeting.
2.2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 Negotiator: Laura Izon (Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo law firm (AALRR)) & Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director Employee Organizations: Chico Police Officers Association, Chico Public Safety Association, Local 39 - Council was briefed.
No formal action was taken; direction was provided.
2.3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): BCSC: Case No. 25CV01135 – Believe in Chico v. City of Chico - Councilmember van Overbeek was recused on this item due to owning property within 500 feet of the area being discussed. He left the Conference Room during this discussion. Council was briefed. No formal action was taken; direction was provided.
2.4. 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 - All Councilmembers were present for this item and provided with a briefing. No formal action was taken; direction was provided.
2.5. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
3. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m. to the Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting on April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.