REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 2, 2025
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to order – Mayor Reynolds called the September 2, 2025 - Regular City Council meeting to order in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA at 6:00 p.m. 9/2/25 Agenda
1.2. Invocation - Pastor Bryan Meyers - Grace Community Church
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. September 2, 2025, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam City Attorney Lam announced that Council met in Closed Session at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the following items:
2.1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 - Council was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
Negotiator:
Laura Izon (Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo law firm (AALRR)) & Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director Employee Organizations:
Chico Management Employees, Chico Public Safety Association, Stationary Engineers Local 39, Chico Fire Management Employees, Service Employees International Union – Trades & Crafts, United Public Employees of California – Local 792
2.2. 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 disqualified on this item due to owning property within 500 ft. of the area being discussed. He left the room and did not participate in the discussion. Council was briefed; 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 was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION:
Pursuant to
Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a):
In re: Purdue Pharma L.P., et al
,
Case No. 19-23649, pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York. - Council was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION:
Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a):
In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation
,
Case No. 1:17-md-02804-DAP, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. - Council was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.6. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.8. - Council was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
Negotiating Parties:
Mark Sorensen, City Manager and Christine Adele Rowe Trust and Simmons Family Trust Property: APN 017-080-030
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Purchase
2.7. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.Title: City Prosecutor - Council was briefed on this matter and then voted 7-0 to contract with CivicaLaw for code enforcement cases.
2.8. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Attorney - Council was briefed and will continue this discussion at the end of the regular session.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
2.1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 8/19/25
2.1. Draft Minutes 8-19-25
2.2. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA - None
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Members of the public addressed the Council at this time 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 DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATES FOR THE 2025 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE - Continued from 8/19/25 Council Meeting The League's 2025 Annual Conference is scheduled for October 8-10, 2025, in Long Beach. In order to participate in the League Annual Business Meeting where League policy is established, the Council must first designate an attendee as a voting delegate. Each city may also appoint up to two alternate voting delegates, one of whom may vote in the event that the designated voting delegate is unable to serve in that capacity. (Report - Deborah R. Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official) Recommendation : The City Clerk recommends that should the Council wish to participate, that it designates a Councilmember as the City of Chico voting delegate for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference.
5.1. Staff Report
5.2. COUNCILMEMBER VAN OVERBEEK REQUEST - AD HOC COMMITTEE ON WAYFINDING SIGNS - Continued from 8/19/25 Council Meeting At its meeting of 6/17/25, the Council voted to agendize a discussion about Council approving the creation of an ad hoc committee to discuss the report on Wayfinding Signs with the committee to be comprised of Councilmember van Overbeek, a member of the Public Work's staff, a member representing the University, a member from the cycling community and lastly, a member from DCBA.
5.2. Councilmember van Overbeek Request
5.3. CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION INTERVIEWS & APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY Due to the resignation of Jared Geiser, there was an unscheduled vacancy on the Climate Action Commission (CAC). The vacancy was posted in accordance with state law and a recruitment for this position was held in order to allow for additional applications to be submitted by citizens interested in serving on this commission along with any remaining applicants still interested in serving who applied during the 2024 Biennial Recruitment. At this meeting, the Council heard from the applicants directly and then Councilmember Goldstein would need to nominate a replacement. Following that selection, a majority vote of the Council was needed to confirm the appointment. (Report - Deborah Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official) Applicants included Bryce Ingersoll, Sarah Lanum, Cecelia Lore-Ramsey, and Natalie Norton who all addressed the Council about their interest in serving on the Climate Action Commission.
Recommendation : The City Clerk recommends hearing from the applicants in attendance and then consider confirming the appointment of Councilmember Goldstein's nominee to complete the remaining three-year term of office.
5.3. Staff Report
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. FINAL MAP PENDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR'S APPROVAL: S20-04 Hicks Lane Subdivision, Phase 3 Final Map (Webb) - Information Only
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 would be needed in order for staff to agendize.
7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 7:58 p.m. to Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 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.
Special Closed Session Minutes
September 2, 2025
9/2/25 Special Closed Session Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Reynolds called the Special Closed Session to order at 3:30 P.M. to discuss the items listed on the agenda. There were no speakers and one Council disqualificaiton.
1.1. ROLL CALL
2. SPECIAL AGENDA - Pursuant to Government Code § 54954.3(a), the City Council is prohibited by law from considering any other business at this meeting.
2.1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 - Council was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
Negotiator:
Laura Izon (Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo law firm (AALRR)) & Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director Employee Organizations:
Chico Management Employees, Chico Public Safety Association, Stationary Engineers Local 39, Chico Fire Management Employees, Service Employees International Union – Trades & Crafts, United Public Employees of California – Local 792
2.2. 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 disqualified on this item due to owning property within 500 ft. of the area being discussed. He left the room and did not participate in the discussion. Council was briefed; 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 was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION:
Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a):
In re: Purdue Pharma L.P., et al
,
Case No. 19-23649, pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York. - Council was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION:
Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a):
In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation
,
Case No. 1:17-md-02804-DAP, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. - Council was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.6. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.8. - Council was briefed; direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
Negotiating Parties:
Mark Sorensen, City Manager and Christine Adele Rowe Trust and Simmons Family Trust Property: APN 017-080-030
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Purchase
2.7. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.Title: City Prosecutor - Council was briefed on this matter and then voted 7-0 to contract with CivicaLaw for code enforcement cases.
2.8. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Attorney -
Council was briefed and will continue this discussion at the end of the regular session.
2.2. 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
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
2.4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): In re: Purdue Pharma L.P., et al, Case No. 19-23649, pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York.
2.5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, Case No. 1:17-md-02804-DAP, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
2.6. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.8.
Negotiating Parties: Mark Sorensen, City Manager and Christine Adele Rowe Trust and Simmons Family Trust Property: APN 017-080-030
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Purchase
2.7. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957. Title: City Prosecutor
2.8. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Attorney
2.9. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
3. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourn to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.