REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - October 7, 2025
Minutes
Call to order - Mayor Reynolds called the October 7, 2025, Regular Council meeting to order in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA at 6:00 p.m.
1.2. Invocation - Carol Raner, Christian Science Practitioner, Christian Science Church
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
Present: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds
Absent: None
1.5. October 7, 2025, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam City Attorney Lam announced that Council met in Closed Session regarding the following items:
2.1. Labor Negotiations - Council was briefed, direction was provided. No formal action was taken.
2.2. Existing Litigation - Warren v. Chico - Council was briefed, direction was provided. No formal action was taken.
2.3. Existing Litigation - Turner v. City of Chico - Council was briefed, direction was provided. No formal action was taken.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Winslow and seconded by Councilmember Goldstein to approve the Consent Agenda, as read.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
2.1. RESOLUTION NO. 48-25- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO LEVYING
ASSESSMENT INSTALLMENTS IN LIEU OF THE PAYMENT OF SEWER SYSTEM CONNECTION FEES INCIDENT TO THE CONNECTION OF PREMISES TO THE CITY SEWER SYSTEM 252 & 260 E. 9th AVENUE - ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. 043-051-032
RESOLUTION NO. 49-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO LEVYING
ASSESSMENT INSTALLMENTS IN LIEU OF THE PAYMENT OF SEWER SYSTEM CONNECTION FEES INCIDENT TO THE CONNECTION OF PREMISES TO THE CITY SEWER SYSTEM - 412 W. 12TH AVENUE - ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. 043-620-021
Adopted resolutions authorizing sewer assessments to be collected on the tax roll, in lieu of full and immediate payment of the sewer system connection fees. (Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works- Engineering)
2.2. RESOLUTION NO. 50-25 - 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 ALONG THE ESPLANADE (PORTION OF 006-210-020) - DELFINA ENRIQUEZ, A MARRIED WOMAN AS HER SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY,
AND MAURICO ENRIQUEZ AND LATICIA ENRIQUEZ, HUSBAND AND WIFE, ALL AS JOINT TENANTS RESOLUTION NO. 51-25 - 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 ALONG THE ESPLANADE (PORTION OF October 7, 2025 City Council Minutes Page|l
006-210-021)- MAURICIO ENRIQUEZ AND LETICIA ENRIQUEZ, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT
TENANTS
Adopted resolutions authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase agreement and any related documents necessary to acquire real property in order to construct the North Esplanade Reconstruction Project. (Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works-Engineering)
2.3. RESOLUTION NO. 52-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO APPROVING
THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE
CITY OF CHICO SEPTIC TO SEWER REGIONALIZATION PROJECT
Adopted a resolution approving the submittal of a grant application to the State Water Resources Control Board Clean Water State Revolving Fund Small Community Wastewater Program for the planning design, and construction of the City of Chico Septic to Sewer Regionalization Project. (Brendan Ottoboni Director of Public Works-Engineering)
2.4. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 9/16/25
2.5. RESOLUTION NO. 53-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A HISTORICAL PROPERTY PRESERVATION AGREEMENT FOR PROPERTY AT 488 E 3RD STREET, APN 004-094-023 (CITY OF
CHICO/ALEXANDER)
Adopted a resolution for a Historical Property Preservation Agreement as allowed under the Mills Act for purposes of property tax reduction. In exchange for a reduction of property taxes, the property owners agreed to undertake certain enumerated activities to ensure the historic integrity and value of the property is maintained. Authorized the proposed contract to be consistent with City policies that encourage preservation of historic resources through public and private partnerships. (Madison Driscoll, Associate Planner)
2.6. 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 any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
Addressing the Council on this matter were Vic Sbarbaro, Anne Perry, Stephen Hazel, and Ashley Murphy.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. PRESENTATION ON ALTERNATE CAMPING SITES by Erik Gustafson, Public Works Operations & Maintenance Director
At its meeting of 9/16/25, the Council directed staff to return with options for alternative camping sites and options for possible collaborations with other entities.
Addressing the Council were Bill Webb, Deedi Christian, Carolyn Ferris, John Kelso, Marty Long, Lori Mason, Kerry Burley, Carlos Casarez, Stephen Hazel, Charles Whithuhn, Michael E. Morgan, Timothy Shelley, Janet McMurray, Phillip Simpson, Jon Nguysn, K. Sullivan, Peter Hansen, Laura Eckstrom, Ben Eckstrom, Allison Jeffers, Curtis Gedney, Joe Veline, Tom Hobbs, Shari Dixon, Courtney Woodcox, Lynn Overholtzer, Adam Pearce, Kathleen Yeater, Corey Cole, Chris Nelson, Joe Swartz, Robin McCollum, George Deeds, Nancy Park, Marc Tennison, and James Egersole.
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Brien and seconded by Councilmember van Overbeek to direct staff to bring back options on the existing location to enhance the site, what is there, what are the rules, what is the code of conduct, what the City can impose, what is the policy problem, then beef up all the different October 7, 2025 City Council Minutes Page|2
rules and measures that make the neighborhoods safer.
Councilmember Goldstein made a friendly amendment to look at minor changes to the site such as adding cooking facilities for example, for livability. This amendment was accepted.
Mayor Reynolds made a friendly amendment that an enhancement would include complete removal and reset of the sites and bring back a status in two weeks. This amendment was accepted.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
5.2. GROWTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATE The Committee will review its recommendations and staff responses.
Addressing the Council on this were Stephen Hazel, Eric Nilsson, Cynthia Perrine, Elizabeth Devereaux, and Chris Giampaoli.
A motion was made by Councilmember Winslow and seconded by Councilmember van Overbeek to accept the report with the comments noted about issues with special planning areas, parking and impacted areas.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
5.3. SOUTH PARK DRIVE - ACCESS TO CAPER ACRES CLARIFICATION Staff requested Council direction on whether to retain the current one-way exit onto Woodland Avenue or relocate a two-way access at the east end of the Caper Acres parking lot as part of the South Park Drive Project. (Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering) A motion was made by Councilmember Goldstein and seconded by Councilmember Hawley to approve the final design for the South Park Drive Road Rehabilitation project and relocate the existing vehicle exit from its current location and create a bi-directional vehicle entrance/exit at the east end of the Caper Acres parking A substitute motion was made by Councilmember O Brien and seconded by Councilmember van Overbeek to direct staff to keep the road as is, with staff to look into traffic calming options.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: Goldstein, Hawley
The original motion was not acted on due to the substitute motion passing.
5.4. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM FIRE CHIEF
Section 605 of the City Charter states that the appointment of department heads is subject to confirmation by the City Council. In order to meet this requirement, City Council was presented with the employment agreement for the Interim Fire Chief. (Report - Mark Sorensen, City Manager) Stephen Hazel was called to speak.
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A motion was made by Councilmember Winslow and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien to approve the City Manager entering into an employment agreement with William Hack as the Interim Fire Chief; with an annual salary of $184,218.58."
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
5.5. MAYOR REYNOLDS REQUEST - TINY HOMES PLACED ON CHURCH LOTS At its meeting of 9/2/25, the Council voted to agendize a discussion with staff bringing back information on the requirements of having tiny homes placed on church lots.
Addressing the Council were Lori Mason, Stephen Hazel, Charles Withuhn, George Deeds, Chris Nelson, Robin McCollum, Nancy Park, and Ann Polivka.
A motion was made by Mayor Reynolds and seconded by Councilmember Goldstein to direct that in general, the Council supports the idea of the North State Shelter Team bringing forward an application for staff to review, and ask that staff do everything they can, within reason, to make it go through and if there is an issue, to bring it back to Council.
Councilmember O'Brien requested a friendly amendment to keep it at two shelters for this pilot program and the Council could certainly expand it to four if it is working. Amendment was accepted.
Councilmember Winslow said, for the record, he was not interested in limiting what people do to help get people off the street to only two and not four, when there is a place for four and a proposal for four.
A substitute motion was made by Councilmember Goldstein and seconded by Councilmember Winslow to support this concept but without the limit on number of structures.
The City Clerk read back the motion to accept a pilot program or have the pilot program with "4" as presented by North State Shelter Team (Goldstein said yes) and to clarify if Goldstein was asking North State Shelter Team to bring back an application or just additional information.
Councilmember Goldstein requested to "leave it as the same motion of Mayor Reynolds without the limitation (from the O'Brien friendly amendment of having only two shelters in the pilot program instead of the four as proposed by the North State Shelter Team.)
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, Winslow, Reynolds
NOES: O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett
5.6. 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 can be taken on items under this section unless the Council agrees to include it on a subsequent agenda.
6.1. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - Verbal Report, City Manager Sorensen
6.2. SUNSHINING OF DRAFT MOU - CHICO PUBLIC SAFETY ASSOCIATION (CPSA) - Information only
6.3. COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS - None
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7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 9:22 p.m. to Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., or 5:30 p.m. followed by the Adjourned Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico.
Date Approved: /drp 10/21/25
Nebratil hassan
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
October 7, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 5
CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL - October 7, 2025 Minutes
CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER- Mayor Reynolds called the Closed Session meeting of October 7, 2025, to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at 421 Main Street, Chico CA. She announced all items on the agenda.
1.1. ROLL CALL - All members were present.
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - Addressing the Council on the Closed Session matters was Stephen Hazel. There were no Council disqualifications. The City Council then adjourned into Conference Room 2 for Closed Session at 5:04 p.m.
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, 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): USDC (ED) Case No. 2:21-cv-00640 - MCE-DMC: Warren v. Chico - Council was briefed, direction was provided. No formal action was taken.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): BCSC Case No. 22CV00190 - Turner v. City of Chico - Council was briefed, direction was provided. No formal action was taken.
2.4. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
3. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 5:40 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Date Approved: /drp 10/21/25
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
October 7, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 6