ADJOURNED REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - November 4, 2025 Minutes
1.1. Call to order - Mayor Reynolds called the November 4, 2025, Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.
1.2. Invocation - Minister Chet Rutledge, Chico Church of Christ
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. November 4, 2025, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam City Attorney Lam announced that Council met in Closed Session with staff regarding the following items:
2.1. Existing Litigation - Warren v. Chico - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.2. Labor Negotiations - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.3 Existing Litigation - Believe in Chico v. Chico - Councilmember van Overbeek recused himself due to living within 500 feet of the project area and left the room when this item was discussed.
Council was briefed with no direction provided; no formal action was taken.
2.4 Public Employment - City Attorney - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
1.6. Proclamation - Homeless Youth Awareness Month
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Brien 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. ORDINANCE NO. 2614 - ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING TITLE 10 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE - Final reading and adoption, by reading of title only
ORDINANCE NO. 2615 - ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING TITLE 14 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE - Final reading and adoption, by reading of title only
ORDINANCE NO. 2616 - ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING TITLE 16 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE - Final reading and adoption, by reading of title only
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Adopted ordinances updating several titles of the Chico Municipal Code (CMC). The amendments to the CMC were to adhere to regulatory changes, follow City Council Directives, implement process enhancements, promote modern engineering practices, and provide long-term sustainability to City infrastructure. (Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering)
2.2. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION/BUDGET MODIFICATION NO. 2025-ASD-0011
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)
2.3 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 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 were Bo Powell, Sam Barber, Traci Andersen and Ted Schwartz. A letter of public comments was read into the record for Andrew Merkel.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE REGULATING MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS (CMC CHAPTER
5.44) - 10/6/25 INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS At this meeting, the Council considered the recommendations made by its Internal Affairs Committee regarding an ordinance regulating massage establishments. Council had directed staff to prepare a massage establishment ordinance incorporating California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) requirements and guidelines, with that draft ordinance considered at its August 19, 2025, meeting. In response to public comments received at that meeting, Council then referred the item to the Internal Affairs Committee (IAC) for obtaining more public input and to discuss possible amendments to the proposed ordinance to include grandfathering long-time massage therapists, limitation on business hours, and clarifying exemptions.
Based on the discussions from several IAC meetings, at its meeting of 10/6/25, the IAC voted (3-0) to forward the amendments to the proposed ordinance to Council for its consideration at this meeting. These regulations are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). (Report - Charlene Durkin, Code Enforcement Supervisor) Mayor Reynolds opened the hearing to the public. Addressing the Council was Amy Alward. The hearing was closed to further comment.
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Brien and seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett to introduce the following ordinance by reading of title only:
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHICO ADDING CHAPTER 5.44 TO THE CITY OF CHICO MUNICIPAL
CODE TO REGULATE MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF CHICO The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
REGULAR AGENDA
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5.1. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADDING THE EL MONTE ANNEXATION TERRITORY TO COUNCIL DISTRICT 7
At its meeting on March 15, 2022, Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an Island Annexation provision of services in those areas.
El Monte Annexation was recently annexed into the City in August 2025. CMC Section 1.30.250 (B) provides that "At the time of any annexation of territory to the City, the City Council shall designate, by resolution dopted by a vote of at least a majority of the City Council, the contiguous district to which the annexe erritory shall be a part and shall amend the district boundaries if necessary in accordance with Election Code Section 21603." (Report - Deborah R. Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official) A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 62-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ADDING THE EL MONTE ANNEXATION TERRITORY TO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 PURSUANT TO ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 21603 (a)
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
5.2. CaPERS UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL LIABILITY (UAL) DISCUSSION Over the past decade, the City of Chico has undertaken several initiatives to address its CaPERS unfunded accrued liability (UAL). Key strategies have included increasing employee cost sharing, establishing a Section 115 Pension Stabilization Trust, prepaying annual UAL obligations to reduce interest, and evaluating (but not pursuing) Pension Obligation Bonds. This report provides an overview of Council and Finance Committee discussions, decisions, and ongoing management actions related to the City's UAL. Verbal Council discussion was requested by Councilmember van Overbeek at the October 21, 2025 meeting A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien to direct City staff to look at ways for non-public safety departments to look for opportunities to outsource functions they perform if it is cost effective and doesn't compromise quality of services, specifically, the Public Works and Community Development Departments. This discussion is to be brought back in the March or April The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds
NOES: Goldstein, Hawley, Winslow
5.3. 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 - None
7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 7:09 p.m. to Special Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m. followed by the Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico.
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Date Approved: drp 11/18/25
Nisand Messen
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
November 4. 2025 City Council Minutes Page 4
CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL - November 4, 2025 Minutes
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER - Mayor Reynolds called the Closed Session meeting of November 4, 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. There were no speakers. Councilmember van Overbeek announced he was disqualified from participating in the discussion related to Item 2.3. Believe in Chico, LLC., due to living within 500 ft. of the area being discussed. He was not present when that matter was discussed.
2. SPECIAL AGENDA - Pursuant to Government Code § 54954.3(a), the City Council was prohibited by law from considering any other business at this meeting.
2.1. 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 and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 - Council was briefed and 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
2.3. 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 recused himself due to living within 500 feet of the project area and left the room during this discussion. Council was briefed and no direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.4. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Attorney - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.5. 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, November 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Date Approved: /drp 11/18/25
Were kisser
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
November 4, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 5