REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - December 2, 2025
Minutes
1.1. Call to order - Mayor Reynolds called the December 2, 2025, Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.
1.2. Invocation - Pastor Heath Jarrett, Living Hope Fellowship
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
Present: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds
Absent: None
Moment of Silence in honor of Maureen Kirk - Former Bidwell Park and Playground Commissioner, Councilmember, Vice Mayor, Mayor, and Butte County Board of Supervisors for District 3
1.6. Proclamation - Arbor Day
1.7. Closed Session Announcement - City Manager Mark Sorensen City Manager Mark Sorensen announced that Council met with staff regarding the following Closed Session
2.1 Public Employment - City Attorney - Council voted 7-0 to appoint Ryan Jones of Jones Mayer Law Firm as the City Attorney effective as of 12/3/25 and provided the City Manager with the authority to enter into an agreement with Jones Mayer that will be brought back to the Council in January 2026.
2.2 Labor Negotiations - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.3 Existing Litigation - Warren v. Chico - This item was not heard.
2.4 Property Negotiations - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Brien and seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett to approve the Consent Agenda, as read, with it noted for the record that Councilmember Goldstein, Councilmember Hawley and Councilmember Winslow voted "no" on Item 2.1.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
2.1. ORDINANCE NO. 2618 - ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHICO ADDING CHAPTER 10.36 TO TITLE 10
OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE PROHIBITING PEDESTRIANS ON MEDIANS AND OTHER ROADWAY AREAS - Final reading and adoption by reading of title only Adopted an ordinance that specifically prohibits stopping, standing, or remaining within medians, roundabouts, and within or immediately adjacent to retail driveway exit and entry points along public roadways. The objective is to promote community safety, reduce accident risks (including pedestrian fatalities), preserve traffic flow, and protect the public right-of-way for safe movement. (Billy Aldridge, Chief of Police)
Councilmember Goldstein, Councilmember Hawley and Councilmember Winslow voted no on this item.
December 2, 2025 City Council Minutes Page|1
2.2. RESOLUTION NO. 84-25 - 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 AT 1294 N. CEDAR STREET (PORTION OF 043-142-001) - THE CHURCH OF GOD, A CALIFORNIA NON-PROFIT RELIGIOUS CORPORATION, WHO
ACQUIRED TITLE AS KENNETH RASH, GEORGE NEWELL AND SILAS BASS AS TRUSTEES, AND
CONSTITUTING THE LOCAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CHURCH OF GOD Adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase agreement and any related documents necessary to acquire real property in order to construct the N. Cedar Street Improvement Project. (Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering)
2.3. RESOLUTION NO. 85-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHICO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF CHICO FOR THE 2026 ROAD REHABILITATION - CEANOTHUS AVENUE PROJECT RESOLUTION NO. 86-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR DONATIONS AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1475 EAST AVENUE (PORTION OF 015-490-001) - CHICO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Adopted resolutions authorizing the City Manager to execute the Cooperative Agreement with Chico Unified School District and the acknowledgement for donations and any related documents necessary to acquire real property in order to construct the 2026 Road Rehabilitation - Ceanothus Avenue Project. (Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering)
2.4. RESOLUTION NO. 87-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO APPROVING "MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHICO AND CHICO FIRE
MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES (CFME) REGARDING PAY, HOURS, AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027 (2025 MOU-CFME)"
Adopted a resolution approving the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Chico and the Chico Fire Management Employees (CFME) for July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027, approving modifications to CFME pay and benefit provisions following recent negotiations. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.5. CONFIRMATION OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND AGENCY APPOINTMENTS The Mayor's Committee and Agency Representatives appointments have been amended to reflect changes in City staff and updates the various agencies. There were no other substantial changes to the appointments. (Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk & Elections Official)
2.6. 2026 PROPOSED COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
In order to better facilitate the scheduling of Council meetings so that both the Councilmembers and citizens can have advanced notice of the City's scheduled meetings, Mayor Reynolds recommended that the City Council consider approving a yearly calendar that contains proposed Council meetings for the upcoming year. It was proposed that instead of going dark on the 2nd meeting of both July and August for the summer months, that the Council instead go dark on the 1st meeting of those months in order to avoid the Fourth of July holiday and again, to ensure consistency and continuity in the City's meeting schedule. (Deborah R.
Presson, MMC, City Clerk & Elections Official)
2.7. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 11/18/25
2.8. 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.
December 2, 2025 City Council Minutes Page|2
Addressing the council were Stephen Hazel, Steve Gonzalves, and Cynthia Perrine.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE AND LOCAL AMENDMENTS
Amending the Chico Municipal Code to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code will keep the City in conformance with State regulations. The proposed ordinance provided for the adoption of the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code, which encompasses Administrative, Building, Referenced Standards, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Electrical, Fire, Historical, Existing, Green Building Standard, and Wildland-Urban Interface Code; re-adopted previous City of Chico local amendments; adopted the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code; adopts the 1997 Abatement of Dangerous Buildings; and cleaned up existing provisions of the Chico Municipal Code to reflect the aforementioned new California Building Standards Code. (Report - Dale Fletcher, CDD Deputy Director/Building Official & Paul Ricketts, Fire Marshal)
A motion was made by Councilmember Hawley and seconded by Councilmember van Overbeek to introduce ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO, AMENDING TITLE 16R OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE ADOPTION BY REFERENCE OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, INCLUDING THE 2025 EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA
ADMINISTRATIVE, BUILDING, REFERENCED STANDARDS, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING,
RESIDENTIAL, ENERGY, HISTORICAL, EXISTING, GREEN BUILDING, WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE, AND FIRE CODES AND STANDARDS; AS WELL AS THE ADOPTION BY REFERENCE OF THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE; 1997 UNIFORM CODE FOR THE
ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS AND AMENDING, ADDING OR REPEALING PROVISIONS IN TITLE 16R OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT BY
THE CITY'S BUILDING DIVISION AND FIRE DEPARTMENT
The motion carried by the following vote:
Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
5.2. 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. TRASH IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM - INFORMATION ONLY
The State Water Resources Control Board issued a Reminder of Trash Provisions Compliance Deadline letter to the City. The Director of Public Works - Engineering provided an overview of the State's trash control requirements, the City's compliance efforts to date, and the challenges of meeting full compliance with this unfunded mandate. (Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering)
6.3. SUNSHINING OF DRAFT MOU - CHICO MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES (CME) - INFORMATION ONLY Pursuant to the "Sunshine and Transparency" requirements of the negotiation process, the City Council was provided a draft copy of the Memorandum of Understanding applicable to the CME bargaining group. This initiated the two week "sunshining" period for City Council and community members to review the draft document. A final presentation will be brought forward to City Council for consideration at its meeting on January 6, 2026. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director) December 2, 2025 City Council Minutes Pagel3
6.4. 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.
ELECTRIC BIKE POLICY - Councilmember van Overbeek
A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien to agendize a discussion to make Bidwell Park safer from electric bikes.
Councilmember Goldstein made a friendly amendment to make the discussion citywide, rather than just Bidwell Park. The friendly amendment was accepted.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
7. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m. to Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 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.
Date Approved: /drp 1/6/26
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
December 2, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 4
CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL - December 2, 2025 Minutes
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER - Mayor Reynolds called the Closed Session meeting of December 2, 2025 to order at 4:00 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
Stephen Hazel addressed the Council.
2.1. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Attorney - The Council voted 7-0 to appoint Ryan Jones of Jones Mayer Law Firm as the City Attorney effective as of 12/3/25 and provided the City Manager with the authority to enter into an agreement with Jones Mayer that will be brought back to the Council in January 2026.
2.2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 - Council was briefed, direction was provided; no final action was taken Negotiator: Laura Izon (Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo law firm (AALRR)) & Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director
Employee Organizations: Confidentials, Stationary Engineers Local 39, 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): USDC (ED) Case No. 2:21-cv-00640 - MCE-DMC: Warren v. Chico- This item was not heard.
2.4. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.8. - Council was briefed, direction was provided; no final action was taken.
Agency Negotiator: Mark Sorensen, City Manager
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment, in association with the Fair Street Rehabilitation Project.
Party Negotiating with / APN / Address
A. Medeiros Jennette C / 005-610-010 / 2329 Fair Street B. Jesus Provides Our Daily Bread LLC / 005-471-042 / 2255 Fair Street C. Vasudeva Rajeev / 005-461-003 / 2049 Fair Street
D. Stirling Junction LLC / 005-520-033 / 2490 Fair Street E. Dias James & Nancy Family Trust / 005-480-059 / 2480 Fair Street F. Flynn Pamela H Rev Living Trust / 005-480-060 / 2446 Fair Street G. HLS / 005-480-071 - 2358 Fair Street / 005-480-061 - 2354 Fair Street / 005-480-054 - 2138 Fair Street
2.5. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA- None
3. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 5:20 to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 02, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
December 2, 2025 City Council Minutes Page|5
Date Approved: /drp 1/6/26
Wantesson
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
December 2, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 6