REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 20, 2026
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to order -
Mayor Reynolds call the January 20, 2026 Adjourned Regular Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA. 1/20/26 Agenda
1.2. Invocation - Police Chaplain, Michael Boyle
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. January 20, 2026, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney Ryan Jones City Attorney Ryan Jones announced that Council met with staff on the Closed Session matters.
2.1 Labor Negotiations -
Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
2.1. RESOLUTION NO. 10-26 - 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 3549 ESPLANADE - ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. 006-170-032 Adopted a resolution authorizing sewer assessment to be collected on the tax roll, in lieu of full and immediate payment of the sewer system connection fees. (Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director-Engineering)
2.1. Staff Report
2.2. RESOLUTION NO. 11-26 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL'S ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING THE CHICO FIRE DEPARTMENT'S INSPECTION OF SPECIFIC BUILDINGS AND OCCUPANCIES PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13146.2 AND 13146.3 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE Adopted a resolution acknowledging receipt of the Fire Marshal's report detailing the Chico Fire Department's compliance with State-mandated inspections pursuant to Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the California Health and Safety Code. This report summarizes the Department's efforts to meet required annual inspections of designated educational and residential occupancies. (Paul Ricketts, Fire Marshal)
2.2. Staff Report
2.3. SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT - INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS A side letter agreement between the City of Chico and the International Association of Fire Fighters modifies the Memorandum of Understanding for July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2027. The agreement updates the Monthly HSA Contribution formula in Exhibit D.II.B to reflect a two-tier contribution rate. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.3. Staff Report
2.4. AMENDMENT TO THE CITY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION
This amendment updated the City Manager job description to accurately reflect the responsibilities of the City Manager position. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.4. Staff Report
2.5. INFORMATION SYSTEMS POSITION RECLASSIFICATION & AMENDMENT TO THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION The City Council was presented with a request to reclassify 1.0 FTE Senior Communications Analyst to 1.0 FTE Information Systems Manager. This amendment updated the Information Systems Manager job description to accurately reflect the responsibilities of the Information Systems Manager position. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.5. Staff Report
2.6. APPROVAL OF LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JONES MAYER FOR CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES After an extensive recruitment process, which included multiple rounds of interviews, the Jones Mayer firm and in particular Ryan Jones of that firm was selected as the next City Attorney for Chico. (Mark Sorensen, City Manager)
2.6. Staff Report
2.7. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 1/6/26
2.7. Draft Minutes
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.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS -
None
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. INTERVIEWS & APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE ARTS COMMISSION Due to the resignation of Ciara Barsotti, there was an unscheduled vacancy on the Arts Commission, with three years remaining in the term. The vacancy was posted in accordance with state law and recruitment for this position was held 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. (
Report - Deborah R. Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official) Recommendation : The City Clerk recommends hearing from the applicants in attendance and then consider confirming the appointment of Vice Mayor Bennett's nominee to complete the remaining three-year term of office.
5.1. Staff Report
5.2. CONSIDERATION TO GIVE STAFF DIRECTION TO INCLUDE THE GALLERI CANCER SCREENING TEST FOR PUBLIC WORKS O&M EMPLOYEES THROUGH THE FY26-27 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Public Works Operations and Maintenance (PW O&M) employees routinely perform work that exposes them to known and suspected carcinogens, including materials and by-products associated with asphalt maintenance, painting, thermoplastic street marking, diesel equipment operation, and cleanup of homeless encampments. While cancer incidence rates for Public Works employees have not been quantified through large national studies, federal occupational health agencies recognize many of these exposures as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic, causing those that are commonly exposed to have a higher risk of cancer. Providing PW O&M employees access to the Galleri multi-cancer early detection blood test would support early cancer detection, promote equitable employee wellness practices, and align with the City's existing preventive health efforts for other employees with recognized occupational exposure risks. Staff believe a three-year interval for PW O&M employees is the most effective approach considering costs and early detection objectives. (Report - Erik Gustafson, Assistant City Manager)
Recommendation : The Assistant City Manager recommends City Council approve including PW O&M employees in the Galleri cancer screening test with a three-year interval.
5.2. Staff Report
5.3. CONFIRMATION OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR - OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE 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 is being presented with the employment agreement for the Public Works Director - Operations & Maintenance. (Report - Mark Sorensen, City Manager)
Recommendation :A. In compliance with Government Code Section 54953(c)(3), the City Manager shall first orally report a summary of the recommendation for final action related to the Public Works Director - Operations & Maintenance employment agreement as follows:
"The City Manager is proposing to enter into an employment agreement with Skyler Lipski as the Public Works Director - Operations & Maintenance; and the City Manager is proposing to appoint Skyler Lipski with an annual salary of $169,000." B. The City Manager recommends Council Confirmation of the appointment of Skyler Lipski as Public Works Director- Operations & Maintenance.
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. CITY CLERK'S OFFICE - 2025 ANNUAL REPORT -
Information only
6.2. City Clerk’s Annual Report
6.3. CODE ENFORCEMENT PENALTIES UPDATE -
Information only
At its April 15, 2025 meeting, City Council held a discussion with staff regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of existing nuisance abatement penalties for addressing code violations. Council requested to revisit the discussion at a future Council meeting. Since the April 15th Council meeting, City Council approved the appointment of Civica Law Firm (Civica) to support Code Enforcement staff with key abatement efforts. In addition, Civica has performed a full evaluation of the Municipal Code's code enforcement policies and procedures. (Charlene Durkin, Code Enforcement Supervisor
)
6.3. Staff Report
6.4. COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS -
None
7. ADJOURNMENT -
Adjourned at 7:11 p.m. to Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 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.
CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL - January 20, 2026 Minutes 1/20/26 Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER-
Mayor Reynolds call the Closed Session meeting of January 20, 2026 to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at 421 Main Street, Chico, CA. She announced all the items on the agenda.
1.1. ROLL CALL -
All members were present. There were no Council disqualifications and no speakers.
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
2.1. 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 Fire Management Employees, Chico Management Employees, Chico Police Management, Chico Police Officers Association, Chico Public Safety Association, Confidentials, International Association of Fire Fighters, Service Employees International Union - Trades & Crafts, Stationary Engineers Local 39, United Public Employees of California - Local 792
2.2. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
3. CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT -
Adjourned at 5:50 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.