REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 3, 2026
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1.1. Call to order -
Mayor Reynolds called the February 3, 2026 Regular Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA. 2/3/26 Agenda
1.2. Invocation - Pastor Gabe Ruhl, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. February 3, 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.
2.2 Existing Litigation -
Believe in Chico v. Chico - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.3 Real Property Negotiations -
Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
2.1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF ANNUAL AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORTS The certified public accounting firm of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) was engaged by the City Council to perform an audit of the financial statements and perform compliance testing of the City of Chico, Chico Passenger Facility Charges and Chico Urban Area Joint Powers Financing Authority for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. CLA issued unmodified (clean) audit opinions on all financial statements and presented the results of the audit to Finance Committee at the January 21, 2026, meeting. The Committee recommends (3-0) the City Council acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the 2025 Audited Financial Reports. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.1. Staff Report
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 any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS -
None
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE BELL-MUIR SEWER LIFT STATION BENEFIT AREA AND CAPACITY FEE The Bell-Muir Sewer Lift Station was completed in late 2025 to provide sewer service to recently approved developments and other properties within the benefitting area. The proposed Sewer Lift Station Capacity Fee will be collected to reimburse the developer for the additional capacity installed consistent with Chico Municipal Code. Under Chico Municipal Code 15.36, developers who construct regional sewer facilities may be reimbursed for costs that exceed their direct benefit. (Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering) Recommendation : The Director of Public Works - Engineering recommends City Council adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ESTABLISHING THE BELL-MUIR SEWER LIFT STATION BENEFIT AREA AND CAPACITY FEE
5.1. Staff Report
5.2. OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTSOURCING OF NON-PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS - Verbal report
At its meeting of 11/4/25, the Council directed staff of 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. (Verbal Report - Skyler Lipski, Public Works Director, Operations & Maintenance; Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director - Engineering; Brendan Vieg, Community Development Director)
5.3. CONSIDERATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLE (E-BIKE) REGULATIONS AND PROPOSED SPEED LIMIT FOR BIDWELL PARK RECREATION AREAS A proposed speed limit for electric bicycles (E-Bikes) intended to enhance pedestrian safety in high use shared environments, reduce the likelihood and severity of E-Bike pedestrian collisions, and align local policy with emerging best practices from other jurisdictions managing similar safety concerns in parks and multi-use recreational corridors. (Report - Billy Aldridge, Chief of Police)
Recommendation : The Police Department is seeking Council direction as it pertains to the proposed section of the City Municipal Code.
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. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT AND BUDGET MONITORING REPORTS - Information Only
Financial Reports and Budget Monitoring Reports through September 30, 2025.
6.2. Staff Report
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 is needed in order for staff to agendize.
PRESENTATION BY CHIEF ALDRIDGE
-
Councilmember van Overbeek
7. ADJOURNMENT -
The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. to Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 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.
CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL -February 3, 2026 Minutes
2/3/26 Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER-
Mayor Reynolds called the Closed Session meeting of February 3, 2026 to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.
1.1. ROLL CALL -
All members were present.
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA -
There were no speakers and no Council disqualifications.
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. 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 - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
2.3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.8. - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no final action was taken.
Agency Negotiator:
Mark Sorensen, City Manager
Under Negotiation:
Price and Terms of Payment
Party Negotiating with:
Assurance Development interest in leasing a portion of 1150 E 1st Ave., Chico, CA 95926. APN: 045-770-017
2.4. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
3. ADJOURNMENT -
The meeting adjourned at 5:25 to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.