ADJOURNED REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - February 3, 2026 Minutes
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.
1.2. Invocation - Pastor Gabe Ruhl, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
Present: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds
Absent:
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.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Brien and seconded by Councilmember van Overbeek 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. 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 ssued unmodified (clean) audit opinions on all financial statements and presented the results of the audit to Financ committee at the January 21, 2026, meeting. The Committee recommended (3-0) the City Council acknowledg receipt and acceptance of the 2025 Audited Financial Reports. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.2. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA - None
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 were Dave Bradburn, Margo Cowan, and Sharon Fritsch.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
REGULAR AGENDA
February 3, 2026 City Council Minutes Page |1
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) A motion was made by Councilmember Winslow and seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 12-26 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ESTABLISHING
THE BELL-MUIR SEWER LIFT STATION BENEFIT AREA AND CAPACITY FEE The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
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 was cost effective and didn'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
Addressing the Council on this matter were Megan Thomas Petty, Deborah, Scott Matthews, Nels, Mat Bocior, Brandon Slater, Eric Nilsson, and Jason Anderson.
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) Addressing the Council were Priya Tuvell, Megan Thomas Petty, Jesse Horgan, and Dave Bradburn.
A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Councilmember Hawley to direct the Police Chief to implement his recommendations for the Park. Specifically, to initiate an ordinance or park rule amendments establishing a 15-mph maximum speed limit for electric bicycles within the One Mile and Five Mile recreation loops within engineering and transportation standards.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
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 February 3, 2026 City Council Minutes Pagel2
6.2. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT AND BUDGET MONITORING REPORTS - Information Only Financial Reports and Budget Monitoring Reports through September 30, 2025.
6.3. COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS - Pursuant to AP&P 10-10, Councilmembers could verbally request an item to be agendized at a future meeting. After stating what the item would be, a majority vote of Council was needed for staff to agendize.
PRESENTATION BY CHIEF ALDRIDGE - Councilmember van Overbeek A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien to agendize a discussion to consider having the Police Chief do a presentation on hiring practices and training of police officers.
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 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.
Date Approved: drp - 2/17/26
ikrank hersen
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
February 3, 2026 City Council Minutes Page 3
CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL -February 3, 2026 Minutes
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.
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 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Date Approved: drp - 2/17/26
brakk Presson
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
February 3, 2026 City Council Minutes Page 4