ADJOURNED REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - March 17, 2026 Minutes
Call to order - 6:00 p.m. - Mayor Reynolds called the March 17, 2026, Regular Council meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.
1.2. Invocation - Police Chaplain Peter Hansen
1.3. Roll Call
Present: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds
Absent: None
1.4. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.5. March 17, 2026, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney Ryan Jones City Attorney Ryan Jones announced that Council met with staff on the Closed Session matters on March 16, 2026.
2.2 Existing Litigation - Believe in Chico - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken. Councilmember van Overbeek was disqualified from this discussion due to owning property within 500 feet of the area being discussed. He left the room during the discussion.
2.3 Public Employment - City Manager - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
City Attorney Ryan Jones announced that Council met with staff on the Closed Session matters on March 17,
2.1 Public Employment - City Manager - 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.
MINUTE ORDER AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE LOAN DOCUMENTS
BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHICO AND TURNING POINT COMMONS
This item arose after the posting of the agenda. It required a 2/3 majority vote to be added to the agenda. If agendized, it would be heard as Item 5.6.
A motion was made by Councilmember Winslow and seconded by Councilmember Goldstein to accept Item
5.6. which was the Minute Order Authorization for the City Manager to execute loan documents between the City of Chico and Turning Point Commons.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Brien and seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
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The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
2.1. ORDINANCE NO. 2621 - ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING SECTION 16.66.040(A) OF THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD THE CHICO AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT AS AN EXEMPT ENTITY FROM TREE PRESERVATION REGULATIONS - Final reading and adoption by reading of title only
2.2. RESOLUTION NO. 16-26 - 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 2329 FAIR STREET (PORTION OF 005- 610-010) - JENNETTE C. MEDEIROS, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN
RESOLUTION NO. 17-26 - 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 2255 FAIR STREET (PORTION OF 005- 471-042) - JESUS PROVIDES OUR DAILY BREAD, INC., A CALIFORNIA NON-PROFIT BENEFIT CORPORATION WHO ACQUIRED TITLE AS JESUS PROVIDES OUR DAILY BREAD, INC., A
CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
RESOLUTION NO. 18-26 - 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 2049 FAIR STREET (PORTION OF 005- 461-003) - RAJEEV VASUDEVA, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY Adopted resolutions authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase agreement and any related documents necessary to acquire real property in order to construct the Fair Street Rehabilitation Project.
2.3. AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF CHICO BUDGET APPENDIX B-1 AND UPDATE TO THE FIRE CHIEF
AND DEPUTY CHIEF - FIRE JOB DESCRIPTIONS
An amendment to the City of Chico's Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget, Appendix B-1, and updated the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief - Fire job descriptions. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
2.4. SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT - CHICO PUBLIC SAFETY ASSOCIATION Consideration of a Side Letter Agreement between the City of Chico and the Chico Public Safety Association (CPSA) providing a $40,000 signing bonus for a lateral Public Safety Dispatcher hired on January 20, 2026, funded through the previously authorized dispatcher recruitment and retention bonus program. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director
2.5. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 3/3/26
2.6. 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.
Addressing the Council were Bo Powell, Carrie Welch, Rob Berry and Charnel Schaff-James.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
REGULAR AGENDA
March 17, 2026 City Council Minutes
5.1. SEWER ENTERPRISE STUDY
The City of Chico completed a Sewer Enterprise Study proposing a five-year sewer rate adjustment to address financial, regulatory, and infrastructure needs of the City's sewer public utility. The rate strategy was intended to stabilize sewer funds; support required capital and regulatory compliance projects and rebuild reserves to ensure long-term utility sustainability. (Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director - Engineering)
Addressing the Council were Analise Uhlrig, Matt Depa, Molly Kopta, Jennifer Morris, Charnel Schaaf-James, and Adam Fedeli.
A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien to delay the approval of the fee increase until the City got the results of the heavy metal testing A substitute motion was made by Councilmember Hawley and seconded by Councilmember Goldstein to approve Option 1 to adopt the proposed sewer rate schedule and direct staff to initiate the Proposition 218 process, including preparation and distribution of the public hearing notice.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, Winslow, Bennett
NOES: O'Brien, van Overbeek, Reynolds
The original motion was not voted on because the substitute motion passed.
Council took a ten-minute break at 7:13 p.m. All members were present when they reconvened.
5.2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPLICATION TO THE PRO-HOUSING INCENTIVE PROGRAM The California Department of Housing and Community Development's (HCD) administers the Pro-Housing Incentive Program (PIP), which provides competitive grant funding to support planning and implementation activities related to housing and community development. Because the City is pursuing HCD's Pro-Housing Designation, the City may be eligible for PIP funding. At its meeting, Council was being asked to adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of a PIP application by the March 31, 2026, Round 4 Notice of Funding Availability deadline. This action may allow the City to secure State funding to support its housing goals. (Report - Brendan Vieg, CDD Director, MaryJo Alonzo, Housing Manager) A motion was made by Councilmember Winslow and seconded by Councilmember Hawley to adopt the following resolution authorizing application to and participation in the Pro-Housing Incentive Program and 2) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to apply for and, if awarded, accept Pro-Housing Incentive Program funds.
RESOLUTION NO. 19-26 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO
AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR, AND RECEIPT OF, PROHOUSING INCENTIVE PROGRAM FUNDS (CITY OF CHICO)
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
5.3. CONFIRMATION OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR - PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEERING 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 was presented with an employment March 17, 2026 City Council Minutes Page 3
agreement for the Deputy Director - Public Works Engineering. (Report - Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien to confirm the contract in compliance with Government Code Section 54953(c)(3), with David Kehn as the Deputy Director - Public Works Engineering; with an annual salary of $185,377.50." The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
5.4. COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN REQUEST - REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN At its meeting of 2/17/26, Council voted to agendize a discussion regarding revitalization of the Downtown Councilmember van Overbeek was disqualified from this discussion due to owning property within 500 feet of the area being discussed. He left the council meeting at this time as he was also disqualified from item 5.5 for the same reason.
Addressing the Council were Leann Powell, Adam Fedeli, and Anika Rodriguez.
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Brien and seconded by Mayor Reynolds to refer this discussion to the Internal Affairs Committee to understand what is going on in the downtown area from those affected and bring back items.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
DISQ: van Overbeek
5.5. MAYOR REYNOLDS REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION REGARDING PBID OPPORTUNITY
ZONES AND POSSIBLE DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT ZONES
At its meeting of February 17, 2026, at the request of Mayor Reynolds, the Council voted 7-0 to agendize a discussion regarding possible opportunity zones that are being developed and proposed by the PBID for the downtown area.
At its meeting of March 3, 2026, the Council voted 7-0 to waive its 30-day rule to allow Mayor Reynolds to include discussion of possible downtown entertainment zones as part of the previously scheduled discussion of PBID opportunity zones.
Addressing the Council were Audrey Taylor, Molly Kopka, Celeste Cramer and Lindsay Steinberg. work with the PBID for the completion of an application for the Opportunity Zone by the Federal Government. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Bennett and seconded by Councilmember Hawley to authorize staff to Mayor Reynolds made a friendly amendment to also authorize staff to work on Entertainment Zone for downtown with the Chamber of Commerce. This friendly amendment was accepted.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
DISQ: van Overbeek
March 17, 2026 City Council Minutes
5.6. ITEMS ADDED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
MINUTE ORDER NO. 01-26 - MINUTE ORDER AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE LOAN AGREEMENTS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHICO AND
TURNING POINT COMMONS, LP FOR THE REHABILITATION OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROJECT,
TURNING POINT COMMONS
Staff identified the need for City Council authorization for the City Manager to execute loan documents between the City of Chico and Turning Point Commons, LP, for funding related to the rehabilitation of an existing 66-unit affordable housing project. Community Improvement Housing Program (CHIP), the owner and borrower of Turning Point Commons, has been long-standing partner with the City in the development and preservation of affordable housing. In June 2025, City Council approved the HUD Annual Plan and the FY 2025-26 City Budget, which included funding allocations for this project. While the Council authorized the funding for the loans, it did not explicitly authorize the City Manager to execute the related loan and financing documents necessary to implement the project. This Minute Order provided authority for the City Manager to execute the associated Loan and Regulatory Agreements and Deeds of Trust securing the loans. (Report - MaryJo Alonzo, Housing Program Manager)
A motion was made by Councilmember Goldstein and seconded by Councilmember Winslow to approve Minute Order 01-26 authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to facilitate this transaction, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: van Overbeek
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. SUNSHINING OF DRAFT MOU - CONFIDENTIALS (CNF) - 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 Confidentials (CNF) 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 April 7, 2026. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director)
6.3. SHELTER CRISIS DECLARATION STATUS REPORT- Information only On October 5, 2021, the City of Chico (City) declared a shelter crisis pursuant to Government Code section 8698.4. This is the City's annual status report to the State of California Senate Committee on Housing and the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development, as required by Government Code section 8698.4(a)(6), outlining its progress in addressing its shelter crisis during FY 2022-2023. (Mark Sorensen, City Manager)
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 was needed in order for staff to agendize.
OPPORTUNITIES TO MITIGATE PUBLIC NUISANCES - Mayor Reynolds A motion was made by Mayor Reynolds and seconded by Councilmember Winslow to agendize a discussion for opportunities to mitigate the public nuisances without invalidating the Warren Settlement.
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The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, O'Brien, Winslow, Bennett, Reynolds
NOES: Hawley
ABSENT: van Overbeek
ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 8:14 to Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., followed by the Adjourned Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street Date Approved: /drp 4/7/26
Vibrad Pressno
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
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CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL - March 17, 2026 Minutes
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Reynolds called the Closed Session meeting of March 17, 2026, to order at 2:00 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.
2.1. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Manager Recruitment - 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 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
2.3. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 5:54 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Date Approved: /drp 4/7/26
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
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