REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 21, 2026
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street
1. CALL TO ORDER
4/21/26 Agenda
1.1. Invocation - MaryAnn Hawkins, Chaplain
1.2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.3. Roll Call
1.4. Arbor Day Proclamation
1.5. April 16 and April 21, 2026, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney Ryan Jones
2. CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine in nature.
2.1. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO DECLARING PUBLIC NUISANCE AND SETTING TIME FOR HEARING ON OBJECTIONS TO ABATEMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF COSTS RELATED TO THE ABATEMENT OF WEEDS, RUBBISH, REFUSE AND/OR DEBRIS The lot clearing and weed abatement program is conducted each year under the provisions of the California Government Code. Adoption of a resolution will: (1) require the abatement of weeds, rubbish, refuse and/or debris; (2) set a public hearing for 5/05/26; and (3) direct the City Clerk to mail notices of the public hearing to all owners of affected parcels. (Charlene Durkin, Code Enforcement Supervisor)
2.1. Staff Report
2.2. 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 ALONG THE ESPLANADE (PORTION OF 006-190-027) - ALLEGIANCE PROPERTIES, LLC, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Adopt - resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the easement agreement and any related documents necessary to acquire real property in order to construct the North Esplanade Reconstruction Project. (Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works, Engineering)
2.2. Staff Report
2.3. CONSIDERATION OF THE TRANSFER OF SUCCESSOR AGENCY OWNED PROPERTIES TO THE CITY OF CHICO The City Council is asked to act in both its capacity as governing board of the Successor Agency to the Chico Redevelopment Agency and the City of Chico to consider approval of the transfer of four former redevelopment agency properties to the City of Chico. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director) Recommendation : The Administrative Services Director recommends adoption of the following resolutions:
Successor Agency Action
RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CHICO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHICO APPROVING AND GRANTING THE TRANSFER OF PROPERTIES (APNs 002-180-087, 002-180-088, 002-180-089, AND 002-180-095) TO THE CITY OF CHICO AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE THE GRANT DEED AND ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO TRANSFER THE PROPERTIES TO THE CITY OF CHICO
Council Action
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE TRANSFER OF PROPERTIES TO THE CITY OF CHICO AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE AND ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO TRANSFER THE PROPERTIES (APNs 002-180-087, 002-180-088, 002-180-089, AND 002-180-095) TO THE CITY OF CHICO
2.3. Staff Report
2.4. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 4/7/26
2.4. Draft Minutes 4-7-26
2.5. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Members of the public may address the Council at this time on any matter not already listed on the agenda and within the jurisdiction’s authority. Comments will be limited to three minutes or as determined by the Mayor based on the number of speakers. The Council cannot take any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. HEARING TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT 2026-2027 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE USE OF FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT (HOME) FUNDS The City of Chico is an entitlement grantee for the receipt of federal funds through two programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD): Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships Grant (HOME). As an entitlement grantee, the City’s receipt of funds is contingent upon City compliance with a variety of planning and administrative requirements. Each year, the City must submit an Annual Action Plan (AAP) to HUD describing the City’s plans for using these funds in the upcoming year. The City receives an annual award of community development and housing funds from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (Report - MaryJo Alonzo, Housing Program Manager) Recommendation The Community Development Director recommends that City Council 1) hold a public hearing on the Draft 2026-2027 HUD Annual Action Plan and proposed budget; 2) consider any public comment received during the hearing; and 3) schedule a final public hearing on the final Annual Action Plan at the end of the 30-day public comment period to be held May 19, 2026.
4.1. Staff Report
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. COUNCILMEMBER WINSLOW REQUEST - OROVILLE ELECTRIC UTILITY - Continued from 4/7/26 Council Meeting At its meeting of 1/6/26, the Council voted to agendize a discussion on public power proposals in Oroville.
5.1. Councilmember Winslow Request
5.2. COUNCILMEMBER HAWLEY REQUEST - REGULATIONS ON COMMERCIAL CANNABIS - Continued from 4/7/26 Council Meeting At its meeting of 2/17/26, Council voted to agendize a discussion on regulations related to commercial cannabis operations.
5.2. Councilmember Hawley Request
5.3. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT - ALTERNATIVES - Continued from 4/7/26 Council Meeting The Downtown Revitalization Project is a comprehensive planning effort to address access, mobility and infrastructure improvements in downtown Chico while enhancing safety for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, improving connectivity for all modes of travel and maintaining the vitality and character of the downtown area. Through a multi-phase process, several alternatives were developed and presented for consideration. (Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works, Engineering) Recommendation : The Director of Public Works - Engineering recommends that the City Council discuss the downtown scoping concepts and adopt one of the following alternatives:
Alternative 1 - Protected One-Way Bikeways on Main St and Broadway Alternative 2 - Protected Two-Way Bikeway on Main and widened sidewalks on Broadway Alternative 3 - Bikeway improvements to Wall Street and Flume Street
5.3. Staff Report
5.3. Additional Input Information
5.4. RESOLUTION ADOPTING PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MAJORITY PROTEST PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO PROPOSED INCREASES TO THE CITY’S PROPERTY RELATED CHARGES AND ASSESSMENTS AND FOR OBJECTIONS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 53759.1 AND 53759.2 - Continued from 4/7/26 Council Meeting The City Council is asked to consider the approval and adoption of procedures for the conduct of a public hearing and majority protest proceedings related to proposed increases to the City’s property-related charges and assessments pursuant to Article XIII D of the California Constitution, the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act, and Objections under Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2 (Report - Heather Childs, Accounting Manager) Recommendation : The Administrative Services Director recommends adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ADOPTING REVISED PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF A PUBLIC HEARING AND MAJORITY PROTEST PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO PROPOSED INCREASES TO THE CITY'S PROPERTY RELATED CHARGES AND ASSESSMENTS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XIII D OF THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION, THE PROPOSITION 218 OMNIBUS IMPLEMENTATION ACT, AND OBJECTIONS UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 53759.1 AND 53759.2
5.4. Staff Report
5.5. VICE MAYOR BENNETT REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE ACTION TAKEN ON SEWER ENTERPRISE STUDY At the 4/7/26 Council meeting, under Reports and Communications, due to being on the prevailing side of the action, Vice Mayor Bennet requested a reconsideration of 3/17/26 Agenda Item 5.1. related to the Sewer Enterprise Study proposing a five-year sewer rate adjustment, where "Option 1" was selected in a 4-3 vote, with O’Brien, van Overbeek, and Reynolds opposed. Based on a 5-2 vote, with Goldstein and Hawley opposed, this matter has been agendized for reconsideration pursuant to the process as outlined in AP&P 10-10. (Report - Deborah R. Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official) Recommendation : Consider the request for reconsideration and provide direction to staff.
5.5. Vice Mayor Bennett - Reconsideration
5.6. CONSIDERATION OF THREE HERITAGE TREE APPLICATIONS
The Chico Municipal Code (CMC Section 16.68.010) establishes a Voluntary Heritage Tree Program in which property owners can submit applications to nominate trees as a Heritage Tree. In the past fifteen months, staff received three applications from property owners and state agencies to nominate a tree on their property. A Southern Magnolia at 525 Esplanade (Bidwell Mansion), An American elm at 488 E 3rd St (Enloe Mansion) and a Valley oak at Little Chico Creek Elementary, 2090 Amanda Way. All three trees qualify and meet the criteria of a Heritage Tree under the CMC 16.68 regulations. (Report - Richie Bamlet, Urban Forest Manager) Recommendation : The Urban Forest Manager and the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission recommend that the City Council approve the designation of the private American elm at 488 E 3rd St, the public Valley oak at 2090 Amanda Way and the public Southern magnolia at 525 Esplanade as City of Chico Heritage Trees.
5.6. Staff Report
5.7. CONFIRMATION OF DEPUTY 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 Deputy Director - Public Works Operations and 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 Deputy Director - Public Works Operations and Maintenance employment agreement as follows:
"The City Manager is proposing to enter into an employment agreement with Jacques Vos as the Deputy Director - Public Works Operations and Maintenance; and the City Manager is proposing to appoint Jacques Vos with an annual salary of $145,000."
B. The City Manager recommends Council Confirmation of the appointment of Jacques Vos as the Deputy Director - Public Works Operations and Maintenance.
5.7. Staff Report
5.8. MAYOR REYNOLDS REQUEST - OPPORTUNITIES TO MITIGATE PUBLIC NUISANCES At its meeting of 3/17/26, the Council voted to agendize a discussion for opportunities to mitigate public nuisances without invalidating the Warren Settlement.
5.8. Mayor Reynolds Request
5.9. ITEMS ADDED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
6. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
The following reports and communication items are provided for the Council’s information. No action can be taken on items under this section unless the Council agrees to include it on a subsequent agenda.
6.1. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT - Verbal Report, City Manager Sorensen
6.2. 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.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn to Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 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
Closed Session Meeting Agenda
April 21, 2026 - 5:00 p.m.
Chico Municipal Center, Conference Room 2, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA 4/21/26 Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 421 MAIN STREET, CHICO, CA.
1.1. ROLL CALL
2. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
Members of the public may address the Council at this time on any item on the Closed Session agenda, with comments being limited to three minutes or as determined by the Mayor based on the number of speakers.
2.1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 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 – Potential Litigation: Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(4). One case
2.3. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Manager Recruitment
2.4. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
3. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn to the Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.