7/7/26 Council Meeting
REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 7, 2026
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: (Hyperlinks are available in the PDF of the Agenda) The public may view the meeting on Comcast Channel 11 or http://chico-ca.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2, with remote public participation allowed via Zoom.
Public Participation Prior to the Meeting - The public can provide public participation prior to the meeting via email to [email protected].
Public Participation During the Meeting via Zoom - The public can participate during the meeting by accessing the Zoom Meeting information at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88003939655?pwd=tbaXddBAJqxZX35qXxfTRdj5cbard0.1 Passcode: Council
or
Join by Telephone
For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.
Dial:
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
Webinar ID: 880 0393 9655 Passcode: 0487350
Instructions for using Zoom
• Join the meeting using the link above.
• You must have audio and microphone capabilities on the device you are using to join the meeting. • When you join the meeting make sure that you join the meeting with audio and follow the prompts to test your speaker & microphone prior to joining the meeting.
To speak on an item using Zoom
• The Mayor will call the item and staff will begin the staff report. • Click on the Raise Hand icon if you would like to speak on the item. The City Clerk will call your name when it’s your turn to speak. • If you are participating via phone audio only you must press *9 to raise your hand • When your name is called, you will be prompted to unmute yourself. • If you are participating via phone only, you will press *6 to unmute. • When your time is up, you will be muted.
• You will repeat this process for each item you want to speak on.
Please Note: All Comments whether in person or virtual will be limited to 3 minutes or less pursuant to the Brown Act and depending on time constraints in the meeting. 7/7/26 Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.2. Roll Call
For the record, Councilmember van Overbeek will be attending the meeting via Zoom from the following location: 1499c Tragihalten Weg, 3823 Wengen, Switzerland.
2. CONSENT AGENDA - All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine in nature.
2.1. REQUEST TO APPROVE FY 2025 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTER GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATIONS The City Council is asked to approve three applications under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FY 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program requesting a total of $872,789 in federal funding. The proposed projects include (1) replacement and completion of essential firefighting, rescue, and extrication equipment on frontline and reserve fire apparatus; (2) acquisition of equipment for the Fire Investigation Team’s (FIT) Mobile Fire Investigation Unit; and (3) procurement of a firefighting water tender. If awarded and accepted, the Federal grant requires a 10% match commitment from which a confirming supplemental appropriation will be sought for use of Operations and Maintenance-Fleet Services funds for a match of $64,095 for the firefighting water tender. FY26/27 fire department operating funds will be utilized for the 10% match commitment for the other two projects, if awarded and accepted. (Wes Metroka, Fire Chief)
2.1. Staff Report
2.2. 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. REGULAR AGENDA
1.3. Proclamation and Acknowledgement - Retirement of Mark Sorensen, City Manager
1.4. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT - Ryan Jones
4.1. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF CITY MANAGER
Under Articles II and VII of the Charter of the City of Chico and California Government Code sections 34851 - 34859, the City Council ("Council") is empowered to appoint a city manager to direct the executive affairs of the City and to implement the Council’s policy determinations. To meet this requirement, the City Council is being presented with the employment agreement for Gillian Haen who has been selected to fill the City Manager position after a recruitment process. (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 City Manager agreement as follows:
"After engaging with an executive search firm and conducting a comprehensive search process over the course of seven months the City of Chico proposes to enter into an Employment Agreement with Gillian Haen to serve as City Manager. The agreement provides for an annual salary of $285,000; a one-time relocation allowance of $15,000; a monthly vehicle allowance of $400; a monthly cell phone allowance of $75; and other employee benefits as specified in the Employment Agreement."
B. City Council confirm its appointment of Gillian Haen as City Manager.
4.1. Staff Report
4.2. APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CITY MANAGER
The current City Manager’s retirement date is July 10, 2026. The incoming City Manager is expected to begin employment in August of 2026. To ensure continuity in the administration of the City’s day-to-day operations during the interim period, the City Council has been asked to designate an Interim City Manager.
Pursuant to Articles II and VII of the Charter of the City of Chico, Government Code sections 34851-34859, the City Council of the City of Chico is empowered to appoint a city manager to direct the executive affairs of the City and to implement the Council’s policy determinations; and Article VII of the Charter (commencing with section 700), and Chapter 2.12 of the Chico Municipal Code (commencing with section 2.12.010), set forth the qualifications, duties, and powers of the city manager. (Report - Mark Sorensen, City Manager) Recommendation : Designate Assistant City Manager Erik Gustafson as the Interim City Manager effective July 11, 2026, to serve until the permanent City Manager begins employment with the City of Chico.
4.2. Staff Report
4.3. ITEMS ADDED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
5. RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION
5.1. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957(b). Title: City Manager
5.2. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
6. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourn to the July 14, 2026 Closed Session meeting 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.