REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 20, 2026
Chico Municipal Center, Council Chamber, 421 Main Street October 20, 2026 City Council Meeting Agenda
10/20/26 Agenda
Meeting Accessibility and Remote Participation Instructions Meeting Accessibility and Participation instructions
1. CALL TO ORDER - October 20, 2026, City Council Meeting
1.1. Invocation - Chaplain Eileen Brownell
1.2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.3. Roll Call
1.4. October 20, 2026, Closed Session Announcements - City Attorney Ryan R. Jones
2. CONSENT AGENDA - All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine in nature.
2.1. AMENDMENT TO POLICY ON CITY COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE The City Council will consider an amendment to AP&P 10-10 clarifying the procedure for Councilmember requests to place matters on a future agenda. The proposed amendment does not change the process, but rather further clarifies it. (Deborah R. Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official)
2.1. Staff Report
2.2. AMENDMENTS TO POLICY ON GIFTS TO THE CITY
An amendment to Administrative Procedure and Policy (AP&P) 10-46, Gifts to the City, to replace the stated dollar amount with a reference to applicable State law and FPPC regulation as amended from time to time. (Deborah R. Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official)
2.2. Staff Report
2.3. 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. FINAL PROTEST HEARING ON THE PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE EXISTING CMD A55 AUTUMN LEAF ESTATES SUBDIVISION At its October 6, 2026, meeting, the City Council conducted an initial hearing and considered and approved the City Engineer’s Report - Modified to modify Chico Maintenance District (CMD) No. A55 - Autumn Leaf Estates Subdivision. The Developer of Autumn Leaf Estates has requested a modification to CMD A55 to reflect the subdivision’s reduction from 68 to 67 lots and redistribute assessments accordingly. The modification does not change the district’s purpose or maintenance services. (Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works, Engineering) Recommendation : The Director of Public Works - Engineering recommends that, following tabulation of all ballots, the City Council adopt the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO, CALIFORNIA DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE PROPERTY OWNER PROTEST BALLOT PROCEEDING AND CONFIRMING THE MODIFICATION OF CHICO MAINTENANCE DISTRICT (CMD A55) - AUTUMN LEAF ESTATES SUBDIVISION, THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENTS RELATED THERETO, OVERRULING ALL PROTESTS CONCERNING THE ASSESSMENTS, AND ORDERING THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS COMMENCING FISCAL YEAR 2027/28
4.1. Staff Report
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 9.20, 12.18, AND 12R Council gave direction that the City Attorney’s Office review and assess the City’s camping and other related ordinances relating to public nuisances for possible amendments in light of the Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024) ("Grants Pass") and the expiration of the terms of the settlement agreement reached in Warren v. City of Chico ("Warren") (2021). (Report - Ryan R. Jones, City Attorney) These ordinances were presented at the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting, and the City Council provided directions to split the three proposed ordinance amendments for separate action.
Recommendation : Introduce the following ordinances by reading of titles only:
5.1. Staff Report
A.
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING TITLE 9, OF THE CITY OF CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE TO REGULATE CERTAIN ACTS OF CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
5.1.A. CMC 9.20
B.
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING TITLE 12, CHAPTER 12.18 OF THE CITY OF CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE TO REGULATE CERTAIN PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS
5.1.B. CMC 12.18
C.
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHICO AMENDING TITLE 12R OF THE CITY OF CHICO MUNICIPAL CODE TO REGULATE CERTAIN ACTS OF CAMPING IN PARKS
5.1.C. CMC 12R
5.2. PROPOSED LOITERING ORDINANCE
Council requested that the City Attorney’s Office begin reviewing the City’s municipal code for potential amendments or additions, working in coordination with the Chico Police Department. After consultation between the Police Department, City Manager, and the City Attorney’s Office, the addition of a loitering ordinance was identified as a potential tool for law enforcement. (Report - Ryan R. Jones, City Attorney) Recommendation : Introduce the following ordinance by reading of its title only:
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHICO ADDING A LOITERING CHAPTER TO TITLE 9, DIVISION III - PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFENSES AND REGULATIONS
5.2. Staff Report
5.3. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT OF APPENDIX B-3 FOR PUBLIC RECORDS ACT UNIT STAFFING Consideration of an Amendment to the City of Chico’s 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Budget Appendix, modifying the full-time allocations for the Police Department by adding an Evidence Technician, a Records Technician, and adding a permanent part-time Senior Information Analyst, to establish a Public Records Act request fulfillment unit. If directed by Council, staff will return at a subsequent meeting with the proposed Appendix B-3 amendment and a Supplemental Appropriation for approval. (Report - Billy Aldridge, Chief of Police)
5.3. Staff Report
5.4. 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 Gillian Haen
6.2. CITY RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE OVERVIEW
At its meeting of 7/14/26, the Council approved the Finance Committee’s request to an overview of how the City manages its various insurance coverages. Staff will provide an overview of the City’s risk exposures which is done through a combination of self-insurance, participation in public agency risk-sharing pools, and insurance policies. This approach allows the City to retain risks that can reasonably be absorbed while obtaining coverage for losses that could have a significant financial impact on City operations. The City participates in two public agency risk-sharing pools: the California Joint Powers Risk Management Authority (CJPRMA) for excess general liability coverage and Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM) for excess workers’ compensation coverage. The City maintains a $750,000 self-insured retention (SIR) for both programs. The City also maintains property and vehicle insurance policies through CJPRMA, with deductibles of $250,000 for property and $10,000 for vehicles. This report is provided for informational purposes and explains the City’s philosophy for determining which risks are retained by the City and which are transferred through pooled coverage or insurance. (Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director) Recommendation : This is an informational item; no action is being requested.
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.
7. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourn to the November 3, 2026, Closed Session meeting at 5:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. followed by the Regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico.
1. CLOSED SESSION AT 5:00 P.M. - 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 LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(4): Two (2) cases.
2.2. 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
2.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): Case No. 24CV03881- Lorraine Craft vs. Chico of Chico, George Laver, Sandra Laver
2.4 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): BCSC Case No. 25CV05119: David L. Waddell v. Michael L. Ramsey, et al
2.5 CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
3. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourn to the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.