Orland City Council Minutes – April 18, 2023 1 | P a g e
MINUTES OF THE ORLAND CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING HELD APRIL 18, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Mayor Chris Dobbs at 6:27 PM.
Meeting opened with Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers John McDermott (arrived at 6:29 p.m.), Jeffrey Tolley, Matt Romano, Vice Mayor Bruce
Roundy, Mayor Chris Dobbs
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Assistant City
Manager/Director of Administrative Services Rebecca
Pendergrass; Sergeant Sean Johnson; City Clerk Jennifer Schmitke; City Planner Scott Friend; City Attorney Greg Einhorn
Staff present online: Public Works Director Ed Vonasek
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (payable obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for April 4, 2023
C. Receive and file Arts Commission Minutes from March 15, 2023 D. Wildfire Fuels Reduction Lease Purchase Agreement
E. Grant Cost Share for Mechanic’s Service Truck
F. Approve use of Vinsonhaler Park requested by Orland Historical and Cultural Society (OHCS) Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Roundy to approve the consent calendar. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARING
Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZCA 2023-01) – Joint Tenant Pole Signs.
City Planner Friend presented an amendment to the Orland Municipal Code (OMC) Title 17, Zoning, Chapter 17.78 Sign Ordinance to incorporate provisions authorizing the use of “joint tenant” or multitenant poles signs via either the existing Administrative or Conditional Use Permit process for tenants located on separate but adjoining parcels of land zoned with a non-residential zoning district designation. Mr. Friend explained that the proposed action would amend OMC Title 17, Zoning, Chapter
17.8, Sign Ordinance to establish a new definition of “joint-tenant”, as well as to add a new description of “Freeway Influence Area” (FIA) to be applicable to areas zoned with a commercial or industrial zoning and being applicable where “joint-tenant” pole signs are permitted. Mr. Friend stated that the Planning Commission held a public hearing at their February 16th meeting, after consideration of the matter the Commission voted recommending approval of the matter with a 4-1 vote to be sent to Council for their Item 4.B.
Orland City Council Minutes – April 18, 2023 2 | P a g e consideration. The Planning Commission also recommended that the proposed action be exempt from further CEQA review.
Councilmember McDermott shared he is in favor of passing this code amendment, after attending the Planning Commission meeting, he expressed that the Planning Commission did an excellent job being very thorough when asking questions and discussing changes and updates to this item.
Councilmember Tolley shared this appreciation for all the City’s Commissions for taking the time to come to meetings and for doing research to bring information back to the Council so they can make the decisions necessary to help the town. Councilmember Tolley stated he is in favor of passing the code amendment.
The public hearing opened for comments at 6:38 p.m. No comments were received, the public hearing closed at 6:38 p.m.
Action: Vice Mayor Roundy moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley to approve item 5 as presented.
Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. DROUGHT STAGE DECLARATION
City Manager Pete Carr brought forward the water shortage contingency plan for the Council to review and consider whether/when to move from Stage 2 to Stage 1. Mr. Carr noted that Stage 1 continues public awareness efforts but does not impose restrictions on water use not tiered rates.
Councilmember McDermott stated he would like to hear from the community about conserving water.
Vice Mayor Roundy stated that the drought is not over, and reminded Council that the City will soon be adding new users from the County to City water. Vice Mayor Roundy expressed that he didn’t feel now was the time to change stages, maybe come back to the topic in another year if the City continues to have rainfall like last year and groundwater levels continue to rise. Vice Mayor Roundy shared that the Council has not heard complaints from the public being in Stage 2 and felt that the City should stay in current stage but maybe change the water times to not be so strict.
Councilmember Tolley agreed that conservation is very important right now. Councilmember Tolley stated he is against any rate increase.
Earl Megginson, Orland resident, stated he was in favor of staying in Stage 2.
Action: Vice Mayor Roundy moved, seconded by Councilmember McDermott for the Drought Stage Declaration to remain at Stage 2 with tiered rates suspended. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
B. DRAFT WELL STANDARDS
City Manager Pete Carr updated Council on the County well moratorium about the issuance of permits for new agricultural wells in Glenn County which went into effect in June 2021. Mr. Carr shared that the County is currently working on updating its water well drilling standards policy, which needs to be completed before the moratorium expires in June 2023. Mr. Carr stated a draft was reviewed at the Orland City Council Minutes – April 18, 2023 3 | P a g e April 17th Special Board of Supervisors study session; no action was taken at this meeting, but the discussion may be added to a future Supervisors meeting agenda.
Vice Mayor Roundy shared that he has been on many water boards and committees for years and now is the time to make the important decisions on well drilling with the science that the County has in front of them. Vice Mayor Roundy stated he is in favor of recommending that the City Council get behind the County and show support for moving forward with the well drilling standards.
Grant Carmon, County Supervisor, spoke about the Board of Supervisors meeting and about the need to get sensible standards in place by June 2023 to protect not only the domestic well users but also the farmers in Glenn County. Supervisor Carmon announced that the Board of Supervisors will be having another study session about the matter Tuesday April 25th at 1:30 p.m.
Councilmember Romano shared that as a representative of the City of Orland he feels the Council should show support for this matter.
Action: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Councilmember Romano that the City Council draft a letter to the Board of Supervisors in support of regulations that would responsibly manage well drilling to protect the groundwater supply for the City of Orland, and do so before June 2023. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
C. ANNUAL FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 Mr. Carr presented the fiscal year 2022 annual independent financial audit report for Council acceptance.
Mr. Carr presented some highlights from the report and answered questions from Council.
Action: Councilmember Romano moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley, to accept the annual financial report and the auditor’s management letter. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
D. CLEAN CALIFORNIA GRANT APPLICATION
Rebecca Pendergrass, Director of Administrative Services/Assistant City Manager, presented to Council a request for Council’s approval of submitting two grant applications for the Clean California Local Grant Program: One application would be to request funding to create and install the previously planned Pollinator Park and the second application would be to request funds to install new pedestrian lighting, trash receptacles and benches within the downtown business district along both Fourth and Fifth Streets.
Ms. Pendergrass stated that the grants require a 12.5% match and that the previously allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds should be sufficient.
Council members asked questions about the two projects and the projects’ costs.
Action: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Councilmember Romano, to approve the submission of both grant applications. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
Orland City Council Minutes – April 18, 2023 4 | P a g e E. FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET DISCUSSION#2: FLEET SCHEDULE AND GRANTS
ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Carr presented the second part of the draft proposed budget to Council for the next fiscal year 2023- 2024 which starts July 1. Mr. Carr shared updated fleet replacement schedules for the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments.
Mr. Carr informed the Council that City Staff has been exploring alternative approaches to grant writing and grant administration. Ms. Pendergrass shared with Council benefits and risks regarding outsourcing grants, in-house grants and hybrid options for grants administration.
Mr. Carr explained that City Staff is requesting to include grant writing and administration in the 2023- 2024 budget and allow the City to put out a request for qualifications (RFQ) for qualified grant writers and administrators. Ms. Pendergrass reviewed with the Council a summary of recent and current Orland grant activity.
Council discussed the item, and the consensus was to add the request to include grant writing and administration to the 2023-2024 budget.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Councilmember McDermott:
• Public Works Safety Commission was postponed until June 13th; • Will attend the Planning Commission meeting April 20th; • Fire Season is coming soon, stated that he hopes the new dozer will be delivered within the next few weeks;
• Stated his appreciation for the community supporting Measure A.
Councilmember Romano:
• Nothing to Report.
Councilmember Tolley:
• Nothing to Report.
Vice Mayor Roundy:
• Board of Supervisors meeting April 25th ;
• Transportation and Transit Meeting will be April 20th.
Mayor Dobbs
• Nothing to Report.
MEETING ADJOURED AT 8:08 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Chris Dobbs, Mayor