MINUTES OF THE ORLAND CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING HELD JULY 5, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Mayor Chris Dobbs at 6:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers John McDermott, Jeffrey Tolley, Matt Romano, Vice Mayor Bruce Roundy, Mayor
Chris Dobbs
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Director of Administrative Services Rebecca Pendergrass; City Clerk Jennifer
Schmitke; City Attorney Greg Einhorn;
Staff present online: None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION – NONE
MEETING ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 6:00 PM
CLOSED SESSION ENDED AT 6:20 PM
RECONVENED TO REGULAR SESSION AT 6:30 PM
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers John McDermott, Jeffrey Tolley, Matt Romano, Vice Mayor Bruce Roundy, Mayor
Chris Dobbs
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Director of Administrative Services Rebecca Pendergrass; City Clerk Jennifer
Schmitke; City Attorney Greg Einhorn; Chief of
Police Joe Vlach
Staff present online: Public Works Director Ed Vonasek
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION – No reportable action.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Fire Chief Justin Chaney
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (payable obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for June 20, 2023
C. Groundwater Recharge Agreement
D. Annual Review and Possible Adjustment to Maintenance District Assessments, Adopt Resolution 2023-04
E. Municipal Code Amendment – Second Reading: Truck Weight Limits Ordinance 2023-03
F. Adopt Resolution 2023-05, Approving and Adopting the Annual Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Item 4.B.
Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Roundy, to approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Discussion of Future Outlook for EMS and OVFD (Discussion/Action) – Justin Chaney, Fire Chief
Fire Chief Justin Chaney shared his concerns about the limited medical transport services in Glenn County and the impacts it is having on the Orland Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD).
Chief Chaney explained that currently the County has two ambulances, one in Orland and one in Willows, that are working hard to keep up with the growing population in Orland. Chief Chaney stated that due to the population increase in Orland calls for medical service have increased the strain on the volunteer firefighters who must respond to medical calls for standby while waiting for a medic from out of the area.
Chief Chaney stated that the County is looking for short term and long-term solutions to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) issue, by bringing the issue to the current County fire department ad hoc committee. Chief Chaney shared that the Willows Fire Chief went to his City Council asking for two councilmembers to join the ad hoc committee and asked if any Councilmembers would consider taking two appointments on the committee to represent Orland in coming up with a solution. Chief Chaney mentioned that if a long-term solution is not found there may be a day in the near future where the City will have no other option than to change over to a paid fire department, which none of the volunteers want to see.
Chief Chaney shared the idea of an additional 12-hour ambulance that would be scheduled from 5 am - 5 pm which would ease some of the stress off the volunteers that work during this time.
Chief Chaney stated that Westside Ambulance company is very interested in working with the County and Cities to come up with a solution to the EMS issue.
Councilmember Romano asked for a proposed cost to run the 12-hour ambulance. Chief Chaney shared that Sierra Sacramento Valley (SSV), the medical authority for ambulance and EMS services, presented a rough estimate of $650k for ambulance and equipment at the last ad hoc meeting with the County, these are only start-up costs and do not include reoccurring costs.
Councilmember Romano asked questions about the mutual aid calls, Chief Chaney explained the process of what happens when OVFD responds to call and shared that SSV sends out a monthly report on which ambulance responded and where they are based from. Councilmember Romano shared his concerns for not having solid numbers for this project and stated he would like to see more urgency in finding a solution for this issue.
Councilmember Tolley shared tackling the EMS issue as a team with the City of Orland, County Supervisors and the City of Willows is a great start in moving this issue in the right direction.
Councilmember McDermott stated that Councilmember Romano and Councilmember Tolley have great questions and shared he felt that they would make a great addition to the ad hoc committee. Councilmember McDermott shared that he has been on the committee for years and would like to see new additions with new ideas and fresh passion to help push the issue closer to a solution. Councilmember McDermott thanked all volunteers and their families for giving their time to the community.
Vice Mayor Roundy stated that the City does need to have representation on the ad hoc committee and expressed that the Cities and County must work together to come up with a solution to this problem. Vice Mayor Roundy shared that before the next election he would like to discuss and propose a quarter cent sales tax for the future of the fire department.
Wade Elliott, Orland resident, stated that the City of Orland is very fortunate to have the response times from the single ambulance as well as from the OVFD and thanked the County and OVFD for all they do. Mr. Elliott supported the City’s efforts to designate funds for this type of public safety. Mr. Elliott also volunteered to help and/or sit on the ad hoc committee.
Councilmember Romano stated he would serve on the ad hoc committee, Councilmember Tolley stated he is supportive of the project but declined due to a time constraint, Mayor Dobbs shared that he would also sit on the committee.
Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Councilmember McDermott, that Councilmember Romano and Mayor Dobbs will sit on the Glenn County ad hoc committee.
Motion passed by a voice vote 5-0.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Councilmember Romano:
• Shared his concern about the placement of a dumpster in front of the library and asked staff to add the dumpster placement on a future agenda; Councilmember McDermott:
• Announced he will be absent at the August 1st meeting; • Attended the June 15th Planning Commission meeting;
Councilmember Tolley:
• Attended the festivities in the park on July 4th;
• Will be attending the July 11th Economic Development Commission meeting; Vice Mayor Roundy:
• Attended the Transportation and Transit meeting July 5th; • Would like to see the City support the Hidden Treasures project and asked to put this item on a future agenda. Mayor Dobbs shared that Valerie Johnson with Hidden Treasures will be on the July 18th meeting;
Mayor Dobbs
• Thanked everyone who put the festivities together in the park on July 4th.
MEETING ADJOURED AT 7:16 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Chris Dobbs, Mayor