MINUTES OF THE ORLAND CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING HELD AUGUST 1, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Mayor Chris Dobbs at 6:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Jeffrey Tolley, Matt Romano, Vice Mayor Bruce Roundy, Mayor Chris Dobbs
Councilmembers absent: Councilmember John McDermott
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Director of Administrative Services Rebecca Pendergrass; City Clerk Jennifer
Schmitke; City Attorney Greg Einhorn; Police Chief
Joe Vlach
Staff present online: Director of Public Works Ed Vonasek Pledge of Allegiance
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (payable obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for July 18, 2023
Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Councilmember Romano, to approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion carried by a voice vote 4-0.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mardy Thomas, Glenn County Executive Director for the Transportation Commission, stated that the Glenn County Transportation Commission is required to hold a minimum of one public hearing to receive comments from the public on unmet transit needs that may exist.
Mayor Dobbs opened the Public Hearing at 6:33 P.M.
Earl Megginson, Orland resident shared his experiences with trying to find reliable rides to medical appointments.
Councilmember Tolley asked about transportation resources available in Orland. Mr. Thomas spoke about a dial-a-ride service that is only available in Orland.
Mayor Dobbs closed the Public Hearing at 6:36 P.M.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. Ordinance Late Payment Fee
Assistant City Manager Rebecca Pendergrass presented a draft Ordinance to Council regarding late fees applied to water and sewer accounts. Ms. Pendergrass reminded Council that at the May 16th Council meeting an Orland property owner appealed to Council to remove the late fees assigned to his accounts, the appeal was denied, Council requested that staff draft an Ordinance with the following provisions:
Item 7.B.
• Waiving of one late fee per account
• The final appeal process is to be overseen by the City Manager Councilmember Romano stated his concerns for if/when a property owner ever needed a second waiver due to a high bill or emergency, would it then be brought back to Council for the final decision. City Attorney, Greg Einhorn shared that the Ordinance attached is a draft version to provide clarity and this meeting would be the time to add any additional provisions to the Ordinance and stated that this draft does not allow for a second waiver option.
Mayor Dobbs asked how long the current policy had been in place. Mr. Carr shared that it has been a practice the City has followed for decades, and it has been consistently applied. Mayor Dobbs shared he like the draft Ordinance that was presented as is.
Vice Mayor Roundy stated the City needs to make sure the policy is black and white. Vice Mayor Roundy recommended that the City take the one-time late fee waiver away completely so that owners understand they must take care of their water bills.
Councilmember Tolley stated he also felt like the policy needed to be black and white so that owners understand what is expected of them. Councilmember Tolley also liked the idea of taking the task off the City Council’s agenda and allowing the City Manager to make the final decision.
Susan Smith, Orland resident, asked about the number of past appeals, questioned what happens when homeowners have big water leaks/bills and stated her concern for taking away the late fee waiver. Ms. Pendergrass stated that if a property owner’s bill is unusually high due to a leak on the homeowner’s side the City can set up payment plans to help owners.
Council directed staff to keep the Ordinance as drafted and bring back the first reading at the next Council meeting.
B. Draft Response to 2022/2023 Grand Jury Report
City Manager Pete Carr presented to Council the City’s draft response to the 2022/2023 Glenn County Grand Jury Report. The Grand Jury reported that the City of Orland and the Orland Fire Chief are to respond to certain findings and recommendations relative to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) section of the report. Mr. Carr shared the draft letter, from Mayor Dobbs.
Councilmembers shared their support for both responses.
Action: Vice Mayor Roundy moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley, to approve the draft response as presented and authorize the Mayor to sign and file with the Glenn County Superior Court. Motion passed by a voice vote 4-0.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Diana Ramirez, Waste Management Representative, reminded Council of the Annual clean-up day which will be help on October 7th at the Glenn County Fairgrounds from 8 am – 12 pm.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Vice Mayor Roundy:
• Will be attending the National Night in Library Park August 1st; • Will be attending the first farmers market at Library Park August 4th from 5 pm-7pm; • LAFCo was cancelled for July;
• Attended the Transportation and Transit meeting July 20th.
Councilmember Romano:
• Attended the Transportation and Transit meeting July 20th; • Has been attending all Emergency Medical Services(EMS) and updated Council on information that has been shared for additional ambulance services; • Will be attending the EMS ad hoc Committee meeting August 15th; • Asked to have noted his appreciation for the work that Public Works department has been putting in on the Library roof, new patio, and HVAC. Also stated his appreciation to the Recreation Department sharing that the pool is an asset to the community and all that help run the pool are doing a great job.
Councilmember Tolley:
• Nothing to Report.
Mayor Dobbs
• Nothing to Report.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:23 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Chris Dobbs, Mayor