MINUTES OF THE ORLAND CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Mayor Chris Dobbs at 6:00 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Romano
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Jeffrey Tolley, Matt Romano, John McDermott and Mayor Chris Dobbs
Councilmembers absent: Vice Mayor Bruce Roundy (listened via Zoom) Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Director of Administrative Services Rebecca Pendergrass; City Clerk Jennifer
Schmitke; Library Director Jody Meza; City Engineer Paul Rabo; Police Chief Joe Vlach; City Attorney Greg Einhorn Staff present online: Public Works Director Ed Vonasek; Recreation Director Joe Fenske; Fire Chief Justin Chaney
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (Payable Obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for September 5, 2023
C. Agreement for Maintenance of City Water Lines in County Roads D. Eighth Street Speed Table Removal
E. Agreement for Glenn County Allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds to Libraries F. Glenn County Health and Human Services Agency Agreement for Library Services G. City Council discussion and possible action to award a consultant contract for the City of Orland Emergency Groundwater Resource Project – Multiple Phases City Attorney Greg Einhorn reminded Council that they are back to following pre-Covid rules and explained that Vice Mayor Roundy may observe as a member of the public, but because he was not present, he could not participate in the meeting.
Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Councilmember McDermott, to approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion carried by a voice vote 4-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. Draft Reimbursement Agreement: Hidden Treasures
City Attorney Greg Einhorn presented a funding agreement for the Council to review. The short-term funding agreement was requested after a public discussion with Hidden Treasures Sanctuary, an independent non-profit organization that provides feral cat services in Glenn County and Orland and which requested funding from the City to help with operational expenses, including rent and utilities. Mr.
Einhorn explained each term of the agreement.
Hidden Treasures Board Member Jan Smith shared her concerns and asked Council to consider giving to the Sanctuary for their basic necessities.
Director of Hidden Treasures Valerie Johnson thanked the Council for listening to their needs and concerns. Ms. Johnson shared her worries for not being able to continue to help with the cat issue that is going on in Glenn County. Ms. Jonnson shared the sanctuary has cut a lot of costs and she has been looking into using personal property for an additional cat facility in the County.
Councilmember Tolley moved to “not pay a single cent”. Without a second the motion failed.
Council discussed concerns, shared their opinions, and asked Hidden Treasures Sanctuary Board President, Valerie Johnson questions. Council concluded that they support and appreciate the services Hidden Treasures provides but at this time they do not feel like the business model is supportable and that taxpayers should not have to take on this burden. The Council decided to wait on signing a shortterm support agreement until the Countywide Feline Ad Hoc committee meets to discuss the matter.
B. Consider Regulation of Alcohol at Library Park
City Manager Pete Carr advised Council that Mayor Dobb suggested consideration of prohibiting/regulating the use of alcohol in Library Park. Mr. Carr spoke about regulations that apply to all parks, regulations that apply to specific parks, and explained when regulations are infractions and when they are misdemeanors.
Mr. Carr asked for specific directions to help City staff draft an ordinance on this topic. Mayor Dobbs shared that he brought this suggestion forward to help Orland Police Department regulate some of the disruptive activities that have been happening in Library Park. Mayor Dobbs stated he would like to allow special use permits to allow for special events to serve alcohol in the parks. Councilmember Tolley asked Police Chief Vlach his opinion on the regulations. Chief Vlach gave some suggestions for Council to think about when putting together regulations they would like to see in a park ordinance.
Councilmember McDermott mentioned the Orland Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) has frequent calls to Library Park for overdosing or alcohol related issues but no calls for the same issues at other parks. Councilmember Romano stated Library Park should be a place that kids, families, and the elderly can come to feel safe and can relax.
Library Director Jody Meza shared that the Library is also a cooling center, a clean air center, and they host many children events and family activities. Ms. Meza shared that she has seen an increase in incidents at Library Park and inside the Library where she has had to ask law enforcement to help assist in the situations. Ms. Meza stated she felt that Library staff and patrons would be in support of an alcohol regulation at Library Park.
Orland resident Trish St. Evens appreciated Council bringing this item forward to get addressed before the problem gets too bad.
Council directed staff to move forward with drafting an ordinance.
Vice Mayor Roundy shared his experience with the people that live in the park and stated that the neighbors across the street from the park do not feel safe in their own homes.
C. Proposal for Streetscape Phase 1
City Manager Carr shared background on the Streetscapes project that was adopted in 2017/2018. Mr.
Carr explained that the Streetscape Master Plan envisions improvements to Walker Street between Second and Sixth Streets in pedestrian facilities, drainage, and aesthetics. Mr. Carr stated City Council set aside $200,000 for streetscapes from its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and Caltrans is implementing road improvements on State Route 32 (SR32).
Mr. Carr provided visual design examples for lamp posts, benches, trash receptacles and a map of proposed lamp post placement on 4th and 5th Streets and a budget.
Mr. Carr shared that he has meet with interested business owners several times over the past year, exploring options consistent with the master plan and most recently presented the concept examples to the Economic Development Commission (EDC) to get their feedback on items.
Council discussed the concept ideas and asked questions about the project. Mayor Dobbs suggested partnering with Orland High School FFA program to see if they could work on benches for the project.
Councilmember McDermott asked about the bulb outs and decorative patterns on the 4th Street from the Streetscapes plan. Councilmember Romano shared that he is ready to approve Phase 1 of the Streetscapes plan.
Ms. St. Evans shared her experience with purchasing FFA metal projects and stated incorporating the students work would be an asset.
Council directed staff to bring this agenda item back to Council at the next meeting, allowing citizens time to provide feedback back to the Council.
D. City Council discussion and possible action to award a construction contract for the City of Orland Emergency Groundwater Resource Project–Phase 2A
City Engineer Paul Rabo reminded Council that the City of Orland is working with the State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to lay out, design and construct improvements to the City water system. The primary goal for this project is to supply residents (with dry wells), inside and outside City limits, with a safe and reliable source of drinking water.
The third portion of the project, which was advertised August 14, 2023, is Phase 2A located south and east of the City limits. The project includes the installation of approximately 5.1 miles of water main, 114 water service connections, fire hydrants and other water system appurtenances. The estimated construction costs of the project were $5,414,800.00, the lowest bid wat was received was $4,472,651.00 and the highest bid received was $6,814,108.00.
Mr. Rabo shared that City staff evaluated all bids on September 12, 2023, and determined the lowest bidder to be Visinoni Brothers, Inc from Chico, with the low bid of $4,472,651.00. Mr. Rabo shared that Visinoni Brothers, Inc has successfully completed the installation of many other subdivisions in Orland such as Blair Estates and Linwood Park unit 2 and was awarded the contract for Phase 2B of the Orland Emergency Groundwater Resource Project. Mr. Rabo provided a pipeline map of the project and the final bid summary.
Council asked questions about adding additional connections, the number of hydrants in the project, how Visinoni was chosen and about how many more phases are pending in this project.
Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Councilmember Romano, to approve the City Council awarding a construction contract for the City of Orland Emergency Groundwater Resource Project – Phase 2A project to Visinoni Brothers, Inc.; and to authorize the City Manager to execute the contract and all other documents necessary to complete the project. Motion passed by a roll call vote 4-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers Tolley, Romano, McDermott, and Mayor Dobbs Nays: None
E. Economic Development Commission Vacant Position
Director of Administrative Services/ACM Rebecca Pendergrass reminded Council that at the August 15th meeting City staff announced a vacancy on the Economic Development Commission (EDC), Council directed staff to advertise the vacant seat as well as contact the prior applicants that were interested. Ms. Pendergrass shared that the seat was someone who resides within City limits, there were three applicants for the seat but only two qualified. Ms. Pendergrass asked if the Council would like to appoint the Commission member or have the two qualified applicants interviewed for the position. Council directed staff to set up interviews with the two applicants.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Orland resident Marjorie Palmer stated her concerns with the removal of speed bumps on Eighth Street. Ms. Palmer shared that stop signs and street name signs are missing in her neighborhood.
Public Works Director Vonasek shared this project is on a list to get done, but no date is set yet.
Orland resident Robert Townsend shared his concerns about the removal of speedbumps and stated stop signs may help but hopes more police patrol in the area can help with the speed in the area.
Mayor Dobbs shared he would like to see striping on Eighth Street on a future agenda. The council concurred. Councilmember Romano stated he would like to see similar striping to the East Street project, with bike lanes and painted bulb outs.
Chief Vlach invited the Council and citizens to come to the next Public Works and Safety Commission meeting on October 10th, where possible new stop signs will be discussed.
Orland resident Delores Ross shared concerns about future potential mandates and parental control in the schools. Mayor Dobbs suggested bringing her concerns to the Orland Unified School District school board.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Councilmember Romano:
• Updated Council on the EMS project;
• Shared that Friday September 22nd is the last day of the Farmers Market; • Homecoming/Battle of the Axe is September 22nd;
• Shared his excitement about the DWR and the East Street projects; • Expressed his appreciation for City Public Works and Recreation Departments; Councilmember McDermott:
• Will be attending the Planning Commission Meeting, September 21st; Councilmember Tolley:
• Attended the Economic Development Commission Meeting September 12th; Mayor Dobbs
• Attended the Greg Martinez - End of Summer Car show September 9th.
MEETING ADJOURED AT 8:17 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Chris Dobbs, Mayor