ORLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Mayor Chris Dobbs at 6:30 PM.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Jeffrey Tolley, Matt Romano, Vice Mayor Bruce T. Roundy, and Mayor Chris Dobbs
Councilmembers absent: Councilmember John McDermott
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Director of Administrative Services/ACM Rebecca Pendergrass; City Clerk Jennifer
Schmitke; Police Sergeant Kyle Cessna; City Attorney
Greg Einhorn
Staff present online: Recreation Director Joe Fenske; Public Works Director Ed Vonasek; Fire Chief Justin Chaney
Pledge of Allegiance
ELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Roundy, to postpone voting for Mayor and Vice Mayor until all Councilmembers are back at the December 5th meeting. Motion carried by a roll call vote 4-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers Tolley, Romano, Vice Mayor Roundy, and Mayor Dobbs Nays: None
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Mayor Dobbs asked Council to review the current appointments and send to the City Clerk their preferences and availability for each Board and Commission so City Staff can have a list prepared for the next Council Meeting scheduled for December 5th.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (Payable Obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for November 7, 2023
C. Receive and file Economic Development Commission minutes from July 11, 2023 D. Receive and file Economic Development Commission minutes from September 12, 2023 E. Receive and file Library Commission minutes from September 11, 2023 F. Receive and file Arts Commission minutes from October 18, 2023 G. “Measure A” Public Safety Sales Tax – Annual Report
Councilmember Tolley pulled item 6.G. for Council to discuss.
Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Mayor Dobbs, to approve the consent calendar without item 6.G. Motion carried by a voice vote 4-0.
Director of Administrative Services/ACM Rebecca Pendergrass briefly shared an overview of the fiscal year report of Measure A revenues and expenditures.
Councilmember Tolley stated he didn’t have any concerns with the item but felt that since Measure A was voted on by Orland citizens an explanation of the report would be nice.
Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Roundy, to approve item 6.G. Motion carried by a voice vote 4-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. Appointments/Reappointments to City Commissions
City Clerk Jennifer Schmitke presented the following community members for confirmation by City Council:
Public Works and Safety Commission – Two (2) vacancies with new terms expiring December 31, 2025
Applicants: Monica Rossman and David Kelly (Consider Reappointment) Action: Mayor Dobbs moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley to approve reappointments of the above listed with terms expiring December 31, 2025. Upon voice vote, the motion carried 4-0.
Recreation Commission – Two (2) vacancies with new terms expiring December 31, 2025 Applicants: Karen Baldridge and Jason Ovitz (Consider Reappointment) Action: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Mayor Dobbs to approve reappointments of the above listed with terms expiring December 31, 2025. Upon voice vote, the motion carried 4-0.
Economic Development Commission – Two (2) vacancies with new terms expiring December 31, 2025
Applicants: Ronald Lane and Russell Pierce (Consider Reappointment) Action: Vice Mayor Roundy moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley to approve reappointments of the above listed with terms expiring December 31, 2025. Upon voice vote, the motion carried 4-0.
Library Commission – Three (3) vacancies with new terms expiring December 31, 2025 Applicant: Dick Jolley, Mary Anne Deeming and E. Ann Butler (Consider Reappointment) Commented [PC1]: Shouldn't this be 2026??
Action: Mayor Dobbs moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley to approve reappointments of the above listed with terms expiring December 31, 2025. Upon voice vote, the motion carried 4-0.
B. Ambulance Services Cost Share
City Manager Pete Carr reminded Council that Glenn County agreed in October to purchase the new ambulance that will be operated by Westside Ambulance for $275,000 and the funding will come out of County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Mr. Carr shared with the Council Westside Ambulance’s startup expenses, explained that the new ambulance services will operate 12 hours a day and it will primarily be located in Orland. The City and the County will be splitting the start-up and operational cost 50/50, and from Westside’s projections the City cost share would be 50% up to $650,000 ($325k) annually after the first year.
Vice Mayor Roundy shared his frustrations with the ambulance coverage and explained that the ambulance discussion has been an on-going topic that has been long overdue for a solution.
Mr. Carr asked Council to decide where they would like to take the funding from for the cost share service -- either Measure A, General funds or a future additional half-cent sales tax that may be put on the ballot in November 2024. The Council discussed funding options, asked City Staff questions, and ultimately decided to use Measure A funds for the first year and revisit the item in 12 months with the possibility of finding an alternative funding source.
Orland resident Earl Megginson stated his appreciation for the proposed new service.
Action: Mayor Dobbs moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley, to approve the agreement as presented with funding coming from Measure A for the first year with the stipulation of reviewing the funding in 12 months to determine the next year’s funding source. Motion carried by a roll call vote 4-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers Tolley, Romano, Vice Mayor Roundy, and Mayor Dobbs Nays: None
Mr. Carr expressed his appreciation for the City’s partners at Glenn County and Westside Ambulance and stated this new service is monumental.
C. Habitat for Humanity Purpose Place Phase 2
Mr. Carr brought forward an early discussion to review Habitat for Humanity’s request for support of an expansion on the Purpose Place project at 827 Newville. Mr. Carr reminded Council that Habitat for Humanity came to Council on June 6 to ask for support with the expansion of the project, but Council decided to wait 6 months to review how successful Phase 1 of the project was before considering supporting the Phase 2 expansion. Mr. Carr shared that December will be 6 months but thought an early review would be helpful for Council to make their decision. Mr. Carr shared that Phase 2 would include an additional 16 permanent, supportive, affordable housing units with a mix of studio and 2- bedroom units and the possibility of expanding the community gathering area outdoors. Mr. Carr shared that information and data from Glenn County social workers, Orland Police Department, Orland Volunteer Fire Department and from Westside ambulance is being collected for the current year and past years. Mr. Carr mentioned that one Purpose Place resident has moved on and one has been removed from the residence.
The Council was in agreeance that they would like to hear from neighbors and businesses close to Purpose Place to get their feedback. Councilmember Romano asked to hear from Glenn County HHS workers to hear their feedback on the program. Mr. Carr shared that this topic would be back December 19th for Council to take action on.
D. ARPA Budget Update
Mr. Carr provided Council an update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects list.
Mr. Carr spoke about changes to the list which included the additional allocation of $25k for a Cat population reduction project (partnership with the County) and pointed out that $50k for construction of EV charging stations in town would no longer be needed since the City has an agreement with Rivian for them to install electric vehicle charging stations at no cost to the City. Mr. Carr suggested beneficial uses for the $50k including:
A. Allocation of up to $20,000 to Orland Public Works for acquisition of trees for City parks.
B. Allocation of up to $20,000 to enhance a December re-launch of Queen Bee Bucks.
C. Retention of all or part of the $55k (and the EV $50k) against future project needs.
Public Works Director Ed Vonasek suggested the consideration of downtown façade improvements to City owned buildings.
Mr. Carr reminded the Council that there is no deadline to use ARPA funding. Councilmember Tolley stated that he would like to wait on making a decision on spending the money and discuss more at a future date. Vice Mayor Roundy shared that he would like to see the City start thinking long term about creating a groundwater recharge budget for the future. Councilmember Romano shared that funding for groundwater recharge should come from water rates and recommended that topic should be added to a future agenda as a discussion item. Councilmember Romano stated he would like to hear from the community on if there is a project in the community that residents believe money should be spent and suggested a new paint job on Carnegie Center. Mayor Dobbs shared he would like to see $20k to Queen Bee Bucks as well as planting new trees. Vice Mayor Roundy asked to see the tree plan and quotes; Director of Administrative Service/ACM Rebecca Pendergrass stated she would email the information to each Councilmember for review. Mayor Dobbs asked to wait on approving the trees and downtown façade improvements until the December 5th meeting where Council can review more information on the projects.
Action: Councilmember Romano moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Roundy, to allot an additional $20,000 into the Queen Bee Bucks program. Motion carried by a roll call vote 4-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers Tolley, Romano, Vice Mayor Roundy, and Mayor Dobbs Nays: None
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Councilmember Romano:
• Congratulated the Orland High School Football team on their section championship and shared the football, cross country and volleyball teams, cheerleaders, band, and family supporters are all a great reflection of the community;
• Shared Quiet Creek Subdivision and Penbrook Subdivision met with the Planning Commission and will be at a City Council soon.
Vice Mayor Roundy:
• Attended the Groundwater ad hoc committee;
• Attended RCD Regional meeting;
Councilmember Tolley:
• Attended the EDC meeting November 14th;
Mayor Dobbs:
• Attended the Fire Department meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:38 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Chris Dobbs, Mayor