ORLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Mayor Chris Dobbs at 6:30 PM.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers John McDermott, Bruce T. Roundy, Jeffrey Tolley, Vice Mayor Matt Romano, and Mayor Chris Dobbs
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Director of Administrative Services/ACM Rebecca Pendergrass; City Clerk Jennifer
Schmitke; City Attorney Greg Einhorn; Police Chief Joe
Vlach; Director of Public Works Ed Vonasek, City Planner Scott Friend, Fire Chief Justin Chaney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (Payable Obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for January 2, 2024
C. Receive and file Library Commission Minutes from November 13, 2023 D. Receive and file Planning Commission Minutes from November 16, 2023 ACTION: Councilmember Roundy moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley, to approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
RECOGNITION - Service Years Acknowledgment: Byron Denton Public Works Director Ed Vonasek read a statement honoring Byron Denton for his decades-long dedication as an advocate for the City of Orland. Vonasek highlighted Denton's active involvement in City Council meetings, County Transportation and Transit, and Planning Commission meetings. He emphasized Denton's true passion for the Public Works and Safety Commission, particularly dedicating significant time to the Sewer & Water Department. Vonasek expressed gratitude for Denton's encouragement, acknowledging that Denton played a pivotal role in motivating him and other workers to become leaders within the community.
Mayor Dobbs presented Byron Denton with a plaque of recognition for his 30+ years of dedication to the City of Orland.
Mayor Dobbs declared a 5 min recess.
PUBLIC HEARING
A. Tentative Subdivision Map (TSM) and Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum (MND) – Quiet Creek Subdivision project. Applicant: Quiet Creek, Inc. (TSM #2022-02) City Planner Scott Friend provided an update on the ongoing Public Hearing for the Quiet Creek Subdivision project. Following the Council's request at the January 2nd meeting, staff, including City Manager Pete Carr and Planner Scott Friend, met with concerned commenters Jaime Lely and Chris Lapp on January 4th. The discussions focused on addressing residents' primary concerns, which included issues related to the Right to Farm Notice/Presence of Active Farmland Cultivation, Signage, Water Quality, and Stormwater Runoff.
Mr. Friend shared that after the meeting staff proposed the following amendment of proposed Condition of Approval #73 and adding Condition of Approval #74:
Originally Proposed Condition of Approval language:
73. As part of any real estate transactions conducted on site, the sellers and agents must disclose that the property is located within one mile of farmland as designated on the most recent Important Farmland Map, and that those farming operations are protected against nuisance suits when impacting neighboring properties.
Modified Conditions of Approval language:
73. As part any transfer of real property by sale, exchange, installment land sale contract, lease with an option to purchase, any other option to purchase, or ground lease coupled with improvements, or transfer of residential stock cooperative, improved with or consisting of not less than one dwelling unit, the transferor and his/her/their agent shall require that a disclosure statement shall be signed by the purchaser or lessee acknowledging the presence of active land cultivation activity in the area, acknowledging the right-to-farm of the use, and, acknowledging that various concerns, including but not limited to, noises, odors, dust, chemicals, smoke and hours of operation that may accompany agricultural operations may result from the activity.
74. The subdivider/property owner/builder shall install City-approved signage at the terminus of the proposed Andrea Way, at the easterly intersection of proposed recreation path around the retention basin area with the proposed Andrea Way, and, at the western-most accessible location on the site along the recreational path indicating that users shall remain on the path and shall respect any and all adjacent private property.
Mr. Friend noted that this project does not have a rezoning component, the site has been zoned R-1 for many years.
Mayor Dobbs opened the Public Hearing at 6:50 PM.
Orland resident Byron Denton thanked the City Planner for all his hard work on the project and express support for it.
Mayor Dobbs closed the Public Hearing at 6:52 PM.
Councilmembers expressed their gratitude to the City Staff for their prompt response in meeting with the commenters and swiftly addressing their concerns.
ACTION: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Councilmember Roundy, to approve the proposed project as presented with the modified conditions that were listed. Motion carried by a roll call vote 5-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers McDermott, Tolley, Roundy, Vice Mayor Romano and Mayor Dobbs Nays: None
B. Proposed Amendments to Water and Sewer Service Charges City Attorney Greg Einhorn explained to Council that this item is a public hearing to determine if any members of the public would like to protest the proposed rate increase. Mr. Einhorn shared that a Public Hearing was mailed to all utility customers and property owners in their November Utility bill to provide an opportunity for customers to protest.
Mayor Dobbs opened the Public Hearing at 6:57 PM.
City Clerk Jennifer Schmitke reported the completion of tabulations on all protests, informing the Council that only two written protests were received. She emphasized that there was not a majority protest on the proposed water and sewer rate increase.
Orland resident Carolyn Denton came forward and shared her support for the water and sewer rate increases.
During the discussion, Councilmembers Tolley and Roundy reflected on CPI adjustments and expressed that implementing incremental increases would be more considerate and manageable for water and sewer customers.
Orland area resident Susanne Smith asked Council to consider the low-income residents living in Orland when increasing water and sewer rates.
Mr. Denton expressed his viewpoint that the City does consider raising rates gradually rather than in large amounts, to help residents.
Mayor Dobbs closed the Public Hearing at 7:09 PM.
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley, to approve resolution 2024-01 amending the service charges schedule establishing new water and sewer rates for Calendar year 2024 and for providing a CPI adjustment thereafter and note the two protests. Motion carried by a roll call vote 5-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers McDermott, Tolley, Roundy, Vice Mayor Romano and Mayor Dobbs Nays: None
PRESENTATIONS
Fire Department Annual Presentation
Chief Chaney reported on the Fire Department’s 2023 activities with a slide presentation. The Orland Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) presently has 42 volunteers along with a full-time office assistant.
There were 711 calls, 376 within the city limits (244 medical calls, 19 fire calls and 11 vehicle collision calls), 290 rural calls and 45 mutual aid calls.
Chief Chaney highlighted the positive strides made in this year's budget, emphasizing the replacement of essential firefighting gear, including 8 sets of turnouts, 8 structure helmets, 8 structure boots, hose replacements, as well as the acquisition of 2 mobile radios and 2 portable radios.
Chief Chaney informed the Council that an average volunteer puts in about 125 hours of training.
Chief Chaney provided a brief overview of the Fire Department's recent projects, highlighting accomplishments such as the new Fire Department training facility and the ongoing radio repeater project, expected to be completed in 2024.
Chief Chaney outlined the future goals for the OVFD, expressing the intent to pursue available grants for future funding, finalizing the radio infrastructure project, replacing the roof on the main fire department building, continuing work on the training facility and pump testing area and repaving the front parking lot.
Mr. Denton shared his gratitude for the invaluable contributions of the OVFD to the community, acknowledging and appreciating their dedicated efforts.
Mayor Dobbs thanked all the Orland Volunteers for the hard work and dedication they put into keeping the community safe.
Chief Chaney stated his appreciation to the Council for supporting the Fire Department.
Police Department Annual Presentation
Chief Vlach shared a slide show presentation on his department’s 2023 activities. Currently there are eight patrol officers (1 K-9 and 1 SRO), two sergeants and one Chief of Police. Orland Police Department (OPD) has filled all non-sworn positions: one Admin/Records Supervisor, one Property & Evidence/CSO and one Public Safety Clerk. OPD currently has one vacancy for an officer, the department currently has one candidate in the academy.
A summary of activity for 2023 shows total activity of 4,987, which was slightly up from 2022 which had 4379.
Chief Vlach stated suspicious circumstances/vehicles/persons was the top call for his officers, with disturbing the peace coming in second and assisting other agencies coming in third. Citations most often given out are for running stop signs (35 citations), driving with no insurance (61 citations) and unlicensed or suspended license (48 citations). Traffic Collisions for 2023 are slightly down from previous years with a total of 120 collisions: 113 non-injury and 7 with injuries.
Chief Vlach provided an overview of multi-year projects completed in 2023, including the installation of a new roof on the City Hall/Police Department building and the successful completion of Phase 1 for cameras and keycard entry systems at City Hall/Police Department and City Yard. With Phase 2 currently underway for the Library, Carnegie, and Library Park, Chief Vlach revealed the prospect of integrating the recreation building into this ongoing project slated for 2025-2026.
Chief Vlach shared that the Orland PD K9 had 250+ training hours, 3 narcotics searches, 4 suspect/residence searches, 4 surrenders and 1 apprehension (robbery suspect).
Chief Vlach announced the contribution from the Orland VIPS, was an impressive 1578 volunteer hours. Acknowledging the commendable efforts of the 12 members, he listed their involvement in various events, such as vaccination clinics, parades, the Glenn County Fair, Orland High School’s Sober Grad Night, Avenue of Lights, and numerous others. Chief Vlach extended his gratitude to the VIPS, expressing appreciation for their invaluable contributions to both the OPD and the community.
Chief Vlach outlined future goals for the OPD, hopeful for the addition of more patrol staff. Once the patrol staff has expanded, the department can then explore the possibility of introducing a detective and/or a lieutenant. Ongoing collaboration with the Orland Fire Department remains a priority, focusing on the enhancement of existing infrastructure with the radio project and continuing the phases with surveillance and key card access.
Councilmember Roundy inquired about the timeline for hiring additional officers, considering the anticipated population growth of the City so that the City can prepare for the future. Chief Vlach stated the time is now to prepare.
Mayor Dobbs shared that the School Resource Officer has been doing a great job in the schools and thanked the VIPS for their dedication to the community.
Councilmember McDermott expressed gratitude to Chief Chaney, Chief Vlach, and Director Vonasek, acknowledging them as the pillars of the community. He conveyed appreciation for the effective collaboration among the department heads.
Mr. Denton sought information regarding night patrol, and Chief Vlach provided an explanation.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Schedule Special Meeting for Adoption of Street Project Environmental Report City Manager Pete Carr informed the Council about City Staff's request for a special meeting for approval of a Project and CEQA documentation. Mr. Carr recommended a meeting on January 23 and sought Council's input on a suitable time. The Council unanimously agreed to convene on January 23 at 5:30 PM.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mr. Denton asked Council to reconsider relocating the meeting place for City Council meetings to an alternate location that was ADA accessible.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Councilmember Tolley:
• Attended the Economic Development Commission Meeting January 8th; Councilmember McDermott:
• Will attend the Planning Commission Meeting January 18th; Vice Mayor Romano:
• Nothing to Report;
Councilmember Roundy:
• Will be attending the Transportation and Transit Meeting January 18th; Mayor Dobbs:
• Nothing to Report
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION – NONE
MEETING ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 8:01 PM
CLOSED SESSION ENDED AT 8:52 PM
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION – Mayor Dobbs reported that direction was given to staff.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:55 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Chris Dobbs, Mayor