ORLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Matt Romano at 5:30 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Brandon Smith, Terrie Barr, John McDermott, Vice Mayor JC Tolle, and Mayor Matt Romano
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Interim City Manager Janet Wackerman
Arrived at 5:30 PM: City Attorney Scott
Drexel, Negotiation Attorney Greg Einhorn
Arrived at 6:30 PM: City Clerk Jennifer Schmitke, Police Chief Joe Vlach, Library Director Jody Meza and City Engineer Paul Rabo CITIZENS COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION - None
MEETING ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 5:32 PM.
CLOSED SESSION ENDED AND RECONVENED TO REGULAR SESSION AT 6:30 PM.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION - Mayor Romano announced that Council met with City Staff and City Attorneys Scott Drexel and Greg Einhorn in Closed Session to conference with labor negotiators as noted on the Closed Session agenda, Mayor Romano shared that there was no reportable action.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (Payable Obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for July 1, 2025
C. Painting the Vinsonhaler Snack Shack and Nearby Backstops D. Approve Resolution 2025-11, amending Resolution 2017-10, providing for the appointment of a Councilmember and alternate to the Board of Directors of the Glenn Groundwater Authority ACTION: Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Tolle, to approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Annual Review and Possible Adjustment to Maintenance District Assessments, Adoption of Resolution 2025-09
City Engineer Paul Rabo presented the annual review and recommended adjustments to the City’s Maintenance Assessment Districts. He explained that when new residential or commercial developments are approved within the City of Orland, a Maintenance Assessment District is established to fund the upkeep of public improvements such as storm drainage, street lighting, landscaping, and irrigation. Mr. Rabo noted that three districts (Hoff Way, Hoff Estates, and Jobe) had stopped collecting assessments for unknown reasons, and he proposed reintroducing them to generate revenue for improvements.
Mr. Rabo stated that following staff’s annual review, it was determined that rising costs for materials and services justify an increase in assessment rates. In accordance with Section 12.16.260 of the Orland Municipal Code, such adjustments are based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. For Fiscal Year 2025–2026, staff recommends a 5.0% increase.
The proposed adjustment is expected to generate approximately $164,591 to help cover ongoing maintenance and operational costs within the districts.
Councilmember Barr asked for clarification regarding the difference between special assessments and regular property taxes, and Mr. Rabo clarified that special assessments cover additional maintenance costs for specific improvements above and beyond what is funded by general property taxes.
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Tolle, to authorize the Mayor to sign Resolution 2025-09(a resolution of the city council of the city of Orland adjusting maintenance district assessment fees) for submittal to the Glenn County Auditor. Motion carried by a voice vote, 5-0.
Mid-Managers Employment Agreement, Salary Schedule, and Resolution 2025-10 Interim City Manager Janet Wackerman presented the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Public Employees of California (UPEC), Local 792, covering the Mid Management Unit. The agreement includes a 2% salary increase effective for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Ms. Wackerman also shared that new language was added under Section 6.01(H), Sharing of Health Insurance Coverage Increases or Decreases, to clarify that employee contributions toward health insurance costs will not exceed $25 per month above the per-employee cost increase during the term of the agreement.
Ms. Wackerman also provided a copy of the updated salary schedule, reflecting the revised wages for the UPEC Mid Management Unit for Fiscal Year 2025–26.
There were no public comments, and no comments were made by Councilmembers.
ACTION: Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Tolle, to approve the proposed agreement by resolution 2025-10 (a resolution of the city council of the city of Orland approving a memorandum of understanding between the city of Orland and the employees represented by the united public employees of California local 792 Orland mid-management unit for a one year period, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026), and salary schedule, as presented; authorize the Mayor and Interim City Manager to execute the resolution and bargaining unit agreement. Motion carried by a voice vote, 5-0.
City Manager Verbal Report
• Ms. Wackerman provided a brief update on the building located at 824 Fourth Street (formerly Hecho), stating that the current occupant is expected to remove all stored equipment by the end of July 2025. In response to a question from Councilmember Barr regarding whether the Building Department had inspected the facility, Ms. Wackerman confirmed that an inspection had been conducted and the building is
currently approved for storage use.
• Ms. Wackerman shared that the new City Planner, Lisa Lozier, has been in the office the past two Thursdays. She also announced that the Planning Commission will hold a meeting on July 17th to formally introduce Ms. Lozier to the Commission.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
Councilmember Smith:
• Attended the 4th of July parade and Old-Fashioned Picnic in the Park. • Attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting.
• Attended Glenn Groundwater Authority meeting.
• Attended the Colusa/Glenn Groundwater ad hoc committee meeting. • Attended the Library Commission meeting.
• Spoke about the importance of the maintenance assessment districts and property taxes for the community.
Councilmember Barr:
• Attended the California League of Cities quarterly meeting in Sacramento. • Attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Councilmember McDermott:
• EDC was cancelled for July.
Vice Mayor Tolle:
• Attended the 4th of July parade and Old-Fashioned Picnic in the Park.
Mayor Romano:
• Attended the LAFCo meeting.
• Attended a celebration at the Amazon warehouse for the 25 million packages delivered.
MEETING ADJOURNED 6:58 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Mathew Romano, Mayor