ALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Matt Romano at 5:30 PM.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Brandon Smith, John McDermott, Terrie Barr, Vice Mayor JC Tolle and Mayor Matt Romano
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Negotiation Attorney Greg Einhorn, (arrived at 5:30 pm and left at 6 pm) City Manager Joe Goodman, City Attorney Scott Drexel, City Clerk Jennifer Schmitke, Police Chief Joe Vlach, Fire Chief Justin Chaney CITIZENS COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION - None
MEETING ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 5:31 PM.
CLOSED SESSION ENDED AND RECONVENED TO REGULAR SESSION AT 6:33 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, public employment, legal counsel and real property negotiators, as noted on the Closed Session agenda, Mayor Romano shared that there was no reportable action.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Orland resident Carolyn Denton requested an update from the Council regarding the status of the Carnegie remodel.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (Payable Obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes from August 19, 2025
C. Receive and File Library Commission Minutes from May 12, 2025 D. Receive and File Planning Commission Minutes from July 17, 2025 E. Receive and File Recreation Commission Minutes from January 22, 2025 F. Approving and Adopting the Annual Appropriations Limit for FY25-26
ORLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
ACTION: Councilmember Barr moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Tolle, to approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Romano read a proclamation recognizing and honoring Toby von Bargen for his outstanding accomplishments, naming him a local ambassador of perseverance, strength, and youthful ambition.
Mr. von Bargen briefly shared his goals for the future.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Glenn Medical Center Closure Impact Study Cost Share
City Manager Joe Goodman provided the Council with background information regarding the potential closure of Glenn Medical Center. He informed the Council that all appeals to keep the facility open have been exhausted, and its emergency services are scheduled to permanently close by October 21, 2025.
Mr. Goodman noted that this closure is expected to significantly impact public safety and emergency response services in Orland, Willows, and Glenn County.
He asked the Council to consider participating in a joint impact study, with costs shared equally between Glenn County, the City of Orland, and the City of Willows. The total cost of the study is estimated at $45,000, with Orland’s share not to exceed $15,000, to be funded using Measure A, Measure J, or a combination of both.
Orland resident Ron Lane asked how the closure would affect ambulance services and shared his thoughts on cost-sharing with the City of Willows and Glenn County.
Councilmember McDermott asked Chief Vlach how the closure of Glenn Medical Center would impact the Orland Police Department. Chief Vlach outlined the additional steps officers would need to take and explained how the closure would affect patrol operations. He also noted that he has been meeting with countywide administration and law enforcement partners to address the issue.
Councilmember McDermott also asked Chief Chaney whether Enloe plans to remain in Willows. Chief Chaney responded that, for now, Enloe has indicated they intend to stay. He explained that the greatest impact will be on medical calls in Willows, which will ultimately affect the Orland Fire Department and Orland emergency services, as ambulance turnaround times are currently at least two hours.
Council discussed the issue and agreed that a study would help determine the appropriate next steps.
Council reached a consensus to authorize the City Manager to contribute an amount not to exceed $15,000 from Measure J funds to support the completion of the impact study.
Fire Station Roof Repair Budget
City Manager Joe Goodman presented a report on the need to replace the roof at the Orland Volunteer Fire Station, citing significant leaks discovered during the past winter. He explained that the roof, estimated to be 50 years old, has reached the end of its service life. The total project cost is estimated at $110,000.
Mr. Goodman reported that Rural Fire has budgeted $55,000 toward the project in FY 2025–2026 and requested Council approval to match this contribution using available City public safety funds. Mr.
Goodman stated no funds were allocated in the current Fire Department budget, but staff identified potential interim funding sources with reimbursement planned in the next fiscal cycle.
Councilmembers discussed the project, asked questions regarding the project budget, and agreed that the Orland Fire Station roof needs to be replaced.
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Tolle, to Authorize City Manager to utilize funds from an available Public Safety fund or Measure A (whichever the Fire Chief chooses) to match Rural Fire’s $55,000 contribution and proceed with the replacement of the roof at the Orland City Fire Station. Motion carried by a voice vote, 5-0.
Enhancement for Façade Improvement Program
City Manager Joe Goodman provided an overview of Orland’s Façade Improvement Program, which offers a voluntary partnership with business and property owners to improve street-facing building facades. The program reimburses 50¢ on the dollar for eligible labor and material costs, up to a maximum of $3,000 per project. Applicants submit their plans, City staff determine eligible improvements, and reimbursement is issued upon completion.
Mr. Goodman noted that the current program budget for fiscal year 2025–2026 is $5,000. To date, the City has received two applications totaling $6,000, which exceeds the existing budget. To fully fund these applications and support additional businesses, Mr. Goodman recommended increasing the program budget from $5,000 to $12,000 using unallocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
An unknown Orland resident asked the Council to visit the Little Libraries around town.
Orland resident Ron Lane questioned the current budget amount regarding the Façade improvement program. Mayor Romano explained that the amount had been adjusted during the budgeting process.
Mr. Lane expressed surprise at the reduction, and Mayor Romano encouraged him to discuss the matter with the Economic Development Commission and bring back a recommendation to Council.
Council asked questions about the two façade improvement applications and reaffirmed that ARPA funds were intended to support and encourage small businesses seeking to improve their storefronts.
ACTION: Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Tolle, Authorize the City Manager to increase the Façade Improvement Program budget from $5,000 to $12,000 for fiscal year 25-26 using unallocated ARPA funds. Motion carried by a voice vote, 5-0.
Mayor Romano reopened Item 10A – Glenn Medical Center Closure Impact Study Cost Share at the request of City Attorney Scott Drexel, to obtain a formal motion and vote on the item.
ACTION: Mayor Romano moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, Authorize the City Manager to contribute an amount not to exceed $15,000—from Measure J funds to support the completion of an impact study. Motion carried by a voice vote, 5-0.
City Manager Verbal Report
City Manager Joe Goodman briefed the Council on projects around town, highlighting the following updates:
• Public Works:
o Several projects are currently underway or recently completed. o The sewer lift station project is complete.
o M ½ Street paving has started the week of September 22nd and scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
o Caltrans is requesting input on State Route 32 projects and plans to attend an upcoming Council meeting within the next few months to discuss current and future improvements. o Public Works crews have cleaned up the area around Commerce and Ide. o Staff are working on installing light poles at Lely Park on the basketball court, with power expected to be operational by next week.
• Fire Department:
o Engine 37 has returned after being deployed for two weeks on a fire assignment. o A new fire compressor has been ordered and is expected to arrive by the end of September.
• Railroad Crossings:
o Mr. Goodman provided an update on the condition of railroad crossings in town. o County resident Stephen Nordbye reported he has been in contact with railroad representatives, and an inspection is expected within the next few weeks.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
Councilmember Smith:
• Attended the Recreation Commission meeting.
Councilmember McDermott:
• Expressed concerns about using funds from maturing CDs. • Will be attending the Economic Development Commission meeting on September 9, 2025. • Shared that there are significant changes occurring in the medical field.
Councilmember Barr:
• Nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Tolle:
• Shared that, in the interest of transparency, he wanted to disclose that Toby von Bargen works out at his gym and that he was not aware of who submitted the proclamation request. (Councilmember Barr noted that she emailed the City Manager regarding Mr. von Bargen.) • Attended the County Transportation meeting.
• Commented on the Treasurer’s Report and inquired about the possibility of using funds from maturing CDs to offset the budget.
Mayor Romano:
• Requested an update on the Department of Water Resources (DWR) project. • Asked that the Planning Commission review and discuss parking requirements. • Requested the Planning Commission also look into a Food Cart Ordinance, with the intention of bringing a recommendation back to Council. (City Attorney Scott Drexel noted he has worked on similar ordinances in other cities.)
• Suggested a discussion regarding the City-owned vacant lot on Walker Street. • Expressed interest in renaming M ½ Street and exploring options.
MEETING ADJOURNED 7:35 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Mathew Romano, Mayor