CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Barr at 6:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers JC Tolle, John McDermott, Wade Elliott, Vice Mayor Alex Enriquez and Mayor Terrie Barr
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Acting City Manager Janet Wackerman, City Clerk Jennifer Schmitke, City Attorney Scott Drexel(via Zoom), Public Works Director Zach Barber, Library Director Jody Meza, Police Chief Joe Vlach and Fire Chief Justin Chaney
CITIZENS COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION - None
MEETING ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 6:01 PM
CLOSED SESSION ENDED AND RECONVENED TO REGULAR SESSION AT 6:32 PM REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION - Mayor Barr announced that the City Council met in Closed Session with City staff and City Attorney Scott Drexel to discuss public employment regarding the position of Interim City Manager. Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.1, Mayor Barr reported that no reportable action was taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (Payable Obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes from May 19, 2026
C. Receive and File Arts Commission Minutes from April 15, 2026 D. Receive and File Library Commission Minutes from March 9, 2026 E. Treasurer’s Report May 2026
F. City Planner Contract
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolle, to approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing for Close-Out of Grant No. 20-CDBG-CV1-00079 – Orland Business Assistance Grant in Partnership with County of Glenn
Acting City Manager Janet Wackerman presented a staff report regarding the close-out of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) COVID-19 Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program. Ms.
Wackerman explained that the grant provided financial assistance to qualifying micro-enterprise businesses impacted by COVID-19 within the City of Orland. The County of Glenn assisted with administration of the program, and six local businesses received grant funding.
Ms. Wackerman reported that representatives from the CDBG program reviewed the grant files and found no deficiencies or required corrections. Notice of the public hearing was published in the Valley Mirror on May 15, 2026.
ORLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, June 02, 2026
Ms. Wackerman further reported that all grant funds had been received and distributed, including $42,500 in assistance to eligible businesses and $9,325.84 for County of Glenn administrative services.
She recommended that the City Council conduct the public hearing and authorize the Acting City Manager to submit the necessary close-out reports for the grant.
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 6:36 PM.
With no public comment the Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:36 PM.
ACTION: Councilmember Elliott moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolle, to authorize the Acting City Manager or designee to sign the CBDG Closeout Package for grant no. 20-CDBGCV1-00079 and submit to CDBG. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
FY 2026-27 Proposed Budget
Roberto Moreno, RGS Strategic Services Consultant, presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget with a PowerPoint presentation. He explained that the budget was developed through collaboration among all department heads and reflects significant efforts to achieve a balanced General Fund budget, resulting in a projected surplus of $162,010. Mr. Moreno noted that balancing the budget required extensive discussion due to the City's recent history of operating deficits and that staff will continue refining financial policies throughout the year to support long-term fiscal sustainability.
Mr. Moreno reviewed the budget by fund and explained that some funds are projected to operate with surpluses while others will utilize existing fund balances to cover expenditures. He outlined several measures taken to balance the General Fund, including leaving three vacant positions unfilled, reducing part-time public works staffing, reallocating certain public works costs, recovering library administrative expenses, and assigning CalPERS unfunded liability and Pension Obligation Bond costs to Measure A and Measure J funds.
Mr. Moreno reported that the proposed Measure A budget includes a planned operating deficit of $457,300, which will be covered by available fund balances. He noted that the budget includes funding set aside for future public safety capital needs, including the replacement of a fire engine, the purchase of two police vehicles, and required pension-related obligations.
Mr. Moreno also reviewed the proposed Measure J budget, which includes an operating deficit of $200,900 to be funded through available reserves. He stated that higher-than-anticipated sales tax revenues and conservative spending during the first year of Measure J have resulted in sufficient fund balances to support recreation, library, and street-related improvements. Planned projects include installation of ballfield lights and sidewalk repair projects throughout the community.
Councilmember McDermott asked questions regarding fuel tax revenue projections. Mr. Moreno explained that the figures presented were based on estimates provided by HDL and could change as actual revenues are received. Councilmember McDermott thanked staff and department heads for developing a thoughtful budget plan, noting their willingness to think creatively and present the information in a clear and understandable manner. He stated that it was widely understood that the sales tax revenue could legally be treated as General Fund revenue and that a future council could have chosen to spend those funds differently. He expressed appreciation that the current Council and staff were approaching the use of those revenues cautiously and with a focus on long-term fiscal stability.
Councilmember Elliott addressed the department heads in attendance and asked whether they supported the proposed budget adjustments and whether the ideas reflected their input. Department heads confirmed that they did. Mr. Moreno added that department heads worked collaboratively as a team to identify solutions and develop strategies to balance the budget. Councilmember Elliott thanked staff and department heads for their teamwork and cooperation.
Councilmember Tolle thanked department heads for working together to balance the budget. He stated that the Council should be willing to evaluate whether there are any City services that are no longer cost-effective and suggested that reducing or eliminating certain services may be preferable to making continual incremental cuts across all departments.
Vice Mayor Enriquez thanked staff and Mr. Moreno for presenting a budget that was easy to read and understand. He also expressed concerns regarding future spending obligations and anticipated cost increases.
Mayor Barr inquired whether Development Impact Fee (DIF) funds were assigned to specific projects or could be reallocated. Mr. Moreno explained that DIF funds are restricted and cannot be transferred between projects. Mayor Barr also asked questions regarding ongoing capital projects and the funding sources that would be used to complete them. She expressed concern regarding the City's reserve levels and asked how reserves could be increased in future years. Mayor Barr further expressed concern about allocating employee pension-related costs to Measures A and J revenues, noting the voter-approved nature of those taxes. She stated that building stronger reserves should remain a priority and expressed support for completing the Westside Annexation to generate additional City revenues. Mayor Barr thanked staff for their efforts in preparing the budget.
Mr. Moreno clarified that Measures A and J are legally combined; however, the City has elected to track them separately for internal purposes. He stated that transferring certain operating costs and unfunded accrued liability (UAL) pension expenses to those revenue sources would provide additional flexibility within the General Fund.
Vice Mayor Enriquez requested that staff provide a chart showing the City's CalPERS payment history over the last ten years as part of the final budget presentation.
Mayor Barr asked how other cities typically conduct their budget development process and whether they utilize ad hoc committees or budget workshops. Mr. Moreno responded that budget development practices vary among municipalities.
Mr. Moreno asked whether the Council wished to see any additional changes incorporated into the proposed budget. Councilmember Elliott stated that he looked forward to reviewing the final budget numbers.
The Council took no action on the proposed budget. Staff was directed to return with a final version for consideration and possible adoption at the June 16, 2026, City Council meeting. The Council also requested that an executive summary accompany the final budget document.
Police Chief Vlach informed the Council that he would be absent from the next meeting but wanted to provide an update regarding the School Resource Officer program. He reported that he had recently held a productive meeting with the Orland Unified School District regarding the program.
Mayor Barr requested that future agendas include discussion items related to Arts Commission funding and the City's voucher program for feline spay and neuter services.
City Manager Verbal Report
Acting City Manager Janet Wackerman reported that, following City Council direction to proceed with the City Manager recruitment process, the position has been advertised in three different locations and assistance has been requested from the League of California Cities.
Ms. Wackerman announced that the City was awarded a $750,000 CalRecycle grant that was applied for by City Engineer Paul Rabo. She noted that the City will be responsible for funding the remaining costs associated with the project.
Ms. Wackerman also reported that she attended a joint meeting with representatives from the City of Orland, the City of Willows, and Glenn County regarding the ambulance services study. She stated that the next step in the process will be the formation of an ad hoc ambulance committee meeting.
Additionally, Ms. Wackerman advised that the next City Council agenda is expected to include adoption of the final budget, a presentation from Habitat for Humanity regarding Tranquility Point, and noted that the Economic Development Commission meeting was cancelled due to current staffing levels.
City Council Communications and Reports
Councilmember Elliott:
• Nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Enriquez:
• Shared he would like to revisit funding from Westside at an upcoming meeting.
Mayor Barr:
• Nothing to report.
Councilmember McDermott:
• Nothing to report.
Councilmember Tolle:
• Expressed interest in serving on the ad hoc ambulance committee.
MEETING ADJOURNED 7:44 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Terrie Barr, Mayor