TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – March 08, 2022
At 6:04 p.m. Mayor Crowder announced the action was taken in Closed Session at the 5:00 p.m. Special Town Council Meeting:
2a. Town Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2022-13, A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise declaring an emergency and making related factual findings related to nuisance conditions and an immediate threat to public health and safety existing at 1296 Fawnbrook Place, APN 051-173-049 in Paradise, CA. 2b. Direction was given, no action was taken.
1. OPENING
The Regular meeting of the Paradise Town Council was called to order by Mayor Crowder at 6:05 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber located at 5555 Skyway, Paradise, California who led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. An invocation was offered by Council Member Jody Jones.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Bolin, Steve “Woody” Culleton, Jody Jones, Rose Tryon and Steve Crowder, Mayor.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Kevin Phillips, Town Attorney Scott E. Huber, Town Clerk Dina Volenski, Town Engineer/Public Works Director Marc Mattox, Finance Director/Town Treasurer Ross Gilb, Community Development Director Susan Harman, Community Development Director Tony Lindsey, Information Systems Director Luis Marquez, Business and Housing Manager Kate Anderson, Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, Police Lieutenant Cameron Kovacs, Police Lieutenant Anthony Borgman, Fire Chief Garrett Sjolund, Battalion Chief Rick Manson and Administrative Assistant Sheris Alvies. 1a. Town Council recognition of Employee Service to the Town of Paradise for 2021 were presented by Mayor Steve Crowder.
20 Years
Robert Grignon - Public Works
Candace Mays-Keillor - Public Works
5 Years
Anthony Borgman - Police Department
Jeannette Huggins - Police Department
Chris Rainey - Community Development Department
Sandra Miller - Finance Department
Anne Vierra - Community Development Department
Chris Nicoletti - Fleet Services
1b. Matthew Foor (via Teams) accepted the Proclamation recognizing March as Red Cross Month. (180-40-027)
1c. Tom Taylor, Superintendent and David McCready, Assistant Superintendent from the Paradise Unified School District provided an update on the projects being constructed for the School District. 1d. Jim McCourt from Meeder Investments provided a Financial Update on the PG&E funds invested for the Town of Paradise.
1e. Camp Fire Recovery Updates - Written reports are included in the agenda packet.
Colette Curtis, Recovery and Economic Development Director - Recovery projects, advocacy, Economic Recovery and Development, Communications and Emergency Operations. (110-60-061)
Marc Mattox, Public Works Director/Town Engineer - Infrastructure and Sewer Update. (110-60-061)
Tony Lindsey, CDD-Building and Code Enforcement Update. (110-60- 061)
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Jones, approved consent calendar items 2a through 2f. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved minutes of the February 8, 2022 Special and Regular Town Council meetings.
2b. Approved February 2022 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $2,605,255.44. (310-10-034)
2c. Awarded 2022 Town of Paradise HVAC Maintenance Services, to RB Spencer, Inc. of Yuba City, CA in the amount of their bid $11,000 per year and $165.00 per hour. (510-20-335)
2d. Acknowledged receipt of and filed the Planning Commission’s annual report concerning implementation status of the 1994 Paradise General Plan and Housing Element for the 2021 calendar year. (760-40-55 & 760-40-57) 2e. Approved the amended Professional Services Agreement with Mark Thomas and Company and authorized the Town Manager to execute an amendment. (510-20-290, 950-40-033 and 950-40-039)
2f. Authorized the Town Manager to execute an agreement, as approved by the Town Attorney, with Willdan for the Town of Paradise BRC LED Conversion Project in an amount not to exceed $36,192.53 utilizing PG&E’s On-Bill Financing Program. (510-20-336)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR – None
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
1. Anna Donaldson requested an update on Hope Plaza.
Marc Mattox, Town Engineer, stated that plans had been submitted and approved, but the Town is not involved with Hope Plaza.
2. Ward Habriel donated $10 to the American Red Cross, promoted the Paradise Garden Tour on June 4 and commented on the number of times his roadway had been dug up and repaired.
3. Dennis Ivey introduced himself as the newly appointed Paradise Recreation and Park District Director and liaison with the Town of Paradise.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5a. Community Development Director Susan Hartman provided the Town Council with an update on the proposed Defensible Space Certificate of Compliance fee that will be added to the Master Fee Schedule if the proposed resolution is adopted.
Mayor Crowder opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
1. Ward Habriel questioned why the sellers were responsible.
2. Jon Remalia stated that he receives 30-50 calls per month for yard clean up and asked how long the certificate will be good for.
3. Barbara Carter stated that one property owner in her neighborhood is not in compliance and asked how you get compliance when you do as much as you can to keep your house safe.
Mayor Crowder closed the public hearing at 7:27 p.m.
After discussion, Council directed staff to come back at a later date, with modifications to the Ordinance, to include in the program that if the person already has a certificate of compliance on their property dated within 90 days of the sale, that would suffice and they would not have to pay the fee.
MOTION by Tryon, seconded by Culleton, approved Resolution No. 2022-14 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Adopting a New Defensible Space Certificate of Compliance Fee to the Master Schedule of Fees for Town Services”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (395-20-019)
5b. Kate Anderson, Business and Housing Manager, explained that this is the first of two public hearings for the 2022-2023 Annual Plan funding priorities; Requested that Council approve the formation of a public services subcommittee to consider input and requests for public services funding; and, that two Council Members be appointed to the public services subcommittee.
Mayor Crowder opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Crowder closed the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.
Town Council approved the formation of a public services sub-committee and unanimously agreed to appoint Council Members Culleton and Tryon to the Committee. (710-10-100)
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Marc Mattox, Town Engineer and Public Works Director provided Council with an overview of the On-System Road Rehabilitation project.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Jones, adopted Resolution No.2022-15, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the Plans and Specifications for the On-System Road Rehabilitation Project and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids on the Project.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (950-40-054)
6b. Vice Mayor Bolin recused himself from the dais at 8:00 p.m. due to a potential conflict of interest.
Marc Mattox, Town Engineer/Public Works Director provided a verbal update to the Town Council for the Paradise Sewer Project and requested that Council concur with staff recommendation to proceed with developing a Connection Payment to be paid from the Town of Paradise to the City of Chico for a potential future connection to the City's Water Pollution Control Plant for wastewater treatment services for a defined Sewer Service Area.
The potential Connection Payment, approximately $14.9 Million, will be integrated into the ongoing draft Principles of Agreement being developed by the Sewer Regionalization Project Advisory Committee. All Council present concurred to move forward with the potential Connection Payment with Vice Mayor Bolin absent and not voting.
At 8:28 p.m. Mayor Crowder recessed the meeting for a five-minute break.
At 8:35 p.m. Mayor Crowder resumed the meeting and Vice Mayor Bolin returned to the dais.
6c. Brian Solecki, Recovery and Economic Development Project Manager and Colette Curtis, Recovery and Economic Development Director presented Council with the proposed process and priorities for the Category 4 Tree Removal Program and requested Council concur with Staff recommendation regarding priorities and eligibility for the Program.
All Council concurred with staff recommendation regarding priorities and eligibility for the program and for eligibility into the program, prior to tree removal, the property must be in compliance with the Town’s Defensible space ordinance. (420-25-009)
1. Ward Habriel stated that some people who own property in Town just don’t care and people living in Town just want to know how to protect their property from dangerous trees.
Staff Recommendation: Property Eligibility
All properties within Town limits are eligible
Defensible space code compliance a prerequisite for tree removal Staff Recommendation: Eligibility of Trees Priority
Ranking tree priority and determining which trees are ultimately removed:
1. Trees that threaten structures or building site
2. Trees that threaten actively used or developed portions of a parcel.
3. Trees that threaten property lines or neighboring properties.
4. Trees that threaten easements
5. Trees that increase general fire risk to a neighborhood/area.
6. Trees that threaten unused portions of a parcel.
6d. Colette Curtis, Recovery and Economic Development Director presented Council with the Non-Residential Market Study prepared by Economic and Planning Systems Inc. and asked them to consider accepting the study.
MOTION by Jones, seconded by Bolin Town Council accepted the NonResidential Market Study prepared by Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. Roll call vote was unanimous. (110-30-029)
6e. Rick Mansion, Battalion Chief presented Council with potential changes to the Fuel Reduction and Land Clearing Burn Permits as previously requested by the Town Council.
1. Ward Habriel has concerns with smoke and how neighbors would be notified of burning in the neighborhood.
2. Jon Remalia stated that the cost of bids for property owners would be considerably less if all night burning was allowed.
After discussion Council Member Jones suggested a motion and vote since there was not consensus among the Council.
MOTION by Crowder, not allow broadcast burning, but allow 24 hour burning due to stipulations with BCAQMD and equipment and should be commercial set up.
Motion seconded and amended by Culleton to include smaller properties of 2/3 acre or more. Ayes of Culleton; Noes of Bolin, Jones, Tryon and Mayor Crowder. MOTION FAILED.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton to leave the current burn process as is. Ayes of Bolin, Culleton, Jones and Tryon: Noes of Crowder.
MOTION PASSED. (440-60-020)
6f. Fire Chief Garrett Sjolund informed Council of the proposed increase to the CalFire contract due to increased employee salaries and an increase to the employees retirement rate.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Jones – Jones amending the motion to include directing staff to look at funding or reducing services for the 2023/24 budget, amendment approved by Bolin, adopted Resolution No. 2022-16 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the Agreement Amendment of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for Services from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025 for a Maximum Amount Not to Exceed $18,620,847” and directed staff to look at funding or reducing services for the 2023/24 budget. Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-296)
6g. Police Chief Eric Reinbold presented the proposed ordinance regarding the use of military equipment required by Assembly Bill 481.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Crowder, waived the first reading of the Town of Paradise Ordinance No. 615 and read by title only; and, 2.
Introduced Town of Paradise Ordinance No. 615 “An Ordinance Adding Section 9.70 to the Paradise Municipal Code Relating to Military Equipment Use”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (540-16-184)
6h. Police Chief Eric Reinbold presented an overview of the options presented in the Report by Management Partners to return Dispatch Services to the Town of Paradise.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Crowder, to accept the Paradise Police Department Report on the options for Dispatch services; and, 2.
Directed staff to move forward with the six dispatchers/3-year plan for the future return of dispatch services and updates to the Town Council when significant items occur. Roll call vote was unanimous. (480-60-013 & 510-20-294) 6i. Finance Director Ross Gilb provide Council with an overview of 2021-22 budget accomplishments and requested direction and feedback regarding goals for the FY 2022-23 Operating and Capital Budgets. (340-40-016) Council concurred with the following:
Proposed 2022-23 Budget goals include:
Maintaining Long-term Financial Sustainability
Maintaining support level of Personnel
Continuing Disaster Recovery and Capital Improvement Projects Managing Employee Retirement Costs
Budget Calendar Dates:
March 8, 2022 – Town Council Goal Setting
March 22, 2022 – Measure V Oversight Board – Budget discussions April & May – Staff Budget discussions & Development and Update to Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability Model
May 24, 2022 – Measure V Oversight Committee – Draft Measure V Budget Review
May 31, 2022 – Finance Committee Draft Budget Review
June 14, 2022 - Town Council Draft Budget Review
June 28, 2022 – Town Council Budget Adoption
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items - None
7b. Council reports on committee representation
Vice Mayor Bolin attended the LAFCo meeting where PID was discussed. 7c. Future Agenda Items
Council Member Culleton would like to see the following items on a future agenda:
1. Discuss road construction projects with identifying plaques and putting maps on social media so citizens can see where construction is in town
2. When ordinance is violated, owner is cited, wants to review ordinance to cite violator
3. Discuss having two (2) Council meetings a month.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
8a. Town Manager Report - None
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Crowder adjourned the Council meeting at 11:02 p.m.
Date approved: April 12, 2022
By:
_________/s/_____________
Steve Crowder, Mayor
Attest:
_________/s/______________
Dina Volenski, CMC, Town Clerk