TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – October 11, 2022
1. OPENING
The Regular meeting of the Paradise Town Council was called to order by Mayor Crowder at 6:03 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber located at 5555 Skyway, Paradise, California.
The Boy Scouts of America Troop 16-Durham, CA led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. An Invocation was offered by Council Member Culleton.
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, Finance Director/Town Treasurer Ross Gilb, Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox, Community Development Director Susan Hartman, Community Development Director Tony Lindsey, Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis, Business and Housing Manager Kate Anderson, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, Police Lieutenant Anthony Borgman, Fire Chief Patrick Purvis, Senior Supervising Code Enforcement Officer Roy Wallis, Code Enforcement Admin Cindy Crounse, and Recovery and Economic Development Project Manager Brian Solecki. 1a. Charles Anderson from the League of California Cities presented the Helen Putnam Award to the Town Council.
1b. Mayor Crowder presented a proclamation to the Town’s Code Enforcement division recognizing the 2
nd week of October as Code Enforcement Officer
Appreciation Week. (180-40-027)
1c. Elizabeth Brewster presented on the Paradise Little League. 1d. Jim McCourt from Meeder Investments provided a financial update. 1e. Camp Fire Recovery Updates - Written reports are included in the agenda packet. (110-60-061)
Colette Curtis, Recovery and Economic Development Director - Recovery projects, Advocacy, Economic Recovery and Development,
Communications and Emergency Operations.
Marc Mattox, Public Works Director/Town Engineer - Infrastructure and Sewer Update
Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox answered questions regarding the repaving projects in Town.
Tony Lindsey, CDD-Building and Code Enforcement - Code Enforcement Update
Kate Anderson, Business and Housing Manager - Business and Housing Update
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Tryon, approved consent calendar items 2a through 2k. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved minutes of the September 13, 2022 Regular Council meeting and September 15, 2022 Special Council meeting.
2b. Approved September 2022 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $3,904,576.57. (310-10-034)
2c. Authorized the Town Manager to execute an agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for acceptance of the USDA 2022 Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant award to purchase new structural and wildland personal protective equipment (PPE) and adopted Resolution 2022-70. (510-20-362, 440-91-001)
2d. Authorized the Town Council to sign a letter of endorsement for Paradise Little League to move forward with applying for grants and other available funding options. (180-30-100)
2e. 1. Authorized the Town Manager to enter into a contract with Aviat Networks, Incorporated, for the installation of an extension of Butte County’s BRICS radio network to the Town of Paradise radio networks, and related equipment; and, 2. Approved staff recommended budget adjustments. (510-20-359, 340-40-016)
2f. 1. Declared furniture from the Community Development Department as surplus property; and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2022-71, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Declaring Certain Town property to be Surplus and Authorizing Disposal Thereof”. (380-10-003) 2g. Authorized the Town Manager to execute an agreement for professional services with Management Partners for a not-to-exceed amount of $35,000. (510-20-288)
2h. Authorized the Town Manager to enter into a contract with Tashjian Towers Corporation, for an engineering evaluation and report on the capacity of the Bloomer Hill Tower to accept the installation of required microwave equipment. (510-20-360)
2i. Authorized the Town Manager to enter into a contract with Sutter Buttes Communications, for the removal, cleanup and reconfiguration of existing Dispatch radio equipment to be carried over into new Dispatch radio system; and, approved staff recommended budget adjustments. (510-20-344, 340-40-016)
2j. 1. Concurred with the recommended approvals provided by Exceptions Committee Members Culleton and Jones; and, 2. Authorized staff to accept and process a Temporary Use Permit application from applicant, Kimberly Omiela. (540-10-021)
2k. Accepted the $5,000.00 California for All Animals Welcome Grant awarded to the Town of Paradise Animal Control/Shelter. (410-10-008)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR - None
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
1. Town Clerk Dina Volenski read a comment, summitted via email, from Ward Habriel thanking Council for the efforts to get the green waste facility reopened.
2. Rich Gowins announced that a Vote Center will be open in Paradise from October 29 through November 8 and thanked staff and Council for their continued efforts on private roads in Paradise and stopping unnecessary road work in his neighborhood and the identification of evacuation routes.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Barry Long from Urban Design Associates presented the Long-Term Recovery Plan Update and requested comments from the Town Council to be included in the update.
Council Member Jones stated that the Town Council did not determine that a new Civic Center should be retired from the document, and requested it remain on the list but be moved to a lower-level priority. Town Manager Phillips suggested that the item be moved into the superseded facility project. (420-25-010)
6b. Community Development Director Tony Lindsey presented on the recommended changes to the 2022 Building Code Standards. If the Town does not make any changes, then the Standards recommended by the State would become effective on January 1, 2023.
Mr. Lindsey explained that carports are exempted, Electrical charging stations are included and the language regarding grading permits has been cleaned up.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, 1. Waived the first reading of Town Ordinance No. 622 and read by title only; and, 2. Introduced Town Ordinance No. 622, " An Ordinance of the Town of Paradise Repealing Paradise Municipal Code Chapters 15.01, 15.02, 15.03, 15.04, 15.05,
15.06, 15.07, 15.08, 15.09, 15.10, 15.11, 15.12, 15.13 and Adopting New Chapters 15.01, 15.02, 15.03, 15.04, 15.05, 15.06, 15.07, 15.08, 15.09,
15.10, 15.11, 15.12, 15.13, 15.14, and 15.15 and Making Findings of Facts Relating to Local Climatic, Geological, and Topographic Conditions, All Relating to the Amendments and Adoption of the 2022 California Building Standards Code." Roll call vote was unanimous. If approved at the November 7, 2022 meeting, the building code standards will go into effect January 1, 2023. (540-16-191)
6c. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an update on the analysis to re-open Honey Run Road which has been closed since the Camp Fire in November 2018 due to Hazardous Tree Removal, Narrow Roadway sections and limited access.
Council discussed the potential liability issues associated with the road if no changes or updates were made to the road.
Attorney Scott E. Huber stated that there is no vehicle code for a Town regarding unimproved conditions of a road, but the Town may be able to limit liability with signage or ask the County to also designate the road a Historical Community Route.
1. Jon Remalia suggested Honey Run be used as a fire access and could promote access to Covered Bridge as tourist attraction.
2. Cynthia Binyon, resident of Honey Run Road, asked about access to the road and maintenance from the Town of Paradise
3. Kurt Klackle, resident of Honey Run Road, stated that Honey Run is not closed, people are still traveling too fast and it is a dangerous road, not in favor of closing the road.
4. Ray Varlinsky, resident of Honey Run Road, stated that Honey Run Road is used as an alternative to Skyway making it a dangerous road and suggested closing the road after Honey Run Terrace.
Attorney Scott E. Huber shared that Gov’t Code 57329 has nothing stating that an unimproved county road needs to be brought up to standards.
MOTION by Jones, seconded by Bolin, to approve staff recommendation to continue forward with permitting the 2023 Wildflower with safety precautions and providing that Butte County adopt the entire corridor between Merlin Lane and Honey View Terrace as a Historical Community Route and the proposed paving project provide robust signage advising people about the limitation of the road and that they are proceeding at their own risk. Roll call vote was unanimous. (950-40-063)
6d. MOTION by Jones, seconded by Bolin, to award Contract No. 9417.CON, 2022 CDBG Sidewalk Infill Project to All American Construction, Inc. of Live Oak, CA in the amount of their base bid, $456,862.00; and, 2. Authorized the Town Manager to execute an agreement with All American Construction, Inc. relating to Contract No. 9417.CON and approved contingency expenditures not exceeding 25%. Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-361, 950-40-068)
6e. MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Tryon, adopted Resolution No. 2022-72, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Authorizing and Approving Execution of a Grant Agreement to Receive an Allocation of Funding from the 2018 CDBG-DR Infrastructure Program and any Forthcoming Amendments, Thereto.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (710-10-099)
6f. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Mattox provided an overview of the facilities conditions and building losses from the Camp Fire. Mr. Mattox requested the money for the proposed improvements for Town Hall, Paradise Police Department and Fire Station 81 come from unallocated ARPA funding.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, approved requested budget adjustments for various repairs and improvements for Town Hall, Paradise Police Department and Fire Station 81. Roll call vote was unanimous. (280-05-006, 280-50-001, 280-60-005)
6g. Town Clerk Volenski read a comment from Ward Habriel stating the repair/replacement of the culvert under Stearns at Dry Creek; wow: really great action, decisions and results! Marc and staff, mega kudos to you all.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Jones, adopted Resolution No. 2022-73, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise accepting Contract No. 9418.CON, Stearns Rd Dry Creek Culvert Emergency Repairs, performed by Visinoni Brothers, Inc.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (950-40-067, 510-20-348)
6h. Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis provided an overview of the requested additional funding for the Category 4 Arborist Services which is being asked to be funded from unallocated ARPA funds.
MOTION by Tryon, seconded by Culleton 1. Approved Amendment to Agreement between the Town of Paradise and P31, increasing the Not to Exceed amount for Category 4 Arborist Services; and, 2. Authorized the Town Manager to sign the agreement. Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-345)
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items - None
7b. Council reports on committee representation
Council Member Culleton attended a Solid Waste meeting and announced that the Green Waste Yard is now open on Friday and Saturdays and hopefully the Buy Back Center and Household Hazardous Waste will be open at the first of the year.
Council Member Tryon has been attending NRWS meetings the last six months working out the agreement for the green waste yard and shared that hopefully the Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling will be open the first of the year and attended Butte County Fire Safe Council check in and met regarding the Tier 4 trees.
Mayor Crowder staffed the Town booth at Johnny Appleseed Days, attended the swear in of a new officer and presented at the California Real Estate Appraiser Convention at South Lake Tahoe.
7c. Future Agenda Items
Council Member Culleton requested future discussion to form an Arts Commission to create Paradise as a destination for public art.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
8a. Town Manager Report
Town Manager Phillips appreciates the Town Councils support, attended Community Resiliency Collaboration and will be merging with the Park and Recreation to focus on bringing funding back for the buffer zone around Town and an alternative thought is how to bring the flumes back into working order; Officer Cooper is the newest addition to the Police Department; and six staff attended ICS 400 training.
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
10a. Mayor Crowder adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. and announced that the Town Council will adjourn to November 7, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., Paradise Town Hall, 5555 Skyway, Paradise, CA 95969 for the purpose of holding a Regular Adjourned meeting pursuant to Government Code Section 54955.
Date approved: November 7, 2022
By: Attest:
__________/s/______________ ____________/s/_____________ Steve Crowder, Mayor Dina Volenski, CMC, Town Clerk