TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – July 11, 2023
1. OPENING
The Regular meeting of the Paradise Town Council was called to order by Mayor Bolin at 6:01 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 Culleton.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Crowder, Steve “Woody” Culleton, Ron Lassonde, Rose Tryon and Greg Bolin, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Interim Town Manager and Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox, Town Attorney Scott E. Huber, Town Clerk/Elections Official Dina Volenski, Community Development Director Susan Hartman, Community Development Director Tony Lindsey, Finance Director/Town Treasurer Aimee Beleu, Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis, Business and Housing Manager Kate Anderson, Recovery and Economic Development Project Manager Brian Solecki, Information Systems Director Luis Marquez, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, and Fire Chief Patrick Purvis. 1a. Lisa Strange from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Dawn Foster from Farmers Insurance provided updates on the current status of insurance in the Town of Paradise and what is being done to lower costs. 1b. Camp Fire Recovery Updates - Written reports are included in the agenda packet. (110-10-061)
Colette Curtis, Recovery and Economic Development Director - Recovery Projects, Advocacy, Economic Recovery and Development,
Communications and Emergency Operations
Ms. Curtis provided a verbal update on the status of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Projects.
Marc Mattox, Public Works Director/Town Engineer - Infrastructure and Sewer Update
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 Crowder, seconded by Tryon, approved consent calendar items 2a through 2d. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved Minutes of the June 13, 2023 Special and Regular Town Council meetings.
2b. Approved June 2023 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $5,365,936.05. (310-10-034)
2c. 1. Waived the second reading of Town Ordinance No. 626 and read by title only; and, 2. Adopted Town Ordinance No. 626 “An Ordinance Rezoning Certain Real Property From “C-C” (Community-Commercial) to a “C-F” (Community-Facilities) Zone Pursuant to Paradise Municipal Code Sections
17.45.500 Et. Seq. (PID: PL23-00042)”. (540-16-195)
2d. 1. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-29, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise certifying to the County of Butte the validity of the legal process used to place direct charges (special assessments) on the secured tax roll”; and, 2. Authorized the Town Manager and Finance Director to approve direct charge (special assessment) changes; and,
3. Authorized the Town Manager and Finance Director to execute the governing authority certification related to the direct assessments on the property tax roll. (550-40-051, 510-20-107, 540-10-020)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR - None
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
1. Shawn Reese spoke on behalf of the NorCal Carpenters Union to encourage fair standards for workers.
2. Tom Kelly spoke on the national fire protection program to lower insurance rates.
3. Jon Remalia spoke on the duties of the mayor as detailed in Town of Paradise Resolution 12-48.
4. Raymond Klein spoke on home values being affected by the construction of modular homes.
5. Dawn Foster asked about insurance bailouts.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Finance Director/Town Treasurer Aimee Beleu presented on the proposed FY 2023/2024 Operating and Capital Budget. Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis addressed the potential change in budget as it was presented due to the delays in the implementation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Projects.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Lassonde to adopt the following resolutions related to the 2023-2024 Town of Paradise Budget:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-30 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Adopting the Final Budget for the Town of Paradise Including all Attachments, Appendices, and other related Documents for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024.” (340-40-016)
2. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-31, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving and Adopting the Annual Appropriation Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.” (340-40-016)
3. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-32, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Amending the General Fund Reserves for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.” (340-40-016)
4. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-33, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise approving and Adopting the Town of Paradise Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Disaster Recovery Plan for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.” (340-40-016, 950-40-034)
5. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-34, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the New Job Classification Descriptions.” (340-40-016, 610-10-017)
6. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-35, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise, California adopting the amended Salary Pay Plan for Town of Paradise Employees for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (340-40-016, 610-10-015, 610-10-017, 610-10-018) 6b. Community Development Director Susan Hartman provided an overview of the potential amendments to the current solid waste franchise agreement with Northern Recycling and Waste Services (NRWS).
1. Doug Speicher commented that NRWS is committed to the community, is grateful for the partnership with the Town of Paradise and its residents and expressed frustrations as a result of the State’s unfunded mandates regarding waste disposal.
Council provided staff with direction to negotiate amendments to the current solid waste franchise agreement with Northern Recycling and Waste Services, ranging from changes to the rate methodology, the hazardous household waste facility, new organics rates, and an extension date not to exceed the year 2040. All Council concurred. (535-10-001) 6c. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of the benefits of the proposed median removal plan.
MOTION by Crowder, seconded by Culleton, directed staff to revise plans and specifications for adjacent paving improvements near the intersection of Pearson Road and Black Olive Drive to remove the landscaped center median for the benefit of improved evacuation egress with Striping Layout Option #2: to expand the day-to-day roadway cross section, adding a travel lane to the left of the primary lane. Roll call vote was unanimous. (950-40-063)
6d. Interim Town Manager Marc Mattox provided an overview of the proposed employment agreement with James Goodwin.
1. Jim Goodwin commented that he was looking forward to the opportunity to serve the community.
MOTION by Tryon, seconded by Culleton approved the Employment Agreement with James Goodwin for the Town Manager position. Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-390)
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Staff to provide a commercial sign removal update and after discussion regarding different options, provide direction to staff. (LASSONDE) Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis provided an update on the Commercial Sign Removal Program. Council provided direction to staff to tackle commercial sign removal with a hybrid approach to send a notice of violation as well as an application for the grant program.
All Council concurred.
7b. Council reports on committee representation:
Council Member Culleton attended a meeting for economic development with the League of California Cities and the Solid Waste Committee meeting with NRWS.
Council Member Lassonde worked the Town booth at Party in the Park the last three weeks; spent the day with Cal Fire on a ride along; toured the Butte County Cal Fire Headquarters; and attended a meeting with the Adventist Health committee where Adventist Health shared that they are looking to expand their clinic.
Council Member Crowder worked the booth at Party in the Park; attended the June 15th Prepared Paradise Emergency Operations Center training; spent the day with Cal Fire on a ride along; toured the Butte County Cal Fire Headquarters; and attended a meeting with Adventist Health.
Vice Mayor Tryon attended the monthly BCAQMD meeting; the Solid Waste Committee meeting with NRWS; and a meeting with the Butte County Fire Safe Council regarding the early warning sirens.
Mayor Bolin attended the July 4th Symphony; took several phone calls from concerned citizens; and thanked Marc Mattox for his work and time as Interim Town Manager.
7c. Future Agenda Items - None
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
8a. Interim Town Manager Marc Mattox shared an update on the results of the “Can you hear me?” survey and that the Off-System Road Project has been approved by FEMA and will be advertised and awarded as quickly as possible.
Community Development Director Susan Hartman shared that the Residential Landscape Plans are now on the Town website; CDD is processing a Use Permit for a 72-unit multifamily complex; St. Thomas More has applied to rebuild their Parish Hall; the plans for the Animal Shelter expansion are in review; CDD has received the building plans for the Phase 2 conversion of the Feather River Retirement Facility for another 57-units; and have received plans for a new deli infill.
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bolin adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
Date approved:
By: Attest:
__________/s/______________ ____________/s/_____________ Greg Bolin, Mayor Dina Volenski, CMC, Town Clerk