TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – December 12, 2023
1. OPENING
The Regular meeting of the Paradise Town Council was called to order by Mayor Bolin at 6:03 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 Lassonde.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Crowder, Steve “Woody” Culleton, Ron Lassonde, Rose Tryon and Greg Bolin, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Jim Goodwin, Town Attorney Scott E. Huber, Town Clerk/Elections Official Dina Volenski, Community Development Director Susan Hartman, Community Development Director Tony Lindsey, Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox, Finance Director/Town Treasurer Aimee Beleu, Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis, Business and Housing Manager Kate Anderson, Project Manager Brian Solecki, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, Fire Chief Patrick Purvis, Fire Chief Garrett Needles, Fire Chief John Gaddie and Information Systems Director Luis Marquez.
1a. CAL FIRE Deputy Chief Patrick Purvis introduced new CAL FIRE Division Chief, Garrett Needles and CAL FIRE Battalion Chief John Gaddie. 1b. The Year in Review was read by Mayor Bolin. (180-30-027) 1c. Vice Mayor Tryon presented a proclamation to Greg Bolin recognizing his time and service as Mayor of the Town of Paradise. (180-40-027) 1d. Town Clerk Dina Volenski, as temporary Chair, opened the nominations for the selection of Mayor for a one-year term beginning December 12, 2023 through December 10, 2024.
Council Member Culleton nominated Ron Lassonde to serve as Mayor for a one-year term beginning December 12, 2023 through December 10, 2024.
Council Member Bolin nominated Rose Tryon to serve as Mayor for a oneyear term beginning December 12, 2023 through December 10, 2024.
MOTION by Lassonde, seconded by Culleton, closed the nominations for the position of Mayor. All Council concurred to close the nomination. Roll call vote to elect Ron Lassonde as Mayor was unanimous with Lassonde abstaining from the vote. (180-35-022)
1i. Town Clerk Volenski turned the meeting over to Mayor Lassonde who opened nominations for the position of Vice Mayor for a one-year term commencing December 12, 2023 through December 10, 2024.
Steve “Woody” Culleton nominated Greg Bolin to serve as Vice Mayor for a one-year term beginning December 12, 2023 through December 10, 2024.
Greg Bolin nominated Rose Tryon to serve as Vice Mayor for a one-year term beginning December 12, 2023 through December 10, 2024.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Bolin, closed the nominations for the position of Vice Mayor. All Council concurred to close the nomination. Roll call vote to elect Greg Bolin as Vice Mayor was unanimous with Greg Bolin abstaining from the vote.
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
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 Culleton, approved consent calendar items 2a through 2e. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved the Special and Regular meeting minutes of the November 14, 2023 Town Council meetings.
2b. Approved the November 2023 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $4,049,520.78. (310-10-034)
2c. Approved the recommendation to award insulated tumblers for years of service and hold an annual recognition luncheon for the entire staff. (630-20-022, 110-10-020)
2d. 1. Concurred with staff’s recommendation to extend the HQE System Contract for construction of the Early Warning Sirens to June 20, 2024; and,
2. Approved the amendment and authorized the Town Manager to execute the contract extension. (510-20-349)
2e. 1. Waived the second reading of the Town Ordinance No. 630 and read by title only; and, 2. Adopted Town Ordinance No. 630 “An Ordinance Amending Paradise Municipal Code Section 10.20.100 Relating To Parades And Compliance With Parade Permits Terms”. (540-16-199)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - None
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5a. Community Development Director Susan Hartman provided an overview of the proposed General Plan Land Use Map amendment and rezone regarding Ridge Lifeline Church.
Mayor Lassonde opened the public hearing at 6:26 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Lassonde closed the public hearing at 6:26 p.m.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, 1. Concurred with the project “CEQA determination” finding embodied within Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-04; and, 2. Concurred with the project recommended General Plan Land Use Map amendment and rezone action adopted by the Planning Commission on November 21, 2023, and embodied within Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-04; and, 3. Adopted Town of Paradise Resolution No. 2023-59, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Amending the Land Use Map of the 1994 Paradise General Plan (Ridge Lifeline Church: PL23-00175)”; and, 4. Waived the first reading of Town Ordinance No. 631 and read by title only; and, 5.
Introduced Town of Paradise Ordinance No. 631 “An Ordinance Rezoning Certain Real Property From “C-C” (Community-Commercial) to a “C-S” (Community-Services) Zone Pursuant to Paradise Municipal Code Sections
17.45.500 Et. Seq. (Ridge Lifeline Church: PL23-00175)”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (540-16-200)
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Community Development Director Susan Hartman provided an overview of the proposed amendments to the Northern Recycling and Waste Services Franchise Agreement related to the rate schedule; Proposition 218 Notice; extension of the existing Franchise Agreement between the Town of Paradise and NRWS for a proposed additional thirteen years through July 1, 2040; adjusting current rates; and adding additional rates and services to comply with SB 1383 organics collection.
Doug Speicher, from NRWS, addressed Council and stated that the company made a great investment in the Town in 2007 and they intend to continue to invest in the Town of Paradise and requested that the Council approve the recommendation in front of them.
1. Ward Habriel spoke on this item and stated that there is nothing that can be done regarding SB 1383.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Crowder 1. Adopted Resolution 2023-60 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Intending to Adopt an Amended and Restated Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with Increased Service Fees, a Change in the Service Rate Methodology, and Adding New Services to be Compliant with Senate Bill 1383 (Organics Collection)” expressing the intent to adopt the amended and restated franchise agreement and rate schedule and authorizing Town staff and NRWS to prepare and mail a Proposition 218 Notice to the satisfaction of the Town Attorney, to all property owners and ratepayers relating to Option A: Extending the existing Franchise Agreement between the Town of Paradise and NRWS for thirteen years through July 1, 2040, adjusting current rates and adding additional rates and services to comply with SB 1383 organics collection. Roll call vote was unanimous. (535-10-001) 6b. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of staff’s recommendation to reject all bids received for the Paradise Animal Shelter Expansion Project and requested that Council direct staff to revise the project bid documents for reconsideration of advertisement.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Tryon, concurred with staff’s recommendation to reject all bids received for the Animal Shelter Expansion Project and directed staff to revise the project bid documents for reconsideration of advertisement. Roll call vote was unanimous. (410-50-002) 6c. Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis provided an overview of the proposed resolution approving an application for a grant agreement relating to the CDBG-DR Recovery Workforce Program.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, approved Resolution 2023-61 a Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise, “Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and any Amendments Thereto from the 2022-2023 Funding Year of the State CDBG-DR Recovery Workforce Program.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (710-10-104)
6d. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of the proposed 2024 On-System Road Rehabilitation/HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, adopted Resolution No. 2023- 62, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the Plans, Specifications and Estimate for the 2024 On-System Road Rehabilitation/HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids on the Project”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (950-40-071)
6e. Consider adopting Resolution No. 2023-63, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the Plans, Specifications and Estimate for the 2024 Off-System Road Rehabilitation Project and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids on the Project.
Town Attorney Scott E. Huber announced that three Town Council members, Mayor Lassonde, Vice Mayor Bolin and Council Member Tryon had a potential conflict of interest with this item. As the item must be heard by at least a quorum of the Council and passed by a majority of those present, pursuant to FPPC Guidelines, the three members who had a potential conflict of interest participated in drawing straws. Town Clerk Volenski presented straws for each of the three Council Members to draw, with Council Member Tryon drawing the shortest straw, allowing her to remain on dais for the vote, while Mayor Lassonde and Vice Mayor Bolin recused themselves from the dais at 7:34 p.m.
Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of the proposed 2024 Off-System Road Rehabilitation Project.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Crowder, adopted Resolution No. 2023-63, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the Plans, Specifications and Estimate for the 2024 Off-System Road Rehabilitation Project and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids on the Project”. AYES: Crowder and Culleton; NOES: None; ABSENT: Bolin and Mayor Lassonde; ABSTAIN: Tryon. (950-40-072)
Mayor Lassonde and Vice Mayor Bolin returned to the dais at 7:36 p.m. 6f. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of the Bille Road/Pentz Road Storm Drain Project.
1. Carrie Max asked for clarification on whether the staff was recommending purchasing the property for the project or whether they were proposing an easement.
Mr. Mattox clarified it would be an easement.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, 1. Concurred with staff recommendation to file a CEQA Notice of Exemption for the Bille Road/Pentz Road Storm Drain Project; and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-64, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Authorizing the Town Manager to Negotiate with Edward J. Gleason and Fredalee N. Gleason, Trustees of the Edward J. Gleason and Fredalee N.
Gleason Revocable Trust to Acquire a Non-Exclusive Storm Drain Easement and Designating Authority to the Town Manager to Execute the Purchase and Sales Agreement, in Substantial Form, on a Portion of Property Identified as APN 050-210-089-000 and Any Related Documents Necessary to Complete the Acquisition of the Property” and, 3. Authorized the Town Engineer to execute the Certificate of Acceptance for the NonExclusive Storm Drain Easement. Roll call vote was unanimous. (910-20-003) 6g. Council appointed Council representatives and alternates to represent the Town of Paradise on various local and regional boards, committees, and commissions. (See committee assignments attached.) (120-10-010)
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items – None
7b. Council reports on committee representation:
Council Member Culleton attended several Camp Fire commemorative events.
Council Member Tryon attended all committee assignment meetings and the paint and sip at the Paradise Recreation and Parks District as one of the Camp Fire commemorative events.
Vice Mayor Bolin attended all assigned committee meetings.
Council Member Crowder attended the Rotary and PUSD job fair/career day; several ribbon cuttings; a meeting with Adventist Health; Butte County Wildfire Safety Summit; the Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner; police officer swear-in; and a Rebuild Paradise Grant Acceptance.
Mayor Lassonde met and toured the Town with Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox; attended the PUSD career day; the Healthcare Committee meeting; BCAG and BCAQMD meetings; the Paradise Symphony Orchestra concert; the Chamber Installation Dinner; and the new officer swear-in.
7c. Future Agenda Items – None
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
8a. Community Development Director Susan Hartman updated Council on the status of certain Community Development projects including, St. Thomas Moore Parish Hall, Paradise Boutique Apartments, Foothill Lumber, and mini storage units. Ms. Hartman shared that the BRC is now accepting online applications for residential rooftop solar installations as well as the upcoming items for the December Planning Commission meeting.
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lassonde adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
Date approved: January 9, 2024
By: Attest:
________/s/______________ _____________/s/___________
Ronald Lassonde, Mayor Dina Volenski, CMC, Town Clerk
2024 TOWN COUNCIL
REPRESENTATION
BUTTE COUNTY
COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
BUTTE COUNTY Bolin Crowder Culleton Lassonde Tryon
1. Air Quality Management District A R
2. Association of Governments A R
3. City Selection Committee (Mayor) R
4. Disaster Council (Mayor) R
5. Local Area Formation Commission
(LAFCo) (Bolin was appointed
through 5/2027 – Appointed by City
Selection Committee) R
6. Mosquito and Vector Control Board
(Schuster was appointed through
1/2027 – Rep to serve a 4-year term) Melissa Schuster
7. Waste Mgt Local Task Force R R
8. City/County Ad Hoc Committee R
9. Tourism Business Improvement
District (TBID) Colette Curtis R
10. Continuum of Care R A
11. Butte County Fire Safe Council R
LOCAL COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
PARADISE Bolin Crowder Culleton Lassonde Tryon
1. Paradise Community Village R A
2. Paradise Irrigation District Liaison R R
3. Paradise Rec. & Park District Liaison R R
4. Paradise Solid Waste Committee R R
5. Onsite Ad Hoc Committee R R
6. Finance Committee
(Mayor & Vice Mayor) R R
7. Butte County Oversight Board R
8. Paradise Sewer Regionalization
Project Advisory Committee R R
9. Legislative Ad Hoc Committee
(Mayor & Vice Mayor) R R
10. Healthcare Ad Hoc Committee R R