TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – February 13, 2024
1. OPENING
The Regular meeting of the Paradise Town Council was called to order by Mayor Lassonde at 6:00 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: Greg Bolin, Steve Crowder, Steve “Woody” Culleton, Rose Tryon and Ronald Lassonde, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Jim Goodwin, Town Attorney Scott E. Huber, Town Clerk/Elections Official Dina Volenski, Finance Director/Town Treasurer Aimee Beleu, 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, Recovery and Economic Development Project Manager Brian Solecki, Information Systems Director Luis Marquez, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, Police Lieutenant Anthony Borgman, and Police Lieutenant Cameron Kovacs.
Mayor Lassonde stated that in order for the Council to discuss and make the recommendation of accepting the Notice of Completion for the Interim Striping Safety Project 2023 - the item must be formally added to the agenda under the consent calendar.
It takes two thirds vote to add the item to the agenda, or if less than two thirds are present a unanimous vote of those present.
As such, Council is requested to take the following actions:
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(b)(2) the Town Council finds that there is a need to take immediate action and that the need came to the attention of the Town after the posting of the agenda concerning the following item:
2(n) Consider adopting Resolution No. 2024- , “ A Resolution of the Town Council of Town of Paradise accepting the work performed under the Interim Striping Safety Project 2023 Contract 9429.CON performed by Specialized Pavement Marking, LLC”.
Motion by Bolin, seconded by Crowder, the Town Council finds that there is a need to take immediate action and that the need came to the attention of the Town after the posting of the agenda and added Agenda Item 2(n) to the consent calendar. Roll call vote was unanimous.
1a. Town Council recognition of Employee Service to the Town of Paradise for 2023 was ready by Vice Mayor Bolin and presented by Mayor Lassonde. (360-20-022)
15 Years
Shawn Jordan - Police Department
Dina Volenski - Town Clerk Department
John Wilkey - Police Department
10 Years
Colette Curtis - Recovery and Economic Development Department Marc Mattox - Public Works and Engineering Departments
5 Years
Andrew Anaya - Animal Control
LeAnn Rice - Fire Department
Mollie St John - Animal Control
Dominic Vannucci - Police Department
Tanya Yelenskaya - Community Development Department
1b. Special recognition was awarded to sworn and non-sworn police personnel and volunteers for their exemplary contributions to the department and presented by Police Chief Eric Reinbold.
Officer of the Year:
Officer, Andrew Cooper
Dispatcher of the Year:
Support Services Supervisor, Jeannette Huggins
Civilian Employee of the Year:
Property & Evidence Technician, Shawn Jordan
VIP of the Year:
Lisa Robinson
PASH Volunteer of the Year:
Charlotte Amoroso
1c. The Presentation of VIPS 2023 Annual Report was given by Lisa Robinson. (480-60-009)
1d. Executive Director, Monica Nolan presented on Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce newly release social media platforms and website, “Welcome to the Ridge”.
1e. Executive Director, Jen Goodlin presented on the Rebuild Paradise Foundation and the handprint mural project.
1f. 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 Tryon, approved consent calendar items 2a through 2l and item 2n. Item 2m was removed from the consent calendar by Vice Mayor Bolin. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved the Regular minutes of the January 9, 2024, Town Council meeting.
2b. Approved January 2024 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $3,572,262.23. (310-10-035)
2c. 1. Waived the second reading of Town Ordinance No. 633 and read by title only; and, 2. Adopted Town Ordinance No. 633 “An Ordinance Amending Paradise Municipal Code Chapter 15.09 Relating to The Fire Code And Burn Permits.” (540-16-202)
2d. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-03, “A Resolution of the Town Council of Town of Paradise accepting the work performed under the 2023 On-System Roadway Rehabilitation – Pearson (Project 2)/ HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project Contract 7303.2 CON performed by Baldwin Contracting Company, Inc. dba Knife River Construction.” (510-20-368) 2e. 1. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-04, “A Resolution of The Town Council of the Town of Paradise Authorizing Disposal of Certain Town Records Maintained in the Town Clerk Department Pursuant to Government Code Section 34090”; and,
2. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-05, “A Resolution of The Town Council of the Town of Paradise Authorizing Disposal of Certain Town Records Maintained in the Human Resources Department Pursuant to Government Code Section 34090.” (160-20-016, 160-20-017)
2f. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-06, a Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise to finalize and obligate the CalFire California Climate Investment Grant Agreement in order to receive up to $2,469,159.00 in match funding for Phase 2 Tree Removal. (420-25-009, 510-20-405) 2g. Reviewed and approved Town of Paradise Investment Policy – Administrative Policy No. 140. (360-30-002, 110-10-020) 2h. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-07, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise to Assign Council Member Participation to the Legislative Committee.” (120-10-010)
2i. 1. Declared the Police Department equipment as surplus property; and, 2.
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-08, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise declaring certain Town Equipment to be surplus and obsolete and authorizing disposal by the Town Manager or his designee.” (380-10-003)
2j. Reviewed and filed the 2nd Quarter Investment Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024. (360-30-006)
2k. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-09 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Repealing Resolution No. 15-45, and Amending and Restating Procedures Relating to the Conduct of Town Council Meetings.” (580-40-025)
2l. Accepted a donation of $5,000 from the Rotary Club of Paradise to support the E-Citation program. (395-50-024, 480-35-002)
2m. ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
2n. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-10, “A Resolution of the Town Council of Town of Paradise accepting the work performed under the Interim Striping Safety Project 2023 Contract 9429.CON performed by Specialized Pavement Marking, LLC”. (510-20-402, 950-40-069)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 2m was removed from the consent calendar by Vice Mayor Bolin due to a potential conflict of interest. Vice Mayor Bolin recused himself from the dais at 6:59 p.m.
2m. MOTION by Tryon, seconded by Culleton, Authorized the not to exceed (NTE) increase amendment for $10,000 with the Butte Fire Safe Council and authorized the Town Manager to execute the amendment in order to continue with FEMA/Cal OES approved Pre-Phase 2 award work. Roll call vote was unanimous with Vice Mayor Bolin absent and not voting. (510-20-381) Vice Mayor Bolin returned to the dais at 6:59 p.m.
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
1. Shannon Hawkins asked about receiving an exception for Urgency Ordinance No. 632 and asked to be allowed to store her RV on her vacant property.
2. Carrie Max thanked the Town for allowing her to stay in an RV on her property for another year while she waits for her PG&E settlement money.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Finance Director/Town Treasurer Aimee Beleu presented the proposed agreement for banking services with Tri Counties Bank.
1. Sonny Ventimiglio, a representative from Tri Counties Bank spoke on the proposed contract and on Tri Counties’ dedication to the Town of Paradise.
2. Scott Cadow, Vice President of Tri Counties Bank spoke about how the bank will secure the Town’s monies and what caused Silicon Valley Bank’s failure.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, authorized the Mayor and Town Manager to enter into an agreement for banking services with Tri Counties Bank for five years with an optional extension of two years, contingent upon final review and approval by the Town Attorney. Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-417)
6b. THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA FOR FUTURE
CONSIDERATION.
p275 1. Consider concurring with staff’s recommendation for awarding the contract for Progressive Design Build Services for the Paradise Sewer Project to the Mountain Cascade-Carollo team; and, 2. Authorize the Town Manager to enter into a Progressive Design Build Contract (2023-005) with the recommended firm, contingent upon approval by the Town Attorney; and, 3. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-__, “A Resolution Designating Authority to the Paradise Town Manager to Execute Individual Contract Amendments Under the Resultant Progressive Design Build Contract for RFQ 2023-005 Progressive Design Build Services with Mountain Cascade/Carollo Engineers for the Paradise Sewer Project up to the maximum contract aggregate amount of $17,000,000 to complete the initial design and progressive design build process for the Paradise Sewer Project” (ROLL CALL VOTE) This item will be brought back on a future agenda. 6c. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of the proposed Roe Road Extension Phase 2 Local Transportation Climate Adaptation Program.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Tryon,1. Approved a Letter of Intent to the California Transportation Commission relating to the Town’s $33,000,000 Roe Rd Extension Phase 2 Local Transportation Climate Adaptation Program grant award and funding needs for project construction; and, 2. Approved a Letter of Support for the Town’s $25,000,000 federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) funding opportunity; and, 3. Allocated $3,800,000 of the Town’s Paradise Recovery & Operations Reserve to leverage the Roe Road Extension Phase 2 Project. (180-30-101, 950-40-059)
6d. Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis introduced representatives from the Chico Regional Airport. The airport representatives presented marketing investment opportunities available to Paradise in support of reopening the Chico Regional Airport.
Council directed staff to continue research into these investment opportunities and their specific benefit to Paradise and to bring the findings back to Council.
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items
7a1. Discussion of lay down yards/citations and utility work on private roads (CULLETON)
Council discussed the current process of lay down yards/citations and utility work on private roads. Community Development Director Tony Lindsey clarified the procedural processes through the Building Department and Code Enforcement. Council determined the current process was sufficient.
7b. Council reports on committee representation
Council Member Tryon reported that the monthly Butte County Association of Government (BCAG) meeting had been cancelled; she attended Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) meeting where she was reappointed to the Executive Committee; and that she attended the Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC)board member meeting.
Vice Mayor Bolin attended Butte Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and Solid Waste Committee meetings.
Council Member Crowder reported on his trip to Washington DC; attended the swear-in of a new dispatcher; attended the BCFSC open-house; several new business grand openings; and participated in interviewing applicants for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds administered by Business and Housing.
Council Member Culleton attended the Solid Waste Committee meeting and participated in interviewing applicants for CDBG funds administered by Business and Housing.
Mayor Lassonde attended the Butte County Oversight Board meeting; the True Value and Paradise Playdium ribbon cuttings; participated in the Legislative Tour of Paradise; attended a meeting to discuss Paradise tourism; and was interviewed by Blue Flamingo for the Make it Paradise blog.
7c. Future Agenda Items
7c1. Council Member Culleton asked to discuss Ordinance No. 632 and the provisions for residents to store RVs on vacant properties at a future Council meeting.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
8a. Town Manager Jim Goodwin apologized for the last-minute change to the agenda concerning item 6b. He disclosed the Town Attorney advised to pull the item until staff could present a more polished contract than was included in the agenda packet.
Community Development Director Susan Hartman shared that Planning Commission approved the use permit for a 72-unit multi-housing family project; permits have been issued for the Cypress Lane Family apartments; permits have been issued for a 21-unit senior housing project; CDD received a rebuild application for a 10-unit project on Oliver Road; CDD received a rebuild application for Country Club Market on Stearns; and CDD received a wastewater review for a 10-unit apartment complex. Ms.
Hartman shared that Planning Commission will review the Safety Element at a Special Meeting in February; CDD issued a minor tenant improvement permit for an Italian restaurant on Pearson; it is believed that Wendy’s has decided to wait for the sewer to rebuild; and shared that Jack-in-the-Box has been looking to buy property and reopen in Paradise.
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lassonde adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m.
Date approved: March 12, 2024
By: Attest:
__________/s/___________ ____________/s/_____________
Ronald Lassonde, Mayor Dina Volenski, CMC, Town Clerk