TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – April 09, 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, 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 Garrett Needles.
Mayor Lassonde stated the following item came to the attention of Town staff subsequent to the posting of the agenda for the April 9, 2024 meeting. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, staff is requesting that Council take action to add the following item to the agenda. 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 amend the Agenda to add Closed Session Item No. 9(a), as follows:
9a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the Town Council will meet with Real Property Negotiators, the Town Manager and Town Attorney regarding the following properties: 052-202-003-000 and 052-202-004-000.
Motion by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, 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 Closed Session Agenda Item 9(a) to the agenda. Roll call vote was unanimous.
ITEM 6(h) WAS MOVED TO THE BEGINNING OF THE AGENDA BY COUNCIL CONSENUS.
6h. Town Manager Jim Goodwin presented the proposed dedication of the Daffodil Garden at Paradise Community Park in honor of Paradise resident, Ward Habriel.
MOTION by Crowder, seconded by Bolin, approved the dedication of the Daffodil Garden at Paradise Community Park in honor of Paradise resident, Ward Habriel. Roll call vote was unanimous. (1050-10-007, 180-40-027) Mayor Lassonde presented a proclamation to Ward Habriel recognizing his contribution to the community.
1. Ward Habriel expressed his gratitude to Council for their dedication to the community.
1a. 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 2d. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved the minutes of the March 8, 2024 Special Town Council meeting, and March 12, 2024 Special and Regular Town Council meetings. 2b. Approved March 2024 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $18,626,338.65. (310-10-035)
2c. 1. Declared the described Police equipment as surplus property; and, 2.
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-20, “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)
2d. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-21, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise accepting the work performed under the Roadside Evacuation Sign Project Contract No. 9431.CON, performed by John McGuire DBA McGuire Pacific Constructors.” (420-30-010, 510-20-404)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR - None
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - None
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5a. Building and Housing Manger Kate Anderson provided an overview of the proposed 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan. Ms. Anderson shared that there was a misprint in the Agenda Summary which read “2023-2024 Annual Action Plan” but clarified the proposed plan is for the 2024-2025 FY.
Mayor Lassonde opened the public hearing at 6:22 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Lassonde closed the public hearing at 6:22 p.m.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, 1. Adopted the Draft 2024- 2025 Annual Action Plan as submitted; and, 2. Authorized staff to submit the adopted 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Roll call vote was unanimous. (710-10-105)
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Finance Director Aimee Beleu provided an overview of the proposed GASB96 Policy.
MOTION by Tryon, seconded by Bolin, adopted Resolution No. 2024-22 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Adopting Administrative Policy No. 170, GASB-96 Policy.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (110-10-020)
6b. Finance Director Aimee Beleu provided an overview of the report on unexpended Development Impact Fees.
MOTION by Tryon, seconded by Bolin, adopted Resolution No. 2024-23, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise, California, Reporting Unexpended Development Impact Fees in Accordance with Government Code Section 66006.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (740-10-013)
6c. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of the proposed contract with Lamon Construction Co. Inc. for the 2024 OnSystem Road Rehabilitation/HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Bolin, adopted Resolution No. 2024- 24, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Awarding Construction Contract No. 7303.3 CON, 2024 On-System Road Rehabilitation/HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project, to Lamon Construction Co, Inc. in the amount of their base bid in the amount of $4,961,786.55 and designating authority to the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement with Lamon Construction Co, Inc. and to approve contingency expenditures not exceeding 10%”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-428, 950-40-071)
Vice Mayor Bolin recused himself from the dais due to a potential conflict of interest at 6:31 p.m.
6d. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of the recommended Right of Way Acquisition Management Plan (RAMP) for the Paradise Sewer Project.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Crowder, 1. Concurred with staff’s recommendation to adopt the Right of Way Acquisition Management Plan (RAMP) that has been prepared for the Paradise Sewer Project as the document that will guide the process for acquisition of any easements or rights of way that are determined to be necessary to the Paradise Sewer Project; and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-25, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Adopting the Paradise Sewer Project Right of Way Acquisition Management Plan as the official RAMP for the Paradise Sewer Project." Roll call vote was unanimous with Vice Mayor Bolin absent and not voting. (960-70-007, 960-70-008)
6e. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of staff’s recommendation to purchase Environmental Mitigation Credits, up to the budgeted amount of $2.4M to offset the impacts of the Paradise Sewer Project, utilizing secured CDBG-DR Infrastructure Planning Funds.
MOTION by Crowder, seconded by Culleton, 1. Concurred with staff recommendation to bestow to the Town Manager the authority to purchase Environmental Mitigation Credits, up to the budgeted amount of $2.4M to offset the impacts of the Paradise Sewer Project, utilizing secured CDBGDR Infrastructure Planning Funds; and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2024- 26, "A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Designating Authority to the Town Manager to Approve the Purchase of Environmental Mitigation Credits." Roll call vote was unanimous with Vice Mayor Bolin absent and not voting. (960-70-007, 710-10-099)
Vice Mayor Bolin returned to the dais at 6:48 p.m.
6f. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of proposed Ordinance No. 634 with the correction to the draft ordinance presented at its introduction that referenced a $175,000 threshold. Mr.
Mattox clarified the informal bid threshold to be $200,000 or less as indicated in the ordinance.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Tryon, 1. Waived the second reading of the Town of Paradise Ordinance No. 634 and read by title only; and,
2. Adopted Town Ordinance No. 634 “An Ordinance Adding Section
2.45.105 to the Paradise Municipal Code Relating to an Informal Bid Process for Public Works Projects of $200,000 or Less.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (540-16-203)
6g. Town Manager Jim Goodwin provided an overview of the proposed amendment to Administrative Policy No. 520 regarding a rental incentive for Paradise Community Park for State and Federally Recognized non-profit organizations from April 9, 2024 to April 9, 2029.
Council asked that the policy and resolution reflect that the suspension of rental fees for Paradise Community Park be restricted to “Paradise” nonprofit organizations.
1. Bill Hartley spoke in favor of this item.
MOTION by Crowder, seconded by Bolin, 1. Directed staff to suspend the rental fees for Paradise Community Park for Paradise non-profit organizations for a period of five years; and 2. Adopted Resolution 2024-27 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Amending Administrative Policy No. 520 Regarding a Rental Incentive for Paradise Community Park for State and Federally Recognized Paradise Non-Profit Organizations from April 9, 2024 to April 9, 2029.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (110-10-020)
6h. ITEM WAS MOVED TO THE BEGINNING OF THE AGENDA
6i. Recovery and Economic Development Project Manager Brian Solecki presented the proposed implementation of the Safe Network system addition to the Early Warning System.
MOTION by Lassonde, seconded by Bolin, 1. Concurred with staff’s recommendation to move forward with implementation of the Safe Network system addition to the Early Warning System if authorized by FEMA; and,
2. Directed staff to come back with a plan on moving forward if FEMA denies the request for the system addition. Roll call vote was unanimous. (420-30-009, 420-30-011)
6j. Town Manager Jim Goodwin provided an overview of staff’s recommendation to allocate up to $75,000 toward a Community Healthcare Needs Assessment that will be matched by Feather River Health Foundation up to $75,000.
1. Mark Thorp spoke in favor of this item.
MOTION by Crowder, seconded by Lassonde, 1. Concurred with staff’s recommendation to allocate up to $75,000 towards a Community Healthcare Needs Assessment; and, 2. Directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals for the drafting of the Community Healthcare Needs Assessment. Roll call vote was unanimous. (460-10-002)
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items – None
7b. Council reports on committee representation
Council Member Culleton attended a CHIP ribbon cutting celebration.
Council Member Crowder attended the Healthcare Committee meeting; met with Adventist Health; shared an update from the Fire Victim’s Trust; helped host a tour with Congressman LaMalfa and Congresswoman Takuda from Maui.
Vice Mayor Bolin attended the monthly Local Agency Formation Commission meeting; a Habitat for Humanity event; and the State of the Town hosted by the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Council Member Tryon attended the State of the Town hosted by the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce; the monthly Butte County Association of Governments meeting; and was elected to the board of the Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC).
Mayor Lassonde attended the Healthcare Committee meeting; toured the Town with the State Department Exchange Committee with a group from Turkey; interviewed with KRCR; attended a conference call with the president of the Fire Victim’s Trust; hosted a tour for Congressman LaMalfa and Congresswoman Takuda from Maui; attended a preliminary budget meeting with the Finance Committee and a CHIP ribbon cutting celebration. 7c. Future Agenda Items
1. Discussion around rezoning the downtown corridor to business/multiuse (CROWDER)
2. Discussion around expanding the Town’s sphere of influence to prevent urban sprawl (CULLETON)
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
8a. Town Manager Goodwin reflected on the tour with the State Department Exchange Committee; shared the Town hosted the first of quarterly administrator meetings with Paradise Recreation and Park District, Paradise Irrigation District and Paradise Unified School District; had a meeting with Taylor Neilson from the BCFSC; and met with David Reed from the Yuba/Sutter Arts Council to learn about their process and their program surrounding art on electrical boxes, which will be brought back to Council in early summer.
9. CLOSED SESSION
At 7:53 p.m. Mayor Lassonde announced that the Town Council would adjourn to Closed Session for the following item:
9a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the Town Council will meet with Real Property Negotiators, the Town Manager and Town Attorney regarding the following properties: 052-202-003-000 and 052-202-004-000.
After reconvening from Closed Session at 8:21 p.m., Mayor Lassonde announced direction was given, no reportable action was taken.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lassonde adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Date approved: May 14, 2024
By: Attest:
___________/s/________________ ____________/s/_____________ Ronald Lassonde, Mayor Dina Volenski, CMC, Town Clerk