TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – May 14, 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, Deputy Town Clerk Melanie Elvis, 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 Director Colette Curtis, Information Systems Director Luis Marquez, Administrative Assistant Sheris Alvies, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, Police Lieutenant Anthony Borgman, and Fire Chief Garrett Needles.
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 Lassonde, approved consent calendar items 2a through 2d. Item 2e was removed from the consent calendar by Vice Mayor Bolin due to a potential conflict of interest. Roll call vote was unanimous. 2a. Approved minutes of the April 9, 2024, Regular and Special Town Council meetings and April 22, 2024, Special Town Council meeting. 2b. Approved April 2024 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $3,610,985.82. (310-10-035)
2c. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-29, "A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise acknowledging receipt of a report made by the Fire Chief of the Paradise Fire Department regarding the inspection of certain occupancies required to perform annual inspections in such occupancies pursuant to Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the California Health and Safety Code." (440-50-001)
2d. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-30, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Adopting a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act Of 2017.” (950-40- 034)
2e. ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Bolin recused himself from the dais due to a potential conflict of interest.
2e. MOTION by Tryon, seconded by Crowder, approved the Professional Services Agreements and authorized the Town Manager to execute the contract upon full Category 4 Tree Removal Program approval by FEMA and CalOES: a. Biological Surveying and Monitoring Contract with Mountain Engineering. b. Archaeological Surveying and Monitoring Contract with Mountain Engineering. c. Tribal Monitoring Contract with the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria. d. Tribal Monitoring Contract with the Mooretown Rancheria. e. Tribal Monitoring Contract with the Enterprise Rancheria. Roll call vote was unanimous. (420-25-009, 510-20-432, 510-20-433, 510-20-434, 510-20-435, 510-20-436)
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
1. Deputy Town Clerk Melanie Elvis read a comment submitted by Rich Gowins stating he supports the efforts to have the Governor amend AB1054; he supports the efforts to have California Civil Code 845 amended; and that he supports the fight for the Federal Tax Waiver for fire victims.
2. Carrie Max shared that the Garden Club is hosting “A Medley of Gardens” garden tour on June 1st and 2nd, 2024.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5a. Community Development Director Susan Hartman provided an overview of the proposed franchise agreement amendments and rate structure for Norther Recycling and Waste Services for solid waste, recycling, and organics collection services.
Mayor Lassonde opened the public hearing at 6:15 p.m.
1. John Cronister spoke in opposition to the item. He said he does not generate enough garbage to make the rate increase worth it. He said he didn’t think the Town should bail out a company who can’t afford to be in business.
2. Rocky Davis spoke in opposition to the item. She didn’t think it was fair for the price to increase so much for Muli-Family Housing when they produce barely any yard waste. She thought the Town should get bids from other companies who don’t just depend on Paradise and Magalia for business.
NRWS, General Manager Doug Speicher clarified that NRWS services other communities besides Paradise and Magalia and that it was because of those other communities that they could afford to service Paradise at a loss.
3. Carrie Max asked how Town staff notified property owners of the proposed rate structure changes.
Community Development Director Susan Hartman clarified that 11,500 notices were mailed to each property owner, as well as including information on the Town’s website.
4. Dan Pride spoke in opposition of the item.
5. Vickie Smith asked how much money NRWS made on the debris removal process.
Doug Speicher clarified that only two trucks were used for Camp Fire debris removal. He also shared that after the fire, NRWS had been for sale because they had been losing money. They are hopeful that the proposed rates will be the highest they will ever be, and that by changing the model from CPI to Operating Rates, they will be able to lower the rates when more people rebuild.
6. Anne Lisone from the Stoneridge Community asked why there was such a disproportionate increase for Multi-Family Housing than for residential.
Doug Speicher clarified that the scaled economy of rate for Multi-Family Housing was artificially low and that the increase will bring them up to where they should have been all along.
7. John Cronister stated that he didn’t think people rebuilding would cause prices to decrease as many lots are being bought 4-5 at a time by a single owner.
8. Eric (last name unknown) asked, for those people who are currently composting, if they would be able to receive a reduction in the rate increase.
Community Development Director Susan Hartman clarified that per State law, exemptions are only available for commercial properties.
Mayor Lassonde closed the public hearing at 6:42 p.m.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Bolin, Adopted Resolution No. 2024-31, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Authorizing the Execution of an Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement with Northern Recycling and Waste Services for Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organics Collection Services for the Town of Paradise, Subject to the Approval of the Town Attorney.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (535-10-001, 940-10-031)
5b. Community Development Director Susan Hartman provided an overview of the proposed Urgency Ordinance relating to a moratorium on the establishment of single-family residence, two-family residence, and multiple-family residence land uses within the Central Business Zoning District.
Mayor Lassonde opened the public hearing at 6:55 p.m.
1. Rowland Sinclair spoke in opposition to this item. He didn’t think the Town should take away choices of what people can build on their own properties.
2. Vickie Smith spoke in opposition to this item. She said that downtowns were dying, and that the Town would be limiting options on what people could build. She said she had hoped to rebuild with an office in the front and a residence in the back of the building.
Mayor Lassonde clarified that this moratorium would not affect mixeduse buildings.
3. Gail Muntifering spoke in favor of this item. She stated that residential housing isn’t a good match for a downtown and that low-income, MultiFamily Housing, and single-family residences should be somewhere else.
4. Kelly Konzelman spoke in favor of this item. He stated that what is needed is business and that it would be a mistake not to take advantage of the commercial district.
5. Linda Hortonlions wanted to know if there was a way for people to transfer their land to a different area to give them options and that creating a restriction on where people could build homes could further put people in limbo.
Mayor Lassonde closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Crowder, 1. Waived the entire reading of Town Ordinance No. 635 and read by title only; and 2. Adopted Town Urgency Ordinance No. 635, “An Interim Urgency Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Enacting a Moratorium on the Establishment of Single-Family Residence, Two-Family Residence, and Multiple-Family Residence Land Uses Within the Central Business Zoning District”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (540-16-204)
5c. Mayor Lassonde opened the public hearing for public input related to the use of military equipment by the Paradise Police Department at 7:19 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Lassonde closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, 1. Approved the updated Military Equipment policy for Paradise Police Department; and 2.
Approved the continued use and renewal of Ordinance No. 615. Roll call vote was unanimous. (480-05-013)
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis provided an overview of the proposed agreement with Urban Design Associates.
1. Victor Beller stated that he didn’t think industrial businesses should be allowed in the downtown commercial area due to pollution.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Tryon, authorized the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with Urban Design Associates (UDA) to complete an initial assessment of downtown Paradise to refine the area included in the downtown zoning urgency ordinance. Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-437)
6b. Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis presented the proposed resolution and recommended projects for 2023-2024 Funding Year of the State CDBG Mitigation Resilient Planning and Public Services (MIT-PPS) Program.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Tryon, adopted Resolution No. 2024-32 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Repealing and Replacing Resolution No. 2024-18 and Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and any Amendments thereto from the 2023-2024 Funding Year of the State CDBG Mitigation Resilient Planning and Public Services (MIT-PPS) Program.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (710-10-107)
6c. Finance Director/Town Treasurer Aimee Beleu presented the proposed policy update for the Paradise Recovery and Operations (PRO) Fund.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Tryon, adopted Resolution No. 2024-33 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Updating Policies Relating to the Paradise Recovery and Operations (PRO) Fund.” AYES: Crowder, Bolin, Tryon, and Lassonde; NOES: None; ABSENT:
None; ABSTAIN: Culleton. (340-05-053)
6d. Finance Director/Town Treasurer Aimee Beleu presented the proposed budget adjustments to the 2023/2024 FY Budget.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, 1. Approved filing the financial information provided by staff concerning the FY 2023-2024 operating and capital budgets; 2. Approved staff recommended budget adjustments; and, 3. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-34 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Adopting Budget Amendments to the 2023/2024 Fiscal Year Operating Budget.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (340-40-017)
6e. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of staff’s recommendation to rescind the award of the 2024 On-System Road Rehabilitation/HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project to Lamon Construction, reject all bids received, and re-advertise for bids.
1. Carrie Max asked which roads would be affected by the project.
2. John Cronister asked how much money was wasted in the process of awarding the original bid and re-advertising the project.
Town Engineer Marc Mattox clarified that there would be no additional costs incurred and that the cost to rebid the project is already budgeted.
Town Attorney Scott E. Huber added that it wasn’t the Town that didn’t follow the rules, it was the bidder who had not done their due diligence to meet the prescribed project requirements.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Bolin, 1. Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 20166, to rescind the award of the 2024 OnSystem Road Rehabilitation/HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project and reject all bids received, and; 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-35, “A resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise approving the updated plans and specifications for the 2024 OnSystem Road Rehabilitation /HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project and authorizing re-advertisement for bids on the projects.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-428, 950-40-071) 6f. Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an overview of the revised plans and specifications for the Animal Shelter Expansion Project.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Crowder, adopted Resolution No. 2024-36, “A resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise approving the revised plans and specifications for the Animal Shelter Expansion Project and authorizing advertisement for bids on the project.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (410-50-002)
6g. 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 when the project was first presented to Council in December 2023. 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. Town Attorney Scotte E. Huber stated that for consistency, Mayor Lassonde and Vice Mayor Bolin would recuse themselves from the dais at this meeting, and Council Member Tryon, who drew the shorted straw in December, remain on the dais to keep a quorum. Mayor Lassonde and Vice Mayor Bolin recused themselves from the dais at 8:19 p.m.
Town Engineer Marc Mattox presented the proposed resolution to award the Construction Contract No. 8407.2 CON, 2024 Off-System Road Rehabilitation Project, to Baldwin Contracting Company, Inc. dba Knife River Construction.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Crowder, adopted Resolution No. 2024-37, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Awarding Construction Contract No. 8407.2 CON, 2024 Off-System Road Rehabilitation Project, to Baldwin Contracting Company, Inc. dba Knife River Construction in the amount of their base bid of $7,565,944.94 and designating authority to the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement with Baldwin Contracting Company, Inc. dba Knife River Construction and to approve contingency expenditures not exceeding 10%”. AYES: Crowder, Culleton; NOES: None; ABSENT: Bolin, Lassonde; ABSTAIN: Tryon MOTION CARRIES (510-20-438, 950-40-071)
6h. Deputy Town Clerk Melanie Elvis presented the proposed resolutions relating to the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election.
MOTION by Tryon, seconded by Culleton, 1. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-38, “A Resolution Calling and Giving Notice for the Holding of a General Municipal Election for the Election of Three Council Members.” 2.
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-39, “A Resolution Requesting the Butte County Board of Supervisors to Consolidate a General Municipal Election.” 3. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-40, “A Resolution Adopting Regulations for Candidate Statements.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (530-10-068)
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items – None
7b. Council reports on committee representation:
Council Member Culleton attended the Solid Waste Committee meeting; Chocolate Fest and shared that the Cinderella Ballet would be playing and the Paradise Performing Arts Center.
Council Member Crowder attended several ribbon cuttings; participated in the Washing D.C. advocacy trip; and attended the Community Leadership Lunch hosted by Butte County Superior Court.
Vice Mayor Bolin attended the monthly LAFCo meeting and a Solid Waste Committee meeting.
Council Member Tryon participated in the Washington D.C. advocacy trip; attended the monthly BCAQM and BCAG and BCFSC meetings. She also encouraged residents to attend the Garden Club tour and shared that she would not be running for re-election.
Mayor Lassonde attended an Explore Butte County Advisory Leadership Workshop; a cornerstone ceremony at Paradise High; the Gold Nugget Day Parade; met with staff over on how to improve the business plans process; and attended the Paradise Arts Center Fundraiser. 7c. Future Agenda Items – None
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
8a. Town Manager Jim Goodwin praised the Washington D.C. advocacy trip team on their preparation and presentations. Mr. Goodwin also shared that he was able to attend Gold Nugget Days and the Chocolate Fest for the first time.
Community Development Director shared that Mercy Housing on Cypress Lane broke ground on Phase I; the Community Development Department would be reviewing plans for tenant infill for 5 Below; reviewing plans for the Paradise Recreation and Park District Community Center; shared the Butte County Fire Safe Council Goat Festival was postponed until June 2 nd; two Limited-Term Fire Prevention Inspectors started the week of May 6 th and that the BRC held septic training and testing and that there are now 40 licensed companies to service Paradise.
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lassonde adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Date approved: June 11, 2024
By: Attest:
____________/s/_______________ _____________/s/____________ Ronald Lassonde, Mayor Melanie Elvis, Deputy Town Clerk