TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – July 08, 2025
1. OPENING
The Regular meeting of the Paradise Town Council was called to order by Mayor Crowder 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 Lassonde.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Bolin, Steve “Woody” Culleton, Heidi Lange, Ronald Lassonde and Steve Crowder, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Jim Goodwin, Town Attorney Scott E. Huber, Town Clerk/Elections Official Melanie Elvis, Community Development Director Susan Hartman, Community Development Director Tony Lindsey, Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox, Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis, Finance Director Aimee Beleu, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, Fire Chief Jason Finney, and Information Systems Director Luis Marquez.
Mayor Crowder announced that item 7a2: Discuss more effective and efficient ways of communication between contractors, citizens and public works, would be removed from the agenda and a similar item would be placed on the August agenda. 1a. Paradise Arts, Theater, & Culture Hub (PATCH) Administrative Director Nicole LaJueness provided an update on PATCH’s goals and recent activities. (1020-15-003)
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, emergency operations and Housing updates.
Marc Mattox, Public Works Director/Town Engineer -infrastructure and sewer updates.
Tony Lindsey, CDD-Building and Code Enforcement- Code Enforcement update.
1c. Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an update on the Paradise Sewer Project. (960-70-007)
1. Cliff Jacobson “cleared up” misconceptions about PG&E and recycled water costs and trenching.
2. Al McGreehan provided a draft of Paradise Citizen’s Alliance independent research on wastewater alternatives.
3. Mark Thorpe, a representative from Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce advocated for the largest sewer service area possible, with the least amount of disruption to business owners.
4. Aubrey Pruis, a representative from the Paradise Association of Realtors, advocated for the largest sewer service area possible, with the least amount of disruption to business owners.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Lange, approved consent calendar items 2a through 2i. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved the minutes of the June 10, 2025 Regular Town Council Meeting and the June 25, 2025 Special Town Council Meeting.
2b. Approved June 2025 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $4,232,673.92. (310-10-035)
2c. 1. Waived second reading of the entire Town Ordinance No. 647 and read by title only; and, 2. Adopted Town Ordinance No. 647, "An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Amending Title 15 adding Chapter 15.09.101 Broadcast Burning Requirements.” (540-16-216, 440-05-027) 2d. 1. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-49, "A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise approving a memorandum of understanding between the Town of Paradise and the Butte County Resource Conservation District for the provision of consulting services related to broadcast burns”. (510-10-484)
2e. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-50, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise confirming the costs of vegetation abatement and authorizing the recording of liens and special assessments”. (540-15-078) 2f. 1. Declared equipment as surplus property; and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-51, “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) 2g. 1. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-52, “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) 2h. Authorized the Town Manager to sign the Letter of Agreement with PATCH to show concurrence with the Town’s vision for the walkable downtown, and to enable PATCH to apply for grants through the California Cultural Districts Program. (510-20-485, 1020-15-003)
2i. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-53, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Adopting Administrative Policy No. 495, Establishing an Electronic Signature Use Policy for Select Town Documents”. (110-10-032)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR - None
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - None
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5a. Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis presented the proposed resolution approving a Plan of Finance of the California Municipal Authority to Issue and reissue revenue bonds for a qualified residential rental project for the benefit of Kingdom Development.
Mayor Crowder opened the public hearing at 6:42 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Crowder closed the public hearing at 6:42 p.m.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, adopted Resolution No. 2025- 54 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving a Plan of Finance of the California Municipal Authority to Issue and Reissue Revenue Bonds for a Qualified Residential Rental Project for the Benefit of Kingdom Development, Inc., or an Affiliate Thereof, and Certain Other Matters Relating Thereto.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-474)
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Town Clerk Melanie Elvis presented the Measure V Citizen Oversight Committee interview panel decision to appoint Autumn Field to the Oversight Committee.
MOTION by Lange, seconded by Lassonde, concurred with the recommendation of the Measure V Citizen Oversight Committee interview panel to appoint Autumn Field to the Oversight Committee, effective immediately. Roll call vote was unanimous. (395-70-019) 6b. Finance Director Aimee Beleu presented the proposed 2025/2026 Fiscal Year Budget and related resolutions.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Lassonde, adopted the following resolutions.
1. Resolution No. 2025-55 “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 2025- 2026 Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025.” (340-40-017)
2. Resolution No. 2025-56, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving and Adopting the Annual Appropriation Limit for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.” (340-40-017)
3. Resolution No. 2025-57, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Amending the General Fund Reserves for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026.” (340-40-017)
4. Resolution No. 2025-58, “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 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.” (340-40-017, 950-40-034)
5. Resolution No. 2025-59, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the New Job Classification Descriptions.” (340-40-017, 610-10-020, 610-10-015)
6. Resolution No. 2025-60, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise, California Adopting the Salary Pay Plan for Town of Paradise Employees for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026” with a correction to the calculations for the Administrative Assistant positions for Police, CDD, Public Works and Recovery. Roll call vote was unanimous. (340-40-017, 610-10-020, 610-10-018)
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items:
7a1. Community Development Director Tony Lindsey presented potential improvements to policies, procedures, and public education strategies designed to better protect future homebuyers from construction deficiencies associated with owner-builders and licensed contractors.
1. Autumn Field shared concerns about contractors who operate on short-term LLC’s and cause neighborhood disruptions, dust and trash.
2. J.T. Martin advocated for an audit of the building department and shared challenges he’s encountered with owner-builders.
3. Auburey Pruis, a representative from the Paradise Association of Realtors shared he plans to hold educational trainings with local realtors making them accountable for informing buyers of known problems.
The Council provided direction to enact the proposed strategies, including permit transparency, final inspection enhancements, providing sub-contractor list, education and outreach, conduct spontaneous inspections, and draft a building code amendment to require a 3rd party home inspection.
7a2. REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA BY MAYOR CROWDER.
7a3. Council provided direction to staff to adjourn the Regular November 11, 2025 Town Council Meeting to Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 6:00p.m. due to the Veteran’s Day holiday conflict.
7b. Council reports on committee representation:
Council Member Bolin attended the solid waste committee meeting and shared that NRWS will present on new composting requirements at a future meeting.
Council Member Lange attended the Roe Road Community Meeting; Party in the Park; the Elk’s Lodge car show; presented a recognition to Jim Williams for his 100th birthday; attended multiple Sewer Ad Hoc committee meetings; and attended the Pondarosa Elementary groundbreaking.
Council Member Lassonde attended Party in the Park; the Roe Road Community Meeting; and a Gold Nugget Museum fundraiser.
Vice Mayor Culleton attended the Pondarosa Elementary groundbreaking and solid waste committee meeting.
Mayor Crowder attended three Sewer Ad Hoc committee meetings; participated in a Zoom meeting with Altadena; attended the BRC’s debut of the Town’s new permitting software, GovWell; attended Party in the Park; and the quarterly TOP/PRPD Liaison Committee meeting.
7c. Future Agenda Items
1. Discuss raising the number of chickens allowed in town from 2 to 12 (CROWDER)
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION - None
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Crowder adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
Date approved: August 12, 2025
By: Attest:
_________/s/______________ ____________/s/_______________ Steve Crowder, Mayor Melanie Elvis, Town Clerk