MINUTES
PARADISE TOWN COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING – 6:00 PM – July 24, 2025
1. OPENING
The Special meeting of the Paradise Town Council was called to order by Mayor Crowder at 6:00 p.m. at the Paradise Performing Arts Center located at 777 Nunneley Road, Paradise, California who led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
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 Clerk Melanie Elvis, Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox and Information Systems Technician Travis Thompson.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, approved consent calendar items 2a and 2b.
Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. 1. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-61, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Repealing Resolution No. 2025-50 and Adopting a Resolution Confirming the Costs of Vegetation Abatement and Authorizing the Liens 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. (540-15-078)
2b. 1. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-62, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Repealing Resolution No. 2025-52 and Adopt a Resolution Certifying to the County of Butte the Validity of the Legal Process Used to Place Direct Assessments (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)
3. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
3a. Town Engineer Marc Mattox and HDR Principal Engineer Allison McReynolds presented the history of the Paradise Sewer Project, and the summary of alternatives in collection, treatment and disposal systems.
Paradise Irrigation District Manager Kevin Phillips was introduced as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee and commented on how important collaboration between PID and the Town will be in the success of this project.
Council Member Lange and Mayor Crowder commented on the process of how the three alternatives were reached including stakeholder input, community and vendor presentations as well as site visits to several cities and wastewater plants.
HDR Principal Engineer Allison McReynolds presented a summary of alternatives and provided an overview of potential challenges and cost estimates.
Staff recommended Alterative 1 for Phase 1 of the project which would include a hybrid gravity/STEP system for collection, an aerated lagoon for the treatment process, and a land – perc/evap pond for the discharge strategy. (960-70-009)
1. Kelly Konzelman was concerned about the numbers, shortfall on funding and asked how long it would be before the Town would see a return on investment.
2. Bill Hartley spoke in favor of the STEP system.
3. Cliff Jacobson spoke in favor of the STEP system.
4. Bill Kellog spoke in favor of Alternative 1.
5. Teri Dubois spoke in favor of Alternative 1 and recommended the Town work with Congressman LaMalfa for an agricultural grant rather than the Army Corp of Engineers.
6. Jon Remalia spoke in favor of the STEP system.
7. John Stonebraker suggested the Town form a JPA with PID for the operations & maintenance of the future project and thought it was too expensive for such a small sewer service area.
8. Susan Davis thought the item was presented well and that the sewer project is a must.
9. Bill Sharratt asked if the cost estimate accounted for the rising cost of construction.
Marc Mattox clarified that the cost was estimated to the midpoint of construction as is industry standard.
10.Liza Whitmore worried about costs and asked if the sewer project required a vote of the people or only of the Council.
It was clarified that Council would be able to take action and the Paradise Sewer Project would not be on the ballot.
11.Paul asked where the treatment site would be located.
It was clarified that it had yet to be determined and would depend on Council’s direction and the Environmental Impact Report.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Crowder adjourned the Council meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Date approved: August 12, 2025
By: Attest:
_________/s/____________ ___________/s/______________
Steve Crowder, Mayor Melanie Elvis, Town Clerk