TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – December 09, 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: Interim Town Manager Michael O’Brien, 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, Project Manager Brian Solecki, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, and Information Systems Technician Travis Thompson. 1a. Council Member Lassonde presented a Certificate of Recognition to Tim Umenhofer. (180-30-027)
1b. Mayor Steve Crowder presented The Year in Review. (180-30-027) 1c. Town Clerk Melanie Elvis, as temporary Chair, opened the nominations for Mayor for a one-year term beginning December 9, 2025 through December 8, 2026.
Council Member Lassonde nominated Steve Crowder.
MOTION by Lassonde, seconded by Culleton, closed the nominations for the position of Mayor. Roll call vote was unanimous with Council Member Bolin abstaining.
Roll call vote to appoint Steve Crowder as Mayor was unanimous with Council Member Bolin abstaining. (580-30-001)
Town Clerk Melanie Elvis turned the meeting over to Mayor Crowder who opened nominations for the position of Vice Mayor for a one-year term beginning December 9, 2025 through December 8, 2026.
Council Member Crowder nominated Steve “Woody” Culleton.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Crowder, closed the nominations for the position of Vice Mayor. Roll call vote was unanimous Roll call vote to elect Steve “Woody” Culleton as Vice Mayor was unanimous. (580-30-001)
1d. 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, emergency operations and Housing updates.
Marc Mattox, Public Works Director/Town Engineer -infrastructure and sewer updates.
1e. Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an update on the Paradise Sewer Project. (960-70-009)
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, approved consent calendar items 2a through 2f. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved minutes of the November 12, 2025 Special and Regular Town Council meetings.
2b. Approved November 2025 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $14,621,453.03. (310-10-035)
2c. 1. Authorized the Town Manager to execute an agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for acceptance of the USDA 2024 Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant award to purchase new structural and wildland personal protective equipment (PPE); and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-78 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Agreement #7GF25084 Accepting a Grant Award Under the Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program of the Cooperative Fire Assistance Act of 1978 in the Amount of $11,962.50.” (440-91-004) (510-20-362) 2d. 1. Waived the second reading of the Town Ordinance No. 651, and read by title only and, 2. Adopted Town Ordinance No. 651 “An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Amending Portions of Chapter 2.45 of the Paradise Municipal Code Relating to the Town’s Purchasing System”. (540-16-220)
2e. 1. Waived the second reading of the entire Town Ordinance No. 652 and read by title only; and, 2. Adopted Ordinance No. 652, “An Ordinance of the Town Of Paradise Repealing Paradise Municipal Code Chapters 15.01,
15.02, 15.03, 15.04, 15.05, 15.06, 15.07, 15.08, 15.09, 15.10, 15.11, 15.12,
15.13 and Adopting New Chapters 15.01, 15.02, 15.03, 15.04, 15.05, 15.06,
15.07, 15.08, 15.09, 15.10, 15.11, 15.12, 15.13, 15.14, 15.15 And 15.16 and Making Findings of Fact Relating To Local Climatic, Geological, and Topographic Conditions, All Relating to the Amendments and Adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Including the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24, Part 7)”. (540-16-221) 2f. Reviewed and filed the 1st Quarter Investment Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026. (360-30-006)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR - None
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - None
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council Member Lange left the dais for this item.
5a. Community Development Director Susan Hartman presented a history of the backyard chicken keeping ordinance, comparable jurisdictions’ regulations, and the constraints and considerations regarding the proposed standards.
Mayor Crowder opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m.
1. Hal Thurston spoke in favor of an 80’ setback siting odor issues.
2. Serra Blaine asked Council to consider allowing up to 12 chickens and rabbits each.
3. Kristen Holman asked that Council explore the top limit for backyard chickens in California, rather than just the 10 closest neighboring jurisdictions.
Mayor Crowder closed the public hearing at 6:50 p.m.
MOTION by Crowder, seconded by Culleton, 1. Concurred with the project “CEQA determination” finding presented and considered by the Planning Commission on October 21, 2025, and embodied within Planning Commission Resolution No 2025-08; and, 2. Waived the first reading of Town Ordinance No. 653 and read by title only; and, 3. Introduced Town Ordinance No. 653 , “An Ordinance Amending Text Regulations within Paradise Municipal Code Title 17 of the Paradise Municipal Code Relative to the Keeping of Backyard Chickens and Rabbits”. AYES: Bolin, Culleton, Crowder; NOES: Lassonde; ABSENT: Lange; ABSTAIN: None. Motion Passes. (540-16-222)
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. MOTION by Lange, seconded by Culleton, appointed Council representatives and alternates to represent the Town of Paradise on various local and regional boards, committees, and commissions (committee assignments attached) with the addition and creation of a standing Economic Development Committee. Roll call vote was unanimous. (120-10-010)
6b. Town Clerk Melanie Elvis presented the Measure V Oversight Committee Interview Panel’s recommendation to appoint Bruce Yerman to the Measure V Oversight Committee.
MOTION by Lange, seconded by Culleton, concurred with the recommendation of the Measure V Citizen Oversight Committee interview panel to appoint Bruce Yerman to the Oversight Committee, effective immediately. Roll call vote was unanimous. (395-70-019) 6c. Town Clerk Melanie Elvis provided an overview of the proposed updates to the Measure V Citizen Oversight Committee bylaws.
MOTION by Lange, seconded by Culleton, adopted Resolution No. 2025- 79 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Rescinding Resolution No. 21-12 and Adopting Amended Bylaws for the Governance of the Measure V Citizen Oversight Committee.” Roll call vote was unanimous. (395-70-019)
6d. Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis provided an update on the financial status of the CDBG-DR Workforce Development Project and the need for the Town to cash flow the project.
1. Bill Sharrett shared that the School District fully supports the project.
2. Melissa Crick spoke of the importance of an accurate representation of the project’s progression.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton, directed staff to continue the Workforce Development project with an amended scope and budget authorizing the Town to cash flow the project. Roll call vote was unanimous. (710-10-104)
6e. Interim Town Manager Michael O’Brien provided an overview of the proposed reclassification of the Public Works Director/Town Engineer to Assistant Town Manager/Public Works Director/Town Engineer.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Bolin 1. Approved the reclassification of the Public Works Director/Town Engineer to Assistant Town Manager/Public Works Director/Town Engineer and the correlating budget adjustment; and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-80 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving Job Classification Descriptions” and, 3. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-81 “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise, California, Amending the Salary Pay Plan to Include Assistant Town Manager/Public Works Director/Town Engineer for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026” and, 4. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-82 “A Resolution of the Town Council of The Town of Paradise Repealing and Replacing Resolution No. 2023-11 to Establish an Updated Order of Succession in the Event of the Absence or Disability of the Town Manager.” Roll call vote was unanimous.
(610-10-015) (610-10-018) (610-10-020)
6f. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox presented the proposed Special Conditions for Maintenance of Temporary Surfacing and Striping.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Lassonde, adopted the updated Special Conditions for Maintenance of Temporary Surfacing and Striping for use in all applicable encroachment permits and utility construction activities. Roll call vote was unanimous. (950-15-005)
6g. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox presented the proposed plans, specifications and estimate for the On-System Road Rehabilitation – 2026 Misc / HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project.
MOTION by Lassonde, seconded by Culleton, adopted Resolution No. 2025-83, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the Plans, Specifications and Estimate for the On-System Road Rehabilitation – 2026 Misc / HSIP Systemic Intersection Safety Improvement Project and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids on the Project”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (950-40-077)
6h. Public Works Director/Town Engineer Marc Mattox presented the proposed plans, specifications and estimate for the Off-System Road Rehabilitation – 2026 Project.
MOTION by Lassonde, seconded by Culleton, adopted Resolution No. 2025-84, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving the Plans, Specifications and Estimate for the Off-System Road Rehabilitation Project – 2026 and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids on the Project”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (950-40-078)
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items:
7a1. Council discussed the CDBG-MIT-RIP allocation for Evacuation Route Permanent Changeable Message Sign Project and provided direction to staff to explore reallocating the funds toward the Storm Drain Resiliency Project (Phase I). (710-10-106)
7b. Council reports on committee representations:
Council Member Bolin attended a Solid Waste Committee meeting.
Council Member Lange attended a Consortium of Care meeting, a Downtown Working Group meeting, and several Sewer Ad Hoc Committee meetings.
Council Member Lassonde attended a Healthcare Committee meeting and served on the Measure V Committee interview panel.
Mayor Crowder attended several ribbon cuttings, the Healthcare Committee meeting and several Sewer Ad Hoc Committee meetings.
7c. Future Agenda Items - None
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION - None
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Crowder adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m.
Date approved: January 13, 2026
By: Attest:
___________/s/________________ _____________/s/_____________ Steve Crowder, Mayor Melanie Elvis, Town Clerk
2026 TOWN COUNCIL
REPRESENTATION
BUTTE COUNTY
OMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
BUTTE COUNTY Bolin Crowder Culleton Lassonde Lange
1. Air Quality Management District A R
2. Association of Governments A R
3. City Selection Committee (Mayor) R
4. Disaster Council (Mayor) R
5. Local Area Formation Commission
(LAFCo) (Bolin was appointed through
5/2027 – Appointed by City Selection
Committee) R
6. Mosquito and Vector Control Board
(Schuster was appointed through 1/2027
– Rep to serve a 4-year term)
Melissa
Schuster
7. Waste Mgt Local Task Force R R
8. City/County Ad Hoc Committee R
9. Tourism Business Improvement District
(TBID)
Colette
Curtis R
10. Continuum of Care A R
11. Butte County Fire Safe Council A R
LOCAL COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
PARADISE Bolin Crowder Culleton Lassonde Lange
1. Paradise Community Village R
2. Paradise Irrigation District Liaison R R
3. Paradise Rec. & Park District Liaison R R
4. Paradise Unified School District Liaison R R
5. Paradise Solid Waste Committee R R
6. Onsite Ad Hoc Committee R R
7. Finance Committee
(Mayor & Vice Mayor) R R
8. Butte County Oversight Board R
9. Paradise Sewer Ad Hoc Committee R R
10. Legislative Ad Hoc Committee
(Mayor & Vice Mayor) R R
11. Healthcare Ad Hoc Committee R R A
12. Facilities Ad Hoc Committee R R
13. Exceptions Committee (Ord. 624) R R
14. Working Group Downtown Phase 3 R R
15. Economic Development Committee R R
16. Insurance Advocacy Ad Hoc Committee R R