1 City of Portola
Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 25, 2026 06:00 PM
35 Third Ave, Portola, CA 96122
https://www.cityofportola.com/
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mayor Bill Powers.
A. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Bill Powers, Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia, Councilmember Jim Murphy, Councilmember Lauren Miller
Absent: Councilmember Pat Morton
Staff Present: City Manager Ryan Bonk, Financial Officer Susan Scarlett, City Attorney Steve Gross (Zoom), City Contract Planner Karen Downs (Zoom), City Contract Planner Carter Williams, Administrative Services Manager Kristen Schiavone
B. Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Mayor Bill Powers
2. Public Comments
3. City Communications
A. City Council Communications
Councilmember Miller attended a Community Development committee meeting last week. She also commented that she had a chance to go to the River Walk and saw the work being done, and it looks great.
Councilmember Murphy had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Battaliga attended the Fire Safe Council meeting on March 12th, the Lost Sierra Chamber of Commerce meeting on March 18th, and the Portola Fire Wise meeting on March 19th. She also advised that the Community Green Waste residential cleanup day will be held on June 6th, 2026, and that more details will be provided in the future. She also commented on the newly installed water fountains at the City’s River Walk, and that they look great, and thanked the Public Works department for doing such a good job.
Mayor Powers attended the Community Development Committee and the Transportation meeting last 2 week. He attended the City’s Infrastructure Committee earlier this week. He also participated in a trail cleanup at Lake Davis. He stated that about 2 miles of trail need to be cleared and that he will be going back out to finish up the cleanup.
B. Reports: Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District / Plumas County Sheriff / Northern Sierra Air Quality Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District - No Report
Plumas County Sheriff - No Report. City Manager Bonk mentioned that he met with Sheriff Chad Hermann a few weeks ago and they discussed many of the things the Plumas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) is currently working on. He also mentioned that Sheriff Hermann plans on having someone from the PCSO attend a council meeting to discuss these projects.
Northern Sierra Air Quality - Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia advised council that a green waste schedule for 2026 will be included in the April utility bill.
C. Staff Communications
No Report
D. City Manager Report
City Manager Bonk gave an update that the water fountains at the City's River Walk have been installed.
He also mentioned that an access point for hose bibs has also been installed and can be utilized for special events such as the Gravel Grinder. The City has received positive feedback from the community regarding the newly installed water fountains.
He also reported that the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office contract goes before the Plumas County Board of Supervisors for approval on April 7th, 2026.
He provided an update on the RFP for consulting services for solid waste, stating that a suggested proposer has been selected and will come before the next city council meeting.
He reported that the Accounting Tech position is still open and that it is being posted in the Plumas Sun, on our website, and on the City’s Facebook page. We have received a couple of applications and will keep the job posting open for a bit longer.
He discussed an upcoming event in which the Big Boy train will visit Portola on April 8th, 2026.
He also mentioned that the recent warm weather has led to an increase in questions about when the City Pool will open. The city plans to hire a Pool Manager in April and will work on getting swim lesson and pricing information out to the public.
4. Consent Agenda
A. Claims:
Adopt Resolution No. 2644. The resolution authorizes payment of payroll from February 21st, 2026 through March 6th, 2026 and accounts payable from March 12th, 2026 through March 25th, 2026 The amount of payroll to be paid is $39,615.14
The amount of accounts payable to be paid is $67,618.22 3 The total amount to be paid is $107,233.36
B. Minutes
Adopt the minutes of the March 4th, 2026 Budget Workshop Meeting.
Adopt the minutes of the March 11th, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting.
Councilmember Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia seconded the motion.
The roll call vote:
Aye Mayor Bill Powers Aye Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Jim Murphy Aye Councilmember Lauren Miller Absent Councilmember Pat Morton
5. Grizzly Lake Community Services District (GLCSD): Potential Intertie Project, City Participation, & Reimbursement Agreement
Also present: GHD Consultant Theresa Garrison, Grizzly Lake Community Services (GLCSD) General Manager Bob Howell, and Aparjeet Rangi and Nick McGann with the Department of Water Resources (DWR)(Zoom).
City Manager Bonk provided a timeline overview of past and current discussions with the Grizzly Lake Community Services District (GLCSD) regarding a possible intertie between the City of Portola(COP) and GLCSD to provide GLCSD with treated water. He discussed the potential fiscal impact on the city and stated that staff had examined this project and that the item before the City Council is for a Reimbursement Agreement between GHD, acting on behalf of the Department of Water Resources, and the COP. This agreement allows for the reimbursement of City staff and consultant time while a feasibility study for this project is being done. This agreement would not commit the City to further participation in the project. Mr.
Bonk also mentioned that the term “consolidation” was used in some of the proposed work plans and confirmed that consolidation of water systems between COP and GLCSD is not intended by any parties including the State Water Resources Control Board. He also stated that most, if not all, of the staff concerns outlined in the staff report about the viability of this project long term remain concerns that have not been addressed.
Theresa Garrison (GHD) spoke about the consolidation topic and explained that, as part of the feasibility study, a consolidation option was required as an alternative to secure project funding and would be listed as an option. She explained that they are looking for an alternative to allow for an independently operated GLCSD and that consolidation with the City is not the intent.
Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia asked the consultant when she expected the feasibility study to be completed, and Theresa Garrison (GHD) explained that the goal is to have it completed by July or August of this year.
City Attorney Steve Gross also commented on the term "consolidation" and advised the Council that, while a consolidation was not the intent presently, it could be deemed a necessary option per the feasibility study findings.
He also commented that GHD will include a rate study for GLCSD customers as part of the feasibility study, but inquired whether GHD planned to conduct a rate study for the City of Portola to determine the potential financial impact on GLCSD's customers should the intertie between GLCSD and the City be deemed necessary at the completion of the feasibility study.
Lastly, he mentioned that the City Council has requested that GLCSD provide its customers with information 4 about this project, such as holding a public meeting to foster transparency and clarify the City’s level of participation at this time.
Councilmember Murphy commented that he thinks GLCSD should inform its customers of the current state of the GLCSD system. He also provided some history of previous discussions with GLCSD, in which an intertie with the City was discussed, but GLCSD declined. He also requested that the City be reimbursed for costs related to obtaining the Water Treatment Plant if the project were to continue.
Councilmember Miller asked GHD Consultant Theresa Garrison for the feasibility criteria and for guidance on how the City would assess the findings without knowing the criteria. Theresa replied that the decision would come down to cost. She explained that GHD will conduct a Level 4 cost analysis, including long-term operations and maintenance. She explained that there will be a thorough investigation of all alternatives, that GHD will speak with all stakeholders, provide a list of pros and cons for each alternative, and bring the findings back to the City Council. Theresa also advised the Council that GHD will include a water rate analysis of the City to determine the actual operating costs, ensuring GLCSD is paying a fair price for treated water.
Aparjeet Rangi (DWR) commented that it was up to the City to determine the rates for its customers. Steve Gross commented for the record that the City of Portola is not seeking to make a profit from treating GLCSD water.
Council approved execution of the reimbursement agreement with GHD.
Councilmember Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Councilmember Lauren Miller seconded the motion.
The roll call vote:
Aye Mayor Bill Powers Aye Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Jim Murphy Aye Councilmember Lauren Miller Absent Councilmember Pat Morton
6. Review and Acceptance of the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report City Planner Karen Downs provided an update that her company, Manhard Consulting, is now going by the name RVI Planning. She also introduced RVI Planning Consultant, Carter Williams, to the council and staff.
Carter presented the City’s 2026 General Plan Annual Progress Report to council and staff and explained that the General Plan is a guiding policy document that informs the council's decisions and the city staff's day-to-day activities. This annual progress report is to be submitted to the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and to the Governor's office by April 1st, 2026.
He went on to highlight several projects the City completed in 2025, as outlined in the report.
Council approved submission of the General Plan Annual Progress Report.
Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia motioned to approve. Councilmember Jim Murphy seconded the motion.
The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained 1 Absent Recused
7. 2026 General Plan Safety Element Update Introduction Planning Consultant Carter Williams presented the General Plan Safety Element. This report is reviewed 5 periodically, and this is the first time it’s been updated in accordance with the new law that requires it to be aligned with the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. He then provided a timeline for the review and approval by various state agencies as outlined in the attached report. He advised the council that he expects to bring the Safety Element back to the City Council for final adoption.
City Manager Bonk advised the council that there was a financial impact to the City of approximately $13,000, which is currently included in the planning department budget.
Council approved updating of the General Plan Safety Element.
Councilmember Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Councilmember Lauren Miller seconded the motion.
The roll call vote:
Aye Mayor Bill Powers Aye Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Jim Murphy Aye Councilmember Lauren Miller Absent Councilmember Pat Morton
8. Public Comments - 2026/2027 Budget Preparation
No public comment.
9. Adjournment
The regular meeting of the Portola City Council adjourned at 6:46pm