1 City of Portola
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
April 22, 2026 06:00 PM
35 Third Ave, Portola, CA 96122
https://www.cityofportola.com/
https://zoom.us/j/3583067836
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mayor Bill Powers.
1. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Bill Powers, Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia, Councilmember Jim Murphy, Councilmember Lauren Miller
Absent: Councilmember Vacant
Staff Present: City Manager Ryan Bonk, Finance Officer Susan Scarlett, Administrative Services Manager Kristen Schiavone, City Attorney Steve Gross (Zoom),
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Mayor Bill Powers
2. Public Comments
3. City Communications
1. City Council Communications
Councilmember Miller had nothing to report.
Councilmember Murphy attended the Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCo) Meeting in April. During the meeting, the budget was passed, and he stated that the City's contribution will be around $53,900. He also reported that Plumas County is developing a strategic plan to “help shape” its future. Residents are encouraged to complete a survey and attend a public meeting to be held at Portola Memorial Hall on Thursday, May 7th, 2026, at 5:30pm.
Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia had nothing to report.
Mayor Powers attended the LAFCo meeting. He also attended the Transportation Commission meeting in which Caltrans provided a list of their ongoing projects such as the finishing up the fiber optic line through the East and West portions of the county. The project should be completed in October of this year.
2. Reports: Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District / Plumas County Sheriff / Northern Sierra Air Quality
2 Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District - City Manager Bonk met with Chief Rosevear last week to discuss the fire district. They spoke about projects and staffing at the South Side Station as well as the plan to staff evening resources at the Delleker Fire Station.
Plumas County Sheriff - City Manager Bonk stated that the Sheriff’s contract was passed last week during the Board of Supervisors meeting. He thanked Sheriff Hermann for the great job in presenting the contract to the Supervisors.
Mayor Powers thanked City Manager Bonk for his work with the City’s partner agencies, like the Sheriff’s Department.
Northern Sierra Air Quality - Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia reported that the district issued 17 green waste curbside bins in April and they plan to issue 14 in May. This program is mainly reserved for the elderly and disabled residents of the City. She also reported that the Seasoned Firewood program has started. City residents can apply for a voucher for 2 cords of firewood to be delivered in mid July. She reported that as of today there have been 57 applications received.
3. Staff Communications
No report.
4. City Manager Report
City Manager Bonk reported that a new Accounting Tech has been hired and will start on May 4th.
He also reported that the Town Hall meeting scheduled for tomorrow with Supervisor Ceresola has been postponed until May or June.
In honor of Earth Day, he reported that 50 gallons of trash were collected along the high school's parade route today by the combined efforts of the City’s Code Enforcement Officer and the Friday Night Live high school group.
He spoke about the staff's continued work on the City’s budget and invited the public to attend and contribute to an upcoming budget workshop.
Lastly, he reminded everyone about the upcoming Fire Safe Council community wood-chipping day on Saturday at the Portola Riverwalk.
4. Consent Agenda
1. Claims:
Adopt Resolution No. 2647. The resolution authorizes payment of payroll from March 21st, 2026 through April 3rd, 2026 and accounts payable from April 9th, 2026 through April 22nd, 2026 The amount of payroll to be paid is $35,609.14
The amount of accounts payable to be paid is $79,755.81 The total amount to be paid is $115,364.95
3 2. Minutes
Adopt the minutes of the April 8th, 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
5. Resolution 2646: Honoring Former Councilmember Pat Morton 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
6. Plumas-Sierra Partners Conservation Project Proposal Feather River Land Trust Director Shelton Douthit and Linda Judge with Plumas Sierra Partners presented to the City Council a PowerPoint requesting the City Council to consider City participation in a potential project to establish a Portola Community Forest. The land encompasses 585 acres and, although it does not lie within the city limits, it is within the City's sphere of influence. The proposed Community forest would offer the community multi-use, non-motorized trails and provide wildlife habitat conservation. The proposed project would entail Feather River Land Trust purchasing the property from Plumas Sierra Partners with grant funding and then transferring ownership to the City of Portola.
City Manager Bonk provided Council with the staff report detailing the concerns staff has with the potential project.
City Attorney Steve Gross commented expressing various concerns from the legal perspective on the potential project.
Public Commented. Two public comments were received electronically.
City Council commented and determined that, due to the scale of the project, an Ad Hoc committee be formed among members of the City Council, Staff and consultants, Plumas Sierra Partners, and Feather River Land Trust to discuss the project in detail over the next year to gain a clear understanding of the effect of potentially establishing a Community Forest owned and managed by the City of Portola.
7. City Councilmember Resignation & Filling the Vacancy Council took action to solicit applications for the council vacancy due by 5/14/2026 for consideration of appointment to the City Council during the regular meeting on 05/27/2026.
Councilmember Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Councilmember Lauren Miller seconded the motion.
4 The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
8. Mayoral Appointments
Mayor Powers appointed Councilmember Miller to the vacant position of Transportation Commission and Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia to the vacant position of the LAFCo board.
9. Adjournment
The regular meeting of the Portola City Council adjourned at 7:57pm.