1 City of Portola
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
May 13, 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 Vacant , Councilmember Lauren Miller
Staff Present: City Manager Ryan Bonk
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Mayor Bill Powers
2. Public Comments
No public comment
3. City Communications
1. City Council Communications
Councilmember Murphy had nothing to report.
Councilmember Miller had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia had nothing to report.
Mayor Powers commented about the downtown merchants and the work they are doing to improve their storefronts and is happy to see many improvements throughout the City.
2. 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.
Northern Sierra Air Quality - Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia reported that they will sponsor a green waste disposal event with the Portola Fire Wise group in June. This event is for City residents. 2 3. Staff Communications
None
4. City Manager Report
City Manager Bonk reported that he reached out to Caltrans regarding the status of the Gulling Street Bridge inspection report and that Caltrans informed him they are still conducting internal investigations and that a report should be sent to the City very soon. City Manager Bonk will follow up with the Council when he receives the report from Caltrans.
He provided an update on the Structural Rehabilitation Funding Application for the Gulling Street Bridge Program (HBP). He advised the council that he reached out to the Caltrans program manager to see if there had been any movement on the Transportation Bill and was informed that they don’t expect any new updates or decisions until February, 2027. He also stated that staff is in the process of scheduling a meeting with Senator Schiff’s office to discuss the importance of this funding to the region.
He advised the council that, as of 5/13/2026, the City has not received any applicants for the City Council Vacancy. Applications are due tomorrow, 5/14/2026.
He reported that the chipping day held on 4/25/2026 went well. Before-and-after pictures of the event were included in the agenda package. He mentioned that roughly 10 residents utilized the free services. He reported that the US Forest Service land at the River Walk was also cleaned up during this event.
City Manager Bonk reported that the Quarterly Connection Newsletter was sent via utility bills, Facebook, and the City website.
He reported that the Public Works department has been working on getting the Pool ready for the upcoming season. He also stated that the Water Treatment Plant has been brought online for the season. He provided an update on the water storage tanks that the City received through a grant. The tanks have been received and placed. Public Works is working on the Golden Springs line in preparation to connect the storage tanks.
4. Consent Agenda
1. Claims:
Adopt Resolution No. 2648. The resolution authorizes payment of payroll from April 4th, 2026 through May 1st, 2026 and accounts payable from April 23rd, 2026 through May 13th, 2026 The amount of payroll to be paid is $76,806.64
The amount of accounts payable to be paid is $146,175.18 The total amount to be paid is $222,981.82
2. Minutes
Adopt the minutes of the April 22nd, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting.
Councilmember Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia seconded the motion.
The roll call vote:
3 Aye Mayor Bill Powers Aye Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia Aye Councilmember Jim Murphy Aye Councilmember Lauren Miller
5. Contract Planning Consultant: RVI Planning & Landscape Architecture, Inc.
City Manager Bonk provided information on the proposed contract under consideration by RVI Planning & Landscape Architecture. Karen Downs, with Manhard Consulting, has been providing the City with consulting services for many years. Manhard Consulting was acquired by RVI, and Karen Downs will continue to work with the City through the new consulting company. The contract has a not-to-exceed value of $30,500 and is budgeted.
Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia 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
6. Department Update: Public Engagement Officer (Code Enforcement) Public Engagement Officer Brian Attama shared a report and handout on the department's year-todate activities with the Council and staff.
Some highlights from his report included his participation in a Code Enforcement conference that he attended through a scholarship program.
He provided a breakdown of code enforcement cases in the City in 2026.
He updated the Council on the Clean California Community program, noting the City held two cleanup events last year and created a new advisory board to help the City of Portola become a designated Clean California Community. If approved, the City will receive a sign indicating the status for display.
Next, he presented before-and-after photos of the abatement activities he’s been working on throughout the year.
He also touched on the department's future projects and goals.
7. Adjournment
The regular meeting of the Portola City Council adjourned at 6:28pm.