City Council
Evan Hutson, Mayor
Richard Thomas, Vice Mayor
Gary Hansen, Council Member
Lorri Pride, Council Member
Matt Busby, Council Member
City Manager
Marti Brown
City Clerk
Karleen Price
Willows City Council
Regular Meeting
Action Minutes
April 28, 2026
Willows City Hall
6:00 PM
201 North Lassen Street
Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-7041
1. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 PM
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Vice Mayor Thomas, Councilmember Busby, Councilmember Hansen, and Councilmember Pride
Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Hutson
4. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
5. CEREMONIAL
a. Proclamation – Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters – received by Nathan Monck, Fire Chief. b. Proclamation – National Library Week – received by Christine Watson, City Librarian. c. Proclamation – Earth Day – received by Joe Bettencourt, Community Development and Services Director.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT & CONSENT CALENDAR FORUM
a. Register Approval
Action: Approved general checking, payroll, and direct deposit check registers. b. Minutes Approval
Action: Approved the minutes of March 23, 2026, Special City Council Meeting and March 24, 2026, City Council Meeting.
c. Letter of Support for SB-1041 - Fire Hardening Act of 2026 Action: Approved a letter of support for SB-1041, Fire Hardening Act of 2026. d. Planning Commission Appointment
Action: Approved the appointment of Jesse Powell to the Willows Planning Commission for the term ending December 31, 2029.
e. Annual Weed and Rubbish Abatement Schedule
Action: Adopted Resolution 14-2026 declaring weeds, rubbish, refuse and dirt public nuisances; and approved the Weed and Rubbish Abatement Schedule for the 2026 fire season. 2 f. Preliminary Engineer’s Report - Landscape and Lighting Assessment District Action: Adopted Resolution 15-2026 of intention to levy and collect annual assessments, approving the Preliminary Engineer’s Report for FY 2026-27 for the City of Willows Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District, and setting the time and date of the public hearing.
Motion to approve the consent calendar as presented.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Hansen/Councilmember Busby Yes: Vice Mayor Thomas, Councilmembers Busby, Hansen, and Pride No: None
Absent: Mayor Hutson
7. DISCUSSION & ACTION CALENDAR
a. Finance Tools to Fund Willows Police Department
Action: Directed staff to pursue a Mello-Roos Community Facilities District for Police Department start-up and operational costs, with a Certificate of Participation as a backup financing option.
Public Comments
Public Comment #1: Doug Ross, Resident
Roll Call
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Pride/Councilmember Hansen Yes: Vice Mayor Thomas, Councilmembers Busby, Hansen, and Pride No: None
Absent: Mayor Hutson
b. Proposition 218 Sewer Rate Study
Action: Received the presentation from LT Municipal Consultants (LTMC) regarding the City’s Proposition 218 Sewer Rate Study and provided direction to staff. c. SB 1 Transportation Funds – Project List for FY 2026-27 Action: Approved Resolution 16-2026 adopting a list of projects for fiscal year 2026-27 funded by SB 1: the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and recommending the use of SB 1 monies to fund said projects.
Roll Call
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Hansen/Councilmember Busby Yes: Vice Mayor Thomas, Councilmembers Busby, Hansen, and Pride No: None
Absent: Mayor Hutson
8. COMMENTS AND REPORTS
a. Council Correspondence
Councilmember Pride received an email correspondence from Greg Felton. 3 Vice Mayor Thomas received an invitation to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Orland Youth & Family Behavioral Health Center.
b. City Council Comments & Reports
Councilmembers reported on various community events and meetings attended. Councilmember Pride provided an update on Wayfinding Signs and the Street Banner Program. c. City Manager’s Report
City Manager Marti Brown provided an update on the City’s website.
She announced that the City will participate in the Lamb Derby Parade on May 9, 2026. Following the parade, both the Willows Public Library and the City will host informational tables. The City’s table will support the ongoing 140th anniversary celebration by introducing a community time capsule and encouraging residents to contribute items for inclusion.
9. CLOSED SESSION – 8:14 PM
a. Conference With Legal Counsel - Initiation of Litigation (54956.9(d)(4)) (one case) Report Out: No reportable action was taken.
10. ADJOURNMENT – 8:37 PM
______________________________
Karleen Price, City Clerk