Chico, CA

7/7/26 Council Meeting

The Chico City Council will decide on appointing Gillian Haen as the new City Manager with a $285,000 salary and benefits, and designate an Interim City Manager for the transition period. The council will also approve applications for three FEMA firefighter grants totaling $872,789, requiring a 10% city match. A closed session is scheduled for discussion of the City Manager appointment.

• Confirm Gillian Haen as City Manager: $285,000 salary, $15,000 relocation, $400/month vehicle, $75/month cell phone allowances
• Designate Assistant City Manager Erik Gustafson as Interim City Manager effective July 11, 2026
• Approve three FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant applications totaling $872,789 with 10% match from city funds
• Consent agenda includes fire equipment grants for fire apparatus, Mobile Fire Investigation Unit, and water tender
• Closed session for public employment related to City Manager position

Bidwell Park and Playground Commission

The commission will hear two informational items: a proposal to convert park ranger positions to police officers supplemented by community service officers, and a request from the Chico Rod and Gun Club to amend its lease to remove prevailing wage provisions. No action will be taken on these items. The consent agenda includes approval of prior meeting minutes.

• Presentation on proposed park ranger position reform: convert rangers to police officers with community service officers
• Informational item: Chico Rod and Gun Club requests lease amendment to remove prevailing wage provisions
• Consent agenda: approval of draft meeting minutes from April 27, 2026
• No public hearings scheduled

06/16/26 Council Meeting

The council will deliberate on a sewer rate increase to fund infrastructure needs, with two reduced scenarios presented. They will also consider whether to permit commercial cannabis cultivation within city limits, a significant policy shift. Additionally, the council will discuss extending the sobering center funding agreement and approving an encampment resolution grant application for homelessness. Several consent items include sewer assessment, road projects, firefighter positions, and vehicle donation.

• Sewer rate study: Council to adopt a rate schedule and initiate Prop 218 process for a five-year increase (5.1)
• Commercial cannabis cultivation: Council to decide whether to permit and regulate cultivation within city limits (5.4)
• Sobering center funding extension: Council to authorize amending MOU to extend funding three more years through June 2030 (5.3)
• Encampment Resolution Funding grant: Staff propose seeking $4.1 million for homeless encampment resolution and housing (2.4)
• Interim Deputy Chief appointment: Council to confirm Shane Lauderdale as Interim Deputy Chief - Fire at $184,218.58 annual salary (5.5)

6/2/26 Council Meeting

The City Council will hold a final adoption of the 2026-27 city budget, confirm a new Fire Chief with a $200,000 salary, and discuss a proposed free parking program downtown. The consent agenda includes amendments to sewer fee collection, an election resolution, and other routine items. Public hearings are scheduled for vacating a portion of Eaton Road and approving a landscaping district assessment increase.

• Adoption of 2026-27 final budget for City of Chico and Successor Agency to Redevelopment Agency
• Confirmation of Wesley Metroka as Fire Chief with annual salary of $200,000
• Public hearing on ordering abandonment of portion of Eaton Road right-of-way (APN 016-360-116)
• Public hearing on Husa Ranch/Nob Hill landscaping district assessment of $87.10 per parcel (increase of $1.04)
• Discussion of Internal Affairs Committee recommendation to implement 'Park & Go' free parking program downtown through December 2026

5/19/26 Council Meeting - Budget Session Begins at 1:00 p.m.

The City Council will hold a budget session to adopt the FY2026-27 proposed annual budget for the City and Successor Agency. Later in the regular meeting, they will discuss a sewer rate program for low-income residents, a $500,000 interfund loan for the Fiber Utility, and options for the post-Warren settlement regarding the Alternate Site and Genesis shelter. Other items include a Prop 64 grant application, heritage tree designations, and an ordinance on delinquent sewer fees.

• Adoption of FY2026-27 proposed annual budget for the City and Successor Agency
• $500,000 interfund loan from Workers Compensation Reserve Fund to Fiber Utility Fund
• Discussion on post-Warren settlement options: closure of Alternate Site, continued Genesis shelter operation
• Proposition 64 grant application for $4.5 million for cannabis education, enforcement, and compliance
• Ordinance amending Chico Municipal Code Section 15.36.072 to update collection of delinquent sewer fees

3/16/26 City Council - Special Closed Session (No video)

This is a special closed session of the Chico City Council. The only business is a closed session conference with legal counsel on the pending lawsuit Believe in Chico v. City of Chico (Case No. 25CV01135) and a closed session discussion on recruiting a new city manager. No public decisions or other items are on the agenda.

• Closed session conference with legal counsel on existing litigation: Believe in Chico v. City of Chico (BCSC Case No. 25CV01135)
• Closed session on public employment: City Manager Recruitment

Planning Commission

5/5/26 Council Meeting

The City Council will consider resolutions to declare a city-owned property at 1550 Marauder Street as exempt surplus land and authorize its sale to California Water Service. Other items include public hearings on nuisance abatement, workforce vacancies, and fee schedule amendments with cost-of-living increases to development impact fees. The regular agenda features a reconsideration of a five-year sewer rate adjustment, confirmation of a new deputy director with an annual salary of $145,000, and discussions on a shared micromobility program and a downtown free parking pilot.

• Sale of 1550 Marauder Street to California Water Service (APN 047-560-137)
• Confirmation of Jacques Vos as Deputy Director - Operations & Maintenance at $145,000/year
• Reconsideration of sewer enterprise study rate adjustment (Option 1 previously selected 4-3)
• Amendment to City Fee Schedule including cost-of-living increases to Development Impact Fees
• Shared micromobility program implementation plan discussion

Bidwell Park and Playground Commission

The Bidwell Park and Playground Commission will consider a request from the Chico Area Recreation District (CARD) to allow alcohol service and consumption at the Chico Creek Nature Center, which would require a change to the city code. The commission may recommend the change to the City Council. A presentation on fuel loading in Middle Bidwell Park will also be given for information only.

• Consideration of CARD request to allow alcohol at Chico Creek Nature Center under Ordinance 2587
• Presentation on fuel loading and hazard tree assessment in Middle Bidwell Park by CSU, Chico students
• Approval of draft meeting minutes from March 30, 2026
• Reports from Parks Division and Street Tree Division (verbal)
• Public comment period for items not on the agenda

4/21/26 Council Meeting

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the draft 2026-2027 HUD Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME funds. Among regular agenda items, the council will discuss and potentially adopt one of three alternatives for the Downtown Revitalization Project's bike and pedestrian improvements. Other items include reconsideration of a previously approved five-year sewer rate increase, designation of three heritage trees, and confirmation of a deputy director.

• Public hearing on 2026-2027 HUD Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME funds
• Discussion and possible adoption of downtown bikeway/sidewalk alternatives (Main St, Broadway, Wall/Flume)
• Reconsideration of 5-year sewer rate adjustment approved on 3/17/26
• Designation of three heritage trees: Southern magnolia at 525 Esplanade, American elm at 488 E 3rd St, Valley oak at 2090 Amanda Way
• Confirmation of Jacques Vos as Deputy Director - Public Works Operations and Maintenance at $145,000 annual salary

The Council approved the consent agenda, including resolutions for weed abatement, property acquisition, and redevelopment agency property transfers. They also accepted the draft 2026-2027 HUD Annual Action Plan and directed staff to schedule a final public hearing for May 19, 2026.

• Approved Consent Agenda (6-0)
• Adopted weed abatement resolution (6-0)
• Authorized property acquisition for North Esplanade (6-0)
• Approved transfer of four redevelopment properties to City (6-0)
• Accepted draft 2026-2027 HUD Annual Action Plan (6-0)
• Directed staff to schedule final HUD hearing for May 19, 2026 (6-0)
• Directed staff to request Oroville representatives to present on electric utility (6-0)
• Directed staff to present on feasibility of indoor/outdoor cannabis cultivation (5-2)

4/7/26 Council Meeting

The Chico City Council will consider allocating $651,376 in opioid settlement funds to match grant funding for the Jesus Center's Substance Use Disorder Treatment Project. They will also discuss and potentially adopt one of three alternatives for downtown bikeway improvements, options for repairing or removing the City Plaza fountain, and a possible parklet program. Additional discussions include regulations on commercial cannabis and public power proposals in Oroville.

• Jesus Center Treatment Center funding: $651,376 from opioid settlement funds
• Downtown Revitalization Project: choose between protected one-way bikeways on Main St and Broadway, two-way bikeway on Main with widened sidewalks on Broadway, or improvements to Wall and Flume Streets
• Plaza fountain repair: options to repair 19 units, redesign with flatter surface, or abandon fountain
• Parklet program analysis and discussion for possible implementation
• Council member requests: discussion on public power in Oroville and commercial cannabis regulations

Bidwell Park and Playground Commission

The Bidwell Park and Playground Commission will consider an application from California State Parks to designate a 92-foot-tall Southern Magnolia at 525 Esplanade as a Heritage Tree. The tree was planted by John Bidwell and is the state champion. The Urban Forest Manager recommends approval, which would then go to the City Council for final decision. The rest of the agenda is routine, including approval of prior minutes and verbal reports from park and street tree divisions.

• Heritage tree application for 92-ft Southern Magnolia at 525 Esplanade, planted by John Bidwell
• Urban Forest Manager recommends approval and forwarding to City Council
• Approval of draft meeting minutes from January 26, 2026
• Verbal reports from Parks Division and Street Tree Division

The Commission approved a Heritage Tree application for a Southern Magnolia located at 525 Esplanade and forwarded the recommendation to the City Council. The Commission also approved the amended meeting minutes from January 26, 2026.

• Approved Heritage Tree application for Southern Magnolia at 525 Esplanade (5-0)
• Approved amended 1/26/26 meeting minutes (5-0)

3/17/26 Council Meeting

The City Council will consider a Sewer Enterprise Study proposing a five-year rate adjustment to address financial and infrastructure needs, and direct staff to begin the Proposition 218 public hearing process. Other items include authorizing property acquisitions for the Fair Street Rehabilitation Project, confirming a new Deputy Director of Public Works Engineering, discussing downtown revitalization and PBID opportunity zones, and authorizing loan documents for a 66-unit affordable housing rehabilitation.

• Five-year sewer rate adjustment study with direction to initiate Proposition 218 process
• Resolutions to acquire three properties (2329, 2255, 2049 Fair Street) for Fair Street Rehabilitation Project
• Confirmation of David Kehn as Deputy Director - Public Works Engineering at $185,377.50 annual salary
• $40,000 signing bonus for a lateral Public Safety Dispatcher via side letter with Chico Public Safety Association
• Authorization for City Manager to execute loan documents for Turning Point Commons affordable housing rehabilitation (66 units)

3/3/26 Council Meeting & Posted Addendum

The Chico City Council voted 6-0 to allow virtual participation and approved a new two-year labor contract with United Public Employees of California Local 792 covering pay and benefits. The council also received the AB 481 annual military equipment report, approved a development impact fee ordinance allowing decreases, and considered exempting the CARD Aquatic Center from tree preservation rules. A letter of support for California Water Service's PFAS compliance program was agendized and discussed but no final vote is recorded.

• Approved Resolution 15-26: MOU with UPEC for Jan 2026 – Dec 2027, modifying pay and benefits.
• Adopted Ordinance 2620 allowing development impact fees to decrease when construction cost indices decline.
• Received AB 481 annual military equipment use report; approved policy and proposed 2026 acquisitions.
• Agendized (6-1 vote) and considered letter of support for CAL Water's PFAS Compliance Program (proceeding A2506001).
• Discussed exempting CARD Aquatic Center from tree preservation regulations and amending code to add CARD as exempt entity.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Use Permit 25-05 for a new 90-foot-tall wireless telecommunication facility disguised as a pine tree at 693 E 1st Avenue. Staff recommends approval with conditions. No other substantive items are on the agenda; the meeting also includes consent items (approval of July 2025 minutes) and public comment.

• Public hearing on Use Permit 25-05 (Verizon Wireless) for a 90-foot monopine tower at 693 E 1st Avenue
• Staff recommendation to adopt Resolution 26-01 approving the permit with conditions
• Consent agenda: approval of July 17, 2025 meeting minutes
• Public comment period for items not on the agenda

2/17/26 Council Meeting

The City Council introduced an ordinance allowing development impact fees to rise or fall based on construction cost indices. The council also approved a $5,000 one-time salary adjustment for the Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management. Consent items included a grant agreement for CDBG-DR infrastructure funds and a fee schedule amendment for the Bell-Muir Sewer Lift Station. A draft MOU with the United Public Employees of California was presented for a two-week review period.

• Introduction of ordinance to adjust development impact fees annually based on construction cost indices
• Approval of $5,000 one-time salary adjustment for Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
• Authorization of grant agreement for 2018 CDBG-DR infrastructure program funding
• Amendment to fee schedule incorporating Bell-Muir Sewer Lift Station capacity fee
• Closed session on labor negotiations and existing litigation (Believe in Chico v. Chico)

2/3/26 Council Meeting

The Chico City Council considered several items at its February 3, 2026 meeting, including a resolution to establish the Bell-Muir Sewer Lift Station Benefit Area and Capacity Fee, a verbal report on opportunities for outsourcing non-public safety departments, and a proposal to regulate electric bicycle speeds in Bidwell Park recreation areas. The council also acknowledged the annual audited financial reports for fiscal year 2025 and held closed sessions on labor negotiations, litigation, and real property negotiations.

• Adoption of resolution establishing Bell-Muir Sewer Lift Station Benefit Area and Capacity Fee to reimburse developer for additional capacity
• Consideration of electric bicycle (e-bike) regulations and proposed speed limit for Bidwell Park recreation areas
• Verbal report on opportunities for outsourcing non-public safety departments, specifically Public Works and Community Development
• Acknowledgment and acceptance of the annual audited financial reports for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 (clean opinion from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
• Closed session discussions on labor negotiations, existing litigation (Believe in Chico v. City of Chico), and real property negotiations (potential lease of 1150 E 1st Ave)

Bidwell Park and Playground Commission

The Bidwell Park and Playground Commission will consider two special use permits: one for Chico Beyond Adventure to conduct guided hikes in Bidwell Park with groups of 3-9 people, and another for Golden Goblet Faire to host a Renaissance Faire event at South 1 Mile Recreation Area. The commission will also vote on draft text and design for interpretive plaques at the 1 Mile entrance pillars. No public hearings are scheduled; consent items include approval of October 2025 minutes and the 2026 meeting calendar.

• Special use permit for guided hikes in Bidwell Park by Chico Beyond Adventure
• Permit and reservation approval for Renaissance Faire event at South 1 Mile Recreation Area
• Approval of draft text and design for interpretive plaques at 4th Street and Vallombrosa Way pillars
• Approval of 2026 regular meeting calendar for the commission
• Approval of draft meeting minutes from October 27, 2025

The Bidwell Park and Playground Commission approved a three-year special use permit for guided hikes and conditional approval for a Renaissance Faire event. The commission also approved draft text and design for interpretive plaques at park entrances.

• Approved 2026 meeting calendar
• Granted special use permit for guided hikes (6-0)
• Granted conditional permit for Renaissance Faire (5-1)
• Approved interpretive plaque text and design (6-0)

1/20/26 Council Meeting

The Chico City Council adopted several consent items including a sewer assessment for 3549 Esplanade, acknowledged the Fire Marshal's annual report, approved a side letter with firefighters modifying HSA contributions, and selected Jones Mayer as City Attorney. On the regular agenda, the council interviewed applicants for an Arts Commission vacancy, considered providing Galleri cancer screening tests for Public Works O&M employees, and confirmed the appointment of Skyler Lipski as Public Works Director-Operations & Maintenance with an annual salary of $169,000. A closed session was held for labor negotiations with multiple employee organizations.

• Resolution authorizing sewer assessment for 3549 Esplanade (APN 006-170-032)
• Approval of legal services agreement with Jones Mayer for City Attorney services
• Side letter agreement with International Association of Fire Fighters updating HSA contribution formula
• Consideration of providing Galleri multi-cancer screening test for Public Works O&M employees (3-year interval)
• Confirmation of Skyler Lipski as Public Works Director-Operations & Maintenance at $169,000/year

Test New Event

The Chico City Council will hold a public hearing on the draft 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for federal CDBG and HOME funds. The council will also consider amendments to the municipal code to add new types of cannabis manufacturing licenses and require permittees to start operations within three years. Additionally, they will consider changing the Community Benefits Agreement for cannabis businesses to require quarterly payments within 60 days of reported revenue. Other items include a recommendation for the Bell Muir Special Planning Area and updates to administrative policies.

• Public hearing on 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds
• Proposed code amendments to add Type N and Type P state manufacturing licenses for commercial cannabis businesses
• Proposed requirement for cannabis permittees to begin operations within three years of permit issuance or by January 1, 2027
• Amendment to Community Benefits Agreement to require cannabis businesses to pay quarterly within 60 days of reported revenue
• Staff recommendation to remove General Plan SPA requirements for Bell Muir area and plan for single-family development and infrastructure

1/6/26 Council Meeting

The Chico City Council will vote on conveying Depot Park to CARD, hear appeals on subdivision conditions and mural requirements, and discuss an electric bike policy. The consent agenda includes adoption of updated building codes, employee MOU, fee schedule amendments, and a sewer easement for the P-18 project.

• Conveyance of Depot Park (APN 004-113-006) to Chico Area Recreation and Park District
• Appeal of Map Advisory Committee condition requiring underground utilities at 2280 Nord Avenue
• Appeal of Architectural Review condition requiring mural review at 119 and 101 Main Street
• Resolution dedicating utility easements to PG&E on Highway 32 for Park Fire repairs
• Discussion of electric bike safety policy requested by Councilmember Van Overbeek

Test Event