Homeless solutions will be discussed
OROVILLE >> Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting includes the introduction of an ordinance to ban needle exchange and distribution programs for unincorporated areas of the county, further policy discussions on where to direct PG&E Settlement funds, and the possibility of committing additional county funds for homeless solutions in Chico.
District 4 Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue brought the ordinance on banning needle exchange and distribution programs to the board. The agenda item suggests an increase of improperly disposed needles are the direct result of those programs, and the purpose of the ordinance is to “protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of its residents.”
The staff report for the agenda item includes more than 70 pages of public comments in support of the ban; many of them stated they are Chico residents.
The item last appeared on the Feb. 23 meeting agenda, but it was subsequently pushed back to Tuesday’s meeting. The action requested is to waive the first reading of the ordinance.
The PG&E Settlement Fund was created in July 2020 after the county received a $252 million settlement from the utility company found responsible for starting the Camp Fire. County staff previously presented to the board examples of how the funds could be used in county stability, haz
ard mitigation and recovery efforts.
The board is tasked with approving a policy for the direction of the funds, or providing further direction to staff after board members requested additional time to review details during
a Dec. 8, 2020 meeting.
There’s also an agenda item recommending the board commit $500,000 for a homeless solutions partnership with the city of Chico. The $500,000 is
anticipated from the next round of Coronavirus Relief Funds. The commitment is contingent on the passage of the latest COVID-19 stimulus package known as the “American Rescue Plan,” Butte County being a recipient of these funds, and other homeless solutions partners following through on their commitments.
Additional agenda items include a contract amendment with Quincy Engineering Inc. for the Midway Bridge Replacement Project to increase the contract by $179,600, notto-exceed $2,487,511, as recommended by the Department of Public Works. There’s also a presentation scheduled on the use of exploratory wells in the county and the code enforcement process. According to the agenda, a multi-sector work group conducted a review and analysis in 2018, but the group presentation of their findings to the board was delayed by the Camp Fire, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic response that began one year ago.
Board meetings are held at the County Administration Building, 25 County Center Drive, in Oroville. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings remain closed to the public. Meetings can be viewed on the county’s website, www. buttecounty.net/boardofsupervisors/boardmeetings. Members of the public wishing to speak can register at www.bcadmin.net/ comments by 4 p.m. the day before a meeting.