Chico council hears from city commissions applicants

CHICO >> The Chico City Council held a special meeting Tuesday to hear from applicants to three city commissions, to fill vacancies within the next week.

Chico has six appointed bodies — the Architectural Review and Historic Preservation, Airport Commission, Arts Commission, Bidwell Park and Playground Commission, Climate Action Commission and Planning Commission. Each one of these appointed bodies were formed by official council action, requiring the adoption of an ordinance setting forth the duties, responsibilities and authority and then outlined in the Chico Municipal Code.

On Tuesday, interviews via a webinar were heard for the Arts Commission, Bidwell Park and Playground Commission and Planning Commission.

The applicants for the Arts Commission, which has four four-year vacancies, were as follows:

• Kimberly Ranalla, who did not join the webinar; • Erin Horst, who has taught at Inspire School of Arts and Sciences in the past, and stated she will support the arts and performing arts scene;

• Monica McDaniel, who has former experience on the commission;

• Bonnie Pipkin, local published author;

• Louis Nava, applying to Bidwell Park and Playground Commission as well, who said he wants to increase the visibility of different art from different members of the community;

• Daniella Ferguson advocated for more public art around the community.

The applicants for the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission, which has four four-year and one two-year positions open, were as follows:

• Joshua Pierce, who grew up in Chico and said he wants to meet challenges for the commission;

• Martin Nichols, whose statement was not recorded;

• Larry Willis, longtime Chico resident and law practitioner who said he has been an active park volunteer for years;

• Paul Cooper, who said the park infrastructure has fallen apart and applied for the Planning Commission as well;

• Anhanette Shadley, with a background in government and special districts has an interest in vegetative fuel management district planning and improving programs for people with disabilities;

• Ryan Brown, certified arborist focusing on maintenance and safety of parks with good upkeep and background in biological sciences and natural resources work;

• Jeff Glatz, current commissioner, who wishes to “bring the park back to being a crown jewel”;

• Jesse Alexander, who wants to pursue grant opportunities for the park, understanding need for accessibility in the park

• Megan Thomas Petty, an attorney who served an interim appointment on the commission in 2018and 2019;

• Nathan Methvin-Terry, who said he wants to focus on parks that are underserved outside of Bidwell Park and ways to beautify all parks and playgrounds to combat mental health crises;

• Louis Nava, whose message was not recorded;

• Phillip Baker, longtime resident focused on biodiversity with knowledge of cultivating plants;

• Larry Willis, who did not record a second statement;

• Melissa Peters, whose statement was not available.

The applicants for the Planning Commission, which has four four-year vacancies, are as follows:

• Lupita Arim-Law, who is a proponent of infill and the Green Line, wrote her master’s thesis on city development.

• Martin Nichols, who said he has experience on multiple projects and familiarity with California Environmental Quality Act policies;

• Austin Barron, a realtor at Century 21, Sierra North Valley Association of Realtors;

• Toni Scott, a partner in a business consulting firm in Chico and homeowner in the Chico Vecino neighborhood;

• Marc Breckenridge, who wants to focus on infill development for responsible development;

• Paul Cooper, who did not record a second statement;

• Lindsay Poulin, who worked on multiple planning projects in other cities and returned to Chico, wants to remove barriers to encourage more development;

• Larry Wahl, who said he desires more transparency and efficacy;

• Michael Guzzi, Chico

State employee and current Associate Vice President of Facilities Management and Services, as well as lecturer in construction and engineering, focusing on community development and affordable housing;

• Steve Lafaurie, with experience in planning, growth and land use and returned to Chico after having pent time in Iowa while on the Kalona, Iowa city council;

• Mike Nelson, who served on Climate Action Commission before and has a degree in engineering, a certified planner and president of engineering consultation firm;

• Gary Mueller, who was not available to speak;

• Ken Rensink, who currently serves on the Planning Commission and did not record a statement.

No comments about the interview process were received on Engaged Chico.

“Please do not think if you are not chosen it means you should not reapply or reconsider in the future,” Mayor Andrew Coolidge said.

City Clerk Debbie Presson was asked to review all standing commissions, boards and other subcommittees. Knowing there are ongoing subcommittees, Coolidge moved that now, established or future subcommittees of commissions must next present to and be approved by city council. All other subcommittees should finish immediately.

His motion passed 6-0 with Councilor Sean Morgan not voting.

The council will make final selections among the applicants for current vacancies, at the upcoming meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday at the City Council Chambers at 421 Main St. in Chico.