Oroville votes on walls, fences, screening standards
OROVILLE » Oroville City Council and City Administrator Bill LaGrone engaged in a spirited discussion involving fences, walls and screening standards for Oroville citizens at Tuesday’s council meeting.
LaGrone said that putting up fences at peoples’ houses doesn’t prevent crime, it encourages crime. There is a law that says people are not allowed to put up any fences more than 6-feet tall. A 7-foot tall fence, for example, requires a building permit. He said that fences which extend out toward sidewalks make intersections and crosswalks more dangerous. He said solid wood fences that extend out to the sidewalk are not a wise idea.
Pastor Bill Speer spoke before council and said he wishes to leave the fence ordinance as is.
The council voted unanimously to amend a revision of an Oroville Municipal Code regarding fences, walls and screening standards.
Other business
The council voted 7 to 1 to amend employment agreements with Code Enforcement Director Ron Belser, Assistant City Administrator Ruth Wright, Assistant Community Development Director Dawn Nevers and Business Assistance and Housing Development Manager Amy Bergstrand.
The council also voted 7 to 1 to make changes to the timing of council meetings and public hearings. The council voted to move the public hearings to the last item, after regular business. City staff said this gives Oroville citizens time to leave work and make it to the meetings on time to give public input. City Administrator Bill LaGrone said the agenda is set in such a way that is a courtesy to citizens wishing to speak.
The council also voted 7 to 1 to reassign an agreement with Gateway Properties. The council voted to reassign the Master Disposition and Development agreement with CMG Project 1200, LLC, for the development of the Gateway
Project. The project was reassigned from Snyder Commercial Real Estate to CMG. Snyder couldn’t complete the work and signed an agreement back with the city, LaGrone said.
Councilor Eric Smith said the Oroville July 4 event is a great event. It begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. and the Oroville Rotary Club will be putting on the fireworks display.
Councilor David Pittman talked about security cameras for private businesses and public places. He said cameras are the “best thing going on” to defend against crimes. Vice Mayor Scott Thomson said cameras along the bike trail are a “great idea” to prevent against graffiti and such. Belser said park benches and railings have been vandalized and City Works and Public Works are working to clean them up. He agreed with Pittman and Thomson about cameras.
The next Oroville City Council meeting will take place June 7, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. in the city council chambers located at 1735 Montgomery St. in downtown Oroville.