Chico City Council seeks end to needle programs
CHICO » The Chico City Council made more decisive moves Tuesday on several hot topics from the 2020 election — including unfreezing Chico Police Department positions and considering banning future needle programs.
The council met for the first time since the swearing-in of newly elected members Dec. 8. Assistant City Manager Chris Constantin was honored before he moves on to serving as City Manager in San Dimas.
Councilor Alex Brown said three requests made by councilors ( pedicab bar crawls, unfreezing police staffing and banning needle distribution) did not have accompanying data from the councilors who made the requests ( Vice Mayor Kasey Reynolds and Councilor Kami Denlay) as required by rules added this year. Councilor Scott Huber said he wanted to amend Brown’s motion to postpone just the two controversial items as there was data for the pedicab item.
Councilor Sean Morgan, who helped write the rules, said he has “tried to be a stickler for the rules” but that he wanted to hear the items anyway — “all we’re doing is delaying the inevitable.”
The vote to postpone the requests failed 5-2, with only Huber and Brown voting in favor.
The new ordinance approved in the last meeting for enforcing rules in city’s parks garnered 136 comments sent to the council. Huber and Brown added they will be voting no on it.
Mayor Andrew Coolidge then placed councilors on committee positions for two years. The vote passed 6-1 with Brown voting no on the official placements.
A needles ban
The controversial debate on whether to ban future needle distribution programs was brought again by newly elected Councilor Kami Denlay.
When Brown asked why the item can come forward again after a vote was already made on the matter
this year, City Attorney Andrew Jared said “I’m not sure this exact thing was voted on … honestly I don’t recall that.” But Brown reminded him the council voted not to ban future needle distribution programs already ( by 4-3) at the Sept. 15 meeting.
Huber gave a list of benefits of syringe access programs from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He said while he agreed the previous program by North Valley Harm Reduction Coalition “did not adequately address needle disposal” he thought the banning of all future programs “eliminates a useful tool” for preventing disease and infection.
Brown said she would vote no for multiple reasons, including that she thinks “it is a symbolic move” that may not override the state.
But Morgan motioned for the city attorney to research what can and cannot be done about banning needle programs within city limits, to “Find any and all legal means to ban needle programs within city limits.”
Denlay added data reports that were presented are not based “specifically on our community” and said there have been over 50 drug overdoses in the community, connecting needle access to overdoses.
The vote passed 5-2, with Huber and Brown against.
Commercial cannabis
When Morgan asked to reconsider his previous vote on the commercial cannabis fee schedules, it effectively pumped the brakes on a fee schedule already approved for advancing applications for commercial cannabis business in the city.
Morgan said he was opposed to the previous fee schedule package. He clarified he is not saying no to commercial cannabis and delivery, but was asking to reconsider his previous “yes” vote to revisit the fee schedule and “determine the best way to move forward to make sure the city gets the promised revenue.”
Constantin confirmed an extensive process with staff took place to determine the fee schedule as is, although some parts still needed to be discussed, like annual renewal fees.
Coolidge said he understands the city’s voters, as well as the state, voted to approve commercial cannabis business, but “I don’t know if everybody up here is against it or not.” He said the city should proceed with caution on the matter. Reynolds agreed and moved to “pause and delay” the process while determining sales taxes and whether a development agreement can be pursued.
The council voted 7- 0 to go back to discussing the fee schedule. This move pauses the future application process for business in the city for now until fees are determines, Jared said.
Police money
Reynolds, who recently served on Ann Schwab’s mayoral police advisory committee, asked for unfreezing police staff hiring.
The council had already voted consent on an amendment for modifying the city budget for full time positions for the Chico Police Department, and accepting donated funds for using
new unmanned police drones, requested by Chief Matt Madden.
City Manager Mark Orme said Reynolds’ request can be considered as despite COVID-19, local businesses are doing well and “getting their bills paid.” He added a large number of retirements have taken place in the department lately and positions are empty throughout the department, including assistant associate city planner, seven police officers, a police sergeant and two park ranger positions.
Madden added, “If we pick up these positions it allows us to get that part started and go through the hiring process, which is extensive, and get somebody in the police academy.”
Brown said she would have preferred a full budget discussion and will be voting no to approve unfreezing these positions. The approval passed 6-1.
Other business
Reynolds also asked for city staff to consider researching allowing a pedicab bar crawl vendor in the future. Morgan motioned to have it reviewed for rules such as pertaining to alcohol usage in parks, after a suggestion by Brown to send to Internal Affairs.
The council also voted to: • Approve an ordinance for vehicle impoundment for prostitution and illegal dumping;
• Amending city code for abatement of abandoned vehicles, allowing Code Enforcement to be up to date with state and local code. • Approve housekeeping resolution amending city code listing disclosure categories for city staff; • Approve a resolution authorizing conveyance of the Hartley Neighborhood Park to the Chico Area Recreation and Park District;
• Approve affordable housing funds for Jamboree Housing Corporation to redevelop the existing Jesus Center site at 1297 Park Avenue into a 58-unit affordable apartment complex for low income households;
• A North Creek Commons project proposal for an affordable multi family complex from Housing Manager Marie Demers, developed by Central California Housing Corporation.
The next meeting of the council will take place 6 p.m. Jan. 5 at 421 Main Street.