Council swears in members virtually

Thomson returns, will continue as vice mayor

OROVILLE » For the first time in the city’s history, new council members were sworn in and departing members were honored virtually during Tuesday night’s Oroville City Council meeting.

Returning council member Janet Goodson was sworn in over Zoom. Scott Thomson, a returning member, and Krysi Riggs, an incumbent, were sworn in, in-person at the city council chambers.

Thomson was also chosen to continue serving as the vice mayor.

Outgoing city council member Linda Draper, who had served since January 2017, was also honored as she participated over Zoom.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor to serve with you,” said councilmember Art Hatley to Draper.

Mayor Chuck Reynolds also presented Draper with a plaque tributing her work on the council.

“I’d like to thank the people of Oroville for trusting me. It has been a wonderful experience overall,” Draper said. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve. It has been a real honor.”

Future city council meetings will now start with closed session beginning at 4 p.m. and open session starting at 4:30 p.m., the council unanimously passed. The public hearing portion will not start no sooner than 5:15 p.m. in order to give the public a chance to speak past normal working hours.

City councilors will also have to participate in person during future council meetings in order to partake in closed session. The purpose to have closed session take place in person was to preserve confidentiality.

City administrator Bill LaGrone recommended that the city council chambers be modified with plexiglass barriers and councilors be seated six feet apart to ensure social distancing.

During a brief report from the Oroville Police Department, the department responded to 45,920 incidents, wrote 5,014 police reports and 885 citations, made 2,390 arrests and responded to over 5,000 calls. It was reported that there were 150 less traffic accidents within Oroville in 2020 compared to 2019.

Mayor Reynolds also appointed council members to a variety of committees, commissions and boards.

David Pittman will be the representative for the Airport Land Use Commission. Goodson was assigned to the Arts Commission. Reynolds was assigned to the Butte County Association of Governments and the Butte County Air Quality Control Board. Thomson was assigned to the Chamber of Commerce and the Citizens Oversight Committee.

The next city council meeting will be Jan. 19 at 4:30 p.m.