Concerns over Oroville’s plan for Thermalito annex

In response to Jan 19-20 Oroville City Council’s approval to develop and annex parcels in Thermalito, important information is left out.

These parcels are located in the county, not the city. There are transparencies issues regarding this proposed development, it is a new version from one used in 2007 and is referencing reports 10 years old. These county properties border Ruddy Creek, a part of the Feather River Watershed with flooding issues. This development plans to drain runoff water into Ruddy Creek.

I cannot fathom in 2021, how anyone thinks allowing development runoff to drain into a creek is a good idea. Over 50 letters from community residents have been submitted in opposition to this development. Will the City of Oroville be liable for pollution into Ruddy Creek and for increased flooding of current residents?

It is difficult to participate in the Council meetings, due to COVID. Decisions are being made behind closed and locked council chamber doors by the Oroville City Council. This agenda item is consistently heard out of order, limiting public participation even further. This is a City of Oroville land grab effort that disregards existing flooding issues, Ruddy Creek and residential concerns. The city wants to use $15,000 of SB2 Grant funds to give the property owner that has open violations of illegal dumping “to defray Mitigated Negative Declaration preparation costs.”

How are decisions being made with Oroville City Council chambers and LAFCO offices closed to the public?

— Kathy Brazil, Oroville