Oroville council: Park commission to oversee museums

OROVILLE » The Oroville City Council voted for the Park Commission to oversee the city’s five museums after some discussion. The vote was 5-2.

Councilor David Pittman said responsibilities need to be delegated to oversee the museums. There were a couple of public comments about this, with comments being focused on maintaining the museums. A Cultural Facilities Curator was recently hired and city staff recommended the duties should remain with the

Museum Facilities Curator.

The council voted to discuss the city budget at the next city council meeting. This was approved by a vote of 4-3.

Councilors also voted 6-1 (the negative vote consisted of one absence) to implement the 13th amendment to the Supplemental Benefits Fund Implementation Agreement between the city of Oroville as fund administrator of the SBF and the California Department of Water Resources, extending the term until July 20.

The Public Safety building initially was reported as a 50-year-old building but was corrected by Pittman who said the building is actually 40 years old. $250,000 was approved unanimously to make a major remodel of the building, to fix the roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.

“We are going to have an open house and the whole building is being revamped,” said Councilor Janet Goodson.

The council voted unanimously to keep the Gee family and an existing Pomelo tree as a private matter. Councilor Krysi Riggs said it was important for the replica to be honored and it should remain a private matter and resources should not be exhausted. The council considered a request from the Gee family to acquire 1698 Broderick St. to construct a replica of the Jee Wah Tong general merchandise store in addition to the preservation of the existing Pomelo tree at this location.

City staff recommended this request remain a private endeavor to not drain the existing city resources and docent association for the museums. The tree was planted by the Gee family in the early 1900s. There is an endowment at UC Berkeley for the project.

Councilor Eric Smith mentioned the city’s upcoming July 4 event. He said there will be a fly-in at the airport, vendors and a pancake breakfast. He said Cal Fire will have a tanker there and a spotter plane. The Rotary Club of Oroville is raising money for the fireworks display. Pittman said $7,400 has been raised so far. In order to donate to the fireworks display, visit www. visitoroville.com/blog/oroville-fireworks-fundraiser.

Goodson said at the end of the meeting that Oroville is “surviving but also thriving” and the city was previously in dire financial straits due to previous council measures. She extended kudos to the taxpayers.

“We have a reserve we never had because of you and we’re always mindful of that,” Goodson said.

Oroville Fire Department Chief Chris Tenns said with fire season here there will be preparation burns, including a training at the airport.

The next Oroville city council meeting will be held June 21, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. at the city council chambers located at 1735 Montgomery St.