Award for Excellence to be chosen by council

OROVILLE » The selection of the recipient of the 2021 Samuel J. Norris Award for Excellence will be considered by the Oroville City Council as part of Tuesday’s meeting. The award winner will presented with the award at the 2021 Salmon Festival, scheduled for Sept. 25 in Oroville.

The award recognized the efforts and commitments of a local individual or group of individuals who have improved the quality of life in Oroville, provided positive leadership and have had significant life achievements which have inspired others in the community. This year’s nominations include Brian and Louisa Wong; Brian, Louisa and Sandy Wong; and Bobby Jones Sr.

The council will also consider the approval of the submission of a grant application through California Department of Parks and Recreation Prop 68 Per Capita Program funding to replace deteriorating wood fencing around Sank Park in Oroville with wrought iron fencing. With Oroville staff estimating a cost

not to exceed $177,952, any remaining funds would be put towards a fence around Rotary Park.

Also as part of Tuesday’s meeting the council will consider a HOME Investment Partnership Program Income Loan with Willow Partners LLC for $780,000 for overrun costs at Sierra Heights Senior Apartments.

An application for a HOME Rental Construction project was approved by the council in July 2015. However several delays including those related to fires and an increase in liability and fire insurance, COVID-19 causing labor and supply difficulties, and PG&E power outages have resulted in significant project delays and cost overruns.

Willows LLC has agreed to fund the overrun and is requesting a loan from the city of Oroville to reimburse them for the funds. Oroville management analyst for business assistance and housing development Amy Bergstrand said in a letter to the council that by reimbursing the cost overrun funds, Oroville will be in a better position to draw their grant funds and maintain grant expenditure milestones.

Lastly as part of regular business, the approval of a change order for a stucco skim coat on the Oroville Convention Center’s east wall with Butte Roofing Company will be considered by councilors in the amount of $60,928.

Also as part of Tuesday’s meeting a public hearing will be held to consider approving a general plan amendment and zoning code amendment for a 39acre

piece of land located at 1245 Oro Dam Boulevard. If approved the land’s usage would be changed from corridor mixed use to intensive industrial, creating a conditional overlay for future development of the property.

Consent calendar

There are 11 items that will be discussed by the Oroville City Council prior to Tuesday’s meeting as part of the consent calendar. The council may choose to pull any of the items and review it on an individual basis or vote on all items as a whole.

• The Oroville City Council will consider a Franchise Fee audit agreement with the company Azavar.

• City councilors will also consider extending a professional services agreement with Chico State Geographical Information Center for Oroville’s Geographic Information Systems through the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

• The council will receive information about unanticipated revenue towards the 2021-2022 budget from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal

Recovery Funds.

• Councilors will consider rescinding a resolution regarding Community Development Block Grants two and three for Coronavirus Response and adopting a new resolution for submission of an application to the State Department of Housing and Community Development. After the council initially approved the submission on April 6, the Community Development Block Grants staff informed Oroville a new resolution was needed to include to include several date changes.

• Additionally councilors will consider the approval of the Teen Docent Project and direct city staff how to execute the project. Assistant Community Development Director Dawn Nevers said the project, which will consist of 10-20youth docents, works to increase support to docents within Oroville museums while providing mentoring and skill-building opportunities to teens.

• The council will consider authorizing a letter of support for the “Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child”

program sponsored by the Kennedy Center. Oroville

City Elementary, Thermalito and Palermo school districts will be supported through the program.

• The council will consider re-appointing community members David Quintel and Ken Malone to the Citizens Oversight Committee for another term expiring on June 30, 2025.

• The council will consider authorizing Machelle Conn a four month medical leave of absence from the Parks Commission.

• The council will consider adopting a job description for a part time cultural facilities curator and volunteer coordinator, authorizing city staff to hire for the position.

• The council will also consider approving a job description and salary scale for an assistant city adminstriator and code enforcement director, while beginning the recruitment process for the position.

• Lastly councilors will consider accepting the transfer of a parcel from Feather River Recreation and Parks Districts which contains the

Bedrock Park restrooms and upper parking lot, as well as a portion of the Feather River trail. The money will come from Oroville’s general fund in an estimated amount of $5,000.

At the end of Tuesday’s meeting, as part of administration reports, a Feather River Boulevard sink holes report will be presented.

The council chambers will be open to the public Tuesday. Viewers can join virtually via Zoom with the meeting ID 968 7031 9529 and password 67684553. The meeting can be seen live on cityoforoville.org or on YouTube, or can be heard by telephone by calling 1-669-900-9128. To participate in the meeting, email public comments to publiccomment@cityoforoville.org before 2p.m. Tuesday. The council meets at 4:30p.m. Tuesday at 1735 Montgomery St. in Oroville.