Divided Chico City Council approves code changes
CHICO >> After a month-long break, Chico’s city council resumed Tuesday evening with one main talking point back on the agenda for a final reading: amending city code.
The amendments have drawn division among Chico citizens, significantly at the last council when introduced for a first reading. The amendments were once again brought up for a final reading and adoption on Tuesday before passing 4-3 without support from Vice Mayor Kasey Reynolds, councilor Alex Brown and councilor Deepika Tandon.
Of the changes: redefining “shelter space” and “camp,” altering the rules for storage of personal property on public space, clearer definitions of how police interact with the unhoused, and decisive guidelines on what qualifies as an open shelter.
At the request of Brown, city attorney Vincent Ewing spoke on the purpose of amending city ordinances.
“As I mentioned at the first reading on this item, the city’s ordinances had been criticized by Judge England, several of the community services and the ACLU,” said Ewing. “This is what I would describe as a ‘clean up ordinance.’ It’s not to run out and begin enforcing these ordinances.”
Supplemental appropriation and budget modification were also discussed by council after being presented by Public Works-Engineering for the transfer of funds from an existing capital project to a newly created City Recreation Fund.
The changes are for a potential Downtown Chico Ice Skating Rink. Public Works-Engineering said in its report the modification will allow financing staff to track revenues from sponsorships, rink admissions, rink rentals and special events. The potential opening date is scheduled for Nov. 19 and would continue operations for eight weeks.
After councilors discussed the potential of the ice rink being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the current downtown unhoused and the details of the contract with the ice rink provider, the agenda item was delayed. It will be reintroduced at the next council meeting with further information regarding the contract and impact of the rink on the environment. The reintroduced item passed 7-0.
Nichole Nava addressed the council on the potential ice rink and concerns over the location downtown, citing unhoused people in City Plaza.
“I’m supportive of things that are good for Chico. I’m hopeful we will get our act together by then,” Nava said. “What are we going to do that will make it feel safe for everyone participating?”
Jesica Giannola spoke to the council and said the ice rink seemed distasteful during an ongoing housing crisis.
“We have a housing crisis right now. Focusing on an ice rink when we have a Paradise rink doesn’t seem right. It’s like a slap in our face to (the city’s) needs,” said Jesica Giannola. “Why are we living in two separate worlds? It’s just not appropriate. It sounds like fun but it just isn’t our reality right now.”
A review of the proposed American Rescue Plan youth grant program was also approved with final allocation decided upon.
The program received allocation of $500,000 to be spent on youth.
At the advice of Vice Mayor Reynolds and councilor Morgan, funds from the program will be split 70-30, with 70 percent of funds going toward the repair of fencing along the bike path neighboring the Union Pacific railroad, spanning from W. Lindo Avenue to Rio Chico Way. Due to its proximity to Chico State, many students use the bike path to get to and from class. The other 30 percent of funds will be awarded to three or less nonprofits supporting youth. This passed 6-1 without councilor Brown’s support.
Director of Human Resources & Risk Management Jamie Cannon also presented the city with a request for modifying the salary range for park rangers. Currently the max hourly salary for a sworn park ranger is $26.13 an hour with the new recommended max salary being $37.77. For a sworn senior park ranger, currently salary per hour is $30.52 with the new recommended max salary being $44.19. The motion passed 6-1 without support from councilor Brown.
The council also voted to fill vacancies for the city’s Airport Commission and Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board.
For the Airport Commission, Marc Breckenridge and Martin Nichols were selected to both serve a two-year term.
For the Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board, Georgi Bellin and Thom Thomson were selected to serve four-year terms.
The next regular meeting will take place Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 421 Main Street.