Climate item should have been agendized

I’m in the habit of checking the Chico City Council meeting agendas, which are posted on the city’s website the Thursday before each meeting. I then determine by the agenda items if I will attend the meeting and address the council, watch it on TV, or skip it altogether.

For the council meeting of Sept. 21, there was this agenda item: “5.2…the Council will be asked to confirm the individual appointments of four members to serve on the Climate Action Commission …” I had some curiosity as to who these people were because I was happy Chico had such a commission, but didn’t feel compelled to attend.

Well, not only were the four individuals not appointed, but it turns out the council decided to terminate the Climate Action Commission! This decision was made even though our region is a poster child for a deteriorating climate, due to our wildfires, poor air quality and severe drought. The discussion and decision to eliminate a commission should have been agendized as such.

I’m wondering if this is a Brown Action violation. At the very least, the council majority overstepped its bounds and did not inform the public in advance of a very important decision.

— Nancy Park, Chico