Agenda
[1:01]
Call to order - Mayor Reynolds call the January 20, 2026 Adjourned Regular Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.
[1:09]
Invocation - Police Chaplain, Michael Boyle
[2:46]
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
[3:10]
Roll Call
[4:05]
January 20, 2026, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney Ryan Jones City Attorney Ryan Jones announced that Council met with staff on the Closed Session matters. 2.1 Labor Negotiations - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no formal action was taken.
[7:31]
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Members of the public addressed the Council at this time on matters not already listed on the agenda and within the jurisdiction's authority. The Council was prohibited from taking any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
[21:52]
INTERVIEWS & APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE ARTS COMMISSION Due to the resignation of Ciara Barsotti, there was an unscheduled vacancy on the Arts Commission, with three years remaining in the term. The vacancy was posted in accordance with state law and recruitment for this position was held to allow for additional applications to be submitted by citizens interested in serving on this commission along with any remaining applicants still interested in serving who applied during the 2024 Biennial Recruitment. ( Report - Deborah R. Presson, City Clerk & Elections Official)
[32:58]
CONSIDERATION TO GIVE STAFF DIRECTION TO INCLUDE THE GALLERI CANCER SCREENING TEST FOR PUBLIC WORKS O&M EMPLOYEES THROUGH THE FY26-27 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Public Works Operations and Maintenance (PW O&M) employees routinely perform work that exposes them to known and suspected carcinogens, including materials and by-products associated with asphalt maintenance, painting, thermoplastic street marking, diesel equipment operation, and cleanup of homeless encampments. While cancer incidence rates for Public Works employees have not been quantified through large national studies, federal occupational health agencies recognize many of these exposures as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic, causing those that are commonly exposed to have a higher risk of cancer. Providing PW O&M employees access to the Galleri multi-cancer early detection blood test would support early cancer detection, promote equitable employee wellness practices, and align with the City's existing preventive health efforts for other employees with recognized occupational exposure risks. Staff believe a three-year interval for PW O&M employees is the most effective approach considering costs and early detection objectives. (Report - Erik Gustafson, Assistant City Manager)
[1:06:48]
CONFIRMATION OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR - OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE Section 605 of the City Charter states that the appointment of department heads is subject to confirmation by the City Council. In order to meet this requirement, City Council is being presented with the employment agreement for the Public Works Director - Operations & Maintenance. (Report - Mark Sorensen, City Manager)
[1:09:33]
CODE ENFORCEMENT PENALTIES UPDATE - Information only At its April 15, 2025 meeting, City Council held a discussion with staff regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of existing nuisance abatement penalties for addressing code violations. Council requested to revisit the discussion at a future Council meeting. Since the April 15th Council meeting, City Council approved the appointment of Civica Law Firm (Civica) to support Code Enforcement staff with key abatement efforts. In addition, Civica has performed a full evaluation of the Municipal Code's code enforcement policies and procedures. (Charlene Durkin, Code Enforcement Supervisor )
[1:10:53]
COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS - None