BIGGS, CA (MPG) – During the March 11 Biggs City Council meeting, a recorded slide presentation by long-time resident Angelo Aguilar was given to request more sidewalks and improvements for the city. 

Photographs of Fifth Street showed the absence of sidewalks near Aguilar’s home. Aguilar, who is sight impaired, showed other areas of uneven concrete that create trip hazards and overgrown foliage that causes pedestrians to have to walk in the street.

In addition to clearing the foliage and removing uneven concrete, Aguilar recommended high-contrast domes for street corners and designated pedestrian crossing areas with traffic controls. 

City councilmembers expressed their gratitude to Aguilar for his work to bring the matter to their attention. 

Next, an amendment to the 2024 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) was approved to bring the plan up to date. The plan covers fire protection, law enforcement and crime prevention, seismic and geologic hazards, hazardous materials, waste management and transportation hazards with evacuation routes.

In the event of a disaster, city planner Bob Summerville indicated, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding is dependent on the county having a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in place to have access to Federal Emergency Management Agency funds. City Council recommended that an ad hoc committee study areas of the plan not covered by the amendment. The Butte County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan can be viewed online at buttecounty.net/808/Local-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan.

Continuing with the agenda, a request by phone was received from Biggs resident Jessica Evans to waive the rental fees for the use of the Biggs Community Hall. Evans is planning a community food drive for a church youth group. Councilmembers agreed that they would like to hear from Evans in person at the next meeting before deciding. 

The biggest business item was to decide how the council vacancy will be filled, due to the recent resignation of Brian Bassett. City Attorney Greg Einhorn explained that two of the sitting council members were appointees and the law prevents there being a third appointed councilmember. A special election will be held this November, in conjunction with the Butte County Clerk Recorder. The election cost is estimated at about $40,000. 

The 2023 Power Source Disclosure Report is an official declaration of where the city is acquiring power. City Council voted to verify the accuracy and submit the report to the California Energy Commission (CEC). Councilmember Anita Wilks inquired about the potential for residents to install solar panels and sell the unused power back to the city. This will not be possible, according to Interim City Administrator Cliff Wagner. 

The council also voted to officially change the frequency and time of City Council meetings. There will now be two meetings a month on the second and fourth Tuesdays and the time will be 6 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. 

For department reports, city planner Summerville reported that there was one fence permit approved in February. In addition, there was a $1.8-million rebuild permit issued last November for a rice silo after the fire last year. The council clarified that this was not a city expenditure but that of a private-property owner. 

CAL FIRE Chief Chip Fowler reported that there was a total of 31 incidents for February, including six technical rescues due to flooding. A firefighter’s meeting took place in Oroville, “which was very beneficial to our firefighters” according to Fowler, since firefighting is often a collaborative effort with other departments. Fowler also said that maintenance has been completed on 60 of the 100 fire hydrants in the city.

City engineer Dave Harden informed the council that he and his staff are “getting all of the ducks in a row” for construction on Second Street that will probably begin in June. 

Committee reports began with Councilmember Wilks attending the Public Agency Risk Management meetings and receiving information on policies, procedures and how to keep citizens and employees safe. 

Councilmember Doug Arnold attended the Butte County Air Quality Management District meeting, where there was discussion about new bus routes between Gridley/Biggs and Chico. A new route going to Sacramento has been proposed. 

Mayor Bo Sheppard attended the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District and the American Public Power Conference in Washington D.C.

“Public power is under scrutiny,” said Sheppard, who referred to the recent firings under the new administration.

Interim City Administrator Cliff Wagner indicated that he would attend a utility director’s event in Healdsburg on April 12.