BIGGS, CA (MPG) – The first bi-monthly Biggs City Council meeting kicked off March 24 with public comments, when resident James Wilson addressed the council saying it was non-compliant with the California Solar Rights Act.

 “You guys don’t let us (he and other contractors) install enough solar…no batteries allowed and you guys are limiting how much we install,” said Wilson. “I’m just giving you guys a warning. We’re coming.”

Wilson said that he and other contractors will post fliers around town about this issue.

Resident Ricki Donnahoe informed the council during public comments that she requested a repair on her property’s apron, the paved area that connects a driveway to the street, two years ago and it has not yet been fixed.

“It’s a major trip hazard but it hasn’t been fixed and it really needs to be fixed. I have people that walk across the front of my yard that are in rehabilitation and I’m afraid they’re going to get hurt,” said Donnahoe.

Donnahoe said that there is a three-inch crack on the city sidewalk and trees that need trimming. 

The next item was on policy regarding the city’s use of social media.

 “We need to have protocols in place, a social media policy that is pinned to the top of our Facebook page. So that those who participate there understand that there are some rules of conduct,” said Biggs Interim City Administrator Cliff Wagner. “We can’t allow people to defame other parties… neighborly elements of decorum that need to be present. The most appropriate way to do that is through a published policy.”

The council voted unanimously to establish a social media policy.

The council also voted to update Biggs policies and procedures to reflect the meeting change from once to twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesdays. The meeting time was updated to 6 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. The decision to make those changes was made at the March 11 council meeting. 

Several appointments were made for different council members to represent Biggs on various local boards, namely, the Waste Management Local Task Force (LTF), the Regional Waste Management Authority (RWA) and Butte County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement board.

Councilmember Anita Wilks volunteered for both the Regional Waste Management Authority and Local Task Force, with Vice-Mayor Doug Arnold as an alternate. Mayor Bo Sheppard will represent Biggs at the Butte County Abandoned Vehicles Abatement board, with Interim City Administrator Wagner as alternate. 

Department updates included a report by CAL FIRE Chief Chip Fowler. Biggs firefighters had the annual 40-hour refresher training for the water rescue team. The team also responded to a couple of rescues during this time. The training is about 70% complete. 

Public Works Superintendent Paul Pratt attended a three-day conference for the Public Works Officers Institute in Southern California and shared what he learned. Pratt said that the California State Water Board has new water sample requirements on tests for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). 

“I don’t think that we do have it (in Biggs groundwater) but it’s just a test we have to do,” said Pratt.

Other subjects at the public works conference were best practices for road paving and micro-servicing. Also discussed was the public works role as part of the city’s first responder team.

Interim City Administrator Wagner emphasized this role, especially in the area of wastewater treatment plant and well systems. Wagner praised Pratt and his team for their round-the-clock work to maintain the facilities.  

Wagner attended the Utility Director’s meeting at Guilford.

Speaking about the Northern California Power Agency, Wagner said, “I’m impressed with the professionalism of what they do.”

Along with all the policy-making state utility agencies, California Electrical Commission, the California Air Resources Board and the California Public Utilities Commission, Wagner said, “They are committed to advancing solar power, batteries and wind. The difficulty with those sources is that they are never reliable sources 24/7… Once upon a time, California believed in clean, abundant natural gas. Now it’s the enemy of Sacramento.”

“Consequently, we are not able to reliably secure long-term contracts with projects like the Lodi Energy Center, or like the Geysers, which is geothermal, to build a reliable portfolio that our contracts have to look 10 years down the road. The types of systems that are being constructed and deployed are dramatically out of step with what we are required to have,” Wagner said. “Sacramento would like to be able to tell all of the western states how they need electric delivery and somehow they think that’s going to come to pass. So it’s concerning from a policy perspective, our future in this area, and every policy area in California.”

Biggs Mayor Sheppard concluded the meeting by reporting that he and Gridley Mayor Mike Farr met with the Northern California Power Agency in a seven-hour study session.  Hydrogen was discussed and Lodi Energy Center concurred that natural gas is on the way out. The Northern California Power Agency’s general manager will be at the May 13 Biggs City Council meeting.