BIGGS, CA (MPG) – During the regular April 8 Biggs City Council meeting, Biggs Interim City Administrator Cliff Wagner announced that the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations require that active recruitment for a permanent city administrator be in progress for him to continue in the interim position.

This condition occurs when a public agency hires a CalPERS retired annuitant to temporarily fill a vacant executive position.

According to Wagner, if a suitable candidate is not found, the city retains the right to appoint another interim city administrator if needed, as long as the recruitment remains active.

Wagner further indicated that he planned to advertise for the position in professional publications through the Biggs website and social media. Resumes will be collected over a period of six weeks, beginning immediately after approval. Thereafter, resumes will be reviewed at a closed session of the council with subsequent interviews conducted by Wagner.

“I don’t want to be pressured into hiring somebody just because June 30 is our deadline,” Councilmember Anita Wilks said. “I think we need to take our time and look for someone who is really going to compliment the city of Biggs, the work that we’re doing and the citizens we serve.”

Wagner concurred that the effort “needs to be realistic and unrushed.” 

The action requires a resolution to document that the recruitment is happening in case CalPERS wants verification.

Several neighboring cities are also recruiting for city administrators, making the job market more competitive.

Councilmember Doug Arnold recognized the work Wagner has done and asked if he would consider coming back as a periodic consultant. Wagner agreed on a volunteer basis.

Voting to approve the resolution was unanimous.

City planner Bob Summerville found Assembly Bill 430 (AB 430), the Camp Fire Housing Assistance Act, authored by Assemblyman James Gallagher. The bill incentivized building in the wake of the fire and eliminated some regulations.

The bill names several cities specifically, including Biggs. Under Assembly Bill 430, housing projects become “ministerial” instead of discretionary. In other words, housing projects can’t be denied.

Summerville showed the information to city attorney Greg Einhorn, Interim City Administrator Wagner, and others. Therefore, Summerville has concluded that Realtor Kory Hamman can go forward with his long-disputed development.

“It looks like Mr. Hamman’s project can be approved with this legislation,” Summerville said. “As a matter of fact, we have to observe it. It’s law.”

Summerville did note that Assembly Bill 430 will sunset at the end of this year.

The next step will be a notice hearing held to present the information to the public and receive input.

For committee reports, Councilmember Arnold attended Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG) and the Air Quality Budget; the latter is over budget by $100,000 but there are grants to help cover it.

Councilmember Jerome Squires attended Small Cities Organized Risk Effort (SCORE). He indicated that he has confidence in the SCORE partners for risk management, although the agency is struggling financially. 

Wagner discussed a CalRecycle Grant to help with the removal of the 160 tires and rims at the industrial park. Wagner also shared that the Gridley City Council might be expanding the Gridley Golden Feather Flyer service to include Biggs.