LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - R. Sohota introduced to the Council on November 1st the Monarch Habitat project on which it seeks to partner with the City of Live Oak to develop a Monarch Butterfly way station. Sutter Resource Conservation District (“RCD”) received a grant for the project as of February 2023, to continue through April 2027, to develop a nature trail/Monarch butterfly habitat in or near the city. It is anticipated the work will begin in April 2024. Species of milkweed, the critical plants on which Monarch chrysalis develop, then birth the butterfly, will be planted by a landscape service to be selected out of three applicants.

This project will be at no cost to the city nor will city water be used. A water trailer has already been purchased it was reported, and the RCD has a four-wheeler to tow it, and water plants with well water once or twice a week. Bees and other insects will be attracted to the garden, and plants will have already been tested by Heritage Growers and the University of California. Milkweed will be nurtured for two years then will have set out roots and will survive on their own.

A QR Code map to guide persons on the walking trail will be provided. It was explained that the only host plants the Monarchs can use to continue to reproduce are specific milkweeds due to nutrients the Monarchs recognize. “They are really smart,” the council was told. There will be information on how the public can start their own butterfly gardens. Later Monarchs will return to the site regularly. It will serve as a field educational site for school children.

This region is the northern boundary for Monarchs. It was explained that they hibernate on their journey and self-monitor but today there is a link system to UC Davis as well as other sites to track Monarchs. Records will be made of how long they were here and when last here.  This is all experimental work, the council was told.

A letter was presented and highlighted for display on the failure to function of a culvert at the north end of Luther Rd. in Live Oak. Questions were asked as to whether there were any city records on any clean up needs across the city. The council was reminded that property owners are responsible for failures, but if there is a long-time problem, the city may be liable. City Manager Aaron Palmer explained the software program for the public to input complaints and track resolution will still take another three to six months to set up.

John Reese spoke on behalf of professionalism of union carpenters and requested they be hired for jobs.

Resolutions on accepting the Minutes of the last Council meeting, the City Projects update recommendation, the waste tire recycle enforcement grant, and a new services contract with Raney Planning and Management, Inc. were all passed.

Councilmember Lakhvir Ghag was reappointed to the Sutter-Yuba Mosquito & Vector Control District Board. Ghag spoke of the local Sikh Coalition group having met and how much they were trying to find ways locally to help raise realization of the need for civil and human rights for all persons.

Councilmembers Ashley Hernandez and Nancy Santana commented on the Live Oak Feed business opening and described the farm feeds, fish and bait and a broad inventory of other items available.

Santana corrected the record on a newly elected school board member misrepresenting money not coming from the city to schools, stating almost $900k was spent in the last 10 years. It was suggested City Manager Aaron Palmer write something for the newspaper to fully correct that information for residents as well to the sheriff contract under discussion. Vice Mayor Jeramy Chapdelaine suggested a special workshop meeting be developed to put all such information out, and Palmer talked about creating a fact sheet covering the sheriff’s contract.

Chapdelaine reported the Pumpkin Painting event was well attended and commented on progress made on a budget review, indicating investments were down, but as to the housing authority, it does a great job covering the counties it covers.

The meeting was dedicated to the memory of former councilmember, the late Ronald Sullenger.