Mayor Bo Sheppard attended a six-day federal policy conference in Washington, D.C. last week on behalf of the City of Biggs.  

BIGGS, CA (MPG) – The April 22 Biggs City Council meeting began with public comment from Amanda Mattos regarding Realtor Kory Hamman’s embattled low-income housing project. 

To recap, city planner Bob Summerville announced on April 8 that Assembly Bill 430, the Camp Fire Housing Assistance Act passed in 2019, streamlined the permitting process in the wake of the Camp Fire. Biggs is one of the cities specifically named in the legislation. Under the bill, housing projects cannot be denied. 

“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.”

Mattos voiced concerns that Biggs citizens still strongly oppose the new development. 

Interim City Administrator Wagner responded that in his last correspondence with Mattos, “I made it as clear as I possibly can in the English language, that the city, its staff, by law has an obligation to treat all parties impartially,” despite Mattos’ objections. 

“The proponent of this development has a right in the same way that any other owner of property in the city has to advance the development to seek permitting for the betterment of his or her property. I would encourage all parties to understand that despite the very real, legitimate concerns that you have, the city and its staff still has an obligation particularly to fulfill the demands of the law. I would ask that no parties come and critique our planner or our staff for fulfilling their responsibilities consistent with the law. That is what’s happened,” Wagner said 

Mattos countered by saying “And there are other cities in the state of California that are finding ways to gain local control if you put as much time into that as you have into building those apartments.”

Wagner concluded by saying “We appreciate your input. We will fulfill our responsibilities pursuant to the laws and statutes of the State of California.” 

The meeting continued with councilmembers approving an amendment to the agreement with the Butte County Department of Development Services for planning, building plan check review and inspection services it provides. There will be an increase of $3,560 per year, to the annual fee for licensing. 

Approval was also given to apply for California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) payment and grant programs to aid in city recycling, especially for the recycling of tires. Jennifer Arbuckle, Butte County Edible Food Recovery Working Group manager, explained the types of grants available to the city.

Due to its small size, Arbuckle said, Biggs has a “rural exemption” from the food scraps and yard waste provisions of Senate Bill 1383 (effective January 2022) but is responsible for all of the other recyclable materials.

Arbuckle suggested bi-annual events for residents to bring as many tires as they want and the cost will be covered by the agency. Wagner pointed out that the five-year exemption is going to sunset, making the city residents subject to SB 1383 regulations regarding food scraps and yard waste.  

According to Wagner, the language of the city’s fireworks ordinance passed last year needs some realignment with the California state code. Jason Hood of TNT Fireworks indicated that the ordinance was passed rather quickly last year to facilitate the Biggs High School fundraiser. The fee for firework vendors was set at 10% in the ordinance and California Assembly Bill 1403, passed in 2023, caps that fee at 7%. Hood recommended charging a flat fee, in addition to a rental payment for using the community hall. Mayor Bo Sheppard concurred that a flat rate would be best and support from the council was unanimous. 

Wagner went on with a request for proposal (RFP) that seeks an expansion of code enforcement services in the Butte County Department of Development Services contract. Wagner referred to this as a “hybrid model” that will put the onus on the county officials for code enforcement, preventing city residents from feeling targeted by city staff. The expansion would include codes such as those for weed abatement, abandoned vehicles or dilapidated buildings. Councilmember Doug Arnold agreed that the county staff was well trained, and that the request for proposal was a good idea. The council supported the request. 

Another request for proposal was presented by Wagner for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Services from Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the City of Gridley Police Department (GPD) or other agencies. The current five-year contract with Butte County Sheriff’s Office and Gridley Police Department is up for renewal as of June 30 of this year. Wagner recommended soliciting proposals from various agencies to provide more options. Some discussion with the council centered around the lack of availability of other options, geographical challenges, crossing jurisdictions and response times. Wagner still felt that due diligence would be in order, even if only one proposal was received. councilmembers voted their support. 

“The challenge for us is this growing body of regulatory requirements that we are under. The private sector is under them and the public sector is under them,” said Wagner. “We talked [tonight] about the solid waste regulatory regime that we’re under. Our public works director probably spends 50% of his time filling out reports and that does curtail his ability to manage projects on site and manage the staff team on site.” 

Wagner continued that public works has completed the installation of the gate and fence at the industrial park to discourage people from living there. 

Mayor Bo Sheppard attended a six-day federal policy conference in Washington, D.C. The mayor expressed his concerns about wildfire policies and will discuss these with Fire Chief Chip Fowler.