BIGGS, CA (MPG) – At the most recent Biggs City Council meeting on June 30, a good share of the time was spent hearing matters from local citizens.               

Resident John Crawford expressed concerns about potential fire hazards on a property located at 2985 First St.

“It’s an imminent fire danger that needs to be addressed prior to the Fourth of July… there have been outstanding code violations for three years,” Crawford said.  

Another resident thanked the council for the partial repair of her driveway but inquired as to why the remaining portion and sidewalk had not been repaired. The resident claimed that $130,000 of city funds could have been used for this purpose but were supposedly lost as of the end of the fiscal year on June 30. 

Amanda Mattos had questions about when Kory Hamman’s affordable housing project, which proposed the development of a 42-unit apartment complex and 18 single-swelling units on 6th Street, could be brought to council and voted on again. 

In addition, Mattos indicated that she had been unduly charged $25 for a building permit to replace a shared fence on her property “and felt targeted” by an unnamed city official.  Interim City Administrator Cliff Wagner, who was serving his last day in that capacity, explained that posts or structural changes were made to the fence and it was therefore subject to a building permit. 

Former Biggs Mayor Brian Bassett shared information about the yearly fireworks show that his company, Legend Soundworks has put on for the last 12 years. Costs for fireworks skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Basset said that the cost of this year’s fireworks were to be paid for by the North State Relief Fund, a nonprofit supposedly held by former City Administrator Josh Cook. 

Bassett said that Cook allegedly withdrew his offer later and there were insufficient funds available for this year’s event, despite some private donations. 

Realtor Kari Wheeler gave an update on the home she is selling at 2985 First St., previously referenced by Crawford. 

“All I want for the city of Biggs is for it to look nice. And so that is my goal,” said Wheeler about the property’s cleanliness. “As fast as I could, we did get it (the weeds) taken care of …. the rubbish that’s still on will be removed as well, too…Hopefully we’ll get something real pretty in there soon.”

Crawford countered by saying his issue was with the new house and not the old house.

“That house needs to be condemned,” Crawford said. “That site should be brought forward and past fines should be brought forward to motivate the owner (to clean up the property).”

Consent items for the council consisted of ratifying the employment for new Interim City Administrator Rodney Harr and adopting the proposed city budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.

Regarding the budget, Interim City Administrator Wagner said, “The electrical fund remains an area of financial concern, financial exposure. We have one customer that constitutes 49% of your customer base. By definition, the technical term for that is freakishly risky: off-the-charts risk.”

Councilmember Anita Wilks had questions about the half million-dollar deficit in the budget and recommended re-evaluating priorities and goals for the coming fiscal year.  Wilks further suggested removing Object Codes 1010 and 1020 to help offset the deficit and thanked Wagner for the 155 suggestions for improvements that Wagner had proposed.

Wagner emphasized that the budget can be revisited and adjusted as necessary. 

Councilmember Doug Arnold proposed a budget study session “in the very near future.” 

Voting was 3-1 for approval, with Councilmember Wilks dissenting.