BIGGS, CA (MPG) – The July 22 Biggs City Council meeting began with public comment, followed by the council acknowledging a local veteran.

Interim City Administrator Rodney Harr read a Memorial Resolution in honor of Salvador Ramirez Antunez, a long-time Biggs resident who passed away April of this year. The resolution came from State Senator Megan Dahle, and recognized Antunez’ contributions to the community. Antunez was a Vietnam veteran and a teacher at Chico Unified School District for 29 years, Harr read.

Next, an informational presentation was made remotely by California Consulting for grant writing services. Representing the firm were Samantha D’Ambrosio and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Samuelian, who highlighted some of the grants the company secured for nearby communities such as Oroville and Gridley. Harr responded that he would be contacting the company.

No action was taken on a proposal to convert First Street from one-way traffic back to two-way traffic, between B Street and Aleut Street. The present one-way configuration was a result of an engineering study in 2019 for safety and visibility of those dropping off and picking up school students. However, the long-time residents of the area said they did not see problems for decades prior to the change in 2019. A petition was circulated by resident John Crawford listing residents who want the old two-way street back.  

Resident Robert Krampitz pointed out that because of the one-way designation, residents have to drive around the block to travel out of Biggs. Krampitz shared that one local recently suffered a heart attack and illegally avoided the round-about route, they felt that doing so may have saved their life. In addition, the newly passed regulation in California, AB 413 which requires mandatory 20-foot red zones around every intersection, will help the visibility concerns, Krampitz said.

Council members Doug Arnold and Anita Wilks indicated that they supported the change and the residents who were requesting it. However, Mayor Sheppard requested that the safety issues be discussed with local police and revisited at the next council meeting in two weeks.

The council then considered three bid proposals for fire hydrant replacement at Bannock and Seventh streets, with either a C-900 or ductile iron hydrant. According to Paul Pratt, public works director, both models are good, but ductile iron is slightly more expensive with fewer connections. The latter was approved and cost for the replacement will be $16,195, from Blue Collar Plumbing Operations, LLC.

For department reports, City Clerk Roben Benish announced that the filing period for the city council vacancy is open until Aug. 8. Councilmember Wilks attended a meeting at the Neal Road Landfill, regarding keeping costs down for residents.

The meeting was then adjourned to closed session to respond to a request from United Public Employees of California.