Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM02.10.26 BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES FEBRUARY 10, 2026 1. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance Observation of a Moment of Silence 2. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS Rules of Decorum The Board of Supervisors welcomes the public to its meetings and encourages and appreciates public engagement. The Board of Supervisors expects members of the public to act in a courteous, civil, and respectful manner, and not make personal, impertinent, slanderous, or profane remarks to any member of the Board, staff, or the general public. The Board of Supervisors will not tolerate loud, threatening, personal, or abusive language, or disorderly conduct, which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of Board meetings. Violation of these rules of decorum will result in the meeting being recessed. 2.1 Corrections and/or Changes to the Agenda Item 4.3 - The end of term for Kristopher Mudd should read February 9, 2029. 2.2 Announcement(s) of Recusal 3. CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda will begin with any Supervisor Comments on the Consent Agenda Items, then proceed with the Adoption of the Consent Agenda. Items can be removed for further discussion at the request of a Supervisor. There was no public comment received for this item. Action: ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Supervisor Durfee Second: Supervisor Ritter Motion passed unanimously. BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2026 3.1. County Administration 3.1.a Approval of Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes Submitted for approval are the January 27, 2026 Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes. (COUNTY ADMINISTRATION) Action Requested - APPROVE THE JANUARY 27, 2026 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING MINUTES. 3.2. County Counsel's Office 3.2.a Agreement with Baron & Budd, P.C. and Simonsen Sussman, LLP for Specialized Litigation Services Butte County has seen a dramatic increase in the cost to purchase and maintain fire trucks. County Counsel recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve a single agreement with two law firms—Baron & Budd, P.C. and Simonsen Sussman, LLP—to jointly investigate whether fire truck manufacturers or other entities may have engaged in business practices that violated antitrust and unfair competition laws, which could have contributed to these increased costs. If such practices are identified, the firms will pursue legal action, under County direction, to recover damages or other remedies. No fees will be charged unless the litigation results in a recovery for the County. Payment to the law firms will come solely from the recovered funds and only after the litigation successfully concludes. The term of the agreement begins upon execution and remains in effect for the entire duration of the legal action, ending in accordance with the terms of the agreement unless terminated earlier. (COUNTY COUNSEL) Action Requested - APPROVE THE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE COUNTY COUNSEL TO SIGN. 3.3. Department of Human Resources 3.3.a Resolution to Amend the Salary Ordinance The Department of Human Resources recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution amending the Salary Ordinance for the following departments: County Administration: Reduce the Department's Communications and Public Information Officer (PIO) from 1.0 FTE to .75 FTE. The department plans to utilize the savings for an Extra-Help PIO to keep the County's communication function fully staffed. Extra Help will be used to cover 10 hours per week. This meets the needs of the current employee and provides a backup PIO during vacations and for use during activation of the County's Emergency Operations Center. Employment and Social Services: Delete 3 vacant flexibly staffed Inventory/Warehouse Worker positions and add 1 flexibly staffed Facilities Maintenance Technician. The changes will better suit the needs of the department. Convert 1 Staff Development Officer position to 1 Social Work Supervisor - Child Welfare and convert 2 flexibly staffed Social Worker - Child Welfare positions to 2 Paralegal positions. These changes better suit the operational needs of the Department. The total annual cost savings for these changes will BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2026 be $135,867. Total allocations to decrease by 2. Sheriff's Office: Delete 2 Sheriff Security Officer positions and add 1 flexibly staffed Deputy Sheriff position. This will better suit the current and future needs of the Department and result in an annual salary and benefit savings of approximately $9,500. In October, the Sheriff's Office added 1 Sheriff's Administrative Division Manager and 1 Department Public Information Officer. Both positions were filled through departmental recruitments. The Department is now returning to delete the resulting vacancies: 1 Senior Fiscal Manager position and 1 Community Relations Coordinator position. Total allocations to decrease by 3. (DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES) Action Requested - ADOPT RESOLUTION AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN. 3.4. Fire Department 3.4.a Grant Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program and Resolution Approving Grant Award The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection awarded the Butte County Fire Department a grant for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program in the amount of $20,000. The grant provides personal protective equipment (PPE) to replace old and worn out PPE for Volunteer Firefighters. The grant requires a $20,000 local match, which is included in the Department's fiscal year 2025-26 budget. The Department recommends approval of a grant agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program and adoption of a resolution authorizing the acceptance of the grant agreement. The term of the grant agreement is from approval through June 30, 2026. (FIRE DEPARTMENT) Action Requested - 1) ADOPT RESOLUTION AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN; AND 2) APPROVE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO SIGN. 3.5. Other 3.5.a Appointments to the Butte Water District in Lieu of Election In the Butte Water District, the number of qualified candidates filing for the Director seats did not exceed the number of positions to be filled and no petition calling for election was submitted. Pursuant to California Elections Code section 10515, the Butte County Board of Supervisors shall appoint nominees to the office of Director in lieu of election. Butte Water District requests the Board of Supervisors appoint Dale Smith, Charles Etchevery, and Pete Waller to a four-year term in lieu of an election. (OTHER) Action Requested - APPOINT DALE SMITH, CHARLES ETCHEVERY, AND PETE WALLER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BUTTE WATER DISTRICT TO SERVE A FOUR-YEAR TERM IN LIEU OF AN ELECTION. BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2026 4. REGULAR AGENDA 4.1 Board Member/Committee Reports and Board Member Comment Chair Connelly - Attended Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee quarterly meeting; Wyandotte Creek GSA meeting; Native Sons Park Installation; Butte County Fire Safe Council meeting; Farm Bureau Dinner and Awards Ceremony; and Rotary Roundup; met with Mooretown Rancheria; toured vegetation removal around Loafer Creek; hosted Wyandotte GSA Financial Subcommittee meeting; and thanked the County for the increased security at his office. Supervisor Durfee - Attended Local Government Committee meeting; Farm Bureau Dinner and Awards Ceremony. He further requests that a special meeting be held regarding flood issues. Supervisor Ritter - Attended Interbasin Coordination meeting; Continuum of Care Special meeting; Local Seed Swap; Continuum of Households with Children meeting; Local Government Committee meeting; Assembly Candidate Forum; First 5 Commission and Families meeting; February Continuum of Care meeting; and event held by Barber Yard Neighborhood Association; completed Ethics Training; and met with Chico Housing Action Team. Supervisor Kimmelshue - Attended multiple GSA meetings; Interbasin Coordination meeting; Colusa Farm Show breakfast; Farm Bureau Dinner and Awards Ceremony; Gridley Rotary program; Rotary Roundup; met with Mooretown Rancheria; Katie Simmons, Deputy CAO; and Matt Reed at Butte County Fairgrounds; toured Thermalito School District facilities; and Torres Shelter in Chico; had lunch with CALFIRE Leadership; and thanked and congratulated Jarrett Beaudoin, Public Health Officer, and Monica Soderstrom, Director of Public Health, for their presentation at the Chico Rotary Club. Supervisor Teeter - Attended Ribbon Cutting at CHIP Apartments; and Butte County Retirement Plan Quarterly Update; toured the State Theater; met with constituents; and thanked the Public Works department for cleaning out a culvert. 4.2 Public Comment Comments to the Board on issues and items not listed on the agenda. Pursuant to California State law, the Board of Supervisors is prohibited from taking action on any item not listed on the agenda. Please note that Public Comment is in two separate sections. One, at the beginning of the regular agenda, which will last a maximum of 15 minutes, with another to follow as the last item on the regular agenda with no time limits. The following members of the public submitted Public Comment: Diana Dreiss, (electronically and in-person), Julie Threet (electronically), and The Cameraman. BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2026 4.3 Appointments to the Butte County Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) The Behavioral Health Advisory Board was created to review and evaluate the community’s behavioral health needs, services, facilities and special challenges. The BHAB consists of a minimum of 10 members, with 50% of the membership being consumers or family members of consumers who are receiving or have received mental health services. The remaining members should include a member of the Board of Supervisors; one law enforcement representative; one youth representative; one Veteran or Veteran advocate; one member from a local education agency; and one community member. The Behavioral Health Advisory Board recommend the Board of Supervisors appoint Kristopher Mudd to serve in the position of a family member of a consumer, to fill a vacant unexpired term ending December 9, 2027, and Michelle Gradnigo, to serve in the position of Veteran Advocate, for a three-year term ending February 9, 2029. (OTHER) Action Requested - APPOINT KRISTOPHER MUDD TO SERVE IN THE POSITION OF A FAMILY MEMBER OF A CONSUMER, TO FILL A VACANT UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2027, AND MICHELLE GRADNIGO, TO SERVE IN THE POSITION OF VETERAN ADVOCATE, FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM ENDING FEBRUARY 9, 2029. Melissa Kitts, Assistant Clerk of the Board, presented this item to the Board. There was no public comment received for this item. Action: APPOINT KRISTOPHER MUDD TO SERVE IN THE POSITION OF A FAMILY MEMBER OF A CONSUMER, AND MICHELLE GRADNIGO, TO SERVE IN THE POSITION OF VETERAN ADVOCATE, TO EACH SERVE A THREE-YEAR TERM ENDING FEBRUARY 9, 2029. Motioned: Supervisor Ritter Second: Supervisor Kimmelshue Motion passed unanimously. 4.4 Grant Agreement with DOT Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program The Department of Public Health, in consultation with Public Works, led the development of the Butte County Safety Action Plan (Plan) using funds from the first SS4A award. The Plan is a comprehensive effort to enhance the safety of people using all modes of transportation, including walking, biking, transit, and driving and seeks to create safer streets within unincorporated areas of Butte County and the cities of Biggs, Gridley, and Oroville. The Department has received additional funding from FHWA for a supplemental planning and demonstration grant for the SS4A program. The funding will allow the department to deploy and analyze evidence-based, low-cost, high-impact activities to promote safety and reduce and prevent roadway fatalities and injuries throughout the county. The Department will pilot test specific activities which may include, but are not limited to, walk audits, pop-up demonstrations (e.g., temporary bike lanes), and behavior BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2026 change safety campaigns. The Department will work in coordination with the Department of Public Works, local jurisdictions, community partners, and county residents to conduct pilot tests to maximize resources and gather community input. The Department recommends entering into a grant agreement with DOT FHWA. The term of the grant agreement is upon execution through February 15, 2030, with a maximum amount receivable of $2,578,535. (DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH) Action Requested - APPROVE GRANT AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN. Monica Soderstrom, Director of Public Health, and Jodi Putnam, Prevention and Health Promotion Division Director, presented this item to the Board. The following members of the public submitted Public Comment: John Stonebraker Action: APPROVE GRANT AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN. Motioned: Supervisor Ritter Second: Supervisor Durfee Motion passed unanimously. 4.5 Resolution Establishing Eligibility Requirements for the California Arts Council's State- Local Partnership (SLP) Program The SLP Program was established to foster cultural development at the local level through a partnership between the California Arts Council and California counties. The Board of Supervisors may designate one local arts agency to serve as the State-Local Partner, which may be eligible to receive general operating support, technical assistance, and grant funding of up to $75,000 annually from the California Arts Council. The County has been approached by multiple organizations interested in serving as the State-Local Partner; accordingly, the Board asked staff to recommend eligibility requirements and an application process. The recommended eligibility requirements are based on the California Arts Council State- Local Partners Grant Guidelines, including maintaining a principal place of business in California, providing countywide services, demonstrating nonprofit status, and a minimum of two years of consistent arts programming and/or services. If approved, staff will release the application which includes a statement of interest, which will be due March 15, 2026. Staff will review all applications for completeness and eligibility, and qualified applicants will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for consideration and selection at the April 14, 2026, Board meeting. Upon Board approval of the SLP Program eligibility requirements, the application will be made available on the County’s website and through the County Administration Department. (COUNTY ADMINISTRATION) BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2026 Action Requested - ADOPT RESOLUTION AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN. Katie Simmons, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, presented this item to the Board. The following members of the public submitted Public Comment: Cindy Daniluke Action: ADOPT RESOLUTION AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN. Motioned: Supervisor Kimmelshue Second: Supervisor Ritter Motion passed unanimously. 4.6 Contract with Ascent Environmental, Inc. (Ascent) for Roadside Fuels Reduction Plan On May 14, 2024, the Board of Supervisors authorized submission of an application for CDBG Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Mitigation funds for the development of a Roadside Fuels Reduction Plan. The mitigation funds are available to the County as a result of the 2018 Camp Fire to reduce risk through planning and public services. The County was awarded $494,060 to develop a Roadside Fuels Reduction Plan, a comprehensive planning document to assist with ongoing fuel abatement on primary evacuation routes throughout the county. Services include a local assessment of roadways and evacuation routes, current vegetation management, best practices for local conditions, a fuels reduction management plan, and an assessment of funding available for implementation. On September 29, 2025, County Administration published an RFP for the Roadside Fuels Reduction Plan and ten proposals were received from qualified firms nationwide. Following a competitive evaluation process, Ascent of Sacramento, CA, was selected as the most qualified. Staff recommend the Board approve a contract with Ascent for the Roadside Fuels Reduction Plan. The term of the contract is from February 10, 2026, through November 30, 2027, not-to-exceed $275,831. (COUNTY ADMINISTRATION) Action Requested - APPROVE CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN. Katie Simmons, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, presented this item to the Board. The following members of the public submitted Public Comment: John Stonebraker Action: APPROVE CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN WITH A REQUEST TO ALLOCATE A PORTION OF THE REMAINING FUNDS WITHIN THE GRANT, FOR THE REVIEW AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY IN KEY AREAS. Motioned: Supervisor Teeter BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2026 Second: Supervisor Durfee Motion passed unanimously. 4.7 Items Removed from the Consent Agenda for Board Consideration and Action 4.8 Update of Budget, Legislative, and other Current Issues by the Chief Administrative Officer 4.9 Board of Supervisors Public Comment (Continuation as needed) 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND TIMED ITEMS 6. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CLOSED SESSION 6.1 Public Employee Employment, Appointment, Recruitment, Performance Evaluations, Including Goals, Discipline/Dismissal/Release, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 A. Agricultural Commissioner B. Behavioral Health Director C. Chief Administrative Officer D. Chief Probation Officer E. Child Support Services Director F. County Counsel G. Development Services Director H. Employment and Social Services Director I. General Services Director J. Human Resources Director K. Information Systems Director L. Library Director M. Public Health Director N. Public Works Director O. Water & Resource Conservation Director 6.2 Conference with Labor Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Designated Representatives: Jack Hughes, Sheri Waters, Aaron Quin and Andy Pickett Employee Organizations: Teamsters - General Unit; Teamsters - Social Services Workers Unit; Teamsters - Mid Management Unit; Butte County Probation Peace Officers Association; Butte County Probation Peace Officers Association - Management Unit; Butte County Professional Employees’ Association; Butte County Deputy Sheriff’s Association - General Unit; Butte County Deputy Sheriff’s Association - Management/Supervisory Unit; Butte County Correctional Officers Association - General Unit; Butte County Correctional Officers Association - Supervisory Unit; BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2026 Skilled Trades Unit; Butte County Deputy District Attorneys Association - Attorney Unit; Confidential Employee Unit; Non-Represented Employee Unit; Board of Supervisors Executive Assistants 6.3 Actual Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1) - One Case Cathy Shelton v. Butte County; Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Case No. ADJ12601346 (Claim Number: 1897110140) (DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES) 6.4 Closed Session Public Comment There being no further business before the Board, the meeting adjourned. The Butte County Board of Supervisors will reconvene at the next regular meeting, scheduled for February 24, 2026. ATTEST: Andy Pickett, Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk of the Board Bill Connelly, Chair Butte County Board of Supervisors Deputy Assistant Clerk of the Board