[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6666096,"mediaKeyId","2341349-b5e800ed0d8cf811e2ef21a54926b5b0","parentId",2341349,"title","Council directs staff to prioritize bike lanes in street‑sweeping and leaf‑pickup schedule","audioSeconds",839,"startMs",6540000,"endMs",7379000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2341349-b5e800ed0d8cf811e2ef21a54926b5b0&start=6540&end=7379","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2341349-b5e800ed0d8cf811e2ef21a54926b5b0/thumbnail_6540000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666096/Chico/Butte-County/California/Council-directs-staff-to-prioritize-bike-lanes-in-streetsweeping-and-leafpickup-schedule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666096-8e6a4ea94a0325aab1f4a3eb4cacb471/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204370&Signature=Uf4AjVKlr07r0ZOgyw0DLJLkHziOprgIAD1bKj5yMZ0WZ7R2YRNkWwYScvw54Gb2Uqz0R8vBHYHGj392fgY1fW5J46UjPWk9Tfue7wfIvPH0O1gMt9dXU0kMsJpgH1~mIRydp1vD6u25-apFWkedrUVrtHi0JZheHjJAo9EYofgJp1G67Yw-VxTxP1HyJSVVoC86B0avyUPoyX75pdgrPC0xrB3PnfDIq4tNegbP485B-myRIRIF6IHG701P2zGbZDKZ24eB0zc5Oy6YLYtNxIZuEnDVIDgTOyLbhSPDSZ8yaaI~K1f8ImFzL~l4IVSrWg~fwyWHd~g1jGzkeLsg-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chico","date","2025-02-18T18:00:00Z","article","The Chico City Council unanimously on Tuesday directed staff to prioritize the safety and utility of bicycle facilities when scheduling street sweeping and leaf pickup and asked staff to return with program proposals and options for selective parking restrictions and outreach.

Council member Winslow introduced the item and said the intent was to reduce hazards when leaf piles and debris collect in bike lanes and gutters. “For over a month at a time, often we'll have bike lanes that are used every day by people that are full of leaves,” Winslow said. He asked staff to prioritize bicycle corridors and to bring back proposals for program changes, selective parking restrictions, equipment upgrades and increased outreach. The motion passed 7-0.

Staff and several public speakers described specific problem areas where parked cars block the curb face and prevent sweepers from getting close enough to remove debris. Speakers highlighted Forest Avenue, South Campus and other corridors used by bicyclists and schoolchildren. Bruce McLean, a frequent cyclist, said piles of leaves in bike lanes force cyclists into traffic and urged quicker pickup. Jesse Horgan, who works in transportation at Chico State and serves on an alternative transportation committee, said better bike-lane maintenance would support efforts to reduce student car use and increase cycling.

Why it matters: councilors said clogged gutters and leaf piles can wash debris into storm drains and local creeks, create unsafe conditions for bicyclists, and increase maintenance burdens. City staff said they already prioritize some bicycle corridors and can evaluate higher-frequency pickup and possible short-term parking restrictions in problem locations. Staff also noted logistical questions such as where cars would be moved to and how the changes would be communicated.

Next steps: staff will return with proposals for how to modify sweeping and leaf‑pickup schedules, consider selective parking restrictions, outline outreach strategies and identify equipment or staffing changes needed to implement prioritized bike‑lane sweeping.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Chico - 2/18/25 City Council - Feb 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously directed staff to prioritize safety and bicycle utility in the city’s street‑sweeping and leaf‑pickup programs and asked for proposals on parking restrictions, outreach and program changes.","taxTitle","Chico, Butte County, California","taxId",4124,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666101,"Chico council directs staff to plan weekend closures in Lower Bidwell Park; trial and design follow-ups ordered",847,3200000,4047000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2341349-b5e800ed0d8cf811e2ef21a54926b5b0&start=3200&end=4047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2341349-b5e800ed0d8cf811e2ef21a54926b5b0/thumbnail_3200000.jpg","/articles/6666101/Chico/Butte-County/California/Chico-council-directs-staff-to-plan-weekend-closures-in-Lower-Bidwell-Park-trial-and-design-follow-ups-ordered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666101-96895301779ec706a20906a5db401521/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204370&Signature=PsEjx-OjdTWQLiYsZyCgR3hNbz21gVtGufN30hWE3xug~w~o89C0Oc8dhhLbwH~Xvtg~12VuJnMgP~2yQ4hGdqL62LC-IqFrsBGrh4jEvZcqrUud8aUPNACWaRLRn8as2NX5imzeyfwsynUVD8WMZYqwQNzaofsA4u1GqhLrr2WK5qlmdy~QB6SZkxPpuPOwinjwl3gSg96K1mUEYCZQr9wT-BLOmT8l1VeHGsBM2RT6qQXVno7s5DQ1nm-09hfPoEjon8NYMsC9hjhUbYX9VxUpokoRHS644xr-9X9IPllAYr8ChAE5isQHNvUeVTBZedskF-ajC4S3mOyEweWjcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chico City Council on Tuesday directed city staff to return with a detailed plan for closing vehicle traffic on sections of Lower Bidwell Park on weekends and national holidays and approved a related follow-up to study access and design alternatives.

By a 6-1 vote, the council approved a motion directing staff to return at the March 18 council meeting with a plan to implement closures of South Park Drive and Peterson Memorial Drive on weekends and holidays until construction on the roads begins; Mayor Reynolds cast the lone dissent. Council members Goldstein, Holly, O’Brien, Van Overbeck, Winslow and Vice Mayor Bennett voted in favor. The motion instructed staff to present how closures would be carried out and how the council would review results after an implementation period.

Separately, the council later voted 5-2 to ask staff to return with options to close South Park Drive to vehicular traffic while preserving access to key parking lots and other access needs; that motion passed with Goldstein, Holly, Van Overbeck, Winslow and Mayor Reynolds voting yes and Councilmember O’Brien and Vice Mayor Bennett voting no.

Background and staff recommendation: Public Works Director Brendan Gustafson reviewed the 2023 Headway Transportation report and Park Commission findings. The commission—after on-site meetings with stakeholders—preferred an attached two-way side path separated from vehicles by a rumble-strip delineation (the report’s “alternative 1”), while also recommending a package of improvements including a side path on South Park Drive, multi-use path connections, additional crosswalks and ADA ramps, and expanded parking at the 1-mile lot. Gustafson told the council that the park’s southern and Peterson pavements require full rehabilitation and that upcoming reconstruction schedules drove the timing of staff’s recommendation.

Gustafson recommended a pragmatic approach: closing South Park Drive from Caper Acres to Manzanita to vehicular traffic, and leaving Peterson Memorial Drive open, but he also recommended a six‑month trial in one of the council motions so the policy could be evaluated after implementation. “We would recommend closing all of South Park Drive from Caper Acres all the way to Manzanita to vehicular traffic 7 days per week but leaving Peterson Drive open to vehicular traffic 7 days per week,” Gustafson said when outlining staff’s analysis; the council modified that recommendation in its motions.

Why it matters: staff and commissioners cited recurring conflicts among pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, an increase in e-bike speeds, and constrained roadway and parking configurations. The Headway report suggested that some closure options could require widening or regrading sections of South Park Drive to add a separated multi-use path; that change would trigger environmental review and design work. Gustafson said South Park’s reconstruction is now scheduled for 2026 because the alternative the commission selected requires environmental review and additional design; Peterson Memorial Drive is scheduled for replacement this summer (2025) and will be closed during construction for safety.

Concerns raised: some council members and speakers warned that a full closure could push parking to adjacent streets, reduce vehicle “eyes and ears” that currently report undesirable activity, or require removal of trees where roadway widening is proposed. Others argued the park should be primarily a pedestrian and bicycle space and supported broad closures to reduce safety risks. Several public speakers urged no widening to avoid additional environmental review and loss of trees.

Next steps: staff will return March 18 with an implementation plan for weekend/holiday closures as directed, and will provide options for preserving parking-lot access and approaches to the South Park Drive design and environmental review. The council’s motions set a six-month review following implementation as part of the record.

Clarifying details: the Park Commission and Headway report presented four alternatives (attached side path with rumble strip; separated side path with a 5-foot buffer; shared street; multi-use path with no vehicles). Staff noted that widening to accommodate the preferred attached side-path alternative would trigger environmental review and that South Park’s reconstruction was moved to 2026 for design and CEQA work; Peterson Memorial Drive is scheduled for full replacement in summer 2025 and will be closed to the public during construction (source: Brendan Gustafson).","After months of analysis by the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission and a 2023 Headway Transportation report, the council directed staff to return March 18 with an implementation plan for weekend and holiday closures of South Park Drive and Peterson Memorial Drive and approved follow-up design and access work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666106,"Chico fire chief presents feasibility study for proposed Station 6; estimated base cost $24 million",779,395000,1174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2341349-b5e800ed0d8cf811e2ef21a54926b5b0&start=395&end=1174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2341349-b5e800ed0d8cf811e2ef21a54926b5b0/thumbnail_395000.jpg","/articles/6666106/Chico/Butte-County/California/Chico-fire-chief-presents-feasibility-study-for-proposed-Station-6-estimated-base-cost-24-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666106-995a8797748a10f33a268a4a23f75b86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204370&Signature=LAaSn3XKXCuBRir4pAW4~Wm~-u8ATNcANo9zSsvyN2miNA085uOvq8hw4UwAsjnIxaWCVeSCmIkBrJmQk2eTWLmWf~cg~D-X2zAwzr6qvp4KQYEcx6d-y9acSGN26n3bmb20NwwQOo5ud1G3ZNk4B4~j1RZ90gDufYZWuqicq3NdD7jNIRc3v78EvswugxTZfWoyqtv5xEQOaT5wl8Ri~0hUUXAn9f8izWBU0wA6p~6dxGcKzrPHCYiMNxZfBtbDYyTCLFyXV18zPCoulpdTCIz1PkX8UOEWNRIxYjk~J6AlsiCDwiKnX9lb6tcFU-5K5Nk0fLPLwYHE27yQjhuY3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chico Fire Chief Steve Standridge on Tuesday presented a feasibility study for a proposed Fire Station 6 intended to reduce response gaps in the city’s rapidly growing northern neighborhoods. Standridge and consultant Michael Scott of RRM Design Group described the site design, operational layout and multiple cost options for the new facility.

The study, provided to council members the day before the meeting, places the “overall full design” cost at about $24,000,000. Scott described phased reductions that would lower the up-front cost—one reduced option was presented at about $18,400,000 and smaller configurations were shown down to $16,400,000—while cautioning that fewer apparatus bays would reduce the department’s ability to house and protect vehicles. “The overall full design is about $24,000,000,” Standridge said. “Reducing the bay does reduce ability to respond and ability to have apparatus in the bays.”

Why it matters: the city has seen what Standridge described as “extraordinary growth” concentrated in northern Chico, and the department’s call volume has risen substantially. Standridge told the council that the department ran roughly 7,500 calls in 2005 and about 15,000 calls in 2024. He said current staffing levels leave the city with fewer stations and fewer firefighters per shift than in earlier decades, creating geographic response gaps the new station would help close.

Standridge and Scott reviewed the station’s operational layout: secured apparatus bays, separate “hot” and “clean” zones to reduce firefighter exposure to carcinogens, gender-inclusive dormitory and bathroom designs, and a support area with decontamination and cleaning processes. Scott called the approach “the hot zone design,” describing vestibule air-pressure and separation strategies intended to keep living areas free of contaminants.

The team also outlined siting and design considerations: driveway circulation for large apparatus, overhead utilities and adjacency to a roundabout, and a fenced rear apron for apparatus and employee parking. Scott said the study’s cost estimate includes hard building and site costs plus soft costs such as permits, owner systems, contingency, furnishings and escalation. The consultant said the team used recent California station bids to derive an average of roughly $1,200–$1,500 per square foot for essential-service stations and assumed escalation of about 5% per year; he illustrated how that escalation would raise a $24 million estimate to approximately $25.3 million in one year and $27.9 million in three years.

Public comment from the Chico Firefighters union supported the priorities in the presentation. Mike Healy, representing Chico Firefighters Local 2734, urged the council to pursue both station construction and increased staffing, saying a North Chico 911 caller “would benefit from a strategic advantage” if a station were closer. Healy also urged that staffing increases be a top priority because reopening or staffing additional engine companies would have an immediate effect on daily operations.

No formal council action was taken on Station 6 during the meeting. City staff and consultants remained available to answer technical questions from council members, who asked about roundabout geometry, apparatus conditioning (heating vs. air conditioning), phasing to add bunks later, and the station’s expected life span. Standridge said modern stations are being planned for 50 years or more.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the full-design estimate of about $24,000,000 was presented by the consultant; lower-cost build options shown in the study ranged from approximately $18,400,000 to $16,400,000 depending on the number of apparatus bays and interior program reductions. The consultant used a 5% annual escalation assumption for projecting future costs. Standridge reported departmental call counts of roughly 7,500 calls in 2005 and about 15,000 calls in 2024 and said staffing is currently about 17 firefighters plus one battalion chief per shift (source: presentation by Chief Steve Standridge).","Fire Chief Steve Standridge and consultants presented a feasibility study for a new Station 6 to improve response times in North Chico. The study estimates a full-build cost of about $24 million and offers several reduced-footprint options; no council action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs staff to prioritize bike lanes in street‑sweeping and leaf‑pickup schedule

Chico council directs staff to plan weekend closures in Lower Bidwell Park; trial and design follow-ups ordered

Chico fire chief presents feasibility study for proposed Station 6; estimated base cost $24 million