[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6515111,"mediaKeyId","5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481","parentId",5019960,"title","Council adopts 3% increase to transportation and storm drainage development impact fees","audioSeconds",706,"startMs",5402000,"endMs",6108000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481&start=5402&end=6108","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481/thumbnail_5402000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515111/Chico/Butte-County/California/Council-adopts-3-increase-to-transportation-and-storm-drainage-development-impact-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515111-6984342624f05934085de95b2739a3d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105281&Signature=ftVXFgWPjuijx-tmLE0f79fzZ9OTzJw28LuKCK8JpZAv5dGCHTvV3wqNqAB~agw0Eh437B1HjVvNxe-ndG4ETL4XM~yZKArCuYD0wWoz4w8rQzb2CrHyZnB6cHQvnoNyfT7Zp6yoolxA7qy-LNSZhd17eYEyCJoA0CeGv5jJ2AkthP4s6wN-DZW679a1sLTkhViMt77z7fIYcrIDYUN7CqdwDWBZBMyF93kxeVoixnKr4jDGuKkmko4J64Gd4~swPY4Khismod-awJGW4enMFkEOaP46za8RaoRUu7bL0ZHzogIdS4NKiX~FCkHvweD~3jHE9OfMtp6WWOvnrJiXkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chico","date","2025-06-17T18:00:00Z","article","The Chico City Council on June 17 approved a resolution to amend the city fee schedule and apply a 3% inflator to select development impact fees for transportation facilities and storm drainage, rejecting a staff‑calculated increase of 23.4% based on the Highway Construction Cost Index.

Staff explained the highway construction index (HCI) had produced a higher figure and that the finance committee had recommended using a smaller inflator tied to the consumer price index (rounded to 3%) pending a full Nexus study in 2026. The staff presentation noted municipal code does not provide for automatic fee decreases when indices fall, and that councils have in past years used phased approaches to smooth volatile jumps in the cost indices.

Speakers from the building and real‑estate communities supported the lower increase. Katie Toma, executive director of the Chico Builders Association, said the HCI‑based increase would have raised fees substantially — for example, adding about $3,000 to a typical three‑bedroom house and increasing storm drainage fees by thousands per developed acre — and urged caution until a full Nexus study examines fee methodology. Adam Fideli, chair of the Sierra North Valley Association of Realtors’ Local Government Relations Committee, urged conservative increases so that added fees do not further reduce housing affordability.

Councilmembers said the finance committee’s recommendation reflected recent long‑term trends for fee growth and recognized local housing affordability concerns; the council adopted the amended fee schedule with a 3% inflator on a 6–1 vote.

The amendment will be implemented in approximately 60 days unless otherwise revised; staff said the Nexus study in 2026 will re‑examine fee methodology and actual cost drivers and could prompt future adjustments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Chico - 6/17/25 City Council - Jun 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After discussion and public comment from builders and realtors, the Chico City Council approved a 3% increase to transportation and storm drainage development impact fees rather than the 23.4% spike tied to the highway construction index, citing housing affordability and the upcoming Nexus study.","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},6515115,"Council authorizes SS4A grant application for safety upgrades on West Sacramento and Warner streets",2955,10161000,13116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481&start=10161&end=13116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481/thumbnail_10161000.jpg","/articles/6515115/Chico/Butte-County/California/Council-authorizes-SS4A-grant-application-for-safety-upgrades-on-West-Sacramento-and-Warner-streets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515115-70d38646ed6a4dc2b94f0f6e51d8d0f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105281&Signature=EmNfAkg0bu4q-YqV-uB~41tU~JLbvNiwyVDue5lUhABY7LeoM4ORzyGWbFXR3l~f1vtd8tyABZbZZAXxrhB-uUQKhpMn7-gzeoZaiqaefuvUjbYO86czy4DYrMRzLUlBufmunN-7ahvYWUr2krMdMtrUB-otdak5mG9OjYcmUmDOXOjrWdyMKAkbQJiwHOFv5B48IP4awHxPGmQ6gNgI3sCCotAizCdgggFE2Jb93ss60XnD67E8eZp~kqz0nyl0~GfL3KxV-2PeRe-h8cSQNgejKp4RqkqviPMRLCyhffmOnbOgik49BIVlPZYLyVXJjSNvDbUoi-l9rVF~D-xz~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chico City Council on June 17 directed staff to pursue a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to fund a permanent redesign of West Sacramento Avenue and Warner Street, a corridor serving high school and university traffic. The vote to authorize submittal of the grant application was unanimous.

City staff presented three delivery concepts: a permanent rebuild to provide a separated multi‑use path and improved bike lanes; a quicker “quick‑build” protected lane option that would be faster and cheaper but could affect signal phasing and turning movements; and a short pop‑up demonstration. Staff’s preferred path was the permanent build, which would realign curbs to create a 12‑foot bidirectional path, narrow vehicle lanes for traffic calming and maintain neighborhood parking where feasible.

Staff estimated a combined planning‑level budget of about $10 million to implement the permanent improvements on both West Sacramento and Warner corridors. The SS4A program requires a minimum 20% local match; the city reported preliminary partner commitments totaling $750,000 — $250,000 from Chico Unified School District and $500,000 from California State University, Chico — to help reach the required match. The city’s share would be about $1.25 million if the full $10 million scenario were pursued, staff said.

Speakers representing the university and student groups urged the council to pursue the permanent approach, noting heavy pedestrian and bicycle use by students and parents. Marie Patterson, director of sustainability at California State University, Chico, told councilmembers the project fits both the university’s climate and transportation plans and would improve campus gateways and safety for students. Associated Students representative Sarah Lanham described feeling unsafe walking and biking after dark and urged infrastructure and lighting improvements to make active transportation a viable option year‑round.

Council members praised the interagency collaboration and noted the project’s safety record: staff reported 24 collisions across the corridor between 2018 and 2024, with roughly 38–39% involving bicycles or pedestrians. The council directed staff to submit the SS4A application by the program deadline and to continue coordinating match commitments with Chico State and Chico Unified. Staff said if the SS4A application is not successful they will pursue other funding opportunities such as the Active Transportation Program and could revisit lower‑cost quick‑build options in the interim.

The unanimous council vote authorizes staff to complete and submit the SS4A application and to continue partner coordination on the 20% match.","The council unanimously approved submitting an SS4A (Safe Streets for All) grant to fund a permanent redesign of West Sacramento Avenue and Warner Street to add separated bicycle facilities, traffic calming and pedestrian improvements; Chico State and Chico Unified pledged matching funds to support the application.",{"_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},6515118,"Council narrowly approves plan to close South Park Drive to vehicles, fund permeable parking",3980,6120000,10100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481&start=6120&end=10100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481/thumbnail_6120000.jpg","/articles/6515118/Chico/Butte-County/California/Council-narrowly-approves-plan-to-close-South-Park-Drive-to-vehicles-fund-permeable-parking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515118-3d4429dccd2dfbbfecdbd8e04b379888/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105281&Signature=kxXjt4Hf-rYH7BYlstNYlIV-RwNamHaPEElhXTOfft8cIG~q39P5OWv36lkqdQMW0b99EDRu-JgwJ-J8vNtUHos1-ovYan6YjoDqFy2ERA~PKnqtGod3eyErIrzcrJ7HwRutNPXYwVpg0UekdDLxXOtcmSg-H4A6ODTivVHWdiCaFu3aHIrqNfHUoe1EH3IvnHooyKyTXFtCLKHduWFsdzzPnNCgd3NwtG~io-1qETQEbNPM66GamUvBwrgVyOSmkcu5ocoFC2oxxHSYLQ4nEonADpKAU-CYEn8gkBcm0Ldl88iiS01Kg9ozDOU7FqVzpQbZv5vcrdbuPSK6fMeL5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Chico moved forward with a plan to change traffic access in Lower Bidwell Park after lengthy public comment on June 17, approving 4–3 a staff recommendation to close South Park Drive to through vehicle traffic and to invest in permeable paving in some park parking areas.

Public works staff presented four alternatives: (1) rebuild the road with a separated multi‑use trail and reconfigured parking; (2) close South Park Drive to vehicles and reuse reclaimed pavement to improve parking areas (staff’s analysis included permeable surfacing for certain lots); (3) a hybrid of option 1 with different parking layouts; and (4) do minimal resurfacing and leave the current vehicle configuration in place. The staff report noted the project’s primary objective is rehabilitation of the road for safe, long‑term use and that an eventual construction advertisement was planned for the coming winter with construction next season.

The council heard roughly 18 public speakers during a 30‑minute public comment block. Many neighborhood residents and longtime park users urged retaining the current configuration or expressed concern about increased traffic on nearby residential streets if through traffic were blocked. Opponents said widening or moving parking to the south side would diminish park aesthetics and remove green space. Supporters — including daily park users, cyclists and several speakers who noted they commute or exercise through the park — urged restricting cars to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety. Photographer and park user Eric Booth said, “Bidwell Park should be a destination, the end point of your trip. It should be a breath of fresh air from the city, not an extension of its often chaotic noisy roads.”

Staff estimated costs for the alternatives with the option to close the drive and add permeable surfacing coming in higher overall due to paving the lots but noted that maintaining gravel lots is staff‑intensive and permeable paving could reduce maintenance costs with an expected payback on maintenance in roughly five years, staff estimated. Staff also said option 2 would require creating a new access point to the Sycamore Field parking lot and would repurpose materials from the removed roadway for parking area improvements.

After council discussion that ranged from potential traffic impacts on Linden and Woodland avenues to tree protection and long‑term maintenance costs, Councilmember Winslow moved to advance Option 2 (closure of the road to vehicles with permeable surfacing for parking lots). The motion passed 4–3. Staff said the project will be funded from Measure H dollars included in the current capital program and will move forward to design and bid phases; staff estimated that some choices (permeable paving vs. gravel) will raise up‑front costs but reduce ongoing maintenance burden.

The council’s action authorizes staff to proceed with the version of Option 2 as presented, including planning-level design and estimated permeable parking surfacing. Staff will return with schedule and finalized cost estimates and follow standard public‑involvement procedures for any neighborhood access changes and parking removals that require additional internal review.","After extensive public comment, the council voted 4–3 to pursue Option 2 — closing South Park Drive to through vehicle traffic and adding permeable surfacing in key parking areas — directing staff to proceed toward design and construction funded by Measure H.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515121,"Chico council upholds appeal, directs staff to restore Speltz’s lease at 100 Lockheed",4000,1370000,5370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481&start=1370&end=5370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019960-abbd1df8c20fbc86d0db645f4b12b481/thumbnail_1370000.jpg","/articles/6515121/Chico/Butte-County/California/Chico-council-upholds-appeal-directs-staff-to-restore-Speltzs-lease-at-100-Lockheed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515121-f4fc931ce3fd5360acc590110b67579c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105281&Signature=Nnr~Esa8hbdURqkYmTmNCXgS2ECCoyOT6d~RXAYaHb2nNwP3bMjcH~RwBrO6DIVMU-hbgZm2Dx1k82msP0NOtj8DJltI-Ki-vQeVUpb61Ap8aYLVtz~B9O3eitALZub5z8-C5ncTs63hmFl88ay~1Uob7VvQA8YkV7APoiy6LvSagNDHjcgPyg2eHqOCAHH3DFJZOgIH~0ri~85UDLGZwjt7YldeMntH~yvKmvBJgA6EESPXssDFLJOIevpCX~BTewcYZsg9m153XF9PVD8qP-k4SrU3YVpWlKgwfnErroT1AmkUAVODJlKuUO90Kg7phkKAhWoeGt48ju5Zd5bSrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chico City Council on June 17 voted 5–2 to uphold an appeal by pilot and tenant Mark Speltz and directed staff to return with a resolution to restore his occupancy rights at hangar space known as 100 Lockheed at Chico Regional Airport.

The council’s action follows a public hearing in which city staff, airport tenants and community members disputed whether a valid, enforceable lease existed after a 2024 series of transfers and defaults. City staff told the council that a new lease for the space had been approved by the Airport Commission in April for Aeroflight Inc., a company proposing to expand aerial firefighting operations, and that the city attorney’s office viewed a prior purported lease with Speltz as invalid because it was not executed in writing, not approved by the city attorney and not formally approved by the airport commission.

The timing and administration of the handoffs were central to the dispute. In 2021 Speltz held a multi‑year lease for the hangar. In early 2024 the lease was assigned to Dawson Taylor Aviation Services, which later reduced operations and defaulted on the lease in November 2024. Speltz says he negotiated to resume occupancy in late 2024 and that airport manager Tom Barr confirmed in writing and verbally that the hangar “is yours” and that interested parties could sublease from him. Speltz presented copies of emailed assurances and rent checks that staff cashed for January and February 2025. City staff said they stopped cashing checks once the Aeroflight matter intensified and that their formal notice to vacate was issued in late March.

Airport staff described Aeroflight’s proposed use as parts and service support, aircraft storage and potential retrofitting work that staff said would increase airport revenue. The lease Aeroflight sought represented a roughly 73% increase in monthly rent over the previous rate (from about $3,000 to $5,200 per month, with escalators), staff said. City Attorney Mr. Lyon told council members that courts generally presume private parties negotiating with a public agency understand the agency’s procedures, and he advised caution about implying an enforceable lease without the required written approvals.

Appellant Mark Speltz and his attorney Michael Shepherd urged the council to “honor the commitment” made by the airport manager, stressing Speltz’s long presence and investments in the property. More than a dozen community members, many with long ties to the airport, spoke in support of Speltz. “If the airport manager’s verbal and written communication have no meaning, where do we stop?” Speltz told the council.

Council debate split on whether honoring the airport manager’s assurances would be morally right even if the city’s legal position favored Aeroflight. Councilmember Katie O’Brien said, “We can be both legally correct and morally wrong,” and announced she would vote to uphold the appeal. Councilmember Van Overbeck moved to grant the appeal and to direct staff to renew or restore the lease consistent with the prior terms while asking Mr. Speltz to use his best efforts to sublease any excess space to Aeroflight; the motion was adjusted on city attorney advice to direct staff to uphold the appeal and bring back a resolution with findings and to take any future lease terms through the Airport Commission and normal approval and signature processes.

On the roll call, Councilmembers Goldstein, O’Brien, Van Overbeck, Winslow and Vice Mayor Bennett voted in favor; Councilmembers Holly and Mayor Casey Reynolds voted no. The council’s direction requires staff to prepare a resolution consistent with the council’s findings and return it on consent for formal action.

Next steps and implementation: staff will draft a resolution reflecting the council’s vote, present it on consent at a future meeting, and, if approved, pursue any subsequent lease paperwork through the airport commission and city attorney review so any renewed lease complies with the City Charter and municipal rules.

Votes at a glance: The motion to uphold the appeal and direct staff to return with a resolution carried 5–2.

Sources: city staff presentation; public testimony by appellant Mark Speltz and attorney Michael Shepherd; comments from Airport Manager Tom Barr and City Attorney Mr. Lyon.","After a contested public hearing and hours of testimony, the Chico City Council voted 5–2 to uphold Mark Speltz’s appeal of an Airport Commission minute order and directed staff to return with a resolution to restore his occupancy at airport hangar 100 Lockheed while coordinating lease terms through normal airport processes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts 3% increase to transportation and storm drainage development impact fees

Council authorizes SS4A grant application for safety upgrades on West Sacramento and Warner streets

Council narrowly approves plan to close South Park Drive to vehicles, fund permeable parking

Chico council upholds appeal, directs staff to restore Speltz’s lease at 100 Lockheed