Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council directs staff to offer city surplus equipment to local nonprofits before auction
Summary
The council amended the surplus-equipment disposal process so staff will notify local nonprofits and offer an opportunity to request items before equipment goes to auction. The motion, amended to add outreach to nonprofits, passed 6–0 (1 absent).
The Oroville City Council on Jan. 21 approved revised guidance for disposing of surplus city property that adds a step: staff will contact local nonprofits and offer items before routing remaining equipment to surplus auction or other approved methods. The motion, amended on the floor to add a nonprofit outreach step, passed 6–0 with one absence.
Council discussion cited recent examples in which surplus vehicles and equipment were used to support local vocational training and nonprofit programs. Bill Spear and other residents urged the council to prioritize donations to nonprofits that provide job training and direct services. City Attorney David Ritchie told the council that municipalities have broad authority to choose disposal methods and that offering surplus to nonprofits is permissible.
Council also discussed a historically preserved airport rescue truck that staff said remains in city custody and will be kept indoors to preserve condition. Staff will prepare a simple process and timeline to contact interested, qualified nonprofits and return to council if competing requests arise or if staff recommends a different disposal route. The motion included language allowing staff to determine fair-market value or make nominal ($1) transfers to qualified nonprofits, subject to council review if multiple parties request the same item.
