Willows City Council approves consent items, surplus‑land sale and two‑year mayoral terms in unanimous votes

The Willows City Council voted unanimously on three separate items during its October meeting.

Consent calendar: The council approved the consent calendar — register approval, minutes approval and acceptance of a volunteer fire capacity program grant match — in a single motion. The motion to approve items 6a, 6b and 6c was moved and seconded and passed on an affirmative voice vote; the meeting record shows the final roll call indicated the motion passed 5–0.

Surplus land: At a public hearing on three city‑owned parcels (APN 002‑101‑009, 002‑101‑006 and 003‑113‑006), staff reported that prior steps required by state law had been completed, including a prior March review, an August resolution declaring the parcels surplus and authorization from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. No public protests were received during the hearing. The council then motioned to direct staff to proceed with the sale of all three parcels; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote, 5–0 (Vice Mayor Thomas — yes; Council member Hanson — yes; Council member Busby — yes; Council member Pride — yes; Mayor Evan Hudson — yes).

Mayor and vice mayor election cycle: The council approved changing the mayor and vice mayor election and committee appointment cycle from one year to two years, effective with December 2025. Under the change, the current mayor and vice mayor will serve an additional year so their term becomes two years; future selections will occur in December of even‑numbered years (2026, 2028, 2030, etc.). The motion passed 5–0.

Why it matters: The surplus‑land authorization allows staff to market or sell specified parcels after completing required noticing and state notifications; the election-cycle change aims to provide continuity in council leadership and committee representation.

No amendments to any of the three motions were recorded at the meeting.