At its January meeting the Oroville City Council handled several routine and infrastructure items in addition to larger agenda measures.

The council approved the consent calendar and moved on to regular business. It recognized local contractor John Star and Better Builders for long-term contributions to the community; John Star thanked the city and recounted moving to Oroville in 1975.

Public Works updated the council on Hewitt Park and sought funding to replace 15 dilapidated lights around the parking lot and basketball court that were not included in the original contract. Staff recommended a lower-cost option (described in the packet at approximately $72,000) and a higher-end option (approx. $124,000); council approved the lower-cost purchase using about $200,000 of contingency and shop forces to install the lights.

Council also awarded a professional-services agreement to Corolla Engineers to design modernization and bypass pumping capability for seven city lift stations; staff said the work was included in the adopted budget and in the sewer-fee study. Public Works noted River Terrace and Orange View lift stations are close to the river and require modernization to reduce overflow risk.

Code-enforcement staff reported that the recently implemented CommCate software (implementation began Sept. 17 and went live Dec. 18) improved field workflow and case management. Staff reported 111 violations resolved, 43 new cases opened, and a range of case types including abandoned vehicles, zoning, graffiti, nuisance, junk/debris and illegal camping cases.

The mayor said he had just received an email from the Department of Water Resources confirming an agreement for $200,000 per year; staff said details will be provided as they become available.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with contract execution, procurement and installation for park lights, and continue work on lift-station design and the sewer program; further details on the DWR funding were promised when available.