OROVILLE — The Oroville City Council had a near-six-hour long meeting Tuesday addressing 25 items with highlights including Mission Esperanza updates, new hires for director positions, finally approving construction of the Sank Park fence and others.
The council began business by approving an allocation of $750,000 to help start construction of Mission Esperanza, a project by Oroville Rescue Mission to provide Pallet brand shelters as a non-congregate option for homeless people in the city.
Suzi Kochems, a consultant working with the city and the Oroville Rescue Mission, said construction costs and lack of skilled labor have increased the need for more grant funding.
Kochems said a $2.73 million grant awarded to Oroville in October 2022 is able to kickstart the project with planning and programming, but further grants are needed to complete construction of 30 Pallet shelters, five ADA Pallet shelters, a navigation center and parking space for people who prefer to stay in their car. Total costs for the planned goal of adding 105 beds to the mission is around $7 million, she said.
Councilor Eric Smith said as far as dollars spent, Oroville still would be spending far less than other programs in Los Angeles.
“We’re spending a whole lot less at the end of the day. Additionally, this is a sustainable model; in other words it’s hard assets … not all these dollars are going towards staff. It’s going towards a facility that can cycle through and hopefully rapid rehousing people,” Smith said.
The original grant was applied for in 2019, but rising costs after the COVID-19 pandemic increased the total anticipated cost, she said.
Kochems said news of grant approval is expected in August, adding that if the grant is not secured, the project may only be able to supply 15 shelters to the rescue mission and won’t be able to fulfill all of their previously planned goals.
Kochems said the contract for construction will be on the next council agenda and will begin pre-construction work before starting construction in October.
If all goes to plan, Kochems said doors to Oroville Rescue Mission’s Pallet shelters are set to soft open as soon as January 2024 and be fully open by February.
After Kochem’s presentation, the council approved 7-0 to allocate $750,000 from its local fiscal recovery funding to help with the Mission’s construction cost.
“We are very optimistic about this program and we’re excited to get it started,” said Oroville Rescue Mission CEO Allan Dikes.
Department heads
The council approved 7-0 to contract Patrick Piatt as director of Community Development, who was joined by his sister, brother-in-law and father who is visiting and turns 90 Friday.
“I’m looking really forward to working with you all; I’ve been looking forward to this night,” Piatt said.
The council also approved 7-0 to contract Frederick Mayo as Public Works director.
“He is well qualified and looking forward to the services he’ll bring to our community,” Riggs said.
The council renewed a contract with Amy Bergstrand as director of Business and Housing.
“Amy is a rock star. We are blessed to have you. I know sometimes it’s put out there, but she brings millions in putting together so professionally applications for grants for our city. There are millions of dollars that pretty much affect every citizen of Oroville because of that lady right there,” said Thomson.
“I mean this in the most respective way possible; you’re legitimately an animal, and that’s a super high compliment from me,” Webber said to Bergstrand.
“Did you say animal?” Goodson said. “Well I guess the newest verbiage is, you’re a GOAT,” Goodson said, meaning greatest of all time.
The council erupted in laughter.
Sank Park fence
The council finally approved a contract to install an improved metal fence around Sank Park after a saga of council meetings deliberating high costs and changes of features.
“I will appreciate the fact that the last time we talked about this the price has dropped $140,000. I still though feel the need for it to go back to (a request for proposal),” said Councilor Scott Thomson.
Councilor Shawn Webber agreed to send it back to a request for proposal.
Smith said he’d be comfortable moving forward, noting most councilors were OK previously with a higher cost.
“We have discussed this item for over a year that I know of … a year and a half … this council actually authorized $650,000 for the fence. So we’re now down to a point in time that it’s pretty reasonable for this fence,” said Mayor David Pittman.
The council approved 4-3, with no votes from councilors Thomson, Smith and Tracy Johnstone, to approve a $411,380.20 contract to hire Pisor Fence Division, Inc. to fabricate and install the fence around Sank Park.
Not a department head, but an agreement with Cole Huber, LLP was approved to be amended and restated but with the same pay rate as previous.
Downtown improvement
The council approved the annual budget report for the Downtown Oroville Business Improvement District, which reported $24,900 in membership income with 60% to be spent towards marketing and 40% towards maintenance.
A representative from the district said they noticed that, after the COVID-19 pandemic, downtown lights and banners have been worn, and the district intends to bring them up to current.
Other business
The council advised city staff to have a light city council agenda on its Aug. 1 meeting because the city will be participating in National Night Out.
The council approved opening an account in the California Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System Prime and the California Asset Management Trust.
