Extension of nuisance ordinance also approved
 
PUBLISHED: May 7, 2019 at 9:40 pm | UPDATED: May 7, 2019 at 9:40 pmOROVILLE — The Oroville City Council approved everything put before it Tuesday, including extending the nuisance ordinance and creating a business improvement district.
Councilors were unanimous in all votes taken at the meeting.
Improving businessAfter the council voted to approve an ordinance to create the Downtown Oroville Business Improvement District, developer Bud Tracy told the council, “Thank you for ending 30 years of waiting for it.”
Tracy is maybe best known as the owner who renovated the Oroville Inn, turning the downtown building into dormitories for the Northwest Lineman College.
He has also been working for a long time — about 30 years — to create a business improvement district that would collect fees from downtown businesses to fund marketing and special events and beautify the downtown area. Proposed fees for business owners in the district range from $100 to $500 per year, depending on the location and the type of business.
Before the vote, Tracy told the council that about 120 businesses that would be affected were in favor of the district and just two were opposed. Those against it had spoken to the council previously.
Ordinance 1839 will add a chapter to the municipal code that creates the business district.
Nuisance law extendedWhen the council approved an urgency nuisance code April 16, it went into effect immediately, but was only good for 45 days.
City attorney Scott Huber said the urgency code had been working in the few weeks since implemented and recommended making it permanent.
Staff has already abated several properties, Huber told the council.
He also reiterated that the nuisance ordinance was not for issues where a fence falls down or minor repairs are needed, but for “sub-standard, blighted properties that are not suitable for human habitation.”
The urgency code was amended to allow the fire chief or fire marshal to declare nuisances as well.
“This is something that needed to be done,” Huber said.
The ordinance approved Tuesday will amend the nuisance code chapter of the municipal code, making the changes permanent after final approval.
New tractorAt 27 years old, the city’s Caterpillar 916 Wheel Loader tractor needs to be replaced, assistant city administrator Bill LaGrone told the council.
Alternatively, the council could invest about $12,000 to get it up to California emissions standards, but the loader tractor trade-in value is $14,000.
Plus, the city has to reach a spending threshold of $300,000 to get Senate Bill 1 funds, and LaGrone said because the tractor is used mostly for roadwork in the city, $90,000 could go toward a new piece of equipment.
The rest of the roughly $174,000 tractor’s funds would come from the sewer department plus the Thermalito and Oroville storm water departments, which all used the tractor.
The sewer department would put in $50,000 from its budget because it uses the tractor second-most, about 30 percent of the time, and the storm water departments will contribute $17,000 each, LaGrone said.
The council approved the replacement of the old tractor.
New plannerOroville will also contract with Bureau Veritas North America for city planning.
The company will assess the city’s needs and charge up to $54,000 with a planner who works in Oroville three days a week. That cost is by the hour, though, and LaGrone said he didn’t expect to need the planner in Oroville three days a week every week.
New videoAlthough it will cost nearly $95,000, the Council Chambers on Montgomery Street will have new audio and video equipment installed.
There was some hesitation to approve speakers, microphones and cameras at $94,619.85, but the council approved it after hearing that the work done to replace the old gear would be extensive.
It also seemed to help that the money to upgrade the equipment comes from a fee required by law and collected by cable companies to provide public, educational and government (PEG) access channels. The money must be used to increase public access and transparency.
Additional itemsThe council recognized the Feather Fiesta Days centennial celebration that began Friday, May 3, and ends Saturday, May 11, with festivities including a downtown parade and car show.
Oroville also proclaimed Salvation Army week to be May 13-20.
By DAN REIDEL | dreidel@chicoer.com |
From our member, the OrovilleMR Link

​*We are sharing this press release from our Member, the Oroville Hospital*
OROVILLE HOSPITAL TAKES ACTION TO IMPROVE PARKING AT THE MAIN CAMPUS
OROVILLE, Calif. (05/06/2019) – At Oroville Hospital our patient’s ability to access quality health care with ease is one of our top priorities. We understand that the lack of parking at the main campus has put a hindrance on our patients, and our executive team has been intently working on how we can correct this issue.
Starting in January, Oroville Hospital initiated a shuttle system that allowed Oroville Hospital employees to park at Dove’s Landing and take one of our buses to the main campus, thus reducing the amount of parking spaces being used by staff. Due to our employee’s eagerness to help alleviate this issue, the shuttle service resulted in a great success. 
We are excited to announce that we will be expanding the use of our employee shuttles, and plan to take about 100 additional vehicles off of the main campus parking lot. This will result in an immense increase in the amount of parking that will become available to our patients and visitors. It is with the assistance of the Calvary Baptist Church and the offering of their parking lot, that we are able to expand this service. We would like to thank them for their generosity, and allowing us the opportunity to alleviate the limited parking places at the hospital.
All of this will be taking place while our expansion project enters the next phase of construction. Those who visit our campus will soon be able to see fences go up as our construction crews begin to clear space for our new tower, as well as additional parking. With the continual use of our shuttle service, we do not anticipate any further impediment to the parking arrangements. 
Oroville Hospital is looking forward to bringing these profound advancements to Oroville, and would like the community to be involved with the progress of the expansion project. For those that are interested in following along, a live feed overlooking the construction site is now available at the Oroville Hospital website. www.OrovilleHospital.com/Expansion

 

May 2, 2019Oroville Operations and Main Spillway UpdateLake Level
The current Oroville reservoir elevation is 884 feet. Total releases into the Feather River continue at 10,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). DWR is safely managing Oroville reservoir inflows from melting snowpack and plans to keep lake levels high through spring and summer. DWR is operating the reservoir in accordance with normal state and federal regulations. A full lake is a welcome sight after years of drought and low levels to accommodate reconstruction. Good news as we head into the summer months for all those who love to recreate on the lake!
Thermalito Diversion Pool and Brad Freeman Trail Reopening
The Thermalito Diversion Pool and Brad Freeman Trail will reopen to the public on Friday, May 3. Kayakers, mountain bikers and hikers can access both areas seven days a week from 8 a.m. to sunset. Kayaks, non-motorized boats (electric motors allowed) and non-trailered boats can access the day use area located along Burma Road and bikers and hikers can take advantage of the two-mile section of the Brad Freeman Trail along the northern shore of the Diversion Pool.
Main Spillway
Releases from the Hyatt Powerplant are adequate to meet operational requirements of the reservoir and there is no need to use the main spillway at this time. However, DWR may need to use the main spillway again this spring to manage inflows from snowmelt and will notify the public and media if this is necessary.
The Oroville main spillway is fully reconstructed and performed as designed when it was used in early April. DWR and expert consultants continue to monitor the main spillway, so workers may be visible on the spillway structure. When it is not in use, water on the spillway is from normal seepage through the spillway gates, which were not designed to be watertight.
Road Construction
Repaving operations continue on Oroville Dam Crest Road, the Spillway Boat Launch facility, and other nearby roads. Paving construction vehicles will continue to use Hyatt Access Road through May 29. Motorists and residents should anticipate additional construction traffic on Canyon Drive and on Oro Dam Blvd. East to the Hyatt Access Road Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. DWR apologizes for any inconvenience and will notify the public when there are any changes to this information. Thank you for your continued patience.
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For more information please contact oroville@water.ca.gov or visit:https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project/SWP-Facilities/Oroville/Oroville-Spillways

April 26, 2019Oroville Operations and Main Spillway UpdateCORRECTION: In our earlier notification, we stated that repaving operations on area roadways will be underway Monday to Friday through May 29. Paving will also take place this Sunday April 29 and on Saturdays through the end of May.
Oroville’s current reservoir elevation is 877 feet, an increase of 10 feet from last week. Total releases to the Feather River have also increased slightly to 10,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). Oroville’s operations plan is designed to safely accommodate inflows from the above average snowpack, and DWR is aiming to keep lake levels high through spring and summer. Currently, releases from the Hyatt Powerplant are adequate to meet operational requirements of the reservoir and there is no need to use the main spillway at this time. However, we may need to use the main spillway again this year to manage inflows from increased snow melt. DWR will notify the public and media of any planned use of the main spillway.
The main spillway performed as designed when it was used April 2 through April 10, with releases topping out at 25,000 cfs. DWR engineers will continue to perform a thorough inspection of the main spillway to further evaluate its performance and will continue to be visible on the spillway structure. Water currently seen on the spillway results from normal seepage through the spillway radial gates, which are not designed to be watertight. Sandbags are used to direct the flow of water to one side of the spillway or the other to allow for safe access by DWR engineers.
DWR contractors have begun repaving operations on the Oroville Dam Crest Road, the Spillway Boat Launch facility and other area roadways. Paving construction vehicles will continue to use Hyatt Access Road through May 29. Motorists and residents should anticipate additional construction traffic on Canyon Drive and on Oro Dam Blvd. East to the Hyatt Access Road Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience and will notify you if there are any changes. Thank you for your continued patience.
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For more information, follow us on Twitter or Facebook and read our news releases and DWR updates.

​OROVILLE — A city with a bright future, ready to help its citizens and boost up businesses is how Mayor Chuck Reynolds described Oroville during his State of the City Address.To an audience of about 40 Thursday night in the State Theater, Reynolds noted there have been challenges, but they are being outweighed by the positives. Those ranged from a hard-working citizenry to a dedicated city staff to resources like nearby Chico State University and Butte College.
He applauded the $200 million expansion of Oroville Hospital, which will put the community in the forefront of health care services in the north valley, while providing well-paying jobs.The sales tax measure that voters supported will help with the year-over-year deficits caused by the economic downturn and demanding state. The estimated $4 million addition to the city’s coffers will result in hiring of more in police, fire, parks, trees and public works departments, he said.
Elected mayor by the voters, Reynolds noted there have been plenty of challenges in the short time he’s served on the council, but he said his optimism is strong.
“No success, none of it, happens as a result of chance but because of choice.”
Reynolds sees bright spots for Oroville in health care, manufacturing and services.
“Oroville has the necessary tools” to attract businesses that will provide more jobs. Reynolds committed to careful attention to business needs, saying if the city’s permitting process or wait times are too long that will be tackled.
As an indicator, he mentioned the launching of the new Chipotle restaurant which will be the first Chipotle with a drive thru in California.
One challenge Reynolds hopes to focus attention is Oroville’s inadequate housing stock, which is top heavy in “starter homes” with little in the middle range. He noted that coming residential project Sierra Heights will provide affordable senior housing.
Another involves Oroville’s young people. In 2016, Oroville, he said, had one of the state’s “highest rates of young people not going to school or not having a job.”
With the help of the community, schools, families, nonprofit and city leaders, that can change to create a robust workforce that will attract companies looking for skilled and talented workers, he noted.
And like other California cities, Oroville residents struggle with opioid addiction and homelessness. Reversing those trends will take resources and patience.
Regarding homelessness, he acknowledged contributions from the Hope Center, Haven of Hope on Wheels which provides shower and laundry services, as well as the Oroville Rescue Mission. All of which, he noted, need support from the private sector.
In addition to the mayor’s address, the evening included the awarding of the first-ever Voice for the Arts awards, and the annual Samuel Norris award.
Voice for the Arts AwardFor the first time, the Voice for the Arts Awards were delivered to an individual and a group.
Recipient James Christensen was honored for being an “avid supporter of young people and an appreciator of music.” A music instructor at Oroville High School, he was a founding member of Oroville Community Concert Band, and at one time managed the State Theatre.
As a group recipient, the State Theatre Arts Guild was honored for its work as “guardian of the theater,” from raising money to diversifying arts and entertainment available in Oroville
Sam Norris Award
 
 
 
 Nominated by the community, the Samuel J. Norris Award for Excellence went to Orville “Bud” Tracy.
In his introduction, Councilor Scott Thomson called Tracy “an advocate, visionary, achiever and inspirational leader” for Oroville.
Named for a city engineer who contributed mightily to Oroville, the annual award is for improving the quality of life in Oroville, among other contributions.
Tracy was nominated for his many years of involvement with Oroville’s development, from attracting the Northwest Lineman College, to purchasing and renovating the Oroville Inn for lineman students and local events.
He was also acknowledged for his effort to form a downtown business improvement district.
Courtesy Enterprise Record Article
 

​OROVILLE — Citizens of Oroville came together Saturday to help clean up the downtown area for the first Service Saturday of the year.
Read more at the Oroville MR article Click Here