City News & Press Releases
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STATE OF THE COMMUNITY MEETING
The citizens of Chico are invited to attend the first annual "State of the Community", which will take place on Thursday, February 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the Chico Council Chambers at 421 Main Street.
CITY MANAGER RETIREMENT PENDING
Mayor Ann Schwab today announced the pending retirement of City Manager Dave Burkland - effective August 31, 2012. In 2006, Dave was appointed Assistant City Manager by City Manager Greg Jones. As Assistant City Manager, Dave continued his work on economic development projects while also assuming full responsibility for management of the Chico Municipal Airport. In August 2007, Dave stepped into the Interim City Manager position and was appointed City Manager by the City Council in February 2008.
PARK COMMISSION'S NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE CONSIDERS TRAIL ISSUES AND MANAGEMENT UNITS
The Bidwell Park and Playground Commission’s Natural Resources Committee will request public input on Monkey Face Trails
re-route options in Upper Bidwell Park; the creation of “management units” and to assess trail needs in Lower Park. The Commission will also look into the naming of trails and landmarks in Lower Bidwell Park. The Committee and Park Staff will incorporate this information into upcoming plans and the public is encouraged to participate.
CITY OF CHICO SEEKING PROPOSALS TO LEASE EXCESS OFFICE SPACE
The City of Chico has released a request for proposals to lease excess office space in both the historic Old Municipal Building and the Chico Municipal Center. The City currently has excess space due to reductions in personnel over the course of the economic downturn. While it is expected the space will be needed in the future, the City desires to lease the space to suitable use(s) in the near term that will provide a financial benefit to the City of Chico.
NO-WOOD BURNING RESTRICTIONS FOR CHICO CITY RESIDENTS BEGIN NOVEMBER 1, 2011
In August, the Chico City Council approved an ordinance that restricts the use of woodstoves and fireplaces by Chico residents on poor air quality days as determined by the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) through its "Check Before You Light" program. The program will run from November through February each year. The program is mandatory for city of Chico residents on no-burn advisory days only, and the City is seeking the public's cooperation with this new ordinance.
There are, however, exemptions to the mandatory restrictions if certain criteria are met.
Beautiful fall days have brought increased numbers of park users to the trails of Middle and Upper Park. In an effort to minimize potential safety issues and possible conflict between user groups, the Park Division has placed colorful banners at major trailheads to remind visitors to safely share the trail.
DOG ETIQUETTE IN THE PARK - (BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER)
Many people enjoy visiting Bidwell Park with their dogs, however incidents involving dogs such as bites, accidents, and complaints are on the rise. The City of Chico’s Park Division is launching a “Responsible Pet Owner” campaign with increased education and enforcement of dog issues. As part of the campaign, Park Rangers will post informational signs and educate dog owners on park rules and etiquette.
They will also ramp up enforcement of park rules.
KEEP WASTEWATER FREE FROM PHARMACEUTICALS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
The City of Chico Wastewater Treatment Plant, as part of it’s ongoing public information outreach program, has prepared the following information for inclusion in the October California Water Service City sewer user billing.
WINTER HOURS IN EFFECT FOR BIDWELL PARK
October marks the beginning of Bidwell Park’s winter closing schedule. The seasonal hour change will be in effect through the end of March 2012. The change allows for an increase in ranger coverage during peak hours so that rangers may respond to enforcement issues, emergencies and hazardous situations. The change restricts vehicle access to the park and will not affect pedestrian or bicycle access. Gates and restrooms in Bidwell Park are now closing at 7:00 p.m. with the exception of the North One Mile parking lot and the Upper Park entrance gate, which are closing at 9:00 p.m. All opening times for park facilities will remain the same. City restroom facilities at City Plaza, Ringel Park, and the Transit Center will close at 6:00 p.m.
NEW PARKING METER PILOTED IN DOWNTOWN CHICO
The City of Chico will be introducing new parking meter technology in the Transit Center parking lot at the corner of 2nd and Salem Streets, in Municipal Lot 7 beginning Monday, August 22, 2011. The Downtown Chico Business Association is supportive of a gradual rollout of new parking meter technology that will improve the parking experience for downtown visitors. In lot 7, a single pay station kiosk will replace individual space coin meters. The new pay station kiosk is located in the center island as you enter from Salem Street.
MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTED IN UPPER BIDWELL PARK
The City received a report of a mountain lion sighting in Upper Bidwell Park off of Ten Mile House Road near Bloody Pin Trail on Sunday afternoon. The incident has been reported to the Department of Fish and Game. Mountain lions are part of Bidwell Park’s natural environment and sightings in the park have occurred in recent years. Although attacks on humans are rare, the City offers a few precautions.
1ST AND 2ND STREETS COUPLET PROJECT
Engineered construction documents for the entire Downtown Couplet project went out to bid in early July. Only two contractors submitted bids and both were significantly higher than the engineer’s estimate. As a result, the bids had to be rejected. Given the diminishing number of work days available in this construction season, a current bid environment of busy contractors with low response rates, and the large scale of work to be completed, engineering staff has identified stand-alone components of the project and is in the process of soliciting bids in a phased approach to complete the overall project.
CHICO POPULATION FIGURES RELEASED
The City of Chico population has been established by the State Department of Finance at 86,900 as of January 1, 2011. The figure is an estimate based on 2010 Census data, adjusted for the subsequent year’s growth.
The City of Chico has begun the physical conversion of 1,100 of the City’s cobra head type street lights in various areas throughout the city from high pressure sodium (HPS) technology to new energy efficient LED lights. The City owns approximately 4,275 of the 6,600 existing street lights within the city limits. While the City is not able to replace all of the city-owned lights at this time, the project represents a great start in lowering energy consumption and costs, and the overall environmental impact attributable to the operation of street lights.