OROVILLE — Oroville City Council took the final step in ensuring essential city facilities will remain powered during the next PG&E public safety power shut-off.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the council unanimously approved the purchase and installation of three transfer switches which are necessary for generators to be used as back-up power.
Transfer switches will be installed at the Oroville Public Safety Department, City Hall and corporation yard.
The purchase of four generators totaling $239,480.94 was approved May 21.
City Administrator Bill LaGrone said all four generators are mobile and will be stored at the city corporation yard so they are secure from “tampering or vandalism.”
With the exception of $6,282.83, the costs of the generators and transfer switches are covered by the $300,000 Public Safety Power Shutoff Resiliency Allocation from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Salary reduction
In an attempt to “honor” the decision and allow LaGrone to further explain his reasoning, Vice Mayor Scott Thomson pulled agenda item six from the consent calendar.
The item was brought to the council by LaGrone as he agreed to suspend 3 percent of his salary until city labor groups have received their contractually agreed-upon increases.
Labor groups have been asked to suspend contractual increases because of uncertain revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I really believe a part of leadership is doing what you ask your people to do,” LaGrone said.
The City Council would unanimously vote to amend LaGrone’s salary until the labor groups receive increases.
Other council news
All of the following items were also unanimously approved by the council:
- Placing solid waste liens from Recology on the city’s 2020-21 property tax roll as is done annually due to a franchise agreement.
- Approving minor and largely grammatical modifications to the city of Oroville’s CalHome Housing Rehabilitation Program Guidelines.
- Purchasing new stage curtains and asbestos abatement of restrooms and shower rooms for the Municipal Auditorium for $59,726.04.
- Adopting the 2020-21 annual budget which can be found at www.cityoforoville.org/services/finance-department/city-budget.
- Accepting $45,901 in the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control funding to finance police overtime activities that address alcohol-related crimes.
- Approving a project budget of $90,000 for the repair of the sewer that serves the Olive Glen neighborhood.
- Extending the agreement with the Chico State’s Geographical Information Center to host the city’s geographic information systems until 2021.
The next Oroville City Council meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 21.
Meetings remain closed to in-person public attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To participate, email comments to publiccomment@cityoforoville.org before 3 p.m. July 21 or stand outside the City Council Chambers during the meeting and speak with the provided microphone.
