7/28/25 Bidwell Park & Playground Commission

BIDWELL PARK AND PLAYGROUND COMMISSION (BPPC) MEETING July 28, 2025 Minutes 1.1. Call to Order - Chair Willis called the July 28, 2025 Regular Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1.2. Roll Call Present: Chair Willis, Commissioner Nava, Commissioner Nichols, Commissioner Scheer Absent: Vice-Chair Blachley, Commissioner Paiva, Commissioner Thomas Petty 2. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Nichols and seconded by Commissioner Nava to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Nava, Commissioner Nichols, Commissioner Scheer, Chair Willis NOES: None ABSENT: Vice-Chair Blachley, Commissioner Paiva, Commissioner Thomas Petty 2.1. APPROVAL OF BPPC MEETING MINUTES OF 05/19/25 2.2. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA - NONE 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Members of the public addressed the Commission on matters not already listed on the agenda and within the jurisdiction’s authority. The Commission was prohibited from taking action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda. 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None 5. REGULAR AGENDA 5.1. SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR ADVENTURE OUTINGS TO HOLD TECHNICAL TREE CLIMBING COURSES AT CHILDREN’S PARK ON AN ONGOING BASIS Nate Farrington, the Adventure Outings Program Director (Applicant), at Associated Students of Chico State, requested a Special Use Permit to host a series of low-impact technical tree climbing sessions at Children’s Park. (Report – Richie Bamlet, Urban Forest Manager) A motion was made by Commissioner Nichols and seconded by Commissioner Scheer to approve the Special Use Permit for a one-year term, subject to conditions recommended by Staff. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Nava, Commissioner Nichols, Commissioner Scheer NOES: Chair Willis ABSENT: Vice-Chair Blachley, Commissioner Paiva, Commissioner Thomas Petty 5.2. PRESENTATION ON SIERRA NEVADA CONSERVANCY (SNC) WILDFIRE AND FOREST RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM

Eli Goodsell provided information about the SNC grant that Chico State Enterprises recently applied for. The project will establish a fuel break within the footprint of the 2024 Park Fire, followed by prescribed fire treatments to maintain and enhance its effectiveness. It will establish the Musty Buck Ridge fuel break across multiple landownerships, strategically positioned between the communities of Cohasset, Forest Ranch, and the City of Chico. (Report – Eli Goodsell, Executive Director, Chico State Ecological Reserves) A motion was made by Commissioner Nichols and seconded by Commissioner Nava to authorize Staff to draft a letter of support for the grant. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Nava, Commissioner Nichols, Commissioner Scheer, Chair Willis NOES: None ABSENT: Vice-Chair Blachley, Commissioner Paiva, Commissioner Thomas Petty 5.3. REVIEW OF BIDWELL PARK MASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN At the 4/1/25 meeting, City Council voted to direct staff and the BPPC to develop a project initiative list that Council and staff can all agree on by analyzing certain sections of the Bidwell Park Master Management Plan (BPMMP) over the course of the next year. Additionally, determine if sections of the BPMMP need to be updated. (Report – Shane Romain, Park and Natural Resources Manager) Recommendation: Commissioners familiarize themselves with the BPMMP and communicate with staff sections of interest. 6. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS – The following reports and communication items were provided for the Commission's information. No action could be taken on items under this section unless the Commission agreed to include it on a subsequent agenda. 6.1. Parks Division Report – Verbal Report, Shane Romain, Parks and Natural Resources Manager 6.2. Street Tree Division Report – Verbal Report, Richie Bamlet, Urban Forest Manager 7. ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. to the next regular meeting on August 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Chico Municipal Center building located at 421 Main Street, Chico, California. Date Approved: /kec 8/25/25 _______________________________________________ Shane Romain, Park & Natural Resources Manager

7/28/25 Bidwell Park & Playground Commission

Public Works Department, Park Division

965 Fir Street

Chico, CA, 95928

(530) 896-7800

CITY OF CHICO

7/28/25 Bidwell Park & Playground Commission

July 28, 2025, 6:00 pm

City Council Chambers - 421 Main Street, Chico CA

Materials related to an item on this Agenda are available for public inspection in the Park Division Office at 965 Fir Street, Chico during normal business hours or online at https://www.chico.ca.us/

1.

REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING

1.1.

Call to Order

1.2.

Roll Call

2.

CONSENT AGENDA – All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine in nature. All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine and enacted by one motion.

2.1.

APPROVAL OF BPPC DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF 05/19/25

2.1 Draft Minutes

2.2.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine and enacted by one motion.

3.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – Members of the public may address the BPPC at this time on any matter not already listed on the agenda and within the jurisdiction’s authority. Comments will be limited to three minutes or as determined by the Chair based on the number of speakers. The BPPC cannot take any action at this meeting on request made under this section of the agenda. Members of the public may address the Commission at this time on any matter not already listed on the agenda; comments are limited to three minutes. The Commission cannot take any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.

4.

PUBLIC HEARINGS - None

5.

REGULAR AGENDA

5.1.

SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR ADVENTURE OUTINGS TO HOLD TECHNICAL TREE CLIMBING COURSES AT CHILDREN'S PARK ON AN ONGOING BASIS Nate Farrington, the Adventure Outings Program Director (Applicant), at Associated Students of Chico State, requests a Special Use Permit to host a series of low-impact technical tree climbing sessions at Children's Park. (Report - Richie Bamlet, Urban Forest Manager)

Action: Conditional approval of the permit.

5.1 Staff Report

5.2.

PRESENTATION ON SIERRA NEVADA CONSERVANCY (SNC) WILDFIRE AND FOREST RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM. Eli Goodsell will provide information about the SNC grant that Chico State Enterprises recently applied for. The project will establish a fuel break within the footprint of the 2024 Park Fire, followed by prescribed fire treatments to maintain and enhance its effectiveness. It will establish the Musty Buck Ridge fuel break across multiple landownerships, strategically positioned between the communities of Cohasset, Forest Ranch, and the City of Chico. (Report - Eli Goodsell, Executive Director, Chico State Ecological Reserve)

Action: Authorize staff to draft a letter of support for the grant.

5.2 Staff Report

5.2a Attachment

5.3.

REVIEW OF BIDWELL PARK MASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN At the 4/1/25 meeting, City Council voted to direct staff and the BPPC to develop a project initiative list that Council and staff can all agree on by analyzing certain sections of the Bidwell Park Master Management Plan (BPMMP) over the course of the next year. Additionally, determine if sections of the BPMMP need to be updated. (Report - Shane Romain, Park and Natural Resources Manager)