CHICO — The Chico City Council will meet Tuesday in what is sure to be another heated and long evening. The council will be discussing the city’s Sit and Lie ordinance and considering a new ordinance banning needle distribution programs, among other hot topics.
At the meeting on Feb. 4, more than 250 people — mostly local business owners — gathered on the sidewalk outside the chambers to protest the council’s decision to merely agendize the discussion of these items. Tuesday will be the actual discussion, which will afford the public another opportunity to comment on the controversial ordinances.
On Feb. 4, protesters used large trucks from local businesses to block and slowly move along downtown’s busy Main Street during the evening rush hour. Many travelers honked their horns in solidarity as hundreds on the sidewalk cheered, waving signs that said “Keep Sit-Lie” and “Kids Not Needles.”
It is likely the discussion and public comment period for these items will take up the majority of the council’s time that evening. It may also be prudent to avoid downtown streets for the few hours surrounding the start of the meeting.
Jody Gallaway, who organized the protest on Feb. 4 and is an owner of Gallaway Enterprises in Chico, said there would be more if the council did not listen to the protesters.
Gallaway said their requests were threefold: First, to ban the North Valley Harm Reduction Coalition from operating a syringe access program that recently began with state approval.
Second, that the city maintain its “Sit and Lie” ordinance, which bans sitting or lying on sidewalks in commercial areas.
And third, that the city does not amend the Offenses Against Public Property ordinance, which Mayor Randall Stone and Vice Mayor Alex Brown have suggested and will discuss on Tuesday.
Anyone wishing to speak on these issues will need to sit through the council’s consent agenda first, which has only one item: An amendment to a city ordinance dealing with noise from vehicles and bicycles. The business from the floor period of the evening is reserved for comment on items not on the evening’s agenda, so if you plan to make a comment about any of the discussions being held Tuesday evening, get a speaker card to City Clerk Debbie Presson for that specific item.
If there is time, the city will also hear requested discussions about Safe Space Winter Shelter, an electric mobility sharing program and an extreme heat preparedness plan.
The City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers at 421 Main St. in Chico.
