[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6531144,"mediaKeyId","3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f","parentId",3610700,"title","Willows council reports direction given in closed session on labor, litigation and rejects a liability claim","audioSeconds",58,"startMs",5118000,"endMs",5176000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f&start=5118&end=5176","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f/thumbnail_5118000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6531144/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-council-reports-direction-given-in-closed-session-on-labor-litigation-and-rejects-a-liability-claim","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531144-f574a5b6056c713dc6767a9fb2935b85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164444&Signature=FBVTZLqiRoTn2Di0Zc7AB4P-E~oRHaklJsYr0RJSUhg0ZXDVaptxgljus1bw~YuW5DoyLmoTdl6FH2MZhZ04hQR9enKUg3-qKfkjkBWad~b7Yr56RcatqgLCv0UepYb~grlEkdHLSi5YRW197twhAUu2c9lykOTqTwgt9SnwIn-L8REwDaqyRswgOanukYHwb8cDOFcliTvTqiOzqlyD6z9ASz~EoNq6ucsBKr2JGRvfqZe4IsENVVQqvBSvuYE49ntAu5jRg2jj8YbVwExrKyB8hoer94DQyqY74GqyX2e4gwQ8xaAKNOvWZHSiLEcBB~hVuTNeBUme0QIpBfYN9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-28T16:20:51Z","article","After meeting in closed session, the Willows City Council reported publicly that it gave direction to staff on three items: labor negotiations, anticipated litigation and a liability claim.

City Attorney Andrew (last name redacted in the record) reported the council met with designated labor negotiators — City Manager Marty Brown and the city attorney — on matters involving multiple employee bargaining units; the report out stated “direction was given to staff.” The council also met on one matter of anticipated litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9(b); the city attorney reported that direction was given to staff on that item as well.

On a liability claim from an individual identified as Steve Abel against the City of Willows, the council voted unanimously to reject the claim. The attorney’s report listed the legal code sections under which the closed session was held and confirmed the council’s public report out.

No further details were provided in open session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 27, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After a closed session, the Willows City Council reported it gave direction on labor negotiations and anticipated litigation and unanimously rejected a liability claim by a claimant named Steve Abel.","taxTitle","Willows City, Glenn County, California","taxId",71416,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6531149,"Willows council approves appraisals for three city properties after pull from consent calendar",111,1023000,1134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f&start=1023&end=1134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f/thumbnail_1023000.jpg","/articles/6531149/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-council-approves-appraisals-for-three-city-properties-after-pull-from-consent-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531149-1e07aef74b1f3e4816a028557c6d735f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164444&Signature=IckGGyHPq0R8m8-zlU5HbEFg9u1J8RLZ4SRLXHnBG0dcFTPK0AXBMnugrP052m2daqaUqA4uMNdjErBKBcPrAkS-3tfUvCSYNRLh-5IZulY96pZsmvLFiH6K35nz6QzTTY4ITkNWPttAt6mqVBoD6vG~780Pk0AFt6YELXVUrXqMs9l6OjgBsfAzlh9bu2lKc0iRaV1IQSmie6aaixtZULZVUoheREANA5ZrkAVlSEN-mrrSwCgXTWxcdlfm8s9nDXXXZI5A-ajA80tyI1UX56pEITLVoKp7RH~~rtxaI4yHzWRidDL7X6A~UOlw9fgro3yRpC5C3QDDyTTtIQJhRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council voted unanimously to proceed with title and appraisal services for three city‑owned properties after the item was pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion.

At the start of the consent‑calendar vote, a council member asked that item 6(c) — sale of city‑owned property — be removed for separate consideration. The item lists three properties: two rental houses on Lassen Street and a small lot at the corner of Yolo and Sycamore. Staff clarified that title‑report questions raised previously would be addressed as part of the appraisal and title work and that any subsequent sale would return to council for approval.

One council member said he was reluctant to sell city rental houses that currently generate modest revenue and argued the city should consider long‑term value before selling. City manager Marty Brown explained that the current council approval only authorizes moving forward with appraisals and title work; any actual sale would be presented to council later for full discussion and decision.

After discussion, the council approved item 6(c) on a separate vote, 5–0, authorizing staff to obtain title and appraisal services and continue the property‑sale process. Council members said the appraisal work is a prudent step and that council can decide later whether to proceed with any sale.","Council members approved moving forward with title and appraisal services for three city‑owned parcels after a council member pulled the item from the consent calendar for further discussion; vote was 5–0.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6531151,"Willows council approves use of CDBG program income to finish ADA door upgrades at city hall",132,4312000,4444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f&start=4312&end=4444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f/thumbnail_4312000.jpg","/articles/6531151/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-council-approves-use-of-CDBG-program-income-to-finish-ADA-door-upgrades-at-city-hall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531151-0c7dbfa7e98e5867d726211a6d2ca619/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164444&Signature=YfPIXSyGKHwSMWjjRITBOrIn8CcfAkeGY72g4795-0NOzuJS6ZjyVucs09NU6AwFVe99rGqxCuaI69EhT1ayeHJwaZaosuUbzAN-qwx-WWqGTOr9RnooDHjnAmhfIbrcwKQmGNg2qerRjnWBXSC4EMMaD4BH6RdPB0Y0wrToh9Mqonwd-ER7f3K~g-gEYLBv9YNofUEBHAoz257kMqpAKRqm5IQ-BfNJcwiF9PVGCf5zXGP4lf~ZXnmQZSR46s~tGbgX05gn3EnIeBdst9eXd73XpOdru0mLw6sNO43IpCnS09fMAGVMVYeAZOPDuZTkBfg0mSBlLmmnp7LDVF-2Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to apply approximately $188,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program income to complete Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) door upgrades at City Hall.

Community Development Director Joe Bettencourt told the council that the door project began under a prior CDBG CV‑2 funding cycle but could not be finished before the federal expenditure deadline of March 31 due to cumulative project delays in design, plan review and contractor procurement. Staff proposed using available CDBG program income — generated from Romano Cheese loan repayments — to finish the work.

Bettencourt said roughly $330,000 in program income has originated from repayments of the Romano Cheese loan and that staff proposed applying about $188,000 of program income to complete the ADA door upgrade and associated parking lot work. Council voted 5–0 to approve the application and grant agreement for the 2024 CDBG funding year.

Council members described the action as straightforward and necessary to complete an accessibility improvement previously started with federal funds. The hearing on the application was opened and closed with no public comment; staff will proceed with the grant application and execution process.","Council approved a resolution to apply approximately $188,000 in CDBG program income to complete ADA door upgrades at city hall after the original project missed a federal expenditure deadline; vote was unanimous.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6531152,"Willows council authorizes application to reloan CDBG program income to Masters Gallery Foods",659,1441000,2100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f&start=1441&end=2100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f/thumbnail_1441000.jpg","/articles/6531152/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-council-authorizes-application-to-reloan-CDBG-program-income-to-Masters-Gallery-Foods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531152-3f17da7055164fc1c2e6f620614355c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164444&Signature=ZNkRMgjrshhig4xzlhQT81pY~-mKHepF~JBH0UVhfUyyOtfeQTmU08iE0LXhgVoBcEoEGVs5CV3d57hSd-jyJVC2CnbIJlJrczVvl~3-JZ9farplwAaQnmV7-Cxs5fdhAdBskPcWWPgT9rTKQ8ghcIc01njqinFm7idO73wO45h41fpv28CVdIreBnEGlAWhk3ywROKWXM1G2-arI2gZbuESbnMU~dGvzC-0sUJX7n44muMGTdb3FNkR4ryjjV0WvP6SgvfO39ISoWIgPkKKLR12lUSLuVw4HGBIbwjO-6ccczGgmY19oIl4KJnJIbVEphoeRIo~k8hQZgP0lS-7FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) over‑the‑counter, program‑income loan application to offer financing to Masters Gallery Foods once the existing Romano Cheese loan is paid off.

City manager Marty Brown and Community Development staff told council that Romano Cheese’s existing CDBG over‑the‑counter loan would become program income if paid off; with state Housing and Community Development (HCD) approval, the city could reloan those funds to Masters Gallery Foods to support modernization and expansion of the local facility. “If all goes according to plan, sometime tomorrow, we’ll be the new owners of the Romiano facilities here in Willows,” Jeff Gentine, president and CEO of Masters Gallery Foods, told the council.

Staff said the Romano loan principal originated from a 2018 economic development agreement and that roughly $330,000 in program income has accumulated from repayments; the specific amount to be reloaned would depend on payoff figures and HCD approval. The council approved the resolution 5–0.

Council members welcomed the potential buyer and said they hoped the company would invest in the facility and the community. Gentine described Masters Gallery Foods as a Wisconsin‑based cheese packaging company planning its first West Coast expansion and said capital investment for modern packaging lines typically ranges from several million to about $10 million. The council did not set loan terms at the meeting; staff said staff will calculate the current payoff, any daily interest adjustments and work with the third‑party loan servicer and HCD as part of the application process.

The resolution authorizes the city manager to pursue a program‑income OTC loan application and to work with HCD and the loan servicer; final loan terms and any transfer of an existing loan would require subsequent approvals and adherence to HCD rules.","Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program‑income over‑the‑counter loan to Masters Gallery Foods contingent on payoff of the existing Romano Cheese loan; vote was unanimous.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6531153,"Willows council narrowly approves temporary moratorium on new mobile food‑truck applications",2037,2118000,4155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f&start=2118&end=4155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610700-42853f9913153ba9b1fcc0468e49d11f/thumbnail_2118000.jpg","/articles/6531153/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-council-narrowly-approves-temporary-moratorium-on-new-mobile-foodtruck-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531153-05de0b581f7c2e1d2039e0b8ce3d909e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164444&Signature=LroJE2wxzUYjyFbdfetxikmmYb0VY2oMvKACpfYLZVAtGkLT6grd6n4YBh3GotIOQLRObxFLia0Obu8sWKDfd41PHuhpULZVvwaBNF5fYO3RzuPrA6bzSnN~ypcj2FKARDwdHnHk~Si-6QT7GEdqSM~S7xyP-I7t4vCZBWRjJBDc8eX5RVkaBlpS8jPeSJlFKjGBbrv78zwp1hkUoPaeOnETAhc34ETD-jh6IF9E-KSRcU5RZyDvO~eGts0YPS84RzCFQn7vcARK2DmylLHrpjMr5fjr~QBRrkSEalySxw9gjLB1o8UPlxOWoCj13zEwucnTmIJg9sFvBkJ4W5LlqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council voted 3–2 to introduce a temporary moratorium on new applications for mobile food trucks and directed staff to schedule a second reading and adoption.

Supporters, led by Council member Bridal, said the pause is intended to give the city time to update municipal code Chapter 18 to define mobile food vendors, resolve zoning inconsistencies and align the code with the city’s recently revised general plan. “I don’t want anyone else to have to go through that,” Bridal said, referring to a recent five‑month permitting process for a mobile vendor downtown.

Opponents said the moratorium sends the wrong message to prospective businesses. “I’m absolutely opposed to moratorium on anything,” Council member Hanson said, calling the measure “anti business.” Hanson and Vice Mayor Thomas voted no; Council members Pride, Busby and Mayor Hudson voted in favor. The council’s action was an introduction of the ordinance by title only, with an amendment directing staff to schedule a second reading and adoption. The motion passed 3 to 2 on a roll‑call vote.

City staff said the moratorium, as drafted, would last up to one year or until adoption of an updated municipal code, whichever occurs first. Joe Bettencourt, the community development services director, told the council that current code references to transient and mobile uses are inconsistent and that the only explicit reference to “mobile” appeared in the central commercial district section. He said there had been at least one informal inquiry at the counter and that the moratorium would not affect the three existing food‑truck operations that own their lots.

Members discussed alternatives, including adopting a quick interim definition or resolution to address immediate uncertainty while the comprehensive code rewrite proceeds. Bettencourt said consultants estimated a full municipal code update would take about a year and cost roughly $60,000 after a planned July joint meeting with the planning commission; staff said the work would be contracted as a separate task order.

Public commenters urged the council to move quickly and to avoid anti‑growth signals. One resident said the moratorium felt “antigrowth” and argued the code update could be done in two to three months if prioritized.

The council’s action introduces the ordinance and schedules the process to return for final adoption; the moratorium, if adopted at the second reading, would pause acceptance of new mobile food‑truck applications only and would not change approvals already issued. The council and staff said existing permitted mobile vendors would be treated as preexisting or nonconforming uses under the updated code.","The Willows City Council voted 3–2 to introduce a temporary moratorium on new mobile food‑truck applications and directed staff to schedule a second reading and adoption; supporters said the pause will allow the city to update its municipal code, opponents called the move anti‑business.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Willows council reports direction given in closed session on labor, litigation and rejects a liability claim

Willows council approves appraisals for three city properties after pull from consent calendar

Willows council approves use of CDBG program income to finish ADA door upgrades at city hall

Willows council authorizes application to reloan CDBG program income to Masters Gallery Foods

Willows council narrowly approves temporary moratorium on new mobile food‑truck applications