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Chico Council To Consider Warming Shelters, Small Cell Towers And PG&E

Alan Cuevas

A proposal that would double what Chico spends shielding the poor from extreme weather is among the topics up for debate Tuesday evening. 

 

If approved, Chico would up its commitment to $60,000 annually for operation of a shelter from the merciless summer heat and intolerable winter cold. Though open to all, the refuge is mainly geared to the homeless.

Launched by the city council a year ago, the program evolved from a heated tent adjacent to the railway station to a room made available off-hours at the Jesus Center, a provider of services to those experiencing homelessness.

 

The proposal calls for making the room available more frequently such as during heavy rain or when it is both breezy and cool.

 

The council will also consider changes to the city municipal code to comply with an order from the Federal Communications Commission. The nationwide order makes it very difficult for municipalities to block cell phone towers from being installed on publicly owned property, such as street lamps and traffic signals.

 

The council may also consider an ordinance against sex trafficking and joining an effort led by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo to call on the state Public Utilities Commission to dissolve Pacific Gas & Electric Company and replace it with a customer-owned co-operative. 

 

The meeting gets underway Tuesday evening at six.