The Chico City Council is composed of seven members representing seven individual districts which were officially created in February 2020. 

Councilmembers are elected to serve four-year terms, with elections held in November of even numbered years.  Seats are staggered, with either three or four seats up for each election.

Following each election and after the newly elected members of Council are sworn in, the Council selects a Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members to serve for a two-year term. 

COUNCIL VACANCY – INSTRUCTIONS & APPLICATION

The Chico City Council is seeking applications from citizens wishing to serve on the City Council to fill two (2) unscheduled vacancies.  The appointments will be for approximate seventeen (17) month terms beginning August 3, 2021 and expiring December 2022.  Those interested must be residents of the City of Chico, registered voters and 21 years or older, and if applying for the District 3 vacancy, be a registered voter in District 3. Please call the City Clerk’s office at 896-7250 if you have any questions.

Council Vacancy Application Instructions 
Application Instructions
Council Vacancy Application
Application

Councilmember Scott Huber – Resignation Letter 
Councilmember Huber Resignation Letter

Councilmember Kami Denlay – Resignation Letter
Councilmember Denlay Resignation Letter

Summary of AP&P 10-44, Council Vacancy Administrative Procedures and Policy
 

The Charter of the City of Chico, as well as Government Code Section 36512(b) grants the Council the authority to appoint a qualified citizen to complete the remainder of the term vacated.  Should the Council choose to appoint, it must do so within 30 days of the date the Council formally declares the seat vacant, or call for a Special Election.

• The Council shall declare the seat vacant at a regularly scheduled meeting.  The term of the vacancy is for the remaining term of the seat vacated. 
• The Council shall either call for a Special Election or set a recruitment period to receive formal applications.  If the appointment process is selected, the Council will determine the recruitment period and schedule a meeting to hold interviews.
• If the appointment process is selected, the City Clerk will handle the recruitment process with an official application. A questionnaire may also be required.
• Applicants will need to be prepared to respond to questions regarding near and long term perspectives, quality of life challenges and opportunities, leadership and interpersonal skills, and community fiscal health and resources issues.
• A qualified citizen must be 21 years of age and a registered voter within the Chico City limits. 
• If the vacated seat was elected at large, applicants may reside anywhere within the City limits, as long as they are a qualified citizen.  If the vacated seat was elected by district, applicants must be qualified citizens within the district.

Following the interviews, each Councilmember shall nominate up to two citizens for final consideration.  The City Clerk will create an official ballot in which the Council will use to vote.  Once a nominee has received a majority vote (4 or more votes), the nominee will be confirmed as appointed.  The Oath of Office will be administered at the next regularly scheduled meeting following appointment.

If the Council chooses to hold a Special Election, it shall be held within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date the Council declared the seat vacant.

City Council Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 11 and streamed live via this link.

 

Council Standing Committees

The City Council currently has two standing committees which are the Finance Committee and Internal Affairs Committee, each comprised of three Councilmembers. These two committees delve into items referred to them for review and possible recommendations.  Recommendations are then forwarded back to the full Council for consideration and possible action.

Finance Committee Information

Internal Affairs Committee Information

Council Committees & Intergovernmental Agency Appointments

In addition to the regularly scheduled Council meetings, Councilmembers participate in a variety of City and intergovernmental agency meetings.