WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – A once divided Williams City Council came together at its first meeting of 2024 to focus on keeping the momentum officials started last year to accomplish their goals.
The council’s first order of business was to keep Mayor Don Parsons and Mayor Pro Tem Maria Belmontes-Leyva at the helm for a second consecutive term. The vote was unanimous, unlike a split 3-2 decision in 2023.
Members of the council also voiced their desire to keep their current assignments on various boards and committees going into the new year.
“I am happy to stay on the current committees that I’m serving,” said Leyva, who sits on the finance committee, personnel committee, and is liaison to the Williams Unified School District.
Because Williams has two members who serve on the Colusa County Transportation Commission in even-numbered years, Parsons selected Councilwoman Kate Dunlap to join City Administrator Frank Kenney on the dais.
The City of Colusa, which had two members on the Transportation Commission last year, will have one member in 2024, and the County of Colusa will retain its three seats.
The Colusa County Transportation Commission is responsible for developing and implementing transportation plans, as well as allocating state and federal transportation funds to local projects.
Williams officials said the city’s goals for 2024 include continuing with the E Street improvement project, enhancing public safety, improving city infrastructure, and promoting economic development.
City Administrator Frank Kennedy said securing the old bowling alley, using $1.1 million in Community Development Block Grant reuse income to purchase the old bowling alley for a Community Food Distribution site and office for First 5 California, which is expected to open this spring, is among the city’s most noteworthy achievement in 2023, because the money would otherwise have been returned to the state.
“To reinvest that into the city is a huge accomplishment,” Kennedy said.
The city also made exterior repairs to city buildings, including the Old Gym, the Sacramento Valley Museum, and the old police department building; planted trees at several locations, adopted a water master plan, and completed a new well project, with continuation of that progress.
As for economic development, Williams could see continued progress on a new Tractor Supply, Love’s RV Park, Chevron Truck Stop, and Maverick gas station.
Design and Review for the projects were completed in 2023, officials said.
As for goals in 2024, the city anticipates creating a Community Development Department and will continue efforts to streamline the planning application process.
Officials said they also hope to secure grants to assist in Williams’ revitalization efforts, especially regarding lighting in the downtown and near the schools.