City Hall departure

For the second time in two years, Chico needs a new department head to oversee planning and building in the city.

Community Development Director Leo DePaola recently announced he’s moving to Santa Rosa. His last day with the city will be Friday (Sept. 21).

DePaola came to Chico from Marin County as a city building official in August 2015. Following Mark Wolfe’s departure as community development director in May 2017, the City Council approved DePaola as director and Brendan Vieg as deputy director of a restructured department th following August.

The city had not announced plans moving forward as of the CN&R’s deadline Wednesday (Sept. 19).