Commission to assess disc-golf sites

Following a half-hour of chippy byplay Tuesday night (Feb. 17), the Chico City Council voted unanimously to have the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission assess sites proposed for the disc-golf short course to be relocated from Upper Park. Park commissioners face a hard deadline, however: The council will pick a site April 21, with or without their input.

Councilman Larry Wahl questioned the need for a review, decrying the delay it would cause, and called the commission “anti-disc-golf on the face of it.”

The comment drew an immediate rebuke from Councilman Andy Holcombe: “It’s unfair to say they’re against disc golf before they weigh in on it. You aren’t giving commissioners the respect they deserve.” Councilwoman Mary Flynn then responded that if the council wouldn’t let commissioners assess a park matter, “why do we have a park commission?”

Wahl ultimately relented, and Holcombe’s motion passed 5-0, with Mayor Ann Schwab and Vice Mayor Tom Nickell disqualified on the advice of the city attorney because they live close to Bidwell Park.