In multiple letters addressed to the staff, we have highlighted our findings when those general contractors were bidding on Chico Unified projects. One of those contractors is Modern Building. Following video is of some workers that work for Modern Building on a Chico Unified School District. Well, we have videos on the Construction Wage Watch page. Where you can go on there and see they tell their story on how they were I'd like to add, we we actually had one of the workers that was going to be coming today to speak with us. Um unfortunately, fear got to him. Intimidation got to him. But he was going to come and describe the the injury that he suffered while working for Modern on a Chico Unified project. Um the worker expressed concerns and fear about coming forward. A cease and desist has been issued against Modern for intimidation tactics against their workers.
Nice. >> And then the siding will go up and the roofing will be completed. Um and just as um a reminder for anybody who might be watching, um so the Warren Barn is owned by the town of Ashland. Um and this is a joint project with uh Framingham State University. Um so we are contributing towards the towards the reconstruction of the barn. Framingham State is as well. And then just as a reminder, we also have a lease arrangement with Framingham State where we'll be getting a portion of the revenue that is being that is being generated from that barn as well. And could you just remind us in terms of our contribution, um remind us where that money came from? Sure. So the total is 1.5 million. So 750 was through an earmark that sent President Spilka was able to secure for us. And then the other 750,000 comes from the town.
>> Yeah, we haven't I'm not sure if we've seen one more than one all game actually from from the clockers. Uh they have been behind probably on the majority of counts today. >> Here's the O2. That's a line drive to second and a nice grab from Peterman >> and that is that is huge. >> Softly hit runners will hold up. >> So that is out number one. >> Yeah, big out and and now is the time where you really want to try to induce an ending any double play if you can possibly do that. Uh you know get out of this one is still tied up because it looked like a timeout. I think there was another B there in the infield. I think. Yeah, I think Haley Buterman had the effects of that. Yeah. >> Yeah. A little dance by Haley. >> The umpire understands he had the same thing happen to him a few innings ago.
Um, I'm here I have zero bias towards any school site. I'm here because I care. Um, because I want to be a part of the decision making that goes on in the community that I live in. Um, so that is my my honest and response to that. And again, everyone has a different opinion and you're entitled to your opinion and that's totally okay. need to be understood. But that's that's my reasoning. Um that's all. Thank you. I have nothing to add except that this is going to be a unique one because we're going to be going into close session for a second time. >> Before we go into close session, can we take a five minute break? Yeah, let's do that >> and then we'll return to the blinking too long tonight. Okay. So, coming back from 8.1. Um, so as Mr. Stevens was informed, you'll be notified of the board decision in writing.
And if you go to that constructionwagewatch.org website, there's a video where the worker himself explains exactly what happened to him and the entire situation. So, we want to come to you today to work together as a team. We we want to see Chico Unified thrive. And we think raising pre-qualification standards is a great way to filter out these bad actors. However, we we we know you guys don't have the resources or the people to police these job sites. And uh, you know, being properly informed by these contractors and making sure that everything they're giving you is vetted correctly. For instance, this past August, another pre-qualified contractor for Chico Unified School District, Bobo Construction, provided inaccurate information on a pre-qualification application in the city of Walnut Creek. Specifically to whether they were responsible for it for paying back wages and penalties. They said they were not.
From what? From the town. Okay. Okay. Thank you. All right. Couple of reminders. Culture Fest May 30th, 2026 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Look forward to that. And another reminder with Ashland Arboretum ribbon cutting ceremony is June 9th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Looking forward to that as well. Finally to see that all done and walk around. I drove by there the other day and it was I didn't stop in, but it it looks it looks really nice. It looks really, really nice. Great job to for those that were involved. And the Ashland Black Park ribbon cutting ceremony expected at some time at the end of June. Do we have a We don't have it yet. We don't have it yet. They're still trying to finish up some of the work now. Beth is managing that project. It's looking really good. >> It is. And very exciting after I don't know.
>> Yeah. We're going to have to check for bees here. >> Yeah. >> As Cahill will bat. That's upstairs. 0 for one with two walks in the nine hole. Mia French in the top of the lineup lurks on deck. >> Yeah, this is a really important batter right here going into the top of the lineup coming after uh Cahill. There's the 10. That one's fouled back. Balling a strike here. >> If there was if there were ever a time for a double play, this is the this is the opportune time for them to pull one off here, Jacob. Because if they if they let Cahill on here with only one out in the top of the order, it has trouble written all over it. Cash looks in. One- one pitched to Cahill. That one is outside. Two balls and one strike. That is a strike there from Cashion and it's two balls and two strikes on Cahill here.
It It was inaccurate and their staff was not aware and we made them aware of that. In addition to making sure that public monies are spent responsibly, pre-qualification also helps keep the building safe for all students and staff. So, Modern Building was the original general contractor on the Meriam Park project. This is an area of Chico that was ripe with opportunity, but it started off on the wrong foot. And we no longer have a video for that. Um, but last year, the Department of Industrial Relations released civil wage and penalty assessments naming Modern Building as severely liable for instances of wage theft. It showed that from 2016 to 2024, nearly every year Modern was named severely liable on civil wage and penalty assessments. This is a pattern of behavior. Three of those CWPAs at Chico Unified School District, including twice in 2018 on the Marsh Junior High Science Building for failure to pay prevailing wages.
So, what day do we have yet? >> [laughter] >> We just don't have a date. >> We don't have a date yet. >> Okay. But it's still looking like the end of June. >> It's It's looking like it's still looking like the end of June. I think that the contractor who's doing it is has has to come you know, is doing some specific things, but it's still looking like the end of June. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for that update. And >> [clears throat] >> an employee recognition and I will turn this over to Catherine. Um Laura Clifford. Michael, did you want to say anything? Before? Well, I'll start it off and Catherine, if you could talk a little bit about the the process afterwards, but um So, we we are starting this process of having um employees uh be recognized by their peers uh for the outstanding work that they do.
>> That was a big pitch. Big pitch by Holly there. And then this is probably one of the biggest pitches of the game right now. >> Strike out wouldn't be too bad either. Here comes the 2-2. That is a liner foul down the third base line. Valiant effort there from Lurai Colette, but it remains two and two. >> Gail's fighting hard against the counterpart in the circle, Kie Cashion, who has replaced Nicois here in the top of the sixth. >> Two balls, two strikes again. That one is upstairs. What a thriller we've seen here. >> This Yeah, this has been a bit of a nailbiter there. Just when you think that the clockers are ready to try and put them away, uh Westwood keeps crawling back. >> Here's the 3-2 and that one is fouled back. We'll do it again. A long at bat here for Cahill.
After going through time cards of these workers, we dug and found Modern wasn't paying prevailing wage on all prevailing wage projects. Now, these are examples that are taking place in our own backyard. We cannot turn a blind eye, put our head in the sand, and pretend it doesn't exist. Wringing out every dollar from the students is noble, but the cost-cutting comes off the backs of the workers building these projects, whose children attend these schools. Next, we would also like to point out that the Chico City Council has been a great community partner with us. And here are some of the members of the City Council to discuss their commitment to Chico Unified School District and what that would mean to our community. Addison and Bryce. All right, thanks. Hi there, Bryce Goldstein as mentioned, Chico City Council. I represent District 7. Um, and I'm just here to show support for the good work that our Carpenters Union is doing to help both train and also support the working people who build our communities.
And so, the first I'm I'm pleased to say that our first recipient um is Laura Clifford who works for us in the health department. Anybody who's had a chance to work with Laura or interact with her uh knows just how helpful she is and how um intentionally helpful she is. Uh she goes out of her way to be helpful for our residents, uh for other stakeholders, and also for the staff. Um Catherine, would you mind just speaking a little bit about the origin of this and just a little bit about the process? Sure. So, uh about a year and a half ago, our team met and we came up with an internal organizational development plan. Um and through that, uh it was found that as a team uh we were looking for more employee engagement opportunities as well as employee recognition. And so, one of the ideas that the actual implementation team came up with was an employee recognition program.
Yeah, Cahill is fighting. She's fighting hard here. Uh she is right now having an eight pitch at bat in this fight against Holly Cash. And let's see who wins in the battle of the pitchers. >> Once again, a 3-2 pitch from Cashin. Swung on and missed. >> What a gigantic strike out there for Holly. Just an absolutely huge swing and miss to get. There are now two outs with the top of the order up. Again, if they can somehow manage to get out of this uh with a tie score going into the bottom of the sixth, that's exactly what they need to happen. And the fourth time or sorry the fifth time around here for the Westwood top of the lineup is a good block from Vanetti. Mia French is one for three double. She's also walked. >> So runners still remain at first and second here with two outs.
I supported Measure C to help fund our schools and I want to ensure that Chico Unified School District is hiring responsible contractors so that our tax dollars are used wisely and also equitably. I'm also um, concerned that the union has found risks in previous contractor selections and pre-qualified firms. So when we spend public dollars on contractors who have proven to exploit workers and commit wage theft, we are doing a disservice to our community. It erodes trust in the government and of course it is really bad for our workers and our working class people in this community. So I'm just asking that Chico Unified School District work with the Carpenters Union to identify problematic contractors and prevent risks before they start. Thank you. I Addison Winslow again. I want to thank you for having these guys come and present and and listen to them. The Carpenters do a lot of really great work in compliance not just for union sites but lifting up the bottom of the working class as a whole and making sure that people are held to equal standards.
And so, they created um criteria on on how to um nominate someone and how that person is chosen. And so, employees can nominate their peers for great work that they do around town uh based on this criteria, a another group of their peers will look at all of the nominations for that quarter and select who um fits for for that quarter and and chooses um the employee that's recognized for that quarter. So, um it's a great program. Laura is our first um sort of winner of that and uh recipient of the employee recognition and um very well deserved. Very [clears throat] nice. Congratulations. Congratulations, Laura. She's awesome. She She really is amazing. So, that's a great first choice. I agree. Uh so, congratulations, Laura, and and we'll let you know each time we do have have another employee recognized. I I do have one thing additional thing that I was notified about today.
>> A nine pitch strikeout of Cahill. That's a good pitch. One ball, one strike. The key is not to fall behind here for Holly. So if she can get ahead right now, put >> her on her heels a little bit and get out of this one. >> Comes the 1-1. It's a ground ball back to the mound. What a play by Cashion and she quickly fires it over to Kyra to end the top of the six and keep the game tied. >> Really nice play there by Holly. Good reaction to get that ball and get out of her glove. I was afraid that she may have rushed a little bit. Uh but she was anxious to get that over. Zips it over to Kyra to make the third out of the inning. And the the clockers are still alive here. It's a 9 to9 game going in the bottom of the sixth.
I supported Measure C. I would do it again. I think it's very important that we invest in our school facilities and make sure that the kids here have the best opportunities that we can provide for them. But in the allocations of those dollars, I think that it's important that you as publicly elected representatives think about the broader impact of the things not just for the schools, not just just in that um on the side of the facilities and getting the cheapest thing, but making sure that it has the best external benefits and the workforce development programs that these guys do, I think are very valuable to the community and including the kids and their parents themselves. And I think that we can get the the best out of the money that we have allocated by making sure that we do have responsible contractors and we are holding our um holding this work and those who do it to the to the highest standard.
Um that's good news. That So, the National Academy for Public Administration um is part of the celebration in Washington of America's 250th anniversary. Uh and part of that is what they're calling the celebration of the American public servant, uh which is uh there were 250 uh um Americans uh or you know, people working in local government uh throughout the United States that were recognized as part of that, but uh that's going to culminate in a celebration at the end of June in Washington. One of a part of that celebration is they're going to feature um 10 essentially local stories, uh stories from local government. I just that really illustrate what it means to work in local government and uh work with residents in the community and and be a part of the community. Uh so, we had submitted um just our our nomination for that was our trick-or-treating event in on Halloween or around Halloween, where we open up town hall and all the kids come in and it's become a it's grown from just a candy bowl at one of the counters on a late Wednesday night to this event that fills downtown.
And I do like who we've got coming to the plate. You you've got Ava Vendetti who is certainly a great hitter. Caroline Kyra um is the second leading hitter on the team in terms of average. And then you have an absolutely fire hot hitting Lauraai Colette coming up third. So this could be the spot for them to put a couple across. >> Yeah. And Lauraai Colette is on the cycle watch. A triple needed and that would be a huge hit as hopefully someone gets on in front of her. Vendetti or Kyra. >> Love to see that happen. love love to see uh Vendetti and Kyra both get on to give Lauraai the chance to knock them both in with a standup triple and get that cycle. That would be quite an accomplishment and it would be the easiest choice ever for the Marathon Delhi King Kong offensive player of the game.