OROVILLE — Kids’ and adults’ prank calls to 911 might become very expensive with a new proposed ordinance in the city.

The number of non-emergency and preventable calls to Oroville’s emergency dispatch is growing, taking resources away from “true emergencies,” according to a city staff report.

In an effort to curb these calls, the Oroville City Council will consider a new ordinance to establish a cost recovery program for the Oroville Fire Department for “certain situations, such as repeated false alarms, non-emergency service requests, or incidents caused by negligence or violations,” according to a staff report.

Cost recovery “is not to generate revenue, but to encourage responsible use of emergency services and help offset costs when those services are used inappropriately,” the report said.

The proposed ordinance includes exceptions for true emergencies and fees will not be charged for anyone “acting in good faith during an emergency.”

In other business, the council will hear about progress on the Norton Street rehabilitation project for a drainage correction, road widening, pavement reconstruction and complete sidewalks from Montgomery Street to Bridge Street.

Pacific Coast Producers, having operated its facility for decades at 1601 Mitchell Ave., requested the council to grandfather its land use against a 2007 rezoning of the area to mixed-use development.

The city is moving forward with construction of its new corporation yard at 655 Cal Oak Road, and will consider contracting United Building Contractors, Inc to design and build out $1,747,985.36 in improvements and new builds on the campus.

Oroville Police Department presence in parks may also get a boost with recommendations to purchase new live view cameras and increasing extra patrols with electric bicycles, foot patrols, all-terrain vehicle patrols and regular patrols.

In addition, the Oroville Police Department requested a one-time purchase of new computer equipment and purchase of five new patrol vehicles, a total cost of about $470,000, according to a staff report.

The Oroville City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at the Oroville City Council Chambers at 1735 Montgomery St. Closed session starts at 4. Meetings are free, open to the public and are also streamed on Zoom and YouTube.

The council agenda and links to live feeds can be found at cityoforoville.org.