Gridley City Council = Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, April 21, 2025; 6:00 pm Gridley City Hall, 685 Kentucky Street, Gridley, CA 95948 "Our purpose is to continuously enhance our community's vitality and overall quality of life. We are committed to providing high quality, cost-effective municipal services and forming productive partnerships with our residents and regional organizations. We collectively develop, share, and are guided by a clear vision, values, and meaningful objectives. H CALL TO ORDER Mayor Farr called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. ROLL CALL Present: Johnson, Roberts, Calderon, Sanchez, Farr Absent: None Arriving after roll call: None Staff Present: Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator Todd Farr, Police Chief Anthony Galyean, City Attorney Martin Pineda, Finance Director Patricia Taverner, Assistant Finance Director Ross Pippitt, Utility Director Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Farr led the Pledge of Allegiance. PROCLAMATION = None INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES - None COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM The community participation forum was opened, and seeing as no one was available to speak, was closed. CONSENT AGENDA 1. City Council Minutes City Council review and approval of regular meeting minutes for the April 7, 2025 Recommended Action(s): GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 4-21-25 Page 1 of5 a. Approve Council meeting minutes: April 7, 2025 ROLL CALL Motion: Johnson Second: Roberts Action: to approve consent agenda as presented Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Farr, Sanchez, Johnson Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None Motion passed, 5-0 ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 2. Managing Sidewalk Liability (Informational Presentation) The City Council will receive a presentation from Marcus Beverly, NCCSIF Program Manager, Alliant Insurance Services, outlining key challenges, priorities, and proposed actions to address critical areas impacting the community Recommended Action(s): a. Receive and review the "Managing Sidewalk Liability" presentation. b. Provide feedback and direction to staff on priorities and next steps. Marcus Beverley, representing NCCSIF, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on managing sidewalk liability. He provided a high-level overview of sidewalk maintenance responsibilities, associated liabilities, and best practices for cities. Beverley emphasized that the City is self-insured, meaning most small claims related to sidewalk incidents typically fall within the City's deductible. He clarified a common misconception, noting that the maintenance of trees located within the public right-of-way-as well as the condition of the sidewalk fronting private property-is generally the responsibility oft the adjacent property owner. To mitigate risk and improve safety, Beverley recommended the City implement a sidewalk inspection and maintenance program. This program should include a clear policy stating that property owners are responsible for regularly inspecting and maintaining the sidewalk areas in front of their homes to ensure they are safe for public use or reporting unsafe conditions to the City, SO appropriate measures can be taken and repairs coordinated in conjunction with the City. Beverley also mentioned that NCCSIF works with a company called Precision Concrete, which can assist the City by assessing sidewalk conditions and providing a cost estimate for correcting identified problem areas. GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 4-21-25 Page 2 of5 City Administrator Elisa Arteaga informed the Council that, following additional meetings with NCCSIF, she will be bringing forward a proposed tree and sidewalk ordinance for Council consideration, along with an updated payment assistance program for residents. After brief Council discussion, the information was accepted. 3. Letter of Support City Council to consider a Letter of Support for Gridley Unified School District's Request to Purchase Property Adjacent to GUSD and Butte County Fairgrounds Recommended Action(s): a. Approve a letter of support from the Gridley City Council to the Butte County Board of Supervisors in support of Gridley Unified School District's effort to purchase the parcel of land located between the GUSD campus and the Butte County Fairgrounds. City Administrator Elisa Arteaga presented the staff report and requested Council direction regarding a proposed letter of support for Gridley Unified School District (GUSD) to purchase the vacant lot located between Gridley High School and the Butte County Fairgrounds. The proposed acquisition would allow GUSD to utilize the space for student parking, which is expected to improve campus accessibility and safety. Arteaga noted that a recent emergency response incident highlighted concerns about limited access to the high school. Had the incident occurred during a high-traffic time such as lunch, emergency personnel may have experienced significant delays. The purchase of the lot would enable GUSD to relocate student parking from the loop and create a designated emergency access lane. Councilmember Sanchez expressed opposition to supporting the letter and read prepared comments addressed to Superintendent Justin Kern (copy of the comment has been filed with the original agenda materials-for the record). Vice Mayor Johnson inquired whether the proposed purchase would include the swimming pool located on the property, and if GUSD intended to retain and continue operating the facility. Matt Reed, President ofthe Butte County Fair Board, addressed the Council and voiced concerns about the potential acquisition. He requested that the Council withhold support for the letter until further discussions could take place between the County and the GUSD Board. Following discussion, the Council collectively agreed to table the item until additional information is provided by Gridley Unified School District. No reportable action. 4. Award of Contract = Housing Element City Council to consider authorizing the contract for planning services with PlaceWorks Inc. for the completion of the City's Housing Element Recommended Action(s): GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 4-21-25 Page 3 of5 a. Authorize the City Administrator to execute a contract with PlaceWorks Inc. in the amount of $58,608 for professional planning services related to the preparation and completion of the City's Housing Element update. Principal Planner Christopher Smith requested Council approval to award the contract for the Housing Element update to PlaceWorks, Inc. Smith explained that due to the complexity and regulatory requirements involved in updating the Housing Element, the project would be best managed in collaboration with a consultant team experienced in this specialized process. He noted that Placeworks, Inc. would work closely with City staff to ensure a comprehensive and compliant update. ROLL CALL Motion: Sanchez Second: Calderon Action: to approve award of contract with PlaceWorks, Inc. and authorize the City Administrator to sign the contracts. Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Farr, Sanchez, Johnson Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None Motion passed, 5-0 COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilmember Calderon reported on the upcoming Healthy Alternative to Fentanyl and Other Drugs information night scheduled for April 29th at City Hall. Councilmember Roberts reported on his attendance at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. Mayor Farr reported on his upcoming attendance at the NCPA meeting, set to take place in Washington D.C. Vice Mayor Johnson reported on his attendance at the LAFCo and Sutter Buttes Vector and Mosquito Control meetings. Councilmember Sanchez thanked staff for their support with the Earth Day celebration that took place on April 12th. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS Administrator Elisa Arteaga provided an update on several meetings she attended in recent weeks. These included meetings with GUSD, NCCSIF, NCPA, and Cal OES. Additionally, she met with City staff to discuss updates to the City's noise ordinance, improvements to development review processes, and a review of employee benefits. Arteaga also reported on preliminary discussions GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 4-21-25 Page 4 of5 regarding the potential reinstatement of police services for the City of Biggs, including preparation to respond to their RFP. DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS Finance Director informed Council that he anticipates the City's Financial Statements to be presented at the next Council meeting. Utility Director, Ross Pippitt, informed Council that the Stenzel property was now hooked up to City electricity. Police Chief Todd Farr addressed the Council to clarify that the Police Department does not intend to change its approach to responding to mental health calls. He emphasized that each call would continue to be assessed individually. Chief Farr also responded to a comment regarding Fourth of July patrols, explaining that the holiday is typically a high-demand evening for the department, with multiple officers simultaneously responding to various calls for service. Recreation Coordinator Amanda Kaelin provided a brief update on current activities and ongoing initiatives within the Recreation Department. Principal Planner Christopher Smith provided an overview of current planning projects underway, highlighting key developments and initiatives being managed by the Planning Department. POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days): Travel Policy 5/5/2025 Energy Efficiency Contract Review 5/5/2025 Hazel Hotel - CHIP Homes 5/5/2025 CLOSED SESSION 5. Pursuant to Government Code 54957.6: Conference with Labor Negotiator, Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator, for discussion of progress of collective bargaining discussions with City Employee represented classes - IBEW, MMU, and GPOA Council went into closed session at 7:20 pm and came out with no reportable action. ADJOURNMENT At 7:20 pm, with no further items to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the regular meeting on May 5, 2025. Approved: zay Elisa Artéaga, City Clerk GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 4-21-25 Page 5 of5