GRASS VALLEY
City Councit Regular Meeting, CapitaI lmprovements Authority and Redevetopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, January
Council Chambers, Grass vatLey City Hatt I
Tetephone: (5301274-4
E'Mait: info@citvoferassvattev. com
25,2022 at 7:00 PM
125 East Main Street, Grass Vattey, Catifornia
310 - Fax: (530\ 774-4399
Web Site: www.cityofqrassvaUev.com
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting catted to order at 7:06 by Mayor Aguilar
PLEDGE OF LEGIANCE
Ptedge of attegiance led by Mayor Aguitar.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councit Member Bob Branstrom
Councit Member Hitary Hodge
Councit Member Tom lvy
Vice Mayor Jan Arbuckte
Mayor Ben Aguitar
AGENDA APPROVAL .
Tim Kiser, requested to move item number 9, in regards to Pioneer Etectric, to before the pubtic hearing item.
Motion made to make noted change to agenda and approve the agenda by Councit Member Branstrom, Seconded by CounciI Member Hodge.
Votjng Yea: Council Member Branstrom, CounciI Member Hodge, CounciI Member lYy, Vjce Mayor Arbuckte, Mayor Aguitar
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
No Ctose Session.
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Grand Jury Awareness Month Proctamation
PUBLIC COMMENT
Attached
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
2. Community Choice Aggregation Overview for Grass Vattey @tre&tgg!: That Council 1) receiye a presentation from Pioneer Community Energy on Community Chojce Aggregation (CCA), and 2) provide direction to staff on next steps of evatuating possibitity of Community Choice Aggregation for the City.
Pioneer Etectric gave presentation to the councit.
Councit had discussions about customer discount, how the power is procured, optjons that the customers have, and wantinq to continue the discussion.
CounciI directed staff to work with Pioneer Etectric to come back in a month and give a more in depth presentation to the counciL.
CONSENT ITEIAS
Motion made to approve consent as submitted by Vice Mayor Arbuckte, Seconded by CounciI Member Branstrom.
Voting Yea: CounciI Member Branstrom, Councit Member Hodge, CounciI Member lvy, Mayor Aguitar
3. Approvat of the Regutar Meeting Minutes of January 11, 2022 Recommendation: CounciI approve minutes as submitted
4. Local Emergency Proclamation (COVID-I9)
Recommendation: Continuance of NoveI Coronavirus (COVID-19) proctamation dectaring a Local State of Emergency
5. LocaI Emergency Proclamation (Drought Conditions)
Recommendation: Drought Conditions proclamation dectaring a Locat State of Emergency
6. Local Emergency Proctamation (Winter Storm of December 27th, 202'l) Recommendation: Mnter Storm of December 27th,2021 proclamation dectaring a Locat State of Emergency
7. second Reading of Ordinance 812 Amendjng Chapter 8.24 (Garbage Co(lection and Recycting) of the City of Grass VaLtey MunicipaI Code to ensure comptiance with Senate BiLt 1383 mandates.
Recommendation: That Council conduct the second reading, by titte onl.y, of ordinance 8'12, which amends Chapter 8.24, Garbage Coltection and Recycting.
8. Hindertiter de Ltamas & Associates (HdL) Sates, Use and Transactions Tax Services Contract Amendment
Recommendation: lt is recommended that the City Council adopt Resotution No. 2022-05 approying a contract amendment between the City of Grass Vattey and Hindertiter de Ltamas & Associates (HdL) for Sates, Use and Transactions Tax Services City of Grass Vattey, CA MINUTES January 25, 2022
ITEMS REMOVED CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC EARING
Recommendation: The Ptannin g Commission recommends that the City Councit approve the Grass Vattey RV Park Resort and Annexation Project, as presented, or as modified by the City CounciL, which inctudes the fottowing actions: 1. Adoption of a Mitigated Negative Dectaration, prepared for the project, as the approPriate tevet of environmental review, in accordance with the Catifornia Environmental Quatity Act (CEQA) and Guidetines; 2. Adoption of a Mitigation Monitoring & Reporting Ptan (i MRP), imptementing and monitoring al[ Mitigation Measures, in accordance with the Catifornia Environmental quatity Act (CEQA) and Guidetines; 3. Adoption of a Resotution Authorizing LAFCO Apptication for a Sphere of lnftuence Amendment and Annexation of r45 acres for the RV Park Resort and Annexation Project as presented;
4. Adoption of an Ordinance Prezoning the Properties Corporate Business Park (CBP) and Neighborhood Center Ftex (NC-Ftex) Zone as presented; and, 5. Adoption of Findings of Fact and Conditions of Approval for the RV Park Resort and Annexation project as presented.
Lance Lowe, Princjpte Ptanner, and Rob Wood, appLicant for the RV Park Resort, each gave a presentation to the council.
Councitmember Iyy had questions about the sewer line reimbursement, etectricity upgrade, and fire escape routes. Councilmember Branstrom also wanted more information about fire escape routes and woutd tike to request of the City and OES that this area be added to a fjre ptanning senario. Councitmember Hodge woutd prefer to see the site turned into the much needed affordabte housing that our community needs. Councitmember Arbuckte requested that some type of literature be provided to each guest that woutd educate of the information needed during a witd fire.
Motjon to 1. Adoption of a Mitjgated Negative Dec(aration, prePared for the project, as the appropriate levet of environmental review, in accordance with the Catifornia EnvironmentaI Quatity Act (CEQA) and Guidetjnes; 2. Adoption of a Mitigation Monitoring & Reporting Ptan (i{MRP), imptementing and monjtoring att Mitigation Measures, in accordance with the California EnvironmentaI Quatity Act (CEQA) and GuideLines; 3. Adoption of a Resotution Authorizing LAFCO Apptication for a Sphere of lnfLuence Amendment and Annexation of t45 acres for the RV Park Resort and Annexation Project as presented; 4. Adoption of an Ordinance Prezoning the Properties Corporate Business Park (CBP) and Neighborhood Center Ftex (NC-Flex) Zone as presented; and, 5. Adoption of Findings of Fact and Condjtions of Approvat for the RV Park Resort and Annexation project as presented by Councit Member Branstrom, Seconded by Vice Mayor Arbuckle.
Voting Yea: CounciI Member Branstrom, Vice Mayor Arbuckte, Mayor Aguitar Voting Nay: Councit Member Hodge, Councit Member lyy
9. Grass Vattey RV Park Resort and Annexation Project consisting of a '147 space RV Park Resort with 15 gtamping spaces for short term camping and Annexation of t45 acres into the City.
City of Grass Vatley, CA MINUTES January 25, 2022
Ben Aguilar, Mayor Day, Deputy City Clerk
City of Grass Vattey, CA MINUTES
Tay
January 25, 2022
ADMINISTRATIVE
'10. City of Grass Vattey Strategic Ptan (tast Updated Aprit 2020) BgggE!!glC!!!q: That Councit provide direction on updating the Grass Vattey Strategic Ptan.
Tim Kiser, City l,lanager, gave presentation to the Cjty Councit. Looking for direction on do we start a whote new Strategic Ptan, or do we took at our objectives and projects and update that of the Strategic Ptan.
Councitmember lvy wants to keep moving forward with the existing Strategjc Ptan and discuss the objectives with the counciI and pubtic inputs and some possibte workshops. Councitmember Branstrom wants to keep moving forward with this and wants to haye as much pubtic comment. and hear from their other Councilmembers and hear their different perspectives on the Strategic Ptan. Councitmember Hodge tikes the outtine of the current strategic ptan but would be abte to word smith portions of it. Councilmember Arbuckte would [ike to have in person interactions even if it was in a zoom format of a discussion of the objectives of the Strategic Ptan with stjght changes to the overatt Vision and Missions. Mayor Aguitar wants to discuss the objective and have ptenty of pubtjc outreach, and a soticitatjon of some sort for the pubtic for their impute, and to gajn the impute of the new councjtmembers and their impute and to have a workshop reach out to the stake hotders.
Council made the decision to direct staff to hav€ groups of stake hotders meet, create a community survey, and to bring back jn march the data that was cottected from those meetings for counciI to discuss,
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL A'IEIABERS
Councjtmember lvy has nothing to report. Councitmember Branstrom has gotten so much positive feed back in regards to the storm debris pick up, homes for vets wetcoming party, grass vattey chamber community affairs meeting and how emergency servjce worked together to get power restored to the community, and Catifornia City round tabte about crime. Councitmember Hodge has nothing to report. Vice Mayor Aguitar league of city meeting, GVDA board meeting, County oversight meeting, nation teague of cites Pubtic safety, Catifornia League of City Round tabte about crime, and she attended the key ceremony Homes for Vets as wett. Mayor Aguitar attempted to go fishing during a tsunami, good job for alt invotved in regards to the storm debris ctean up, and thank you to Councjtmember hodge for attendjng the NCCA government day for him.
ADJOURN
Meetjng was adjourned at 9:56 pm.
Taylor Day
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Mary Anne Davis .
Friday, lanuary ?1,2022 9:34 AM
Public Comments
Nevada County Media
Dear Grass Valley City Council,
I want to tell you how important lfeel Nevada County Media ls to our community, and to ask you to support fundin8 for them.
As an individual, it gives me an outlet for creativity and education. I have attended small group meetings there, and I am so impressed with all they have accomplished. lf it weren't for COVID, this would be a bustling hub of activity. lnstead, they have managed to make the most out of it with protocols in place.
Tha nk you,
Mary Anne Davis
Grass Valley, CA
530-263-0420
Sent from Mail for Windows
1 From a business/nonprofit organization perspective, we have used their services to help us with virtual events and recording of performances and speeches to use in our various events and activities. They are professional, affordable, and such an amazing treasure in our community.
Taylor Day
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Ean Price Murphy
Monday, January 24,2022 2:06 PM
Public Comments
Nevada County Media
I'm reaching out to express my appreciation for the City of Grass Valley's support for Nevada County Media. l've been a member of NCM since I moved back to Grass Valley more than two years ago and even though I haven't been able to make as much use of the facility as I had hoped because of covid, they have still been an important part of my feeling connected to the community.
It has been so helpful to have media professionals to help with small editing projects for my business and to be able to keep those dollars local!
And, Ramona has been incredibly active on Facebook and other places connecting the community and providing opportunities not just for people to learn skills but for small businesses like myself to benefit through getting small promotion videos made and have some covid-safe in-person meetings.
I hope that CGV continues to offer support in real dollars in the future! 1 Ean Price Murphy
(she/her)
Founder of Moxie Bookkeeping
341 4i4 8?86
5llil 7 r 8-95 51i
Calendar Link
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Public comment to Grass Valley City Council, 25 Jan.2022, from Grass Valley resident Trina Kleis! regarding Nevada County Media and city PEG funds:
My name is Trina Kleist, and I have lived in Grass Valley for nearly l7 years.
Thank you, City of Grass Valley, for supporting Nevada County Media with PEG funds that come to the city fiom cable television companies serving our area.
Grass Valley's support of Nevada County Media shows a wise investment in our community's economic, nonprofit and educational life. NCM is a community hub that focuses on digital communications. Its specialty is digital video and audio production, creating content for websites, YouTube, podcasts and other digital avenues, in addition to the old-school cable channels that remain a key source of information and entertainment for our rural neighbors.
Nevada County Media uses the PEG funds it receives from Grass Valley and other local jurisdictions to empower a// county residents. That empowerment comes through access to highquality, professional video production equipment and facilities -- cameras, lights, sound equipment, sfudio space including green screens and a teleprompter, computers and software to mix and edit material, and channels to distribute the resulting content.
Perhaps most importantly, our young people, at NCM, can leam skills and gain practice that make them eligible for high-paying jobs that increasingly require experience in professionalquality digital communications. I personally have worked with several local high school students who are gaining a unique experience at NCM, where they are leaming skills that make them competitive with young people from the big city. I'm not talking about what they can do on their cell phones. I'm talking about leaming to create professional-quality products that communicate, energize and prompt action among consumers of digital information.
In addition, NCM offers a creative space for musicians, filmmakers and artists. It offers a community gathering space for local organizations to hold their meetings and host town hall events. Its museum space documents our area's important role in developing high-definition video equipment that defines the television industry world-wide.
All this makes Nevada County Media a key component of our area's economic engine. It helps make our area competitive in business, in education and in cultural amenities that continue to attract top talent and keep our community vibrant.
How many small towns have such a treasure-trove? NCM is truly extraordinary.
Using NCM's beautiful new facility in Whispering Pines, business owners can produce advertisements and social media content to compete more effectively in the digital marketplace.
Nonprofit organizations can create public seryice announcements that expand the reach oftheir messages.
Public comment: T. Kleist re Nevada County Media & PEG funds, t/25/22 I have benefitted directly from this foothills jewel. At Nevada County Media, I took classes that updated my skills and prepared me for a master's degree in communications. After graduating, I have continued to expand my knowledge and hone my digital skills at NCM as an intem, a volunteer and a member. Because of that experience, I am now taking my fieelance business to a higher level with video production and editing. I would also be a competitive candidate for highpayingjobs across the country that ALL ask for experience using multiple digital platforms for professional communications. It shows how NCM benefits students of all agest So thank you, Grass Valley council members and city administrators, for your long-standing support ofNevada County Media. I ask that you please continue your financial support through PEG funds. NCM is a gold mine for growth in digital communications, fueling Grass Valley's competitiveness in the 21'1 century. Grass Valley's PEG funds help assure that this unique gold mine continues to produce.
Yours,
Trina Kleist
Crass Valley resident
(s30) s7s-6132
tkleistwrites@gmail. com
2 Taylor Day
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Veronika Behlmer .
Monday, January 24,2022 4:00 PM
Public Comments
Trash along Brunswick near Whispering Pines intersection Dear Grass Valley City Council members
I wanted to bring to your attention the trash along Brunswick near the intersection with Whispering Pines. I am fairly certain it is from Waste Management trucks as they proceed to the Loma Rica recycling center. The trash does not appear to be thrown from cars ie fast food wrappers etc. The uphill grade of Brunswick might create a vacuum in the truck bins because the problem is localized to this area. I have called Waste Management three times (530 615-2015), which I understand is the local head office, but no one has returned the call. ln the past, Waste Management has sent employees to pick up trash. lt has been this way since the brush along Brunswick was cut back due to fire risk in September or October.
It makes this area of Grass Valley look like a third world and is embarrassing. The area is just inside the city limits if the posted property sign is correct. lt would be nice if Waste Management would clean this up and do it on a regular basis.
There is a significant fine for county residents transporting uncovered trash loads to the waste site on Mc Courtney, but it seems a multi billion dollar company is exempt and does is not cleaning their mess.
I would appreciate a reply. Attached our photos
Tom Behlmer
12448 old Mine Rd.
Grass Valley cA
ls3ol 272-3747
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Taylor Day
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Monday, January 24, 2022 4:40 PM
Public Comments
Re: ADMINISTRATIVE 9. Community Choice Aggregation Overview for Grass Valley Tuesday, January 25, 2022 al7:00 PM
My name is Don Rivenes. I live at 108 Bridger Ct Grass Valley and am a member of the Grass Valley Energy Action Plan working group and Nevada County Climate Action Now.
Grass Valley has adopted an Energy Action Plan that calls for citizen voluntary actions to meet its goals. This plan stresses dollar savings from reduced electricity and gas use in addition to reducing GHG emissions. The focus is on rooftop solar, building retrofitting and new homes meeting state standards.
. New CPUC rate requirements being considered would make it too costly to purchase new solar panels.
o All buildings are not situated to be able to use solar . Many building units are leased to renters so owners do not pay for electricity . Building retrofitting for energy efficiency is very important but can be too costly for most families and businesses.
So how do we overcome these participation hurdles to reach renewable energy goals? Community Choice Aggregations are local, non-profit public agencies in California, that allow cities and counties to sum up the buying power of individual customers within their areas to secure energy supply for their customers.
These contracts can include local solar and wind farms and hydropower to reach renewable goals of their communities.
Local sources of power for a CCA could include NID hydropower and municipal solar power 1 There are hurdles to meeting these Energy Action Plan goals:
Why are CCA's Desirable for Grass Valley?
. Operation decisions are made by local elected officials o As non-profits, CCAs offer stable, cheaper electricity rates . Revenues stay at home and support local economies
. A captive market where all Grass valley citizens are automatically enrolled in the CCA with citizens having an individual oplout provision
. Rapid switch to cleaner power supply and significant GHG reductions o With lower costs, CCAs will have funds available for energy efficiency and innovative energy programs like energy storage and EV charging stations
. As new homes become all-electric the revenue base becomes greater Participating in a CCA would solve the problem of all community members being able to participate in saving money while helping reach 10070 renewable energy for the community.
Nevada County Climate Action Now strongly supports the recommendation to have the staff schedule a presentation from Pioneer Community Energy for the City Council and the public.
As a reminder, there are other CCA's that are alternatives to Pioneer Community Energy that should be considered.
Thank you for hearing these comments.
2 Taylor Day
HARBISON GARY
Tuesday, January 25,2022 4:59 PM
Public Comments
Voice Mail (1 minute and 55 seconds)
audio.mp3
My name is Debbie trainer. l'm also calling on behalf of my husband Kevin Trainer. We live. We have property on 1 1 545 Allison Ditch Rd. We are not in agreement of this proposed trailer. 300 trailer RV campsite. We are so concerned about the traffic situation the we border this property. We don't know what is going to go on and behind our property that the there's going to be. I can't imagine 300 trailers. The noise pollution, the light pollution, our property is already considered a bird sanctuary but you have to consider that a lot of trees went down in the fire that was there. Uhm, we are a rural community. We have animals family my. There's just. lt's a beautiful area not set up for trailers. What happens if the power goes out where power goes out quite frequently, especially in snow weather? Are we going to hear? Are we gonna hear generators all the time that this isjust not in the right place? We have a nice little campsite at the campground and up at the fairgrounds and we are so opposed to this idea. This is ridiculous. Anyway my number is .rhm again we are not for this proposed campsite. Thank you bye.
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1 Taylor Day
Hermann M N .
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 4:54 PM
Public Comments
Voice Mail (2 minutes and 19 seconds)
audio.mp3
Hi, my name is Max Herman. I live at 11551 Allison Ditch Rd in Grass Valley. l'm calling in regards to this Planning Commission recommendation for this RV park resort here and you guys are having a meeting about it tonight. And fortunately l've gone to their presentation and I really don't believe that this fire danger situation is really been looked at thoroughly and the traffic congestion that was gonna happen with this potentially getting past. lt's it. I think more time needs to be talked about. This that most people in my neighborhood zone even still know about this and how it's going to impact all of us. I really am disappointed that we can't as the public have an unfair disadvantage to even not even be at this meeting. We can only leave a message if the omnicron viruses so bad where we can't be there in public. Then with this meeting should be postponed until the public can truly have their voice being heard in the moment when we're all there discussing this, and I feel like it's very unfair and almost illegal that you guys can move forward with potentially with something like this. I really hope you guys all consider this and really think about the potential impact that this will have on our Community around this area. l've been born and raised here. l've lived here my whole life. I know something to be there, but I really think a hundred and fifty spaces is a really bad idea. lt's not gonna help anything and nothing is everything is. lt's not going to be mitigated. There's already traffic congestion trying to get onto highway twenty. When I commute to work every day, it's hard to make a left turn as it is now and you're gonna have 150 potential people coming in and out of there making that situation that much worse on mccourtney with everybody that lives up and down there, I mean, and with the fire danger, we're not out of it. We're still in drought. There's fires, you guys, really, I hope you seriously consider voting this down. This is a really bad idea, and at least postpone your decision until further when we can actually have a discussion in person with everybody, please. Thank you.
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Taylor Day
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Denise Marman
f l€sday, )anuary 25, 2022 4:03 PM
Public Comments
Fw: Proposalfor RV Park
Hello City Council,
I live in Sherwood Forest. As a fairly new resident of Grass Valley I have become painfully aware of the extreme fire danger in this area. ln 2020, I experienced the fire evacuation warnings. I am VERY concerned about the building of an RV park at Mcoourtney and Aubum Road. lf anyfireoccursin this area, we already have few options for evacuation. lbelievethe building of an RVparkcan potentially create a worse scenario to that ofwhat happened in Paradise. lbelieve it would bea nightmare getting allthe large and cumbersome RVs evacuated in a timely fashion.
I think other uses of this vacant area would be a safer bet.
Thank you for listening!
Denise
Ciao,
Denise Marman
1 January 25 , 2022
To: Grass Valley City Council
From: Judie Tartaglia, Resident of Polaris Dr., Grass Valley, CA Subject: Proposed Grass Valley RV Park at Mccourtney and Auburn Rds.
The following traffic impacts do not seem to be considered in the Traffic Study:
1. Potential Evacuation Routes in case of a wildfire or other emergency. While I understand that you can't plan for every possible fire scenario, there are only two roads that could be used in event of an evacuation. lt is possible 100+ large vehicles could be added to the resldents who are trying to evacuate on either Mccourtney or Auburn Rds.
Auburn Road out to HWY 49 is not engineered for large vehicles.
2. Howwill peopleintheRVParkbemadeawareofevacuationroutes? Localshaveplans for evacuation, what will happen if 100 RVs are added to the routes?
3. Will a third exit onto Mccourtnev be added for emergencies?
4. While the present owners may decide to stop using their property for event parking at the Fairgrounds at any time, what is the plan for other parking for hundreds of cars displaced by the RV Park durinB the Fair and festivals?
5. The offramp from Hwy 20 onto Mccourtney is already seriously congested during events. The Traffic Study rated it "F" at certain times now. How willthat be mitiSated so residents have a chance to access their homeS?
6. Vehicles going to the dump, including garbage trucks are increasing every year. RVs parked along Mccourtney will pay a lot for very noisy spots.
7. The Traffic Study did not examine the potential for gridlock when Fairgrounds events are happeninB along with regular traffic to the dump, residential traffic and RVs turning into or out ofthe RVPark. The are is severly congested during events which, I am sure, will resume as Covid wanes.
Other considerations:
. The Glamping sites and RV sites should not be allowed to have campfires when there is any fire danger at all. The Glamping spots are too close to the wildland adjacent to the upper part of Allison Ditch Rd.
. Lighting must be dimmed after 10pm.
. There should be noise restrictions for generators, music and parties similar to the timing of events at the Fairgrounds.
My opinion after 33 years in a wildfire fighting organization and that of others associated with the Fire safe council is the traffic from the RV Park will be very bad. Evacuations of residents, RVers and Fairgrounds users could easily lead to chaos similar to what the Town of Paradise endured. The evacuation considerations are scary and should not be minimized because, quoting the GV Fire Chief at the December 8 field meetinS, "we never know where the fire will be coming from ahead of time." Residents are expected to plan ahead, they should too.
Thank you,
Very Concerned Citizen,
Judie L. Tartaglia
Taylor Day
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JOHNSON D .
Tuesday, lanuary 25,2022 1:?1 PM
Public Comments
Voice Mail (1 minute and 27 seconds)
audio.mp3
My name is Mark Johnson. l'll reside at 1 1 1300 Ryan Way in Grass Valley, often mccourtney one mile past the proposed resort RV park. I am totally against us every morning. My neighbors is totally against us. We are outside of city limits. We want to know why we weren't informed of the meeting on December 8th. We're only 40 people showed up and gave their yay or nay on it. We're very disappointed about that. Extremely disappointed that we weren't able to participate in that. Adding four traffic signals and a roundabout or even one traffic signal in a roundabout, even a roundabout is unacceptable. This is what country living is supposed to be. We're not supposed to be in a business park. We're residential here. We're right outside where one mile away less than one mile away from this fiasco. This neighborhood destroying RV park. And you want to put in four traffic lights around about and give us no say about it, totally against us 100%. Anybody that votes for this should be kicked off the board. And if there's anything I could do about it, I will vote him out. Thank you. Good day.
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1 Taylor Day
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WIRELESS CALLER .
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 8:33 AM
Public Comments
Voice Mail (53 seconds)
audio.mp3
My name is eternal. Van Gears Bergen I r 11697 forty Rd Grass Valley. I would like to make a comment of the concerns that many of my neighbors have regarding the active and entrance of the RV park at 150 per fees. lf in case of an emergency how people also considered the fairgrounds 50 or 5075 RV? lf there's some urgency back in 2017, that's my concern tonight. Something thank you peternell here. One month ago in.
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1 Taylor Day
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Reed Hamilton .
Monday, January ?4, 2022 4:53 PM
Public Comments
RV park fire safety
Dear Grass Valley City Council members,
ln reviewing the planning documents for the proposed RV park at Mccourtney and Old Auburn Roads, I think that the planning commission and the developer have not done enough serious evaluation of fire evacuation plans. The crux of my concern is the evident assumption that in a fire all will go according to plan and that there will be plenty of safety personnel availa ble.
Most people are aware that the fires of the last few years have acted in ways completely unexpected and never seen before. Fires move very fast, depending on wind and vegetation, sending embers far ahead of the flames and jumping barriers like highways with ease. Suburban neighborhoods have burned to the ground as in the recent Marshall fire in Colorado. We assume that roads will be clear and visibility good, while in the Camp fire dense smoke made visibility near zero in places and fallen trees and stalled cars blocked exit routes.
The planning document suggests that there will be constant monitoring of a fire event and adjustments made to the evacuation plans. lf a major fire erupts across a wide front, even with interagency coordination firefighters and law enforcement may be stretched thin. The document also assumes that fires would happen during a certain time of year when all firefighting units are fully staffed. The ongoing Colorado fire near Big Sur caught localfire agencies with winter staffing levels so they needed to call on regionalagencies to send engines and personnel. The Dixie and Caldor fires needed help from out-of-state firefighters and our firefighters could be out of state too.
The document also assures us that people would leave the RV park in a paced, orderly manner as dictated by the alert status. lf a n ember storm arrives in the midd le of the night, setting fire to RV canopies, ta blecloths, and picnic furniture, will everyone calmly pack up and wait their turn to exit the park? lf there is an immediate evacuation order, will everyone follow orders and leave their trailers behind? lf the order is to shelter in place while dense smoke rolls in and ashes are falling on the park will campers stay put? Will people pullout with trailers, contrary to orders, and then abandon them in the roadways as happened in the Camp flre? lf fire trucks are marshaling at the fairgrounds, will panicked campers make way for them as Rv'ers are trying to leave the fairgrounds too? Law enforcement officers may be busy making sure everyone is evacuating from the immediate fire zone. The Highway Patrol officers in the building adjacent to the park will be busy dispatching and managing resources.
This may seem like catastrophic thinking, but Californians need to prepare for catastrophe and the city and developers have a responsibility to their neighbors in the county to prevent the worst outcomes for everybody. I urge the council to require a detailed evacuation plan, addressing multiple possible scenarios, be included in the project plans before 1 approving it. The proposal should also have a documented training regimen on evacuation for the park management and employees. The park should be required to have printed evacuation brochures that will be handed out to each camper on arrival with the emphasis that they need to read it. All of this should be inspected twice a year by a fire official to insure compliance. Of course, not everything can be anticipated but these requirements will make catastrophe less likely.
Tha nk you,
Reed Hamilton
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Richard Celio
Sunday, January 23,2022 2:24 PM
Public Comments
Letters The Union
Proposed RV Park and Lack of Evacuation Study
Dear Grass Valley City Council Members,
lam a retired professionalelectrical engineer (License SE14102). I am also a senior member of the IEEE,the largest standards organization in the world and former chair of the IEEE'S Silicon Valley Chapter for power and energy. You would be correct to assume I support engineering standards and the role of the professional engineer in promoting safety, whether it is certirying designs for building foundations, boiler systems, bridges, backup generators or traffic hazards. I hope this background helps you understand my complete surprise that the council would be considering approval of an RV Park of this size with no specific study addressing the safety of surrounding residents during a wildfire evac. As county residents, our routes for evacuation WILL BE impacted by this project. Can the impact be mitigated? Perhaps, but not by handwaving and vague comments that we've heard from the fire chief and city manager suggesting they "can't account for all possible scenarios". No one has asked them to account for all possible scenarios. We want to know first, if we are all heading to the highway at Mccourtney/SR2o, can the intersections at Mccourtney/Auburn and Mccourtney/SR2o handle an evacuation and if not, what should be done before close to a mile of RVs are competing with residents to get out of Dodge. The fact that the connection at SR20 is graded by CalTrans as an "F" speaks volumes. Second, what if we are heading down Auburn to 49? or McCourtney to Penn Valley? Those are 3 specific scenarios of concern. After speaking with a professional licensed traffic engineer (PRISM Engineers) who has performed a recent study for a similar scenario, I believe the City would be negligent oftheir moral obligation to proceed without a specific study to determine the maBnitude of the problem and possible mitigation. Adding the second exit at the RV Park as the developer proposed is not necessarily a good thing since now RVs will be fighting and maneuvering for first in line at Mccourtney/Auburn. We all know that people do not follow normal traffic rules when in fight or flight mode. The developers have suggested that the RV owners may be asked to remain. What kind of silliness is that? Will you lock the gates? Since this is a relatively new risk factor to consider when development projects are proposed, I understand that staff may not be equipped to deal with this. The study performed for the mitigated negative declaration is NOT sufficient because it has nothing to do with evacuation. Also, the software model (in development) that the OES is playing with is NOT sufficient to suggest there is no problem. PLEASE don't go with gut feelings, guesswork and hand-waiving. Have the proper engineering done. We all want the same thing - a safe and thriving community. lf wildfire issues put a pause on development, so be it.
Sincerely,
Richard Celio, PE
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Deborah Gibbs
Sunday, )anuary 23, 20?2
Public Comments
RV Park comment
1:07 PM
tn the January 21, 2022 "Other Voices" column, Susan Rogers provided an excellent summary of the wildfire risks involved with an RV park in the vacant property near the fairgrounds. This area has experienced wildfire before- And the fairgrounds are a major hub for residents and animals, as well as fire personnel, during a wildfire emergency. To further add to the traffic congestion, especially if evacuation is needed, appears very risky.
I believe ln the past, this property has been used as a staging area for PGE and Fire personnel which greatly benefited the community. Use of thls property for recreational purposes would present a safety hazard with oversized vehicles and is not suitable for the community.
Debbie Gibbs
13249 Kentucky Flat Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959
530-272-4994
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City county comes together. Fire safety debris cleanup. Please vote no on the rv park it's not a good mix of existing land use. Thanks and have a blessed day.
Sent from my iPhone
robert seaman
Saturday, )anuary 22, Z0ZZ 12:17 PM
Public Comments
A beautiful burn day at the proposed rv park.
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J
I I
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LM Richards
Thursday, January 20,2022 3:36 PM
Public Comments
Grass Valley City Council Regular Meeiing, 1/25/22, Grass Valley RV Park Resort and Annexation
Date: January 20, 2022
To: City of Grass Valley City Council
This correspondence is to register my enthusiastic support for the planned RV Park Resort project located at 1 1425 McCourtney Rd opposite the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
I am a Nevada County resident and business owner and am active in commercial real estate brokerage. I get frequent calls from developers and investors interested in RV park development, but who are unable to find suitable sites to meet the incredible demand for RVs and RV Parks, which has grown exponentially due to Covid and the need and desire of the public for safe vacation and recreational accommodations. Demand is huge for RV Parks and waiting lists are typical. Besides allowing for safe accommodations in a Covid environment, this project will create significant economic benefits for the entire community with out-of-area visitors and their dollars stimulating the local economy, boosting local sales tax receipts, and providing much needed support for local businesses ravaged by mandates and shutdowns.
Nevada County is severely limited on well located, properly zoned and available properties for such a project.
The Mccourtney site could not be better located for such a development due to the Fairgrounds situated across the street and the multiple events that draw visitors from all over the State.
The benefits of this p@ect for Grass Valley and Nevada County as a whole far outweigh any negative impacts Please support: sorely needed economic growth; local businesses; increased property and sales tax receipts; Covid-safe accommodations for visitors; and jobs, by fully supporting this project.
Sincerely,
Lachlan Richards,
Grass Valley, CA
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Keith Thomassen
Friday, January 14, 2022 11:03 AV
Public Comments
Jan 25 City Council agenda item
At the next meeting ofthe City Council the approval of our RV Resort on Mccourtney Rd is on the agenda. l'd like to give the perspective of us owners on the value of the project to the City and people of the area. We initiated this not simply as a business opportunity, but to fill a need we saw for such a facillty In this area. We have discussed this need with a wide variety ofyour constituents in this area and have found overwhelming support for our concept of a highquality RV facility. Many have also told us it's the ideal location for the Resort.
It will benefit not just Grass Valley and surrounding businesses, but people here who have friends who want to visit the area in their RV's but could not find accommodations given the high demand (which is national) for reservations. lt will fill a need for overflow reservations for Fairgrounds events and during the busy tourist season here, and it will bring many more visitors to our area and enhance our reputation as a "Destination" area.
We've seen many letters of support sent to the Planning Commission, which we trust have been transmitted to Council members. These include local business people, the Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada County Contractors Board, and individuals expressing their joy in anticipating the completion of this project.
We're aware ofthe opposition of a small and hlghly organized opposition group ofsome ofthe neighbors ofthe project. Their self-interest is understandable, as is their desire to see the land remain vacant, but we suggest the greater interest of our supporters and the benefits to a larger majorlty should override these objections, many of which the Planning commission felt were not cogent.
Their objections are based largely on traffic fears both on normal days and during a possible fire evacuation. While there is added traffic it's minor. lf % of the RV's depart each day that's about 30-40 rigs coming in an out over an entire day -- small compared to normaltraffic flow on both S Auburn and Mccourtney.
Stagnating the traffic at this intersection with our added traffic during a local fire evacuation is equally unlikely. First, it's llkely that the RV'ers would stay put, as the Resort is a large open area easily protected by a fire engine sent there. Also, with the Highway Patrol across the street, directing traffic at the intersection would certainly be done promptly. For other more distant fires, the Resort could be an evacuation center as the Fairgrounds are now, since a variety of services are available (showers, bathrooms, and a mini store).
As owners we ask that you consider the many supporters of this project and put the objections of a vocal minority in proper perspective. Our dedication on this project is to do something good for the community, do it right, and contribute to the growth of the city in which we live and work.
Keith Thomassen, for TDM Land, LLC
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