GRASS VALLEY
Special City Council Meeting
Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 3:30 PM
Council Chambers, Grass Valley City Hall | 125 East Main Street, Grass Valley, California Telephone: (530) 274-4310 – Fax: (530) 274-4399
E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.cityofgrassvalley.com
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 3:34pm
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of allegiance led by Lisa Swarthout.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councilmember Bob Branstrom
Councilmember Haven Caravelli
Councilmember Tom Ivy
Vice Mayor Hilary Hodge
Mayor Jan Arbuckle
AGENDA APPROVAL -
Motion made to approve the agenda by Vice Mayor Hodge, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
On March 20, 2023, the City Council approved on a 4-0 vote, with Councilmember Ivy absent, to initiate a lawsuit against Matthew Coulter for public nuisance and violations of civil rights related to his harassment of city officials, employees, contractors, volunteers and the public generally.
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT -
In person comment: Jeff Hekemian
CONSENT ITEMS -
Motion made to approve consent items by Councilmember Branstrom, Seconded by Councilmember Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES March 30, 2023
1. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 15th, 2023 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
2. Local Emergency Proclamation (Drought Conditions)
CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation: Drought Conditions proclamation declaring a Local State of Emergency
3. Local Emergency Proclamation (Winter Storm of February 2023) CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: To continue the Winter Storm February 24th, 2023 to March 1st, 2023 proclamation declaring a Local State of Emergency
4. Review of 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Receive and File. No formal action required.
5. Review of 2022 Annual Housing Element Progress Report CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Receive and File. No formal action required.
6. Condon Park Parking Improvements Project – Final Acceptance CEQA: Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities”
Recommendation: That Council: 1) accept the Condon Parking Lot Improvements Project as complete, and 2) authorize the City Engineer to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder.
7. Ridge Village Development – Approve Final Map
CEQA: Negative Declaration
Recommendation: That Council 1) approve the Final Map 19PLN-24 for Ridge Village Subdivision, 2) accept the public improvements, and 3) approve Resolution 2023-10, accepting the public utility easements and roadway dedications.
8. On-Call Civil Plan Review Services – Contract Amendment CEQA: Exempt – Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) authorize a contract amendment with Bureau Veritas North America Inc. (BV) for on-call civil plan review services, and 2) authorize the City Engineer to execute a contract amendment with BV, pending legal review, in an amount not to exceed $60,000 for the initial 2 year term of the project.
9. On-Call Engineering Services – Authorization to Award Contract CEQA: Exempt – Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) authorize the City Engineer to execute a contract with Coastland Civil Engineering LLP., pending legal review, for on-call professional
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES March 30, 2023
engineering services, in an amount not to exceed $330,000 for the initial 3 year term of the project.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
ADMINISTRATIVE
10. Pioneer Community Energy - Community Choice Aggregation Program (CCA) for the City of Grass Valley
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council 1) approve Pioneer Community Energy to procure the necessary energy to serve the City of Grass Valley starting in January 2024, and 2) adopt a Resolution 2023-09 authorizing the Mayor to appoint City Council Members to the Pioneer Board of Directors.
City Manager Tim Kiser and Mark Riffey gave presentation to Council.
Council encouraged the community to look into previous presentations put on by Pioneer Electric that are available on their website. Council asked if Pioneer Electric had updated their net metering guidelines. Council asked about opting in vs opting out of the program and solar customers.
Motion to approve Pioneer Community Energy to procure the necessary energy to serve the City of Grass Valley starting in January 2024 made by Councilmember Branstrom, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
Motion to adopt a Resolution 2023-09 authorizing the Mayor to appoint City Council Members to the Pioneer Board of Directors made by Vice Mayor Hodge, Seconded by Councilmember Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
11. Parks Capital Improvements Projects – Summary and Update CEQA: Exempt – Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) receive an update on the numerous Parks and Recreation improvements projects completed throughout the City in the past several years.
City Engineer Bjorn Jones gave presentation to the Council.
Council asked why natural grass was chosen over turf for Mautino Park and asked about adding picnic tables to Memorial Park. Council also asked about remaining product and if there is a plan to utilize it.
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Branstrom acknowledged the work citizens and staff did during the latest snow storm, noted the ongoing work on the Mill Street project, attended his first LAFCO meeting, attended Sierra Stages newest production, attended SNMH Martini and a Movie event, attended Target's special guest opening, and will attend art exhibit at the Courtyard Suites. Councilmember Caravelli attended the Chamber meeting, the Target opening and El
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES March 30, 2023
Barrio had an Aztec dance ceremony. Councilmember Ivy commended staff for hard work during the snow and attended the NCTC meeting. Mayor Arbuckle attended Power of the Purse and went to Washington DC for the small cities council meeting.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 4:41pm.
___________________________________ __________________________________ Jan Arbuckle, Mayor Taylor Day, City Clerk
Adopted on:_____________________
Item # 2.
Item # 2.
Memo
To: Grass Valley City Council
From: Millennium Planning & Engineering
Rob Wood, CEO
cc: Jeff Hekemian
Date: 3/28/2023
Re: General Plan Update – Whispering Pines
Honorable Council Members:
We understand the City of Grass Valley is beginning a comprehensive update of its General Plan.
We represent multiple clients who are interested in developing their vacant property within the Whispering Pines Business Park, but have been limited in their options by an outdated Specific Plan.
The Whispering Pines Specific Plan (WPSP) is over 40 years old and includes many antiquated uses and standards that create constraints to develop new modern businesses. Over the past 40 years, the park has included a wide variety of businesses, and the shifting market over the past several years has made it difficult to maintain occupancy of existing buildings or contract new buildings on the few remaining lots.
Staff and property owners have recognized this concern and attempts to expand the range of uses have failed. Though the WPSP includes self-mitigating standards that prohibit uses that would impact neighbors or the existing uses in the business park, there have been concerns raised by some neighbors, making it difficult or impossible to develop vacant in-fill parcels within the park. We believe the most cost-effective way to modernize the WPSP would be to include this in the City’s comprehensive update of its General Plan. Including Whispering Pines in the update will help revitalize the area and spur economic development for the modern economy.
Thank you for your consideration.
Item # 2.