GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 7:00 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
Mayor Jan Arbuckle, Vice Mayor Hilary Hodge, Councilmember Bob Branstrom, Councilmember Haven Caravelli, Councilmember Tom Ivy
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 7:03PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of allegiance led by Mayor Arbuckle.
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 as submitted by Councilmember Branstrom, Seconded by Councilmember Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
No reportable actions.
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Cancellation of August 8, 2023 City Council Meeting
City Manager, Tim Kiser made announcement.
PUBLIC COMMENT -
In person: Alison Nelson, Charlie Price, Paula Newman, Diane, Quinten Hayes.
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES July 25, 2023
CONSENT ITEMS
Public Comment: Charlie Price
Motion made to approve consent by Vice Mayor Hodge, Seconded by Councilmember Branstrom.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
2. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of July 11, 2023.
Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
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. Local Emergency Proclamation (Drought Conditions)
CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation: Drought Conditions proclamation declaring a Local State of Emergency
5. Police Department Facility Dog
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Authorize staff to pursue and start a therapy dog program at the Police Department
6. Extension and enhancement to Police Department Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology agreement with FLOCK Safety
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Authorize the Chief of Police to sign the agreement with Flock Safety
7. Annual Approval of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Adjustment to the Special Emergency Medical and Fire Response Tax.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) Approve a rate increase to the Special Emergency Medical and Fire Response Tax of 5.0% based on the December 2022 CPI. 2) Adopt Resolution 2023-47 requesting that the Nevada County Auditor place the adjusted Measure A special tax for 2023/2024 on the tax rolls.
8. 2022 Fueling Station Construction Project – Final Acceptance CEQA: Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities”
Recommendation: That Council: 1) accept the 2022 Fueling Station Construction Project as complete, 2) authorize the City Engineer to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder.
9. 2022/23 Annual Street Rehabilitation Project – Contract Award
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES July 25, 2023
CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” Recommendation: That Council 1) award a contract for the 2022/23 Annual Street Rehabilitation Project to Consolidated Engineering Inc., 2) authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract, subject to legal review and, 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
10. Water and Wastewater User Rates – Amend Fee Schedule CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council, 1) hold a public hearing, 2) consider public testimony and a tabulation of protests, and 3) adopt a Resolution amending the City’s Fee Schedule for the maximum adjustments for the City’s Water and Wastewater User Rates.
City Engineer, Bjorn Jones, gave presentation to Council.
In Person Public Comment: Chuck Frank
Motion made to adopt a Resolution amending the City’s Fee Schedule for the maximum adjustments for the City’s Water and Wastewater User Rates by Vice Mayor Hodge, Seconded by Councilmember Branstrom.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
11. A Public Hearing to discuss Fire Resiliency and Vegetation Management concerns and consider a Resolution No. 2023-49 of the City Council of the City of Grass Valley calling a special election on November 7, 2023, to consider a transactions and use tax CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation: That Council 1) conduct a public hearing regarding Fire and Vegetation Management, as well as a possible sales tax; 2) declare a fiscal emergency due to the lack of necessary funding for fire personnel and land management required to combat wildfires and extreme weather conditions as stated in Resolution No. 2023- 49; and adopt Resolution No. 2023-49 of the City Council of the City of Grass Valley calling a special election on November 7, 2023, to consider a transactions and use tax.
Fire Chief, Mark Buttron and City Manager Tim Kiser gave presentation.
In Person Public Comment: Dylan Coward, Pamela Young, Charlie Price, Alison Nelson, Tom Last, Robin Galvan-Davies, Chris Armstrong, Paula Newman, George Simco
Virtual Public Comment: Susan Rogers
Councilmember asked about what happens if council does not pass the special election, why it is proposed as a general tax and not a special tax, clarified vegetation management vs tree removal, discussed shared fire resources across jurisdictions and sales tax in other nearby cities. Council compared this measure to
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES July 25, 2023
Measure V, that failed and encouraged more community engagement about the proposed tax. Council asked if this could be spilt into two .25 cent taxes.
Council wants a implementation plan in place and to move forward to a March election.
ADMINISTRATIVE
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Caravelli attended the ERC meeting, ate downtown GV. Councilmember Ivy attended NCTC meeting and the Pioneer Community Energy Meeting. Councilmember Branstrom attended a plastic recycling meeting, regional meeting of Cal Cities, attended the Car Show, Guys and Dolls, and the NCCA mixer on Mill St. Councilmember Hodge attended the car show, Mayors and managers meeting, NCCA mixer, bat presentation at the library and went to the movies. Mayor Arbuckle attended the league of CA board of director meeting, national league of cities meeting, Sacramento valley division meeting, SNMH Gala, and started Monday with the Mayor.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 9:54PM.
__________________________ ___________________________
Jan Arbuckle, Mayor Taylor Day, City Clerk
Adopted on: ____________________
Item # 2.