GRASS VALLEY
Special City Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 06, 2023 at 6:00 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
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 6:02pm.
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
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment
CONSENT ITEMS
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
ADMINISTRATIVE
1. Wildland Fires and the associated Risk Management in the City of Grass Valley The purpose of this gathering is to discuss the risk of wildland fires and Fire Resiliency and Vegetation Management. The focus of the Town Hall meeting will be taking input from the public and answering questions related to public safety risks that Grass Valley may face due to extreme weather events and wildfires.
Item # 1.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES September 06, 2023
City Manager, Tim Kiser, and Fire Chief, Mark Buttron, will give a brief introduction and presentation to Council and the public. This will be followed by a public comment period where questions may be addressed.
This meeting is only for Council and Staff to receive feedback from the public, no action will be taken by Council.
City Manager, Tim Kiser gave introduction to the Council and public. Fire Chief, Mark Buttron, gave a brief presentation.
In person public comment: See attachment.
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm.
__________________________ ___________________________
Jan Arbuckle, Mayor Taylor Day, City Clerk
Adopted on: ____________________
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Public Comment Notes 9/6/23:
Lives in Eskaton, developed an electric chainsaw that is very effective. Weiss Christmas Tree Farm abandoned off Greenhorn Access Rd Susan Rogers requested proactive inspections/code compliance. Not complaint driven. Concern about Grass Valley being a fire target like Paradise. Wants to talk about fire tax, and staffing, advised it will be discussed at the next Council meeting.
Suggested case by case basis for burning within city limits for property maintenance. The Union asked for clarification on the topics up for discussion. Request a more proactive approach to mitigation and services for elderly/low-income residents. Measure E and fire tax.
Community engagement, property owners caring for their own property. Must start with mitigation, what is the root cause of the fire increase in our area? NCCA request Council hold community workshop
Request advancement in Zone Zero, clear everything 5ft from buildings on property. Request audit on measure E, paramedics on firetrucks, possibly use the town of Truckee’s claw truck for green waste.
Green waste pickup events
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1 Miranda Bacon
From: Robin Davies <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 6, 2023 4:27 PM
To: Public Comments
Cc: Jan Arbuckle; Haven Caravelli
Subject: City of Grass Valley Wildfire 1/2 Cent Sales Tax.
Mayor Arbuckle and Esteemed Council,
Good Afternoon, I'm Robin Galvan-Davies CEO of the Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce and Executive Manager of the Grass Valley Downtown Association, and as the team leader for both organizations, we thank you for giving the community the opportunity to share our perspectives and concerns regarding the proposed ½ cent sales tax measure.
As stated previously in public comment on this topic, I've shared the concerns of the merchant constituency that this tax will be burdensome. The downtown merchants, restaurants, and service providers have suffered reduced revenues due to the Mill Street construction, Snowmageddon, and spring rains. They are fearful that a Grass Valley sales tax of 9.00 % will drive commerce down the hill to Placer County where the tax rate is 7.25 %.
We are challenged to embrace additional taxes that would have a snowball effect on the local economy: higher construction costs, translate into higher home costs, higher costs of soft goods, and the general increase in the cost of living. We face current challenges with the scarcity of workforce housing, and that impacts employee attraction, and retention which impacts the ability of the retailer or restauranteur to keep their business open all week.
The question we are asked constantly is if an economic impact study has been done to determine the effect this tax increase will have on the local economy.
We've been told that the tax measure under consideration will be treated in the same manner as Measure E, dedicated to accomplishing its stated elements, with an oversight committee to direct fund expenditures. The 2021-2022 FY Adopted Budget includes Measure E revenues of $6.3 million dollars. The Measure E sales tax initiative was presented as an all-encompassing revenue stream that would build effective and efficient public safety departments, fund equipment and personnel, enhance parks, and provide roadway and sidewalk repair and maintenance.
With Measure E funding, our Fire Department has achieved the higher ISO status of number 2. The request for an additional ½ cent sales tax to be dedicated to Wildland Fire, Resiliency, and Vegetation Management which includes funding for additional
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2 personnel and equipment, makes us ask, has Measure E failed to live up to its promises?
Earlier this year, the Council was presented with Priority Projects and asked to choose the top three. All projects listed were worthy, and as I recall, the Council chose to put the General Plan and Housing as priorities above Wildfire Prevention.
If the proposed ½ cent sales tax measure was to include investment in other projects that are close to the heart of the community like workforce housing and parking along with Wildland Fire, Resiliency, and Vegetation Management, that may provide for broader community support.
Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to provide feedback on this important matter.
Sincere Regards,
Robin
Robin Galvan-Davies
CEO, Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce
(530) 273-4667 • [email protected]
www.grassvalleychamber.com
128 East Main Street, Grass Valley CA 95945
Executive Manager, Grass Valley Downtown Association
(530) 272-8315 • [email protected]
www.downtowngrassvalley.com
Item # 1.
1 Miranda Bacon
From: Pam Jung >
Sent: Wednesday, September 6, 2023 2:44 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Question for tonite’s town hall meeting
[You don't oŌen get email from . Learn why this is important at hƩps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdenƟficaƟon ]
Q: when (even if) is the city going to follow the state’s lead about encouraging/requiring residents to follow Zone 0 instrucƟons? And why/why not?
Q: is there ever any third party audit when the city asks for an increase in sales tax? Why? Why not?q
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1 Miranda Bacon
From: Robert Long >
Sent: Wednesday, September 6, 2023 6:08 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: RV Park
[You don't oŌen get email from . Learn why this is important at hƩps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdenƟficaƟon ]
Please discuss plans for evacuaƟon of 150 RVs or shelter in place Sent from my iPhone
Robert Long
Sherwood Forest
530-913-0287
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