GRASS VALLEY
City Councit Regutar Meeting, CapitaI lmprovements Authority and Redevetopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Council Chambers, Grass Vattey City Hatt 125 East Main Street, Grass Vattey, Caufornia Tetephone; \530) 774-4310 - Fax:. (530).274-4399
E-Mait:[email protected] WebSite:www.cjtvofqrassvatley.com l{ayor Jan Arbuckle, Vice Mayor Hilary Hodge, Councilmember Bob Branstrom, Councilmember Haven Caravetli, Councilmember Tom lvy
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting catted to order at 7:02PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ptedge of a(tegiance led by Mayor ArbuckLe
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councitmember Bob Branstrom
Councitmember Haven Caravetti
Councitmember Tom lvy
Vice Mayor Hitary Hodge
Mayor Jan Arbuckte
AGENDA APPROVAL
Motion made to approve the agenda as submitted by Councitmember Eranstrom, Seconded by Vice Mayor Hodge.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councitmember Caravetli, Councitmember lvy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckte
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
No reportabIe action
PUBLIC COAAMENT
ln person: Dave Wittiams, Robjn Gatvin-Davies, RacheI Grivas, Judy Penrose, Brenda English, Aria Grjffis, and Courtney WiIiams.
CONSENT ITEMS
Motion made to approve consent as submitted by Vice Mayor Hodge, Seconded by Councilmember Branstrom.
Voting Yea: Councjtmember Branstrom, Councitmember Caravetli, Councitmember lvy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckte
1. Approyal of the Regutar Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2023.
Recommendation: CounciI approve minutes as submjtted
2. Approvat of the Town Hat[ Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2023.
Recommendation: Councit approve minutes as submitted.
3. Locat Emergency Proctamation (Winter Storm of February 2023) CEQA: Not a project
MINUTES
Recommendation: To continue the Winter Storm February 241h,2023 to March 1st, 2023 proctamation dectarjng a Local State of Emergency 4. Locat Emergency Proctamation (Drought Conditions) CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation Drought Conditions proclamation dectaring a LocaI State of Emergency
5. Job Description for Pop'Ups Coordjnator
CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation: That Councit approve a job description for a Pop-Ups Coordinator 6. Downtown Streetscape lmprovements Project Budget Amendment gEql\: Exempt Not a Project
Recommendation: That Councit authorize the Finance Director to execute a bud get amendment to realtocate S'150,000 in funds to the Downtown Streetscape lmprovements Project
ADMINIST IVE
7. Consider Resotution No. 2023-62 of the Cjty Councit of the City of Grass Vattey catling an etection on March 5, 2024, to consider a transactjons and use tax for Fire Resiliency and Vegetation Management
lEqlNot a Project.
Recommendation: That Counci( adopt Resotutjon No. 2023-62 of the City Council of the City of Grass Vattey calting a special etection on March 5, 2024, to consider a transactions and use tax, requesting to consotidate the etections with other etections the Registrar of Voters is to administer on March 5, 2024, and authorizing the City Cterk to perform atl other acts necessary or requjred by law to imptement this Resolution and retated to the Speciat Etection.
Cjty Attorney, David Ruderman, announced a change to the Resotutjon number and changes to the Resolutjon. City Manager, Tim Kiser, gave brief presentation to Councit.
Pubtic Comment: Brenda Engtish, Robln Gatvin'Davjes, Judy Penrose, Larry Hoffman.
Council asked for c(arificatjon on the use of the phrase "fiscal emergency", and asked for more coltaboration with Nevada County and Nevada City. Councit asked Staff to communicate with Nevada County and Nevada City to discuss property fire insurance and how, working together, rates may be better controlled.
Motion made to adopt Resolutjon No. 2023-62 of the City Councit of the City of Grass Vattey catting a specjal etection on March 5, 2024, to consider a transactions and use tax, requesting to consotidate the etectjons wjth other etections the Registrar of Voters is to administer on March 5, 2024, and authorizing the City Cterk to perform atL other acts necessary or requjred by law to implement this Resotution and retated to the Speciat E(ection by Vjce Mayor Hodge, Seconded by Councjtmember Branstrom.
Voting Yea: Councitmember Branstrom, Councjlmember Caravetti, Councitmember lvy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckte
Etectric Vehicte Charging Stations
gEgAi Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) receive an update on the City's efforts to date on procuring etectric yehicte (EV) charging stations; and 2) proyide direction to staff on proceeding with a request for proposats.
City Manager, Tjm Kiser, qave presentation to Councit.
City of Grass Vattey, CA MINUTES
8 Oclober 24,2023
Councjl djscussed the need to reasonabty priced EV chargers, the jmportance of r'ndependent charging statjons as opposed to Testa charging stations, discussed ebike chargjng and storage, asked for ctarification on the difference between owning and leasing, asked if there are any locat companies, asked if Truckee or Nevada City has instatted EV chargers and how they have worked for them.
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL IAEIABERS
Councitmember Caravetti enjoyed the tights downtown and announced the upcoming ERC Summit on 10/26. Councitmember lvy attended the Sotid and Hazardous Waste event and the Pioneer board meeting. Councitmember Branstrom votunteered at the NCCA career technicaI education events, partook in the Open Studio event, attended a concert from ln Concert Sierra, CalCities webinar, LAFCO conference, cetebrated his mother 101 birthday, (en Getz cetebration of tjfe, and attended the Jones Hospitat plaque dedication. Vice Mayor Hodge participated in the sac Cities League cornhote competition, attended the Mayors and Managers meeting and the Music in the Mountains fundrajsing Gata, and reminded the pubtic about flu season. Mayor Arbuckle attended the GVDA mixer, a construction industry education meetjng, the past chiefs dinner, the Jones Hospitat plaque dedication, hosted Monday with the mayor, and reminded the pubtic about the upcoming Memorial Park panels unveiting.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 8:48PM
5 I t t, t
Jan Arbuckle, Mayor Tay Day, City Clerk
Adopted on: o
City of Grass Vatley, CA MINUTES October 24, 2023
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Memorandum
1451 Quail Street, Suite 201
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660
TEL (949) 851-0995 FAX (949) 851-3059
Date: October 26, 2023
To: Grass Valley City Counsel – Public Hearing #4 – Fire and Vegetative Management Tax
From: Mesa Management, Inc. Manager Grass Valley Shopping Center Subject: Recommended Alternatives to Proposed Tax
Sent Via Email to [email protected]
Dear City Council Members ~
Mesa Management, Inc., and McKnight Crossing Shopping Center express gratitude to City staff for working with us on our Re-Imagine project to create a warm, inviting, destination so that people can enjoy an enhanced lifestyle experience.
There are two items we wish to share with the City Council. 1) We believe the new proposed tax increase will be an additional burden on local Grass Valley consumers and retail businesses at a time when local retail businesses and consumers are under extraordinary pressure due to inflation and the diminishing spending power of the dollar.
We believe that the added tax, although intended to raise revenue, will lead to higher prices in Grass Valley compared to surrounding communities, less sales due to the higher prices, and more retail sales leakage as customers flee Grass Valley to take their business to more lucrative surrounding communities.
2) We have evidence that in the past six months with the opening of just Target here at McKnight Crossing in Grass Vally, that Grass Valley has seen a projected increase in annual retail sales of just over $13 million. This was leakage that had left Grass Valley and the surrounding communities for Auburn. See attached chart data from Placer.ai Labs.
In summary, we believe by keeping taxes low, by encouraging redevelopment, by reducing costly regulations, dynamic retail businesses will come to Grass Valley and attract consumers from all over to travel to Grass Valley to enjoy the enhanced lifestyle while spending their money. This will increase the tax revenues to the City while benefiting all.
Regards,
Josh Recalde, Legislative Affairs
Mesa Management, Inc.
1451 Quail Street, Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92660
jrecalde@mesamanagement net www.mesamanagement net
Supplementary Information
In the last HdL quarterly tax report, Target had not opened and was not in the Top 25 of Tax Contributors. And the Center was in the middle of our construction on a pathway to the vision the community is starting to see, with a Center Grand Opening in the spring.
The next HdL quarterly tax report is due out any day. What that will show is Target is now at the Top of the Top 25 Retail Tax contributors and is projected to alone contribute an incremental $500,000 a year in Retail Tax contributions.
That is a meaningful contribution to offset a fiscal emergency and provide necessary funds for Fire mitigation without the burden of additional taxes.
Target Grass Valley is performing well:
Below are several graphics to indicate the solid performance of Target in Grass Valley, out performing Target Auburn since launch earlier this your. This creates convenience, reduces trips and miles travelled, consistent with the City’s Strategic Goals, and creates meaningful jobs.
Thank you to the Grass Valley community and we are working hard to finalize our plans, introduce gathering spaces and put the final touches on the Center.
Observations:
We have recent data that shows Grass Valley Target is outperforming Auburn's Target.
We believe this captures a correction of “leakage” (Sales tax dollars leaving the City).
This indicates Grass Velley residents are no longer traveling to Auburn and spending their money and spending their money here in Grass Valley to generate substantial and sustainable Retail Tax Revenue.
This also fits in well with the City’s Strategic Plan to reduce trips and miles driven.
Observations:
This Heat Map indicates the Target at McKnight Crossing is servicing customers from both Grass Valley and the local Region.
Source: Placer.AI
Observations:
The Primary Route of Travel is on the 49, servicing customers from the North. 1 Miranda Bacon
From: HOFFMAN LARRY <
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 5:18 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voice Mail (2 minutes and 8 seconds)
Attachments: audio.mp3
My name is Larry Hoffman and I live at 266 N Auburn, St. My public comment is related to tonight's vote to put forward a sales tax increase on the March ballot. Most of US homeowners and residents of Grass Valley are either retired or employed in jobs much less lucrative than those in current current government positions. Plus, we live here. Unlike most city staff who reside outside the city, we cannot afford to see our cost for living here increase and be able to maintain a decent, decent lifestyle. Lifestyle. Excuse me. Here are some of the increased costs we are seeing. Recent increases to the city water sewer rates will cost residents and businesses at least 25% or more in the next five years. We already pay 1% and put perpetuity for Measure E, which has been spent on more fire, police and residential expenses than the infrastructure improvements it said were needed. Living expensive have gone through the roof. Inflation has made food and gasoline prices go up almost exponentially. We drive around town and still pay over 50, $75.00 a month just for gas. PG&E rates are amongst the highest in the nation and they want to increase it even more. Homeowners and car insurance rate increases have and will continue to make living here more and more unaffordable. Although I support the need for extra fire resources and mitigation efforts, I know the city should have foreseen these years ago and dealt it with them within the fiscal budgets it was given. For these reasons, the City Council. I hope the City Council votes to deny this measure. If not, I hope the city voters do.
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1 Miranda Bacon
From: HOFFMAN LARRY < >
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 5:04 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voice Mail (1 minute and 27 seconds)
Attachments: audio.mp3
Hi, my name is Joyce Hoffman. I live on North Auburn St. in Grass Valley. I don't know Matthew Coulter. I do know that he's been vocal in his opinions against the city staff and council members, and that part of his legal settlement with the city is that he has easy access to vocally participate in council meetings remotely. Many citizens have reasons for not being able to physically participate in the evening meetings. This can be due to physical disabilities, job or educational commitments, or family responsibilities. All of us deserve and have earned and need to have the same ease to participate remotely. Please make attendance in our City Council's planning committees, historic meetings, etcetera easier to participate in. Why do we have to wait to submit our comments until after 5:00 PM on the evening of the meeting? Is 1 phone contact enough for the limited time to submit? Since COVID prompted remote access to all public meetings, the Brown Act will support enabling equal access to all. Please make us all have equal access to our public meetings. Make it easier.
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