GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 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 6:03pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance 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.
Motion made by Councilmember Branstrom, Seconded by Vice Mayor Hodge.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Nothing to report out of closed session.
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Grass Valley Downtown Association Annual Overview Presentation
2. Nevada County Arts Council Presentation
PUBLIC COMMENT -
Virtual Public Comments attached.
In person comments: Judith... Pioneer Energy, Alisha Mannor, Unnamed, Kianna Kraft, Anna Mud, Bryan Fry, unknown, Melvin, unnamed, Melanie, Lena, Terra, Matthew M., Jess, Salem, Sasha, Unnamed, Unamend, Lauren, Zack, Susan Bater, Charley, Unnamed, Tanya
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES January 23, 2024
Planchan, Nova Suvanski, Sherly Ozgood, Jeffery Godsaman, Delphine, Ralph Remick, Hayman Jansen, Mikos Servisan, Johna, Ian, Yasmin,
Recess taken at 8:05 pm meeting resumed at 8:12pm
In person comments: Matthew Coulter
CONSENT ITEMS -
In person comment by: Matthew Coulter
Motion made to approve consent as submitted by Vice Mayor Hodge, Seconded by Councilmember Branstrom.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Branstrom, Councilmember Caravelli, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Hodge, Mayor Arbuckle
3. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2024 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
4. 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
5. Local Emergency Proclamation (Drought Conditions)
CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation: Drought Conditions proclamation declaring a Local State of Emergency
6. HSIP Pedestrian Crossing Improvement Project – Award Contract CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” Recommendation: That Council 1) award a contract for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Pedestrian Crossing Improvement Project to Consolidated Engineering Inc, 2) authorize the Mayor to execute a construction contract, subject to legal review 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount, and 4) authorize the Finance Director to execute a budget transfer of $80,000 in Measure E funds to fully fund the project.
7. 2024 Annual Measure E Street Rehabilitation Project – Authorization to Bid CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” Recommendation: That Council 1) approve the findings that the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and 2) authorize the advertisement for bids.
8. Resolution authorizing the submittal of applications for recycling related payment programs and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents to secure these funds.
CEQA: Not a project
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES January 23, 2024
Recommendation: Adopt resolution No. 2024–03, which includes the following action: 1) Authorizes the City Manager to submit applications to CalRecycle for any and all eligible payment programs.
9. Update Job Descriptions for Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, and Firefighter CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council approve updated job descriptions for Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, and Firefighter.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
10. CDBG Memorial Park Facilities Improvement Project – Project Closeout CEQA: N/A – Project is Complete
Recommendation: That Council 1) hold a public hearing to update residents on the progress of the CDBG Memorial Park Facilities Improvement Project Bjorn Jones, City Engineer, gave presentation to the council.
Public comment: Robin Galvin-Davis, Matthew Coulter
Council would like to take a look at putting dog bags in parks.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Council would like to table item numbers 12 (Establish a Policy Governing the Use of the Mill Street Plaza Area by the Public and for City-Sponsored Events) & 13 (Modifying Public Comment at the City Council Meetings) to future Special Meeting.
11. A-Board Sign Regulation
CEQA: Not a project under CEQA; If directed to prepare an ordinance, the appropriate CEQA review will be completed at that time, but it is anticipated to qualify for a categorical exemption.
Recommendation: That Council direct staff to draft an Ordinance for the regulation of A-Board signs throughout the city.
Amy Wolfson, City Planner, introduced the topic for discussion.
Council discussed how many are currently out in the Downtown and how it is being enforced downtown.
In public comment: Elizabeth Payne, Robin Galvin-Davis, Unnamed, Yasmin, Unnamed, Matthew Coulter
Council directed staff to discuss with FREED and GVDA proposed ordinance of allowing with parameter A-Frame Signs.
12. Establish a Policy Governing the Use of the Mill Street Plaza Area by the Public and for City-Sponsored Events
CEQA: Not a Project
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES January 23, 2024
Recommendation: That Council review and approve the Mill Street Plaza Use & Events Policy subject to legal review
13. Pioneer Community Energy – Standard Rate vs. Green100 for City Accounts CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council provide staff direction on Pioneer Community Energy rate for City Accounts.
Tim Kiser, City Manager, gave presentation to council.
In person comment: Brown Act, Angelica, Matthew Coulter Council directed staff to go with the Pioneer Energy Green 100 program for city accounts.
14. Modifying Public Comment at the City Council Meetings CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) have a discussion on how to improve the public comment portion of City Council meetings, and review and approve a resolution of the City Council of Grass Valley regarding public comment at council meetings
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Caravelli attended GVDA Merchant meeting, Founder of Rockabilly event, and an ERC executive meeting. Councilmember Ivy during his day job got to work with Connecting Point, and he attended a Pioneer Energy Board Meeting. Councilmember Branstrom attended a Martin Luther King event, the exhibit of Cranes at the Rood Center, a Nevada Theater production, and a Cal Cities event. Vice Mayor Hodge attended the State of the County and formally challenged for Pasty toss, she also participated in a book club meeting hosted by our Library, and attended a Center for a show. Mayor Arbuckle was recovery from hip replacement surgery, and attended two League of Cities meeting, and a Government Transparency meeting.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 9:38 pm.
____________________________ ______________________________ Jan Arbuckle, Mayor Taylor Day, City Clerk
Adopted on:_______________
Item # 3.