GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 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 AGENDA
Any person with a disability who requires accommodations to participate in this meeting should telephone the City Clerk’s office at (530)274-4390, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to make a request for a disability related modification or accommodation.
Mayor Hilary Hodge, Vice Mayor Haven Caravelli, Councilmember Jan Arbuckle, Councilmember Joe Bonomolo, Councilmember Tom Ivy
MEETING NOTICE
City Council welcomes you to attend the meetings electronically or in person at the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 125 E. Main St., Grass Valley, CA 95945. Regular Meetings are scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Your interest is encouraged and appreciated.
This meeting is being broadcast “live” on Comcast Channel 17 & 18 by Nevada County Media, on the internet at www.cityofgrassvalley.com, or on the City of Grass Valley YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@cityofgrassvalley.com Members of the public are encouraged to submit public comments via voicemail at (530) 274-4390 and email to [email protected]. Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 5pm. Comments received after that will be addressed during the item and/or at the end of the meeting. Council will have the option to modify their action on items based on comments received. Action may be taken on any agenda item.
Agenda materials, staff reports, and background information related to regular agenda items are available on the City’s website: www.cityofgrassvalley.com. Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda packet will be made available on the City of Grass Valley website at www.cityofgrassvalley.com, subject to City staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting.
Please note, individuals who disrupt, disturb, impede, or render infeasible the orderly conduct of a meeting will receive one warning that, if they do not cease such behavior, they may be removed from the meeting. The chair has authority to order individuals removed if they do not cease their disruptive behavior following this warning. No warning is required before an individual is removed if that individual engages in a use of force or makes a true threat of force. (Gov. Code, § 54957.95.)
City of Grass Valley, CA AGENDA March 11, 2025
Council Chambers are wheelchair accessible and listening devices are available. Other special accommodations may be requested to the City Clerk 72 hours in advance of the meeting by calling (530) 274-4390, we are happy to accommodate.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
AGENDA APPROVAL - The City Council reserves the right to hear items in a different order to accomplish business in the most efficient manner.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
PUBLIC COMMENT - Members of the public are encouraged to submit public comments via voicemail at (530) 274-4390 and email to [email protected]. Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 5pm. Comments received after 5pm will be addressed during the item and/or at the end of the meeting. Council will have the option to modify their action on items based on comments received. Action may be taken on any agenda item. There is a time limitation of three minutes per person for all emailed, voicemail, or in person comments, and only one type of public comment per person. Speaker cards are assigned for public comments that are on any items not on the agenda, and within the jurisdiction or interest of the City. Speaker Cards can be pulled until the opening of public comment at which time sign ups will no longer be allowed.
These cards can be found at the City Clerks desk. If you wish to speak regarding a scheduled agenda item, please come to the podium when the item is announced. When recognized, please begin by providing your name and address for the record (optional). Thirty minutes of public comment will be heard under this item in order of the speaker card assigned and the remaining general public comments will be heard at the end of the meeting. We will begin with number one.
CONSENT ITEMS -All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are to be considered routine by the City Council and/or Grass Valley Redevelopment Agency and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless, before the City Council and/or Grass Valley Redevelopment Agency votes on the motion to adopt, members of the Council and/or Agency, staff or the public request specific items to be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action but Council action is required to do so (roll call vote).Unless the Council removes an item from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion, public comments are invited as to the consent calendar as a whole and limited to three minutes per person.
2. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 25, 2025 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
3. Financial Services – Contract Authorization
CEQA: N/A – Consultant selection is a procedural action. CEQA review will be completed as part of the project work
City of Grass Valley, CA AGENDA March 11, 2025
Recommendation: That Council 1) authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Andy Heath, pending legal review, for Financial Services, in an amount not to exceed $157,000 annually.
4. Mill Street Parking Lot Construction Project – Final Acceptance CEQA: Exempt, Class 11 and 32
Recommendation Motion: That Council: 1) accept the Mill Street Parking Lot Construction Project as complete, and 2) authorize the City Engineer to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder.
5. Second Reading of Ordinance 834 of the City Council of the City of Grass Valley amending subsection (C) and adding subsection (D)(7) to Section 17.44.140 of Chapter 17.44 of Title 17 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code to allow eligible mixeduse projects to include up to 10 dwelling units in the Town Core zone pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.5
CEQA: Not a project pursuant to Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3) Recommendation:
1. That City Council find the Ordinance is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3).
2. Hold a second reading of the attached Ordinance 834 waive full reading, and read by Title Only, to amend subsection (c) and add subsection (d)(7) to section 17.44.140 of chapter 17.44 of title 17 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code to allow eligible mixeduse projects to include up to 10 dwelling units in the Town Core zone pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.5
6. Review of 2024 Annual Housing Element Progress Report CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Receive and File. No formal action required.
7. Review of 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: Receive and File. No formal action required.
8. Surplus Property Designation and Disposition
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the Council adopt resolution No. 2025-04 declaring a police vehicle as surplus and authorize the sale to Dignity Health (Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital) for a medic supervisor vehicle.
9. Nevada County Boundary Drop Response Plan
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) approve the Fire Chief to enter into the agreement, subject to legal review, and 2) Direct staff to provide updates on progress and outcomes during a six-month evaluation period.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
City of Grass Valley, CA AGENDA March 11, 2025
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
ADMINISTRATIVE
10. Review of Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps and Make Recommendations
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council receive input and recommendations on the Office of State Fire Marshal Local Responsibility Area Fire Severity Zone Maps.
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
POSTING NOTICE
This is to certify that the above notice of a meeting of The City Council, scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., was posted at city hall, easily accessible to the public, as of 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2025.
________________________
Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
PROCLAMATION
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION MONTH
April 2025
Whereas, in Federal Fiscal Year 2023 around 3.4 million reports were made to child protective services nationwide; and
Whereas, child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone in our community; and Whereas, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of Nevada County; and
Whereas, child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that can have lifelong consequences for victims of abuse; and
Whereas, effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the meaningful connections and partnerships created between child welfare, education, health, community- and faith-based organizations, businesses and law enforcement agencies; and Whereas, communities must make every effort to promote programs and activities that benefit children and their families; and
Whereas, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, nurturing environment; and Whereas, prevention remains the best defense for our children and families.
NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved that the Grass Valley City Council does herby proclaim the month of April 2025, as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in Grass Valley and urge all citizens to recognize this month by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families.
Dated this 11th day of March 2025.
_____________________________ _____________________________ Hilary Hodge, Mayor Haven Caravelli, Vice Mayor
________________________________
Jan Arbuckle, Council Member
____________________________ _____________________________ Joseph Bonomolo, Council Member Thomas Ivy, Council Member
Item # 1.
GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 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 6:03 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of allegiance led by Mayor Hodge.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councilmember Jan Arbuckle
Councilmember Joe Bonomolo
Councilmember Tom Ivy
Mayor Hilary Hodge
ABSENT
Vice Mayor Haven Caravelli
AGENDA APPROVAL -
Motion to approve agenda as submitted by Councilmember Ivy, Seconded by Councilmember Arbuckle.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
No closed session
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT –
Virtual public comment cards are attached.
In-person public comment: Speakers 1 to 6 (changes to speakers #7, 9, 10 were comments on the agenda).
CONSENT ITEMS –
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES February 25, 2025
Public comment: Ralph Silberstein, Don Raviens, Jonathan Keen, Barbra Raviens, Matthew Coulter
Motion to approve consent as submitted by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
1. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2025 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
2. Downtown 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.
3. Magenta Drain Restoration Project – Professional Services Agreement CEQA: Exempt – Not a Project
Recommendation Motion: That Council 1) authorize the City Engineer to execute a contract with Dudek, pending legal review, for design and environmental support services, in an amount not to exceed $119, 708.30, for the Memorial Park Magenta Drain Restoration Project.
4. Loma Rica Open Space Fuels Reduction Project
CEQA: Exempt under CEQA Guideline §15304, Categorical Exemption Class 4 (“Minor Alterations to Land”)
Recommendation: That Council 1) find that the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and 2) authorize the advertisement for bids for the fuel treatment prescription for the Loma Rica Open Space parcels acquired by the City of Grass Valley and other City owned properties adjacent to the Loma Rica Open Space Parcels.
5. Tablet Command Mobile Incident Command and Response Solution Purchase CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the Council 1) Approve the Fire Chief to enter into an agreement, subject to legal review, for purchase and integration of Tablet Command for the Fire Services in Nevada County; and 2) authorize the Fire Chief to enter into agreement, subject to legal review, with Peraton for integration into Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) and 3) Authorize the Finance Director to execute any necessary budget adjustments or fund transfers to facilitate this process.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES February 25, 2025
6. Second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 5.56 of Title 5 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code regulating Tobacco Retailers and adoption of a resolution to set fees related to tobacco retailers.
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the Council: 1) Hold a second reading by Title Only and adopt Ordinance #833; and, 2) approve Resolution #2025-04 setting fees related to Tobacco Retailers.
Alex Gammelgard, Police Chief, gave the overview presentation to the council.
Public Comment: Matthew Coulter
Motion made to 1) Hold a second reading by Title Only and adopt Ordinance #833; and, 2) approve Resolution #2025-04 setting fees related to Tobacco Retailers by Councilmember Bonomolo, Seconded by Councilmember Arbuckle.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
7. Introduction of an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grass Valley amending subsection (C) and adding subsection (D)(7) to Section 17.44.140 of Chapter 17.44 of Title 17 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code to allow eligible mixed-use projects to include up to 10 dwelling units in the Town Core zone pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.5
CEQA: Not a project pursuant to Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3) Recommendation: That City Council find the Ordinance is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3), and introduce the attached Ordinance No. 834, waive full reading, and read by Title Only, to amend subsection (c) and add subsection (d)(7) to section 17.44.140 of chapter 17.44 of title 17 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code to allow eligible mixed-use projects to include up to 10 dwelling units in the Town Core zone pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.5 Amy Wolfson, City Planner, gave the overview presentation of this ordinance to the City Council.
Public Comment: Sean Johnson, Unknown, Bob Branstrom, Robin Galvin-Davis, Sarah Meadows, Sherri Speights, Laura McClary, Craig Hamilton, Patrick Johnson, Matthew Coulter
Motion to find the Ordinance is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3), and introduce the attached Ordinance No. 834, waive full reading, and read by Title Only, to amend subsection (c) and add subsection (d)(7) to section
17.44.140 of chapter 17.44 of title 17 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code to allow eligible mixed-use projects to include up to 10 dwelling units in the Town Core zone pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.5 by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge Voting Nay: Councilmember Bonomolo
ADMINISTRATIVE
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES February 25, 2025
8. A Resolution of the City Council Calling for a Ceasefire and an End to Violence Between Palestine and Israel
CEQA: Not a project as defined by the Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
Recommendation: That Council discuss and consider the adoption of Resolution 2025-03 Council calling for a ceasefire and an end to violence between Palestine and Israel.
Council discussed questions from each other amongst themselves of the resolution.
Public Comment: There were 35 in-person speakers (the sign-in sheet, which is attached, has 27 names ; there are 8 unnamed speakers). Virtual Public comments are attached.
Council discussed item.
Council member Arbuckle made a motion not to pass the resolution. This motion was not seconded.
Council continued discussion and requested that on the eighth whereas that "including our Arab, Jewish, and Muslim residents" be struck out.
Motion to adoption of Resolution 2025-03 Council calling for a ceasefire and an end to violence between Palestine and Israel, with the redline change to the 8th wherease by Councilmember Ivy, Seconded by Councilmember Bonomolo.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge Voting Nay: Councilmember Arbuckle
9. Engineering Services – Authorization to Award Contract CEQA: N/A – Consultant selection is a procedural action. CEQA review will be completed as part of the project work
Recommendation: That Council 1) authorize the City Engineer to execute a contract with GHD pending legal review, for Civil Engineering Design, Project Management and Environmental Services, in an amount not to exceed $1,449,871.25 for the Downtown Grass Valley Roundabout Project
Bjorn Jones, City Engineer, gave the council an overview presentation of the item.
Public Comment: Sean Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Eden, Salem, Robin Galvin-Davis, Sarah & Virtual public Comments are attached.
Motion made to 1) authorize the City Engineer to execute a contract with GHD pending legal review, for Civil Engineering Design, Project Management and Environmental Services, in an amount not to exceed $1,449,871.25 for the Downtown Grass Valley Roundabout Project by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Bonomolo.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
10. Potential Hazard Trees adjacent to Police Department and City Hall Parking Lot CEQA: Not a Project
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES February 25, 2025
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the removal of three redwood trees near the Police Department and three deciduous trees adjacent to City Hall and the City Hall parking lot to mitigate structural and safety risks, ensure compliance with the City’s vegetation ordinance, and support best fire safety practices.
Tim Kiser, City Manager, gave the council an overview of the item.
Public Comment: Sean Johnson, Sherly, Patrick Johnson, Sarah, Robin Galvin-Davis, & Virtual Public comment attached.
Motion to approve the removal of three redwood trees near the Police Department and three deciduous trees adjacent to City Hall and the City Hall parking lot to mitigate structural and safety risks, ensure compliance with the City’s vegetation ordinance, and support best fire safety practices by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Bonomolo.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Bonomolo was sick. Councilmember Ivy had nothing to report.
Councilmember Arbuckle attended a Fire wise and Fire Agency Meeting, YMCA youth in government meeting, League of California Cities Board meeting, a Wild Fire response League Committee meeting, WIMG meeting, and received a letter of support from Congressman Kiley for the BRIC Grant the City is applying for. Mayor Hodge attended the LAFCo meeting, a mixer at the Holbrook, and is now hosting Wednesdays with the Mayor from 9 to 11.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 11:04 PM
______________________________ ______________________________ Hilary Hodge, Mayor Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
Adopted on: ______________
Item # 2.
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY C]TY COUNCIL MEETING
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN IN SHEET
WELCOME to the City of Grass Vattey City Council meeting! Pubtic Comments provide an opportunity for the public to address the City CounciI on any subject which is not on the agenda but in the jurisdiction of the councit. lf you wish to speak, please indicate in the appropriate box when you sign in and take the number corresponding to your name. Each individua[ can have up to 3 minutes of pubtic comment. At the beginning of the meeting, there wit[ be an allotted 30 minutes of generat pubtic comments and the remainder of comments witl be heard at the end of the agenda. ffi:[:::'::?:.ff:":;T:T:[numbers
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1. Please stand before the podium and give your name and address. (optionat)
2. Ptease [imit your comments to three minutes per speaker.
3. lf previous speakers have made the same point, you may simply indicate your support or disagreement, untess you have new information.
Thank you for your participation.
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Item # 2.
FOUNDATION
Community
E nvironmental
Advocates
PO Sox 972, Ced.r Ridge, C495924-09t2
www...a-nc.ors / e6ail: i.IoOcea-nc or9
Comments to Grass Valley City Council
Feb 25, 2025
Re: Item 4, Loma Rica Open Space Fuels Reduction Project CEA Foundation applauds the City in its efforts to reduce fire hazards by addressing the heavy fuel loads that surround our area. We are also very pleased that the City has acquired the approximately 200 acres of Loma Rica land to be held as open space. And fuel load reduction in that area is needed.
However, we are concerned about four things, 1) the methods used for fuel reduction, 2) the possible use of air-curtain burners, 3) issues such as air quality, and 4) long term forest health. We recognize that this is a complex subject. Take, for instance, bio-char.
What exactly is bio-char? Generally it is a form of carbon that benefits soil health and is stable for long periods of time. But bio-char comes in many forms and there are many other uses such as sequestering carbon to mitigate climate change.
Bio-char is produced by pyrolysis, or heating without oxygen, rather than regular combustion in air This limits the carbon loss via carbon-dioxide emissions.
The sweet spot for bio-char production is between 850 and 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (450- 550C) where surface area and ion exchange capacity greatly increase, and on up to 1300 degrees (700C). This allows recovery of up to 65% of the carbon in the form of stable bio.char, which lasts for centuries and benefits soil health.
However, if the temperature is too hot, more ash and less bio-char are produced. And if the temperature is too low, the bio-char can have low persistence and cause undesirable reactions, such as tying up soil nitrogen and not necessarily benefiting the soil.
When it comes to dealing with large amounts of bio-mass, burning can be an effective tool, but regular burning in air releases most of the carbon. Air curtain burners, such as the one below town, are slightly better than open burning in reducing emissions, but they create only about 6-10% bio-char. And it is of unknown quality.
For that reason, when considering forest fuels reduction projects, I would ask that people within the community have an opportunity to provide some input into the standards for the proposed work. There are many factors which may be worth considering in order for the City to accomplish the goals of fire hazard reduction, while hopefully minimizing recurring costs, protecting good forest habitat, and maybe even realizing added benefits from bio-char production such as carbon sequestration.
Thank vou.
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Item # 2.
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
GENERAL PUBLIC COM/V\ENT SIGN IN SHEET
Action ltem # 8
A Resotution of the City CounciI Cattine for a Ceasefire and an End to Viotence Between Palestine and lsrael
When you are recognized by the mayor:
1. Ptease stand before the podium and give your name and address. (optionat)
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Item # 2.
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Item # 2.
Comments GV Ceasefire Resolution (Mikos Fabersunne)
I recognize the effort that Council members have put into dralting this resolution and appreciate the Council placing it before the eyes ofthe public.
Because the preamble section (the Whereas clauses) provides the reasoning behind the actions to be taken by the Council, I am commenting primarily on what I see are the weaknesses of the preamble in hopes that the Council will not adopt this resolution as presently worded, and instead make the document more reflective of the actual political context of the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis and a more accurate portrayal of the state ofseige.
The United Nations has developed numerous resolutions pertaining to PalestineIsrael, including UNGA Resolution 194, adopted in 1948, that was to guarantee the Palestinians dispossessed and evicted from their lands in 1947-49 with the right to return to those lands and receive reparations. Resolution 194 has been ignored by Israel and by Israel's principal benefactor,, the United States, ever since.
Another important resolution was UNGA Res. 3379, adopted in November 1975 which concluded, "The General Assembly determines that Zionism is aform of racism and racial discrimination." Resolution 3379 remained in force for l6 years Yet, in spite of the findings by the UN General Assembly and the recent decisions by the ICJ regarding the illegality ofthe occupation and the plausibility of genocide,, Zionism persists unabated in the United States in support of the occupation of Palestine that continues today.
Contrary to popular opinion, the cause of the October 7 attacks by Palestinians in Gaza wasn't a hatred of Jews as a people but the hatred of the belligerent miiitary occupation by the Israelis since 1967, with roots extending back to the late l9th century formation of the Zionist movement. This Occupation, which has only expanded, has been deemed "illegal" by the Intemational Court of Justice. And the preliminary efforts behind it have been opposed by the Palestinians, using both armed and unarmed methods, since the 1930s. Note that the right to armed opposition of military occupations is recognized under international law as legitimate.
Item # 2.
So, too, will the occupation resistance movements continue around the world, and will do so until the occupation ends and a just settlement takes its place.
Regarding the text ofthe 2nd and 6th paragraphs, I will read a portion:
fl2 "tre recent and ongoing armed violence against the Palestinian and Israeli people has resulted in the fagic loss of life of Palestiniars and Israelis and injuries to many more innocent people on all sides",
!f6 makes a similar statement beginning with "the continued violence agairst the Palestinian and Israeli people ...".
The text in these paragraphs appear to erroneously equate the harm and suffering bom by the Palestinians to that ofthe Israelis, with an unidentified perpetrator expressed in the passive voice.
Nowhere does the preamble address the four military assaults on Gaza by Israel since 2008, nor the slaughter of civilians in the non-violent weekly Great March of Retum in 2018-2019.
Yes, Israelis, including civilians and soldiers, were killed in the attacks of October 7, and Palestinian resistance forces and individuals are alleged to have committed war crimes in the process. I oppose the killing of non-combatant civilians.
But the number of Israeli civilians killed or injured in those attacks pale in comparison to the Palestinians who have been killed or maimed in the genocidal assault on Gaza between October 2023 until the recent ceasefire: 20 to 50 times more--perhaps 100 times more Palestinians have been killed than the 1200 Israelis killed on October 7. Nor have the Israelis been the target of an undeniable genocide campaign that has been waged against them, which has destroyed practically all the housing and public infiastructure in Gaza,leaving infants starving or malnourished, or to die of the cold, while the sick and wounded die from lack of medical treatment and adequate sanitation. Thus, the language in the preamble should not suggest an equivalence of the suffering and should name the settler colonial project and its occupation for what it is: ethnic cleansing and genocide.
Finally, if the intention of the Council is to have a Resolution that encourages Congressional members to address the cause of the conflict and seek a just
Item # 2.
resolution for both peoples, then it should advocate this directly in the text ofthe resolution.
Item # 2.
Item # 2.
2 Taylor Whittingslow
From: KRAUSS EUGENE - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 4:56 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 4:48 PM
Attachments: 1740530930-00000f51.mp3
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You received a new voicemail message
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New voicemail message
Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 4:48 PM
From:
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Voicemail box: 8880
Transcript:
Hello, my name is Danielle Krauss. As a member of your local Jewish community here in Grass Valley and with family in Israel, of course, I want to cease fire and return of our hostages and an end to violence for innocent Palestinians and Israelis who are suffering immensely under the violent Jihadist death cult of Hamas, the terror proxy arm of the IRGC, a designated terrorist group which has ruled in Gaza since the Israeli withdrawal in mid2000. That being said, I'm calling because I strongly and adamantly oppose the passing of agenda item number eight and implore you to reconsider. Calling for a ceasefire and an end to violence between Palestine and Israel. It sounds innocuous enough, but I can assure you it is anything but that. Since October 7th, we have seen European cities as well as US cities on our college campuses become hotbeds and strongholds for the brainwashing script of Qatari, IRGC, and Soviet-sponsored disinformation campaigns, fed to Westerners who have overlaid their own country's guilt, shame, and history over another part of the world in which it has absolutely no relevance or place. These propaganda machines have been spewing anti-Semitic, anti-democratic, and outright fascist, and violent rhetoric. Here in the
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3 West, as well as much of Europe, these false narratives have been adopted with open arms, parroted, and then repeatedly forced down our throats by Western liberals. Genocide, apartheid, white colonialism, settler, oppressor, first oppressed. These words are becoming commonplace, but when examined under the lens of factual history or the actual geopolitics of the Swana region, they do not hold up. Furthermore, repeating these lies and revisionist history, repurposing old Jewish tropes and blood libel, both fuels and normalizes anti-Zionist and anti-Jewish sentiment and only perpetuates this targeted violence of radical Islamic jihadist ideology against Jews, Christians, Jews, other Muslims, and Westerners who uphold democratic values and the rights of women, our LGBTQ communities, and ethnic and religious minorities of all sorts. It is insane to call for a ceasefire in peace by effectively ignoring Hamas, the controlling government and militia of Gaza, the group that broke the ceasefire on October 7th and will continue to break every future ceasefire. Why do I know that? because they've told us that, as long as it is allowed to remain in power without any moderate Arab ally that actually wants peace. The thought behind this resolution at hand seems to be based on a lack of knowledge of the surrounding Middle Eastern Muslim countries and an absolute false presumption that Hamas wants peace for Palestinians alongside their Israeli neighbors or that they desire a two-state solution in which Palestinians could be free to live and thrive alongside Jews. This is not the case Hamas wants one thing which is in their charter and they tell us time after time to incite terror and to kill Jews. The glaring and obvious roadblock to the spread of the Islamic caliphate in the Middle East, Israel. And it is willing to sacrifice its own people in their words down to the very last Gazan child. This is the sole purpose of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, the Houthis in Yemen, all proxies of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. As for what has become of the Free Palestine Movement, it is grandly obvious that it has crossed far over the lines of peaceful protest or criticism of Israel or US government from becoming a movement in and of itself of advancing radical fundamental ideology here in the West. This has not only directly contributed the skyrocketing of anti-Semitism and heinous violence targeted attacks on Jews all over the world as well as here in the U.S., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, but it is actually exactly what has emboldened these six terror proxies to continue to prolong the suffering and violence of this war in Israel and Gaza. There was a standing ceasefire which Hamas Broken October 7th with the sole purpose of slaughtering, burning, beheading, raping, and taking hostage young people, grandparents, babies, even our dead. As a Jewish person who's grieving deeply this week with the rest of my community after the horrific news of our slain hostages last week, I'm taking the time to call in because I'm scared. I'm scared of what normalizing anti-Semitic rhetoric has done over these last 15 months. I'm scared because My grandparents have survived the Holocaust, only for me to see the return of early 1930s levels of hatred towards Jews. If you think this isn't about Jews, please truly ask yourself, why is there no resolution on the table condemning actual genocides and mass
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4 killings of civilians in Sudan, the Congo, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso? The list goes on. I urge you to reconsider. Thank you for your time and listening.
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6 The less this country involves itself in international conflicts, the better. The less this city involves itself in international conflicts, the better. Foreign policy is a federal matter—not the responsibility of the Grass Valley City Council.
That being said, I, along with many of my Israeli friends, would gladly stand with you in calling for peace for all people in the Middle East.
Thank you for the privilege of freely sharing my voice and opinion—a right reserved for us in the Western world.
God bless the First Amendment and the U.S. Constitution.
Yours kindly,
Elad Gariany
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7 Taylor Whittingslow
From: POWELL,ANTHONY - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 4:23 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 4:19 PM
Attachments: 1740529156-00000f44.mp3
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New voicemail message
Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 4:19 PM
From:
Duration: 2 minutes 29 seconds
Voicemail box: 8880
Transcript:
Hello, this is Anthony Powell, South School Street, and I have some comments regarding your Town Corps office to residential space situation you're interested in completing. I've identified two properties that may be very beneficial to your project. One is the Alpha building, the old Alpha hardware building. We were looking at that to purchase it, and we noticed that there it's very underutilized. It's a very large building. It would really lend itself well to individual apartment spaces, efficiency apartments. It has oodles of parking in the back, and there would be no architectural changes to the front of the building, and it's just a great building, but obviously it requires a developer to move forward with it. The second building would be the portion of the Evans Furniture Store that's still empty since they've combined their operation into one side of their building. It's a great building. It's a large building. It would require no architectural changes to the front. It does have parking in the rear. It's a multi-story building, and that would be a great building as well. The third thing I wanted to mention was the Bank of America. As you know, banks are closing all over the country, the brick and mortar banks. This is probably the largest piece of land that will ever
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8 be available in the town for, maybe ever. And you've got a great opportunity there to get with a developer or someone that creates grants for things of this sort. This could be senior housing, it could be low-income housing, it could be cluster of live, work, lofts, plenty of parking for the downtown. And you know what happens when big buildings like that sit empty for too long, big parking lots, trouble. So really looking to see something good happen at the Bank of America site if the landlord is willing to make a deal. That's a great building.
They're closing in April, I believe. And they'll be just keeping the ATMs, but that building and that property really needs to be developed. Great piece of property, flat ground, simple deal.
Okay. Thanks a lot.
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9 Taylor Whittingslow
From: POWELL,ANTHONY - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 4:12 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 4:09 PM
Attachments: 1740528564-00000f3a.mp3
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New voicemail message
Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 4:09 PM
From:
Duration: 1 minute 22 seconds
Voicemail box: 8880
Transcript:
Hello, my name is Anthony Powell, South School Street, Grass Valley. I have a general comment about an art installation that's at McKnight Crossing in the Grove area, which is in front of the donut shop. There is a display of miners' picks that have been welded together.
And on quite a few occasions, I've seen people there when the weather's good with their kids and their kids are climbing on these miners' picks, and they're very sharp, they're real picks, they're very dangerous, and they're part of this picnic area there. I spoke to the management team in Orange County, I spoke to them, and the person who is the manager for this center said that she also had a concern about the safety of these picks, but in her words, she was voted down. So I'd like someone from the city to perhaps take a look at this, a safety engineer, and determine whether this needs to be enclosed somehow to prevent children from climbing on it, because an accident on this installation would be quite severe.
Thank you very much.
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12 Brandon Dellis
Grass Valley Resident
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13 Taylor Whittingslow
From: Sheerlie Ryngler
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 3:15 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Agenda item 8
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Dear Council,
My name is Sheerlie Ryngler and I have been a resident of Nevada County for 10 years. I have had a brick & mortar business in downtown Grass Valley, and conƟnue to spend a lot of Ɵme there. I am wriƟng to urge you to NOT adopt the ceasefire resoluƟon and to stop allowing misguided people to co-opt the purpose and mission of the city council. There is no precedent for a resoluƟon like this, and I strongly encourage us not to start now.
I am a Jewish American and actually have an MA in Conflict ResoluƟon. I worked for years on the ground in IsraelPalesƟne for social jusƟce, peace-building, and human rights. This resoluƟon is not only completely pointless, but embarrassing. Countless intelligent people have dedicated their lives to resolving this conflict for over a century and have been unsuccessful. Do you really think anybody in this town can contribute an idea that hasn’t yet been aƩempted? Is it city business to affirm our “values” in a singled out internaƟonal issue?? Especially when people here can barely understand what’s happening on the ground (as evidenced by zero menƟon of Hamas)? This is pure virtue signaling, spearheaded by people with very liƩle virtue (I know because I was forced to interact with them for most of last year over the Nevada City council resoluƟon on the same topic. They repeatedly exhibited abhorrent anƟsemiƟc behavior).
Please don’t pander to people who not only have no idea what they’re talking about, but have sowed division and hatred in our community.
I hope you will do the right thing.
Thank you for your Ɵme,
Sheerlie
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15 --
Yaelle Dery, MSOM, L. Ac.
Classical Chinese Medicine
(303) 507-1927
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17 locals. Also, anyone concerned with conflict in the Middle East can write their congressman/woman individually. That is a much better approach, in my opinion.
Best,
Tara Winkler
--
Tara Winkler
Graphic Designer
319-321-6701
[email protected]
https://tarawinklergraphics.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TaraWinklerGraphicsGirl
https://www.bninextlevel.com/see-us-action/
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22 When the resolution says “Ceasefire,” I hear “Amnesty for Hamas.” Why is this?
The words “immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire” are, in their usage in this resolution, a euphemism for amnesty. Amnesty for those committing the most heinous murder, rape kidnapping and torture.
On the 4th WHEREAS, it reads “there are a growing number of people … calling for a ceasefire …” Where is the evidence of “a growing number”? On the contrary, a recent Harvard-Harris Poll asked, “Do you favor an unconditional ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that would leave everything in place, or do you think any ceasefire should happen only after the release of all hostages and Hamas removed from power?” 68% of Americans answered, “only after the release of all hostages and Hamas removed from power.” In the same poll of October 2024, 81% of Americans favor Israel over Hamas. ( https://harvardharrispoll.com/key-results-october-5/ )
On the 6th WHEREAS, it reads “…rising Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and bigotry across the United States…” Just a point of reference to put things in perspective, The latest FBI Hate Crime Statistics (2023) show 2,699 total reported incidents based on religion. More than half, 1832 were Anti-Jewish. 236 were anti-Muslim. ( https://www.justice.gov/crs/news/2023-hate-crime-statistics ).
On the 7th WHEREAS, it reads “Grass Valley…supports the dignity and safety of residents in every community regardless of what crimes any government may commit…” (emphasis added) This is not randomly “any government.” This is a veiled, slanderous reference to Israel, is it not? – with the disclaimer that Grass Valley will not hold local Jews and Israelis responsible for “criminal Israel.” How big of Grass Valley.
On the 12th WHEREAS, it reads, “Grass Valley…against genocide and ethnic cleansing…” Below is an “Ethnic cleansing chart” from my book. Tell me who is eliminating who and if you want to endorse yet another slur in this resolution.
Ethnic Cleansing
Related to the subject of refugees, which countries can reasonably be accused of ethnic cleansing?
Let’s look at Jewish populations from 1948 to 2023 in Arab countries and Iran. Then, look below that at the Arab populations in Israel.
Jewish Population 1948 2023
Algeria 140,000 200
Egypt 63,550 3
Gaza 7,949 0
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23 Iran 100,000 8,500
Iraq 150,000 4
Lebanon 20,000 29
Libya 38,000 0
Morocco 265,000 2,100
Tunisia 105,000 1,000
Yemen 55,000 1
Arab Population
Gaza 80,000 2,000,000
West Bank 1,134,000 2,700,000
Israel 156,000 2,100,000
The above numbers are estimates.
Seems like Jews are disappearing from Muslim controlled lands. In the Israeli controlled areas, not only does it appear there is no ethnic cleansing of Arabs, but an increase.
The accusation of Israel ethnically cleansing Arabs is another burlesque of Jewish history.
From Palestinianism: A Burlesque of Jewish History
On the 12th WHEREAS, it reads “…Grass Valley…against apartheid…illegal settlements…illegal settlements occupation of Palestinian territories”
Calling Israel “apartheid” is an anti-Semitic burlesque. It was Egypt’s illegal invasion and occupation of Gaza and Jordan’s illegal invasion and occupation of Judea and Samaria where they made these territories Jew-free – worst than apartheid. Whereas Arab citizens of Israel have equal rights. They can vote, have served in the Israeli judiciary, diplomatic corps and dominate the pharmacal and medical professions, to name a few instances that put the lie to this proposed resolution’s slander of apartheid.
Israel’s last internationally recognized borders were set in 1922 by unanimous decision of the League of Nations and renewed by the League’s successor, the United Nations. Israel’s borders according to these international institutions, consist of the land west of the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, including Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) and Gaza. “From the River to the Sea” is Israel’s under international law. You can find it in my book, Palestinianism: A Burlesque of Jewish History. If you don’t believe me, you can research it yourself – The San Remo Conference (1920) and the League of Nations London Conference (1922).
At NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, there is reference to “hostages and unjustly held prisoners.” This reads intentionally vague, but “unjustly held prisoners” is code for Palestinian terrorists, captured by Israel and held justly. If not, who else would these prisoners be? This is doubly Anti-Semitic, setting up a moral equivalence between victims of kidnapping and their kidnappers, and then asserting that the Jewish State holds kidnappers and similar terrorist-criminals “unjustly.”
On the 3rd BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the authors of this resolution throw away all subtlety and in two words - indiscriminate retaliation – produce two Anti-Semitic slanders against the State of Israel that they want the City Council to express. As for “indiscriminate,” the opposite is true: Israel, going to great lengths to warn Palestinians of upcoming military actions, has the lowest ratio of civilian to military deaths in the history of urban warfare, according to West Point’s John Spencer. (
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24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcrsobilITo ) As for “retaliation,” vengeful words like this have been tropes to slander Jews at least since Shakespeare’s Shylock. The Jewish state is not engaged in “retaliation.” It is engaged in defensive actions, so that fellow Israelis can return to their homes and live in peace and security in the ancient Jewish homeland.
These are just some of the biased, vindictive and/or false words and ideas found in this resolution.
Anyone who signs onto this resolution signs onto more – not less – bigotry.
Sources:
RON KAMPEAS , “J Street owns up to Soros funding,” JTA, SEPTEMBER 26, 2010, https://www.jta.org/2010/09/26/united-states/j-street-owns-up-to-soros-funding Morton Klein, Elizabeth Berney, Daniel Mandel, “J Street Sides with Israel’s Enemies & Works to Destroy Support For Israel,” Zionist Organization of America, 2018, JAS CHANA.
“A Conversation With Alan Dershowitz,” Tablet Magazine, AUGUST 24, 2015, https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/a-conversation-with-alan-dershowitz Background:
On October 7, 2023, the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, Israel was invaded from Gaza in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. This operation was led by Hamas, a U.S. designated terrorist group, and included Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), The Marxist-Leninist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), The Marxist-Leninist Maoist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), employees of the United Nations (UN), and supported by about 75% of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Israelis were raped, mutilated, tortured, kidnapped, burned alive or otherwise murdered in the most gruesome ways.
Over 1200 Israelis, mostly Jews, were murdered. About 240 were kidnapped. Thanks to the Israeli offensive, Hamas was pressured to release over 100 hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, which Hamas then broke. 240,000 Israelis were made homeless. These survivors of the October 7 terror attacks cannot, for the most part, return to their communities until Hamas and their allies are eliminated as a fighting force, buffer zones established, and Gaza pacified.
Meanwhile, in the north, Hezbollah, which has a bigger, better armed fighting force than Hamas, had started bombarding Israel with rockets and missiles the next day, October 8.
And in Gaza? Who has not seen the death and destruction? Who’s to blame, Israel or Hamas? Israel, going to great lengths to warn Palestinians of upcoming military actions, has the lowest ratio of civilian to military deaths in the history of urban warfare, according to West Point’s John Spencer. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcrsobilITo ) Hamas, on the other hand, is committing a double war crime:
hiding in schools, hospitals and other civilian areas, and sending rockets into Israel’s civilian population centers.
H.Ben Winkler
Grass Valley, CA
641-451-7076
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25 [email protected]
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26 Taylor Whittingslow
From: GROSS JUSTIN MA - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:01 AM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 9:57 AM
Attachments: 1740506229-00000b18.mp3
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New voicemail message
Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 9:57 AM
From:
Duration: 1 minute 46 seconds
Voicemail box: 8880
Transcript:
Hello, this is Justin Gross. I live on Butler Street in Grass Valley. I'm urgently asking our city council to vote no on the ceasefire resolution. This is nothing more than an empty gesture to appease a very small part of our larger community. This item should not even be on the agenda. And you have the glorious task of weighing in on something that is guaranteed to anger two different camps, depending on which way you vote. This is not astute leadership, unfortunately. This is foolish. The City of Grass Valley City Council should stick to matters that are germane to city business. Calling for a resolution to be passed by a small town city council may feel satiating to some of you, and it would feel that way to radical elements in our community. But it does absolutely nothing except waste time and set a dangerous precedent. There is no substance to be found in an effete resolution. Future demands could be made by city council or made by others of the city council to weigh in on other international matters, perhaps matters in other states, in other communities. Perhaps you can give your wise thoughts on condemnation. There are plenty of local issues that we can spend time and efforts on, and I urge you to vote no on this on principle. This is a bad road to
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27 go down, this is a contentious issue, and it's a no-win situation. So please make it stop and do not open the floodgates to more meaningless resolutions in the future. Let's stick with neutrality on international and national issues, and let's just stick with city business. Thank you for your time.
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29 Taylor Whittingslow
From: Lily Marie
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 3:37 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Support Resolution for Cesefire
[You don't oŌen get email from . Learn why this is important at hƩps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdenƟficaƟon ]
To: Mayor Hodge and Grass Valley City Council Members,
Lets pass the AdministraƟve item #8 —The ResoluƟon of the City Council calling for a Ceasefire and End to the Violence between PalesƟne and Israel.
We all need to stand up to stop violence of any kind and war.
Thanks for Ɵme, effort and consideraƟon to support this resoluƟon.
Sincerely,
Lily Marie and Bob Mora
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35 Taylor Whittingslow
From: sasha zhukov
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2025 5:06 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Ceasefire in Gaza
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Hello All,
I am deeply angry and ashamed that you have this on your agenda. Just a couple of days aŌer we found out what ordinary PalesƟnian ciƟzens did to the Bibas boys, and their mother.
You are elected officials, but I do not feel like I am represented here. I know of 3 Israelis that live here in grass valley, who lost over 50!!!!! Family members, friends, people who they grow up with in the October 7th massacre. I myself knew a lovely man, who came to visit grass valley in 2014, who was murdered on Oct. 7th.
Let’s look at some FACTS:
The PalesƟnians are the most radicalized populaƟon in the world. They are taught from a young age, That Jews are pigs.
That Jews are thieves. That Jews have no right to live. That murdering Jews is a holy duty that will reward them with a place of honor in heaven and they will have 72 virgins. And by the way, those poor virgins will have their virginity restored aŌer every Ɵme it is taken, so they will feel pain every Ɵme. These are all FACTS, and you CHOOSE to ignore them. The Jews all over the world are suffering from this new bout of anƟsemiƟsm. I did not think it would happen here, in Grass Valley- but it’s here!
You are supporƟng people who think it’s a duty to abuse, rape and slaughter Jews . How dare you? And it’s not your personal opinion that you talk about around your dinner table, you are puƫng a PUBLIC resoluƟon about a situaƟon you know nothing about (TikTok videos don’t count as facts) - this is a big responsibility and you need to understand more about it before even entertaining the thought! Would you call for a ceasefire if the KKK had an autonomy in Detroit? What do you think the KKK would do to African Americans and other minoriƟes if they had their own country?? Probably the same as what the PalesƟnians did on October 7.
And some more FACTS - the Arabs ( later calling themselves PalesƟnians in 1964) in Israel have been doing October 7th to the Jews since the 1800’s. Don’t believe me? Google it! If you have to put a resoluƟon forward regarding Gaza, put forward a resoluƟon that condemned Hamas, condemn their educaƟon system, condemn the fact that they use their people and their death as propaganda, condemn the Iranian money going into TikTok for propaganda, and put in a resoluƟon that you believe that the PalesƟnian people deserve beƩer then being fodder for Hamas’s cannons.
Also, maybe check who is funding the organizaƟon that made the appeal for this resoluƟon? I think the answer will scare you.
You need to do beƩer
You need to look the truth in the eyes
And you need to stop abandoning your Jewish community.
Sasha Zhukov
Grass Valley, CA 95945
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36 Taylor Whittingslow
From: Mark Gold
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2025 7:54 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Re: Upcoming Agenda Item - Ceasefire Resolution [You don't oŌen get email from Learn why this is important at hƩps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdenƟficaƟon ]
Dear Mayor Hodge, Vice Mayor Caravelli, and Council Members Arbuckle, Ivy and Bonomolo, I am wriƟng to you this evening to ask you to not approve the ceasefire resoluƟon that is on the agenda for the meeƟng scheduled for February 25th. I realize that you are under a lot of pressure from pro-PalesƟnian members of this community. However, a city council is no place to address topics of a foreign maƩer, with perhaps two excepƟons that come to mind. The first is if the city were approached by a government agency such as the State Department, asking to take in displaced individuals from a foreign country due to conflict or natural disaster. The second is if the city were parƟcipaƟng in the sister city program. Sacramento for example, has numerous sister ciƟes including Ashkelon, Israel and Hamilton, New Zealand to name a few. I’m all for having a sister city, my votes are for either Hod Hasharon in Israel (they have the best falafel that I have ever eaten) or Grange in County Sligo, Ireland which was the birthplace of the legendary Lola Montez.
All kidding aside, there are more important maƩers that the city council needs to be addressing, maƩers that directly impact our community such as increased crime on Mill Street, the lack of parking in downtown, and the homeless situaƟon. These are just a few issues that directly impact the residents of Grass Valley. Appealing to a group of radical acƟvists who support the PalesƟnian cause does absolutely nothing to end the conflict going on 7300 miles away. Now I’m not sure how many people living in Grass Valley, or western Nevada County for that maƩer, were born and/or raised in Gaza or the West Bank, probably not many. But western Nevada County IS home to several hundred Israelis. Many of them visit my shop regularly, or I’ve encountered around town, or at religious services at Chabad of Grass Valley. I met many of them at the memorial service honoring the vicƟms of the October 7th massacre, and the following year at the 1 year anniversary. Agreeing to this resoluƟon is an insult to them and to the thriving Jewish community living here. It effecƟvely says to them that they are not valued members of this community, and that the lives of the friends and loved ones that they lost on October 7th and in other aƩacks on Israelis over the decades are irrelevant or unimportant.
No one is saying that the conflict that has been going on between Israelis and PalesƟnians isn’t unfortunate, and of course we all want to see lasƟng peace in the region. However, this city council resoluƟon only has a negaƟve impact, and that impact is on the residents who live here and pay your salaries. Do not allow yourselves to be bullied by masked thugs who yell at city council meeƟngs, or walk around with effigies of dead babies. If you follow the news, you’ll also know that PalesƟnians are just as guilty of killing children as we saw with the release of the bodies of 4 year old Ariel and 9 month old Kfir Bibas. As of this wriƟng, there IS a ceasefire in place, so please also keep that in mind. This resoluƟon has absolutely no business even being considered, and so I ask you to vote against this, put this whole resoluƟon behind you, and move on to agenda items that directly impact the residents and businesses in the city of Grass Valley.
Sincerely,
Mark Gold
Gold Rush Cookie Company
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1 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:48 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 10:43 PM
Attachments: 1740552231-00000f81.mp3
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 10:43 PM
From:
Duration: 2 minutes 43 seconds
Voicemail box: 8880
Transcript:
Fires should be on top of everyone's mind today. And one of the things that was quickly pointed out to us is we have three trees on the left side of the building, which would be where the flagpole are. Those trees actually top and branch out over our roof. And they're within the five feet of where most people would now say is the zero vegetation kind of rules. Staff is requesting to remove those trees before we start our vegetation monitoring and going out and working with the public and telling them that you really should remove those trees or plants and those kind of things and be good stewards and show that we're taking care of our building first and what has been suggested by me by Dwayne that kind of did this inspection is why don't we look take this as an opportunity to come up with some different landscaping opportunities from that zero to five feet that would provide maybe a green barrier or some different plants that could be planted in that area and use that as a model for our community around our building to show what could be done so that we can get a little past the stigma of, oh, my God, you're telling me I have to remove everything
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2 from zero to five feet and it's got to be gravel. Well, that's not the case. There are some options out there. Rock is a great option. I'm not saying I've never seen rock burn, but you know, it is a volcano. But I just think it's a good step for us to be good stewards if we're moving forward with this. We would come back with the landscaping option or council approval. Tonight is just, we'd like to remove all the trees at once and get them taken care of. And then I've already talked to a landscaper to work with me and Dwayne on developing a slightly modified plan.
What's going on with all the trees cut down in Idaho, Maryland, Red Road Avenue? Are those trunks just going to lay there? With that, I'll take any questions. Okay.
Before we do questions, I just want to remind everybody that those trees are not heritage trees. They were planted as a landscaping project by the city. Is that correct? Yes. My guess is they were planted when the police department went in and they were probably, the three redwood trees were planted, probably were five gallon trees at the time. And if you go out there now, they're quite large and far exceed that.
And numerous people have come up and talked to me, that was the wrong tree to plant there. Okay. Okay, any questions on that?
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Item # 2.
3 Taylor Whittingslow
From: M MINICOZZI - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:47 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from ( on Feb 25 2025 10:44 PM
Attachments: 1740552269-00000f82.mp3
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 10:44 PM
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Transcript:
Yes, Robert Katz, in reference to the Redwood tree removal near City Hall, additional comment. These trees, according to the California Native Plant Society, are not fire prone or hazardous at all. And these current trees that reside near the City Hall Police Department in Grass Valley are not dried out or otherwise a fire hazard. They are well hydrated and they do not fall under 100 years old. There's been no records of these kinds of trees in this situation falling or toppling in downtown areas due to shallow root systems, so long as those root systems are protected. So let's not cut to trees.
Let's deal with the compaction and the areas that they don't have the ability to set lateral roots. Anything less is just murder, and this is one of the major trees of the world in recognition of the largest species there is. Thank you for your time.
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Item # 2.
5 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:32 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 10:28 PM
Attachments: 1740551338-00000f80.mp3
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This is Matthew Coulter commenting on the roundabout at 1030 in the evening at the City Council meeting, and myself and Anna Acton were the only two civilians in the meeting when Caltrans and the city initially were talking about this and designing it.
And nobody in the design group seemed to consider pedestrians at all. It was all about the cars and just tonight the conversation is about the cars. It's not about pedestrians. And for me to go through that intersection, as I do on a daily basis, mandatory because you can't get to the other side of the freeway that's cut the town in half without going through these really scary intersections. That just happens to be one of them. And until the speeds are lowered, it's not going to make a difference.
You can put a roundabout in, it'll become a drifting course. People will be going sideways on it and spinning their wheels and racing around it. Yeah, it's a pretty crazy intersection down there, but really more so because of the speeds that people are traveling than the design. If AB 43 was implemented, you could lower the speeds, that's in your purview, and the town core could be a 15-mile-an-hour zone, which
Item # 2.
6 would save lives and be a lot more realistic for our roads. Thank you. Thanks for watching!
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Item # 2.
7 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 9:30 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 9:25 PM
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Hi, my name is Karen Rom. I'm a resident in the county and I am calling to thank the grass valley city council members for finally agendizing a ceasefire release resolution. We've been waiting 16 months plus for our community to stand in solidarity with people who are being violently oppressed and genocided. um this is um not just an international issue we're all taxpayers and we're all supporting um the horrifying um attempt at eradicating the whole people with our money with U.S. bonds and with U.S. policy, hindering aid, the things I have seen in the last year, almost year and a half, are horrific. And I just commend you for speaking out. This is the forum that we have for speaking our truth. As I heard someone earlier comment, this is our recourse's trickle up government. You are the representatives that we can lend our voice to. You are the ones that need to hear us. I feel really, I speak as an Israeli Jew, and I'm really sad to hear all of these folks for speaking out against the resolution, believe that the movement to support the liberation of Palestinians and the ending of this genocide and an arms embargo to Israel is anti-Semitic. We are
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8 pro-human rights and pro-liberation. Anything that we allow to happen to Palestinians will come back home. This is a way to see whatever our government, whatever fascism and the horrific acts of violence that our government allows to happen to people abroad, no matter who they are, will come home to roost. So I appreciate you filing the agenda in this resolution. I urge you to pass it, speak for human rights, speak unquivocally against genocide and against xenophobia, against anti-Semitism. And yeah, I appreciate that. Have a good night.
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9 Taylor Whittingslow
From: ARMISTEAD SUSAN - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 9:24 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 9:21 PM
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 9:21 PM
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Hello, I support the ceasefire resolution and the specific naming of calling for an arms embargo and end of military aid to the Zionist entity that is Israel. I appreciate the specific targeted naming of genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians, and that is incredibly important to include. Hamas is not a terrorist group. It is acting in resistance to the Zionist entity which has been occupying Palestinian land since 1948. Please pass the ceasefire resolution. Thank you.
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Item # 2.
11 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 6:43 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from Feb 25 2025 6:41 PM
Attachments: 1740537669-00000f73.mp3
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 6:41 PM
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This is Matthew Coulter trying to comment again. I've been commenting You haven't been reading any of my comments on the topics that if the council made in here So you're violating the Brown Act, but it's okay. You guys are all right. You do it your way always Just like this ordinance on the Airbnbs upstairs Jan's the frisky one on the council I would like her to be able to walk up and down the stairs of all these different places You're going to approve and see if she can do it Then I would like the fire department to carry a 300-pound person down each of the flight of stairs and see if they could do it. And after that, then maybe you guys can consider sprinkler systems, modern wiring, and amenities that will keep the town from burning down by turning places that haven't been used in over 50 years into housing. Pretty scary that you want to burn down the houses, the towns at a third freaking time, third time. Go GraphiCity Council, go on.
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13 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 6:38 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 6:37 PM
Attachments: 1740537452-00000f72.mp3
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Public hearing my ***. I can't see how many people are lined up to speak. So I'm calling in to speak This is Matthew Colter on tobacco thing. My question is to the chief and to the City Council Why is there a tobacco retailer directly across from Silver Springs High School? one question If you can answer it Thank you Rate this transcript's accuracy
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Item # 2.
15 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 6:35 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 6:31 PM
Attachments: 1740537099-00000f71.mp3
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 6:31 PM
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I don't feel likely my name or my address. That's kind of a weird thing to ask because it's not required the violation of my constitutional rights to share my grievances with my government. I'm concerned about the air quality. I'm suffering from a lung illness, which I have been for many years. A couple days ago, I turned in someone for burning in the county on the edge of the city. He was actually ticketed. It's heinous what's going on with our air quality here in town. Even in the winter, it's just so bad, and it's not because people are burning necessarily, but just the vehicles, the amount of dust, the amount of non-picked up fines, material on the roads, they just get grounded dust and become airborne. We really need to get the street sweeper running when you do things to mitigate the dust in this town. We are in a valley, it's a low-lying area, everything once it's stirred up it settles, just hangs in the air here, it doesn't get blown out and the guy that was burning the other day he his burn pile smoke stretched all the way across Grass Valley to the fairgrounds from up on Gold Hill near Gold Hill. All right City Council do what you can to let people not have
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16 difficulty of breathing calls non-stop every day because there's lots of ambulances that are broken in in the shop right now sorry they're out of beyond this. Thanks a lot.
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Item # 2.
17 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 6:24 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 6:20 PM
Attachments: 1740536414-00000f6d.mp3
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 6:20 PM
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Transcript:
Yes, this is Matthew Coulter making public comment the city council meeting I Believe it's going to be played for the city council and the remaining folks in the room after the consent calendar So I just like to mention to the city attorney sitting over there you can recognize him by the slime He's covered with That I was published on channel 13 today So, as he takes me to court, complains that I don't have the right for free speech, I don't have the right of the press, and don't have rights at all, then I'm sorry to inform him he's wrong. Dead wrong. So, that's what I'd like to mention, first of all, and to make another plea to the city council to fire the city manager and vote a no-confidence vote in him to get rid of and hire a real city manager that can take our city into the future because Tim is doing nothing but grinding it into dust and making the best of it it has ever since he's been here. And we can talk about the sinkhole with federal and state disaster fraud and the folks that are were there then which I believe is just jammed now is liable and Alex Gamlegard, police chief and Steve Johnson they were all physically in front of the bulldozer when I stopped it when you were
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18 making that mess out there. Tim was the engineer for the city for public works at that time. Very sad and he moved into the management position with with a huge increase in pay and no action so it just shows the corruption that's going on in this town and needs to be corrected needs to be corrected immediately and last but not least of course we all want to pray for the child that was burned over 75% of her body today while she was sitting in a car seat. Thank you.
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Item # 2.
Item # 2.
JOY PORTER
Business Owner | Community Member
Winding Road Imagery
127a Neal Street . Grass Valley, CA 95945
February 20, 2025
Dear Esteemed Council,
I urge you not to vote in favor of creating a formal City of Grass Valley of a "ceasefire" resolution for Gaza as presented in the agenda for the February 25, 2025, Council Meeting. While no one in our community—or across the nation—wants war, this vote does not bring peace. Instead, it invites division, anger, and fear right here in our hometown.
This is not just a foreign policy stance; it is a catalyst for conflict within our own community. Over the past year and a half, tensions have been brewing—intensified by past Council discussions— and this resolution will only deepen the divide. We call for inclusion and diversity, yet this measure inherently alienates a significant portion of our city, silencing their voices and escalating fear rather than fostering unity.
Is this the path we want for Grass Valley?
If the Council officially calls for a ceasefire, what tangible impact does it have? Will it resolve a conflict that even world powers struggle to manage? Or is this simply an appeasement of a vocal minority, without full consideration of the consequences for our own community? We are still recovering—from the fractures of the pandemic, from the wounds of divisive elections, from a period of uncertainty and unrest. Just as we begin to heal, do we really want to rekindle division?
This is not about taking sides in a global conflict—it is about protecting the unity of our city. We all wish for peace, we all mourn loss, but we must be mindful that our role as a local government is to preserve the well-being of our own community first. I urge you to weigh the true impact of this vote, and choose unity over division.
And, it appears that no one is aware the there was a cease fire on February 5th https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5klgv5zv0o
Sincerely,
Joy D Porter
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20 Taylor Whittingslow
From: CHYENA - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 6:10 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 6:06 PM
Attachments: 1740535601-00000f6a.mp3
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 6:06 PM
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Transcript:
Good evening, members of the City Council. My name is Chiena Youssewitz, and I am the Revitzen of our local Grass Valley Jewish community. I wish I can be with you in person, but I am engaged in the most vital work, raising my young children, and they need their mother to ensure they experience the beauty, not the burden, of being Jew. Just today, I revisited a photograph from a Sukkot celebration we hosted on October 6th, 2023. The joy, the innocence, the simple pleasure of being together, it now feels like a distant memory. The very next day, October 7th, our world and our innocence was forever changed. In the last 16 months, the Jewish community has felt very isolated. At every event, people confide in me that the only place they feel truly safe is within our community. In the workplace, the grocery stores, even doctors' offices, there's a fear. If others knew that they were Jewish or more so that they love Israel, would they still be treated the same? People feel alone, as though only fellow
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21 Jews and a few truly exceptional individuals can fully grasp the deep anguish we've been experiencing. And to those non-Jewish friends who have reached out with kindness and support, we really, appreciate you and thank you. Tonight you have the opportunity to send a resounding message to the local Grass Valley Jewish community. We see you, we support you, we care about you, we believe you. This message is not just symbolic, it's essential. I implore you to consider the weight of your decision tonight. Please show us that our city stands against terror and in solidarity with its Jewish community. Thank you so much. Am Yisrael Chai.
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Item # 2.
22 Taylor Whittingslow
From: Shlomo Dadon
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:46 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: NO on Ceasefire resolution
Follow Up Flag: Flag for follow up
Flag Status: Completed
[You don't oŌen get email from Learn why this is important at hƩps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdenƟficaƟon ]
Dear City Council Members:As a Grass Valley resident and payer of property and other City taxes, I urge you to sƟck to the business of the city council instead of discussion and voƟng on performaƟve foreign policy issues that are not why we elected you. Those who want you to become their propaganda tools, are intent on demonizing Israel, perpetraƟng a false narraƟve about Oct. 7th including the belief that Hamas is an innocent "liberaƟon" army. Nothing could be further from the truth.But your jobs should focus on keeping our community together, not passing BoycoƩ resoluƟons. The Jewish community is being aƩacked both verbally and physically in our City and elsewhere due to these performaƟve resoluƟons. We don't need any more hosƟlity in our City.
I urge you not to cave into the pressure that is being put upon you by the people who dominate the public input Ɵme at City council meeƟngs. Please focus on real City issues: homelessness, housing, aŌer school programs, food insecurity, street paving and lighƟng, public safety, crime reducƟon and more.Thanks for doing the jobs we elected to do.Sincerely, Yeshai Dadon
P.S
Just for the record our family was in Kibbutz Nir-Oz ( where the Redhead babys,Bibas family was kidnapped from )on September 2023 1 month before this terrible October 7!
How would you respond to Grass Valley residents Children kidnapped or killed God forbid !?!? What would you say then?
And I’m sure you will find the right answer for this quesƟon.
Thank you for this opportunity to share our thoughts and experiences.
Yeshai.
Sent from my iPhone
Item # 2.
23 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:39 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 5:35 PM
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Transcript:
Hi, my name is Yehuda, a Nevada County resident. I'm reaching out to urge you to vote against adopting a ceasefire resolution regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
While no one wants wars, and we all agree that loss of life is tragic, the simple truth is that passing such a resolution will have zero impact on what's happening overseas, But it will have a serious impact here at home and not in a good way.
Grass Valley is a place where we make decisions that actually matter to our daily lives. Things like roads, local businesses, and public safety. Taking a stance on geopolitical issues that are thousands of miles away does nothing for the people who live here. No matter what position the city takes, it wouldn't change the course of events in the Middle East. What it will do is to drag our town into a heated and divisive political fight that doesn't belong in our local government. We've already seen this play out in Nevada City. After months of debate and $30 ,000 in taxpayer
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24 money, their ceasefire resolution satisfied no one. Not the people who pushed for it, and not those who opposed it. Instead of making a real difference, it just created more division in their own community. We should learn from their mistake. The reality is that adopting this resolution means Grass Valley becomes a stage for national cultural wars, making neighbors turn against each other over an issue we have absolutely no control over. Why would we willingly bring that kind of conflict into our peaceful town? Instead of making a statement that won't change a thing overseas, we should focus on what actually matters here. Keeping our city a great place to live for everyone. Please don't let Grass Valley get pulled into this fight.
Thank you.
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Item # 2.
25 Taylor Whittingslow
From: DEBORAH ELDREDG - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:38 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 5:35 PM
Attachments: 1740533700-00000f63.mp3
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Transcript:
This is Deborah Eldridge. I'm a resident of Grass Valley. I'm calling to express my strong opposition to your proposed ceasefire resolution. As city council members, you are paid with taxpayer funds to address Grass Valley issues. We do not pay you to meddle in international affairs such as foreign wars, which are complex issues in which you lack expertise. I am outraged that you have wasted valuable taxpayer funds and city council time, including the time of taxpayer-paid city staff writing and proposing this divisive and hurtful resolution. I expect you to spend your time doing what you were elected to do, governing Grass Valley, including addressing the many local issues that urgently need your attention, such as housing, parking, road and sidewalk repairs, homeless issues, encouraging business, etc. To make matters even more disgraceful, your timing could not be more foolish. In case you're not aware of it, a ceasefire is in effect. Your proposed resolution will accomplish nothing. Neither
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26 side will be influenced by it. It serves no purpose but to virtue signal your supposed compassion. While embarrassing the residents of Grass Valley, you are elected to serve. Shame on you for making a laughing stock of the city. Many Grass Valley residents are hurt by the proposed resolution. Many, including many like me who are not Jewish, believe it divides the community, encourages hate and gives comfort and support to terrorists and their supporters. It makes Jewish members of the community feel unwelcome and unsafe. Again, shame on you. As to all Americans, you have a right to express your personal opinions regarding the war. However, you are out of line doing so as city council members as if your proposed resolution is the official position of the city of Grass Valley. Grass Valley has no business taking positions on international affairs that don't affect Grass Valley. I urge you to reject this proposal. Thank you.
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Item # 2.
27 Taylor Whittingslow
From: S RYNGLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:38 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 5:34 PM
Attachments: 1740533692-00000f62.mp3
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Hi, Council. My name is Shirely, and I have been a resident of Nevada County for 10 years. I'm calling to urge you to not adopt the ceasefire resolution and to stop allowing misguided people to co-opt the purpose and mission of the city council.
Your council has no precedent for a resolution like this, and I strongly encourage you not to start now. I'm a Jewish American and actually have a master's degree in conflict resolution. I worked for years on the ground in Israel-Palestine for social justice, peace-building, and human rights. This resolution is not only completely pointless, but embarrassing. Countless intelligent people have dedicated their lives to resolving this conflict for over a century. Do you really think that anybody in this town can contribute some kind of groundbreaking idea? And is it city business to affirm our values in a singled-out international issue, especially when people here can barely understand what's happening on the ground, as evidenced by zero
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28 mention of Hamas in the ceasefire resolution, who put on the most sick and twisted performance last week, which we're all still reeling from. This is pure virtue signaling.
Please don't pander to people who not only have no idea what they're talking about, but have truly sowed division and hatred in our community. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
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Item # 2.
29 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:30 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from on Feb 25 2025 5:26 PM
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Transcript:
Good evening, this is Bar Adam and I live on Idaho, Maryland, Nevada City. My kids do attend the Grass Valley School District, therefore it's important for me to voice my concerns. I would want to oppose to the ceasefire resolution and address my concerns. My concerns are we live in a county who's supposed to be nice and peaceful. Unfortunately, ever since October 7, things have been not peaceful and not comfortable to live in this county. It's been really hard with all the conflict. And I think that by the city putting this on their agenda and voting for a ceasefire, it will not make any change in the Middle East, yet it will make a change in our city and the safety of us Jews who live here. and we would not want to bring conflict to our city. I also think that giving the fact that people living in Nevada City or Grass Valley do not understand the complicity of this situation, It will be very foolish of us doing decisions for something happening in the Middle East and bringing conflict here. I
Item # 2.
30 encourage everyone in the City Council to vote against this and I appreciate it. Thank you and have a wonderful evening.
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Item # 2.
Item # 2.
32 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:27 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from (530) 470-3973 on Feb 25 2025 5:23 PM Attachments: 1740532982-00000f5d.mp3
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 5:23 PM
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Voicemail box: 8880
Transcript:
My name is Marika, I've lived in Nevada County since 2010. My comment comment is regard to the February 25 2025 City Council agenda item administrative agenda item eight, which states a call a resolution of the City Council calling for a ceasefire and into violence between Palestine, Israel. I 100% oppose this resolution, adopting a resolution that calls for a ceasefire. The ceasefire will end when the terrorists return the hostages. That's when the ceasefire ends. It's a war. And it's kind of like having a ceasefire with Hitler, having a ceasefire with ISIS. It's not possible. They've continuously broken their ceasefire terms. The Bevis family, a nine-month-old and four-year-old, and the mother are being buried in Israel Wednesday, among many other hostages that have been returned. How can you have a ceasefire with terrorists that have been breaking a ceasefire deal? Ceasefire is a misnomer. This is not a real term. It's a war. and when the terrorists stop waging war on civilians and return taken
Item # 2.
33 hostages and the war goals are completed, which is the return of the hostages, the elimination of Hamas, the elimination of the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, then the war will be over. Until then, Israel is in a fight for itself and I find it appalling that Nevada County would even get involved in this and try to play from California some kind of pretend game of understanding what it's like to be in the Middle East, which I've been in. I hope you consider this and vote no on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the Palestinians. And if there were such a resolution, we should be voting yes on Hamas and the Palestinians, civilians as well, to return the hostages.
That's what we should be voting for. Thank you.
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Item # 2.
34 Taylor Whittingslow
From: WIRELESS CALLER - Voicemail box 8880 <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:19 PM
To: Public Comments
Subject: Voicemail from ( on Feb 25 2025 5:11 PM
Attachments: 1740532285-00000f5b.mp3
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Time: Tuesday, February 25 2025 5:11 PM
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Transcript:
Hello, my name is Noah. I live here in the county for the last almost 10 years. I have a daughter. I'm Jewish. I come from Israel. And I want to say that the things that we passed the last year as Jewish people in the world was very hard for us. And the information that we learn over this year is a big amount of information that would be very hard to pass to somebody that was not even familiar with the subject before.
There are so many little details in every day changing about ceasefire or not. At the moment, by the way, there is this fire, but from the other side, I want to say that I would really like to hear an opinion of the county, a decision of Grass Valley or of Nevada City, in this case, Grass Valley, but an educated one. You know, I just feel that there's so many details to know about that subject before voicing an opinion about that. As a person that comes from there, a lot have changed the last year and a half in what we think as people that are from there and live and was born into that, that
Item # 2.
35 will be the best thing for all. When I say all, I mean the Jewish people, the Muslim people in Israel. This fire is a great thing for all. But there is so many details that I could not say in a voice message. And even if we sit there and talk for maybe after a month, somebody can say is an educated opinion, I mean somebody that was not from there and don't know about it before. I just think that all the idea of bringing an opinion from the grass valley to a different continent and a different country just cannot be like that, hey, let go, everybody say their opinion and a few people that I'm sure are smart people, it's not about that, it's just about amount of education and amount of experience in the subject. I just think it's not there. I think the opinion of Grassi Valley is not, unfortunately, not educated enough. I mean, the city council, with all due respect, is not educated enough to say something about such a big subject.
There is life and death that is involved here. There is nations that are involved here, there are people from all age groups that are going to live by the decisions of what is going to happen next. And unfortunately, I just don't think that that's the right place to make decisions about that or say something about it before the education was completed. And us coming as Jewish people, and I want to say we suffered this year.
It was the saddest one and a half year I ever experienced personally without being there. It's just such a sad subject for all of us and so personal and hurting that to come like that and say, hey, we think you, your, your Israel should do like that, you know, or it's too much, honestly. I want to say that it was hard for us to be in this situation where people are raising opinions about that subject that is so specific and so into detail and so important to us and our families. Whatever is going on there today and whatever decision will be taking there today. I hope that it will come from really knowing what's going on there, and really thinking about everything, about history, about future, about what actually is real and what's not. And I will not get to details to that. But there's a lot of things that are just fake news. There are a lot of things that people just kind of form a reality that is not existing and they run with it and make a movement from it and those things are hurting people. Those things are very personal to us. I hope this evening you will hear our people and you will think so very carefully before making any opinion about this country that is in the other side of the world and is very hurting right now. Thank you very much. I hope for real peace and for the best for us and our children and for Grass Valley and thank you.
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Item # 2.
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Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley
City Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Financial Services – Contract Authorization
CEQA: N/A – Consultant selection is a procedural action. CEQA review will be completed as part of the project work
Recommendation: That Council 1) authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Andy Heath, pending legal review, for Financial Services, in an amount not to exceed $157,000 annually.
Prepared by: Tim Kiser, City Manager
Council Meeting Date: 03/11/2025 Date Prepared: 03/05/2025 Agenda: Consent
Background Information: Andy Heath has served as the City's Administrative Services Director since 2020, bringing strong leadership and expertise to the Finance Department.
During his tenure, he successfully modernized financial operations, streamlined processes, and implemented new accounting software, enhancing efficiency and transparency. His efforts have strengthened the City's financial management and positioned the department for long-term success.
Andy has now decided to transition into a consulting role, leveraging his experience to assist organizations in financial management and strategic planning. Given his deep institutional knowledge and familiarity with the City's financial systems, retaining Andy as a consultant will provide crucial continuity during the transition to a new Finance Director. His primary role as a consultant will be to offer professional services in support of the Deputy Finance Director, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining operational stability.
To facilitate this transition, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Andy Heath for professional consulting services.
Attached for City Council consideration is the proposed Professional Services Agreement, outlining the scope of work and terms of engagement.
Council Goals/Objectives: A contract for Engineering Services executes portions of work tasks towards achieving/maintaining Strategic Plan Goal – High Performance Government and Quality Service
Fiscal Impact: The Administrative Services Director position is budgeted at $278,000 annually, including all overhead costs. Transitioning to a consulting agreement would result in significant cost savings for the City, reducing expenses by more than $131,000 compared to the current budgeted amount for the position.
Funds Available: Yes Account #: various
Reviewed by: City Manager Attachments: Services Agreement
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES
(City of Grass Valley / [Andy Heath])
1. IDENTIFICATION
This PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between the City of Grass Valley, a California municipal corporation (“City”), and Andy Heath, a sole proprietor (“Consultant”).
2. RECITALS
2.1. City has determined that it requires the following professional services from a consultant: assist Deputy Finance Director in carrying out Finance Director duties.
2.2. Consultant represents that it is fully qualified to perform such professional services by virtue of its experience and the training, education and expertise of its principals and employees.
Consultant further represents that it is willing to accept responsibility for performing such services in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2.3. Consultant represents that it has no known relationships with third parties, City Council members, or employees of City which would (1) present a conflict of interest with the rendering of services under this Agreement under Government Code Section 1090, the Political Reform Act (Government Code Section 81000 et seq.), or other applicable law, (2) prevent Consultant from performing the terms of this Agreement, or (3) present a significant risk of the disclosure of confidential information.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions herein contained, City and Consultant agree as follows:
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1. “Scope of Services”: Such professional services as are set forth and attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference.
3.2. “Agreement Administrator”: The Agreement Administrator for this project Tim Kiser, City Manager. The Agreement Administrator shall be the principal point of contact at the City for this project. All services under this Agreement shall be performed at the request of the Agreement Administrator. The Agreement Administrator will establish the timetable for completion of services and any interim milestones. City reserves the right to change this designation upon written notice to Consultant
3.3. “Approved Fee Schedule”: Consultant’s compensation rates are set forth in the fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by this reference. This fee schedule shall
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
remain in effect for the duration of this Agreement unless modified in writing by mutual agreement of the parties.
3.4. “Maximum Amount”: The highest total compensation and costs payable to Consultant by City under this Agreement. The Maximum Amount Annually under this Agreement is One Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Dollars ($157,000).
3.5. “Commencement Date”: March 17, 2024.
3.6. “Termination Date”: March 1, 2028.
4. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
This Agreement is subject to Government Code section 84308. Consultant shall disclose any contribution to an elected or appointed City official’s campaign or committee of more than $500 in 12 months preceding the Commencement Date or earlier date provided by the statute, by Consultant, its, her, or his agent, or another party affiliated with Consultant. Consultant shall provide a signed copy of the attached Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form to City before, or concurrently with, Consultant’s execution of this Agreement and no later than the Commencement Date.
5. TERM
The term of this Agreement shall commence at 12:00 a.m. on the Commencement Date and shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the Termination Date unless extended by written agreement of the parties or terminated earlier under Section 17 (“Termination”) below. Consultant may request extensions of time to perform the services required hereunder. Such extensions shall be effective if authorized in advance by City in writing and incorporated in written amendments to this Agreement.
6. CONSULTANT’S DUTIES
6.1. Services. Consultant shall perform the services identified in the Scope of Services. City shall have the right to request, in writing, changes in the Scope of Services. Any such changes mutually agreed upon by the parties, and any corresponding increase or decrease in compensation, shall be incorporated by written amendment to this Agreement.
6.2. Coordination with City. In performing services under this Agreement, Consultant shall coordinate all contact with City through its Agreement Administrator.
6.3. Budgetary Notification. Consultant shall notify the Agreement Administrator, in writing, when fees and expenses incurred under this Agreement have reached eighty percent (80%) of the Maximum Amount. Consultant shall concurrently inform the Agreement Administrator, in writing, of Consultant’s estimate of total expenditures required to complete its current assignments before proceeding, when the remaining work on such assignments would exceed the Maximum Amount.
6.4. Business License. Consultant shall obtain and maintain in force a City business license for the duration of this Agreement.
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
6.5. Professional Standards. Consultant shall perform all work to the standards of Consultant’s profession and in a manner reasonably satisfactory to City. Consultant shall keep itself fully informed of and in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations in any manner affecting the performance of this Agreement, including all Cal/OSHA requirements, the conflict-of-interest provisions of Government Code § 1090 and the Political Reform Act (Government Code § 81000 et seq.).
6.6. Avoid Conflicts. During the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall not perform any work for another person or entity for whom Consultant was not working at the Commencement Date if such work would present a conflict interfering with performance under this Agreement.
However, City may consent in writing to Consultant’s performance of such work.
6.7. Appropriate Personnel. Consultant has, or will secure at its own expense, all personnel required to perform the services identified in the Scope of Services. All such services shall be performed by Consultant or under its supervision, and all personnel engaged in the work shall be qualified to perform such services. Andy Heath shall be Consultant’s project administrator and shall have direct responsibility for management of Consultant’s performance under this Agreement. No change shall be made in Consultant’s project administrator without City’s prior written consent.
6.8. Substitution of Personnel. Naming any persons in the proposal or Scope of Services constitutes a promise to the City that those persons will perform and coordinate their respective services under this Agreement. Should one or more of such personnel become unavailable, Consultant may substitute other personnel of at least equal competence upon written approval of City. If City and Consultant cannot agree as to the substitution of key personnel, City may terminate this Agreement for cause.
6.9. Permits and Approvals. Consultant shall obtain, at its sole cost and expense, all permits and regulatory approvals necessary for Consultant’s performance of this Agreement. This includes, but shall not be limited to, professional licenses, encroachment permits, and building and safety permits and inspections.
6.10. Notification of Organizational Changes. Consultant shall notify the Agreement Administrator, in writing, of any change in name, ownership or control of Consultant’s firm or of any subcontractor. Change of ownership or control of Consultant’s firm may require an amendment to this Agreement.
6.11. Records. Consultant shall maintain all ledgers, books of account, invoices, vouchers, canceled checks, and other records or documents evidencing or relating to charges for services or expenditures and disbursements charged to City under this Agreement for a minimum of three (3) years, or for any longer period required by law, from the date of final payment to Consultant under this Agreement. All such documents shall be made available for inspection, audit, and/or copying at any time during regular business hours, upon oral or written request of City. In addition, pursuant to Government Code § 8546.7, if the amount of public funds expended under this Agreement exceeds $10,000, all such documents and this Agreement shall be subject to
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
the examination and audit of the State Auditor, at the request of City or as part of any audit of City, for a period of three (3) years after final payment under this Agreement.
6.12. Federal Requirements. FEMA financial assistance may be used to fund all or a portion of this contract. Consultant shall comply with all federal requirements including, but not limited to, the following:
2 C.F.R. Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Federal Contract Provisions attached hereto as Exhibit C and incorporated herein by reference.
Subcontracts, if any, shall contain a provision making them subject to all terms of this contract, including but not limited to, 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and the Federal Contract Provisions attached hereto as Exhibit C.
With respect to any conflict between such federal requirements and the terms of this Agreement and/or the provisions of state law, and except as otherwise required under federal law or regulation, the more stringent requirement shall control.
7. SUBCONTRACTING
7.1. General Prohibition. This Agreement covers professional services of a specific and unique nature. Except as otherwise provided herein, Consultant shall not assign or transfer its interest in this Agreement or subcontract any services to be performed other than by an amendment to this Agreement.
7.2. Consultant Responsible. Consultant shall be responsible to City for all services to be performed under this Agreement.
7.3. Identification in Fee Schedule. All subcontractors shall be specifically listed, and their billing rates identified in the Approved Fee Schedule, Exhibit B. Any changes must be approved by the Agreement Administrator in writing.
7.4. Compensation for Subcontractors. City shall pay Consultant for work performed by its subcontractors, if any, only at Consultant’s actual cost plus an approved mark-up as set forth in the Approved Fee Schedule, Exhibit B. Consultant shall be liable and accountable for all payments, compensation, and federal and state taxes to all subcontractors performing services under this Agreement. City shall not be liable for any payment, compensation, or federal and state taxes to or for any subcontractors.
8. COMPENSATION
8.1. General. City agrees to compensate Consultant for the services provided under this Agreement, and Consultant agrees to accept payment in accordance with the Fee Schedule in full satisfaction for such services. Compensation shall not exceed the Maximum Amount.
Consultant shall not be reimbursed for any expenses unless provided for in this Agreement or authorized in writing by the Agreement Administrator in advance.
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
8.2. Invoices. Consultant shall submit to City an invoice, on a monthly basis or as otherwise agreed to by the Agreement Administrator, for services performed pursuant to this Agreement. Each invoice shall identify the Maximum Amount, the services rendered, a written description of tasks worked on during the billing period, the amount due for the invoice, and the total amount previously invoiced. All labor charges shall be itemized by employee name and classification or position with the firm, the corresponding hourly rate, the hours worked, a description of each labor charge, and the total amount due for labor charges.
8.3. Taxes. City shall not withhold applicable taxes or other payroll deductions from payments made to Consultant except as otherwise required by law. Consultant shall be solely responsible for calculating, withholding, and paying all taxes.
8.4. Disputes. The parties agree to meet and confer at mutually agreeable times to resolve any disputed amounts in an invoice submitted by Consultant.
8.5. Additional Work. Consultant shall not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred for work performed outside the Scope of Services unless prior written approval is given by the City through a fully executed written amendment to this Agreement. Consultant shall not undertake any such work without prior written approval of the Project Administrator.
8.6. City Satisfaction as Precondition to Payment. Notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, no payments shall be made to Consultant until City is satisfied that the services are satisfactory.
8.7. Right to Withhold Payments. If Consultant fails to provide a deposit or promptly satisfy an indemnity obligation described in Section 12, City shall have the right to withhold payments under this Agreement to offset that amount.
9. PREVAILING WAGES
Consultant is aware of the requirements of California Labor Code Section 1720, et seq., and 1770, et seq., as well as California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 16000, et seq., (“Prevailing Wage Laws”), which require the payment of prevailing wage rates and the performance of other requirements on certain “public works” and “maintenance” projects. This Agreement is subject to Prevailing Wage Laws, for all work performed under this Agreement for which the payment of prevailing wage is required by those laws. Consultant shall defend, indemnify, and hold the City, its elected officials, officers, employees, and agents free and harmless from any claim or liability arising out of any failure or alleged failure of Consultant to comply with the Prevailing Wage Laws.
10. OWNERSHIP OF WRITTEN PRODUCTS
All reports, documents or other written material, and all electronic files, including computer-aided design files, developed by Consultant in the performance of this Agreement (such written material and electronic files are collectively known as “written products”) shall be and remain the property of City without restriction or limitation upon its use or dissemination by City except as provided by law.
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
Consultant may take and retain copies of such written products as desired, but no such written products shall be the subject of a copyright application by Consultant.
11. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES
11.1. General. Consultant shall be a wholly independent contractor as to the City under this Agreement.
11.2. No Agent Authority. Consultant shall have no power to incur any debt, obligation, or liability on behalf of City or to otherwise act on behalf of City as an agent. Neither City nor any of its agents shall have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant’s employees, except as set forth in this Agreement. Consultant shall not represent in any manner that it is, or that any of its agents or employees are, employees of City.
11.3. Independent Contractor Status. Under no circumstances shall Consultant or its employees look to the City as an employer. Consultant shall not be entitled to any benefits. City makes no representation as to the effect of this independent contractor relationship on Consultant’s previously earned California Public Employees Retirement System (“CalPERS”) retirement benefits, if any, and Consultant specifically assumes the responsibility for making such a determination. Consultant shall be responsible for all reports and obligations including, but not limited to: social security taxes, income tax withholding, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and workers’ compensation, and other applicable federal and state taxes.
11.4. Indemnification of CalPERS Determination. If Consultant or any employee, agent, or subcontractor of Consultant providing services under this Agreement claims or is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or CalPERS to be eligible for enrollment in CalPERS as an employee of the City, Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City for the payment of any employee and/or employer contributions for CalPERS benefits on behalf of Consultant or its employees, agents, or subcontractors, as well as for the payment of any penalties and interest on such contributions, which would otherwise be the responsibility of City.
12. INDEMNIFICATION
12.1. Definitions. For purposes of this Section, “Consultant” shall include Consultant, its officers, employees, servants, agents, or subcontractors, or anyone directly or indirectly employed by either Consultant or its subcontractors, in the performance of this Agreement. “City” shall include City, its officers, agents, employees and volunteers.
12.2. Consultant to Indemnify City. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify, hold harmless, and defend City from and against all claims, losses, costs or expenses for any personal injury or property damage arising out of or in connection with Consultant’s alleged negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct or other wrongful acts, errors or omissions of Consultant or failure to comply with any provision in this Agreement.
12.3. Scope of Indemnity. Personal injury shall include injury or damage due to death or injury to any person, whether physical, emotional, consequential or otherwise. Property damage shall include injury to any personal or real property. Consultant shall not be required to indemnify
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
City for such loss or damage as is caused by the sole active negligence or willful misconduct of the City.
12.4. Attorney Fees. Such costs and expenses shall include reasonable attorney’ fees for counsel of City’s choice, expert fees, and all other costs and fees of litigation. Consultant shall not be entitled to any refund of attorney’ fees, defense costs, or expenses if it is adjudicated to have been non-negligent.
12.5. Defense Deposit. The City may request a deposit for defense costs from Consultant with respect to a claim. If the City requests a defense deposit, Consultant shall provide it within 15 days of the request.
12.6. Waiver of Statutory Immunity. The obligations of Consultant under this Section are not limited by the provisions of any workers’ compensation act or similar act. Consultant expressly waives its statutory immunity under such statutes or laws as to City.
12.7. Indemnification by Subcontractors. Consultant agrees to obtain executed indemnity agreements with provisions identical to those set forth here in this Section from every subcontractor or any other person or entity involved in the performance of this Agreement on Consultant’s behalf.
12.8. Insurance Not a Substitute. City does not waive any indemnity rights by accepting any insurance policy or certificate required pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant’s indemnification obligations apply whether or not any insurance policies are determined to be applicable to the claim, demand, damage, liability, loss, cost or expense.
13. INSURANCE
13.1. Insurance Required. Consultant shall maintain insurance as described in this Section and shall require all its subcontractors, consultants, and other agents to do the same. Approval of the insurance by the City shall not relieve or decrease any liability of Consultant. Any requirement for insurance to be maintained after completion of the work shall survive this Agreement.
13.2. Documentation of Insurance. City will not execute this Agreement until it has received a complete set of all required documentation of insurance coverage. However, failure to obtain the required documents prior to the work beginning shall not waive the Consultant’s obligation to provide them. Consultant shall file with City:
Certificate of Insurance, indicating companies acceptable to City, with a Best’s Rating of no less than A:VII showing. The Certificate of Insurance must include the following reference: Finance Consulting.
Documentation of Best’s rating acceptable to the City. Original endorsements effecting coverage for all policies required by this Agreement. Complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies, including endorsements affecting the coverage.
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
13.3. Coverage Amounts. Insurance coverage shall be at least in the following minimum amounts:
Professional Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate
General Liability:
General Aggregate: $2,000,000
Products Comp/Op Aggregate $2,000,000
Personal & Advertising Injury $1,000,000
Each Occurrence $1,000,000
Fire Damage (any one fire) $ 50,000
Medical Expense (any 1 person) $ 5,000
Workers’ Compensation:
Workers’ Compensation Statutory Limits
EL Each Accident $1,000,000
EL Disease - Policy Limit $1,000,000
EL Disease - Each Employee $1,000,000
Automobile Liability
Any vehicle, combined single limit $1,000,000
Any available insurance proceeds broader than or in excess of the specified minimum insurance coverage requirements or limits shall be available to the additional insured.
Furthermore, the requirements for coverage and limits shall be the greater of (1) the minimum coverage and limits specified in this Agreement, or (2) the broader coverage and maximum limits of coverage of any insurance policy or proceeds available to the named insured.
13.4. General Liability Insurance. Commercial General Liability Insurance shall be no less broad than ISO form CG 00 01. Coverage must be on a standard Occurrence form. Claims-Made, modified, limited or restricted Occurrence forms are not acceptable.
13.5. Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Consultant is aware of the provisions of Section 3700 of the Labor Code which requires every employer to carry Workers’ Compensation (or to undertake equivalent self-insurance), and Consultant will comply with such provisions before commencing the performance of the work of this Agreement. If such insurance is underwritten by any agency other than the State Compensation Fund, such agency shall be a company authorized to do business in the State of California. If Consultant is an individual and has no employees, the Project Administrator may accept an affirmation of that fact in lieu of proof of workers compensation insurance.
13.6. Automobile Liability Insurance. Covered vehicles shall include owned, if any, non-owned, and hired automobiles and trucks.
13.7. Professional Liability Insurance or Errors & Omissions Coverage. The deductible or selfinsured retention may not exceed $50,000. If the insurance is on a Claims-Made basis, the
Item # 3.
PSA for Consulting Services
Approved for use 01/31/2024
390274.1
retroactive date shall be no later than the commencement of the work. Coverage shall be continued for two years after the completion of the work by one of the following: (1) renewal of the existing policy; (2) an extended reporting period endorsement; or (3) replacement insurance with a retroactive date no later than the commencement of the work under this Agreement.
The Project Administrator may, in his or her sole discretion, waive the requirement for Professional Liability Insurance by initialing here:
Initials: _________________
Name: __________________
13.8. Claims-Made Policies. If any of the required policies provide coverage on a claims-made basis, the Retroactive Date must be shown and must be before the date of this Agreement or the beginning of work under this Agreement. Claims-Made Insurance must be maintained, and evidence of insurance must be provided for at least five (5) years after completion of work under this Agreement. If coverage is canceled or non-renewed, and not replaced with another claims-made policy form with a Retroactive Date prior to the effective date of this Agreement, the Consultant must purchase “extended reporting” coverage for a minimum of five (5) years after completion of work under this Agreement.
13.9. Additional Insured Endorsements. The City, its City Council, Commissions, officers, and employees must be endorsed as additional insureds for each policy required herein, other than Professional Errors and Omissions and Worker’s Compensation, for liability arising out of ongoing and completed operations by or on behalf of the Consultant. Consultant’s insurance policies shall be primary as respects any claims related to or as the result of the Consultant’s work. Any insurance, pooled coverage or self-insurance maintained by the City, its elected or appointed officials, officers, agents, employees, volunteers, or consultants shall be noncontributory. All endorsements shall be signed by a person authorized by the insurer to bind coverage on its behalf. General liability coverage can be provided using an endorsement to the Consultant’s insurance at least as broad as ISO Form CG 20 10 11 85 or both CG 20 10 and CG 20 37.
13.10. Failure to Maintain Coverage. In the event any policy is canceled prior to the completion of work under this Agreement and the Consultant does not furnish a new certificate of insurance prior to cancellation, City has the right, but not the duty, to obtain the required insurance and deduct the premium(s) from any amounts due the Consultant under this Agreement. Failure of the Consultant to maintain the insurance required by this Agreement, or to comply with any of the requirements of this Section, shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
13.11. Notices. Consultant shall provide immediate written notice if (1) any of the required insurance policies is terminated; (2) the limits of any of the required policies are reduced; (3) or the deductible or self-insured retention is increased. Consultant shall provide no less than 30 days’ notice of any cancellation or material change to policies required by this Agreement. Consultant shall provide proof that cancelled or expired policies of insurance
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have been renewed or replaced with other policies providing at least the same coverage. Such proof will be furnished at least two weeks before expiration of the coverages. The name and address for Additional Insured Endorsements, Certificates of Insurance and Notices of Cancellation is: City of Grass Valley, Attn: Finance Department, 125 East Main Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945.
13.12. Consultant’s Insurance Primary. The insurance provided by Consultant, including all endorsements, shall be primary to any coverage available to City. Any insurance or selfinsurance maintained by City and/or its officers, employees, agents or volunteers, shall be in excess of Consultant’s insurance and shall not contribute with it.
13.13. Waiver of Subrogation. Consultant hereby waives all rights of subrogation against the City.
Consultant shall additionally waive such rights either by endorsement to each policy or provide proof of such waiver in the policy itself.
13.14. Report of Claims to City. Consultant shall report to the City, in addition to the Consultant’s insurer, all insurance claims submitted to Consultant’s insurer in connection with the services under this Agreement.
13.15. Premium Payments and Deductibles. Consultant must disclose all deductibles and selfinsured retention amounts to the City. The City may require the Consultant to provide proof of ability to pay losses and related investigations, claim administration, and defense expenses within retention amounts. Ultimately, City must approve all such amounts before execution of this Agreement.
City has no obligation to pay any premiums, assessments, or deductibles under any policy required in this Agreement. Consultant shall be responsible for all premiums and deductibles in all of Consultant’s insurance policies.
13.16. Duty to Defend and Indemnify. Consultant’s duties to defend and indemnify City under this Agreement shall not be limited by the foregoing insurance requirements and shall survive the expiration of this Agreement or its early termination.
14. MUTUAL COOPERATION
14.1. City Cooperation in Performance. City shall provide Consultant with all pertinent data, documents and other requested information as are reasonably available for the proper performance of Consultant’s services under this Agreement.
14.2. Consultant Cooperation in Defense of Claims. If any claim or action is brought against City relating to Consultant’s performance in connection with this Agreement, Consultant shall render any reasonable assistance that City may require in the defense of that claim or action.
15. NOTICES
Any notices, bills, invoices, or reports required by this Agreement shall be deemed received on: (i) the day of delivery if delivered by hand, facsimile or overnight courier service during Consultant’s and City’s
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regular business hours; or (ii) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail if delivered by mail, postage prepaid, to the addresses listed below (or to such other addresses as the parties may, from time to time, designate in writing).
If to City:
Tim Kiser
City Manager
City of Grass Valley
125 E Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Telephone: (530) 274-4312
Facsimile: (530) 274-4399
If to Consultant:
Andy Heath
6517 Rusty Blackbird Ct
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
Telephone: (408) 821-6737
With courtesy copy to:
Michael G. Colantuono, Esq.
Grass Valley City Attorney
Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC
420 Sierra College Drive, Suite 140
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Telephone: (530) 432-7357
Facsimile: (530) 432-7356
16. SURVIVING COVENANTS
The parties agree that the covenants contained in Section 6.11 (Records), Section 11.4 (Indemnification of CalPERS Determination), Section 12 (Indemnification), Section 13.8 (Claims-Made Policies), Section 14.2 (Consultant Cooperation in Defense of Claims), and Section 19.1 (Confidentiality) of this Agreement shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
17. TERMINATION
17.1. City Termination. City may terminate this Agreement for any reason on five calendar days’ written notice to Consultant. Consultant agrees to cease all work under this Agreement on or before the effective date of any notice of termination. All City data, documents, objects, materials or other tangible things shall be returned to City upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
17.2. Consultant Termination. Consultant may terminate this Agreement for a material breach of this Agreement upon 30 days’ notice to allow City time to procure replacement services.
17.3. Compensation Following Termination. Upon termination, Consultant shall be paid based on the work satisfactorily performed at the time of termination. In no event shall Consultant be entitled to receive more than the amount that would be paid to Consultant for the full performance of the services required by this Agreement. The City shall have the benefit of such work as may have been completed up to the time of such termination.
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17.4. Remedies. City retains all available legal and equitable remedies for Consultant’s breach of this Agreement.
18. INTERPRETATION OF AGREEMENT
18.1. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
18.2. Integration of Exhibits. All documents referenced as exhibits in this Agreement are hereby incorporated into this Agreement. In the event of any material discrepancy between the provisions of this Agreement and its exhibits, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
This instrument contains the entire Agreement between City and Consultant with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. No other prior oral or written agreements are binding upon the parties. Amendments hereto or deviations from this Agreement shall be effective and binding only if made in writing and executed by City and Consultant.
18.3. Headings. The headings and captions appearing at the commencement of the sections hereof, and in any paragraph thereof, are for convenience of reference to this Agreement. Should there be any conflict between such heading, and the section or paragraph thereof at the head of which it appears, the language of the section or paragraph shall govern in the construction of this Agreement.
18.4. Pronouns. Masculine or feminine pronouns shall be substituted for the neuter form and vice versa, and the plural shall be substituted for the singular form and vice versa, in any place or places herein in which the context requires such substitution(s).
18.5. Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, then such term or provision shall be amended to, and solely to the extent necessary to, cure such invalidity or unenforceability, and shall be enforceable in its amended form. In such event, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected, and each term and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
18.6. No Presumption Against Drafter. Each party had an opportunity to consult with an attorney in reviewing and drafting this agreement. Any uncertainty or ambiguity shall not be construed for or against any party based on attribution of drafting to any party.
19. GENERAL PROVISIONS
19.1. Confidentiality. All data, documents, discussion, or other information developed or received by Consultant for performance of this Agreement are deemed confidential and Consultant shall not disclose them without prior written consent by the Project Administrator. City shall grant such consent if disclosure is legally required. Consultant shall return all City data to City upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
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19.2. Conflicts of Interest. Consultant maintains and warrants that it has not employed nor retained any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working solely for Consultant, to solicit or secure this Agreement. Further, Consultant warrants that it has not paid, nor has it agreed to pay any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working solely for Consultant, any fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gift or other consideration contingent upon or resulting from the award or making of this Agreement. Consultant further agrees to file, or shall cause its employees or subcontractors to file, a Statement of Economic Interest under the Political Reform Act with the City’s Filing Officer if required under state law in the performance of the services. For breach or violation of this warranty, City shall have the right to rescind this Agreement without liability. No City Councilmember, officer, or employee of City, during the term of his or her service to City, shall have any direct interest in this Agreement, or obtain any present or anticipated material benefit arising from it.
19.3. Multiple Phased Projects. Pursuant to Government Code section 1097.6, Consultant’s duties and services under this Agreement shall not include preparing or assisting City with any portion of City’s preparation of a request for proposals, request for qualifications, or any other solicitation regarding a subsequent or additional contract with City. City shall at all times retain responsibility for public contracting, including with respect to any subsequent phase of this project. Consultant’s participation in the planning, discussions, or drawing of project plans or specifications, if any, shall be limited to conceptual, preliminary, or initial plans or specifications. Consultant shall cooperate with City to ensure that all bidders for a subsequent contract on any subsequent phase of this project have access to the same information, including all conceptual, preliminary, or initial plans or specifications prepared by Consultant, if any, pursuant to this Agreement.
19.4. Non-assignment. Consultant shall not delegate, transfer, subcontract or assign its duties or rights hereunder, either in whole or in part, without City’s prior written consent, and any attempt to do so shall be void and of no effect. City shall not be obligated or liable under this Agreement to any party other than Consultant.
19.5. Binding on Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on the successors and permitted assigns of the parties.
19.6. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly stated herein, there is no intended thirdparty beneficiary of any right or obligation assumed by the parties under this Agreement.
19.7. Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence for each and every provision of this Agreement.
19.8. Non-Discrimination. Consultant shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), creed, national origin, color, disability as defined by law, disabled veteran status, Vietnam veteran status, religion, age (40 and above), medical condition (cancer-related), marital status, ancestry, or sexual orientation or any other unlawful basis. Employment actions to which this provision applies shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion, or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; or in terms, conditions or privileges of
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employment, and selection for training. Consultant shall post this nondiscrimination clause in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment.
19.9. Waiver. No provision, covenant, or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived by City or Consultant unless in writing signed by one authorized to bind the party asserted to have consented to the waiver. The waiver by City or Consultant of any breach of any provision, covenant, or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision, covenant, or condition.
19.10. Excused Failure to Perform. Consultant shall not be liable for any failure to perform if Consultant presents acceptable evidence, in City’s sole judgment, that such failure was due to causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of Consultant.
19.11. Remedies Non-Exclusive. Each right, power and remedy provided for herein or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute, or otherwise shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right, power, or remedy provided for herein or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute, or otherwise. The exercise, the commencement of the exercise, or the forbearance from the exercise by either party of any one or more of such rights, powers or remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by such party of any or all such other rights, powers or remedies.
19.12. Attorneys’ Fees. If legal action shall be necessary to enforce any term, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of reasonable and actual attorneys’ fees and costs expended in the action.
19.13. Venue. The venue for any litigation shall be Nevada County, California and Consultant hereby consents to jurisdiction there for purposes of resolving any dispute or enforcing any obligation arising under this Agreement.
19.14. Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed one and the same instrument. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement may be executed by electronic signature, which shall be considered as an original signature for all purposes. Without limitation, “electronic signature” shall include faxed or emailed versions of an original signature, electronically scanned and transmitted versions (e.g., via pdf) of an original signature, or a digital signature.
[Signature Page Follows]
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TO EFFECTUATE THIS AGREEMENT, the parties have caused their duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the dates set forth below. “City”
City of Grass Valley
By:________________________________
Signature
Printed:_____________________________
Title:_______________________________
Date:______________________
“Consultant”
Andy Heath
By:________________________________
Signature
Printed:_____________________________
Title:_______________________________
Date:______________________
Attest:
By:__________________________________
Taylor Whittingslow, Deputy City Manager I
Date:_ _______________________________________________
Approved as to form:
By:__________________________________
Michael G. Colantuono, City Attorney
Date:________________________
Item # 3.
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390274.1
EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Consultant shall provide professional services to support the City's Finance Department including but not limited to the following:
1. Deputy Finance Director Support
o Provide training, guidance and mentoring for the professional development of the Deputy Finance Director.
o Assist and consult with Deputy Finance Director in carrying out the core responsibilities of the Finance Director.
o Provide strategic guidance to Deputy Finance Director on financial planning, policy implementation, and fiscal management.
o Consult with Deputy Finance Director in ensuring compliance with applicable financial regulations, laws, and best practices.
2. Finance Department Operations: Provide Training and Guidance to Deputy Finance Director Regarding
o Day-to-day functions of the Finance Department, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to internal controls.
o Review of financial reports, transactions, and processes to maintain integrity and compliance with City policies.
o Financial reconciliations, payroll oversight, and cash flow management.
3. Audit Assistance: Provide Training and Guidance to Deputy Finance Director Regarding
o The preparation and completion of the City's annual Fiscal Year audits, as needed.
o Coordination with external auditors to ensure timely and accurate submission of required documentation.
o Identifying and addressing any audit findings or recommendations in collaboration with City staff.
4. Budget Development: Provide Training and Guidance to Deputy Finance Director Regarding
o The development and refinement of the Citywide budget, including revenue projections, expenditure analysis, and financial forecasting. o Recommendations on cost-saving measures, financial efficiencies, and budgetary allocations.
o Working with department heads to align financial planning with operational goals.
5. Mentorship & Training
o Offer as-needed mentorship to Finance Department personnel to enhance their skills and professional development.
o Provide training sessions on financial policies, procedures, and software systems at the direction of the Deputy Finance Director.
6. Additional Services
o Provide strategic recommendations on long-term financial sustainability, debt management, and fiscal planning.
o Provide guidance on special financial projects, grants management, or economic development initiatives as required.
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.EXHIBIT B
FEE SCHEDULE
The Consultant shall be compensated for services rendered under this Agreement as follows:
• Hourly Rate: $175.00 per hour, including travel
time from Sacramento International Airport to
Grass Valley, not to exceed 19 hours or $3,325 in
any given work week; or 900 hours or $157,000 in any
given 12-month period.
• Expenses: The Consultant will not charge for any
additional expenses beyond the hourly rate.
Invoices shall be submitted monthly and shall include a detailed description of services provided. Payment shall be made in accordance with the City's standard payment procedures.
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"EXHIBIT" C
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION DISCLOSURE FORM
CAMPAIGNCONTRIBUTIONDISCLOSUREPROVISIONS
Cities are subject to the campaign disclosure provisions detailed in Government Code Section 84308.
Please carefully read the following information to determine if the provisions apply to you. If you determine that the
provisions are applicable, the Campaign Disclosure Form must be completed and returnedtothe Citywithyourapplication.
1. No City councilmember or commissioner shall accept,
solicit, or direct a contribution of more than $500 from any party,1 financially interested participant,2 or agent3 while a proceeding is pending or for 12 months subsequent to the date a final decision isrendered by the City. This prohibition commences when your application has been filed, or the
proceeding is otherwise initiated.
2. A party to a City proceeding shall disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution of more than $500 made to any councilmember or commissioner by the party, or agent, during the preceding 12 months. No party to or participant in a City proceeding shall make a contribution of more than $500 to a councilmember or commissioner during the proceeding and for 12 months after the City makes a final decision. No agent to a party or participant shall make a contribution in any amount to a councilmember of commissioner during the
proceeding and for 12 months after the City makes a final decision.
3. Before rendering a decision on a City proceeding, any councilmember or commissioner who received a
contribution of more than $500 in the preceding 12 months from any party to a proceeding, or agent, shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding, and shall be disqualified from participating in the proceeding. However, if any
councilmember or commissioner receives a contribution that otherwise would require disqualification, and returns the contributionwithin 30 days of: (a) making the decision, or (b) knowing about the contribution and the relevant
proceeding, whichever comes last, that councilmember or commissioner may participate in the proceeding.
1 “Party” is defined as any person who files an application for, or is the subject of, a proceeding.2 “Participant” is defined as any person who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding.
3 “Agent” is defined as a person who represents a party in connection with a proceeding for compensation who appears before or otherwise communicates with the City for the purpose of influencing the proceeding. If an individual acting as an agent also is acting as an employee or member of a law, architectural, engineering, or consulting firm, or a similar entity or corporation, both the individual and the entity or corporation are agents.
When a closely held corporation is a party to a proceeding, the majority shareholder is subject to these provisions.
To determine whether you or your agent made a campaign
contribution of more than $500 to a councilmember or
commissioner in the past 12 months, all contributions
made by you or your agent in that time must be
aggregated.
Names of currentCity councilmembers and commissioners
are available on the City’s website. If you have questions about Government Code Section 84308, FPPC
regulations, or the Campaign Disclosure Form, please
contact the City Clerk.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION DISCLOSURE FORM
(a) Document:
□ License
□ Lease
□ Permit
□ Franchise
□ Other Contract
□ Other Entitlement
Name and address of any party, participant, or agent who has contributed more than $500 to any councilmember or
commissioner in the preceding 12 months:
1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________
3. ____________________________________
(b) Date and amount of contribution:
Date Amount $
Date Amount $
Date Amount $
(c) Name of councilmember or commissioner to whom
contribution was made:
1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________
3. ____________________________________
(d) I certify that the above information is provided to the best of my knowledge.
Printed Name
Signature
Date Phone
To be completed by City:
Document No: ______________________________
Item # 3.
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Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley
City Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Mill Street Parking Lot Construction Project – Final Acceptance CEQA: Exempt, Class 11 and 32
Recommendation Motion: That Council: 1) accept the Mill Street Parking Lot Construction Project as complete, and 2) authorize the City Engineer to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder.
Prepared by: Bjorn P. Jones, PE, City Engineer
Council Meeting Date: 3/11/2025 Date Prepared: 3/6/2025 Agenda: Consent
Background Information: On August 22, 2023, Council authorized the award of a contract for the Mill Street Parking Lot Construction Project to Peter Schack Construction Engineering in the amount of $650,000.00. The project involved the construction of an outdoor public parking lot containing 32 parking spaces located on a City owned lot at 309 Mill Street. Associated improvements are also proposed including accessible walkways, lighting, landscaping, fencing and drainage improvements All the work has been completed by the contractor. Final project costs totaled $710,507.01. A total of 3 change orders were authorized for the project The Engineering Division has field accepted the work and the contractor has provided the City with a guarantee of work for a period of one year following the date of acceptance of the project. Upon Council’s acceptance, Staff will file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder’s Office. If no Stop Notices are received by the City after a period of thirty-five (35) days from the filing date of the Notice, all appropriate bonds will be released to the contractor.
Council Goals/Objectives: Construction of the Mill Street Parking Lot Improvement Project executes portions of work tasks towards achieving/maintaining Strategic Plan Goal #1 - Community and Sense of Place and Goal #4 – Economic Development and Vitality.
Fiscal Impact: The project is funded in the Fiscal Year 23/24 CIP Budget with the use of remaining Regional Circulation Funds
Funds Available: Yes Account #: 300-406-63440
Reviewed by: City Manager Attachments: Notice of Completion
Item # 4.
C:\Users\MeetingsOfficeUser11\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp26FC.tmp RECORDING REQUESTED BY and
WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
ENGINEERING DIVISION
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY
125 East Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
SPACE ABOVE THIS LINE FOR RECORDER’S USE ONLY
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT:
1. That the undersigned is OWNER or agent of the OWNER of the interest or estate stated below in the property hereinafter described.
2. The FULL NAME of the OWNER is the City of Grass Valley.
3. The FULL ADDRESS of the OWNER is 125 East Main Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945.
4. The nature of the INTEREST or ESTATE of the undersigned is: FEE.
5. A work of improvement on the property hereinafter described was COMPLETED: July 8, 2024.
6. The work of improvement completed is described as follows: Construction of an outdoor public parking lot containing 32 parking spaces.
7. The NAME OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTOR, if any, for such work of improvement is: Peter Schack Construction Engineering
8. The street address of said property is: 309 Mill Street Grass Valley, CA 95945
9. The property on which said work of improvement was completed is in the City of Grass Valley, County of Nevada, State of California and is described as follows: Parking Lot Construction. _____City of Grass Valley___________
Owner
by: ________________________________
Bjorn P. Jones, City Engineer
“I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.” _________________________________________ __________________________________ (Date and Place) (Signature)
Item # 4.
City of Grass Valley
City Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Second Reading of Ordinance 834 of the City Council of the City of Grass Valley amending subsection (C) and adding subsection (D)(7) to Section
17.44.140 of Chapter 17.44 of Title 17 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code to allow eligible mixed-use projects to include up to 10 dwelling units in the Town Core zone pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.5 CEQA: Not a project pursuant to Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3) Recommendation:
1. That City Council find the Ordinance is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3).
2. Hold a second reading of the attached Ordinance 834 waive full reading, and read by Title Only, to amend subsection (c) and add subsection (d)(7) to section
17.44.140 of chapter 17.44 of title 17 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code to allow eligible mixed-use projects to include up to 10 dwelling units in the Town Core zone pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.5 Prepared by: Amy Wolfson, City Planner
Council Meeting Date: March 11, 2025 Date Prepared: March 5, 2025 Agenda: Consent
Background: Staff have received inquiries from property owners about the possibility of converting upper-level offices to residential use along the Mill Street pedestrian corridor.
However, while the Town Core (TC) zone allows 20 dwelling units per acre, most of the buildings in this zone sit on very small lots, prohibiting them from taking advantage of the generous density allowance. Many of the buildings are large in size, and with the demise of office space interest in favor of home-office use, much of the non-ground level space is underutilized.
At the City Council meeting held September 12, 2023, council directed staff to prepare special studies to support the drafting of an ordinance that would incentivize conversion of underutilized upper and basement level spaces to residential use within the TC zoning designation.
Staff prepared a Request for Proposals that circulated in January and February 2024. However, the city did not receive any proposals. Shortly after, staff began to look at California Senate Bill (SB) 10 as a means to move the increased density objective forward.
SB 10 was adopted and signed by the Governor in September 2021 and allows local agencies to adopt an ordinance to allow up to 10 dwelling units on any parcel if the parcel is within a transit-rich area or urban infill site. The bill language includes an explicit clause indicating that adoption of an ordinance under its provisions is not subject to CEQA review.
Item # 5.
Proposed Ordinance: The proposed ordinance includes the following provisions:
Limits the maximum residential density to a minimum of 10 dwelling units per parcel.
This number can be made smaller, but not larger in order to comply with SB 10. A provision that disallows units permitted under this ordinance to be used as shortterm rentals through means of a recorded restrictive covenant. An off-street parking agreement approved by the city at a ratio of 1 space per unit located within1,300 feet of the property.
Pursuant to SB 10, a restriction that a minimum of two-thirds of the property be designated for residential use.
A restriction on ground-floor, street fronting space from being used for residential use in order to preserve the commercial and retail uses within spaces that are easily accessible to the public.
The goal of the proposed ordinance is to add to the revitalization effort downtown, encourage housing close to employment opportunities and close to the Tinloy Transit Station, and encourage investment in older buildings. This Ordinance was introduced at the February 25, 2025 City Council meeting and was approved as presented by a 3-1 vote General Plan: The Town Core zoning designation has a corresponding Commercial General Plan designation and Town Center General Plan overly. The Town Center designation very specifically encourages mixed-use development and does not have a residential density range associated with it. The proposed ordinance furthers the following goals of the General Plan:
o Land Use- 9-LUP: Provide for higher residential densities on infill sites and in the Downtown area.
o Land Use- 23-LUP: Encourage mixed-use developments incorporating a variety of densities on infill sites and in areas proposed for annexation. o Housing- HE Goal D, POLICY 1: The City shall encourage private reinvestment in older residential neighborhoods and private rehabilitation of housing. (While the TC zone is not considered a residential neighborhood, but the program encourages reinvestment in older buildings for the purpose of housing.) Environmental Determination: Pursuant to Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3), an ordinance adopted under its provisions and any resolution to amend the jurisdiction’s General Plan, or other regulation, is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Planning Commission Recommendation: The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance at a public hearing held on January 21, 2025. Their discussion included consideration of reducing the number of units allowed to something less than 10, but ultimately their recommendation was to approve the ordinance as presented, which allows up to 10 units per State legislation.
Council Goals/Objectives: Adoption of this ordinance supports the 2022 Strategic Plan Update, Goal #1: The City of Grass Vally is dedicated to promoting programs and projects that improve livability and enhance the character and charm of Grass Valley.
Fiscal Impact: Drafting of the ordinance required staff time.
Funds Available: None Account #: TBD Reviewed by: City Manager Attachments:
1. Draft Ordinance to allow up to 10 Dwelling Units in the Town Core Zone pursuant to SB10
Item # 5.
City Council
375288.3 1
Staff Report
ORDINANCE NO. 834
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRASS
VALLEY AMENDING SUBSECTION (C) AND ADDING SUBSECTION (D)(7) TO SECTION 17.44.140 OF CHAPTER 17.44 OF TITLE 17 OF THE GRASS
VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW ELIGIBLE MIXED-USE PROJECTS TO INCLUDE UP TO 10 DWELLING UNITS IN THE TOWN CORE ZONE PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65913.5
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting held on September 12, 2023, the Grass Valley City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance that would incentivize conversion of under-utilized upper and basement level spaces to residential use within the Town Core zoning designation (the “Ordinance”); and
WHEREAS, the City of Grass Valley desires to incentivize investment in older buildings in order to preserve the historical integrity and aesthetics of downtown; and WHEREAS, the City of Grass Valley encourages housing close to employment opportunities and the Tinloy Transit Station; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Land Use Element includes policy 9-LUP to “provide for higher residential densities on infill sites and in the Downtown area,” and 23-LUP to “encourage mixeduse developments incorporating a variety of densities on infill sites and in areas proposed for annexation”; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Housing Element Goal D, Policy 1 encourages “private reinvestment in older residential neighborhoods and private rehabilitation of housing”; and WHEREAS, the City of Grass Valley desires to promote the conversion of underutilized buildings for residential use in order for the City to meet housing demand and meet housing production targets of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) established by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD); and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 10 (Weiner) added section 65913.5 to the Government Code, effective January 1, 2022, authorizing a local government to adopt an ordinance to zone any parcel for up to 10 units of residential density if the parcel is located on an urban infill site; and WHEREAS, Government Code section 65913.5(a)(3) specifies that an ordinance adopted under its provisions and any resolution to amend the jurisdiction’s General Plan, or other regulation, is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act; and WHEREAS, the Town Core zoning district is subject to adopted fire hazard mitigation measures pursuant to existing building standards and state fire mitigation measures in accordance with section 65913.5(a)(4)(A).
Item # 5.
City Council
Staff Report
375288.3 2
WHEREAS, the proposed Ordinance and increased density is consistent with the City’s obligation to affirmatively further fair housing pursuant to Government Code Section 8899.50 and with programs of Goal A of the 2019–2027 Housing Element, To Designate Sufficient Land at Appropriate Densities and Establish Development Standards and Permit Procedures to Accommodate the City’s Share of Nevada County’s Housing Needs for All Income Groups; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, after considering public comment, held a duly noticed public hearing and reviewed the draft Ordinance at its regular meeting held on _________________and voted ____________to recommend adoption by the City Council.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRASS VALLEY:
SECTION 1. RECITALS.The recitals and findings set forth above are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. CODE AMENDMENT. Subsections (C) and (D) of Section 17.44.140 of Chapter
17.44 of Title 17 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code are hereby amended to read as follows (deletions denoted by struck through text and additions denoted by underlined text):
17.44.140 – Mixed use projects
…
C. Maximum Density. The residential component of a mixed-use project shall not exceed a maximum density of fifteen units per acre. This standard shall not apply in the traditional community development zones.
1. The residential component of a mixed-use project shall not exceed a maximum density of fifteen units per acre. This standard shall not apply in the traditional community development zones.
2. A parcel within the Town Core Zone may be developed with a mixed-use project containing up to 10 dwelling units, subject to the approval of a Minor Use Permit application and compliance with the following standards:
a. The parcel meets the definition of “urban infill site” as defined by Government Code Section 65913.5(e)(3);
b. The parcel is not publicly owned land designated as open-space land or for park or recreational uses;
c. The maximum allowable density for the parcel does not already allow a minimum of 10 dwelling units; and
d. The proposed project is consistent with this Chapter, including the Project Design Standards outlined in subsection (D)(7) of this Section 17.44.140.
Item # 5.
City Council
Staff Report
375288.3 3
Nothing herein shall be construed to reduce the allowable density of any parcel in the Town Core Zone.
…
D. Site Layout and Project Design Standards. Each proposed mixed-use project shall comply with the property development standards of the applicable zone, and the following requirements.
…
7. In addition to the above standards, any mixed-use project taking advantage of the density allowance provided in subsection (C)(2) of this Section 17.44.140 shall comply with the following standards:
a. At least two-thirds of the square footage of the mixed-use project shall be designated for residential use.
b. Off-street parking at a minimum ratio of one parking space per dwelling unit shall be provided within 1,300 feet of the mixed-use project. A minimum of one parking space shall be assigned to each dwelling unit and be guaranteed by written instrument or agreement approved by the City. c. No dwelling unit created pursuant to subsection (C)(2) of this Section
17.44.140 in excess of the otherwise maximum allowable density for a given parcel shall be rented for a period of less than 30 days. Developers shall record a restrictive covenant prior to certificate of occupancy, limiting the dwelling units created pursuant to this section to rental periods of at least 30 days, and agreeing to the foregoing. The restrictive covenant shall clearly indicate the number of dwelling units that may be rented for less than 30 days and the number that must be rented for at least 30 days.
d. Dwelling units shall not occupy ground-floor street-frontage space adjacent to a public or private street, regardless of whether that street is open to vehicular traffic. Dwelling units may be allowed at ground level behind street-fronting nonresidential uses. The ground-floor street-frontage space within a mixed-use building shall be reserved for commercial uses, except for a lobby or other entry feature providing access to the dwelling units. …
Item # 5.
City Council
Staff Report
375288.3 4
SECTION 3. CEQA FINDINGS. This Ordinance not a Project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 65913.5(a)(3) of the California Government Code, which provides that any ordinance adopted under its provisions and any resolution to amend the jurisdiction’s General Plan, zoning ordinance, or other local regulation adopted to be consistent with that zoning ordinance, shall not constitute a “project” for the purposes of CEQA.
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or its application to other persons and circumstances. The City Council of the City of Grass Valley declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion thereof despite the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional and, to that end, the provisions hereof are hereby declared to be severable.
SECTION 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its adoption under Article VII, § 2 of the Grass Valley City Charter.
SECTION 6. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published once in The Union, a newspaper of general circulation printed, published, and circulated within the City.
INTRODUCED and first read at a regular meeting of the City Council on the ___ day of ____________2025.
FINAL PASSAGE AND ADOPTION by the City Council was at a meeting held on the________ day of _________________2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINING:
________________________________
Hilary Hodge, Mayor
Item # 5.
City Council
Staff Report
375288.3 5
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
________________________________ ________________________________ Michael G. Colantuono, City Attorney Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
Item # 5.
City of Grass Valley
City Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Review of 2024 Annual Housing Element Progress Report CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Receive and File. No formal action required.
Prepared by: Lucy Rollins, Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Amy Wolfson, City Planner
Council Meeting Date: March 11, 2025 Date Prepared: March 4, 2025 Agenda: Consent
Background Information: The City adopted its 2019 – 2027 Housing Element on August 13, 2019. The 2019-2027 Housing Element Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocates 743 housing units to the City of Grass Valley during the Housing Element planning period, with income level targets as follows:
Income Level RHNA Allocation
Very Low 143
Low 126
Moderate 125
Above Moderate 349
State law requires each city and county to prepare an Annual Progress Report (APR) on the status of the implementation of their Housing Element. This report must be submitted to the City Council, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) by April 1.
Attached is an excerpt summary of the City’s APR from the new forms adopted by HCD.
Entitlements for City’s housing numbers for 2024 include 18 units proposed, 3 units entitled, 10 permits issued, and 6 units finaled with certificates of occupancy for 2024.
Of the permits issued, three were for very low-income units.
Within the eight-year housing cycle to date, the city has permitted 206 units. We have entitlements for a total of 601 additional units including those approved but not yet built in Loma Rica, Timberwood Estates, Berriman Ranch, the Pines, and Dorsey Marketplace. If built out, the city is well-poised to meet the overall RHNA target of 743 units by the end of the housing cycle in 2027, though we will likely fall short of the units allocated for moderate and lower-income targets.
Item # 6.
Council Goals/Objectives: This APR does not meet any specific or general goal or objective but is mandated by the State.
Fiscal Impact: Preparation of the APR has been completed with existing staffing resources. No impact to the General Fund will occur.
Reviewed by:
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment 1 – Excerpt Summary form from the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Item # 6.
Date
Application
Submitted
Total
Approved
Units by
Project
Total
Disapproved
Units by
Project
Streamlining Application
Status Project Type Notes
2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13
Prior APN+ Current
APN Street Address Project Name+
Local
Jurisdiction
Tracking ID
Unit Category
(SFA,SFD,2 to
4,5+,ADU,MH)
Tenure
R=Renter
O=Owner
Date
Application
Submitted
(see
instructions)
Very LowIncome Deed
Restricted
Very LowIncome Non
Deed
Restricted
Low-Income
Deed
Restricted
Low-Income
Non Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome
Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome
Non Deed
Restricted
Above
ModerateIncome
Total
PROPOSED
Units by
Project
Total
APPROVED
Units by
project
Total
DISAPPROVED
Units by Project
Please select
state
streamlining
provision/s the
application was
submitted
pursuant to.
Did the housing
development
application seek
incentives or
concessions pursuant
to Government Code
section 65915?
Were incentives or
concessions
requested pursuant
to Government
Code section 65915
approved?
Please indicate
the status of the
application.
Is the project
considered a
ministerial
project or
discretionary
project?
Notes+
Summary Row: Start Data Entry Below 0 5 2 1 0 0 10 18 11 0 35270083 508 Charlene Ln 24BLD-0046 SFA O 1/26/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Pending Ministerial 29200052 308 Miners Trail 24BLD-0065 ADU R 2/5/2024 1 1 NONE No No Approved Ministerial 35270035 131 Glenwood Ave Sierra Guest Home 24BLD-0113 SFD R 3/4/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Approved Discretionary Supportive housing constructed and operated by
Foothill House of Hospitality, a 501(c)3 nonprofit
provider of affordable housing and services for
individuals experiencing and at risk of homelessness
in Nevada County. Funded by CDSS CCE Program.
Project applied for a variance to setbacks
35270035 131 Glenwood Ave Sierra Guest Home 24BLD-0113 ADU R 3/4/2024 2 2 2 NONE No No Approved Discretionary Supportive housing constructed and operated by
Foothill House of Hospitality, a 501(c)3 nonprofit
provider of affordable housing and services for
individuals experiencing and at risk of homelessness
in Nevada County. Funded by CDSS CCE Program.
Project applied for a variance to setbacks
8800018 224 Cameron Ct Gilded Springs 24BLD-0125 SFA O 3/8/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Approved Ministerial 35140025 Ventana Sierra Dr
Habitat for
Humanity Ventana
Sierra
24BLD-0248 SFA O 5/2/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Approved Ministerial Habitat for Humanity residence. Parcel map in the
process of being recorded, APN will change
8800028 214 Barker Ln Gilded Springs 24BLD-0274 SFA O 5/13/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Approved Ministerial 8800021 223 Cameron Ct Gilded Springs 24BLD-0300 SFA O 5/24/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Approved Ministerial 8050004 2468 Ridge Rd 24BLD-0321 ADU R 6/5/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Approved Ministerial 8800026 217 Ben Taylor
Corssing Gilded Springs 24BLD-0487 SFA O 8/21/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Approved Ministerial 8980003 235 Ryans Ln 24BLD-0563 ADU R 9/24/2024 1 1 1 NONE No No Approved Ministerial JADU garage conversion 35270085 236 Glenwood Rd 24BLD-0565 MH R 9/25/2024 1 1 NONE No No Pending Ministerial Manufactured home with attached JADU included in
next row, applied for by Hospitality House, a 501(c)3
nonprofit provider of affordable housing and services
for individuals experiencing and at risk of
homelessness in Nevada County
35270085 236 Glenwood Rd 24BLD-0565 ADU R 9/25/2024 1 1 NONE No No Pending Ministerial JADU within manufactured home for caretaker,
applied for by Hospitality House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit
provider of affordable housing and services for
individuals experiencing and at risk of homelessness
in Nevada County
35270085 236 Glenwood Rd 24BLD-0566 ADU R 9/25/2024 1 1 NONE No No Pending Ministerial Manufactured ADU, applied for by Hospitality House,
a 501(c)3 nonprofit provider of affordable housing
and services for individuals experiencing and at risk
of homelessness in Nevada County
35140025 Ventana Sierra Dr
Habitat for
Humanity Ventana
Sierra
24BLD-0600 SFA O 10/9/2024 1 1 NONE No No Pending Ministerial Habitat for Humanity residence. Parcel map in the
process of being recorded, APN may change
8473004 415 Henderson St 24BLD-0709 2 to 4 R 10/7/2024 1 1 NONE No No Pending Ministerial Conversion of existing SFD to duplex with attached
ADU, ADU listed in next row. Only new units counted
8473004 415 Henderson St 24BLD-0709 ADU R 10/7/2024 1 1 NONE No No Pending Ministerial 1 5 10
Table A
Housing Development Applications Submitted
Project Identifier Unit Types Proposed Units - Affordability by Household Incomes Density Bonus Law Applications
Item # 6.
Stream
lining Infill
Housing
without
Financial
Assistance or
Term
of
Afforda
bility
Notes
2 3 5 6 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Prior
APN+
Current
APN Street Address Project
Name+
Local
Jurisdiction
Tracking ID
Unit
Categor
y
(SFA,SF
D,2 to
4,5+,AD
U,MH)
Tenure
R=Rent
er
O=Own
er
Very
LowIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
Very
LowIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
LowIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
LowIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
Moderat
eIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
Moderat
eIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
Above
Moderat
eIncome
Entitleme
nt
Date
Approved
# of
Units
issued
Entitle
ments
Very
LowIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
Very
LowIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
LowIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
LowIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
Moderat
eIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
Moderat
eIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
Above
Moderat
eIncome
Building
Permits
Date
Issued
# of
Units
Issued
Buildin
g
Permits
Very
LowIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
Very
LowIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
LowIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
LowIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
Moderat
eIncome
Deed
Restrict
ed
Moderat
eIncome
Non
Deed
Restrict
ed
Above
Moderat
eIncome
Certifica
tes of
Occupan
cy or
other
forms of
readines
s
(see
instructi
ons)
Date
# of
Units
issued
Certific
ates of
Occupa
ncy or
other
forms
of
readine
ss
How
many of
the
units
were
Extrem
ely Low
Income
?
Please
select
the
state
streamli
ning
provisio
n the
project
was
APPRO
VED
Infill
Units?
Y/N+
Assista
nce
Progra
ms for
Each
Develop
ment
(may
select
multiple
- see
instructi
Deed
Restrict
ion
Type
(may
select
multiple
- see
instructi
ons)
For units
affordable
without financial
assistance or
deed
restrictions,
explain how the
locality
determined the
units were
affordable
(see
Term of
Afforda
bility or
Deed
Restrict
ion
(years)
(if
affordab
le in
perpetuit
y enter
Number
of
Demoli
shed/De
stroyed
Units
Demoli
shed or
Destroy
ed
Units
Demoli
shed/De
stroyed
Units
Owner
or
Renter
Total
Density
Bonus
Applied
to the
Project
(Percen
tage
Increas
e in
Total
Allowab
Number
of Other
Incentiv
es,
Conces
sions,
Waivers
, or
Other
Modific
ations
Given
List the
incentiv
es,
conces
sions,
waivers
, and
modific
ations
(Excludi
ng
Parking
Did the
project
receive
a
reducti
on or
waiver
of
parking
standar
ds?
(Y/N)
Notes+
Summary Row: Start Data Entry Below 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 7 10 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 6 0 0 29200052 308 Miners Trail 24BLD-0065 ADU R 0 1 3/4/2024 1 1 11/21/2024 1 0 NONE Y 35270035 131 Glenwood Ave
Sierra
Guest
Home
24BLD-0113
SFD R
1 2/27/2024
1 1 8/26/2024 1 0 0 NONE Y Other
Received financial
assistance not listed,
see Notes
1000
Funded by $6million dollar grant
for permanent supportive housing
from CDSS for Community Care
Expansion Program, awarded to
Foothill House of Hospitality
35270035 131 Glenwood Ave
Sierra
Guest
Home
24BLD-0113
ADU R
2 2/27/2024
2 2 8/26/2024 2 0 0 NONE Y Other
Received financial
assistance not listed,
see Notes
1000
Funded by $6million dollar grant
for permanent supportive housing
from CDSS for Community Care
Expansion Program, awarded to
Foothill House of Hospitality
8800018 224 Cameron Ct Gilded
Springs 24BLD-0125 SFA O 1 7/31/2019 1 1 9/20/2024 1 0 0 NONE Y 8800028 214 Barker Ln Gilded
Springs 24BLD-0274 SFA O 1 7/31/2019 1 1 7/8/2024 1 0 0 NONE Y 8800021 223 Cameron Ct Gilded
Springs 24BLD-0300 SFA O 1 7/31/2019 1 1 7/10/2024 1 0 0 NONE Y 8050004 2468 Ridge Rd 24BLD-0321 ADU R 0 1 12/19/2024 1 0 0 NONE Y 8800026 217 Ben Taylor
Crossing
Gilded
Springs 24BLD-0487 SFA O 1 7/31/2019 1 1 9/23/2024 1 0 0 NONE Y 8980003 235 Ryans Ln 24BLD-0563 ADU R 0 1 12/3/2024 1 0 0 NONE Y 8800017 222 Cameron Court Gilded
Springs 23BLD-0232 SFA O 1 7/31/2019
1 1 6/12/2023 1 1 6/24/2024 1 0 NONE Y
8800024 204 Ben Taylor
Crossing
Gilded
Springs 23BLD-0233 SFA O 1 7/31/2019
1 1 6/12/2023 1 1 5/16/2024 1 0 NONE Y
8800022 221 Cameron Court Gilded
Springs 23BLD-0234 SFA O 1 7/31/2019
1 1 6/12/2023 1 1 8/7/2024 1 0 NONE Y
9280054 510 Orchard Way Habitat for
Humanity 23BLD-0536 SFA O
0 1 11/14/2023 1 1 8/29/2024 1 0 NONE Y LHTF Other 55
The City does not have an
inclusionary Ordiannce. This is a
Habitat for Humanity project.
8260007 352 Alta Street 23BLD-0571 ADU R 0 1 10/9/2023 1 1 3/6/2024 1 0 NONE Y 8363012 209 Lloyd Street 23BLD-0605 ADU R 0 1 12/13/2023 1 0 0 NONE Y Table A2
Annual Building Activity Report Summary - New Construction, Entitled, Permits and Completed Units Project Identifier Unit Types Affordability by Household Incomes - Completed Entitlement Affordability by Household Incomes - Building Permits Housing with
Financial
Assistance
and/or Deed
Demolished/Destroyed
Units Density Bonus
1 4 7 10
Affordability by Household Incomes - Certificates of Occupancy
Item # 6.
1 Projection
Period 3 4
RHNA
Allocation
by Income
Level
01/01/2019-
08/14/2019 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Total
Units
to Date
(all
years)
Total
Remai
ning
RHNA
by
Income
Level
Deed
Restricted - - 30 - - - - - - -
Non-Deed
Restricted - - - - - - 3 - - -
Deed
Restricted 1 - 3 - - 1 - - - -
Non-Deed
Restricted 33 2 35 3 6 - - - - -
Deed
Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Non-Deed
Restricted - - 3 1 11 - - - - -
Above
Moderate 349 22 3 24 14 - 4 7 - - - 74 275
743
56 5 95 18 17 5 10 - - - 206 537
5 6 7
Extremely
low-Income
Need
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Total
Units to
Date
Total
Units
Remaini
ng
72 - - - - - - - - - - 72
VLI Deed
Restricted
VLI Non Deed Restricted
LI Deed Restricted
LI Non Deed Restricted
MI Deed Restricted
MI Non Deed Restricted
Above Mod Income
Very Low 143 33 110
Table B
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress
Permitted Units Issued by Affordability
2 Income Level
Low 126 84 42
Moderate 125 15 110
Please Note: Table B does not currently contain data from Table F or Table F2 for prior years. You may login to the APR system to see Table B that Note: units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income RHNA progress and must be reported as very low-income units in y y , y p g p y was in the 5th cycle. For the first year of the 6th cycle, Table B will only include units that were permitted since the start of the planning period. Projection Period units are in a separate column.
Please note: The APR form can only display data for one planning period. To view progress for a different planning period, you may login to HCD's online APR system, or contact HCD staff at [email protected].
Total RHNA
Total Units
Progress toward extremely low-income housing need, as determined pursuant to Government Code 65583(a)(1). y
Units*
*Extremely low-income housing need determined pursuant to Government Code 65583(a)(1). Value in Section 5 is default value, assumed to be half of the very
Item # 6.
1 2 3 4
Name of Program Objective Timeframe in H.E Status of Program Implementation Program 1:
Adequate Sites for
Housing
Accommodate the City’s share
of Nevada County’s future
housing needs
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
(annexation related polices are addressed
as property owners request annexation)
No annexations were proposed or processed in 2023. However, staff worked with an applicant on a pre-application/conceptual plan for a multifamily residential project in the City's sphere of influence to determine the scope of improvements required.
Currently, many areas of the city's sphere have limited access to connect to existing sewer infrastructure and city water. The City was awarded $115,000 in REAP funding to conduct a water infrastructure study for the southern portion of the city and its sphere to identify gaps in infrastructure and opportunities to expand water infrastructure to support future development and annexation efforts. The Final Report outlining options for addressing infrastructure needs was presented to City Council in July 2024.
No projects were proposed in the R-3 zone. However, the City continues to work with interested developers to build out residential parcels to their maximum capacity in all residential zones.
In 2022, the City approved an infill affordable housing project for Habitat for Humanity on Joyce Drive, that subsequently identified contamination on the site. In 2023, the City purchased the site from Habitat in order to facilitate rehabilitation. The City was awarded $500,000 for an EPA Brownsfields Assessment Grant, which included a contract to hire Geocon for technical expersise. Geocon conducted an assessment of the site and prepare a response plan, that was completed in September 2023. The City applied for and received a $2 million dollar DTSC's Equitable Comunity Revitalization Grant (ECRG) in 2024, and is working with DTSC to approve a final cleanup plan.
The City worked with Foothill House of Hospitality, a local nonprofit serving the homeless population, to expand an existing supportive housing facility to provide additional supportive housing units for the ELI, homeless and at-risk of homelessness, and senior population of Grass Valley. A Variance was approved in February 2024 to encroach into the rear setback requirement and exceed lot coverage standards to provide a 27 room permanently supportive housing facility with two ADUs for independent living quarters.
Program 2: Flexible
Development
Standards and MixedUse Developments
Increase the options to provide
for a variety of housing to meet
the needs of all income groups
Use of Planned Development and other
zoning techniques, current and ongoing,
2019 – 2027. Pre-annexation and preapplication meetings with applicants will occur each year as needed based on
property owner interest
In January 2024, the City released an RFP seeking consultants to assess the feasibility of increased residential capacity in the downtown area and develop a responsive ordinance.
However, no responses were received. Therefore, the City developed an an SB 10 ordinance increase residential and mxied-use capacity in the downtown to meet a largely unmet need for workforce housing near downtown. The ordinance is scheduled to be heard by City Council in early 2025.
The South Auburn Street Master Plan was adopted in 2005 to cover approximately 2.5 acres along South Auburn Street that is entirely built out and comprised of 10 private lots.
Implementation of the Plan relied on Redevelopment Agency funds that are no longer available.
The City implements standards of the Town Core zone district in this area to encourage compatible redevelopment as property owners are interested.
Program 3: Reduce
Regulatory Barriers
to Affordable
Housing
Reduce regulatory barriers to
facilitating the provision of a
variety of housing for all
income groups. Request the
state understand and address
the significant cumulative costs
of implementing state housing
regulations adopted by the
state that severely impact the
costs to housing, particularly
those adopted after 2006
Ongoing monitoring
Staff also continually reviews the Development Code and identifies ways to improve clarity and streamline housing development.
The City has not had any requests for density bonuses. However, the City identified a need for additional incentives to encourage residential uses in the downtown area. Therefore, staff prepared an SB 10 ordinance to be heard by City Council in early 2025 to encourage conversion of unused upper- and basement-space to residential units in the Town Core zoning district.
Staff worked with Habitat for Humanity in 2024 to expeditiously review a tenantive parcel map for a lot split, and subsequent ministerial SB 9 urban lot split to result in 3 parcels for 3 affordable single-family homes on Ventana Sierra Drive.The City worked with Habitat to ensure the resulting parcels would facilitate the desired development, and leave room for a fourth unit as a detached ADU if desired. Further, staff worked with Foothill House of Hospitality to respond to an appeal of the approval of their variance application for expanding a supportive housing facility. In both cases, the applicant had direct contact information for a designated staff member.
Due to staff turnover and capacity, City staff did not lobby the state directly in 2023. However, the City will continue to work with interested developers to address state requirements.
Program 4:
Implement General
Plan Policies
Through measures described in
programs 1 – 3, the City shall
continue to implement General
Plan policies that encourage
efficient use of unconstrained
land and a healthy economic
base
Ongoing, 2019-2027
In January 2024, the City released an RFP seeking consultants to assess the feasibility of increased residential capacity in the downtown area and develop a responsive ordinance.
However, no responses were received. Therefore, the City developed an an SB 10 ordinance increase residential and mxied-use capacity in the downtown. The ordinance is scheduled to be heard by City Council in early 2025. The intent of this ordinance is to promote infill mixed-use in the city's downtown area, thus encouraging use of unconstrained land and activating the downtown. Further, the City has encouraged construction of additional infill housing through ADUs.
Program 5:
Encourage the Use
of Development
Agreements
To expedite the process of final
development approvals and
ensure long-term protection for
the City and developer
Current and ongoing, as part of the
application process
No large residential developments were proposed in 2023; therefore, the City did not discuss development agreement opportunities.
Table D
Program Implementation Status pursuant to GC Section 65583 Housing Programs Progress Report
Item # 6.
Program 6: Annual
Housing Element
Monitoring Report
To evaluate progress annually
and make appropriate revisions
to policies and programs
Annual report as required by State law
The City submitted the 2023 APR to HCD on March 14, 2024 after receiving approval from City Council. The City continues to complete the APR annually.
In 2024, staff met and worked with, multiple developers and property owners interested in building housing. These include affordable housing developers, including Habitat for Humanity and Foothill House of Hospitality, as well as market rate developers and individual owners.
Further, the City has encouraged homeowners to take advantage of SB 9 as well as adding ADUs to their property. The results of these conversations included one SB 9 lot split for Habitat for Humanity, permananet supportive housing for 27 residents, seven ADUs, and several single family homes in 2024, inclusive of applications for two lower-income homes.
Further, the City applied for and received a $2 million dollar DTSC Equitable Comunity Revitalization Grant (ECRG) to clean up a brownsfield site of interest to affordable developers, in order to further faciliate lower-income development. Staff also continually reviews the Development Code and identifies ways to improve clarity and streamline housing development.
Program 7: Promote
Infill Development
To reduce infrastructure costs
associated with infill
development proposals
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In January 2024, the City released an RFP seeking consultants to assess the feasibility of increased residential capacity in the downtown area and develop a responsive ordinance.
However, no responses were received. Therefore, the City developed an an SB 10 ordinance increase residential and mxied-use capacity in the downtown. The ordinance is scheduled to be heard by City Council in early 2025. The intent of this ordinance is to promote infill mixed-use in the city's downtown area, thus encouraging use of unconstrained land and activating the downtown. Further, the City has encouraged construction of additional infill housing through ADUs.
Program 8: Allow
Alternative Housing
Types to Meet
Special Needs
Provide greater housing and
shelter opportunities for special
needs groups
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In 2024, the City met with Habitat for Humanity to process a traditional lots split and SB 9 urban lot split to create three parcels for lower-income ownership units. Additionally, staff worked with Foothill House of Hospitality to respond to an appeal of the approval of their variance application for expanding a supportive housing facility and provide guidance on developing a nearby site with additional housing for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The City allows ADUs in all residential zones and non-residential zones that allow residential uses.
Program 9: Housing
for Persons with
Disabilities,
including persons
with Developmental
Disabilities
Coordinate with the Regional
Center and other entities that
provide supportive housing to
support and improve housing
and shelter opportunities for
persons with disabilities,
including persons with
developmental disabilities
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In 2024, the City met with Habitat for Humanity to process a traditional lots split and SB 9 urban lot split to create three parcels for lower-income ownership units. Additionally, staff worked with Foothill House of Hospitality to respond to an appeal of the approval of their variance application for expanding a supportive housing facility for persons with disabilities, and provide guidance on developing a nearby site with additional housing for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Program 10:
Housing
Opportunities for
Large Families
New Construction: 25 very lowincome units, 40-60 low-income units
Homebuyer Assistance: 2
extremely low-income, 2 very
low-income, 6 low-income, and
10 moderate-income
homebuyers
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027; meet
annually with housing providers to
establish funding priorities; apply
quarterly for available funding based on
annual priorities and the schedule of the
state or federal program
While no lower-income multifamily developments were proposed in 2023, the City worked with Habitat for Humanity to process lot splits for future deed-restricted single-family homes, expected to be permitted in 2025.
Program 11:
Workforce Housing
Study
Provide greater housing
opportunities for local
workforce
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In 2024, the City worked with Habitat for Humanity to process lot splits to create three parcels for deed-restricted single-family homes, expected to be permitted in 2025. The City also applied for and received a $2 million dollar DTSC Equitable Comunity Revitalization Grant (ECRG) to clean up a brownsfield site of interest to affordable developers, in order to further faciliate lowerincome development. Further, the City processed applications for eight ADUs in 2024.
Program 12: Density
Bonus
New Construction: 25 very lowincome units, 40-60 low-income units
Homebuyer Assistance: 2
extremely low-income, 2 very
low-income, 6 low-income, and
10 moderate-income
homebuyers
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
Staff discussed the opportunity for a density bonus with one developer pursuing affordable housing during the year. However, no developers chose to pursue a density bonus. The City will continue to promote this opportunity for potential and proposed residential development opportunities.
Program 13: Pursue
State and Federal
Funding for
Affordable Housing
Continue to apply for specific
grants and provide support to
private developers that are
pursuing funding assistance for
lower income housing. Based
on past project approvals, the
City’s objective is:
New Construction: 25 very lowincome units, 40-60 low-income units
Homebuyer Assistance: 2
extremely low-income, 2 very
low-income, 6 low-income, and
10 moderate-income
homebuyers
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027; meet
annually with housing providers to
establish funding priorities; apply
quarterly for available funding based on
annual priorities and the schedule of the
state or federal program
Staff worked with Habitat for Humanity in 2024 to expeditiously review a tenantive parcel map for a lot split, and subsequent ministerial SB 9 urban lot split to result in 3 parcels for 3 affordable single-family homes on Ventana Sierra Drive.The City worked with Habitat to ensure the resulting parcels would facilitate the desired development, and leave room for a fourth unit as a detached ADU if desired. Further, staff worked with Foothill House of Hospitality to respond to an appeal of the approval of their variance application for expanding a supportive housing facility.
Program 14: Tax
Exempt Bonds and
Mortgage Credit
Certificates
Increase the availability of
funding options for new or
rehabilitated housing
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027 Due to limited funding, the City's first-time homebuyer program has been suspended. However, staff shared information on state opportunities with interested prospective owners.
Program 15:
Community
Reinvestment Act
Increase the availability of
funding options for new or
rehabilitated housing
Annual presentations, 2019 – 2027,
additional meetings with specific lenders
as needed
The expansion of Sierra Guest Home was partially funded with a $6 million CDSS Community Care Expansion Progam grant to increase the availability of lower-income housing.
Program 16:
Housing
Rehabilitation
Programs
Rehabilitation of 2 extremely
low-income, 3 very low-income,
and 5 low-income housing units
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027 Due to limited capacity, the City was unable to secure rehabilitation funding in 2024.
Program 17:
Preservation of AtRisk Housing
Preserve the affordability of 953
assisted rental housing units
The City will continue to monitor and
begin to address as part of the next
Housing Element cycle
No assisted rental units were lost in 2024.
Item # 6.
Program 18: Rental
Assistance
Maintain availability of rental
assistance to Grass Valley
residents
Annual collaboration with the Housing
Authority during federal funding request;
information distribution, current and
ongoing, 2019 – 2027; ongoing promotion
of rental assistance program to rental
property owners
The City continues to collaborate with the Housing Authority as requested to administer Housing Choice Vouchers.
Program 19:
Preservation of
Mobile Home Parks
Preserve the condition and
affordability of larger mobile
home parks containing 360
spaces; provide relocation
assistance to residents of parks
that are not feasible to preserve
Meet with park owners and residents if
requested to determine feasibility of
preservation.
No mobile home spaces were lost in 2024.
Program 20:
Housing Code
Enforcement
Improve substandard housing
conditions through correction
of code violations. Document
housing conditions and
establish priorities for future
code enforcement, housing
rehabilitation assistance, and
neighborhood improvement
efforts.
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
The City responded to complaints of code violations and substandard housing conditions. Staff compiled photo documentation of conditions and records of contact made and when the investigation was resolved. In addition to enforcing safe housing conditions, the City also proactively monitored vegetation overgrowth and other potential hazards to public health and safety and contacted property owners if violations were found.
Program 21: Re-Use
of Large, Older
Homes
Efficiently re-use and preserve
existing residential structures
and increase the supply of
housing.
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In 2024, the City met with owners of a 2-story stacked duplex on Bennett Street built in approximately 1880 as a single-family home, and converted to a duplex in 1987. The current owners discussed converting the home to a triplex, and converting a detached garage to two ADUs, to make the most of the property while preserving the historic integrity of the home. The owners are working with a contractor to develop plans for the conversion to increase housing supply.
Additionally, the City allows conversion of larger structures into multifamily structures in the downtown (TC), R-2, and R-3 zones. To further this, staff developed an SB 10 ordinance for the TC area to allow conversion of unused/underused commercial space to residential units in the downtown area. This ordinance will be heard by City Council for consideration in February 2025.
Program 22: Fair
Housing Program
Educate the public on fair
housing issues, reduce housing
discrimination, and promptly
resolve housing discrimination
complaints
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027; identify
annual events in 2019 and include fair
housing information beginning 2019 and
thereafter
Staff provided fair housing resource information by request and in response to code violation complaints. No housing discrimination complaints were received in 2024.
Program 23: Energy
Conservation for
New Construction
and Residential
Design
Reduce residential energy
consumption Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027 The City continues to enforce state energy standards for new residential construction.
Program 24:
Weatherization and
Energy Conservation
for Existing Dwelling
Units
Rehabilitation of 2 extremely
low-income, 3 very low-income,
and 5 low-income housing units
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027 Due to limited capacity, the City was unable to secure rehabilitation funding in 2024.
Program 25:
Encourage
Development of
Moderate Income
and Above ModerateIncome Housing
Continue support of previously
approved housing projects and
encourage the development of
at least 120 moderate and 350
above moderate for-sale
housing units.
Current and on-going through housing
element planning period.
The City issued building permits for 4 market-rate single-family homes in the Gilded Springs development and three ADUs. Staff also met with interested developers to discuss opportunities for market-rate residential development. All parties were encouraged to submit pre-application, or conceptual, plans; however, none were received. They city currently has issued entitlements for an additional 601 units.
Program 26:
Encourage
Development of
Market Rate Rental
Housing
Provide support for the
development of 50 moderate
and 25 above moderate rental
housing units.
Current and on-going through housing
element planning period.
The City continues to encourage construction of ADU and SB9 units. Staff is currently working with one property owners to process plans for SB9 units that, combined, will result in 4 new market rate rental units. Additionally, the developer of The Pines, a 108-unit apartment complex, has begun land clearing and grading work for construction, and the City processed master plans for Phase 1 of the Loma Rica Specific Plan area, with lot-specific building permits expected to be submitted in early 2025.
Program 27:
Efficiency Dwelling
Units (Tiny Homes)
Explore the feasibility of
amending the CA Building Code
and CA Residential Code to
allow for tiny home
development. If feasible, the
City will encourage tiny home
developments on a case by
case basis through the City’s
Planned Development process.
If feasible, the City will promote
development 20 very lowincome and 10 low-income tiny
homes.
Adopt ordinance by 2020, if feasible The City has no minimum square footage requirements for housing beyond those established by the California Building Code.
Program 28:
Facilitate the
Development of
Affordable Housing
Support Nevada County’s and
the Regional Housing
Authority’s effort to develop 40
transitional and supportive
housing units and rental units
that will not exceed 30% of the
area’s median income.
Continue to cooperate with
Habitat for Humanity’s effort to
build 2 to 3 housing units
annually (assumes 20 for 2019-
2027 Housing Element cycle)
for extremely low-income
residents.
During Housing Element Planning period
In 2024, City staff met with Habitat for Humanity and Foothill House of Hospitality to identify opportunities for affordable housing. The City has not received any requests for deferred fees for affordable housing development. In 2024, the City received a $2 million dollar DTSC Equitable Comunity Revitalization Grant (ECRG) to clean up a brownsfield site of interest to affordable developers, in order to further faciliate lower-income development.
Additionally, in 2024, the City met with Habitat for Humanity to other housing opportunities. Staff worked with Habitat to process a traditional lot split and SB 9 urban lot split to result in 3 parcels for development of deed-restricted single-family homes. The homes are expected to be permitted in 2025.
Item # 6.
Program 29:
Development Code,
Policies and
Procedures Review
To streamline development and
building permit applications, in
consultation with the
development community, the
City will continue to review its
Development Code, policies
and procedures and
incorporate new systems to
streamline the City’s
development review processes.
Annual Review with Supportive Housing
provisions within 1 year of Housing
Element adoption
The City allows transitional and supportive housing in residential zones in the same manner as residential uses in those zones, to streamline development of a variety of housing types.
Further, in 2024 staff completed a comprehensive review of the Development Code to identify barriers to housing and clarity issues. The review resulted in a list of suggested changes to be made in 2025.
Program 30: Lower
Income By-Right
Zoning
To streamline development and
building permit applications for
lower income multiple family
housing units in accordance
with Government Code 65583.2
et. seq.
Within 2 years of adoption of Housing
Element.
The City allows residential uses, including single-family and multi-family, by-right in the R-3 zone district, including lower-income housing.
Item # 6.
City of Grass Valley
City Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Review of 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report Recommendation: Receive and File. No formal action required.
Prepared by: Amy Wolfson, City Planner
Council Meeting Date: March 11, 2025 Date Prepared: March 5, 2025 Agenda: Consent
Background Information: The City of Grass Valley General Plan was adopted in November 1999. The City’s last Housing Element was adopted in August 2019. Government Code Section 65400 mandates that cities and counties submit an annual progress report (APR) on the General Plan and progress on its implementation to the legislative body, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) by April 1 of each year. The intent of the legislation is to ensure that the City’s General Plan is relied upon for land use decisions and that it remains an effective tool for guiding development. The report provides the City Council with information regarding the current status of the General Plan policies and their implementation during the past year.
The attached document fulfills Government Code Section 65400.
The purpose of the APR is to provide the public and decision makers with an update of the City’s progress in implementing its General Plan vision. A secondary purpose of the APR is to fulfill the housing element statutory requirements regarding the City’s progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs and its efforts to remove government constraints to the development of housing in accordance with Government Code Section 65584.3(c) and 65584.5(b)(5). The Housing Element APR has separate reporting requirements and forms, which will be submitted electronically by the City by the April 1, deadline.
Council Goals/Objectives: This General Plan APR does not meet any specific or general goal or objective but is mandated by the State.
Fiscal Impact: Preparation of the General Plan APR has been completed with existing staffing resources. No impact to the General Fund will occur.
Reviewed by: _______City Manager
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment 1 – 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report with Attachments
Item # 7.
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY
2024
GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
March 4, 2025
Item # 7.
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General Plan Annual Progress Report
2 City of Grass Valley
March 5, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Purpose of General Plan Annual Report........................................................................................................ 3 General Plan Background .............................................................................................................................. 3 City’s Responsibility....................................................................................................................................... 4 Amendments to the General Plan................................................................................................................. 4 Major Milestones and Projects ..................................................................................................................... 5 Status of General Plan Implementation Actions ........................................................................................... 7 Housing Element Annual Progress Report................................................................................................... 14 Attachments:
Table B – Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress Permits Issued by Affordability Table D – Program Implementation Status Pursuant to GC Section 65583
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
March 5, 2024
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
3 PURPOSE OF GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL REPORT
California Government Code Section 65400 mandates that cities and counties submit an annual progress report (APR) on the General Plan and progress on its implementation to the legislative body, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). The four purposes of the annual report are to:
1. Provide information to assess progress on implementation of the General Plan in accordance with the stated goals, policies, and implementation measures.
2. Provide information to identify necessary course adjustments or modifications to the General Plan to improve implementation.
3. Provide a clear correlation between land use decisions made during the reporting period, and the goals, policies, and implementation measures of the General Plan.
4. Provide information regarding local agency progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs and local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the development of housing.
This document fulfills Government Code Section 65400; however, it should be noted that Charter Cities such as Grass Valley were exempt of this General Plan requirement prior to 2019. Accordingly, other than the Housing Element Annual Progress Report, the City has not submitted prior annual reports. As such, this report may incorporate information from past exempt reporting years to date, as applicable.
The purpose of the APR is to provide the public and decision makers with an update of the City’s progress in implementing its General Plan vision. This annual assessment provides an opportunity to adjust or modify its policies, goals, and objectives to ensure that the City meets its stated vision. A secondary purpose of the APR is to fulfill housing element statutory requirements regarding the City’s progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs and its efforts to remove government constraints to the development of housing in accordance with Government Code Section 65584.3(c) and 65584.5(b)(5). The Housing Element APR has separate reporting requirements and forms, which have been submitted electronically by the City by the April 1, deadline.
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY GENERAL PLAN BACKGROUND
The Grass Valley General Plan Update commenced June 30, 1998, with a “kickoff” meeting at the Grass Valley City Hall. From the onset, the Grass Valley General Plan Update was aided by the leadership of an appointed Steering Committee. The Steering Committee had eight members, appointed by the City Council. Two were Council members, two where members of the Planning Commission, and four were Members-at-Large. The Steering Committee guided General Plan activities through bi-monthly meetings with staff and consultants; sponsored Public Workshops designed to afford members of the public opportunity to participate in General Plan development; and served as the City’s decision-making body throughout General Plan formulation.
General Plan Elements – The 2020 Grass Valley General Plan includes the following General Plan Elements:
Item # 7.
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General Plan Annual Progress Report
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March 5, 2023
• Land Use
• Circulation
• Conservation/Open Space (formally separate elements being combined) • Housing
• Noise
• Safety (formally Safety and Seismic Safety Elements, being combined) • Community Design (formally Urban Design)
• Historical
• Recreation
• Mineral Management
The City’s General Plan addresses State General Plan requirements. California law requires that every city and county adopt a long-term General Plan that addresses eight specific topics or “elements.” The General Plan must be internally consistent and contain the State Government Code requirements.
CITY’S RESPONSIBLITY
The effectiveness of the General Plan ultimately depends on how it is implemented and maintained over time.
State law requires that most actions of local governments affecting the physical environment be consistent with the General Plan. This implementation of the Plan is the responsibility of numerous departments and divisions including:
• City Manager’s Office (City Clerk, Economic Development and Communications) • Administrative Services Department (Finance & Human Resources) • Community Development Department (Planning, Building, Housing & Code Compliance) • Public Works & Engineering (Community Services, Facilities and Maintenance) • Fire Department (Fire abatement) and,
• Police Department (Community Services, Information Technology & Animal Control) Additionally, several other governmental agencies provide services within the City. While these agencies are neither part of the City’s operational structure nor directly responsible for implementation of the General Plan, the City does coordinate its activities with these other agencies and relies upon their assistance for full implementation of the General Plan. These agencies include, but are not limited to the following:
• Nevada Irrigation District
• Nevada Union High School
• Nevada County Local Agency Formation Commission
• Nevada County Community Development Agency
AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL PLAN
State law allows the City to amend its General Plan no more than four times per year (Charter Cities are Exempt from this requirement). Amendments may be proposed and acted upon at any time during the year and one action may include multiple amendments. Any changes to the
Item # 7.
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General Plan Annual Progress Report
5 City of Grass Valley
March 5, 2023
General Plan require a public hearing by the City Council upon recommendation by the Planning Commission and include evaluation of the environmental impacts as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. (CEQA).
There were no notable General Plan Amendment for 2024.
2024 MAJOR MILESTONES & PROJECTS
Construction was approved, initiated, or completed within the City of Grass Valley for the following major projects during the 2024 planning year:
Annexation Projects:
The City did not initiate any annexation projectsin 2024.
Projects:
• HSIP Pedestrian Crossing -Awarded contract in January 2024 to provide pedestrian crossing safety improvements, including rapid flashing beacons, signage and striping and the construction of crossing enhancements including curb ramps and raised crosswalks at various locations around town. This work was completed in December 2024.
• Annual Street Rehabilitation Project– Approved the streets rehabilitation project in January 2024, including pavement resurfacing of North Auburn St, North Church St, North School St., Finnie St, Chester St, Ivy St, Linden Ave, Alta Vista Dr and portions of Alta St. Project. Work included pavement grinding, overlay and replacements, utility adjustments, markings, curb ramp and drainage improvements.
Improvements occurred in spring 2024.
• Condon Park Skatepark Project– Awarded contract for a design build skatepark project in February 2024
• Magenta Drain Restoration Project– Executed an agreement in May 2024 with South Yuba River Citizens League for the planning and rehabilitation implementation of the Memorial Park Magenta Drain will restore a stretch of creek that runs through Memorial Park that has been fenced off and neglected for many years.
• Approved a park improvement list in June 2024 to be carried out in Fiscal Year 2024/2025, including adding park restroom facilities, installing field lighting, rehabilitate bleachers and dugout, replacing and upgrading a playground, adding shared-use trail connections at Condon Park, replace volleyball and bocce ball courts at Condon Park, constructing seating and picnic areas at Mautino Park, along with standard maintenance and upkeep activities at various parks. • Approved funding in July 2024 to two non-profit groups for a Community Farms Planning Project at Mautino Park
• Completed a draft Multi-Jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in November 2024 and submitted to CAL OES for review.
Item # 7.
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General Plan Annual Progress Report
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March 17, 2023
provides social services including counseling for clients with mental health issues.
Permit in February 2023 for operational changes associated with Spirit House, which • Accepted dedicated open space across parts of the Loma Rica Ranch project in November 2024. The Open Space area opens up to the public the many beneficial uses afforded by the dedication, including hiking and biking trails, equestrian trails, wildlife and ecological enhancements, nature study, and fuel reduction.
Commercial Projects:
• Final Infrastructure Needs Study for the Southern Sphere of Influence and Grass Valley RV Park Annexation Areas prepared by Sauers Engineering, Inc. was accepted in July 2024. • Target Remodel – Façade elevations, site improvements and landscaping were approved for the redevelopment of the Kmart Store to a Target Store with Certificate of Occupancy issued in April 2023, and including outdoor gathering space improvements and landscaping finaled in July 2024 • Jada Windows Expansion - Began processing a Development Review application for a ±70,000 square foot window and door manufacturing building for Jada Windows in March 2024. The entitlement was subsequently approved in February 2025. • Grass Valley RV Resort - This project was annexed in 2021, and grading and construction began in 2022 for a 147 space RV Park Resort with 15 glamping spaces for short term camping. This project was granted certificate of occupancy by the State in June 2024. • A development review application was approved for an 80-room hotel project on Plaza Drive in January 2024. Grading and retaining wall permits were issued in September 2024. • The Development Review Application was approved for a new Sherwin Williams paint store in February 2024, and a building permit was issued in December 2024.
Residential Projects:
• Loma Rica Ranch – Approved in 2019, the Specific Plan is a mixed-use development of over 452 acres.
Grading and infrastructure improvements for Phase I, which includes ±250 homes has been ongoing and occurred throughout 2024, with home construction slated for spring 2025. • Berriman Ranch Phase II Duet Project – 12 zero lot-line duet lots ranging in size from ±3,984 square feet to ±8,405 square feet. The city received a notice of non-funding in August 2023 for a REAP 2.0 grant requested to fund a sewer lift station, which is required to serve the project. The applicant is considering funding options and anticipates construction to occur in 2025. • Berriman Ranch Phase III Duet Project – Berriman Ranch Phase III includes the division of a ±75-acre parcel into 60 duet style lots ranging in size from ±4,000 square feet to ±8,741 square feet. The city received a notice of non-funding in August 2023 for a REAP 2.0 grant requested to fund a sewer lift station, which is required to serve the project. The applicant is considering funding options and anticipates construction to occur in 2025.
• Gilded Springs – 26 residential infill lots including floor plans ranging in size from 1,400 to 2,835
Item # 7.
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General Plan Annual Progress Report
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March 17, 2023
square feet were approved in July 2019. In 2024, four building permits were issued, and three building permits were finaled in this subdivision.
• Ridge Village/McKenna Subdivisions – 34 single family infill lots with floor plans ranging in size from 1,200 to 3,000 square feet. Site improvements were completed with building permits anticipated in 2025.
• The Pines of Grass Valley – Currently reviewing grading permit for a 108 for-rent 1- & 2-bedroom apartments. The resort-style apartment project includes a swimming pool, hot tub, sundeck, private cabanas with TVs, fire pit, outdoor Yoga Studio, on-site business center, smart home features, on-site deli and market. Tree removal and minor grading for off-site improvements were issued in September 2024, and another grading permit for the main site improvements was opened in December 2024.
• Timberwood Estates – 45 single family home development, offering semi-customized homes in three sizes from 1,804 to 2,224 square feet, including 2-car garages. Building permits are issued in 2021.
Buildout is on-going, with the majority of building permits issued in 2023 and the remaining anticipated to occur in 2025.
• An expansion of the Sierra Guest Home, was approved in January 2024 for a total of 27 supportive housing rooms, including two full apartment units.
• Staff began processing an ordinance consistent with SB 10 legislation in March 2024. The ordinance would have the potential affect of increased residential density within mixed-use buildings in the downtown area.
Mixed-Use Projects:
• Dorsey Marketplace includes a 104,350 square feet of commercial space, 8,500 square feet of office space, and 172 apartments. Dudek Environmental Consultants was contracted to prepare the Health Risk Assessment and Partially Recirculated Draft EIR as required per the court’s findings in March 2023. The health risk assessment was prepared and added as a Supplement to the Final EIR prepared for the project, which was certified by the Grass Valley City Council in September 2024.
PRIOR YEARS APPROVED PROJECTS
• Brunswick Commons: 41-unit affordable rental apartment project, designed to provide housing targeting the homeless and mentally ill, with a Certificate of Occupancy issued in 2022. • Southern Sphere of Influence Planning and Annexation Project – 1) an amendment to the General Plan land use designations on 237 of the 400 acres; 2) a prezone amendment on 237 of the 400 acres of land to various zone districts consistent with the proposed General Plan amendments; 3) an expansion of the boundaries and amendment to the Southeast Industrial District Combining Zone; 4) an amendment to add 31 acres to the City's Sphere of Influence; and 5) the annexation of approximately 400 acres.
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
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March 17, 2023
• Grass Valley RV Resort and Annexation Project – The Grass Valley RV Park Resort and Annexation Project consists of 147 space RV Park Resort with 15 glamping spaces for short term camping on ±20 acres. The project also includes the annexation of ±25 acres of property into the City limits with a zoning designation that permits commercial and residential and combinations thereof. • Brockington Center Frontage Landscaping – The Brockington (Safeway) shopping center frontage landscaping improvement project includes installation of several decorative rock walls and new parking lot landscaping.
• Condon Park Accessibility & Parking Lot Improvement Project – The Condon Park Accessibility Project was initiated 2020 and completed in 2021. The project included grading and resurfacing the trail, repaving the roadway, and repairing and installing sidewalk to meet current ADA standards. The 2021 Parking Lot Improvement Project included installation of a new restroom building, repaving of the LOVE building and baseball field parking lots, and extension of existing concrete walkway. • Slate Creek Road & Drainage Improvements – The Slate Creek Road & Drainage Improvement project includes replacing drainage culvert, installing infiltration trenches, repaving and other needed improvements on Slate Creek Road to the City limits.
• Dutch Bros Coffee – The construction of a ±900 square foot Dutch Bros with drive-through was completed in 2021.
• McDonald's Remodel – The project consists of a façade, décor, drive-thru and restroom upgrade, as well as a 1,200 square foot building addition is under construction through 2021 with completion in 2022.
• Wendy's Restaurant – A ±2,366 square foot Wendy’s restaurant with drive-through with parking and landscaping is under construction in 2021 with completion in 2022. • West Olympia Hotel – A two-story, 74 room hotel that includes a pool and fitness center was approved by the Planning Commission on December 15th, 2020. Construction is anticipated in Spring/Summer 2022
• Brunswick Commons – The project is a mixture of affordable housing and homeless resource center which includes transitional housing units. The project is a Nevada County sponsored project consisting of 41 units of affordable housing for homeless and mentally ill. Also included are 33 one bedroom and 8 two-bedroom units. The project is being constructed in 2021 with completion in Spring/Summer 2022.
• Coach N Four Motel – Nevada County’s 18-unit motel will initially continue as temporary emergency housing for people experiencing homelessness, with a focus on families, veterans, and other vulnerable groups. Construction to convert the Coach N Four Motel into permanent housing has commenced in 2021 with completion slated in 2022.
• Quick Quack Carwash – Development Review was approved for the car wash facility in June 2022; A building permit was issued in December 2022, and Certificate of Occupancy was granted in
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
City of Grass Valley
March 17, 2023
November 2023.
STATUS OF GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The following table outlines selected General Plan policies and action items that the City made notable progress towards in 2024. The table is not a comprehensive list of all policies and action items in the General Plan; many policies/actions are under ongoing implementation and may not be listed. As most of the General Plan policies and related action items have been implemented through the adoption of ordinance and resolutions, incorporated into the regular governmental activities of the applicable departments, or included in development proposals as they are reviewed for consistency with the City’s policies, the purpose of providing the policy implementation below is simply to streamline the review and highlight the annual progress efficiently.
The City’s General Plan has always been built around central themes; all are key focus points of the City’s current vision:
• Preserve Grass Valley’s historical character and encourage restoration. • Expand public services to serve a growing population. • Encourage variety in residential building types and environments. • Include high density housing areas in the town center. • Provide better regional connections. Improve the circulation patterns within the City. • Protect and improve the Downtown Historic area.
• Diversify the economy and locate industry to avoid undue traffic. • Preserve scenic beauty and character.
To implement the City’s 2020 General Plan, the City adopted a strategic plan, last updated in April 2022.
The concept of a long-range Strategic Plan was presented to the Grass Valley City Council in 2018. The purpose of the Strategic Plan was to provide a set of goals from which comprehensive programs would be developed and adopted to help direct the City’s future strategies and projects. The Strategic Plan was developed with input from community focus groups consisting of an assortment of interested citizens and community leaders. Community contributors culminated at a Citywide public forum where discussion focused on the future direction of Grass Valley and potential projects to enhance the City’s livability. Seven core goals were identified: 1) Community Sense of Place; 2) Transportation; 3) Recreation and Parks; 4) Economic Development & Vitality; 5) High Performance Government & Quality Service; 6) Public Safety; 7) Water & Wastewater Systems & Underground Infrastructure.
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
10 City of Grass Valley
March 7, 2023
2020 Adopted General Plan Implementation Measures Implementation Progress Land Use
1-LUI Revise the zoning map to reflect new General Plan designations
2-LUI Revise zoning text to reflect General Plan changes, including density/intensity standards for zoning districts. 3-LUI Review development regulations to assure adequately assess and mitigate environmental and fiscal impacts.
4-LUI Establish and maintain a data base containing information needed to determine the City’s jobs-housing balance.
5-LUI Review redevelopment and revitalization programs and activities, and adjust plans to meet the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan.
6-LUI Review housing code enforcement practices, and adjust as needed to meet the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan.
8-LUI Coordinate with LAFCo, Nevada County and other
agencies and special districts regarding provisions of the General Plan, application of General Plan provisions incorporated portions of the Planning Area, and the timing and directions of future annexations.
9-LUI Establish standard processes and procedures for planning, annexation and service provision in the unincorporated Planning Area.
• The City revises the zoning map and text, as needed, to reflect changes in State law and General Plan amendments. • The City staffs the Development Review Committee,
Planning Commission and City Council to ensure that
development regulations and programs adequately assess
and mitigate environmental and fiscal impacts.
• The City updates the City’s Development Code as needed to reflect State law including SB 9, Accessory Dwelling Units, Density Bonus law, etc.
• The City annually reviews development programs, goals, and objectives of the General Plan to assure that goals, policies and objectives of the General Plan are implemented and
relevant.
• The City provides code compliance duties on a complaint basis. In 2024, the City addressed 47 code compliance cases. • The City engaged with the Nevada County LAFCo to
facilitate a Grass Valley Sphere of Influence Update.
Circulation
1-CI Adopt a roadway classification system outlined in the Circulation Element.
2-CI Regularly update Development Impact Fees
3-CI Ensure that proposed specific plans are consistent with the provisions of the functional classification component. This shall include incorporation of consistent design standards for • The City is working with Caltrans to acquire Colfax Avenue, Hansen Way, and portions of Tinloy Avenue.
• Annual Street Rehab Projects were completed in 2024
• 2024 Measure E Street Rehab Project completed in 2024: North Auburn St, North Church St, North School St., Finnie St, Chester St,
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
11 City of Grass Valley
March 7, 2023
roadways, associated bikeways and trails, and landscape areas. 4-CI Work with neighboring jurisdictions and regional planning agencies to coordinate the classification of roadways that cross the City’s boundaries.
5-CI Continue to refine and improve the design standards for the roadway system.
8-CI Base the Capital Improvement Program on a 20-year
horizon and update the program regularly. Update concurrently with the approval of any significant modification to the land use allocation assumed by the Citywide travel model.
15-CI Ensure adequate funding to meet established Level of Service policies. Continue to implement and update traffic impact fees on new development and to obtain gas tax and other revenues to fund the Capital Improvement Program.
18-CI Develop a plan for parking that identifies park and ride lots. Consider the need for park and ride facilities and for facilities serving alternative transportation modes when evaluating development proposals. Require construction of these facilities concurrent with development, or fair-share developer contributions in lieu of actual construction.
• Ivy St, Linden Ave, Alta Vista Dr and portions of Alta St. Project. • Slate Creek Road Improvements Project: Slate Creek Road from Ridge Road to the City limits (approximately 1,000 feet of resurfaced roadway).
• Idaho Maryland Road Measure E Emergency Repaving:
Idaho Maryland from Sutton Way to Brunswick Road,
(approximately ½ mile of resurfaced roadway).
• In partnership with Caltrans, Nevada County Transportation Commission and the City, completed an Intersection Control Evaluation for the S Auburn/Neal Street/Colfax Avenue
intersection. An oval round-a-bout is the preferred
improvement with funding being sought for environmental review and construction. The city is continuing to look at funding sources.
• Initiating a review for the Ophir and Bennett St Circulation Improvements Project
Conservation/Open Space
1-CONSI Identify, inventory and map essential information related to conservation and open space, utilizing the City’s geographic information system.
4-COSI Maintain a development review process which
documents compliance with the various goals, objectives, and policies of the Conservation/Open Space Element.
6-COSI Review development ordinances and regulations to assure adequate provision for clustering, density averaging, and other techniques.
11-COSI Review sign regulations and landscaping requirements, • Engineering and Environmental Review is underway for the remainder of a Wolf Creek Trail through town. A preferred alignment has been selected and discussions with Caltrans are underway to finalize design details and right-of-way needs.
• City partnered with community groups Bear Yuba Land
Trust and Wolf Creek Community Alliance to maintain and improve trail and open space areas. BYLT coordinated
repaving of the ½ mile stretch of the popular Litton Trail with significant City contribution.
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
12 City of Grass Valley
March 7, 2023
upgrade City ordinances as required, and develop an effective enforcement program.
16-COSI Study and consider a permanent ban on open burning within the City limits.
17-COSI Incorporate application mitigation measures specified in the Indirect Source Review Guidelines of the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District in all future discretionary land use approvals.
• The City has codified the Quimby Act in Chapter 17.86 of the City’s Development Code at five acres per 1,000 persons. • The City promotes Planned Developments to assure
clustering, density averaging and other techniques. For example, the City recently approved the Berriman Ranch
Phase III Planned Development project consisting of 60 duet style lots on 10 acres, and loma Rica Ranch includes 60 duet/townhouse units.
• The City’s Fire Department has implemented a permanent ban on open burning in the City.
• The City implements Northern Sierra Air Quality
Management District’s air quality rules and standards on all projects.
• Accepted Open Space Easement Deed for approximately 180 acres in conjunction with the Loma Rica Residential
development project
Noise
2-NI Prohibit development of new noise-sensitive land uses where noise levels due to fixed noise sources will exceed the noise levels of the Noise Element.
4-NI Require that an acoustical analysis be performed where new development of fixed noise sources, or modification of existing fixed noise sources, is likely to produce noise levels exceeding the performance standards of the Noise Element and that noise mitigation be included in the project design.
• The City requires an acoustical analysis and conducts environmental analysis for discretionary projects to ensure that noise-sensitive land uses are mitigated.
Safety
1-SI Adhere to the Land Use Plan’s compact overall development pattern, including infill. A compact development pattern reduces total land area needed to accommodate projected development; facilitates quick response to emergencies.
3-SI Amend land use regulations to allow clustering and density • With exception to the recently annexed areas, development within the City of Grass Valley has been exclusive to infill development where services exist.
• The City’s Development Code has been updated in 2007 to permit clustering, density averaging and Planned
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
13 City of Grass Valley
March 7, 2023
• The City is currently considering the adoption of an SB10 Ordinance that promotes infill residential development within the historic downtown.
•
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
14 City of Grass Valley
March 7, 2023
averaging in conjunction with restricted development of potentially hazardous areas.
4-SI Encourage continuity and linkages within the circulation system. Require future developments to provide multiple ingress/egress points, to facilitate emergency vehicle access and mobility, and to facilitate emergency evacuation movements. 5-SI Maintain high standards of fire preparedness, capacity, and response. Assure the City’s capability to maintain such standards as areas are annexed.
8-SI Continue to require new development to utilize on-site storm water detention techniques.
9-SI Continue to utilize site development standards designed to minimize the resulting area and percentage of impervious surface.
11-SI Incorporate into City construction codes appropriate provisions and revisions of the CA Building Code regarding seismic safety.
12-SI Maintain an active code enforcement program to assure the safety of residential and commercial structures.
14-SI Enforce provisions of the Nevada County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, regarding development in designated Airport Compatibility Zones.
Developments. Environmental analysis for projects restricts and/or avoids potentially hazardous areas.
• The Fire Department reviews all development proposals in accordance with the CA Fire Code as amended by the City of Grass Valley. The review ensures that linkages, multiple access points, emergency access and evacuation is planned. • With each respective development, a preliminary drainage study is required. On-site detention is the preferred drainage design, including development standards to minimize
impervious surfaces and water quality.
• For seismic safety, the City has adopted the CA Building Code as amended by the City of Grass Valley.
• Although the City does not have a designated Code
Compliance Officer, five Community Development
Department staff members share Code Compliance duties.
• The Community Development Department enforces the
provisions of the 2011 Nevada County Land Use
Compatibility Plan adopted by the Nevada County
Transportation Commission.
Recreation
3-RI Establish and utilize neighborhood planning and
participation to determine localized needs and desires for facilities and services.
4-RI Pursue alternatives to city acquisition and maintenance of recreation areas via homeowners’ associations, assessment districts and private organizations.
• The City, in partnership with schools and youth sport organizations, completed replacing grass fields with turf at the Condon baseball field, the Scotten elementary School soccer field with Measure E funding. The improvements respond to maintenance concerns a need for expanded use during the wet season.
• The City continues to work on the Wolf Creek Trail
(Cohousing/River Otter way to Mining Museum Parking Lot
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
General Plan Annual Progress Report
15 City of Grass Valley
March 7, 2023
at Mill Street & Freeman Lane) ±1.25 miles of trail constructed.
Historic
1-HI Maintain a Historic Resource Ordinance and active
programs to implement City policy for historic conservation and enhancement.
2-HI Continue to encourage the Grass Valley Historical
Commission’s inventory of historical landmarks and sites within the original 1872 Townsite.
4-HI Expand the “historical district” to include both sides of West Main Street between Church Street and Auburn Street and the north side of East Main Street between North Auburn Street and Washington Street.
• The City maintains an active Historic Resource Ordinance and Historic Commission. The Historic Commission meets
monthly and contains 5 members and 1 alternate member.
• The Historic District has been expanded to include both sides of West Main Street between Church Street and Auburn Street and the north side of East Main Street between North Auburn Street and Washington Street.
Housing
See attached goals, policies, and objectives. • The City adopted the 2019-2027 State Certified Housing Element
• The City adopted Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance in compliance with State law.
• Updates to the City’s Density Bonus Ordinance and other housing laws in compliance with State law occurred in 2022.
Item # 7.
HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
The State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), acting as the City’s Council of Governments, has determined the amount of affordable housing assigned to the City of Grass Valley for the planning period. Known as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). The 2019 – 2027 RHNA adopted by HCD allocates 743 housing units to the City of Grass Valley. This represents the number of housing units the City is responsible for accommodating during this planning period. The RHNA identifies 269 units, approximately 36 percent, to be affordable to very low- and low-income households. The above-moderate income category represents the greatest need for Grass Valley’s total share of regional housing at 349 units or 47%.
Over the past several years, the Planning Division has processed an average of 50 planning and zoning applications annually. Applications include General Plan Amendments, Rezones, Development Review Permits, Tentative Maps, Planned Developments, Use Permits, Lot Line Adjustments, etc.
Within the current eight-year housing cycle to date, the city has permitted 206 units. We have entitlements for a total of 601 additional units including those approved but not yet built in Loma Rica, Timberwood Estates, Berriman Ranch, the Pines, and Dorsey Marketplace. If built out, the city is well-poised to meet the overall RHNA target of 743 units by the end of the housing cycle in 2027, though we will likely fall short of the units allocated for moderate and lower-income targets.
State law requires the city to complete a review of the implementation of the programs in the State Certified Housing Element. Table D attached lists each of the programs in the Housing Element and indicates the timeframe to complete the program and the City’s efforts to date. As the table illustrates, the City is on track with implementation of its 2019 – 2027 State Certified Housing Element.
The following information is a summary of the housing unit activity of the City of Grass Valley during 2024.
The information is an excerpt summary of Tables of the State Department of Housing and Community Developme
Item # 7.
Jurisdiction Grass Valley ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT Reporting Year 2024 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31) Housing Element Implementation Planning Period 6th Cycle 08/15/2019 - 08/15/2027
1 Projection
Period 3 4
RHNA Allocation
by Income Level
Projection
Period -
01/01/2019-
08/14/2019
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Total Units to
Date (all
years)
Total Remaining
RHNA by
Income Level
Deed Restricted - - 30 - - - - - - -
Non-Deed Restricted - - - - - - 3 - - -
Deed Restricted 1 - 3 - - 1 - - - -
Non-Deed Restricted 33 2 35 3 6 - - - - -
Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Non-Deed Restricted - - 3 1 11 - - - - -
Above Moderate 349 22 3 24 14 - 4 7 - - - 74 275
743
56 5 95 18 17 5 10 - - - 206 537
5 6 7
Extremely lowIncome Need 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Total Units to Date
Total Units
Remaining
72 - - - - - - - - - - 72
VLI Deed Restricted
VLI Non Deed Restricted
42 Please note: For the last year of the 5th cycle, Table B will only include units that were permitted during the portion of the year that was in the 5th cycle. For the first year of the 6th cycle, Table B will only include units that were permitted since the start of the planning period. Projection Period units are in a separate column.
Total RHNA
Total Units
Income Level
Very Low
Low
Extremely Low-Income Units*
Note: units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income RHNA progress and must be reported as very low-income units in section 7 of Table A2. They must also be reported in the extremely low-income category (section 13) in Table A2 to be counted as progress toward meeting the extremely low-income housing need determined pursuant to Government Code 65583(a)(1). *Extremely low-income housing need determined pursuant to Government Code 65583(a)(1). Value in Section 5 is default value, assumed to be half of the very low-income RHNA. May be overwritten.
Progress toward extremely low-income housing need, as determined pursuant to Government Code 65583(a)(1).
Please Note: Table B does not currently contain data from Table F or Table F2 for prior years. You may login to the APR system to see Table B that contains this data.
Please note: The APR form can only display data for one planning period. To view progress for a different planning period, you may login to HCD's online APR system, or contact HCD staff at [email protected]. 110
33 This table is auto-populated once you enter your jurisdiction name and current year data. Past year information comes from previous APRs. 15 Moderate
143
126
125
Please contact HCD if your data is different than the material supplied here 84 2
Table B
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress
Permitted Units Issued by Affordability
110
Item # 7.
1 2 3 4
Name of Program Objective Timeframe in H.E Status of Program Implementation Program 1:
Adequate Sites for
Housing
Accommodate the City’s share
of Nevada County’s future
housing needs
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
(annexation related polices are addressed
as property owners request annexation)
No annexations were proposed or processed in 2023. However, staff worked with an applicant on a pre-application/conceptual plan for a multifamily residential project in the City's sphere of influence to determine the scope of improvements required.
Currently, many areas of the city's sphere have limited access to connect to existing sewer infrastructure and city water. The City was awarded $115,000 in REAP funding to conduct a water infrastructure study for the southern portion of the city and its sphere to identify gaps in infrastructure and opportunities to expand water infrastructure to support future development and annexation efforts. The Final Report outlining options for addressing infrastructure needs was presented to City Council in July 2024.
No projects were proposed in the R-3 zone. However, the City continues to work with interested developers to build out residential parcels to their maximum capacity in all residential zones.
In 2022, the City approved an infill affordable housing project for Habitat for Humanity on Joyce Drive, that subsequently identified contamination on the site. In 2023, the City purchased the site from Habitat in order to facilitate rehabilitation. The City was awarded $500,000 for an EPA Brownsfields Assessment Grant, which included a contract to hire Geocon for technical expersise. Geocon conducted an assessment of the site and prepare a response plan, that was completed in September 2023. The City applied for and received a $2 million dollar DTSC's Equitable Comunity Revitalization Grant (ECRG) in 2024, and is working with DTSC to approve a final cleanup plan.
The City worked with Foothill House of Hospitality, a local nonprofit serving the homeless population, to expand an existing supportive housing facility to provide additional supportive housing units for the ELI, homeless and at-risk of homelessness, and senior population of Grass Valley. A Variance was approved in February 2024 to encroach into the rear setback requirement and exceed lot coverage standards to provide a 27 room permanently supportive housing facility with two ADUs for independent living quarters.
Program 2: Flexible
Development
Standards and MixedUse Developments
Increase the options to provide
for a variety of housing to meet
the needs of all income groups
Use of Planned Development and other
zoning techniques, current and ongoing,
2019 – 2027. Pre-annexation and preapplication meetings with applicants will occur each year as needed based on
property owner interest
In January 2024, the City released an RFP seeking consultants to assess the feasibility of increased residential capacity in the downtown area and develop a responsive ordinance.
However, no responses were received. Therefore, the City developed an an SB 10 ordinance increase residential and mxied-use capacity in the downtown to meet a largely unmet need for workforce housing near downtown. The ordinance is scheduled to be heard by City Council in early 2025.
The South Auburn Street Master Plan was adopted in 2005 to cover approximately 2.5 acres along South Auburn Street that is entirely built out and comprised of 10 private lots.
Implementation of the Plan relied on Redevelopment Agency funds that are no longer available.
The City implements standards of the Town Core zone district in this area to encourage compatible redevelopment as property owners are interested.
Program 3: Reduce
Regulatory Barriers
to Affordable
Housing
Reduce regulatory barriers to
facilitating the provision of a
variety of housing for all
income groups. Request the
state understand and address
the significant cumulative costs
of implementing state housing
regulations adopted by the
state that severely impact the
costs to housing, particularly
those adopted after 2006
Ongoing monitoring
Staff also continually reviews the Development Code and identifies ways to improve clarity and streamline housing development.
The City has not had any requests for density bonuses. However, the City identified a need for additional incentives to encourage residential uses in the downtown area. Therefore, staff prepared an SB 10 ordinance to be heard by City Council in early 2025 to encourage conversion of unused upper- and basement-space to residential units in the Town Core zoning district.
Staff worked with Habitat for Humanity in 2024 to expeditiously review a tenantive parcel map for a lot split, and subsequent ministerial SB 9 urban lot split to result in 3 parcels for 3 affordable single-family homes on Ventana Sierra Drive.The City worked with Habitat to ensure the resulting parcels would facilitate the desired development, and leave room for a fourth unit as a detached ADU if desired. Further, staff worked with Foothill House of Hospitality to respond to an appeal of the approval of their variance application for expanding a supportive housing facility. In both cases, the applicant had direct contact information for a designated staff member.
Due to staff turnover and capacity, City staff did not lobby the state directly in 2023. However, the City will continue to work with interested developers to address state requirements.
Program 4:
Implement General
Plan Policies
Through measures described in
programs 1 – 3, the City shall
continue to implement General
Plan policies that encourage
efficient use of unconstrained
land and a healthy economic
base
Ongoing, 2019-2027
In January 2024, the City released an RFP seeking consultants to assess the feasibility of increased residential capacity in the downtown area and develop a responsive ordinance.
However, no responses were received. Therefore, the City developed an an SB 10 ordinance increase residential and mxied-use capacity in the downtown. The ordinance is scheduled to be heard by City Council in early 2025. The intent of this ordinance is to promote infill mixed-use in the city's downtown area, thus encouraging use of unconstrained land and activating the downtown. Further, the City has encouraged construction of additional infill housing through ADUs.
Program 5:
Encourage the Use
of Development
Agreements
To expedite the process of final
development approvals and
ensure long-term protection for
the City and developer
Current and ongoing, as part of the
application process
No large residential developments were proposed in 2023; therefore, the City did not discuss development agreement opportunities.
Table D
Program Implementation Status pursuant to GC Section 65583 Housing Programs Progress Report
Item # 7.
Program 6: Annual
Housing Element
Monitoring Report
To evaluate progress annually
and make appropriate revisions
to policies and programs
Annual report as required by State law
The City submitted the 2023 APR to HCD on March 14, 2024 after receiving approval from City Council. The City continues to complete the APR annually.
In 2024, staff met and worked with, multiple developers and property owners interested in building housing. These include affordable housing developers, including Habitat for Humanity and Foothill House of Hospitality, as well as market rate developers and individual owners.
Further, the City has encouraged homeowners to take advantage of SB 9 as well as adding ADUs to their property. The results of these conversations included one SB 9 lot split for Habitat for Humanity, permananet supportive housing for 27 residents, seven ADUs, and several single family homes in 2024, inclusive of applications for two lower-income homes.
Further, the City applied for and received a $2 million dollar DTSC Equitable Comunity Revitalization Grant (ECRG) to clean up a brownsfield site of interest to affordable developers, in order to further faciliate lower-income development. Staff also continually reviews the Development Code and identifies ways to improve clarity and streamline housing development.
Program 7: Promote
Infill Development
To reduce infrastructure costs
associated with infill
development proposals
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In January 2024, the City released an RFP seeking consultants to assess the feasibility of increased residential capacity in the downtown area and develop a responsive ordinance.
However, no responses were received. Therefore, the City developed an an SB 10 ordinance increase residential and mxied-use capacity in the downtown. The ordinance is scheduled to be heard by City Council in early 2025. The intent of this ordinance is to promote infill mixed-use in the city's downtown area, thus encouraging use of unconstrained land and activating the downtown. Further, the City has encouraged construction of additional infill housing through ADUs.
Program 8: Allow
Alternative Housing
Types to Meet
Special Needs
Provide greater housing and
shelter opportunities for special
needs groups
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In 2024, the City met with Habitat for Humanity to process a traditional lots split and SB 9 urban lot split to create three parcels for lower-income ownership units. Additionally, staff worked with Foothill House of Hospitality to respond to an appeal of the approval of their variance application for expanding a supportive housing facility and provide guidance on developing a nearby site with additional housing for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The City allows ADUs in all residential zones and non-residential zones that allow residential uses.
Program 9: Housing
for Persons with
Disabilities,
including persons
with Developmental
Disabilities
Coordinate with the Regional
Center and other entities that
provide supportive housing to
support and improve housing
and shelter opportunities for
persons with disabilities,
including persons with
developmental disabilities
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In 2024, the City met with Habitat for Humanity to process a traditional lots split and SB 9 urban lot split to create three parcels for lower-income ownership units. Additionally, staff worked with Foothill House of Hospitality to respond to an appeal of the approval of their variance application for expanding a supportive housing facility for persons with disabilities, and provide guidance on developing a nearby site with additional housing for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Program 10:
Housing
Opportunities for
Large Families
New Construction: 25 very lowincome units, 40-60 low-income units
Homebuyer Assistance: 2
extremely low-income, 2 very
low-income, 6 low-income, and
10 moderate-income
homebuyers
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027; meet
annually with housing providers to
establish funding priorities; apply
quarterly for available funding based on
annual priorities and the schedule of the
state or federal program
While no lower-income multifamily developments were proposed in 2023, the City worked with Habitat for Humanity to process lot splits for future deed-restricted single-family homes, expected to be permitted in 2025.
Program 11:
Workforce Housing
Study
Provide greater housing
opportunities for local
workforce
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In 2024, the City worked with Habitat for Humanity to process lot splits to create three parcels for deed-restricted single-family homes, expected to be permitted in 2025. The City also applied for and received a $2 million dollar DTSC Equitable Comunity Revitalization Grant (ECRG) to clean up a brownsfield site of interest to affordable developers, in order to further faciliate lowerincome development. Further, the City processed applications for eight ADUs in 2024.
Program 12: Density
Bonus
New Construction: 25 very lowincome units, 40-60 low-income units
Homebuyer Assistance: 2
extremely low-income, 2 very
low-income, 6 low-income, and
10 moderate-income
homebuyers
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
Staff discussed the opportunity for a density bonus with one developer pursuing affordable housing during the year. However, no developers chose to pursue a density bonus. The City will continue to promote this opportunity for potential and proposed residential development opportunities.
Program 13: Pursue
State and Federal
Funding for
Affordable Housing
Continue to apply for specific
grants and provide support to
private developers that are
pursuing funding assistance for
lower income housing. Based
on past project approvals, the
City’s objective is:
New Construction: 25 very lowincome units, 40-60 low-income units
Homebuyer Assistance: 2
extremely low-income, 2 very
low-income, 6 low-income, and
10 moderate-income
homebuyers
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027; meet
annually with housing providers to
establish funding priorities; apply
quarterly for available funding based on
annual priorities and the schedule of the
state or federal program
Staff worked with Habitat for Humanity in 2024 to expeditiously review a tenantive parcel map for a lot split, and subsequent ministerial SB 9 urban lot split to result in 3 parcels for 3 affordable single-family homes on Ventana Sierra Drive.The City worked with Habitat to ensure the resulting parcels would facilitate the desired development, and leave room for a fourth unit as a detached ADU if desired. Further, staff worked with Foothill House of Hospitality to respond to an appeal of the approval of their variance application for expanding a supportive housing facility.
Program 14: Tax
Exempt Bonds and
Mortgage Credit
Certificates
Increase the availability of
funding options for new or
rehabilitated housing
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027 Due to limited funding, the City's first-time homebuyer program has been suspended. However, staff shared information on state opportunities with interested prospective owners.
Program 15:
Community
Reinvestment Act
Increase the availability of
funding options for new or
rehabilitated housing
Annual presentations, 2019 – 2027,
additional meetings with specific lenders
as needed
The expansion of Sierra Guest Home was partially funded with a $6 million CDSS Community Care Expansion Progam grant to increase the availability of lower-income housing.
Program 16:
Housing
Rehabilitation
Programs
Rehabilitation of 2 extremely
low-income, 3 very low-income,
and 5 low-income housing units
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027 Due to limited capacity, the City was unable to secure rehabilitation funding in 2024.
Program 17:
Preservation of AtRisk Housing
Preserve the affordability of 953
assisted rental housing units
The City will continue to monitor and
begin to address as part of the next
Housing Element cycle
No assisted rental units were lost in 2024.
Item # 7.
Program 18: Rental
Assistance
Maintain availability of rental
assistance to Grass Valley
residents
Annual collaboration with the Housing
Authority during federal funding request;
information distribution, current and
ongoing, 2019 – 2027; ongoing promotion
of rental assistance program to rental
property owners
The City continues to collaborate with the Housing Authority as requested to administer Housing Choice Vouchers.
Program 19:
Preservation of
Mobile Home Parks
Preserve the condition and
affordability of larger mobile
home parks containing 360
spaces; provide relocation
assistance to residents of parks
that are not feasible to preserve
Meet with park owners and residents if
requested to determine feasibility of
preservation.
No mobile home spaces were lost in 2024.
Program 20:
Housing Code
Enforcement
Improve substandard housing
conditions through correction
of code violations. Document
housing conditions and
establish priorities for future
code enforcement, housing
rehabilitation assistance, and
neighborhood improvement
efforts.
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
The City responded to complaints of code violations and substandard housing conditions. Staff compiled photo documentation of conditions and records of contact made and when the investigation was resolved. In addition to enforcing safe housing conditions, the City also proactively monitored vegetation overgrowth and other potential hazards to public health and safety and contacted property owners if violations were found.
Program 21: Re-Use
of Large, Older
Homes
Efficiently re-use and preserve
existing residential structures
and increase the supply of
housing.
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027
In 2024, the City met with owners of a 2-story stacked duplex on Bennett Street built in approximately 1880 as a single-family home, and converted to a duplex in 1987. The current owners discussed converting the home to a triplex, and converting a detached garage to two ADUs, to make the most of the property while preserving the historic integrity of the home. The owners are working with a contractor to develop plans for the conversion to increase housing supply.
Additionally, the City allows conversion of larger structures into multifamily structures in the downtown (TC), R-2, and R-3 zones. To further this, staff developed an SB 10 ordinance for the TC area to allow conversion of unused/underused commercial space to residential units in the downtown area. This ordinance will be heard by City Council for consideration in February 2025.
Program 22: Fair
Housing Program
Educate the public on fair
housing issues, reduce housing
discrimination, and promptly
resolve housing discrimination
complaints
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027; identify
annual events in 2019 and include fair
housing information beginning 2019 and
thereafter
Staff provided fair housing resource information by request and in response to code violation complaints. No housing discrimination complaints were received in 2024.
Program 23: Energy
Conservation for
New Construction
and Residential
Design
Reduce residential energy
consumption Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027 The City continues to enforce state energy standards for new residential construction.
Program 24:
Weatherization and
Energy Conservation
for Existing Dwelling
Units
Rehabilitation of 2 extremely
low-income, 3 very low-income,
and 5 low-income housing units
Current and ongoing, 2019 – 2027 Due to limited capacity, the City was unable to secure rehabilitation funding in 2024.
Program 25:
Encourage
Development of
Moderate Income
and Above ModerateIncome Housing
Continue support of previously
approved housing projects and
encourage the development of
at least 120 moderate and 350
above moderate for-sale
housing units.
Current and on-going through housing
element planning period.
The City issued building permits for 4 market-rate single-family homes in the Gilded Springs development and three ADUs. Staff also met with interested developers to discuss opportunities for market-rate residential development. All parties were encouraged to submit pre-application, or conceptual, plans; however, none were received. They city currently has issued entitlements for an additional 601 units.
Program 26:
Encourage
Development of
Market Rate Rental
Housing
Provide support for the
development of 50 moderate
and 25 above moderate rental
housing units.
Current and on-going through housing
element planning period.
The City continues to encourage construction of ADU and SB9 units. Staff is currently working with one property owners to process plans for SB9 units that, combined, will result in 4 new market rate rental units. Additionally, the developer of The Pines, a 108-unit apartment complex, has begun land clearing and grading work for construction, and the City processed master plans for Phase 1 of the Loma Rica Specific Plan area, with lot-specific building permits expected to be submitted in early 2025.
Program 27:
Efficiency Dwelling
Units (Tiny Homes)
Explore the feasibility of
amending the CA Building Code
and CA Residential Code to
allow for tiny home
development. If feasible, the
City will encourage tiny home
developments on a case by
case basis through the City’s
Planned Development process.
If feasible, the City will promote
development 20 very lowincome and 10 low-income tiny
homes.
Adopt ordinance by 2020, if feasible The City has no minimum square footage requirements for housing beyond those established by the California Building Code.
Program 28:
Facilitate the
Development of
Affordable Housing
Support Nevada County’s and
the Regional Housing
Authority’s effort to develop 40
transitional and supportive
housing units and rental units
that will not exceed 30% of the
area’s median income.
Continue to cooperate with
Habitat for Humanity’s effort to
build 2 to 3 housing units
annually (assumes 20 for 2019-
2027 Housing Element cycle)
for extremely low-income
residents.
During Housing Element Planning period
In 2024, City staff met with Habitat for Humanity and Foothill House of Hospitality to identify opportunities for affordable housing. The City has not received any requests for deferred fees for affordable housing development. In 2024, the City received a $2 million dollar DTSC Equitable Comunity Revitalization Grant (ECRG) to clean up a brownsfield site of interest to affordable developers, in order to further faciliate lower-income development.
Additionally, in 2024, the City met with Habitat for Humanity to other housing opportunities. Staff worked with Habitat to process a traditional lot split and SB 9 urban lot split to result in 3 parcels for development of deed-restricted single-family homes. The homes are expected to be permitted in 2025.
Item # 7.
Program 29:
Development Code,
Policies and
Procedures Review
To streamline development and
building permit applications, in
consultation with the
development community, the
City will continue to review its
Development Code, policies
and procedures and
incorporate new systems to
streamline the City’s
development review processes.
Annual Review with Supportive Housing
provisions within 1 year of Housing
Element adoption
The City allows transitional and supportive housing in residential zones in the same manner as residential uses in those zones, to streamline development of a variety of housing types.
Further, in 2024 staff completed a comprehensive review of the Development Code to identify barriers to housing and clarity issues. The review resulted in a list of suggested changes to be made in 2025.
Program 30: Lower
Income By-Right
Zoning
To streamline development and
building permit applications for
lower income multiple family
housing units in accordance
with Government Code 65583.2
et. seq.
Within 2 years of adoption of Housing
Element.
The City allows residential uses, including single-family and multi-family, by-right in the R-3 zone district, including lower-income housing.
Item # 7.
City of Grass Valley
City Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Surplus Property Designation and Disposition
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the Council adopt resolution No. 2025-04 declaring a police vehicle as surplus and authorize the sale to Dignity Health (Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital) for a medic supervisor vehicle.
Prepared by: Alexander K. Gammelgard, Chief of Police
Council Meeting Date: 03/11/2025 Date Prepared: 03/05/2025 Agenda: Consent
Background Information
Pursuant to Government Code Section 37350, the City may declare items as surplus.
The City of Grass Valley Police Department (GVPD) has a patrol vehicle to be considered surplus in that the vehicle has acquired over 95,000 miles of patrol vehicle use and is past its effective use to GVPD. The GVPD is in possession of its replacement vehicle, thereby allowing the vehicle in question to be taken out of service (surplus). The patrol vehicle in question is specially equipped with code 3 lighting equipment, equipment consoles and utility boxes. As such, the sale of this vehicle at auction would diminish the vehicle’s use and potentially make it less valuable on the open market, whereas selling this vehicle to the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital would continue the life of the vehicle at the benefit to a partner agency and the community.
In 2024, GVPD sold a previously retired patrol vehicle to the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, for the vehicle to be repurposed as a Medic Supervisor vehicle. The hospital was in dire need to replace an existing 2008 Chevy Tahoe with nearly 190,000 miles of service life. Currently, the hospital is in need to replace another existing vehicle, to which the GVPD retired vehicle with fit that need. The hospital does not have the funding source to purchase and outfit a new vehicle to be used as a Medic Supervisor vehicle. GVPD and the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital have made a verbal agreement to a sale price of $8,0000. The fair market value of a non-government/non-police use 2018 Chevy Tahoe is listed by Kelly Blue Book online between $16,757 and $20,020 (see attached). This estimation is without notable damage, wear and tear the vehicle has sustained over its seven years of service and considerably more engine hours than a vehicle of similar milage. In addition, police vehicle upfitting causes unavoidable
Item # 8.
damage for antennas and wiring, among other undesirable characteristics. Considering these factors in the valuation of the vehicle, the market value would likely come down significantly. To note, the last similar GVPD patrol vehicle decommissioned and sold at auction brought a value of $4,206.00.
This action accomplishes the goals of GVPD by means of efficiently repurposing a surplus used GVPD patrol car. This opportunity will provide a neighboring first responder agency the ability respond to medical calls quicker and more efficiently. Grass Valley Municipal Code section 3.08.220 allows for the sale of city property for market value and “as is” without warranty, expressed or implied.
Council Goals/Objectives: The execution of this action attempts to achieve the following Strategic Goals:
GOAL #5 – High Performance Government and Quality Services Fiscal Impact: Revenue of $8,000
Funds Available: N/A Account #: 100-201
Reviewed by: City Manager
Item # 8.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRASS VALLEY DECLARING
EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING DISPOSITION OF EQUIPMENT WHEREAS, The City Council may, pursuant to Government Code Section 37350, from time to time declare as surplus property certain personal property of the City which for reasons of wear and tear, defect or obsolescence deems the item unsafe or no longer useful to the City; and
WHEREAS, sections 3.08.220 to 3.08.270 of the Grass Valley Municipal Code authorize the disposal of surplus City property; and
WHEREAS, whenever the Council declares such personal property as surplus it may dispose of same when said disposal is for the benefit of the City and its constituents.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRASS VALLEY, as follows:
1. That all of the above recitals are true and correct.
2. That the attached list of equipment is no longer needed for municipal purposes and is hereby considered surplus.
The City Manager is hereby authorized to dispose of the subject equipment in a costeffective manner.
ADOPTED as a resolution of the City Council of the City of Grass Valley at a regular meeting held on the 11th day of March 2025 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINING: ____________________________
Hillary Hodge, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
_____________________________ ____________________________ Michael G. Colantuono, City Attorney Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
Item # 8.
SURPLUS VEHICLE
VEHICLE # YEAR/MAKE/MODEL LICENSE# OPERABLE CONDITION FUEL #264 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe 1532788 Yes Fair –
95,000+/-
miles
Unleaded
Item # 8.
City of Grass Valley
City Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Nevada County Boundary Drop Response Plan
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) approve the Fire Chief to enter into the agreement, subject to legal review, and 2) Direct staff to provide updates on progress and outcomes during a six-month evaluation period.
Prepared by: Mark Buttron-Fire Chief
Council Meeting Date: 03/11/2025 Date Prepared: 03/03/2025 Agenda: Consent
Background Information: The Fire Service has a proud tradition of mutual assistance, recognizing that no single agency can manage all emergencies independently. In western Nevada County, this principle is exemplified through longstanding partnerships that ensure a united front during large-scale or simultaneous incidents. For over 20 years, Grass Valley and the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District have demonstrated the power of collaboration through their Joint Operations Agreement (JOA). Among its many benefits, the boundary drop stands out as a pivotal feature.
A boundary drop enables the closest available resources to respond to emergencies, regardless of jurisdiction. This ensures that response decisions are based on proximity, call type, and resource availability rather than agency boundaries. Within the JOA, this approach has consistently delivered prompt and organized emergency responses while strategically maintaining coverage in critical areas, safeguarding public safety.
Beyond the JOA, the City has established automatic aid agreements with other fire agencies in the County and participates in the Mutual Threat Zone Agreement with CAL FIRE. This agreement grants access to extensive resources, including aircraft, engines, bulldozers, and hand crews, for vegetation fires within city limits.
The City’s geographic position at the “hub” of Nevada County uniquely equips it to provide rapid support to partner agencies. This capability not only mitigates emergencies but also reduces risks within City limits. Both City and County fire agencies have reaped the rewards of these agreements, particularly during major incidents such as the McCourtney Fire, Bennett Fire, River Fire, Everhart Fire, and Sierra Motor Sports Fire. These events tested system capacities, underscoring the value of mutual assistance and collaborative effort.