GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, April 08, 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 6:02 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor Hodge
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councilmember Jan Arbuckle
Councilmember Tom Ivy
Mayor Hilary Hodge
ABSENT
Councilmember Joe Bonomolo
Vice Mayor Haven Caravelli
AGENDA APPROVAL -
Clerical correction on item # 7 (Extension of an agreement between the City and Nevada County for the County to provide building inspection, plan review, and other related building services for the City) changing expiration date to June 30, 2026.
Removal of Item #9 (Purchase of a Pierce Manufacturing 107’ Ascendant Aerial Ladder Truck) & Item #11 (Loma Rica Open Space Fuel Reduction Project).
Motion made with noted changes Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Arts, Culture & Creativity Month Proclamation
CITY STAFF UPDATE
2. Fire Department Update
PUBLIC COMMENT -
Item # 4.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES April 08, 2025
Virtual Public Comments attached.
In-person Speakers: 1 to 10 (noted change to Speaker #8, who did not speak).
CONSENT ITEMS -
Public Comment: Matthew Coulter, Sierra
Motion made to approve consent with the noted changes in the agenda approval by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
3. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2025.
Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
4. Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4 Report on Fire Inspections CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council adopt Resolution 2025-07, which accepts the Grass Valley Fire Department report pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4 annual inspections for 2024
5. Nevada County Transportation Commission FY 2025/26 Overall Work Program Approval CEQA: N/A – Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council: 1) review the projects proposed for inclusion in the Nevada County Transportation Commission FY 2025/26 Overall Work Program, 2) adopt a Resolution approving the projects for inclusion in the Nevada County Transportation Commission Overall Work Program
6. 2025 Annual Measure E Street Rehabilitation Project – Authorization to Award Contract CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” Recommendation: That Council 1) award a contract for the 2025 Annual Measure E Street Rehabilitation Project to Sierra Nevada Construction, Inc., 2) authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract, subject to legal review and, 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount.
7. Extension of an agreement between the City and Nevada County for the County to provide building inspection, plan review, and other related building services for the City.
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor to sign the attached Agreement between the City of Grass Valley and Nevada County for the provision of building services, subject to legal review.
8. Community Engagement Specialist Position
CEQA: Not a project.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the creation of the Community Engagement Specialist position and authorize the promotion of an existing qualified employee to fill the position, with backfilling of any resulting vacancies.
9. Purchase of a Pierce Manufacturing 107’ Ascendant Aerial Ladder Truck CEQA: Not a Project
Item # 4.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES April 08, 2025
Recommendation: That 1) Council direct the Fire Chief to enter into an agreement with Pierce Manufacturing for one 107’ Ascendant Aerial Ladder Truck, subject to legal review; 2) Direct the Finance Director to make necessary budget adjustments in the 2025/2026 Fiscal Year Budget.
10. Appointment of Planning Commissioner
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council approve the appointment of Matthew Wich as Planning Commissioner for Councilmember Ivy.
11. Loma Rica Open Space Fuel Reduction Project
CEQA: Exempt under CEQA Guideline §15304, Categorical Exemption Class 4 (“Minor Alterations to Land”)
Recommendation: That Council authorize the advertisement for bids for the Loma Rica Open Space Fuels Reduction Project.
12. Appointment of Measure E Oversight Committee Members CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That the City Council appoint Measure E Oversight Committee member Branstrom to a term ending December 2028.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
ADMINISTRATIVE
13. Approve Resolution 2025-09 Renaming the road through Memorial Park to Lou Conter Way
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Resolution 2025-09 naming of a street within Memorial Park in Grass Valley, CA, in honor of Lou Conter, in recognition of his distinguished military service and contributions to the nation and community.
Tim Kiser, City Manager, gave an overview of the item to the Council.
Public Comment: Robin Davis
Motion to approve Resolution 2025-09 naming of a street within Memorial Park in Grass Valley, CA, in honor of Lou Conter, in recognition of his distinguished military service and contributions to the nation and community by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
14. Partnership between Grass Valley Police Animal Services and Wayward Journey CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council (1) receive a presentation by GVPD and Wayward Journey; and (2) direct the Chief of Police to sign an MOU, subject to legal review.
Item # 4.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES April 08, 2025
Brian Blakemore, introduced Wayward Journey, who gave a presentation to the Council.
Public Comment: Robin Davis, Matthew Coulter
No motion was made on this item.
15. Condon Park Road Maintenance Project – Authorization to Award Contract CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” Recommendation: That Council 1) award a contract for the Condon Park Road Maintenance Project to the lowest responsive bidder, subject to the bid protest period, 2) authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract, subject to legal review, and 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount.
Bjorn Jones, City Engineer, gave a presentation to the Council.
Motion to 1) award a contract for the Condon Park Road Maintenance Project to the lowest responsive bidder, subject to the bid protest period, 2) authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract, subject to legal review, and 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
16. Downtown Street Rehab Project – Authorization to Award Contract CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” Recommendation: That Council 1) award a contract for the Downtown Street Rehab Project to Hansen Bros Enterprises, 2) authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract, subject to legal review, 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount, 4) authorize the Finance Director to execute a budget amendment of $400,000 in Water Funds to the project and 5) provide any further direction to Staff on final intersection and pedestrian safety controls.
Bjorn Jones, City Engineer, gave an overview of the item to the Council.
Public Comment: Robin Davis, Matthew Coulter
Virtual Public comments attached
Motion to 1) award a contract for the Downtown Street Rehab Project to Hansen Bros Enterprises, 2) authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract, subject to legal review, 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount, 4) authorize the Finance Director to execute a budget amendment of $400,000 in Water Funds to the project and 5) provide any further direction to Staff on final intersection and pedestrian safety controls by Councilmember Ivy, Seconded by Councilmember Arbuckle.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Ivy announced that there was an $800,000 savings the City of Grass Valley citizens with Pioneer Energy. Councilmember Arbuckle attended the League of Cal Cities Public Safety Policy committee meeting and Government Transparency committee, the
Item # 4.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES April 08, 2025
National League of Small Cities Meeting, the Rotary 100th Anniversary, Bright Futures for Youth meeting, Martinis and Movies, and went to a Midsummer Night's Dream performance. Mayor Hodge attended a NCCLI Institute Meeting, Mayor Managers Breakfast, had a conversation with a Business owner, has had many conversations with the Community Conversation about WM, and tomorrow will be Wednesday with the Mayor from 1pm to 3pm.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm.
________________________________ ______________________________ Hilary Hodge, Mayor Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
Adopted:____________
Item # 4.