GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, May 13, 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
Mayor Hodge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councilmember Jan Arbuckle
Councilmember Joe Bonomolo
Councilmember Tom Ivy
Vice Mayor Haven Caravelli
Mayor Hilary Hodge
AGENDA APPROVAL -
Motion made to approve the agenda by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Vice Mayor Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Nothing to report
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT –
In-person public comments: Speakers 1 to 4
Virtual public comment attached.
CONSENT ITEMS -
Motion made to approve consent as submitted by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Bonomolo.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES May 13, 2025
1. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of April 22, 2025 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
2. Approval of the Special Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2025 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
3. AB 481 – Military Equipment Annual Inventory and Report; renewal of ordinance #815 CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: Approve the attached equipment inventory as well as the associated annual report, renew previously adopted ordinance #815 pursuant to requirements of AB-481
4. Direction to file annual reports for Landscaping and Lighting Districts (LLD) and Benefit Assessment Districts (BAD) for Fiscal Year 2025-26
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council adopt five Resolutions (2025-11, 2025-12, 2025-13, 2025-14, and 2025-15) directing the filing of the annual reports for Landscaping and Lighting Districts (LLD) – Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and Benefit Assessment Districts (BAD) – Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
5. McCourtney Rd Active Transportation 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); 2) approve the project plans; and 3) authorize the advertisement for bids
6. Out-of-state training: Crimes Against Women Conference in Dallas, TX CEQA: This is not a project
Recommendation: Council approve the out-of-state training for a Grass Valley Police Officer
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
7. Adoption of Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps as determined by Cal Fire
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council holds first hearing of Ordinance 835, waive full reading and read by Title only, hereby designating the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Code Section 51178, Mark Buttron, Fire Chief, gave an overview of item to the council.
Public comment: Matthew Coulter
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES May 13, 2025
Motion made to hold first hearing of Ordinance 835, waive full reading and read by Title only, hereby designating the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Code Section 51178, by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Vice Mayor Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
ADMINISTRATIVE
8. Appeal Review of Hearing Officer’s Decision – Denial of Tobacco Retail License Renewal for Hot Spot Smoke Shop - Continuation
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the City Council conduct a hearing to consider the appeal filed by Hot Spot Smoke Shop regarding the denial of its Tobacco Retail License renewal, and take appropriate action to uphold, modify, or overturn the Hearing Officer’s decision.
Councilmember Caravelli recused herself due to owning property within 500 ft. of the location.
Public comment: Matthew Coulter, Sherliy Osgood
A motion was made to deny the appellant and pass the proposed resolution with the admission of the new evidence by Councilmember Arbuckle, seconded by Councilmember Bonomolo.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy Voting Nay: Mayor Hodge
9. Historical Commission Quarterly Update
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council receives quarterly update from Historical Commission.
Terry McAteer, Chair of the Historical Commission, gave an update to the Council.
Public Comment: Bob Branstrom, Robin Galvin-Davis
The council gave direction to work on insurance for the Historical Walk, and to bring back items regarding the Citizen Star Award, Narrow Gauge Abutment Landmark, and Historical Award.
10. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-10, which Adopts Procedures for Holding Public Hearings and Reporting on the City of Grass Valley’s Workforce Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill (“Ab”) 2561 (Gov.
Code § 3502.3).
CEQA: Exempt per California Environmental Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3) Recommendation: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-10, which adopts procedures for holding public hearings and reporting on the City of Grass Valley’s workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561 (Gov. Code § 3502.3).
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES May 13, 2025
Tim Kiser, City Manager, gave a presentation to the council.
Public comment: Matthew Coulter
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-10, which adopts procedures for holding public hearings and reporting on the City of Grass Valley’s workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561 (Gov. Code § 3502.3) Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Vice Mayor Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
11. Mill Street Plaza Re-Staining and Sealing Project
CEQA: 15301 Existing Facilities Categorical Exemption
Recommendation: That the City Council (1) Direct staff to move forward with the maintenance project to re-stain and seal Mill Street Plaza Area; (2) approve quote received from the Concrete Doctor in the amount of $96,939.00 for the re-staining and sealing; (3) authorize the City Manager prepare and executive an Agreement with the Concrete Doctor, subject to legal review; (4) approve the sole source procurement pursuant to Grass Valley Municipal Code 3.08.140 (requires 4/5 vote); (5) authorize the City Manager to approve change orders up to 10%; and (6) direct the Finance Director to make appropriate budget adjustments and/or transfers.
Councilmember Caravelli recused herself due to owning a business within the district.
Tim Kiser, City Manager, gave an overview to the Council.
Public Comment: Brenda English, unnamed
Motion to move forward with the maintenance project to re-stain and seal Mill Street Plaza Area; (2) approve quote received from the Concrete Doctor in the amount of $96,939.00 for the re-staining and sealing; (3) authorize the City Manager prepare and executive an Agreement with the Concrete Doctor, subject to legal review; (4) approve the sole source procurement pursuant to Grass Valley Municipal Code 3.08.140 (requires 4/5 vote); (5) authorize the City Manager to approve change orders up to 10%; and (6) direct the Finance Director to make appropriate budget adjustments and/or transfers by Councilmember Ivy, Seconded by Councilmember Arbuckle.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
5 min break taken at 8:11 pm.. Meeting resumed at 8:19 pm
12. Condon Park Skatepark Project – Follow up
CEQA: Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities”
Recommendation: That the City Council receive an informational update on recent stakeholder meetings regarding the skatepark design and provide direction to staff on next steps.
Tim Kiser, City Manager, and Zac Quentmeyer, Deputy Public Works Director, gave the presentation to the council and Councilmember Ivy spoke on the item as well.
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES May 13, 2025
Public Comment: Bob, Cynthia Duncan, Nate Calipacus, Brenda English, unknown, Eric Gordon, Greg Haze, unknown, Matt Fugol,
unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Nick, Bob Branstrom, Josh, Tyler Moore, Jackson, Cedar Hanes.
Virtual Public comments attached.
Staff was given direction to move forward with bringing an item to discuss a Skateboard Ad Hoc committee and to continue with the construction as per the contract.
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Arbuckle attended National League of Cities meetings, League of California Cities, Joint City and County meeting, Male Chorus performance, the Historical walking tour, and had a meeting with the Historical Commission. Councilmember Ivy attended a solid hazardous waste joint solutions meeting with Nevada City. Councilmember Bonomolo attended some meetings with the skateboarding community and had comments on the Cease Fire Resolution. Vice Mayor Caravelli participated at a public art forum, the Joint Jurisdictional Meeting, an ERC Meeting, was a Young Entrepreneurs Judge, had lunch with the Historical Commission, and is giving her City stipend back to the city to do small projects. Her first one is to do an art gallery in City Hall. Mayor Hodge attended Arts Advocacy Day at the State Capitol, sold out a chorus event for Music in the Mountains, and Saturday is the Green Waste Drop off from 1 to 3 pm.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 10:19 pm.
____________________________ ______________________________ Hilary Hodge, Mayor Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
Adopted on: _________
Item # 3.
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WELCOME to the City of Grass Vattey City Council meeting! Public Comments provide an opportunity for the pubtic to address the City Counci[ on any subject which is not on the agenda but in the jurisdiction of the council. lf you wish to speak, ptease indicate in the appropriate box when you sign in and take the number corresponding to your name. Each individuat can have up to 3 minutes of public comment. At the beginning of the meeting, there witl be an al[otted 30 minutes of generat pubtic comments and the remainder of comments witt be heard at the end of the agenda.
Speakers witt be calted in order of the numbers given.
when you are recognized by the mayor: 5/ lllZOZS
1. Please stand before the podium and give your name and address. (optionat)
2. Please limit your comments to three minutes per speaker.
3. lf previous speakers have made the same point, you may simpty indicate your support or disagreement, untess you have new information.
Thank you for your participation.
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CITY OF GRASS VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN IN SHEET
Print Name
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Item # 3.
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Item # 3.
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My narne is Cynthia Duncan, and I am aYesident as well as a member olthe GV skateboarding community. Although I am a novice skateboarder, my husband, Rocky, is quite proficient. He helped build our skate park and taught his younger brother and nephew how to skate there.
Currently, I'm focused on learning to roll in the bowls at our existing park. However, the proposed new design4t#Ii*rrrirbr*bpin& will severely hinder my progress, and the progress ofothers who are developing their skills.
Beyond the challenges for less experienced skaters, I also have serious safety concerns. The new design is far too small, significantly increasing the risk ofcollisions. This is a major issue that impacts everyone, regardless of their skill level.
In June 2024, my husband, Rocky, and I took action. We started a petition to preserve and enhance the GV skatepark, with the core principle that this should be done without closing it.
Around the same time, I reached out to the CV City Council to voice these concems directty. I was informed by the city manager that, due to the park's foundation, demolition was already underway, and the contract with Grindline was in progress. Initially, while I was actively promoting the petition, some members of our community were hesitant. They believed, based on hearsay, that they would be getting a better park. There was also a sense of powerlessness, a feeling that they couldn't change the direction ofthis project. It wasn't until people realized their voices were unheard that they began to sign the petition seriously.
I want to address the fact that I did not attend the initial meetings$.t that time, I was working the graveyard shift as a registered nurse. I have since transitioned to the swing shift, and have been able to switch days to make myself available to attend these important meetings and advocate for our community.
The skateboarding community is deeply invested in pregerying our skatepark. This passion has led to the formation of a new nonprofit organization: ThE'Skatepark Coalition. This coalition is supported by over 1,700 petition signatories, all ofwhom are committed to fighting for our park The GV Skatepark Coalition has also launched a CoFundMe campaign to help offset any additional costs that may arise from pursuing a dual park approach. We are not simply complaining; we are actively working towards a solution.
Therefore, I stand before you today to ask you to reconsider this plan. I urge you not to tear down our beloved skatepark to replace it with a smaller, less fturctional one. This plan does not serve the best interests of the community as a whole. We know we can do better. We zz.st do better.,Thank you."
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Item # 3.