GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Wednesday, November 12, 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 6:04.
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 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
1. National Hospice and Palliative Care Month Proclamation
CITY UPDATE
2. Building in Grass Valley Update
PUBLIC COMMENT –
Virtual Comments Attached.
In Person: Sign in sheet 1 to 5
CONSENT ITEMS
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES November 12, 2025
Public comment: Virtual comments attached.
Motion made by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Vice Mayor Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
3. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of October 28, 2025 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
4. Approval of the Special Meeting Minutes of November 5th, 2025 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
5. Community Risk Reduction Manager Updated Job Description CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) review and approve the updated job description for Community Risk Reduction Manager to include duties in alignment with an Office of Emergency Services Specialist.
6. Approval and Execution of Amended Standard Agreement No. 19-HOME-14968, Amendment 1, with the California Department of Housing and Community Development
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Amended Standard Agreement No. 19-HOME-14968, Amendment 1, with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), extending expenditure and drawdown deadlines, and revising provisions related to HOME-funded projects.
7. Slate Creek Lift Station Pump Replacement Project – Equipment Purchase Authorizations
CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” Recommendation: That Council 1) authorize an amendment to the purchase agreement of standardized Flgyt equipment to increase the amount to $217,341.69 and 2) authorize the City Engineer to purchase additional electrical equipment in the amount of $199,300.00 from Advanced Integration and Controls for the Slate Creek Lift Station Pump Replacement Project
8. Prefabricated Restroom Site Improvements 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.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
9. Introduction of Ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code and amend the City of Grass Valley Municipal Code, Title 15, Chapters 15.02 to 15.06.
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES November 12, 2025
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council; 1) hold the public hearing, 2) waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety and read by title only, and 3) introduce ordinance 838 to amend Municipal Code Chapters 15.02 to 15.06 that incorporates the 2022 California Building Standards Code.
Jon May, Building Official, gave a presentation to the Council.
Public comment: none
Motion made that Council; 1) hold the public hearing, 2) waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety and read by title only, and 3) introduce ordinance 838 to amend Municipal Code Chapters 15.02 to 15.06 that incorporates the 2025 California Building Standards Code.by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Vice Mayor Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
ADMINISTRATIVE
10. Downtown Parking
CEQA: Exempt – existing facilities
Recommendation: That Council hear a presentation from staff and stakeholders and direct the City Manager to: (1) implement paid parking at the Pioneer Village Parking Lot (Neal and South Auburn Streets), South Church Street Parking Lot (Neal and South Church Streets) and the South Auburn Street Parking Lot (100 South Auburn Street, also known as the ‘Union Square’ Parking Lot); (2) adopt resolution R2025-46 setting the cost of parking to one dollar ($1.00) for the first two hours and two dollars ($2.00) for each hour thereafter, setting the days of the week for paid parking to be MondaySaturday, and setting the time of day for paid parking to be from 8AM to 6PM; (3) authorize the police department to hire one additional police officer I/II position to administer the program; and (4) direct staff to make necessary budget adjustments to account for anticipated revenues and expenses to implement the program Alex Gammelgard, Chief of Police, presented recommendations for implementing paid parking in three downtown lots and adding a police officer for enforcement and downtown presence. GVDA/Chamber Input: Survey results and outreach presented; merchants split on paid parking; consistent enforcement identified as top priority.
Public Comment: Lily Robertson, Brian Young, Paula Newman, Jerry Cirino, Michael Lamar, Jacob McDonald, Linda “Sparrow” McKay, Unnamed speaker, Michelle Albanese
Virtual Comments attached.
Council reviewed rate structure, staffing model, enforcement needs, employee parking concerns, and potential oversight.
Motion to (1) implement paid parking at the Pioneer Village Parking Lot (Neal and South Auburn Streets), South Church Street Parking Lot (Neal and South Church Streets) and the South Auburn Street Parking Lot (100 South Auburn Street, also known as the ‘Union Square’ Parking Lot); (2) adopt resolution R2025-46 setting the
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES November 12, 2025
cost of parking to one dollar ($1.00) for the first two hours and two dollars ($2.00) for each hour thereafter, setting the days of the week for paid parking to be Monday-Saturday, and setting the time of day for paid parking to be from 8AM to 6PM; (3) authorize the police department to hire one additional police officer I/II position to administer the program; and (4) direct staff to make necessary budget adjustments to account for anticipated revenues and expenses to implement the program, and the addition of Provide direct contact option for employees needing safety escorts, Bring back a 1-year oversight/report-back on program performance, develop a need-based permit fee waiver for downtown employees, Work with private property owners to bring eligible spaces under enforcement, Ensure officer receives downtown-specific training by Councilmember Ivy Seconded by Councilmember Arbuckle.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Bonomolo reported meeting with local care facilities and arranging outreach visits with residents. Councilmember Ivy attended both the Nevada County Transportation Commission meeting and the Resilience Project committee meeting. Councilmember Arbuckle shared updates from the Hospice Gala, the GVDA merchant meeting, and noted the upcoming Donation Day parade. Councilmember Caravelli reported attending the joint jurisdictional housing meeting, a meeting with Habitat for Humanity, Union Hill’s community garden appreciation event, and the Veterans Day service. Mayor Hodge highlighted participation in Safe Trick-or-Treat, the Special Council Meeting, and the ERC meeting, and announced that “Wednesdays with the Mayor” will be rescheduled.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
Meeting was adjourned at 8:23 pm.
________________________________ ______________________________ Hilary Hodge, Mayor Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
Adopted on: __________
Item # 2.
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY CITY 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 pubtic 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, 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 pubtic comment. At the beginning of the meeting, there will be an altotted 30 minutes of generat pubtic comments and the remainder of comments will be heard at the end of the agenda.
Speakers wilt be catled in order of the numbers given.
When you are recognized by the mayor:
1. Ptease stand before the podium and give your name and address. (optionat)
2. Ptease limit 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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14 Page 9
Item # 2.
What is light pollution?
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.
FACT SHEET *llghtpollution
When we ove!-light, fail to use timers and sensors, or use the wron8 color of Iight, we can negatively affect many parts ofourworld, including migratory birds, pollinators, sea turtles, and mammals, including humans.
What can I do about it?
The good news is that light pollution, unlike many other forms of pollution, is reversible, and each one of us can make a difference! Just being aware that light pollution is a problem is not enough - we need to take action.
7 Use only fully shielded, Darksky
Approved fixtures for all outdoor
.,/ Turn offlights in office buildings
and homes when not in use.
lighting, so Iights
LIGHT POLLUTION FACTS
Components of
light pollution
. Glare
-
excessive brightness that
causes yisual discomfort
. Sky glow
-
brightening of the
night sky over inhabited areas
. Light trespass
-
light falling
where it is not intended or needed
. Clutter
-
bright, confusing, and
excessive groupings of liBht sources
Harmful effects of
light pollution
A growing body of evidence links the
brightening night sky directty to
measurable negative impacts on:
. Wildlife and ecosvstell}s
. Hurnan he.rlth
. Energy-3.!(ku44l!ssh3!gs
. Crime and safety
. Night skv heritagg
. Scientific research
The problem is growing
Research indicates that light pollution
is increasing at a tlobal average rate of
ten percent per year.
YOU R LOCAL CHAPTER
DarkSky
shine down,
not up.
v/ Use only the
right amount
oflight needed
Too much light is
wasteflrl and harms wildlife.
y' Install timers and dimmer switches
and turn off lights when not in use.If
you must have security lighting, use
motion sensors.
DarkSky
y' Use only lighting with a color
temperature of 3ooo K and below to
reduce the blue cool light that's
more harmful to many animal
species.
y' workwithyour neighbors and local
govemments to ensure outdoo!
lighting isn't harming the wildlile in
your area.
Learn more at u ud.DOlkgky-plg
9!45!v.Ijrssg!-rErs
fa c e boo k.com /Da rk S ky-I1.1!i!-9-Ll
r.&lesl3l!-cal!&irls!v4l$g.u.4
636-85r-9630
MtssouRt
Join usl
Learn more by signing
up for Darksky e-news
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Ught polluted sky Visible night sky
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Item # 2.