GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 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 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 as submitted 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 out of closed session.
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Stagecoach Hotel Veteran’s Housing Project
CITY UPDATE
PUBLIC COMMENT –
Virtual public comments are attached.
In-person speakers: Speakers 1 thru 4
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES January 13, 2026
CONSENT ITEMS -Councilmember Ivy requested that item #12 be removed from consent for discussion, seconded by Councilmember Bonomolo. Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge Motion made to approve consent with removal of #12 by Councilmember Arbuckle, seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
2. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of December 9th, 20225 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
3. McCourtney Rd Active Transportation Project – Award Contract CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” Recommendation: That Council 1) award a contract for the McCourtney Rd Active Transportation Project to Hansen Bros Enterprises, 2) authorize the Mayor to execute a construction contract, subject to legal review 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders for up to 10% of the contract amount,
4. Lyman Gilmore Field Lighting Project – Authorization to Award Contract CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15301, 15303 & 15322 Recommendation: That Council 1) award a contract for the Lyman Gilmore Field Lighting Project to Molokai Electric LLC, 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.
5. Loma Rica Ranch Grading Permit 18-04 – Accept Public Improvements CEQA: An Environmental Impact Report was certified as part of the initial project approval
Recommendation: That Council accept the public improvements constructed as part of Grading Permit 18-04 for the Loma Rica Ranch development.
6. Amendment to Existing Larry Walker Associates Contract to Extend Regulatory Compliance Services
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: Authorize the Utilities Director to execute an amendment, subject to legal review, to the existing contract with Larry Walker Associates (LWA) in the amount of $59,649, increasing the total contract amount to $805,726, and extending services to support the City’s wastewater regulatory compliance through December 2026.
7. Contract Amendment with California Consulting for Grant Writing Services CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: The Council authorizes the City Manager to enter into Amendment No. 1 with California Consulting for grant writing services in the amount of $22,800, subject to legal review.
8. Adoption of the Hometown Hero Banner Program Policy
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES January 13, 2026
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the Council adopt the Hometown Hero Banner Program Policy and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to make non-substantive administrative updates to the policy as needed, including application procedures, timelines, and formatting, provided such updates are consistent with the intent of the program.
9. Declaration of Surplus Fire Engine
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) adopt Resolution 2026-01 Declaring Vehicles of the City of Grass Valley Surplus
10. MOU between the City of Grass Valley and Feral Land Project/NPO (501)(c))(3) CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the council authorize the City Manager or City Representative to sign/execute, pending legal review.
11. Participation in Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs (PACE) CEQA: Adoption of a Resolution to authorize participation in these PACE programs is not considered a “project” pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 2026-02 to allow the conduct of special assessment proceedings for applicants within the City of Grass Valley by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) for the purpose of financing or refinancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, water efficiency and seismic strengthening improvements.
12. MOU between City of Grass Valley and USFS (Tahoe-NUE)/USDA for the Use of an Air Curtain Incinerator (ACI) loan
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council authorize City Manager or their City Representative to sign/execute the agreement, subject to legal review.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
13. Resolution Supporting FireFly Wildfire Early Warning System, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and Citris- Banatao Institute Innovations Research Group funding hub CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council approve the attached Resolution and authorize the Mayor to execute the Resolution supporting the FireFly Wildfire Early Warning System and installation projects.
Duane Strauser, Community Risk Reduction Manager, gave the council an overview.
Motion made to approve the attached Resolution and authorize the Mayor to execute the Resolution supporting the FireFly Wildfire Early Warning System and installation projects by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Vice Mayor Caravelli.
Item # 3.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES January 13, 2026
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
ADMINISTRATIVE
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Bonomolo commented on his year and thanked his fellow councilmembers for teaching him. Councilmember Ivy is working with staff on a CARB Grant and had a Pioneer Energy Meeting. Councilmember Arbuckle attended a League of California Cities Small and Rural Cities Group Board Liaison, Red Light Ball, Wreaths Across America, Staff Appreciation Breakfast, Martinis and a Movie, April 1st, Animal Shelter meeting with County, and Caring and Sharing Event. Vice Mayor Caravelli wanted to congratulate District 3 Supervisor Lisa, met with a potential developer, Veterans Meeting to discuss Banner Program, ERC Meeting, Caring and Sharing event, City Staff Breakfast, and Cultural Forward Arts Meeting. Mayor Hodge performed in a choir Christmas program, announced that Saint Piran's Day is on March 5th, and thanked the Toy Run folks for working to fix Mill St, and announced that the County will be holding a workshop at the end of the Month.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 7:07 pm.
___________________________ ____________________________ Hilary Hodge, Mayor Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
Adopted on: ____________
Item # 3.