GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, March 10, 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 6:02 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Hodge led the pledge of allegiance.
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 Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Bonomolo.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Nothing to report out of closed door.
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Honoring Eleanor Kenitzer
2. Recognition of Tim Kiser
CITY UPDATE
PUBLIC COMMENT -
In person public comment: Speakers 1 through 12 (with noted changes to no speaker # 7,& 9) Virtual public comment attached.
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES March 10, 2026
CONSENT ITEMS -
David Ruderman, City Attorney, gave overview of the contracts on consent calendar.
Public comment: Erin Tarr, Paul King, Matthew Coulter, Rob Katistine.
Motion made to approve consent as submitted by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Bonomolo.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Mayor Hodge.
3. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2026 Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
4. Review of 2025 Annual Housing Element Progress Report CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Receive and File. No formal action required.
5. Review of 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: Receive and File. No formal action required.
6. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Grass Valley and Public Safety Management Unit #10
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt resolution approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Grass Valley and the newly established Public Safety Management Unit #10, effective February 15, 2026 through June 30, 2026.
7. Purchase of Emergency Backup Generator for Fire Station 1 CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) that the City Council authorize the purchase and installation of a replacement emergency generator for Fire Station 1 in an amount not to exceed $75,000, utilizing Fire Development Impact Fee funds, 2) authorize the Fire Chief to complete the purchase through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, and 3) authorize the Finance Director to make any necessary budget transfers and/or amendments to complete the purchase and installation of the equipment.
8. Updated Sewer System Management Plan
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council adopts the proposed 2026 revision of the Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP)
9. Amendment to Legal Services Agreement with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: Approve Amendment to the Agreement for Legal Services with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC, designating David J. Ruderman as City Attorney and Michael G. Colantuono as Assistant City Attorney, and adjusting rates for
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES March 10, 2026
litigation, labor and employment, other specialized legal services, and reimbursable services.
10. Approval of modifications of Police Chief, and Fire Chief, Appendix A of their respective employment agreement.
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council 1) approve the Amendment No. 1 and amended Appendix A of the Police Chief and Fire Chief Employment Agreements to modify the Retiree Health Plan Benefit, subject to legal review; and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendments subject to legal review.
11. Approval of Resolution No. 26-04 Support for a Potential Bear Yuba Land Trust Purchase of Land.
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council approve Resolution No.26-04 supporting the Bear Yuba Land Trust's potential purchase of potential open space/recreational property.
12. Loma Rica Open Space and Trail Adoption by Bicyclists of Nevada County CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That the Council approve the proposed trail adoption by Bicyclists of Nevada County (BONC).
13. Centreville Bike Park Project– Authorization to Award Contract CEQA: Categorically Exempt – Section 15332 “In-Fill Development Projects” Recommendation: That Council 1) award a Design Build contract for the Centreville Bike Park Project to Dynamic Trades, Inc., 2) authorize the Mayor to execute the contract, subject to legal review and, 3) authorize the City Engineer to approve construction change orders of up to 10% of the contract amount.
14. Memorial Park Magenta Drain Restoration Project- Environmental Services CEQA: N/A – Procedural Motion
Recommendation: The Council 1) approves a change order with Dudek for additional environmental consulting services for the Memorial Park Magenta Drain Restoration Project, 2) authorize the Deputy Public Works Director to execute all related documents, subject to legal review and, 3) authorize the Finance Director to make any necessary budget adjustments and transfers.
15. Resolution Number 26-05 “Appointing Police Chief Alex Gammelgard as Interim City Manager”
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: By MOTION, adopt Resolution Number 26-05 “Appointing Police Chief Alex Gammelgard as Interim City Manager”
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 March 10, 2026
ADMINISTRATIVE
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Bonomolo visited with individuals at the convalescent homes.
Councilmember Ivy had nothing to report. Councilmember Arbuckle participated in a Gold Country Senior Board interview panel, attended Electric Elton at the Center for the Arts, Leadership Awards, Saint Parians Day, lunch for Eleanor Kenitzer, Sac Valley Division Meeting, and Small Rural Cities meeting. Mayor Hodge attended a Broadway in Love production, Bear Yuba Land Trust meeting, lunch for Eleanor Kenitzer, and Saint Parians Day event.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 7:22 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 CounciI meeting! Public 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 public comment. At the beginning of the meeting, there witl be an altotted 30 minutes of generat pubtic comments and the remainder of comments wit[ be heard at the end of the agenda.
Speakers witt 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, unless you have new information.
Thank you for your participation . 3l rO \ LO UA
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Item # 2.