GRASS VALLEY
City Council Regular Meeting, Capital Improvements Authority and Redevelopment "Successor Agency"
Tuesday, July 14, 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
Mayor Hodge called to order the meeting 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 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
No closed door meeting.
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
CITY UPDATE
Update from Fire Chief, Mark Buttron
PUBLIC COMMENT -
Virtual comments attached.
In person comments: Speaker 1 thru 7 (no speaker #2), unnamed, Matthew Coulter
CONSENT ITEMS -
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES July 14, 2026
Motion made by Councilmember Bonomolo, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
1. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 23, 2026.
Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
2. Approval of the Special Council and Planning Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes of June 30, 2026.
Recommendation: Council approve minutes as submitted.
3. Three (3) month extension of Agreement for Public Safety Dispatch Services CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: Authorize Interim City Manager/Police Chief to sign the 3 month extension to the Agreement for Public Safety Dispatch Services
4. Title: City of Grass Valley Audited Financial Statements and Supplemental Information Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025.
CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation: Pass a Motion to receive and file the City of Grass Valley Audited Financial Statements and Supplemental Information for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025.
5. Title: Park Restroom Maintenance Services and Parks Division Staffing CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the addition of one full-time Maintenance Worker I position in the Parks Division, effective August 1, 2026. 2) Authorize the Finance Director to amend the Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Fund budget by transferring appropriations from the Ultimate Building Maintenance contract to the appropriate salary, benefit, and contractual services accounts.
6. Joyce Dr Soil Remediation Project – Authorization to Bid CEQA: Initial Study – Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted by Planning Commission Recommendation: That Council authorize the advertisement for bids for the Joyce Dr Soil Remediation Project
7. 2026 Annual Street Rehabilitation 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 for the 2026 Annual Street Rehabilitation Project.
8. Local Buyback and Compost Facility Feasibility Study– Nevada County Not a project
Recommendation: That the City Council 1) Review the proposal for a joint feasibility study with Nevada County to evaluate the development of a shared facility for CRV (California Redemption Value) local buyback, clear plastic recycling, and composting;
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES July 14, 2026
2) Authorize the Interim City Manager to enter into any necessary agreements, subject to legal review.
9. Consideration of a School Resource Officer Agreement with the Grass Valley School District
CEQA: Not CEQA
Recommendation: Approve the Agreement between the City of Grass Valley and the Grass Valley School District to provide School Resource Officer services for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR SEPARATE ACTION AND /
OR ANY ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
REORGANIZATION RELATED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
10. Annual Approval of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Adjustment to the Special Emergency Medical and Fire Response Tax.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: That Council 1) Approve a rate increase to the Special Emergency Medical and Fire Response Tax of 2.7% based on the December 2025 CPI. 2) Adopt Resolution 2026-45 requesting that the Nevada County Auditor place the adjusted Measure A special tax for 2026/2027 on the tax rolls.
Mark Buttron, Fire Chief, gave overview of the item.
Public Comment: Unnamed
Motion made to 1) Approve a rate increase to the Special Emergency Medical and Fire Response Tax of 2.7% based on the December 2025 CPI. 2) Adopt Resolution 2026-45 requesting that the Nevada County Auditor place the adjusted Measure A special tax for 2026/2027 on the tax rolls by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
Voting Nay: Councilmember Bonomolo
11. Adopt ten Resolutions confirming the Engineer’s Reports, approving the assessment diagrams and annual assessment levies, and requesting the Nevada County AuditorController to place the Fiscal Year 2026–27 assessments for the City’s Landscaping and Lighting Districts (LLDs) and Benefit Assessment Districts (BADs) on the property tax roll.
CEQA: Not a Project.
Recommendation: That the City Council: Hold a public hearing regarding the proposed assessments for Fiscal Year 2026–27; and 1)Adopt the following resolutions related to the Commercial Landscaping and Lighting District (District No. 1988-1): a.
Resolution No. 2026-35 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026–27 b. Resolution No. 2026-36 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 1988-1. 2) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Residential Landscaping and Lighting District (District No. 1988-2): a. Resolution No. 2026-37 – Confirming the diagram and
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES July 14, 2026
assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026-27 b. Resolution No. 2026-38 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 1988-2 3) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Morgan Ranch Unit 7 Benefit Assessment District (District No. 2003-1): a. Resolution No. 2026-39 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026- 27 b. Resolution No. 2026-40 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 2003-1. 4) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Morgan Ranch West Assessment District (District No. 2010-1): a.
Resolution No. 2026-41 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026–27. b. Resolution No. 2026-42 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 2010-1. 5) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Ridge Meadows Assessment District (District No. 2016-1): a. Resolution No. 2026-43 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026-27. b. Resolution No. 2026-44 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 2016-1 Jennifer Styczynski, Finance Director, gave an overview of the item.
Public comment: None.
Motion made to 1) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Commercial Landscaping and Lighting District (District No. 1988-1): a. Resolution No. 2026-35 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026–27 b. Resolution No. 2026-36 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 1988-1. 2) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Residential Landscaping and Lighting District (District No. 1988-2): a. Resolution No. 2026-37 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026-27 b. Resolution No. 2026-38 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 1988-2 3) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Morgan Ranch Unit 7 Benefit Assessment District (District No. 2003-1): a. Resolution No. 2026-39 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026-27 b. Resolution No. 2026-40 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 2003-1. 4) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Morgan Ranch West Assessment District (District No. 2010-1): a. Resolution No. 2026-41 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026–27. b. Resolution No. 2026-42 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 2010-1. 5) Adopt the following resolutions related to the Ridge Meadows Assessment District (District No. 2016-1): a. Resolution No. 2026-43 – Confirming the diagram and assessment, and levying the assessment for FY 2026-27. b. Resolution No. 2026-44 – Requesting the County Auditor to place the assessment on the tax roll for District No. 2016-1 by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Vice Mayor Caravelli.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
Voting Nay: Councilmember Bonomolo
12. Collection of Delinquent Sewer and/or Water Accounts on the Nevada County Property Tax Roll
CEQA: Not a Project
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES July 14, 2026
Recommendation: After holding a public hearing, adopt Resolution 2026-34 requesting that the County of Nevada levy and collect delinquent sewer and water charges on the Nevada County property tax roll.
Jennifer Styczynski, Finance director, gave presentation to the council.
No public comment.
Motion made to hold a public hearing, adopt Resolution 2026-34 requesting that the County of Nevada levy and collect delinquent sewer and water charges on the Nevada County property tax roll.by Councilmember Arbuckle, Seconded by Councilmember Ivy.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Ivy, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
Voting Nay: Councilmember Bonomolo
ADMINISTRATIVE
13. Downtown Grass Valley Roundabout Project – Project Approval and Environmental Document
CEQA: Class 1 and Class 2 Categorical Exemptions – Section 15301 Existing Facilities and Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction
Recommendation: That Council 1) approve that the Downtown Grass Valley Roundabout Project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act under Class 1 and Class 2 Categorical Exemptions and 2) authorize Staff to file a Notice of Exemption with Nevada County Clerk Recorder.
Bjorn Jones, City Engineer, gave presentation to the Council.
Public comment: Catherine Thompson, Craig Hamilton, Del Oro, Jeff Hansen, Larry Munoz, Jason Kert, Daniel Swartzendruber, Sean Jackson, Ben Aguilar, Robin Davis, Unnamed, Jonathan Keen, Matthew Coulter
Motion made to direct Staff and the consultant to revert to a signalized design option and delegate to Staff the preparation and filing of a revised CEQA Categorical Exemption for that design. Staff would explore funding options and return to Council for approval of a change order for the added consultant costs by Vice Mayor Caravelli, Seconded by Councilmember Arbuckle.
Voting Yea: Councilmember Arbuckle, Councilmember Bonomolo, Vice Mayor Caravelli, Mayor Hodge
Voting Nay: Councilmember Ivy
BRIEF REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Bonomolo gave props to Public Works, and attended the Skateboard Adhoc meeting, Housing Element Workshop. Councilmember Ivy had nothing to report.
Councilmember Arbuckle attended the Jada open house, Housing Element Workshop, 4th of July parade, California League of Cities meeting, WIMIG, Summer Leadership Conference.
Vice Mayor Caravelli attended a Historical commission update, 4th of July parade, and a meeting of round about mural project. Mayor Hodge announced an upcoming museum fundraiser, and concluded by wishing Howard Levine a happy birthday.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
Item # 2.
City of Grass Valley, CA MINUTES July 14, 2026
Meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________ Hilary Hodge, Mayor Taylor Whittingslow, City Clerk
Adopted on:____________
Item # 2.