Gridley City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 6, 2025; 6:00 pm
Gridley City Hall, 685 Kentucky Street, Gridley, CA 95948 "Our purpose is to continuously enhance our community's vitality and overall quality of life. We are committed to providing high quality, cost-effective municipal services and forming productive partnerships with our residents and regional organizations. We collectively develop, share, and are guided by a clear vision, values, and meaningful objectives."
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Farr called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Johnson, Roberts, Farr, Sanchez
Absent: Calderon
Arriving after roll call: None
Staff Present: Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator
Tony Galyean, City Attorney
Todd Farr, Police Chief
Martin Pineda, Finance Director
Patricia Taverner, Human Resources Manager
Chip Fowler, Fire Chief
Chris Smith, Principal Planner
Jerry Cox, Public Works Director
Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk
Amanda Kaelin, Recreation Coordinator
Ryan Carlson, Electric Director
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION - None
INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES
Finance Director Martin Pineda introduced Miguel Chavez, Business Services Supervisor. City Administrator Elisa Arteaga introduced Patricia Taverner, Human Resources Manager.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
The community forum was opened and seeing no one was present to speak was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 10-6-25 Page 1 of 7
1. City Council Minutes
City Council review and approval of City Council meeting minutes.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve regular Council meeting minutes dated: August 18th, September 2nd and September 15th, 2025
b. Approve special Council meeting minutes dated: August 28th, 2025
2. Northern California Cities Self Insurance Fund (NCCSIF) Appointments City Council to review and approve the appointments of representative and alternate representative to NCCSIF
Recommended Action(s):
a. Review Resolution 2025-R-025: a Resolution of the City of Gridley appointing a primary representative and alternate representatives to Northern California Cities Self Insurance Fund
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: to approve consent agenda as presented
Ayes: Roberts, Farr, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: Calderon
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 4-0
INFORMATIONAL UPDATES
3. Youth Soccer League
City Council to receive staff update related to the Gridley Recreation Youth Soccer League Recommended Action(s):
a. Receive update and provide feedback or direction, if desired City Administrator Elisa Arteaga provided an update on the Youth Soccer League, addressing recent concerns regarding the team jerseys. She informed the Council that new jerseys have been ordered for all team members and are expected to arrive within the week.
Arteaga explained also that efforts have been made to address additional concerns raised by Gridley residents and to communicate promptly with coaches, noting that she understands how GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 10-6-25 Page 2 of 7 important these youth programs are to local families. She requested Council direction on whether to issue mass refunds or to limit refunds to those who specifically request them.
Councilmember Sanchez expressed her support for the City Administrator and Finance Director, emphasizing the importance of holding Recreation Department staff to high standards and maintaining the strong level of service the department has historically provided.
Mayor Farr acknowledged that mistakes can happen, and stated that as City Administrator Arteaga reported, the issue is being resolved appropriately and the City can move forward.
The informational item concluded with a consensus that the City will issue refunds upon request.
4. Pacific Flyway Development (Sanchez)
City Council to receive staff update related to the Pacific Flyway Development Recommended Action(s):
a. Receive update and provide feedback or direction, if desired Councilmember Sanchez introduced the item, noting that several Councilmembers had received complaints regarding heavy truck traffic on Laurel Street accessing the Pacific Flyway Development.
She explained that the intent of bringing the item forward was to provide an opportunity for affected residents to share their concerns directly with the Council.
City Administrator Elisa Arteaga reported on the complaints received and outlined the actions taken by City staff to address the issue. These actions included contacting the developer and contractor to ensure that their vendors were informed and directed to use the designated truck route. In addition, the Public Works Department installed a "No Trucks" sign at the entrance of Laurel Street to help prevent further violations.
Vice Mayor Johnson commented that he understood the challenge for large trucks making the turn onto the gravel access road from Randolph Street, noting that the turn radius is limited.
Councilmember Sanchez also mentioned observing a large pothole in the area and inquired about responsibility for the damage.
Dan Marinella, a Laurel Street resident, addressed the Council and acknowledged that while City staff had responded to many of his concerns, he felt that if semi-trucks continue to use the road, they should be responsible for contributing to necessary repairs.
Michael Kipp, of 1806 Laurel Street, also spoke and stated that most of his concerns had been addressed, commending staff for their responsiveness and follow-through in resolving the matter.
5. Quarterly Investment Review
Finance Director to provide Council with quarterly investment update Recommended Action(s):
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 10-6-25 Page 3 of 7 Receive update and provide feedback or direction, if desired Finance Director Martin Pineda presented an update on the City's investment portfolio, which is managed by Meeder Investments. He provided details on the current portfolio balances and reported that the net income to date is $418,000.
The report was received with no further discussion.
6. City Grants Update
Finance Director to provide Council with an update on ongoing grant-related efforts in collaboration with California Consulting for securing grant funding opportunities Recommended Action(s):
a. Receive update and provide feedback or direction, if desired Finance Director Martin Pineda provided the Council with an update on the grants he has been working on in partnership with California Consulting. The City collaborates with California Consulting to identify grant opportunities that are in the City's best interest to pursue. Pineda presented a spreadsheet outlining the various grants currently in progress and gave a brief explanation of each, including the intended use of the funds.
Vice Mayor Johnson asked whether application fees and related work are covered by these grants.
Pineda explained that coverage depends on the specific wording of each grant, but in most cases, those costs are included.
The report was received.
7. Virginia Street Abatements
City Attorney to provide Council with an informational update about the on-going abatement efforts for 110 Virginia Street and 390 Virginia Street Recommended Action(s):
a. Receive update and provide feedback or direction, if desired For 110 Virginia Street, Galyean reported that a receivership is on file with the County, and the receiver is currently listing the property for sale at market value. He noted that the estimated cost to demolish the property exceeds its current value, so the primary goal is to sell the property. Vice Mayor Johnson asked who determines the sale price, and Attorney Galyean explained that the price is set by market conditions.
Regarding 390 Virginia Street, Galyean explained that efforts have been made to file a receivership; however, the property owner has been in contact with the City and initially took steps to correct the issues. Those efforts have since slowed. The owner requested an extension through September 30 but has not met all the required conditions. Galyean asked the Council for direction on whether GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 10-6-25 Page 4 of 7 to grant another extension or to proceed with filing a receivership in court after October 10, when the property owner is expected to submit any final documentation of compliance.
Following discussion among the Council, Mayor Farr expressed his view that the receivership should be filed as soon as possible due to ongoing safety concerns. Attorney Galyean reiterated that the City Council reached a majority consensus to move forward with filing the receivership.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
8. Police Department Military Equipment Annual Review
City Council to review City Ordinance 838-2022, Gridley Police Department's Policy #706 and Military Equipment Report 2024 and Inventory for 2025 Recommended Action(s):
a. Review the documents and determine whether the department's use of the defined military equipment complies with Policy #706
b. Approve continuation of Ordinance and Policy, or modify or repeal them as appropriate
Police Chief Todd Farr presented an item requesting that the City Council review the accompanying documents and determine whether the Police Department's use of defined military equipment remains in compliance with Policy No. 706. He further requested that the Council approve the continuation of the current ordinance and policy.
Chief Farr reported that the Department's inventory and use of the defined military equipment remain largely unchanged from the previous year, with the only modification being an increase in 9mm ammunition. He also explained that the State requires this review and approval to be conducted on an annual basis.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: to approve consent agenda as presented
Ayes: Roberts, Farr, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: Calderon
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 4-0
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9. Gridley Sports Complex Ph 1 - Budget Adjustment and Contract Amendments Unsuitable Site Conditions - Geotechnical Investigation
City Council to consider authorizing the City Administrator to execute an amendment to task order 16-607-402 with BEN-EN to include Geotechnical Investigation for the sports lighting foundation in the amount of $38,661.10
Recommended Action(s):
a. Review the amendment to Task Order 16-607-402 with BEN-EN b. Authorize the City Administrator to execute the task order amendment City Engineer Dave Harden presented a staff report requesting a budget adjustment due to unsuitable soil conditions discovered at the project site. Construction field exploration revealed high groundwater levels and loose, sandy soils at the planned sports lighting locations, making the original foundation design infeasible.
To complete the structural design for the Sports Complex Lighting, staff recommended authorizing Crawford and Associates, Inc. to conduct geotechnical borings at three locations between the proposed light poles. The results would provide MUSCO Lighting's structural engineers with the necessary data to redesign the foundations appropriately.
Mayor Farr noted, based on his past experience, that depths can vary significantly within a close proximity. Vice Mayor Johnson asked whether MUSCO would be satisfied with analysis from the approximate boring locations, or if issues could still arise if unsuitable conditions exist directly beneath the light poles.
Following extensive Council discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Mayor Farr, to approve Task Order 16-607-407 authorizing three separate borings. Upon roll call, Vice Mayor Johnson voted no, and Councilmember Sanchez abstained; therefore, the motion failed.
After additional discussion, the Council reached a general consensus that boring only three holes between the proposed light locations may not provide sufficient data. A motion was made to table the item with direction for staff to return with a revised option including pricing for seven borings, one at each proposed light pole location.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Roberts
Second: Johnson
Action: To table the item and bring back a second option from Crawford and Associates, Inc. to include pricing for seven boring locations.
Ayes: Roberts, Farr, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: Calderon
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 4-0
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 10-6-25 Page 6 of 7 COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS - None
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
City Administrator Elisa Arteaga provided an update on the upcoming Gridley Dump Day scheduled for November 1. She also informed the Council that city staff have been working diligently on the weed abatement process, successfully reducing the original 83 notices to just two remaining to be addressed.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS
Fire Chief Chip Fowler provided an update on the Gridley Fire Department's activities and performance metrics for the month of September.
Principal Planner Christopher Smith presented a report on the ongoing updates to the Housing Element.
Recreation Coordinator Amanda Kaelin addressed the Council, noting that while the jerseys were not initially well received, the Recreation Department's intentions were positive, and she was pleased the matter had been resolved. She also reported continued growth across the current Gridley Recreation programs.
POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days):
Quarterly Budget Review 10/20/2025
Travel Policy 10/20/2025
Energy Efficiency Contract Review 11/3/2025
Master Fee Schedule, Cost-Allocation, and Nexus Study RFP 11/3/2025 Randolph Lot Use Agreement - GUSD 11/3/2025
CLOSED SESSION -
10. Pursuant to Government Code 54957.6: Conference with Labor Negotiator, Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator, for discussion of progress of collective bargaining discussions with City Employee represented classes - IBEW, MMU, and GPOA
At 8:27 pm City Council went into closed session and closed at 9:08 pm with no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further items left to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the next regular meeting scheduled for October 20th, 2025.
Approve: ElinAtens
Elisa Arteaga, City Clerk
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