Gridley City Council - Special City Council Meeting Minutes Study Session
Monday, October 20, 2025; 5:30 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 5:30 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Johnson, Roberts, Farr, Calderon
Absent: Sanchez
Arriving after roll call: None
Staff Present: Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator
Landon Little, Deputy City Attorney
Todd Farr, Police Chief
Martin Pineda, Finance Director
Chris Smith, Principal Planner
Jerry Cox, Public Works Director
Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk
Ryan Carlson, Electric Director
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
The forum was opened and with no one present to speak, was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA - None
STUDY SESSION - ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Draft Sidewalk Ordinance Update
Staff recommends the City Council review and provide feedback on the draft sidewalk ordinance update during this study session
Recommended Action(s):
a. provide feedback on the draft sidewalk ordinance
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Special Meeting of 10-20-2025 Page 1 of 3 City Administrator Elisa Artega introduced the item, noting that the recommendations were based on guidance from the City's liability carrier, NCCSIF.
Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk, presented a slideshow summarizing the current sidewalk ordinance and the challenges faced by City staff. She outlined the proposed updates, emphasizing that the intent is to clarify homeowners' responsibility to maintain sidewalks adjacent to their properties and ensure they remain safe for public use.
Santana noted that the proposed ordinance does not include a formal sidewalk repair program, but the City is exploring options to assist homeowners with repair costs. Potential assistance could include installment payment plans, either directly through the City or via property tax assessments, subject to available funding.
Councilmember Calderon asked whether the proposed changes would require all Gridley residents to repair or install sidewalks where none currently exist. Santana clarified that the ordinance update will not impose immediate requirements on homeowners, particularly in areas without sidewalks. However, she mentioned that the City is conducting citywide sidewalk inspections and will prioritize outreach to property owners where conditions present the greatest safety concerns.
Council and members of the public were invited to contact the Deputy City Clerk with any questions, concerns, or recommendations regarding the Sidewalk Ordinance update in the coming weeks.
2. Draft Tree Ordinance Update
Staff recommends the City Council review and provide feedback on the draft tree ordinance update during this study session
Recommended Action(s):
a. provide feedback on the draft tree ordinance
Similar to the Sidewalk Ordinance update, the Tree Ordinance update aims to clarify property owner responsibilities and limit City liability for trees located within the public right-of-way.
Although these trees may be situated in the City's right-of-way, they remain the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.
Deputy City Clerk Carmen Santana explained the ongoing challenges with the current ordinance, particularly the lack of clarity regarding ownership and maintenance responsibilities for trees located on private property. She noted that the City currently operates a tree removal program without clear cost recovery procedures.
The proposed ordinance revisions would ensure that homeowners are financially responsible for tree maintenance and removal, including the cost of hiring a licensed contractor to perform the work. This change is intended to reduce the workload on the Public Works Department and ensure a more consistent and equitable process.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Special Meeting of 10-20-2025 Page 2 of 3 City Council and members of the public were encouraged to contact the Deputy City Clerk with any questions, concerns, or recommendations regarding the Tree Ordinance update in the coming weeks.
CLOSED SESSION - None
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:58 pm with no further items left to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the regular meeting scheduled for 6:00 pm, October 20*h, 2025.
Approve: Castilug
teaga, City Cler
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Special Meeting of 10-20-2025 Page 3 of 3