GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Special Meeting of 11-3-2025 Page 1 of 2 “Our purpose isto 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.” The Public is encouraged to attend and participate in person. Comments from the public on agenda items will be accepted until 4 pm on November 3rd, 2025, via email to [email protected] or via the payment/document drop box at Gridley City Hall and will be conveyed to the Council for consideration.
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CALL TO ORDER
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM - Members of the public may address the City Council on matters not listed on the agenda. The City Council may not discuss nor take action on any community participation item brought forward by a member of the community. Comments are requested to be limited to three (3) minutes.
CONSENT AGENDA - None
STUDY SESSION - ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Draft Sidewalk and Tree Ordinance Update
Staff recommends the City Council review and provide feedback on both the draft sidewalk ordinance and tree ordinance update during this study session Recommended Action(s):
a. provide feedback on the draft sidewalk ordinance and draft tree ordinance CLOSED SESSION - None
ADJOURNMENT – adjourning to a regular meeting on November 3rd, 2025 Gridley City Council – Special City Council Meeting Agenda Study Session
Monday, November 3, 2025; 5:00 pm
Gridley City Hall, 685 Kentucky Street, Gridley, CA 95948 GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Special Meeting of 11-3-2025 Page 2 of 2 NOTE 1: POSTING OF AGENDA- This agenda was posted on the public bulletin board at City Hall at or before 5:00 p.m., October 31st, 2025. This agenda along with all attachments is available for public viewing online at www.gridley.ca.us and at the Administration Counter in City Hall, 685 Kentucky Street, Gridley, CA.
NOTE 2: REGARDING UNSCHEDULED MATTERS – In accordance with state law, it shall be the policy of this Council that no action shall be taken on any item presented during the public forum or on unscheduled matters unless the Council, by majority vote, determines that an emergency situation exists, or, unless the Council by a two-thirds vote finds that the need to take action arose subsequent to the posting of this agenda.
City Council Agenda Item #1
Staff Report
Date: November 3, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator
Subject: Follow-Up Study Session – Draft Sidewalk and Tree Ordinance Updates Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council review and provide direction on the draft Sidewalk Ordinance update and the draft Tree Ordinance (Chapter 12.07) during this second study session. No formal action will be taken at this time. Following Council’s input, staff will incorporate revisions and return with final ordinance drafts for formal consideration and first reading at a future meeting.
Background
At the prior study session, the City Council reviewed draft ordinances addressing sidewalk maintenance and liability and street tree management. These proposed updates are part of the City’s ongoing effort to modernize outdated municipal code provisions, clarify maintenance responsibilities, and reduce liability exposure to the City.
Both ordinances were prepared with guidance from the City’s liability insurance pool, the Northern California Cities Self Insurance Fund (NCCSIF), and draw upon model ordinances from comparable jurisdictions.
The intent of these code updates is to:
• Clearly assign maintenance and liability responsibilities to adjacent property owners. • Ensure public safety and accessibility in the public right-of-way. • Provide a consistent and enforceable framework for cost recovery when the City must act on behalf of a property owner.
• Align with state law and best practices for municipal risk management.
Sidewalk Ordinance Update
The proposed Sidewalk Ordinance (repealing GMC Chapters 12.04 and 12.05) will:
• Consolidate and modernize outdated sidewalk provisions. • Assign responsibility for installation, maintenance, and repair to adjacent property owners. • Establish liability for injuries or damages caused by unsafe sidewalk conditions due to property owner neglect.
• Authorize the Public Works Director and Administration to oversee enforcement, grant extensions, and manage cost recovery.
• Require sidewalk installation in conjunction with new development or substantial property Regular
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Closed
Emergency
improvement.
• Reference procedures in the California Streets and Highways Code for notice, hearings, and assessment of costs.
Tree Ordinance Update (Chapter 12.07)
The draft Tree Ordinance will:
• Define property owner responsibilities for trees and vegetation located within public right-ofway or park strips adjacent to private property. • Require maintenance of such areas in a safe and unobstructed condition. • Require property owners to remove or abate hazardous trees and authorize the Public Works Director to enforce maintenance standards.
• Limit City liability by clarifying that property owners bear responsibility for unsafe or damaged street trees.
• Establish procedures for permits, enforcement, appeals, and cost recovery. • Align with Chapter 8.08 regarding nuisance abatement to ensure consistent enforcement across the municipal code.
Next Steps
• Gather Council feedback during this study session.
• Incorporate any requested changes.
• Return to Council at a future meeting with the updated ordinance for first reading and introduction.
Financial Impact
No direct fiscal impact is anticipated from adoption of the ordinance. Long-term, the ordinance may reduce City liability exposure and associated legal costs by clarifying that property owners are responsible for sidewalk conditions. In addition, the ordinance establishes a clearer framework for billing, assessments, and liens, which will allow the Finance Department to implement a more streamlined and consistent process for cost recovery when the City undertakes repairs on behalf of property owners.
Compliance with City Council Strategic Plan or Budget Goals This request supports the City Council’s strategic priorities related to public safety and community well-being. Specifically, it aligns with the City’s goal to enhance the safety of residents.
Attachments
Attachment A – Draft Sidewalk Ordinance (Repealing GMC Chapters 12.04 and 12.05) Attachment B – Draft Tree Ordinance (Chapter 12.07)
ORDINANCE NO. 8XX-2025
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRIDLEY REPEALING GRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 12.04 (“CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SIDEWALKS”) AND 12.05 (“SIDEWALK REPAIR”) AND ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 12.06
RELATING TO SIDEWALK INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE, AND LIABILITY WHEREAS, the City of Gridley (“City”) seeks to ensure that its sidewalk system is properly maintained, safe for public use, and accessible; and
WHEREAS, the City’s current sidewalk regulations, contained in Gridley Municipal Code Chapters 12.04 and 12.05, are outdated, duplicative, and unclear in assigning responsibilities for installation, repair, and maintenance; and WHEREAS, the City’s liability insurance pool, the Northern California Cities Self Insurance Fund (NCCSIF), has recommended that Gridley adopt an updated ordinance which places responsibility for sidewalk installation, repair, maintenance, and liability upon adjacent property owners; and
WHEREAS, assigning responsibility to property owners for sidewalk conditions will reduce municipal liability exposure and establish clear expectations for maintenance of public pathways; and
WHEREAS, adoption of this ordinance will provide the City’s Public Works and Finance Departments with clearer authority and a streamlined process for enforcement, billing, and cost recovery when the City performs work on behalf of property owners; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of this ordinance is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Gridley;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRIDLEY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Repeal of Existing Chapters and Inconsistent Provisions.
Gridley Municipal Code Chapters 12.04 and 12.05 are hereby repealed in their entirety.
In addition, any other ordinances or provisions of the Gridley Municipal Code that are inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
Section 2. Adoption of New Chapter.
A new Chapter 12.06 of the Gridley Municipal Code is hereby adopted to read in its entirety as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 8XX-2025
Section 3. Chapter 12.06– Sidewalks
Section 12.06.010 – Maintenance and Repair of Sidewalks A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the maintenance and repair of sidewalk areas and the making, confirming, and collecting of assessments for the cost and expenses of such maintenance and repair may be carried out in accordance with Chapter 22 of Division 7, Part 3, of the California Streets and Highways Code, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of that Chapter and this section, the provisions of this section shall control.
B. The owners of lots or portions of lots adjacent to or fronting on any portion of a sidewalk area between the property line of the lots and the street line—including parking strips, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters—and persons in possession of such lots shall repair and maintain such sidewalk areas and pay the costs and expenses thereof. Costs shall include any charges for the City of Gridley’s inspection and administration whenever the City awards a contract for such maintenance and repair, as well as the costs of collection of assessments or handling of any lien placed on the property due to failure of the property owner to promptly pay such assessments.
C. For the purposes of this section, maintenance and repair of sidewalk areas shall include, but not be limited to: grinding, removal, and replacement of sidewalks; repair and maintenance of curbs and gutters; removal and filling or replacement of parking strips; removal of weeds and/or debris; pruning of tree roots and installation of root barriers; trimming of shrubs and/or ground cover within the sidewalk area; and any other work necessary to keep the sidewalk area in a safe condition for public use and free from interference with public convenience.
D. Notwithstanding Section 5614 of the California Streets and Highways Code, the Public Works Director may, in their discretion and for sufficient cause, extend the period within which required maintenance and repair of sidewalk areas must commence by a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the time the notice is given.
Section 12.06.020 – Liability for Injuries to the Public The property owner required in Section 12.06.010 to maintain and repair the sidewalk area shall owe a duty to members of the public to keep and maintain the sidewalk area in a safe and non-dangerous condition. If, as a result of the failure of any property owner to maintain the sidewalk area in a nondangerous condition, any person suffers injury or damage to person or property, the property owner shall be liable to such person for the resulting damages or injury.
ORDINANCE NO. 8XX-2025
Section 12.06.030 – Public Works Director
For the purposes of this chapter, the “Public Works Director” or their authorized representative shall be responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions herein.
Section 12.06.040 – Installation of Sidewalks upon Property Improvements A. In addition to the requirements outlined in the foregoing sections, the City of Gridley reserves the right to require the installation of sidewalk infrastructure where no sidewalk currently exists, under the following conditions:
1. When a property owner undertakes improvements to a parcel that result in structural footprint changes, additions, or other modifications requiring building permits; and
2. When such improvements trigger review under applicable building, development, or ADA accessibility standards as determined by the Public Works Director or Community Development Department.
B. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure pedestrian access, improve public safety, and bring properties into compliance with current sidewalk continuity and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards.
C. Installation shall occur as a condition of permit approval and must conform to City sidewalk design specifications and ADA requirements in effect at the time of permit issuance.
D. In cases where immediate installation is impractical or a deferral is requested, the City may, at its discretion, allow a deferral agreement or the deposit of in-lieu fees to be used toward future sidewalk infrastructure in the area, as approved by the City Council or its designee.
Section 12.06.050 – Advancement of Costs
The Public Works Director is authorized to advance from the special assessment revolving fund any sum necessary to pay the cost of sidewalk repair or construction, and may reimburse the fund from any assessment thereafter levied and collected.
Section 12.06.060 – Notice of Cost and Hearing
Upon completion of the repairs or construction, the Public Works Director shall provide notice of the costs in the manner specified in Chapter 22 of Division 7, Part 3 of the California Streets and Highways Code. The notice shall specify the day, hour, and place when the City Council will hear and pass on the report of costs, together with any written objections or protests submitted by property owners liable to be assessed, or other interested persons. The notice shall also describe the procedure to be followed for such ORDINANCE NO. 8XX-2025
written objections or protests. The hearing shall not occur sooner than ten (10) days after giving notice.
Section 12.06.070 – Conference with Public Works Director The Public Works Director may include with the notice of cost and hearing, as specified in Section X.XX.XXX, additional notice of a conference with the superintendent of streets.
The conference, which may be scheduled by the Public Works Director upon receipt of the written objection or protest, shall be conducted prior to the council hearing for the purpose of discussion between the property owner and the Public Works Director of the costs of repair. Upon the conclusion of the conference, the director shall note conclusions in the report together with any recommendations for adjustment of the costs of repair.
Section 12.06.080 – Hearing by City Council
The City Council, on the day and time fixed for the hearing, shall hear and pass upon the report of the Public Works Director, together with any written protests or objections not withdrawn prior to the hearing, from property owners liable to be assessed for the work of repair, in accordance with the procedure provided in Chapter 22 of Division 7, Part 3 of the California Streets and Highways Code.
Section 4. Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is found to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions.
Section. 5 Effective Date.
This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ORDINANCE had its first reading and was introduced during the public meeting of the City Council on the ________________ and had its second reading and was adopted and passed during the public meeting of the City Council on the ___________________, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ORDINANCE NO. 8XX-2025
ATTEST: APPROVE:
Elisa Arteaga, City Clerk Michael W. Farr, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Anthony Galyean, City Attorney
EXHIBIT A
ORDINANCE NO. 85X-2025
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRIDLEY ADOPTING CHAPTER
12.07 – TREE ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the City of Gridley recognizes the importance of trees in providing aesthetic, environmental, and public health benefits to the community; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to establish standards for the planting, maintenance, protection, and removal of trees within public rights-of-way, park strips, and other citymanaged spaces; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to define the responsibilities of property owners, builders, and the City with respect to the care and liability of trees; and WHEREAS, the City desires to establish a list of approved street trees, ground covers, and other plantings to promote public safety, consistent urban planning, and preservation of historical trees; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that property owners bear primary responsibility for the maintenance and safe condition of trees located within park strips and on private property, and may be held financially responsible for failure to properly maintain trees; and
WHEREAS, the City finds it necessary to declare certain trees or parts thereof as public nuisances if they pose a threat to life, health, safety, or property, and to provide procedures for abatement and enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the importance of severability to ensure that if any section of this ordinance is held invalid, the remaining sections shall remain in effect.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRIDLEY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
1. Chapter 12.07 – Tree Ordinance of the City of Gridley Municipal Code is hereby adopted in its entirety, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be published or posted as required by law.
3. This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption pursuant to California Government Code §36937.
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ORDINANCE NO. 85X-2025
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ___ day of ________, 20, by the City Council of the City of Gridley.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ATTEST: APPROVE:
Elisa Arteaga, City Clerk Michael W. Farr, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Anthony Galyean, City Attorney