Gridley City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 2, 2026; 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 bartnerships 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, Calderon, Sanchez, Farr
Absent: None
Arriving after roll call: None
Staff Present: Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator
Landon Little, Deputy City Attorney
Martin Pineda, Finance Director
Jerry Cox, Public Works Director
Todd Farr, Police Chief
Jason Dyer, Fire Chief
Christopher Smith, Principal Planner
Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Farr led the Pledge of the Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION - None
INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES - None
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
The community forum was opened and seeing no one was present to speak, was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA - None
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Proposition 218 Public Hearing - Solid Waste Rates
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-2-26 Page 1 of 6 City Council to conduct a public hearing in accordance with Article XIII D of the California Constitution (Proposition 218) to consider proposed solid waste rate adjustments under the existing Waste Management agreement.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Conduct the public hearing, receive public testimony and written protests, and, if no majority protest exists, adopt the proposed solid waste rates as noticed.
Mayor Farr opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
Randy Ball, 1025 Kentucky Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed rate increase.
Susan Schohr, Gridley property owner, spoke in opposition to the rate increase and requested additional information on how Waste Management calculated the increase.
Pat Coghlan, 852 Idaho Street, spoke in opposition to the rate increase.
An unidentified resident spoke in opposition on behalf of her parents.
Vice Mayor Johnson suggested the City issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for solid waste services.
Councilmember Calderon commented that the City Council has a responsibility to ensure quality of life for all residents, regardless of economic status.
Councilmember Sanchez noted that senior citizens are not receiving the lowest service rate compared to customers with larger bins.
Rachel Haines of Waste Management responded to questions from the public and Council and provided additional details regarding the rate calculation.
Deputy City Attorney Landon Little clarified that the current contract allows for a 4.83% CPI adjustment and that the Proposition 218 notice was issued for the additional 1.79% extraordinary increase request.
Following Council discussion, no motion was made. Councilmember Sanchez stated for the record that although the full 6.62% increase was not approved, the 4.83% CPI adjustment will still take effect under the existing contract.
Council provided direction to Deputy City Attorney Landon Little to return with the item for discussion in closed session.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION -
2. Mid-Year Budget Review FY 25/26
City Council to review the mid-year budget and consider approval of Resolution 2026-R-003:
a resolution of the city of Gridley authorizing the modification of the FY 25/26 budget by appropriating supplemental funds
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-2-26 Page 2 of 6 Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve Resolution 2026-R-003: a resolution of the City of Gridley authorizing the modification of the FY 25/26 budget by appropriating supplemental funds Finance Director Martin Pineda introduced the agenda item as a follow-up to the discussion held at a previously scheduled special meeting for formal approval. There were no further questions from the Council or the public.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: approve Resolution 2026-R-003: a resolution of the City of Gridley authorizing the modification of the FY 25/26 budget by appropriating supplemental funds Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
3. Safety Element Update
City Council consideration of approval of Resolution 2026-R-004: authorizing the City Administrator to negotiate, execute, and administer a Professional Services Agreements with Atlas Planning Solutions for the Safety Element Update Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve Resolution 2026-R-004: authorizing the City Administrator to negotiate, execute, and administer a Professional Services Agreements with Atlas Planning Solutions for the Safety Element Update
Principal Planner Christopher Smith requested that the City Council award the contract for the creation of the Safety Element to Atlas Planning Solutions for an amount not to exceed $50,000, and authorize the City Administrator to approve amendments up to a 10% contingency.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Sanchez
Second: Calderon
Action: approve Resolution 2026-R-004: authorizing the City Administrator to negotiate, execute, and administer a Professional Services Agreements with Atlas Planning Solutions for the Safety Element Update
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-2-26 Page 3 of 6 Motion passed, 5-0
4. Laurel Street Extension Discussion
City Council discussion and consideration of potential next steps for the Laurel Street Extension Project.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Authorize the City Administrator to execute Task Order No. 16-607-300 with Bennett Engineering Services (BENEN) to manage, design, and prepare construction documents for the Laurel Street Extension Project in the amount of $149,415, making the project shovel-ready; and/or b. Direct staff to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for construction, with an application deadline of April 2, 2025; and/or c. Direct staff to defer submittal of a construction grant application while proceeding with project design; or
d. Direct staff to defer project design and pursue a planning grant in 2027.
Vice Mayor Johnson and Mayor Farr recused themselves from the item, as their residences are within 500 feet of the project area.
City Engineer Dave Harden presented the Laurel Street Extension Project, emphasizing that it is a crucial improvement to connect future developments, provide a second access to the Pacific Flyway Chips homes, and support ongoing construction. He noted that the City could pursue a CDBG grant to fund the extension but requested City Council direction due to the tight timeline for the current funding round.
City Administrator Elisa Arteaga added that the project qualifies well for CDBG funding because the area is predominantly low- to moderate-income. She explained that the City Engineer would need to move quickly to make the project "shovel-ready," a typical requirement for grant applications.
Pat Coghlan, 852 Idaho St., shared concerns of using general fund for the design phase.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Roberts
Second: Sanchez
Action: Authorize the City Administrator to execute Task Order No. 16-607-300 with Bennett Engineering Services (BENEN) to manage, design, and prepare construction documents for the Laurel Street Extension Project in the amount of $149,415, making the project shovel-ready; and Direct staff to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for construction, with an application deadline of April 2, 2025
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Sanchez,
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-2-26 Page 4 of 6 Recused: Farr
Motion passed, 5-0
5. Design and Construction Standard Specifications and Details City Council to receive public introduction to the draft Gridley Design and Construction Standard Specifications and Details
Recommended Action(s):
No action is needed at this time
City Engineer Dave Harden and Logan Howard of Bennet Engineering presented the updated draft of the City of Gridley Design and Construction Standard Specifications and Details. The draft reflects a major update to the City's Public Works Construction Standards, incorporating multiple rounds of review, Gridley-specific elements, and current state and federal standards. The presentation served as an introduction and notice to the public, with a 45-day comment period to follow. After the comment period, Staff will revise the draft and return to Council with a resolution for adoption.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Calderon provided a report on his attendance at the League of California Cities Councilmember Academy.
Mayor Farr provided updates on his attendance at the NCPA 101 Conference and at the funeral of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
City Administrator Elisa Arteaga reported on several recent meetings, including with California Consulting, Housing Tools regarding potential CDBG funding, and the quarterly County and City Managers meeting.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS
Fire Chief Jason Dyer reported that Engine 74 is now staffed with three Fire Engineers as a result of Measure 14.
Public Works Director Jerry Cox reported on recent repairs completed at the park softball fields.
Principal Planner Christopher Smith provided a brief update on the Legacy Development project.
POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days):
Energy Efficiency Contract Review 3/2/2025
Randolph Lot Use Agreement - GUSD 3/2/2025
Steffen Estates Maintenance Assessment District Draft 3/2/2025 GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-2-26 Page 5 of 6
CLOSED SESSION -
6. Evaluation of performance of City Administrator pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1)
No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:45 pm, with no further items left to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the next regular meeting on February 2, 2026.
Approve: Lisa Arterga, City Clerk
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-2-26 Page 6 of 6