Gridley City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 17, 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
Ryan Carlson, Electric Director
Todd Farr, Police Chief
Jason Dyer, Fire Chief
Christopher Smith, Principal Planner
Dave Harden, City Engineer
Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Johnson led the Pledge of 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
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-17-26 Page 1 of 6
1. Council Meeting Minutes - Tabled
City Council to review and approve City Council minutes Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve special City Council meeting minutes dated January 29th The item was tabled due to its incorrect placement on the Public Hearing agenda instead of the consent agenda.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION -
2. Labor Negotiations - Appointment of Designated Labor Negotiator Council is asked to appoint a designated agent for labor negotiations with the City Administrator. For convenience and efficiency, it is recommended that Deputy City Attorney Landon Little serve in this role.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Appoint Deputy City Attorney Landon Little as the City's designated labor negotiator for negotiations with the City Administrator.
Deputy City Attorney Landon Little requested that the Council appoint him as the designated agent to serve as the labor negotiator between the City Administrator and the Council during the later closed session.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: approve Landon Little to act as the designated labor negotiator Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
3. Approval of Recreation Manager Job Description and Salary Range Council to review and consider approving the creation of the Recreation Manager job description and corresponding salary range.
Recommended Action(s):
•
•
a. Approve, and adopt the Recreation Manager job description and associated shrary range of 1,301 to 5, 764 per month, with placement within Steps 1 GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-17-26 Page 2 of 6 • b. Authorize staff to proceed with recruitment.
City Administrator, Elisa Arteaga presented the item and requested Council approval of the job description and salary range for the Recreation Manager position. She reviewed the current positions within the Recreation Department and outlined key functions that are presently missing, noting that the Recreation M,anager would assume more direct responsibility for the department budget and for pursuing additional grant funding.
Councilmember Calderon stated that he would like the Recreation Manager to establish a vision specific to Gridley and be held to that vision throughout their employment.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Roberts
Second: Sanchez
Action: approve the job description and salary range for the Recreation Manager position Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
4. Gridley Sports Complex Ph 1 - Amendment #4 for Additional Geotechnical Study for Unsuitable Site Conditions
Council to review the preliminary results from the seven previously approved borings at the Sports Complex and consider authorizing Amendment 4 to Task Order 16-607-402 with Bennett Engineering Services (BENEN) to conduct an additional geotechnical study for the sports lighting foundation design, in the amount of $20,982.50.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Authorize the City Administrator to execute amendment 4 to task order 16-607- 402 with Bennett Engineering Services (BENEN) to include Additional Geotechnical Study for the sports lighting foundation design in the amount of $20,982.50.
City Engineer, Dave Harden presented the item and explained that, following previous field explorations identified high groundwater and loose, sandy, unsuitable soils at the planned sports lighting locations, therefore, an amendment to the task order is necessary. The amendment would include an additional geotechnical study for the sports lighting design, specifically a Class F Site Response Analysis as required by the California Building Code.
Councilmember Sanchez expressed concern regarding the increasing project costs, noting that the budget is already over the grant-funded amount.
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ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: Authorize the City Administrator to execute amendment 4 to task order 16-607-402 with Bennett Engineering Services (BENEN) to include Additional Geotechnical Study for the sports lighting foundation design in the amount of $20,982.50
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
5. Fencing for 110 Virginia Street - Receivership Property Council to review and discuss fencing options for 110 Virginia Street, Gridley.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Installation of temporary fencing at 110 Virginia Street, selecting either L&M Rental Fence, Inc. or VSB Systems, or
b. Installation of permanent fencing through Wireman Fence Products and c. Authorize Public Works director to execute necessary documents and coordinate the installation of fencing, or
d. Delay fencing pending the outcome of the potential sale of the property.
City Administrator Elisa Arteaga presented the item as a follow-up to prior direction from Council to explore fencing the property. Deputy City Attorney Landon Little provided an update, stating that the receiver is currently negotiating a possible sale. He explained that if the sale occurs, the City Council could require the new owner to fence the property within an agreed-upon timeframe, and that the sale price will be subject to court approval.
Councilmember Sanchez suggested that the City consider purchasing the property. Police Chief Todd Farr stated that he supports the City fencing the property sooner rather than waiting to see if the sale would be completed.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: Approve the installation of temporary fencing with the company able to provide the quickest installation between L&M or VSB and authorize the Public Works Director to execute all necessary documents and coordinate the installation.
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-17-26 Page 4 of 6 Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Calderon informed the Council that his term with Butte County Environmental Health was ending and asked whether the Council would like him to continue serving on behalf of the City. No Councilmembers opposed his continuation.
Vice Mayor Johnson reported on his attendance at the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control • District meeting.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
City Administrator, Elisa Arteaga provided brief updates on several meetings she attended, including meetings with PG&E and the League of California Cities City Managers' conference.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS
6. Update to Litigation Regarding 110 and 390 Virginia St. - Deputy City Attorney Landon Little Deputy City Attorney Landon Little stated that his report regarding 110 Virginia was addressed during Item 5. regarding 390 Virginia Street. The receiver is still attempting to locate the property owner to serve the papers and provide notice of the court hearing.
Fire Chief Dyer reported on recent Fire Department activities at 110 Virginia Street and department statistics and training conducted by Captain Mattos.
Police Chief Todd Farr provided updates on recent activities of the Gridley Police Department, including participation in the Red Suspenders planning meeting.
Public Works Director Jerry Cox reported on Public Works' involvement in the Red Suspenders planning meeting and provided an update on recently completed departmental tasks.
City Engineer Dave Harden reported on a recent meeting with BAG regarding funding opportunities for the City.
Electric Director Ryan Carlson reported on a meeting with PG&E, noting that the upcoming power disruption has been postponed, allowing for improved coordination.
Principal Planner Christopher Smith provided updates on ongoing planning projects.
Finance Director Martin Pineda reported that the City Council can expect the audit to be presented at the next meeting.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 2-17-26 Page 5 of 6 POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days):
Energy Efficiency Contract Review 3/2/2026
Randolph Lot Use Agreement - GUSD 3/2/2026
Steffen Estates Maintenance Assessment District Draft 3/2/2026 FY 2024-2025 Financials Approval 3/2/2026
CLOSED SESSION -
7. Conference with Labor Negotiators Cal. Gov. Code Section 54957.6: Unrepresented Employee: City Administrator Elisa Arteaga.
8. Conference with Legal Counsel - Determination of whether closed session authorized as a result of significant exposure to litigation against the City pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Section 54956.9(b)(2).
9. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation. Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 54956.9: 1 case.
10. Public Employment: Title: Public Works Director (Cal Gov. Code Section 54957)
11. Public Employment: Title: Electrical Director (Cal Gov. Code Section 54957) City Council came out of closed session at 7:49 with no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further items left to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the next regular meeting on March , 2026.
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