Gridley City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 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 ommitted to providing high quality, cost-effective municipal services and forming productive artnerships with our residents and regional organizations. We collectively develop, share, and ar 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, Farr
Absent: None
Arriving after roll call: Sanchez
Staff Present: Elisa Artenga, City Administrator
Landon Little, Deputy City Attorney
Martin Pineda, Finance Director
Jerry Cox, Public Works Director
Todd Farr, Police Chief
Ryan Carlson, Electric Director
Jason Dyer, Fire Chief
: Christopher Smith, Principal Planner
Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Farr led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION - None
INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES - None
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
Larry Standridge, 358 Park St., addressed Council to share concerns of drivers who text and drive within the city.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Council Meeting Minutes
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 3-2-26 Page 1 of 7 City Council to review and approve City Council minutes Recommended Action(s):
* Zeprove special City Council meeting minutes dated January 2g™ and February b. Approve regular City Council meeting minutes dated January 20th, February 17th, 2026
2. Final Wage Compensation Study
Formal acceptance and filing of wage compensation study provided by Bryce Consulting Recommended Action(s):
a. City Council to formally accept the Wage Compensation Study so it may be finalized and officially filed
3. RSG Contract Renewal
Council to review and consider approving the contract renewal with RSG for FY 2026/2027, providing consulting services to the Successor Agency of the former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Gridley
Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve the contract renewal for FY 2026/2027
b. Authorize City Administrator to execute any necessary documents
4. Direct Pay Contract with the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD)
Council to review and consider approving annual contract for city to continue to receive direct payments for utility assistance programs processed by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve the 2026 Direct Payment Contract with the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) for participation in the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP); and
b. Authorize the City Administrator to execute the agreement and any related program documents, subject to City Attorney review.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 3-2-26 Page 2 of 7 Second: Roberts
Action: approve consent agenda as presented
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION -
5. FY 2024/2025 Financial Statements and Independent Audit Report Council to review and approve the 2024/2025 Financial Statements and Independent Auditors Report
Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve the financial statements and independent audit report for FY 2024/2025
Finance Director Martin Pineda introduced Sheldon Chavan of Chavan & Associates to present the City's Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report.
Mr. Chavan reported that the City received an "unmodified opinion," which is the highest level of assurance that can be issued by an auditor. He also commended the City's Finance Department for its continued improvement in financial reporting over the past four years, noting that this year's audit reflected the strongest results to date.
Councilmember Sanchez requested additional information regarding the City's unfunded accrued liability.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: approve the financial statements and independent audit report for FY 24/25 Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
6. Solid Waste Rates (Waste Management)
Council to consider proposed solid waste rate adjustments under the existing Waste Management agreement.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 3-2-26 Page 3 of 7 Recommended Action(s):
Receive and file this report confirming:
a. The existing Waste Management agreement authorizes annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments of up to five percent (5%);
b. In addition, the agreement provides for Extraordinary Service Fee Review Request I adjustments for documented extraordinary expenses to include "Processing facility and disposal facility/landfill tip fees that are not regulated by the Company." Waste Management seeks an Extraordinary Fee Increase of an additional 1.79% as a result of increased fees at the County operated Neal Road landfill.
c. The City's Proposition 218 noticing and public hearing process preserved compliance with Article XIII D of the California Constitution while fulfilling the City's contractual obligations under the existing agreement for the extra- ordinary fee increase landfill costs and
d. Approve proposed solid waste increases pursuant to the terms of 2024 Waste Management Agreement.
Deputy City Attorney Landon Little presented the item and explained that it was a follow-up to the prior discussion held after the City satisfied the Proposition 218 noticing requirements. He informed the Council that the City remains under the same contract executed in 2024, which permits an annual 5% CPI adjustment and allows the service provider to request an extraordinary rate increase. Because the extraordinary increase had not previously been exercised, the City determined it was appropriate to issue a new Proposition 218 notice before considering the request. The city received four (4) written protests.
Councilmember Sanchez requested clarification regarding the Proposition 218 process.
Councilmember Calderon suggested to Waste Management representative Rachel Haines that the City could benefit from having a public relations representative come to Gridley to meet with residents to better explain and discuss any proposed rate changes moving forward.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: approve the solid waste rate increase totaling 6.62%.
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 3-2-26 Page 4 of 7
7. Maintenance Assessment District No. 8 - Steffen Estates Subdivision City Council to review Resolution No. 2026-R-005: a resolution declaring the intention to form Maintenance Assessment District No. 8
Recommended Action(s):
a. Preliminarily approve the Engineer's Report for Maintenance Assessment District No. 8 (Steffen Estates Subdivision);
b. Adopt the Resolution Declaring the Intention to Form Maintenance Assessment District No. 8; and
c. Set a public hearing date at least forty-five (45) days following the mailing of assessment ballots, in accordance with Article XIII D of the California Constitution Principal Planner Christopher Smith requested that Council approve Resolution 2026-R-005, declaring the intent to form Maintenance Assessment District No. 8: Steffen Estates and preliminarily approve the Engineer's Report. He explained that a simple Proposition 218 notice is required as a formality prior to establishing the maintenance district, and that approval of the resolution would allow the City to begin this process.
Mr. Smith further noted that once the map is recorded and each parcel is assigned an identifying APN, each parcel will be assessed $512.04 annually to cover ongoing maintenance, as outlined in the Engineer's annual assessment cost breakdown.
Vice Mayor Johnson asked if the process of maintenance assessment district formation could be delayed to assist the developer. Mr. Smith responded that the formation of the district is required to record the map, and the developer cannot proceed with parcel creation without it. He also noted that this requirement was a condition of approval.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Sanchez
Second: Roberts
Action: approve Resolution 2026-R-005, preliminarily approve the Engineer's Report, and set a public hearing date 45 days after the Proposition 218 notices are mailed.
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Johnson, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 3-2-26 Page 5 of 7
8. Planning Commission Vacancy Announcement
Announcement of three Planning Commission vacancies and call for applications Recommended Action(s):
a. No action necessary
City Administrator Elisa Arteaga presented the item to inform the Council and the public that there are currently three Planning Commission vacancies. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit letters of interest by noon March 13, 2026, for consideration at the March 16, 2026, regular Council meeting.
No action was required.
9. Council Committee Appointments
Review of current Council committee appointments
Recommended Action(s):
a. Provide input regarding committee appointments for the 2026 calendar year Mayor Farr opened the agenda item to announce changes to the Council appointments. Vice Mayor Johnson was appointed as the primary representative, with Councilmember Sanchez as the alternate, for Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG) and the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD). Vice Mayor Johnson was also appointed as the primary representative for the Butte County Solid Waste JPA and the Local Agency Task Force for solid waste.
All other appointments remained unchanged.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Calderon stated that the American Lung Association contacted him seeking assistance with arranging meetings with local jurisdictions.
Vice Mayor Johnson reported on his attendance at the BCAG and BCAQMD meetings.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
City Administrator Elisa Arteaga reported on several internal meetings she attended and including ones with Gridley Unified School District and BCAG.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 3-2-26 Page 6 of 7 Fire Chief Jason Dyer reported that the new City ladder truck is scheduled for delivery within the next few weeks. He also provided an update on the Gridley Fire Department's call activity for the month of February.
Public Works Director Jerry Cox informed the Council that the fence at 110 Virginia Street has been installed. He also reported that he has been working with City staff to identify funding sources for additional projects through BAG and the Aaron Rodgers grant program.
Electric Director Ryan Carlson provided an update on the recent lighting improvements at the boat ramp and discussed upcoming work to assist Gridley Little League with the installation of the softball field scoreboard.
Principal Planner Christopher Smith informed the Council that PlaceWorks is assisting the City by recommending updates to housing-related language in the Code of Ordinances.
POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days):
Energy Efficiency Contract Review 3/16/2026
Randolph Lot Use Agreement - GUSD 3/16/2026
Steffen Estates Maintenance Assessment District Draft 3/16/2026 Expenditure Reports 3/16/2026
CLOSED SESSION - at 7:11 pm, Council began closed session.
10. Conference with Labor Negotiators Cal. Gov. Code Section 54957.6: Unrepresented Employee: City Administrator Elisa Arteaga.
No reportable action
11. Public Employment: Title: Public Works Director (Cal Gov. Code Section 54957) No reportable action
12. Public Employment: Title: Electrical Director (Cal Gov. Code Section 54957) - No reportable action
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:25 pm, with no further items left to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the next regular meeting on March 17t, 2026.
Approved lentilen
Elisa Arteaga, City Clerk /
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 3-2-26 Page 7 of 7