Gridley City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 16, 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 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 6:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Roberts, Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson
Absent: None
Arriving after roll call: None
Staff Present: Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator
Todd Farr, Police Chief
Landon Little, Deputy City Attorney
Martin Pineda, Finance Director
Ryan Carlson, Electric Director
Jerry Cox, Public Works Director
Dave Harden, City Engineer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sanchez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION - None
INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES - None
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
The community forum was opened, and seeing as no one was present to speak, was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Council Meeting Minutes
City Council to review and approve City Council minutes Recommended Action(s):
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 3-16-26 Page 1 of 8 a. Approve regular City Council meeting minutes dated February 2nd and March 2nd, 2026
b. Approve special City Council meeting minutes dated March 10th, 2026
2. Expenditure Reports
Review December 2025, January 2026 and February 2026 Expenditure Reports Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve expenditure reports
3. Memorandum of Understanding (IBEW)
City Council to review and approve the MOU for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1245
Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve Resolution No. 2026-R-002: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gridley Approving the Memorandum of Understanding Between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1245 and the Gridley City Council
4. Appointment of Designated Labor Negotiator
Council is asked to appoint a designated agent for labor negotiations with Public Works Director and Electric Director. For convenience and efficiency, it is recommended that City Administrator Elisa Arteaga serve in this role.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Appoint City Administrator Elisa Arteaga as the City's designated labor negotiator for negotiations with the Public Works Director and Electric Director
ROLL CALL
Motion: Roberts
Second: Johnson
Action: Approve consent agenda as presented
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION -
5. Employment Agreement - City Administrator
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 3-16-26 Page 2 of 8 Council to review and approve Resolution 2026-R-006: a Resolution of Gridley City Council adopting the amendment of City Administrator Employment Agreement Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve Resolution 2026-R-006
b. Authorize Mayor to execute on behalf of the Gridley City Council Deputy City Attorney Landon Little presented the item and explained that the tentative agreement was reached through negotiations in which he served as the City's labor negotiator. He further noted that the completed wage compensation study served as the foundation for both the negotiations and the resulting agreement.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Roberts
Second: Sanchez
Action: Approve employment agreement with Elisa Arteaga Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Sanchez, Farr
Noes: Johnson
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 4-1
6. CalPERS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Council to consider Resolution No. 2026-R-007: a Resolution of the Gridley City Council approving the adoption of the CalPERS 457 Plan.
Recommended Action(s):
Receive and file this report confirming:
a. Approve Resolution 2026-R-007
b. Authorize City Administrator to execute necessary documents Finance Director Martin Pineda requested Council approval to transition the City's current 457 plan from Mission Square to CaPERS 457. He stated that the change would offer many benefits to both employees and the City and went on to name a few.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Sanchez
Second: Johnson
Action: Approve Resolution 2026-R-007 and authorize City Administrator to execute necessary documents
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 3-16-26 Page 3 of 8 Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
7. CEQA Environmental Review Services - Legacy Subdivision Project City Council to review Resolution 2026-R-008: a Resolution authorizing City Administrator to execute the task order with LACO Associates for an amount not to exceed $152,900 for Environmental Review Services for the Legacy Subdivision Project Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve Resolution 2026-R-008
b. Authorize City Administrator to execute necessary documents Principal Planner Christopher Smith presented the item, requesting that the City award a contract to LACO for completion of the State mandated CEQA environmental review services for the Legacy Subdivision Project. He explained that the City would retain the consultant directly and collect a deposit from the developer, ensuring that all associated costs are treated as pass-through fees and fully covered by the developer. Smith added that this is a common practice among cities, as it allows the City to maintain oversight of the environmental review process and helps reduce the potential for conflicts of interest involving the developer or consultant.
Councilmember Sanchez stated that she would like the consultant to evaluate the surrounding neighborhood streets to ensure they are not adversely impacted or overwhelmed by increased traffic.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: Approve Resolution 2026-R-008 and authorize City Administrator to execute necessary documents
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
8. Central Gridley Pedestrian Connectivity and Equal Access Project - CMAQ Funded Design City Council to direct City staff regarding pursuit of potential construction funding opportunities for the Central Gridley Pedestrian Connectivity and Equal Access Project.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 3-16-26 Page 4 of 8 Recommended Action(s):
a. Provide direction to staff regarding pursuit of potential construction funding opportunities
Following the earlier study session held that day, City Engineer Dave Harden resumed discussion of the item at the regular council meeting and formally requested Council direction.
Due to the project's location near his residence, Councilmember Roberts recused himself from the item.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Sanchez
Second: Johnson
Action: Council directed City staff to assign this project the lowest priority among the listed projects, while continuing to evaluate and returning to Council in six months for reassessment.
Ayes: Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Recused: Roberts
Motion passed, 4-0
9. Cherry Street Sidewalk Improvements
City Council to direct staff regarding development of the Cherry Street Sidewalk Improvements Project and coordination with the Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG) to pursue potential regional funding opportunities Recommended Action(s):
a. Provide direction to staff regarding development of the Cherry Street Sidewalk Improvements
Following the earlier study session held that day, City Engineer Dave Harden resumed discussion of the item at the regular council meeting and formally requested Council direction.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: Council directed City staff to continue working on planning efforts for the Cherry St improvements to present to BAG for possible funding opportunities Ayes: Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson, Roberts
Noes: None
Absent: None
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 3-16-26 Page 5 of 8 Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
10. Fairview Gap Closure and E. Gridley Road Pedestrian Improvements City Council to direct staff regarding development of the Fairview Gap Closure and E.
Gridley Road Pedestrian Improvements Project and pursuit of potential Active Transportation Program (ATP) funding opportunities
Recommended Action(s):
a. Provide direction to staff regarding development of the Fairview Gap Closure and E. Gridley Rd Pedestrian Improvements Project
Following the earlier study session held that day, City Engineer Dave Harden resumed discussion of the item at the regular council meeting and formally requested Council direction.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: Council directed City staff to continue pursuing CMAQ funding for design and be ready to submit for ATP funding when the notice of funds available is released Ayes: Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson, Roberts
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
11. Moose Lodge Sidewalk Gap Closures - State Route 99 Pedestrian Improvements City Council to direct staff regarding development pursuing right-of-way acquisition and continued coordination with CalTrans and BAG to construct a sidewalk gap closure along the west side of State Route 99 near the Moose Lodge Property Recommended Action(s):
a. Provide direction to staff regarding Moose Lodge sidewalk gap closures Following the earlier study session held that day, City Engineer Dave Harden resumed discussion of the item at the regular council meeting and formally requested Council direction.
Due to the project's proximity to The Moose Lodge, where he serves as administrator, Councilmember Roberts recused himself from the item.
Councilmember Sanchez shared concerns about the ADA parking being moved to the back.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 3-16-26 Page 6 of 8 Pamela Roberts, Moose Lodge Board Member, addressed the Council to confirm that the Moose Lodge is in support of relocating the ADA parking to the rear of the building.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Calderon
Action: Council directed City staff to continue working with the Moose Lodge for right-of-way negotiations in order to proceed with BAG for funding opportunities for construction Ayes: Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Recused: Roberts
Motion passed, 4-0
12. Wilson School Area Traffic Safety Improvements
City staff respectfully requests City Council direction regarding evaluation of potential traffic safety improvements in the Wilson School area
Recommended Action(s):
a. Provide direction to staff regarding Wilson School area traffic safety improvements
Following the earlier study session held that day, City Engineer Dave Harden resumed discussion of the item at the regular council meeting and formally requested Council direction.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Sanchez
Second: Roberts
Action: Direct City staff to rank the project among the bottom two of the five overall projects, while continuing to explore funding opportunities and collaborate with the school district to determine whether additional studies are needed prior to pursuing grant funding.
Ayes: Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson, Roberts
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Roberts reported on his attendance at the Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Vice Mayor Johnson reported on his attendance at the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District meeting, as well as the LAFCo meeting.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 3-16-26 Page 7 of 8
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
City Administrator Arteaga reported on her various meetings with City staff, including meetings with Fire Chief Jason Dyer, as well as discussions with Housing Tools related to the Laurel Street extension CDBG grant application process.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS
Fire Chief Jason Dyer provided a report on Fire Department activities and updates.
Police Chief Todd Farr reported to Council on Police Department activities and operations.
Principal Planner Christopher Smith provided an update on ongoing City planning projects.
Public Works Director Jerry Cox reported on a recent meeting with Gridley Little League.
Finance Director Martin Pineda informed Council that the Single Audit will be brought forward soon and provided an update on recent grant applications submitted by the City.
Electric Director Ryan Carlson reported on recent activities and updates within the Electric Department.
POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days):
Energy Efficiency Contract Review 4/6/2026
Randolph Lot Use Agreement - GUSD 4/6/2026
Steffen Estates Maintenance Assessment District Draft 4/6/2026 Expenditure Reports 4/6/2026
CLOSED SESSION -
13. Public Employment: Title: Public Works Director (Cal Gov. Code Section 54957)
14. Public Employment: Title: Electrical Director (Cal Gov. Code Section 54957) No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further items left to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the regular meeting of April 6th, 2026.
roman Cut pating
Elisa Arteaga, City Clerk
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 3-16-26 Page 8 of 8