Gridley City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 4*', 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 parmeries out ended unit cost fret us else end ring red never. 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
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Ryan Carlson, Electric Director
Jerry Cox, Public Works Director
Christopher Smith, Principal Planner
Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk
Jamie Luevano, Recreation Manager
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION - None
INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES
City Administrator Arteaga introduced the newly hired Recreation Manager, Jamie Luevano, who then introduced himself to the Council.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
The community participation forum was opened, and seeing no one was present to speak, was closed.
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CONSENT AGENDA
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 5-4-26 Page 1 of 5
1. Council Meeting Minutes
City Council to review and approve City Council minutes Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve regular City Council meeting minutes dated March 16th, 2026
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
INFORMATIONAL ITEM
2. Butte County Behavioral Health Facility (Councilmember Sanchez) Councilmember Sanchez requested an informational update from City staff regarding the new Butte Co. Behavioral Health Facility
Recommended Action(s):
a. Receive staff update
Councilmember Sanchez opened the item, noting recent community activity on social media and requesting an informational update from City staff.
Principal Planner Christopher Smith delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the new Butte County Behavioral Health facility, outlining its purpose and the services it will provided to residents of Gridley and neighboring jurisdictions. He explained that while these services are already available in the City of Gridley, a larger facility is needed to expand services and accommodate additional staff.
Councilmember Calderon expressed his support for the project and shared insights based on his three years of service on the Butte County Behavioral Health Advisory Board.
Councilmember Sanchez sought clarification that the facility will serve MediCal patients rather than Medicare patients, as presented.
Vice Mayor Johnson asked follow-up questions regarding the services to be provided and whether the facility would function as a holding facility. City staff clarified that it is not intended to serve as a holding facility.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 5-4-26 Page 2 of 5 Following Council discussion, the City Council received and accepted the informational report. No formal action was necessary.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
3. Planning Commission Vacancy
Council to review Planning Commission letter of interest and consider appointment to the vacant seat
Recommended Action(s):
a. Receive and file the letter of interest submitted for the one Planning Commission vacancy
b. Consider and make appointments to fill the vacant Planning Commission seat City Administrator Arteaga informed the Council that an additional letter of interest was received after the previous appointment of two Planning Commissioners. With one vacancy still remaining, she recommended that Council review the attached application and consider making an appointment.
Applicant Paige Williams-Emery addressed the Council and responded to questions from Councilmember Sanchez regarding the other professions listed on her application and her ability to commit to serving as a Planning Commissioner. Ms. Williams-Emery confirmed that her schedule would not be an issue.
Councilmember Calderon asked for clarification regarding her response to a question about annexation on her application. Ms. Williams-Emery explained that she intended to convey that she would take the responsibility seriously and ensure she is well-informed before making decisions.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Calderon
Second: Sanchez
Action: Appoint Paige Williams-Emery as Planning Commissioner for a term of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2029
Ayes: Roberts, Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Johnson
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Calderon reported on his continued work on Senior Citizen Appreciation Day.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 5-4-26 Page 3 of 5 Vice Mayor Johnson reported on recent meetings of the Butte County Air Quality Management District and the Butte County Association of Governments.
Councilmember Sanchez read City Engineer Dave Harden's response to her request for an update on the Sports Complex and Feather River sewer crossing.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
City Administrator Arteaga reported on her recent meetings with Waste Management, Sister City Comala, and local water districts, as well as her attendance at the NCPA Legislative and Regulatory meeting in Washington, D.C. the previous week. She also provided a brief update that the City was not awarded a grant for an EV charging station and shared that staff have been holding recent budget meetings.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS -
Fire Chief Jason Dyer reported on emergency response numbers for April for Fire Station 74 and provided an update on recent station activities, including training.
Principal Planner Christopher Smith reported that he also attended the meeting with the water districts and briefed the Council on ongoing development projects.
Public Works Director Jerry Cox reported on recent budget meetings, provided an update on the Highway 99 project, and shared photos of the installation of streetlights along the corridor. i.i
Electric Director Ryan Carlson reported on current City electric operations and asked if the Council had any additional questions or concerns regarding the new Highway 99 streetlights.
POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days):
Energy Efficiency Contract Review 5/18/2026
Randolph Lot Use Agreement - GUSD 5/18/2026
Expenditure Reports 5/18/2026
Electric Budget Study Session 5/18/2026
Public Works Budget Study Session 5/14/2026
Police Department Budget Study Session 5/14/2026
Recreation Department Budget Study Session 5/14/2026
CLOSED SESSION
4. LIABILITY CLAIMS Cal. Gov. Code Section 54956.95(a): Claimant: Patricia Yarbrough; Agency Claimed Against: City of Gridley
Liability Claim: Claimant: Patricia Yarborough against City of Gridley for property damage. Claim denied 5-0.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 5-4-26 Page 4 of 5 LIABILITY CLAIMS Cal. Gov. Code Section 54956.95(a): Claimant: Jennifer Weiss; Agency Claimed Against: City of Gridley
Liability Claim: Claimant: Jennifer Weiss against City of Gridley (worker's compensation).
Settlement approved 5-0. The City agrees to a waiver of recovery on the total paid on the claim of $12,734.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further items left to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the next regular meeting on May 18th, 2026.
Aprove: Sir SAntang
Elisa Arteaga, City Clerk
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 5-4-26 Page 5 of 5