Gridley City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 18th, 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
Christopher Smith, Principal Planner
Carmen Santana, Deputy City Clerk
Jamie Luevano, Recreation Manager
Dave Harden, City Engineer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sanchez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION - None
INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES
City Administrator Arteaga invited Recreation Manager Jaime Luevano to provide an update on his new role.
Levi Melton was introduced as the new Public Works Supervisor.
Nathan Callaway was introduced as the new Electric Department Supervisor.
Mayor Farr administered the Oaths of Office to Ryan Carlson as Electric Director and Jerry Cox as Public Works Director.
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 5-18-26 Page 1 of 8
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
The community participation 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):
a. Approve regular City Council meeting minutes dated April 20th and May 4th, 2026
2. GASB 75 Actuarial Valuation Services
City Council consideration of the proposal from MacLeod Watts to conduct the actuarial valuation of the City of Gridley's Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability, as required under GASB 75.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve the proposal from MacLeod Watts in an amount not to exceed $5,000 b. Authorize Finance Director to execute necessary documents Items number 2 was pulled from the consent agenda by Councilmember Sanchez.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Sanchez
Second: Roberts
Action: approve item 1 on the consent agenda
Ayes: Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Roberts, Johnson
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
2. GASB 75 Actuarial Valuation Services
City Council consideration of the proposal from MacLeod Watts to conduct the actuarial valuation of the City of Gridley's Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability, as required under GASB 75.
Recommended Action(s):
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 5-18-26 Page 2 of 8 c. Approve the proposal from MacLeod Watts in an amount not to exceed $5,000 d. Authorize Finance Director to execute necessary documents Councilmember Sanchez pulled the agenda item to clarify that the request before the Council was to approve the proposal from MacLeod Watts in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for FY 2026- 2027. She noted that the proposal also included a separate amount for FY 2027-2028. Finance Director Martin Pineda confirmed that the only amount being presented for approval at this time is $5,000, and that any additional funding requests will be brought forward separately for future consideration.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Sanchez
Second: Roberts
Action: approve item 1 on the consent agenda
Ayes: Calderon, Sanchez, Farr, Roberts, Johnson
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
INFORMATIONAL ITEM
3. 110 Virginia Street and 390 Virginia Street Receivership City Council to receive a verbal update from City Attorney Galyean regarding receivership matters at 110 Virginia Street and 390 Virginia Street
Recommended Action(s):
a. Receive staff update
City Attorney Tony Galyean presented a verbal update to the Council regarding the receivership properties at 110 Virginia Street and 390 Virginia Street.
For 110 Virginia Street, Attorney Galyean reported that the property is expected to enter escrow soon with Epic Global Consulting, LLC. As part of the sale, the buyer will be required to enter into a compliance agreement with the City. He also explained the anticipated next steps in the process.
Regarding 390 Virginia Street, Attorney Galyean informed the Council that the Gridley Unified School District had recently expressed interest in the property. He also noted that a case management conference has been scheduled.
Councilmember Sanchez stated that she had previously expressed interest in having the City acquire the properties and reiterated her desire for the City to explore those options.
Following a brief discussion, the informational item was closed with no formal action taken.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 5-18-26 Page 3 of 8
4. Energy Services Group (ESG) Agreement Renewal
City Council consideration of renewing the professional services agreement with Energy Services Group (ESG) for the continued delivery of energy efficiency programs to City residents.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve the renewal of the professional services agreement with ESG b. Authorize the City Administrator to execute all necessary documents Finance Director Martin Pineda presented the agreement for Council consideration regarding renewal. He explained that Energy Services Group (ESG) has assisted the City for approximately 20 years with administration of the City's rebate programs and coordination of related program implementation. He further stated that ESG would also assist the City with implementing any new programs that may be considered under the next agenda item.
Councilmember Sanchez stated that she was previously unaware the City had been under contract with ESG for these services.
Finance Director Pineda explained that Councilmember Sanchez may not have been aware of ESG's involvement due to the nature of their work, which is largely performed behind the scenes in support of City programs and administration.
Councilmember Calderon expressed concerns regarding the contract amount and stated he was concerned the associated costs could ultimately be passed on to residents. He further stated that he would prefer to discontinue the contracted services and instead direct those funds toward direct assistance for residents.
Finance Director Pineda further explained that the programs administered through ESG are intended to assist residents, including programs that help subsidize energy bills for income- qualified households, and stated that ESG's role is to help facilitate and administer those assistance programs.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: approve the contract renewal with ESG and authorize City Administrator to execute necessary documents
Ayes: Sanchez, Farr, Roberts, Johnson
Noes: Calderon
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 4-1
5. Energy Efficiency Programs
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 5-18-26 Page 4 of 8 City Council to review the proposed Energy Efficiency Programs and Utility Assistance Program
Recommended Action(s):
a. Authorize implementation of the new energy efficiency and utility assistance programs as presented; or
b. Provide direction to staff regarding any desired changes Finance Director Martin Pineda presented the proposed rebate programs for Gridley residents to be implemented in collaboration with Energy Services Group (ESG). He noted a correction to the distributed handout, clarifying that the HVAC tune-up rebate amount is $50, not $600. He provided a brief overview of the proposed programs and explained the associated income eligibility guidelines.
Regarding the proposed programs, Mayor Farr stated his opposition to rebates for e-bikes, electric vehicles, and residential EV charging stations, with the Vice Mayor expressing agreement.
Councilmember Sanchez expressed support for an e-bike rebate program, noting its potential benefit for residents who may not have other transportation options.
Councilmember Calderon raised concerns regarding the affordability of participating in the proposed programs.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: approve implementation of the new energy efficiency and utility assistance programs minus the rebates for e-bikes, electric vehicles, and residential EV charging stations Ayes: Calderon Farr, Roberts, Johnson
Noes: Sanchez
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 4-1
6. Safe Streets for All Grant Application
City Council consideration of Resolution No. 2026-R-015, authorizing the City Administrator to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program
Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve Resolution No: 2026-R-015
b. Authorize City Administrator to execute all necessary documents GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 5-18-26 Page 5 of 8 City Engineer Dave Harden requested approval of Resolution 2026-R-015 authorizing the City to submit and application to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. He explained that if awarded the grant, the City would have a 20% match.
Vice Mayor Johnson asked why the City needs to go out for grants that could potentially take a long time to hear back or have the funding, but instead working directly with the GUSD or neighboring jurisdictions to complete any areas of concerned either addressed or we can apply for a grant in house without having a consultant mitigate any grants.
City Engineer Harden went on to explain the grant process and the reports needed to submit for grant applications as well as what the funds could be used for.
Councilmember Sanchez asked if the City keeps track of reports and studies that have previously been approved for other grant applications and explained. She further stated that she would prefer to see the City pursue grant opportunities focused on construction or implementation projects rather than additional study-based funding.
Councilmember Calderon spoke in support of safer roads within Gridley.
Mayor Farr asked for a ballpark number to complete the grant writing, to which Harden responded approximately $7,500.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Calderon
Action: approve Resolution 2026-R-015 and authorize the City Administrator to execute all necessary documents
Ayes: Calderon Farr, Roberts, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
7. SB 1 Project List (FY 26/27)
City Council to review and adopt Resolution 2026-R-016, a Resolution of the City of Gridley approving the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 SB 1 project list and authorizing the City Administrator to include the identified projects in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget to be funded with Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) revenues Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve Resolution 2026-R-016
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 5-18-26 Page 6 of 8 City Engineer Dave Harden presented the SB1 project list and requested Council adoption of Resolution 2026-R-016, which would formally identify and designate projects within the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for funding using Senate Bill 1 (SB1) revenues.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Roberts
Second: Johnson
Action: approve Resolution 2026-R-016
Ayes: Calderon Farr, Roberts, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
8. Topographic Survey - Electric Department Maintenance Yard City Council consideration of awarding a contract to Robertson Erickson Civil Engineers and Surveyors for a topographic survey of the Electric Department's Maintenance Yard for an amount not to exceed $7,500
Recommended Action(s):
a. Award contract to Robertson Erickson Civil Engineers and Surveyors b. Authorize City Administrator to execute necessary documents Electric Director Ryan Carlson presented three bids obtained for the topographic survey of the Electric Department maintenance yard. He requested Council award the contract to Robertson Erickson Civil Engineers and Surveyors in an amount not to exceed $7,500.
Councilmember Sanchez noted that the address listed in Robertson Erickson's submitted bid was incorrect. She also expressed concerns regarding the firm's work quality and indicated she would vote no if the motion moved forward with their selection.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: award contracts with Robertson Erickson Civil Engineers and Surveyors and authorize City Administrator to execute necessary documents
Ayes: Calderon Farr, Roberts, Johnson
Noes: Sanchez
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 4-1
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 5-18-26 Page 7 of 8
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Roberts reported on the Red Suspenders Day activities.
Mayor Farr reported that the Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the cemetery on May 25th.
Vice Mayor Johnson reported on his attendance at meetings of the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District and the Sutter Butte Flood Control District.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
City Administrator Elisa reported that she attended meetings with Unico, budget adjustment discussions with City staff, and meetings with the Gridley Unified School District (GUSD).
DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS
Police Chief Farr reported on Police Department involvement in Red Suspenders Day activities.
Finance Director Martin Pineda informed Council that the auditors are scheduled to be onsite in June.
Public Works Director Jerry Cox reported on Public Works involvement in Red Suspenders Day activities, as well as recent cleaning and maintenance efforts following the recent storm.
Electric Director Ryan Carlson reported on electrical outages caused by the recent wind storm and stated that outages and repairs were primarily due to downed branches and wind-related damage.
POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days):
Noise Ordinance Amendment 6/1/2026
Firework Ordinance Amendment 6/1/2026
Planning Department Strategic Planning Session 6/1/2026 Administration Department Strategic Planning Session 6/1/2026 Recreation Department Strategic Planning Session 6/1/2026 CLOSED SESSION - None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Farr adjourned to the next regular meeting on June 1, 2026.
Approve: DeArlean
Elisa / teaga, City Clerk
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Regular Meeting of 5-18-26 Page 8 of 8