Gridley City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 20th, 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, Farr, Johnson, Sanchez
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
Pamela Roberts, Code Enforcement
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sanchez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION - None
INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES - None
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
Ronald Lambert, 1524 Hazel St., addressed the City Council to request an extension to pay the delinquent Waste Management account referenced in the lien notice he received in the mail.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Council Meeting Minutes
City Council to review and approve City Council minutes GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 7-20-26 Page 1 of 8 Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve regular City Council meeting minutes dated June 15th, 2026 b. Approve special City Council meeting minutes dated June 4th, 2026
2. Expenditure Reports
City Council to review and approve expenditure reports for February, March, April, May and June 2026
Recommended Action(s):
a. Approve expenditure reports
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: approve consent agenda as presented
Ayes: Calderon, Farr, Roberts, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
INFORMATIONAL ITEM
3. American Lung Association Presentation
City Council to receive a presentation from the American Lung Association for the Manuel Vierra Park Clean Up
Recommended Action(s):
a. Receive presentation
Audrey Howes, representing the American Lung Association, addressed the City Council to provide an update on the organization's recent activities within the City, including its partnership with Si Se Puede and efforts related to the City's Smoke-Free Parks Ordinance.
Councilmember Sanchez asked follow-up questions regarding the fact sheet provided by Ms.
Howes.
The City Council commended the American Lung Association for its efforts and received the presentation.
4. City Grants Informational Update
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 7-20-26 Page 2 of 8 City Council to receive an informational presentation on the City's active grants, including the current status of each grant
Recommended Action(s):
a. City Council to receive presentation and provide feedback as needed Finance Director Martin Pineda reviewed the grant spreadsheet included in the agenda packet and provided an update on the current status of each grant. He also highlighted the efforts of City staff in pursuing grant funding.
Councilmember Sanchez asked whether SB 1 funding was being used for the City's current street paving projects. Director Pineda confirmed that SB 1 funding was being used for the paving work.
Councilmember Sanchez commended City staff for their efforts in pursuing grant opportunities over the past two years.
City Council received the presentation. No action was taken.
PUBLIC HEARING
5. Waste Management Delinquent Accounts
City Council to conduct a public hearing to receive any protests regarding the proposed recordation of liens for delinquent Waste Management accounts, in accordance with the agreement between the City of Gridley and Waste Management Recommended Action(s):
a. Open the public hearing.
b. Receive staff report and public comments/protests.
c. Close the public hearing.
d. Take action by adopting Resolution No. 2026-R-024: a Resolution of the City Council of the city of Gridley accepting a report of Waste Management delinquent accounts and approving liens and assessments on affected parcels for said costs
Mayor Farr opened the public hearing regarding Waste Management delinquent accounts and the Intent to Lien notices mailed to properties with accounts that were delinquent for 120 days or more.
Finance Director Martin Pineda presented the staff report and informed the City Council that City staff mailed the Intent to Lien notices after receiving a list of delinquent accounts from Waste Management. He noted that, since the notices were mailed, no formal protests had been submitted; however, several residents had contacted the City with questions and concerns. These included residents who had paid their outstanding balances directly to Waste Management and wanted to confirm that their properties would be removed from the lien list, as well as residents who disputed the amounts listed as delinquent or their responsibility for the accounts GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 7-20-26 Page 3 of 8 Joantha Guthrie, representing Waste Management, addressed the City Council and explained the company's billing and collection process. She stated that customers receive regular billing notices and phone calls regarding delinquent accounts during the 120-day period, followed by three past- due notices before an account is submitted to the City for the lien process. Ms. Guthrie also stated that Waste Management would provide the City with an updated delinquent account list prior to the County's August 8 lien deadline to account for payments received and other special circumstances.
Councilmember Calderon asked whether Waste Management offers payment arrangements to customers experiencing financial hardship. Ms. Guthrie responded that customers should contact Waste Management directly, and the company would work with them to find a solution based on their individual circumstances.
City Administrator Elisa Arteaga briefly explained the City's role in the lien process in partnership with Waste Management. Administrator Arteaga expressed concerns regarding the accuracy of the delinquent account list and recommended that Waste Management audit and verify the accounts to ensure that the balances are accurate and that the accounts are not associated with prior property owners or otherwise incorrectly attributed. She recommended that the City Council postpone consideration of the resolution until an updated and verified list was provided.
Dean McKelvey, a Gridley resident, expressed frustration and stated that he had not received past- due notices from Waste Management prior to receiving the City's Intent to Lien notice.
Kelly Wiles, 1162 Pecan Street, stated that she received an Intent to Lien notice for an amount she did not owe. Ms. Wiles showed the City Attorney a copy of her current Waste Management bill, which did not show any outstanding arrears.
Summer Fernandez, a Gridley resident, stated that the delinquent balance on her account was associated with a previous property owner. She stated that Waste Management advised her in February not to be concerned about the past-due balance; however, she subsequently received an Intent to Lien notice because the property remained on the delinquent account list provided to the City.
Elias Orozco, a Gridley resident, stated that he had paid the outstanding balance and provided proof that Waste Management had deposited his payment. He expressed concern that his property remained on the list of accounts subject to a lien.
Following public comments and discussion, Councilmember Sanchez made a motion to close the public hearing and not approve Resolution No. 2026-R-024 at this time. The motion further directed Waste Management to conduct due diligence to review and verify the accuracy of the delinquent accounts and directed City staff to bring an updated list back to the City Council for consideration at either the August 3, 2026, regular meeting or a special meeting, as necessary, to meet the County's August 8, 2026, deadline for placing liens. Vice Mayor Johnson seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Sanchez
Second: Johnson
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 7-20-26 Page 4 of 8 Action: close the public hearing and not approve Resolution No. 2026-R-024 at this time. The motion further directed Waste Management to conduct due diligence to review and verify the accuracy of the delinquent accounts and directed City staff to bring an updated list back to the City Council for consideration at either the August 3, 2026, regular meeting or a special meeting, as necessary, to meet the County's August 8, 2026, deadline for placing liens Ayes: Calderon, Farr, Roberts, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
6. Paperless Utility Billing Incentive
City Council to consider authorizing a one-time $10 utility bill credit for City of Gridley utility customers who enroll in paperless billing.
Recommended Action(s):
a. Authorization staff to implement a one-time $10 utility bill credit for City of Gridley utility customers who enroll in paperless billing Finance Director Martin Pineda requested that City Council approve a one-time $10 incentive for utility customers who opt in to paperless billing. He explained that participation would be completely voluntary and that the idea was presented after attending a Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) meeting, where the cost savings associated with paperless billing were discussed. Director Pineda stated that the City currently spends approximately $38,000 annually on mailing utility bills. He noted that if all customers opted into paperless billing, the City would provide approximately $31,000 in one-time credits.
Councilmember Sanchez expressed support for the proposed incentive but stated that she felt the recently implemented credit card processing fee passed on to customers could outweigh the benefit of the one-time credit over time. She suggested that the City revisit the 3% electronic payment processing fee.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Calderon
Action: Authorize staff to implement a one-time $10 utility billing credit for City of Griley utility customers who enroll in paperless billing
Ayes: Calderon, Farr, Roberts, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, 5-0
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 7-20-26 Page 5 of 8
7. Opportunity Zones 2.0 Designation
Council to consider recommending both eligible census tracts within Gridley to the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) for designation as Opportunity Zones 2.0 under the Local Authority Recommendation Form process Recommended Action(s):
a. Direct staff on whether to recommend both eligible census tracts within Gridley - 06007003400 and 06007003502 - to the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) for designation as Opportunity Zones 2.0 under the Local Authority Recommendation Form process
Principal Planner Christopher Smith presented the item and provided an overview of the Opportunity Zone program. He explained that the program is intended to encourage investment in eligible, economically distressed communities by providing preferential federal tax treatment for certain qualifying investments made within designated Opportunity Zones. Smith explained that designation could help make the City more attractive to investors seeking to invest in qualifying projects within the designated areas.
Smith presented two potential areas within the City and requested direction from the City Council on whether to submit the areas to the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) for consideration as part of the Opportunity Zones 2.0 designation process.
Vice Mayor Johnson asked about potential disadvantages associated with pursuing the Opportunity Zone designation. Smith stated that, based on his research, he had not identified any significant disadvantages, aside from the possibility that the designation could attract a business or development that may not be favorable to the City. He noted, however, that any new business or development would still be subject to the City's existing review and approval processes.
Councilmember Sanchez expressed concerns about the potential for gentrification if the areas were designated as Opportunity Zones. She stated that, if the City were selected for the designation, she would like the City to collect data and monitor the impacts of the designation on the community.
Smith responded that any new businesses or development would continue to be subject to the City's existing review and approval processes, as they are currently.
ROLL CALL
Motion: Johnson
Second: Roberts
Action: Authorize staff to recommend both eligible census tracts with Gridley - 06007003400 and 06007003502
Ayes: Calderon, Farr, Roberts, Johnson, Sanchez
Noes: None
Absent: None
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 7-20-26 Page 6 of 8 Councilmember Calderon reported on his recent meetings with representatives from the City of Comala, Mexico, as part of the Sister City program.
Councilmember Roberts reported on the Chamber of Commerce meeting and preparations for National Night Out.
Mayor Farr commented that he was pleased with the progress of the Highway 99 project.
Vice Mayor Johnson reported on his attendance at the Mosquito and Vector Control District meeting.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
City Administrator Arteaga reported on recent internal staff meetings, including meetings related to the City's Sister City relationship with Comala, Mexico, as well as ongoing grant applications and funding opportunities.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE REPORTS
• Police Department - Quarterly Report
Police Chief Farr reported on the Police Department's quarterly statistics and recent incidents. He also reported that the Police Department is preparing for National Night Out. • Finance Department - Investment Update
Finance Director Martin Pineda provided an overview of the City's current investment portfolio.
Public Works Director Jerry Cox reported on recent Public Works activities, including a recent landscape walkthrough for the Highway 99 project and ongoing street paving activities.
Electric Director Ryan Carlson provided an update on current Electric Department projects.
Principal Planner Christopher Smith provided an update on current Planning Department projects.
Code Enforcement Officer Pamela Roberts informed the City Council of recent changes to the Code Enforcement inspection schedule. She stated that she will be conducting inspections three to four times per week in an effort to take a more proactive approach to code enforcement rather than a reactive approach.
POTENTIAL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS - (Appearing on the Agenda within 30 days):
Nöise Ordinance Amendment 8/4/2026
Master Fee Schedule Study Session 8/4/2026
AMI Metering 8/4/2026
Electric Distribution System Study 8/4/2026
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 7-20-26 Page 7 of 8
CLOSED SESSION
Council adjourned to closed session at 8:06 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 8:40 p.m. to report action taken on Item 8.
8. Closed session discussion pursuant to Government Code 54956.9 with City Attorney - Existing Litigation - "Alexandra Tacalo vs. City of Gridley, et al", Butte County Superior Court Case No. 24CV00332
Approve settlement of case 5-0
9. LIABILITY CLAIMS Cal. Gov. Code Section 54956.95(a): Claimant: William T. Bagley; Agency Claimed Against: City of Gridley
Leave to make claim denied 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further items left to discuss, Mayor Farr adjourned to the regular meeting on August 4th, 2026.
Approve: ( litA steag
Elisa Arteaga, City Administrator
GRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of 7-20-26 Page 8 of 8