GRIDLEY (MPG) – The Gridley City Council gave approval to City Administrator Elisa Arteaga to renew a contract with RSG Solutions, a consulting firm for community development, at the Feb. 18 council meeting. 

Next, a new maintenance district was established for Parkland Estates. This subject was discussed at the last council meeting. 

Financial Director Martin Pineda presented a mid-year budget review. He requested an adjustment to the budget in the amount of $961,273.72 for the Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) payment (the difference between the estimated cost of future retirement benefits and the assets that have been set aside to pay for those benefits). It was further noted by Pineda, that without the unfunded accrued liability payment, the budget would decrease by $288,000.  

Pineda responded to questions by the council about election costs from the county ($9,500) and the allocation of $40,000 to different league accounts for soccer, basketball, seniors and recreation. This was a suggestion given by the auditor to more effectively track the amounts used by each program. The budget modifications were unanimously approved.

For Council Committee reports, Councilmember J. Angel Calderon met with several agencies that have committed to participate in the Healthy Alternatives to Fentanyl and Drug Use program. Calderon noted that there is not currently an active substance abuse policy in the county.

Councilmember Jim Roberts attended the Gridley Chamber of Commerce meeting where preparations for Red Suspenders Day were discussed.  

Vice-Mayor Bruce Johnson met with Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency. Task orders have been approved for engineering the Feather River West Levee project and the Oroville Wildlife Area. Johnson also attended the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting concerning the public notice for the annexation of Lake Oroville Public Utility District.  

Johnson said that one of the two new planes ordered for the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District came in under-budget. The plane should arrive in time for mosquito season this spring, summer and fall. Johnson also referred to compliance with state regulations for storage tank cleanup. 

City Administrator Arteaga reported on the county Building Inspection, Building and Planning Department’s quarterly meeting to discuss the need for master fee schedule updates, as other cities have done, as well as obtain local access to the county software system. Code enforcement was also discussed and a code enforcement officer will be hired.

Arteaga, along with city engineer Dave Harden and Fire Chief Chip Fowler, attended a Safety Action Plan meeting in Butte County concerning how to make the area’s corridor safer, especially on Highway 99. Recommendations were made to improve crosswalks and traffic signage for speed limits. Arteaga indicated having the plan would help in applying for grants. At the League of Cities meeting, there was discussion about sales tax, increased electrical sales, and reduced fuel sales because of more electric vehicles. Some insights were presented for inter-departmental training and how to build a strong team.

Fire Chief Fowler said that the department rescued 23 people and nine dogs during January’s flooding. Fowler is part of the steering committee for the county to establish a Virtual Emergency Operations Center accessible by all communities countywide. Department heads throughout the county will be able to see where emergencies are happening and what is needed. 

“Hopefully it’s going to be a good tool. So far, it looks like it will be,” Fowler said. 

Fowler outlined goals for the county Community Wildfire Protection Plan, including collaboration among county agencies, identifying and prioritizing hazardous fuel reduction and reducing structure vulnerability by teaching residents to maintain proper clearance around their homes. 

Comments were made by the council and Fire Chief about flooding incidents and that it is a violation of law to go past flood warning signs. 

Public Works Director Ross Pippitt reported that the boat ramp would be reopened. In addition, the new water main on Highway 99 has been completed and the old main will now be torn out.  

The meeting turned to closed session to discuss the properties at 110 and 390 Virginia St., as well as the Alvarez v. City of Gridley, and Jesse Meza v. City of Gridley lawsuits.