For the first time in many years, the City of Gridley will not have an election for vacancies on the City Council.
With the terms of Jerry Fichter and Bruce Johnson up this December, Fichter has opted to run for another four year term and Johnson did not.
Pedro Mota took filing papers out this month and he and Fichter were the only potential candidates to turn their applications in by the August 11, 2010, deadline, meaning an expensive election is not necessary.
Community Development Director Andrea Redamonti patiently waited until the end of the August 16, 2010, Planning Commission meeting to announce that the City had just been awarded a Cal Trans grant for downtown revitalization in the amount of $96,000.
By Lisa Van De Hey
Publisher/Editor
The annual General Meeting for the Business Improvement District was held at the Recreation Office in Vierra Park last week with just nine in attendance.
With over 200 invitations sent out, this was a shame as it is always a nice time for business owners or managers to learn what the Business Improvement District is up to, learn what is going on within the city and enjoy a potluck dinner together.
By Lisa Van De Hey
Publisher/Editor
Martha Wright has donated blood on a regular basis for the past 26 years. The blood drives were held at the Moose Lodge when she began donating and now she goes to the Blood Source blood drive at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which is held four times a year.
She said she sees the same generous people each time, almost like ‘old-home’ week.
In answer to Gridley City Administrator Rob Hickey's report concerning certification relating to the General Municipal Election to fill two City Council seats, Vice Mayor Bruce Johnson, who did not seek re-election, asked if it would be possible for write-in votes to be obtained in an election.
Hickey had just told Council members that the City would save $15,000 from the General Fund by not having to hold an election because only two people turned application papers in, Jerry Fichter and Pedro Mota, to fill the two vacancies.
“The City has the opportunity to adopt a resolution to cancel the upcoming election for the City and appoint these two. They would be considered elected. As written in the law, it treats them as if they are actually elected by Council. We've worked hard. Jody did quite a bit to manage to get the legal notice posted in a general circulation newspaper in time, that allowed five days, after the sixth day Council can meet at a special meeting to adopt the resolution to cancel the election and save the City $12,000 to $15,000, to not hold an election. If the City Council voted to go forward they would pay for the election process. The special meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, August 19, 2010, at 6 p.m.,” Hickey stated.
Johnson stated he was curious if there were any qualifications for write-in votes. Representing City Attorney Brant Bordsen, Nicole Delerio stated she would look into the matter.
Councilman Dave Garner stated, as he has stated many times at previous meetings on other matters, “I hate to spend the money.”
During a Public Hearing, Council members approved the 2010-2011 HOME Grant Application for an allocation of funds for the rehabilitation of Gridley Springs Apartments.
The City intends to submit an application to the Department to participate in the HOME program and for an allocation of funds not to exceed $4.1 million for financing the acquisition and rehabilitation of the 56 unit at risk affordable family rental housing development. Together with Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity, a tax exempt permanent loan and a below market interest USDA-RD loan, the project will be totally renovated and it's affordability will be extended an additional 55 years.
The second Public Hearing of the evening was to solicit citizen input regarding the City's intent to assess cost of utility service accounts against property. Upon hearing just one question regarding landlords and what they would be responsible for from Jeanne Hart, (renter is responsible unless utilities are in the property owners name). Council members voted to assess cost of utility service accounts (water/sewer) against property in the total amount of $59,751.28. “The Water meter, service or connection charges imposed pursuant to these regulation constitute a lien upon the parcel of real property to which such service was rendered,” as stated in the resolution.
In a report submitted by Community Development Director Andrea Redamonti, it was reported a letter had been sent to Dave Halimi, owner of the Butte Theatre, regarding outstanding abatement issues. To date, staff has not been contacted. Administrative fines will continue to accumulate until the list of code violations is corrected (no change since previous report.)
As in the earlier Planning Commission meeting, Redamonti reported that the City had been awarded $96,000 for downtown revitalization, mixed use from Cal Trans.
“This can be used for a planning study the City would have to do anyway with the General Plan,” she explained.
Mayor Jerry Fichter showed enthusiasm by stating, “This is a great thing. It came at a great time, in time for the General Plan and Sphere of Influence. It is very positive.”
“This is $100,000 you won't have to take from General Fund,” Hickey stated.
Council members seemed pleased with the passage of the resolution approving a memorandum of understanding between the IBEW and the City of Gridley regarding wages, hours and working conditions for certain employees of the City.
Councilman Owen Stiles commented, “We need to look at ourselves as a City. I'm thankful we aren't like Bell, California or Oakland that had to lay off officers. I think our employees stepped up and accepted a fair bargaining.”
Hickey agreed by stating, “The City has gone through extensive talks with IBEW. The City and IBEW have agreed to tier of benefits the City provides, cost sharing for people to pay their share of PERS, etc. It is a good document. It was hard negotiations on both ides. It is in line with the fiscal trend today.”
Mayor Fichter ended the meeting by stating the Chamber of Commerce and BID will have a booth at the Butte County Fair and they are looking for volunteers to take a shift.
“Sean Earley is working very hard. In the short time he has been here a lot has happened,” she said.
The next meeting of the Gridley City Council will be held Monday, September 2, 2010, at 7 p.m.
FEMA officials have announced the removal of residents of the Biggs and Gridley areas from the current high hazard flood zone map, eliminating at least for now the requirement for mandatory flood insurance. The decision came following Biggs' formal request for reclassification with extensive technical documentation demonstrating the area's remote liklihood for significant flooding. Butte County's public works department supported the challenge to FEMA's sweeping flood zone designations, as did many citizens in town hall meetings sponsored by Butte County Supervisor Steve Lambert.
"To see the story in its entirety, call 846-3661 to subscribe to The Gridley Herald."
Butte Conty Mosquito and Vector Control District has received confirmation on July 7, 2010 that two dead birds found in Butte County have tested positive for West Nile virus. One positive bird was collected from the west side of Chico near River Road/Lone Pine and the other from downtown Oroville.
"To see the story in its entirety, call 846-3661 to subscribe to The Gridley Herald."
With ballots counted and results in hand, the Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency (SBFCA) announced today that property owners in Sutter and Butte Counties have approved a benefit assessment for 44 miles of levee improvements along the west bank of the Feather River. Results will be officially announced at the July 14 SBFCA Board meeting, at which time the Board will consider official action to form the Benefit Assessment District.
"To see the story in its entirety, call 846-3661 to subscribe to The Gridley Herald."
It is always disconcerting to hear of elderly people being taken advantage of. We hear it over the national news, we hear about it locally, but when the amount reaches nearly $17,000 and it has happened to a very savvy, former businesswoman, it can seem unbelievable until you hear the details.
"To see the story in its entirety, call 846-3661 to subscribe to The Gridley Herald."
Former Gridley Little League Treasurer, Eryka Abella was found guilty on three felony counts and one enhancement in Butte County Superior Court on Wednesday, July 7, 2010.
On April 1, 2009, Abella plead guilty to embezzling $32,878 from the Gridley Little League for two years while she served as treasurer.
"To see the story in its entirety, call 846-3661 to subscribe to The Gridley Herald."
The Public hearing at Wednesday night's Gridley City Council meeting ended with a stalemate vote, and therefore did not pass for property owners Dean McKelvey and Alfonso Carmona.
Admitting that improvements to their 1039 Oregon Street property were done without necessary building permits, the men were denied a variance for the rear and side yard setback requirements for improvements by the City's Planning Commission May 17, 2010.
"To see the story in its entirety, call 846-3661 to subscribe to The Gridley Herald."
Live Oak residents are invited to honor veterans on a memorial wall with bricks as a remembrance and each person honored will be included in a scrapbook loving prepared by Cemetery Secretary Charlotte Landers and the Veterans Memorial Committee. A total of 108 bricks will be the first ones set in the first memorial wall this week. Bricks can be purchased for just $50 each and many families are purchasing several, as they honor veterans in their family.
Sunday, July 4, 2010, will mark the Eighth Annual All American Hometown Celebration in Biggs.
Being able to celebrate another year of this fantastic event is cause for celebration enough. A committee of Biggs residents meets all year to ensure that this exciting day occurs even if it means having more fund raisers, especially to pay for the terrific fireworks show, which begins at 9:15 p.m.
When a call for help goes out, the businesses in the Gridley area always seem to step up. With so many active clubs and organizations, the schools and other groups holding various fund raisers throughout the year, the local businesses are always good about donating items for a silent auction, a raffle, food for an event or cash.
The theme for the Butte County Fair, “Fun for the Whole Herd,” means exactly what it sounds like, fun for all ages.
Live Oak residents are invited to honor veterans on a memorial wall with bricks as a remembrance and each person honored will be included in a scrapbook loving prepared by Cemetery Secretary Charlotte Landers and the Veterans Memorial Committee. A total of 108 bricks will be the first ones set in the first memorial wall this week. Bricks can be purchased for just $50 each and many families are purchasing several, as they honor veterans in their family.
Women's bras at a hardware store? Bras billowing in the wind? What will motorists think when they travel Highway 99 in the next month in Gridley? This would only happen in Gridley as extreme support is being shown once again for the local hospital.
Augustus Flomo (Gus), 32 years old, of Liberia, knew a lot about Gridley and the people here before he arrived on April 10, 2010. His father, Mogano Flomo, has worked with the Liberian Children's Schooling Project (LCSP) as the Executive Director, in particular Dan Boeger, Cynthia Soares and John Harris, who each visited Liberia in the past three years to help make a difference in a country that desperately needs help.
Ballots that were recently received for the repair of levees in Sutter and Butte Counties are vital to send in by June 30, 2010.
A southbound Union Pacific train was delayed for about an hour in Gridley Wednesday by a vehicle abandoned between the two railroad tracks.
