GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - After a few quiet months, Gridley City Council got back in the swing of things as it tackled a few new projects.

First, council heard a report from Mann, Urrutia, Nelson, CPAs & Associates regarding the 2018-2019 independent audit. The City of Gridley’s financial department is currently in the process of updating its financial software – a long and tedious process. Despite that, the independent audit report for the year 2018-2019 was “clean” and the city is in good standing.

Council then turned their focus to the Feather River Sewer project. The city’s current sewer force main was constructed in 1967 and rests on the bottom of the Feather River, conveying wastewater to Gridley’s plant. It has been identified as a potential source of water contamination by Yuba City even though it is inspected every 5 years for leaks and has been found sound. On behalf of the city, Bennet Engineering Services has obtained a grant from the California Clean Water State Revolving Fund in the amount of $500,000 to look at alternatives to replacing the pipe. According to Bennett the total price tag for replacement could be in the $10 million price range, so a detailed planning approach will make applying for grant funding much more lucrative. Council voted to proceed as advised, moving on to the next item.

Council then accepted a $3,500 grant to Gridley Animal Control Services for the trap-neuter-release program.

Next, council approved the purchase of 15, X26P Axon tasers for the Gridley Police Department along with a maintenance program for the new devices. Of the current 15 tasers currently in use by the GBPD, 8 are set to expire in April of 2021, 5 will expire in April 2022 and 2 are already out of compliance. Purchase cost with a 5-year plan in place totals $24,613.90.

Finally, Gridley City Council heard the Electric Department’s request for a new underground line puller. The current line puller is 30 years old and now inoperable, with no way to be repaired. A new machine would decrease outage times and increase the department’s efficiency. Cost for a new machine is estimated at $135,000 with additional $12,800 for duct rollers and an air adapter kit for a total of $147,000.  Council approved the purchase. It will take 3-4 months for the city to receive the new puller due to order times.