GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Recognition was given to Miguel Chavez, who was promoted to senior accountant technician, at the Sept. 3 Gridley City Council meeting.

Chavez has been an accountant with the City of Gridley for a year. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Chico State. Throughout this last year, Chavez has mastered Accounts Payable, Payroll, Journal Entries and is taking on more complex reporting.

During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, concerns were raised over utility rate increases and the inability to pay already high bills with late fees, especially for seniors on fixed incomes. In response, City Administrator Elisa Arteaga offered the option of establishing a payment plan wherein the late fees are waived. Arteaga indicated she was working with the Community Action Agency of Butte County and Energy Efficiency Services to obtain more assistance for seniors and the disabled.

Several resolutions were approved, including the approval of the application for Cal Recycle Local Assistance Grant Program Extension. Due to the size of Gridley’s population, additional time was needed. 

A noteworthy item for consideration was presented by Gridley Rotary Club representatives. Rotary President Lynne Spencer and past President Margaret Hughes requested permission to place a lighted commemorative clock in downtown Gridley. The proposed location for the 10-foot-tall clock is the Hazel Street side of the Gridley Museum. The clock will be in honor of Rotary’s 100 years in Gridley, with a plaque honoring former Rotarian Dick Jones who passed away earlier this year. City Council was asked to install the clock for Rotary. Total cost for installation was estimated at $4,439 and the council voted unanimously to waive labor and materials costs. Maintenance of the clock will be taken care of by Rotary members.

Next, an update was made by city engineer David Harden on the long-awaited State Route 99 Waterline Relocation Project. This undertaking will replace 1,370 feet of asbestos concrete pipe that is about 50 years old. The replacement DR-18 pipe is thicker and will last 50 to 80 years. The new water main will be eight feet west of the old one in the middle of the Highway 99 northbound lane. Work will be carried out at night and will take a total of about 90 days. Due to weather concerns, it is hoped that the project will be finished by November. This will clear the way for a Caltrans (California Department of Transporation) project in the area to begin in spring 2025. Total cost for the job is estimated at $1,040,500, with a 10-percent contingency.

Councilmember Calderon had questions about overseeing the quality of the materials used. City engineers and inspectors will be overseeing the work, ensuring that city specifications are being met. There will be some street closures during construction. The public will be notified when closures will happen. Again, voting to approve the project was unanimous. 

The council also approved an amendment to the contract with RSG for public lands planning. An increase of $16,500 was made to the budget.

Another item for consideration was to approve construction contracts for specialized inspections, in an attempt to streamline the process. Four companies were suggested to have availability for this purpose: Four Leaf, Unico, Ghirardelli Associates, and Gannett Fleming. Public comment was made by Steve Stapley of S&S Construction that it took three years, 20 pages of plans and more than $27,000 to complete the process for his development on the south side of town. “It shouldn’t take 100 years” Stapley said. City Council voted to enlist the help of the four companies. 

Committee reports were then made by the councilmembers. Councilmember J Angel Calderon attended the meeting of the Behavioral Health Advisory Council, with a special training in schizophrenia. Calderon encouraged City Council to develop a plan to address the high-risk individuals in the county. In addition, Calderon attended the Butte County Association of Governments.

Councilmember James Roberts attended Gridley Chamber of Commerce and National Night Out.

Councilmember Catalina Sanchez reported on the Fair, the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) and its Disaster Recovery Center in Carmichael.

City Administrator Arteaga concluded the meeting by reporting on her visit to the Oroville Thermalito Dams to learn more about evacuation protocols. Arteaga also attended the Northern California Power Agency and expressed a desire to “keep moving forward.”