GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley Mayor Mike Farr praised Gridley city staff and referred to the city as a “shining star” at the Nov. 4 City Council meeting.

“We’ve got some of the best department heads you could possibly want. We’ve got a good budget and we’ve got good responsible people taking care of it,” the mayor said.

The meeting began with a proclamation promoting Homeless Youth Awareness month.

An update was made to the city Procurement Policy for the city to comply with the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA) This action was approved, as well as the Purchasing Policies and Procedures. 

Authorization was also given to City Administrator Elisa Arteaga for funding allocation to participate in the Transmission Rate Case Program through an agreement with the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) to help manage and limit Gridley's exposure to rising transmission costs associated with California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and other markets.

Next on the agenda was Fire Chief Chip Fowler to request approval of a Fire Department contract update reducing the current 72-hour workweek for firefighters to 66. The reasons for the change were safety concerns, and the potential loss of employees attracted to other areas with higher salaries and where the workweek has already been changed.

Fowler expressed the need to hire four more employees. Some concerns were voiced by council members about the affordability of the proposal. However, council members unanimously approved of it. City Administrator Arteaga recommended the possibility of Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants that Gridley has had for the last three years. In addition, the chief mentioned the revenue that comes in from assisting with fires around the state.

All councilmembers voted for approval.

A quarterly budget review was presented next by Finance Director Martin Pineda. This was information only with no action required. Pineda and City Administrator Arteaga are considering legal assistance to assist with retirement accounts. The previously approved budget software has been helpful. 

The final item was a Contract for Interim Planning Services through retired planner Don Rust, who has 44 years of experience in planning development. He can come in two days a week to provide over-the-counter services and assist with internal processes and evaluations. Rust will also be able to submit task orders and mentor other employees. His services will be under contract through the California Public Retirement System (CalPERS). City Administrator Arteaga will be able to amend the contract if necessary.

This contract was unanimously approved.

Department updates included a report from Finance Director Pineda saying that $10 million of city funds are being invested by US Bank.

Fire Chief Fowler indicated that some surplus fire equipment is being sent to Gridley’s sister city, Comala, Mexico.

Arteaga concluded the meeting by reporting that Dutch Brothers is planning to open with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 14. Arteaga is also looking at Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help with city repairs.