Christopher Smith, shown in his office, is the new principal planner for the City of Gridley.

 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - A new principal planner has joined the staff at Gridley City Hall. Christopher Smith started work on Jan. 27. He was officially introduced at the City Council meeting on Feb. 3. 

Smith lives in Paradise and hopes to relocate to Gridley. 

“It’s a nice place to live and raise kids,” Smith said. “I just want to serve the community and make everyone happy.”

Gridley previously used an independent contractor for planning services, Donna Decker, who was not in the office full time. Much of Decker’s planning work for the city was done remotely. 

City administrators saw a need for a full-time planner. Smith said he hopes to find any items that might have been overlooked. 

A Chico State University graduate, Smith majored in social and behavioral sciences with a focus in environmental planning. He has three years’ experience working in Paradise planning Camp Fire rebuilds. Prior to that, Smith worked administratively in Santa Rosa assisting with rebuilds resulting from the Tubbs Fire. Smith is also a United States Army veteran.

  

According to the city’s website, the planning services department is responsible for overseeing and guiding private development activities in the City of Gridley. Major activities include administration of planning regulations, assistance to the public and to private developers on city permit applications and conducting environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. 

In addition, planning staff administer the Gridley Zoning Ordinance by responding to public inquiries, providing interpretations on development projects, preparing staff reports for Planning Commission and City Council review and attending public hearings. Ordinance revisions can be made as needed. 

There was only one item of business for the council to approve a Maintenance Assessment District declaration of intent for Parkland Estates. This will allow property owners to vote to assess themselves to pay and receive city services beyond what the city normally provides, such as lighting, landscaping and fencing of common areas. 

The council meeting continued with committee reports. Councilmember Angel Calderon reported on a substance- abuse prevention project he is starting in the community. There has already been an overdose death in the community this year, Calderon said. He hopes to make a presentation on April 5. 

Mayor Mike Farr and Councilmember James Roberts attended a seminar in Sacramento for City Council members and mayors. Councilmember Catalina Sanchez attended a similar meeting in Los Angeles and gleaned information on guiding land developments.

City Administrator Elisa Arteaga attended the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) 2025 Strategic Issues meeting, where the main topic was utility costs. Arteaga said she will attend the League of City Managers conference this week and hoped to bring back “some great information.” 

For department reports, Gridley Police Chief Todd Farr spoke to reassure undocumented residents that the department protects everyone and does not work to enforce immigration laws. Therefore, the undocumented do not need to harbor fear in requesting assistance or reporting crimes, Farr said. This concern was underlined by Councilmembers Sanchez and Calderon.

Fire Chief Chip Fowler reported that all firefighting equipment is back from the Los Angeles area and a few firefighters remain there. A water rescue team has been established in view of the expected rising water levels.

City engineer Dave Harden reported that the waterline work on Highway 99 has been progressing well, despite the rain. The majority of the waterline is complete, according to Harden.