Vice-Mayor Bruce Johnson represents Gridley at the Sutter-Butte Flood Control Agency. Courtesy photo 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley City Administrator Elisa Arteaga gave a strategic planning informational presentation at the Gridley City Council meeting on March 3.

This plan outlined key challenges, priorities and recommended actions to address the most important areas relative to Gridley. Next steps were discussed with the council, especially in the area of infrastructure. Eight miles of streets have been put in since 2018, using funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Instead of contracting out the work, Gridley Public Works is now in charge of street work. According to Vice-Mayor Bruce Johnson, Gridley’s last street rating was “C.” Johnson asked what it would take to get the streets to an “A” rating and the response was $42 million. Funds from the street budget are insufficient to cover this rating change, according to officials. 

“We are doing what we can,” said Johnson. 

One challenge is that street potholes, when patched, are subject to water damage from rain and do not last long.  To repair the roads more effectively requires a more involved process. 

The Police Department then requested approval for the purchase of a new vehicle in order to reassign a current police administrative pool vehicle to the administrative employee pool car inventory. The lowest bid amount for the purchase was received from Larry Geweke Ford and approval was given for the purchase.

Vice-Mayor Johnson also gave a committee report on Sutter Butter Flood Control. Johnson praised the agency for the work done on the West Levee and the 200 Year Flood Plan. Insurance rates will be lower because of the plan being in place. 

“They’ve done a wonderful job. It’s one of the better flood-control agencies in the state because of how much they’ve accomplished,” Johnson added.

Travel policy, energy-efficiency contract review and banking request for proposal will be discussed at the March 17 meeting.