GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Information was presented by Marcus Beverly, program manager for the Northern California Cities Self Insurance Fund (NCCSIF) Alliant Insurance Services at the Gridley City Council’s bimonthly meeting on April 21. 

Using a Power Point slide show “Managing Sidewalk Liability,” Beverly reported that in the last 10 years, Gridley has had a few claims but nothing major in the way of sidewalk injuries. 

The Streets and Highways Code passed in 1941 placed the responsibility of sidewalk maintenance on the property owners but the city is liable for the owner’s failure to maintain it. Beverly said that some cities, such as San Jose, have shifted the liability back to the property owner. 

In the event of a repair, Beverly said, the city pays the first $200 and splits the rest of the cost 50/50 with the property owner, according to Gridley Municipal Code 12.05.015. The code can be viewed online at codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/gridley/latest/gridley_ca/0-0-0-5137.

“Offering some kind of (financial) assistance is worthwhile and needed,” Beverly said.

Gridley City Administrator Elisa Arteaga concurred. 

“If they don’t have the money, they’re not going to do it. There are sidewalks out there that need repair,” Arteaga continued. “It’s a huge liability right now.  

Beverly recommended a program for risk management that involved dividing the city into zones and making periodic inspections. The city can then prioritize the heavily trafficked areas where maintenance is needed.  Beverly also recommended a complaint procedure, to pay close attention to trees and the “safe routes to school” program.

The next item of business was to approve a letter of support from the council to the Gridley Unified School District honoring a request to purchase property between the school and Butte County Fairgrounds. This will increase the safety of the students by providing additional parking and making it easier for law enforcement vehicles to access the school in the event of an emergency. This need was recognized during the school’s recent stabbing.  

City Administrator Arteaga pointed out that if the stabbing had occurred during heavily congested times, the emergency vehicles would not have been able to reach the school.

Councilmember Catalina Sanchez read a letter she wrote to the school district regarding this issue.

Mayor Farr expressed his support for the school district to acquire the land and make the area safer for students.

“I think it’s a smart idea,” Farr said. 

However, Butte County Fair Manager and CEO Matt Reed said he had met with the fair board earlier that day. The board members do not want the school to purchase the land, because the fair uses it for parking at fair time.

“If you take that away, we have no parking,” Reed said. “My board urges you to vote this down. If the school takes over the property for parking, the pool will more than likely shut down.” 

Vice-Mayor Bruce Johnson indicated that he did not have enough information to vote on the issue. Mayor Farr recommended getting Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue and the school board to come to the next meeting for their input.

“Maybe there’s a way that you (the fair board) can work together with the school to accomplish what you want to accomplish and accomplish what they want to accomplish,” Farr said. 

No action was taken, pending further review. 

The council then approved an award of contract for planning services with PlaceWorks Inc. for the completion of the city’s housing element.  Arteaga was authorized to execute a contract with PlaceWorks Inc. in the amount of $58,608 for professional planning services related to the preparation and completion of the City’s Housing Element update

The meeting concluded with committee and department reports. Johnson reported that Mosquito Abatement is planning to spend $50,000 for an airplane propeller overhaul. Johnson also raised concerns about the noise level at the fairgrounds and an ordinance for fireworks.