GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – In a unanimous vote on Sept. 2, the Gridley City Council approved the acquisition of the Ord Ranch Road Transfer Station from Butte County, marking a pivotal shift in local waste management oversight.

The decision, recommended by City Administrator Elisa Arteaga, transitions the site from county ownership to full city control. For years, the facility has operated under a joint use agreement, which has now expired, with Waste Management staffing the site during designated hours and the city maintaining responsibility for safety and upkeep.

Butte County has indicated its readiness to release the property to Gridley, pending final approval.

“This is coming from the county,” Arteaga explained during the meeting. “They reached out to us to see if we were interested in obtaining the property, versus another agreement.”

Arteaga said the benefit of Gridley owning the property is that it will allow the city to make independent decisions regarding operations, including potential changes to hours of service. Waste Management has indicated flexibility in extending hours, such as opening on Friday and Saturday, versus Saturday and Sunday, which the council may consider based on community demand.

Arteaga said Waste Management currently staffs the facility on weekends to ensure proper sorting and compliance with waste regulations, while the city’s public works department handles property upkeep, including responding to clear debris after a recent fire.

The council’s decision to take ownership of the property would also eliminate the need for continued agreements with the county and grants the city greater control over future planning without relying on Butte County’s approval for changes, Arteaga said. 

A long-time Gridley resident suggested the council consider environmental considerations and conduct an environmental assessment before making further changes to property use. This precaution would identify any hazardous materials present due to the site’s long history of waste disposal, including materials such as lead pipes, oils, asbestos, and acids, he said. 

Arteaga noted that assuming ownership of the Ord Ranch Transfer Station parcel would have no significant financial impact on the city, other than the cost of adding the property to the city’s insurance coverage and upgrades, if any.

“If any upgrades are planned, we will bring it back to council for consideration,” Arteaga said. 

The council, in its vote to accept ownership of the property, authorized Arteaga to oversee the execution of necessary documents to complete the property transfer and guide the city through the next steps in managing the public facility.

Under California Government Code, the Butte County Board of Supervisors must declare the property is no longer needed before releasing it to Gridley, officials said.