Logo courtesy of the City of Gridley

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – When residents bring a complaint to a Gridley councilmember, they should get help finding an answer, but not a promise that the official can fix the problem alone, a newly adopted city handbook states.

The City Council approved the document with suggested changes in October to detail how elected officials and planning commissioners should carry out their duties.

Developed with assistance from Regional Government Services, the handbook covers everything from responding to residents to handling disagreements with city employees. City Administrator Elisa Arteaga said it is intended to promote transparency and consistent procedures.

For someone seeking help with a city service, the process may start with the councilmember gathering information and passing the concern to the city administrator. The official should explain what happens next without guaranteeing the outcome, the handbook states.

The document also makes clear that individual councilmembers cannot direct city employees simply because they hold elected office. The council sets policy as a group, while the administrator oversees daily operations, the handbook states. Officials should also not assign employees work or pressure them to change recommendations.

According the the handbook, complaints about an employee’s performance should go privately to the administrator, although councilmembers can question facts and professional opinions. Similar boundaries apply when officials speak publicly. Under the handbook’s guidelines, residents should be able to distinguish between a councilmember’s personal opinion and a position the council has formally taken. City letterhead and employee assistance cannot be used for personal or political purposes, the document states.

The handbook also advises officials to avoid social media discussions about matters that have come before the council or could appear on a future agenda.

The handbook also provides a guide to city finances, explaining how money for electricity, water and wastewater services is kept in separate funds. Other sections cover the budget process and planning for street repairs, equipment purchases and other major projects.

The proposed handbook described council stipends, currently $2,400 annually, through a formula tied to state limits but gave a specific amount for planning commissioners: $25 per meeting, up to $50 a month. Both stipends are to be stated clearly, officials said.