Grand Jury report discussed by Gridley Council

By Lisa Van De Hey
The Gridley Herald
Posted Aug 05, 2011 @ 02:23 PM

A letter from Attorney John Harris, of Harris, Sanford & Hamman, asking for Gridley Vice-Mayor Dave Garner to recuse himself from Grand Jury response deliberations due to potential conflict of interest was read in part by Mayor Jerry Fichter during a study session held Monday night. Vice-Mayor Garner works at the Butte County District Attorney's Office as a Deputy District Attorney.

Harris' letter, read in part by Mayor Jerry Fichter, stated Vice-Mayor Garner had notified Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) in a letter dated January 21, 2011, that the City of Gridley was "rumored to be under a Grand Jury investigation.”
City Attorney Nicole Delerio of Rich, Fuidge, Morris and Lane Inc., told Council members that after review by her office it was determined that there was no conflict of interest and Vice-Mayor Garner did not have to recuse himself from Grand Jury discussions as Council and staff deliberated responses to be made to the 19 findings and nine recommendations included in the 2010-2011 Grand Jury report.
Planning Commission Chair Mike Trainer asked if the letter from Harris was going to be made public and City Administrator Rob Hickey said yes copies could be obtained at City Hall.
City Administrator Rob Hickey presented responses to the Grand Jury report in a draft form with Council members agreeing to most with no changes. Eleven of the 19 findings were discussed and Energy Commissioner Dan Boeger gave a presentation outlining many facts of the 17 year bio-fuel research project, under scrutiny by the Grand Jury, noting errors and misunderstandings by the Grand Jury.
“But the Grand Jury confuses the 'Gridley Project' DOE grant with other city activities such as its ongoing $5m/year electrical business and economic development activities, thus mixing Apples and Oranges.'
Of concern for Boeger and others is the fact that former City Administrator Jack Slota and Former City Finance Manager Brad Wilkie offered to be interviewed by the Grand Jury but were not contacted.
Former Butte County Supervisor for the Fourth District Curt Josiassen told Council members his family had spent tons of dollars over eight years trying to get rid of rice straw.
"My family spent a lot of our own money trying to solve a huge problem. We need to find a solution. This became a very focused issue for the rice industry when Gridley stuck their neck out for me who had been trying to solve this problem. I read the Grand Jury report several times. The City of Gridley took it on for a whole group of us who aren't in the City. All rice straw is not in the City limits. The County and Air Pollution supported your project. We are still trying to find a solution," Josiassen said.
"As long as people continue to throw stones we will be the losers. I hope you give the right response. Hundreds of millions are at risk trying to solve the problem. Nobody likes smoke. I don't know what else we can do. Thank you to the City of Gridley. You have guts to stand up for a huge part of the County. I got hold of the Grand Jury report and couldn't stand it. Government research is what creates new opportunities for all of us," Josiassen said.
After one hour was spent on responses due to the Grand Jury by August 15, 2011, Council members agreed to end the current discussions and meet again Monday, August 8, 2011, at 5:30 p.m., to continue work on the Council's responses.
The City Council meeting followed with two public hearings held.
The first public hearing was held to approve the assessment of $1,933.55 to 203 Nevada Street for the construction of sidewalk and ramp improvements and the next, property liens for unpaid water and sewer accounts to property owners. For fiscal year 2009/2010, 62 accounts had liens put on totaling $42,276.36, compared to 2010/2011 which was just 27 liens totaling $6,833.88, the lowest being $4.87 total due and the highest $1,409.23.
A Proclamation for National Night Out was read and presented to Gridley-Biggs Police Chief Gary Keeler by Mayor Jerry Fichter.
An agreement between the City and Gridley Union School District was approved by Council members to help with the cost for the construction of a sidewalk in front of the McKinley School where four trees are planted curbside. The City of Gridley currently has $30,000, available for sidewalk construction. The amount submitted by the school district was $48,484. Agreeing that school sidewalks are also a benefit to the City , Council members voted to pay $23,000 of the cost.
The second reading of the continued existence of the Gridley Redevelopment Agency with the payment of $167,830, as a community remittance was heard.
City Administrator Rob Hickey asked that $100,000 be added as an administrative line item for the HOME investment partnership with Gridley Springs to cover staff time and council members approved.
A Study Session will be held Monday, August 8, 2011, at 5:30 p.m., to discuss the response to the Grand Jury which is due August 15, 2011. The City Council will meet that night at 7 p.m.

http://www.gridleyherald.com/breaking/x919515365/Grand-Jury-report-discussed-by-Gridley-Council