MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – Marysville City Council’s May 7 meeting focused on modifying an ordinance that affects contractors and builders granted permits to build relatively small jobs, who are expected to repave the street(s) to the center line in front of properties on which they are working.

Marysville Mayor Chris Branscum and Vice-Mayor Bruce Buttacavoli, indicating they did not expect builders to repave streets, identified the conundrum facing two local builders and thanked them for bringing the issue to City Council.

Public Works director Vincenzo Corazza brought the request to update Municipal Code Chapter 11.04.020 covering Required Construction or Reconstruction of Curb, Gutter, Sidewalk and Street Sections before the council.

City Council decided to appoint an ad hoc committee to review the financial complexities written into the current ordinance and determine any wanted changes. Branscum emphasized that this issue is not being tabled.

Corazza said that this part of the Municipal Code has not been updated since 1982.  New construction indicates the builder can instead pay a fee for paving to the center of the street to a minimum of $10,000 for partial frontage construction and up to $24,000 for full.

If the street is cut into, Councilmember Brad Hudson commented, $10,000 is already required to go into the sewer fund. The ordinance also reads that an “in lieu of” payment application can be made where builders pay in, not knowing where the money will go. Payment does not have to go to the intended purpose once it goes into a fund, it was reported.

Builder Mike Lee, and his brother, Ryan Lee, said they are frustrated as they construct a second duplex at the back of a lot off a permit issued a year ago with an already-constructed duplex in front of it. If they had to come up with such a pay-in of money now for construction under a changed code, the brothers said, it would not be worthwhile for them.

The mayor stated he “is very keen to encourage development and that this was going to require some discussion.”

City Councilmember Dominique Belza said that construction such as a duplex up to a fourplex in size would have a different effect on a street, than a larger commercial project, such as a 36-unit apartment building. Belza also said he did not believe any changes should be made “that were retroactive given the city is pushing for housing to be built.”

Branscum asked the complexities to be looked into and the matter brought back to council in two weeks.

In other council news, Branscum awarded what he called “proclamations” to seven organizations, including Yuba College Men’s Basketball, which had a season record of 28 and 2, with coach Doug Cornelius awarded Winning Coach of the Year.

Other proclamations were for National Small Business Week, with small businesses accounting for more than 50% of employment in the U.S. and National Military Appreciation Week recognizing those who gave their lives and sacrificed to preserve the U.S.

The mayor also mentioned National Nurses Appreciation Week with about 600 nurses serving at local campuses, including Ridout Hospital.

National Police Week was proclaimed and National Public Works Week was noted with appreciation given for the city’s traffic calming efforts. Lengthy commendation and attention was given to the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, led by Ben Deal.

Deal said he would like to review and suggest some city plans that affect the safety of pedestrians and bike riders. 

Branscum referenced Multi-Modal as the name of the program to make the city more pedestrian/bike friendly. Hudson expressed interest in working with Deal’s group to make the streets safe. Hudson asked if there would be staff hours involved and was told “yes.”

A public speaker named Tom expressed appreciation for the calming of 14th and D Street as to the decline in truck traffic and speeders. He asked if the council could close down 13th Street and add music and other activities to improve pedestrian traffic.

“It’s wonderful to have some silence,” he said, in reference to the public’s proactive efforts to encourage reducing unrestricted heavy traffic and other noisy traffic.

Kelly Richcreek, in public comment, said, “It is very encouraging to hear it is a priority of the city to make it more walkable. It would do wonders for our city to have all these people in one place helping work with the council to make it more walkable and bikeable.”

Eric Perez of the Green Zone said that free helmet fittings and free helmets would be provided for bikers who don’t have helmets.

All Consent Agenda items were unanimously approved. The next regular Marysville City Council meeting is at 6 p.m. May 21 at 526 C St.