MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - At the Nov. 17 meeting, the Maryville City Council issued a proclamation honoring Ric Lim for his volunteer work with Maryville Police Department.

Mayor Chris Branscum read the proclamation, stating that Lim had been volunteering since 2002 and recently “achieved the extraordinary milestone of contributing over 10,000 volunteer hours to the Marysville Police Department, an accomplishment that reflects his exceptional dedication and enduring spirit of service.”

Branscum said that Lim is “a trusted resource to provide information and guidance to the community… giving his time, energy and expertise to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for all residents.”

City Council also welcomed new Police Officer Recruit Kelsie Beck, who took her oath of office. While attending Yuba City High School, she was hired by the Maryville Police Department in their cadet program, performing undercover operations at tobacco and alcohol retailers. After Beck graduated high school, the City of Marysville sponsored her enrollment in the Police Academy, and she graduated this July, now joining the ranks of the Maryville Police Department.   

During consideration of the Consent Calendar, Item 9, the approval of a settlement agreement with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), was removed for discussion at another meeting. On Dec. 19, City Council held a special closed session to discuss the item. After the closed session, it was reported that the City Council voted to approve the settlement agreement. 

The staff report outlined the terms of the settlement, which relates to the Caltrans State Route 70 Binney Junction Roadway Rehabilitation and Complete Streets Project. The proposed project would rehabilitate Highway 70 from 0.1 mile south of 14th Street. in Marysville to north of Cemetery Road. 

Caltrans certified an environmental impact report (EIR) and approved the project in December 2020. But the City of Marysville filed a lawsuit in January 2021, challenging the environmental impact report. In May 2024, the court ruled in favor of the City of Marysville, finding that the Caltrans environmental impact report did not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 

The settlement requires Caltrans to rescind the environmental impact report and project approval, and to prepare a new CEQA-compliant environmental impact report. The agreement also guides issues surrounding the potential construction of the project, such as repair of city streets, sewer and storm drain relocation, sidewalk replacement, landscape and hardscape maintenance, traffic management plan, etc.

The court also awarded the city attorneys’ fees ($874,700) and costs of filing the lawsuit ($2,947.13), to be paid by Caltrans. The city will also be reimbursed by Caltrans for the legal costs of drafting and negotiating the settlement agreement, not to exceed $50,000. 

The next regular Marysville City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at Council Chambers, 526 C St.