The City of Marysville selected Solitude Lake Management to provide annual lake maintenance for Ellis Lake. Photo courtesy of City of Marysville

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Marysville City Council’s public hearing on March 4 considered modifications to the city’s sign ordinance. The council requested the change to enhance historic aspects of the community through signage and to support economic development throughout the city. 

Planning consultant Mike Luken said the current sign ordinance is “very rigid,” outlining specific sizes allowed for various sign types. The proposed change will not increase the overall total signage space allowed but will provide much more flexibility in how businesses can use that space. The sign exceptions would go through a streamlined process but they would still need approval from the city’s Planning Commission (or its Architectural Review Board subcommittee). 

Councilmember Brad Hudson said the change “makes it a lot more friendly for current businesses and potential new businesses.” 

Mayor Chris Branscum supported the change, because it allows a business “to express itself in a manner that’s pleasing to the community.” 

Councilmember Stuart Gilchrist said, “We want to encourage signage that attracts people and so that’s the whole point of this.” 

The Marysville City Council voted unanimously to approve the sign ordinance amendment.  

The Yuba-Sutter Economic Development District presented its five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for council approval. The result of a local planning process, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy will guide the economic growth of the Yuba-Sutter region by creating jobs, fostering a more stable and diverse economy, and improving living conditions. 

Goal One is to create and maintain a competitive region by attracting new businesses and industries, supporting entrepreneurial development and expanding regional businesses. Goal Two is to attract and retain talent by increasing collaboration between educational institutions and improving understanding of all ethnicities and cultures in the region. Goal Three is to improve and modernize infrastructure, including transit planning and housing development. Goal Four is to foster overall quality of life through continued investment in regional amenities and shared resources to improve public safety.

Yuba-Sutter Economic Development District representatives said that while business growth and jobs in the region were increasing, unemployment levels also increased. There are many people in the region living in poverty and it is a struggle to improve the levels of education attainment. Having this plan in place helps the district find funding opportunities to support necessary improvements. 

The council unanimously approved the district’s five-year plan.  

Next, the council considered an annual contract with Solitude Lake Management (SLM) to handle maintenance at Ellis Lake. In 2023, there was a high-level of algae and weed growth in the lake due to high summer temperatures, and it degraded the water quality and the public’s ability to use and enjoy the lake. 

Through a $300,000 grant from Yuba Water Agency, the City of Marysville was able to cover the costs of improving the water quality. Solitude Lake Management was contracted to perform various treatments in the lake at a total cost of $51,825. The treatments succeeded, and last summer, the lake was clean and clear. 

After a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an annual lake maintenance contract, Solitude Lake Management was selected as the best option, at a total contract cost of $42,462. The scope of work includes systemic herbicide in the spring, inspections every two months during the summer with additional treatment as needed, and annual reporting to meet state regulations.

 “Whatever worked last year, do it again,” Mayor Branscum said.

Branscum said he lives on the lake and saw many more residents and visitors enjoying the lake last season: “It makes a big difference in the enjoyment of the lake.” 

The council voted unanimously to approve the maintenance contract. 

Interim Finance Director Consultant Robin Bertagna presented the council with a mid-year review of the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, with recommended adjustments. She explained that revenues from property taxes and permits have continued to increase above original projections but sales tax projections have declined, compared to initial forecasts. However, for this fiscal year, the city has three large revenues incoming: $877,647 from a Caltrans settlement, $905,935 from the B Street property sale and $1.4 million from Marysville Hotel property remediation. 

The recommended revenue adjustment was a total increase of $3.4 million, with $3.3 million as one-time revenue. Expenditures were recommended to increase by $2.1 million, with $2 million in one-time expenditures.

Bertagna said the increased revenues are partially offset by increased expenses but most of those are also one-time expenses, with some expenses paid out of federal grants. One-time revenues and one-time expenditures are in the red by $1.1 million “but that doesn’t concern me,” said Bertagna, because many of the expenditures are paying for projects with grant funding already received as revenue in prior fiscal years. 

 “This truly shows that we are not deficit spending our budget,” Bertagna said. “Maryville is in the black, where ongoing revenues exceed ongoing expenditures by $453,614.”

Mayor Branscum said he has complete confidence in the report and the council voted unanimously to approve the mid-year budget adjustments. 

During council updates, Councilmember Gilchrist said that the federal government had paused emergency food and shelter funds from FEMA, which could impact local food banks in the community.  

City Manager Jim Schaad added that there are various federal actions “keeping us on our toes. … Every day, there’s something coming out from DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) or the president that may or may not affect us.”

While there are no immediate short-term effects, according to Schaad, there are potential long-term implications for federal grants.

“We just don’t know yet,” Schaad said.