Lou Ceci

The meeting proceedings included a recognition of the Nisenan Tribe and the Pledge of Allegiance. Public comment procedures were outlined for matters not on the agenda and for agenda items. The Consent Agenda included the review and filing of reports such as Accounts Payable, Police and Code Enforcement, and Fire Activity for previous months in 2025. The Council considered adopting the City Council's Investment Policy for 2025 and approving donations to non-profit organizations and the Nevada County Recreation Fair. Approval was also sought for a request by Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra (CATS) for parking space use in March 2026. Business items involved the consideration of approving the City Manager Employment Agreement with Carrie J. Wright, a presentation on the Water and Wastewater Rate Study, the first reading of an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Standard Codes and local amendments (scheduling a public hearing for January 28, 2026), and an ordinance amending the date of elections.

The Planning Commission meeting agenda included several public hearings concerning architectural reviews and sign applications within the Historical District, such as reviews for new paint colors at 309 Broad Street and a sign application for Ice House Gallery at 404 Spring Street. Other agenda items involved architectural review for new covered structures at 300 Spring Street, and minor architectural review for exterior changes at 211 Park Avenue outside the Historical District. Consent items covered accepting minutes from a previous meeting, receiving liaison and building activity reports, and accepting Advisory Review Committee minutes. Supporting documents detailed the proposals for these hearings, including color palettes, material selections, and environmental determination findings.

The Economic & Community Development Committee meeting agenda included several key discussions and recommendations for the City Council. Business items featured a discussion regarding conditional uses within the General Business (GB) Zoning District, specifically focusing on the proliferation of ground-floor offices and the associated conditional use permit fees, contrasting with the original intent to support retail vibrancy. Another item concerned temporary structures and occupancies, where staff recommended converting the conditional use permit process for temporary contractor storage to a ministerial process with defined performance standards, and sought input on allowing temporary residential use of RVs during dwelling construction. The committee also planned to review and potentially approve the minutes from the December 8, 2025, meeting.

The Nevada City Fire Safety Advisory Committee meeting includes a review of fuels work, including the immediate plan for Deer Creek Fuels Treatment with PG&E Funds. There will be an update on the CA Volunteers Grant and a review of the evacuation series workshops. The committee will also discuss the defensible space inspection season, review and make recommendations on the updated Fire Prevention and Mitigation Plan, and receive member reports on community and governmental organizations.

The City Council meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. A proclamation was made for LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2025. The council reviewed and approved action minutes from a previous meeting, received fire activity reports and an Office of Emergency Services report, and adopted a resolution authorizing the adoption of the Nevada County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. They also considered a professional services contract, a special event request, an ordinance amendment regarding tobacco retailer licensure, an amended franchise agreement for waste management, updates on a parking improvement project, and the release of RFPs for the Skatepark Project and Foundry services.