City of Grass Valley

City Employees

As the summer sunlight reveals to us all the natural beauty of our environment take a closer look around our fair city and you will find amidst the hustle and bustle of the day the faces of Grass Valley's employees.

Some of them are hard at work in repairing the streets and roads we use to get to and from our appointed destinations. Some of them are found on patrol as part of our Police Department, others are working to keep the vehicle fleet operating effectively and within the walls of City Hall there are those who keep our financial records and manage our city's
governmental functions.

No matter what the department or the tasks they all belong to the City of Grass
Valley and represent the efforts that make the city go. It is widely understood that
the most valuable resources any employer has is its human resources. This holds true
for Grass Valley as well.

— Michael E. Lewis, Human Resources Manager


Maryanne Hoffler Accountant II	Nancy Sjursen Economic Dev. Specialist

Officer Blakemore	Officer La Ferriere

Housing Rehabilitation Funds Available

The State Department of Housing and Community Development have awarded the
City of Grass Valley $1,500,000 for the City’s “Housing Rehabilitation Program.” This
program was established to provide low interest loans to income eligible households. Work
may include roofing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, siding, windows, doors, insulation,
foundation, painting, etc. In addition, grant funds are available for woodstove replacement
and emergency repairs.

For more information, contact Beth Owens, Housing Technician, at 274-4344.

Finding Affordable Housing in Grass Valley

Where does one find affordable housing in California? Well, we’ve got some options in Grass Valley. The “First-Time Homebuyer’s Loan Program” offers 30-year loans at 0% interest rates for qualifying homebuyers.

To qualify, it is necessary to have a household income that is 80% of the County’s median income level or around $51,350 for a four-person family. Also, developers of new Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) are now required to “set aside” 20% of their new units for families who are within the County’s median income.

Call Nancy Sjursen at 274- 2714 for more information.

2006 Heritage Home Award Winners

322 South Church St.
1895 and 2006

On May 19, 2006 the Grass Valley Historical Commission held the 9th Annual Heritage Home Awards Ceremony. The Heritage Home Awards recognizes homes that have been determined by the Historical Commission to have historical and architectural significance The City annually presents the owners of five homes, located within the original 1872 Township, with a bronze-cast historic plaque. The plaque is awarded in recognition and appreciation for their efforts to maintain or restore their historic home. The 2006 award winners are:

Sharon Griffiths, 216 Pleasant Street
Enrique & Katherine Guerrero, 322 South Church Street
Harvey & Jeannine Diemer, 415 West Main Street
Mary Lee Good, 118 Chester Street
Georgie Coulter, 354 South Church Street

Questions regarding the Heritage Home Awards can be directed to Barb Carman, at 274-4330.

Pot Holes!

You or someone you know probably noticed many more pot holes this winter than in the past. Many City streets were damaged during this past winter due to the high amount of rainfall. The resulting Pot Holes were filled with a cold patch material but, much the same as the Itsy Bitsy Spider being washed out by the water spout, the continuing rain washed away the patch material. The City Streets Division has marked several areas around town that failed this winter and are in need of repair. Please slow down and drive carefully as crews make these repairs.

Storm Drain Pollution

In the City of Grass Valley, storm drains flow directly to local creeks without treatment.
The City encourages local residents and businesses to fight storm drain pollution. We hope
you will join us by using some of these described practices:

Lawn & Garden Care and Pest Control

Make sure no leaves are blown or raked into the street or gutter. Collect yard waste for composting.
Limit fertilizer applications to twice a year and limit application of all chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.

Car Washing & Repair

Wash on a lawn or unpaved surface. Dispose of leftover soapy water in a sink or toilet,not the street, driveway, or storm drain.
If you change your own oil or antifreeze, recycle it! Never dump oil or any auto fluid onto the ground or into a storm drain or creek.
Repair leaking vehicles promptly to help keep fluids off streets and out of storm drains.
Use a commercial car wash where water is recycled.

Housecleaning & Window Washing

Send dirty cleaning water down a sink or toilet, not into a street, gutter, or storm drain.
Make sure trash can lids are tightly closed and recyclables are secured to prevent materials from blowing onto the ground.

What is Code Enforcement?

Code Enforcement is the City’s response to a citizen’s request for assistance in dealing
with a concern in their neighborhood. Whether it is an issue of a neighbor’s accumulation of
debris or trash, hazardous building conditions or illegal uses of property the city can help.
All you have to do is fill out an Investigative Request Form (available at City Hall) and
return it to the Code Enforcement Office. Reporting an issue will become even easier, as
the City is in the process of making the form available online this July. Additional
information on how to submit a request for assistance is also on the website. Questions can
be directed to Steve Fawcett, Code Compliance Specialist, at 274-4348.