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Public commenters press Grass Valley council on closed sessions and transit safety
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Summary
Two public commenters urged more transparency about closed sessions and criticized local bus conditions and ADA access; the council reported it had directed staff to enter negotiations with a recruiting firm for the permanent city manager and approved the consent calendar.
During public comment, citizen Matthew Colter accused the council of holding closed-door sessions that he said violate the Brown Act and diminish transparency. Colter said the practice, which he said changed during the COVID period, prevents public input before decisions and undermines trust in council appointments.
"These closed door sessions without any public comment being allowed are a violation of the Brown Act," Colter asserted in an online comment played for the council.
Colter also raised concerns about local transit, saying buses are being damaged by poor road conditions, are sometimes empty, and that recent platform work has made ADA access difficult.
The council acknowledged public comment and then proceeded with the agenda. Earlier in the meeting, staff had reported out of closed session that there was no reportable action on labor negotiations and that the council had reviewed proposals from recruiting firms for the permanent city manager position and provided direction to staff to enter negotiations with one firm. Staff said the intent is to bring back a contract for approval in open session at the next regular council meeting.
The consent calendar and administrative items, including a resolution recognizing and adopting the Culture Forward 2026'32 arts and culture plan, were approved by voice vote. No formal council response to the Brown Act allegation was recorded in the meeting transcript.
