Marysville Bounce Back receives OK to hire consultants
An initiative known as Marysville Bounce Back —- including spending $100,000 for planning consultants — won approval Tuesday by the City Council on a 4-1 vote to the cheers of dozens in attendance.
"It's a ton of money," Councilman Chris Pedigo said of the cost.
But, he added, "We have to do something. We just can't stand still."
City Manager Walter Munchheimer, in his report to the council, said to get the initiative under way, $100,000 was sought to retain top-tier planning consultants to work under the guidance of a community-based committee to produce five business plans for target districts — Historic Downtown, Highway 70-E Street Corridor, Medical Arts, River and Lake.
"The past several decades have seen a general stagnation and weakening in the local economy of Marysville," Munchheimer wrote. He said as the discussion of Bounce Back began at the council meeting that "the status quo will simply not take us where we want to be." Land-use regulations in Marysville are outdated and "in some cases they're just downright cumbersome," the city manager said.
Yuba County Supervisor John Nicoletti, Yuba Community College District Board President Brent Hastey and Brynda Stranix, president of the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corp., were among speakers supporting Bounce Back.
Nicoletti noted the 20,000 people who attend the yearly Bok Kai parade in Marysville.
"When we can give the marketplace what it wants, it will find a way in," he said.
Hastey praised Bounce Back and called it "the most exciting thing I've seen in Marysville in a long time."
Councilman Michael Selvidge, who cast the lone no vote, had asked during the council discussion whether the city would go outside for the area for planning consultants. Munchheimer said the city would issue a standard request for proposals and may have to go outside the area, but added that "if they're local, that's fine."
Selvidge said Marysville should authorize hiring a city planner rather than hire consultants.
"I really hate to see the money we spend leave the area," he said.
The councilman said before his vote that the city cannot afford the cost of consultants.
"I probably see it as writing a check that is going to come back stamped 'insufficient funds,'" Selvidge said. "The floor's going to open and we're going to fall through."
He added, he understood Bounce Back's appeal.
"I believe in good ideas," Selvidge said. "I want to see things happen."
Vice Mayor Jim Kitchen agreed that the initiative is a risk, but said the city owes Munchheimer and the community-based committee the opportunity to proceed.
The 11-member panel includes Bruce Buttacavoli, Christina Billeci, Russ Clark and Scotia Holmes Sanchez.
CONTACT Ryan McCarthy at rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4780. Find him on Facebook at /ADrmccarthy or on Twitter at @ADrmccarthy.
City to seek Caltrans grant
Applying for a Caltrans community-based planning grant of up to $150,000 is among measures the Marysville City Council approved as part of the Bounce Back initiative.
The grant application is due April 2 and funding announcements are expected this summer.
Marysville's initiative includes updating the city's General Plan.
Councilman Chris Pedigo asked about the success rates for Caltrans grant applications.
"It's hard to know," City Manager Walter Munchheimer said.
He said it helps Marysville that the first review and cut is done at the Caltrans district office in the city.
— Ryan McCarthy Five districts
Five plans for target districts:
• Historic Downtown.
• Highway 70-E Street Corridor.
• Medical Arts.
• River.
• Lake.
Bounce back supports
Yuba County Supervisor John Nicoletti, Yuba Community College District Board President Brent Hastey and Brynda Stranix, president of the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corp., were among speakers supporting Bounce Back.
