CITY OF ATWATER
CITY COUNCIL
ACTION MINUTES
May 12, 2025
Council Chambers — 750 Bellevue Road, Atwater, California
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Nelson, Mayor Pro Tern Cale, Council Members Ambriz, Raymond, Rochester
Absent: None
INVOCATION:
Provided by Jonathan Miller.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Led by Police Chief McEachin.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
1. Proclamation — National Peace Officers Memorial Day & National Police Week
Proclamation presented by Mayor Nelson to Police Chief McEachin.
2. Proclamation — National Public Works Week
Proclamation presented by Mayor Nelson to Public Works Director Vinson.
3. Certificates of Recognition — 2024 Police Officer, Dispatcher, and Firefighter of the Year
Certificates presented to Police Officer Nikki Mulligan, Dispatcher December Hunter, and Firefighter Taylor Holden.
City Council Meeti g Action Minutes for May 12, 2025 Page 2
PRESENTATIONS
4. Verbal update by John Ceccoli, Merced County Human Services Agency — regarding $3.2 million grant collaboration.
5. Verbal update by Daniel Boone, Miller & Axline — regarding water quality.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tern Cale moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety; seconded by Council Member Raymond.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Approved Items:
• Item 1: Warrants for May 12, 2025
• Item 2: Minutes —Audit and Finance Committee, March 24, 2025 • Item 3: Minutes — Joint Special City Council Meeting, April 28, 2025 • Item 4: Resolution No. 3531-25 and No. 3532-25 — Budget Amendment and Agreement with Peregrine
• Item 5: Resolution No. 3533-25 — Amendment No. 1 with Raftelis for Water and Sewer Rate Study
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. City Vacancies and Recruitment Report (AB 2561)
ACTION: Public hearing held. No action required. Report received and filed.
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FROM STAFF
7. 2024 Military Equipment Use Report— Police Department MOTION: Council Member Rochester moved to accept the report; seconded by Council Member Raymond.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
8. 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
MOTION: Council Member Raymond moved to receive and file the report; seconded by Council Member Cale.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
9. Fruitland Avenue Reconstruction Project Phase 3— Budget Amendment and Change Order
MOTION: Council Member Rochester moved to adopt Resolution No. 3534-25 and approve Change Order No. 9 to George Reed Inc.; seconded by Council Member Raymond.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
10. Presentation —JLB Engineering on Fruitland-Chardonnay Intersection with possible direction
MOTION: Council Member Rochester moved to halt all paving at the intersection of Fruitland Avenue and Chardonnay Drive; Identify all available options for cost City Council Meeting Action Minutes for May 12, 2025 Page 3 recovery, including holding WH financially responsible for any corrective work that must be performed; and with written approval from the City's Traffic Engineer, proceed to work with George Reed, Inc. to reconstruct the bulb-outs to bring them into compliance with applicable design standards; seconded by Mayor Nelson.
VOTE: Motion failed.
MOTION: Council Member Raymond moved to approve the paving of all areas on Fruitland Avenue except for the specific area around the intersection of Chardonnay and Fruitland, to allow for the completion of re-engineering work related to the bulbouts. Additionally, staff is directed to proceed with surveying work to determine the precise formation points for the infrastructure in the affected intersection area; seconded by Council Member Ambriz.
VOTE: Motion passed.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comments were received regarding various local concerns, including code enforcement, infrastructure improvements, and future development plans.
COUNCIL MATTERS
Council Members and Mayor provided individual updates.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Update provided by City Manager Hoem.
CLOSED SESSION
One case of anticipated litigation was discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:14 PM.
APPROVED:
MICHAEL G. NELSON
MAYOR
ATTEST:
JANELL MARTIN
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK