CITY OF ATWATER
CITY COUNCIL
ACTION MINUTES
February 9, 2026
Council Chambers — 750 Bellevue Road, Atwater, California
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
INVOCATION:
Provided by City Clerk Billings.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Led by Mayor Pro Tem Cale.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Nelson, Mayor Pro Tern Cale, Council Members Ambriz, Raymond, Rochester
SUBSEQUENT NEED ITEMS: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve the agenda as posted.
MOTION: Raymond
SECOND: Ambriz
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS:
Oath of Office - Police Officer
City Clerk Billings gave the ceremonial oath of office to the newly appointed Police Officer Robert Freese.
City Council Meeting Action Minutes for February 9, 2026 Page 2 Measure V Regional Funding Progress Report
Stacie Guzman, Executive Director, Merced County Association of Governments presented the progress report.
Unpermitted Food Vending
Mark Mimms, Director of Economic Development and Amanda Duran, Deputy Director of Environmental Health of Merced County presented a PowerPoint regarding the unpermitted food vending in the City of Atwater and surrounding areas.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comments were received regarding the Women's Club, the unhoused community, various parks in the community and a update regarding P,G &E.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion to approve Consent Calendar as presented.
MOTION: Cale
SECOND: Ambriz
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Approved Items:
• Item 1: Treasurer's Report — November 30, 2025
• Item 2: Warrants — January 22, 2026, January 29, 2026 • Item 3 : Minutes (City Council) — January 12, 2026- Special meeting and January 12, 2026 Regular meeting
• Item 4: Adoption of Resolution No. 3592-26 approving Amendment No. 1 to the Use Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Atwater Police Activities League for the use of Osborn Park and Veterans Memorial Park softball, soccer field and concession for organized activities, and authorizes and directs the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Amendment No. 1 on behalf of the City.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Resolution Approving the Closeout Report on the 2022 CDBG Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation (22-CDBG-PI-00004) Program Income Award
Public hearing was opened. No public comment was received. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 3594-26, Accepting and approving the closeout report on the 2022 CDBG OwnerOccupied Rehabilitation (22-CDBG-PI-00004) Program Income award.
MOTION: Raymond
SECOND: Cale
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FROM STAFF:
Approving a Resolution which Adopts the Mid-Year Budget Revenue and Expense Amendments for Fiscal Year 2025-26
MOTION: Council Member Raymond motioned to adopt Resolution No. 3595-26, which includes Budget Amendment No. 9 amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget based upon mid-year review.
MOTION: Raymond
SECOND: Ambriz
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion Regarding Proposed Transportation Priorities for Potential Use of RSTP Exchange Funds
City Manager Hoem provided a brief update regarding projects that can be completed with these funds and City Council discussed.
Community Development Director Employment Agreement
MOTION: Council Member Raymond motioned to adopt Resolution No. 3593-26 to ratify the Community Development Director Employment Agreement in the annual amount of $149,562.92 plus benefits with Jonnie Hanson Lan, in a form approved by the City Attorney; and authorize and direct the City Manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.
MOTION: Raymond
SECOND: Cale
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
COUNCIL MATTERS
Council Members and Mayor provided individual updates.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Update provided by City Manager Hoem.
CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Labor Negotiators - Government Code Section 54957.6, Agency Negotiators: City Manager Hoem; Unrepresented employees; Department Heads City Council Meeting Action Minutes for February 9, 2026 Page 4 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): Number of cases (1)
REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney reported City Council convened and there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
APPROVED:
JOHN CALE
MAYOR PRO TEM
ATTEST:
ELL MARTIN
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK