CITY COUNCIL
ACTION MINUTES
May 26, 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 Council Member Raymond.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Nelson, Mayor Pro Tern Cale, Council Members Raymond, Rochester
Absent: Ambriz
SUBSEQUENT NEED ITEMS: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve the agenda as posted.
MOTION: Raymond
SECOND: Rochester
ABSENT: Ambriz
VOTE: Motion passed.
PRESENTATIONS:
Monthly report by Merced County District 3 Supervisor McDaniel There was no report given out of respect of the pre-election blackout period.
Certificate of Recognition - Genevieve Royal
City Council Meeting Action Minutes for May 26, 2026 Page 2 Council Member Rochester presented a certificate of recognition to Genevieve Royal for her outstanding academic achievement.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment was received regarding the Police Chief recruitment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve Consent Calendar as posted.
MOTION: Cale
SECOND: Raymond
ABSENT: Ambriz
VOTE: Motion passed.
S
Public comment was received regarding statement of cash fund balance changes into red on the Treasurer's Report.
Approved Items:
• Item 1: Treasurer's Report — April 30, 2026
• Item 2: Warrants — May 14, 2026, May 21, 2026
• Item 3: Minutes (Planning Commission) — August 20, 2025 - Regular meeting, October 15, 2025 - Regular meeting, November 19, 2025 - Regular meeting • Item 4: Minutes (City Council) — April 27, 2026 — Regular meeting, May 18, 2026 - Special meeting
• Item 5: Award a sole source purchase to Trojan Technologies, Corp. for the purchase of 400 UV Lamps for the Trojan Technologies UV 3000 Plus UV disinfection system for the Effluent Disinfection system for the wastewater Treatment Plant in an amount of $146,619.94 plus any shipping and taxes; and authorizes and directs the City Manager to execute the purchase order on behalf of the City.
• Item 6: Adoption of Resolution No. 3615-26 approving Budget Amendment No. 14 amending Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget regarding the SB 707 Audio Visual City Council Chambers Upgrades Project; and awards a Purchase Agreement (Purchase Order), in a form approved by the City Attorney, to Key Code Media, Inc. of Burbank, CA in an amount not to exceed $77,020.95 and authority to contract change orders up to an aggregate amount of $7,702.10(10%), and authorizes and directs the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Purchase Order on behalf of the City.
• Item 7: Adoption of Resolution No. 3616- 26 approving a General Services Agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Merced Area Sports Officials of Merced, California, for managing the scheduling of the sports officials, plus a separate cost per sports official per athletic activity, as outlined in the fee structure; and authorizes and directs the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
City Council Meeting Action Minutes for May 26, 2026 Page 3 • Item 8: Adoption of Resolution No. 3617-26 approving Amendment No. 1, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Cloudpermit, Inc, of Reston, Virgina, for integration of Cloud permit permitting platform with Bluebeam software to enhance electronic plan review, streamline permitting operations, improve interdepartmental collaboration, in an amount not to exceed $9,200 annually, for a five-year subscription; and authorizes and directs the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
• Item 9: Nominate one (1) candidate for appointment by MCAG Governing Board to represent the City of Atwater on the Measure V Citizens Oversight Committee for a term of two (2) years, term ending May, 2028.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Motion to waive the first reading by title only and introduce Ordinance No. CS 1081 adopting Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. 26-5-0100 amending Chapter 17.34 "Office Commercial District", Chapter 1735 "Neighborhood Commercial District", Chapter
17.36 "Central Commercial District", Chapter 17.37 "Thoroughfare Commercial District" and Chapter 17.38 "General Commercial District" of the Atwater Municipal Code Public Hearing was opened and no comments were received.
MOTION: Rochester
SECOND: Cale
ABSENT: Ambriz
VOTE: Motion passed.
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FROM STAFF
Presentation of the Draft Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Finance Director Nicholas presented the draft budget to the City Council.
Public comment was opened and no comments were received. No further action necessary.
Council Member Ambriz arrived at the Dias at 6:55 PM.
Police Chief Employment Agreement
City Manager Hoem presented the item.
Council Members voiced concerns regarding the recruitment process.
Public comment was opened and received regarding the selection and hiring process of the Police Chief position.
7 City Council Meeting Action Minutes for May 26, 2026 Page 4 MOTION: Raymond
SECOND: Ambriz
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MATTERS
Council Members and Mayor provided individual updates.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Update provided by City Manager Hoem.
CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): Number of cases (1) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Name of case: Jake LeBeaux v. City of Atwater, et al.; Case No. 26CV01949 Public comment was opened and no comments were received.
MAYOR OR CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Splendorio reported out from closed session and there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.
APPROVED:
MICHAELIG./NELSO
MAYOR
ATTEST:
.1
GfSELA PERALTA
DEPUTY CITY CLERK