In accordance with SB 707, this meeting will be conducted in a hybrid model with both in-person and virtual attendance. Attend this meeting remotely using Zoom. https://zoom.us/j/7701740377?pwd=pAMEixiIzMrhc6NZR2PbxmQedPslbw.1&omn=97945627534 To request to speak, use the “raise hand” function in Zoom. To join by phone: Dial +1 (669) 900-6833 (Toll Free) and enter Meeting ID: 770 174 0377. To provide public comment by phone, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Mayor. o Livestream online at www.atwater.org (Please be advised that there is a broadcasting delay).
o Submit a written public comment prior to the meeting: Public comments submitted to [email protected] by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be distributed to the City Council, and made part of the official minutes but will not be read out loud during the meeting.
Assistance will be provided to those requiring accommodations for disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Persons requesting accommodation, and those requesting to give or receive live bilingual translation during a meeting, should contact the City in advance of the meeting, and as soon as possible, at (209) 357-6300.
Under SB 707, the City will reasonably assist members of the public who wish to bring their own translator or translation device to participate in a public meeting. Although the City is not required by law to provide translation services as a courtesy, and when staffing permits, the City may have a Spanish language translator available to assist members of the public. The City cannot guarantee the accuracy of any translation service it provides.
CITY OF ATWATER
City Council
AGENDA
Council Chambers
750 Bellevue Road
Atwater, California
September 14, 2026
REGULAR SESSION: (Council Chambers)
City Council Agenda for Meeting of September 14, 2026 Page 2 CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 PM
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL: (City Council)
Ambriz ____, Cale ____, Raymond ____, Rochester ____, Nelson _____ SUBSEQUENT NEED ITEMS: (The City Clerk shall announce any requests for items requiring immediate action subsequent to the posting of the agenda. Subsequent need items require a two-thirds vote of the members of the City Council present at the meeting.)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED OR AS AMENDED: (This is the time for the City Council to remove items from the agenda or to change the order of the agenda.)
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
At this time any person may comment on any item which is not on the agenda. You may state your name and address for the record; however, it is not required. Action will not be taken on an item that is not on the agenda. If it requires action, it will be referred to staff and/or placed on a future agenda. Please limit comments to a maximum of three (3) minutes.
CONSENT CALENDAR
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Background information has been provided on all matters listed under the Consent Calendar, and these items are considered to be routine. All items under the Consent Calendar are normally approved by one motion. If a Councilmember requests separate discussion on any item, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action.
TREASURER’S REPORT
1. a.) July 31, 2026
Staff's Recommendation: Acceptance of reports as listed.
WARRANTS
2. a.) August 27, 2026
b.) September 3, 2026
c.) September 10, 2026
Staff's Recommendation: Receive and file reports as listed.
MINUTES: (City Council)
3. August 24, 2026 - Regular meeting
City Council Agenda for Meeting of September 14, 2026 Page 3 Staff's Recommendation: Acceptance of minutes as listed.
MINUTES : (Citizens' Oversight Committee)
4. March 10, 2026 - Regular meeting
Staff's Recommendation: Acceptance of minutes as listed.
RESOLUTIONS
5. Approving and Ratifying a Side Letter Agreement Between the City of Atwater and Atwater Mid-Managers Group American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 2703, Council 57, Regarding Terms and Conditions of Employment Relating to Article 9 (Other Compensation), adding Section 9.11 (Bilingual Pay) of the Current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Authorizing and Directing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement on Behalf of the City (Human Resources Director Sousa)
Staff's Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 3649-26 Approving and Ratifying a Side Letter Agreement Between the City of Atwater and Atwater Mid-Managers Group American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 2703, Council 57, Regarding Terms and Conditions of Employment Relating to Article 9 (Other Compensation), adding Section 9.11 (Bilingual Pay) of the Current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Authorizing and Directing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement on Behalf of the City.
6. Approving Municipal Staffing Agreement with Government Staffing Services, Inc., dba MuniTemps, for Temporary Finance Director Staffing Services (City Manager Martin)
Staff's Recommendation: Adoption of Resolution No. 3650-26 approving an agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Government Staffing Services, Inc., dba MuniTemps, for Temporary Finance Director Staffing Services and Recruiting Services; and authorizes and directs the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
7. Approving the Atwater City Council’s Response to the 2025–2026 Merced County Civil Grand Jury Report (City Manager Martin) Staff's Recommendation: Adoption of Resolution No. 3651-26 approving the City Council’s responses to the findings and recommendations contained in the 2025–2026 Merced County Civil Grand Jury report; authorizing the Mayor to sign the responses on behalf of the City Council; and directing the City Manager, to submit the approved responses as required by law.
8. Designating One Member to Serve as Voting Delegate Representing the City at the League of California Cities Annual Conference (City Manager Martin)
Staff's Recommendation: Adoption of Resolution No. 3653-26 designating one member to serve as voting delegate representing the City at the League of California Cities Annual Conference, to be held September 23-25,2026, in Anaheim, California.
City Council Agenda for Meeting of September 14, 2026 Page 4 OTHER ACTIONABLE ITEMS:
9. Authorizing and Approving a Purchase Agreement (Purchase Order) with All Star Fire Equipment Inc of Arcadia, California, for the purchase of New Fire Hoses & Accessories (CAL Fire Battalion Chief Randol) Staff's Recommendation: Authorizes and approves a Purchase Agreement (Purchase Order) with All Star Fire Equipment Inc of Arcadia, California, for the purchase of new fire hoses & accessories; and authorizes and directs the Interim City Manager, or designee, to execute the purchase on behalf of the City.
***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FROM STAFF:
10. Discussion and Possible action regarding the Community Partnership Grant Program
Staff's Recommendation: Motion to adopt Resolution No. 3652-26 approving the Atwater Community Partnership Grant Program Policy and Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Request for Proposals; authorize staff to issue the Request for Proposals on September 15, 2026; and direct staff to complete the evaluation process and return to the City Council for applicant presentations and consideration of grant awards.
11. Review and Discussion Regarding Red Light Cameras (Police Chief Novetzke)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS/UPDATES
• Mayor Pro Tem Cale, District 1
• City Council Member Rochester, District 2
• City Council Member Ambriz, District 3
• City Council Member Raymond, District 4
• Mayor Nelson
CLOSED SESSION
Adjourn to Conference Room A
• 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:Bradley Kessler, et al. vs City of Atwater; Case No. 24CV-04683
City Council Agenda for Meeting of September 14, 2026 Page 5
MAYOR OR CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATION:
I, Kory J. Billings, City Clerk of the City of Atwater, do hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing agenda was posted at City Hall a minimum of 72 hours prior to the meeting. _______________________________
KORY J. BILLINGS
CITY CLERK
SB 343 NOTICE
In accordance with California Government Code Section 54957.5, any writing or document that is a public record, relates to an open session agenda item and is distributed less than 72 hours prior to a regular meeting will be made available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk during normal business hours at 1160 Fifth Street, Atwater, California.
If, however, the document or writing is not distributed until the regular meeting to which it relates, then the document or writing will be made available to the public at the location of the meeting, as listed on this agenda at 750 Bellevue Road, Atwater, California.
In compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, upon request, the agenda can be provided in an alternative format to accommodate special needs. If you require special accommodations to participate in a City Council, Commission or Committee meeting due to a disability, please contact the City Clerk’s Office a minimum of three (3) business days in advance of the meeting at (209) 357-6241. You may also send the request by email to [email protected] .
Unless otherwise noted, City Council actions include a determination that they are not a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and therefore, that CEQA does not apply to such actions.
LEVINE ACT PUBLIC PARTY/APPLICANT DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS:
Applicants, parties, and their agents who have made campaign contributions totaling more than $250 (aggregated) to a Councilmember over the past 12 months, must publicly disclose that fact for the official record of that agenda item. Disclosures must include the amount of the campaign contribution aggregated, and the name(s) of the campaign contributor(s) and Councilmember(s). The disclosure may be made either in writing to the City Clerk prior to the agenda item consideration, or by verbal disclosure at the time of the agenda item consideration.
The foregoing statements do not constitute legal advice, nor a recitation of all legal requirements and obligations of parties/applicants and their agents. Parties and agents are urged to consult with their own legal counsel regarding the requirements of the law.