OF
CITT
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, January 22, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Mailing Address: Ceres City Hall, 2220 Magnolia Street, Ceres, CA 95307-3292 Phone: (209) 538-5700 Fax: (209) 538-5780
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the January 22, 2024 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Present:
Mayor: Javier Lopez
Vice Mayor: Bret Silvera (District 3)
Councilmembers: James Casey (District 1); Rosalinda L. Vierra (District 2); Daniel A.
Martinez (District 4)
District 1 District 2 District 4 District 3
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Martinez Silvera
Present Present Present Present Present
INVOCATION
Invocation by Jeff Thompson, Big Valley Grace Community Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lopez.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Recognizing Police Chief Rick Collins.
Ceres City Council presented Police Chief, Rick Collins, a plaque for his retirement.
Gavin Cline with Congressman Duarte's office presented a certificate.
Destiny Suarez presented a certificate from the California State Senate.
Danielle Morgart with Assemblyman Alanis' office presented a certificate.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Danielle Morgart provided a legislative update from Assemblyman Alanis' office.
Gavin Cline provided a legislative update from Congressman Duarte's office.
Destiny Suarez provided a legislative update from Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's office.
Joshua Lepper, representative for LiUNA, spoke regarding City staff negotiations.
Ashley Shaw spoke regarding salaries for Ceres Police Department dispatchers.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from Manny Obaid regarding the Service Road/Morgan Road medians.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
Councilmember Casey abstained from item 15.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving items 1 - 6, 8 - 9, and 12. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the January 22, 2024 City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. (City Clerk) Waive Readings. All Readings of Ordinances and Resolutions are Waived. (Waive readings in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title). (City Clerk)
Approval of Minutes for the January 8, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
Register of Audited Demand(s) Dated December 13, 2023 through January 3, 2024. (Esenwein)
5. General Correspondence - Information Only (Aguirre
a. Redevelopment and Economic Development Activities
6. Resolution No. 2024-02, Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Alpine Protective Solutions to Provide Private Security Services to Patrol City arks, Authorizing a Budget Amendment, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Royal)
7. Removed for separate consideration.
8. Resolution No. 2024-04, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Mission Linen & Uniform Services to Provide Uniform Services for the Public Works Department. (Royal)
9. Resolution No. 2024-05, Approving the Change of the Ceres Police Department's Community Service Officer (CSO) Position from Part-Time to a Full-Time Position. (Perry)
10. Removed for separate consideration.
11. Removed for separate consideration.
12. Resolution No. 2024-08, Approving an Agreement with NBS for Community Facilities District #3 Annexation Services and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Hoem)
CONSIDERATION OF ITEM(S) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 7: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Vierra Resolution No. 2024-03, Authorizing the City Manager to Approve a Purchase Order with Rush Truck Centers for Four (4) Public Works Fleet Replacement Vehicles and Approving a Budget Amendment to Allocate Funds. (Royal) Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding electric vehicles, regulations and requirements of having electric vehicles, and potential grants for electric vehicles.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding funding for the vehicles.
Council and staff discussion included quotes from various car dealerships and extended warranties.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving item 7. Motion carried 3/2/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira
No No Yes Yes Yes
Item 10: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Martinez Resolution No. 2024-06, Approving the Use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds for Costa Fields Upgrades. (Chavez)
Councilmember Martinez spoke regarding turf options, tree trimming quote, opening day, field three lighting, and artificial turf.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Shane Parson spoke regarding obtaining jobs with Ceres Youth Baseball.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding the funding of ongoing maintenance.
Council and staff discussion included overall cost and completion time of the project.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving item 10 (artificial turf option). Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Item 11: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Martinez Resolution No. 2024-07, Approving the Part-Time (Non-Regular) Employee Hourly Pay Rate Schedule, Effective in the Pay Period Beginning February 4, 2024. (Vasquez)
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding the labor union and unfair labor practices.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving item 11. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Martinez Silvera
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
13. Resolution No. 2024-09, Approving an Increase of the Per-Vendor, Per-Day Fee for Flea Market Vendors. (Hoem)
Community Services Director, Christopher Hoem, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Nelson Gomez spoke regarding El Rematito's agreeance to the fee increase.
John Warren spoke regarding how payment would be submitted.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included who the fee increase applies to, how the increase amount was determined, seller's permit through the State Board of Equalization, and business license annual fee.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving item 13. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
14. Ordinance No. 2024-XXXX, Amending Various Chapters in Title 13 and Title 15 of the Ceres Municipal Code to Adopt to the Most Current Version of the Following Building Codes and Replacing Those Versions Dated 2019 or Prior: California Building Standards Code, California Electrical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Mechanical Code, California Fire Code, California Residential Code,
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
California Green Building Standards Code, California Administrative Code, California Energy Code, and California Historical Building Code. (Hoem) City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford, stated the public hearing would be moved to a future city council meeting
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
15. Consider an Appeal of Planning Commission's Approval of Conditional Use Permit Application Number 23-18 (CUP) - Ajmer Singh Randhawa / Brian Rosenberger, Located at 1200 E. Whitmore Avenue, Ceres (APN: 086-016-077). (Hoem) Senior Planner, Teddie Hernandez, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Ajmer Randhawa, project applicant, spoke regarding the project.
Hardeep Gill, appeal applicant, spoke regarding the notifications and public hearing.
Brian Rosenberger, project architect, stated he was available for any questions the council may have regarding the project.
Jatinder Randhawa stated he was available for any questions the council may have regarding the project.
Elizabeth Velasquez-Williams spoke in opposition to the truck stop.
Mike Flores spoke in opposition to the project.
Andrew Sanchez spoke in opposition to the project.
Harley Brock spoke in opposition to the project.
Amardeep Singh spoke in opposition to the project.
Cody Clark spoke in opposition to the project.
John Warren spoke regarding the notification for the Planning Commission.
Gurmet Ghag spoke in opposition to the project.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from Edgar Aguilar regarding opposition to the project.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from Heather Woodard regarding opposition to the project.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from Carolina Estrada regarding opposition to the project.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from Yadira Tova regarding opposition to the project.
Mayor Lopez closed the Public Hearing.
Council and staff discussion included the projects included in the appeal, who denied the appeal applicant's request, what businesses the area needs, communication to the public, access to the retail space adjacent to the proposed gas station, placement of gas stations per Ceres Municipal Code Title 18, Chapter 28 Section 090, joint Planning Commission & Ceres City Council workshop, City of Ceres vision, General Plan policies, zoning designation, drafting reasons behind the appeal approval, and next steps.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by
Councilmember Vierra, approving option two listed in the staff report, denying the Planning Commission approval based on inconsistencies with the General Plan. Motion carried 3/1/0/1 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira
Abstain Yes Yes No Yes
NEW BUSINESS
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS
16. City-Wide Garage Sale. (Hoem)
Community Services Director, Christopher Hoem, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Amy Claus spoke regarding when the yard sale cycle begins and ends.
John Warren spoke regarding two three-day permits.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included seller's permit and waiving all permits for one Council consensus for staff to bring back presentation and report regarding garage/yard sales.
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
Councilmember Vierra requested a presentation from the City's contracted grant writing consultant, Capitol Advocacy Partners.
REPORTS
• Mayor
Mayor Lopez provided an update on the U.S. Conference of Mayors that he attended and StanCOG.
• City Council
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding economic development, West Landing development, transitional housing, point-in-time count, and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution meeting.
Councilmember Martinez spoke regarding 55th Annual Community Service Awards and thanked Public Works' Water Division staff for fixing a broken water line during the weekend.
• City Manager
Nothing to report.
• City Attorney
Nothing to report
• Departments
Nothing to report.
• County Supervisor
Nothing to report.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
CLOSED SESSION
17. Conference with Legal Counsel, Cal. Gov't Code §54956.9(d)(2) Potential Case(s): (2 cases)
18. Liability Claims, Cal. Gov. Code §54956.95
Claimant: Mr. Rafid Khoshaba and Tow One Inc.
Agency Claimed Against: City of Ceres
19. Conference with Labor Negotiators, Cal Gov't Code §54957.6(a) Agency Designated Representative: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and Human Resources Director, Delilah Vasquez
Employee Organization: Ceres Police Officers' Association Employee Organization: First Line Supervisors/Confidential Bargaining Group Employee Organization: Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA!) Employee Organization: Mid-Managers Bargaining Group
Employee Organization: Public Safety Managers
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lopez reported the following:
• Item 17 - Direction was provided to staff.
• Item 18 - The liability claim was rejected with a 5/0/0/0 vote. • Item 19 - Direction was provided to staff.
ADJOURNMENT
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on February 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in the Community Center at 2701 Fourth Street, Ceres, CA.
There being no further business, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 10:38 p.m.
Fallon Martin, City Clerk
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
January 22, 2024
Consistent with Council Policy, the minutes referenced above are in Action Format. The complete recording of the meeting can be viewed at http://www.ci.ceres.ca.us/agenda center.