OF
CERES
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, July 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 July 22, 2024 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Present:
Mayor: Javier Lopez
Vice Mayor: Bret Silveira (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 Silveira
Present Present Present Present Present
INVOCATION
Invocation by Tim Giannosa, Big Valley Grace Community Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lopez.
PRESENTATIONS
A. National Health Center Week Proclamation
Yamilet Valladolid with Golden Valley Health Centers accepted the proclamation.
B. Service Award for Jon Frederick, Information Technology Manager Information Technology Manager, Jon Frederick, accepted the service award.
C. Bertolotti Franchise Agreement Overview
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
Administrative Analyst, Toni Cordell, gave a presentation on the Bertolotti Franchise Agreement.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Dave Pratt spoke regarding mandates and the leaf and limb program.
Shirley Rogers spoke regarding the billing process.
John Warren spoke regarding the leaf and limb program.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding the leaf and limb program and household hazardous waste items.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included illegal dumping, leaf and limb program and enforcement, the three bin system, and implementing extra pickups for leaf and limb.
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Nasson Sanchez spoke regarding law enforcement statistics and National Night Out.
Destiny Condit spoke regarding updates from Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's office.
Irma Luis Gutierrez spoke regarding homelessness near her residence.
Dave Pratt spoke regarding the job fair and the hours at the dog park.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding side shows and people running stop signs.
Justin Farkas spoke regarding updates from Assemblyman Juan Alanis' office.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
None
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the July 22, 2024 City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, July 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 July 8, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
4. Register of Audited Demands) Dated July 3, 2024 through July 10, 2024. (Esenwein)
Removed for separate consideration.
Resolution No. 2024-99, Approving the Elimination of Two (2)_ Vacant Assistant/Associate Engineer Positions and Adding One (1) Senior Civil Engineer Position. (Beltran)
Removed for separate consideration.
Removed for separate consideration.
Removed for separate consideration.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving items 1 - 4 and 6. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 5: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Casey General Correspondence - Information Only
a. Redevelopment & Economic Development Report for April - June 2024 (Aguirre)
b. Public Works Monthly Report for June 2024 (Royal)
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding weed control, abatement, how to report complaints, and Lions Park.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding response times to complaints submitted via the City of Ceres app.
Dave Pratt spoke regarding the difficulty of using the City of Ceres apps.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included timeframe for complaints and Tuscany Village.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Casey, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving item 5. 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
Item 7: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Martinez Resolution No. 2024-100, Awarding the Construction Contract for Whitmore Park Gazebo Project to Sinclair General Engineering Construction Inc., Authorizing a 10% Contingency, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract. (Beltran)
Councilmember Martinez spoke regarding the budget amendment and total cost of the project.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren suggested the excess money for the project be used towards audio- visual upgrades in the Council Chambers.
Shirley Rogers spoke regarding how much the project cost and what the gazebo is being used for.
Gene Yeakley suggested utilizing the money elsewhere.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included prevailing wage.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Silveira, seconded by Councilmember lartinez, approving item 7. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by th ollowing roll call vote
Councilmember | Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Item 8: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Vierra Resolution No. 2024-XXX, Declaring City-Owned Parcel 127-002-047 as Exempt Surplus Land Pursuant to Government Code Section 54221(f)(B) of the Surplus Land Act and Authorizing the City Manager to Conduct Negotiations for the Disposition of the Exempt Surplus Parcel. (Simvoulakis) Councilmember Vierra inquired on whether the surplus land needed to be posted on California Department of Housing and Community Development's (HCD) website.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
or alond stare discuse in the openedicine earing sures land prior Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Silveira, seconded by Mayor Lopez, approving item 8. Motion denied 1/4/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira
Yes No
Items 9: Removed for separate consideration by Ceres resident Dave Pratt Resolution No. 2024-101, Approving a Letter of Support from the Ceres City Council to Present to San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission for the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Grant. (City Manager) Dave Pratt inquired how the project benefits Ceres and that a Measure L sign should be placed in front of the project.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving item 9. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Martinez Silveira Mayor Lopez
Casey
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
NEW BUSINESS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
10. Waiver of Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-1083, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Amending Title 15 of the City of Ceres Municipal Code, and Adopting by Reference the California Code of Regulations Title 24, 2022 Edition, of the California Building Standards Code and to Set a Public Hearing on July 22, 2024, for a Second Reading and Adoption of the Ordinance. (Simvoulakis)
Community Development Director, Lea Simvoulakis, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Silveira, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, approving item 10. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Martinez Silveira
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
11. Ordinance No. 2024-XXXX, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Amending Title 5, Chapter 18 Garage Sales of the City of Ceres Municipal Code to Increase the Number of Garage Sale Events to Three Per Year and to Limit the Number of Sale Days to Three Per Garage Sale Event. (Simvoulakis) Community Development Director, Lea Simvoulakis, presented the item.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Shirley Rogers spoke regarding laws in California regarding yard sales and enforcement.
Amy Claus spoke in favor of the proposed changes.
John Warren spoke in favor of the proposed changes.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding enforcement of yard sales.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included community yard sale event, clean up event the day after the community yard sale, including a community yard sale as part of the ordinance amendment
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by
Councilmember Vierra, approving item 11 and adding a
community-wide yard sale event to the Ceres Municipal Code.
Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Silveira Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
12. Ordinance No. 2024-XXXX, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Adding Chapter 25, Murals, of Title 5, Business Licenses and Regulations, to the Ceres Municipal Code Regarding Murals, their Location, and Design. (City City Manager, Doug Dunford, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included setting fees for the ordinance, public input and enhancing communications related to public hearings.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Mayor Lopez, approving item 12. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Martinez Silvera
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
DISCUSSION ITEMS
13. Amending the Bertolotti Franchise Agreement Related to the Leaf and Limb Program. (Councilmember Martinez)
City Manager, Doug Dunford, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Drave Pratt spoke regarding a year-round leaf and limb program.
John Warren spoke regarding American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated to Code Enforcement employees to tend to illegal dumps, regulations for leaf and limb pick- up, and illegal dumping in the City.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding educating residents of the program and the cost of extending the leaf and limb program.
Shirley Rogers spoke regarding previous commenters and including leaf and limb pick-ups in between the season by appointment.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the timeframe of the program, increasing the number of pickups allowed, and fees for providing the service.
Staff will explore ways with Bertolotti to expand the Leaf and Limb Program, discuss fees for the service, and minimize increasing the rates.
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
14. Reallocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds from Costa Field Upgrades to Public Safety Retention.
(Requested by Mayor Lopez)
Mayor Lopez and Councilmember Martinez presented the referral item.
Mayor Lopez opened the item for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding when ARPA funds must be spent by.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included retention ideas, using the funds for the youth
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
in the community or other public safety items that were cut from ARPA, and when ARPA funds must be spent.
Council provided consensus for staff to bring back an item on areas to reallocate the unspent ARPA funds from the Cost Field Upgrades (4/1 → No = Casey).
15. Increased Traffic Enforcement the First Three Days of School (Requested by Mayor Lopez)
16. Increased LED Stop Signs Near School Zones
(Requested by Mayor Lopez)
17. Community Workforce Agreement to Hire Local Residents for City Projects (Requested by Councilmember Vierra)
18. ARPA Funding Update and Reallocation
(Requested by Vice Mayor Silvera)
19. Becoming a Sister City
(Requested by Councilmember Martinez)
REPORTS
• Mayor
Mayor Lopez spoke regarding Affordability in the Valley Town Hall meeting, Stanislaus County Fair, Darrah Street Community BBQ, Sam Wilson, National Ice Cream Day, and the Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation Breakfast. • City Council
Councilmember Martinez spoke regarding the Christmas Tree Lane meeting, Concerts in the Park, Back to School Fundraiser, and thanked the Public Works staff Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding Affordability in the Valley Town Hall meeting, Ceres Partnership, animal shot clinic, Ceres Garden Club, Christmas Tree Lane meeting, Back to School Fundraiser and attending a conference regarding small city housing strategies.
• City Manager
Nothing to report.
• City Attorney
Nothing to report.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
July 22, 2024
• Departments
Nothing to report.
• County Supervisor
Nothing to report.
CLOSED SESSION
20. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 0 Arthur Way (APN: 127-002-047)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Pedro Orozco (Buyer) and Laura Diarte (Real Estate Agent) Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
21. 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: Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA!) Mayor Lopez stated the Closed Session items had been cancelled.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on August 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 9:09 p.m. fauon wasti
Fallon Martin, City Clerk
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.