OF
*
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, September 9, 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 September 9, 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 Silvera
Present Present Present Present Present
INVOCATION
Invocation by Patrick Davis, Ceres Christian Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lopez.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Patriot Day Proclamation
Assistant Fire Chief, Andrew Hunter, accepted the proclamation.
B. Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
Nelson Gomez with South Modesto Business United accepted the proclamation.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 9, 2024
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Dave Pratt spoke regarding Ceres Legion Post 491's Patriot Day ceremony.
Brandy Meyer spoke regarding Ceres Chamber of Commerce upcoming events.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the September 9, 2024 City Council Meeting was Posted on September 4, 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 August 26, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
Removed for separate consideration.
5. Resolution No. 2024-127, Approving Amendment No. 1 with Environment Control for a Custodial Services Contract for the Ceres Community Center and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract. (Royal)
Removed for separate consideration.
Waiver of Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-1086, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Amending Title 9, Chapter 16 Parks, Public Property, and Public Facilities of the Ceres Municipal Code to Prevent the Storage or Dumping of Items in Parks and Public Areas. (Perry)
8. Resolution No. 2024-129, Approving a Project Agreement for Professional Consultant Services with GDR Engineering for the Design Services of Well 42-27 Granular Activated Carbon Vessels and Blending Project (New Project String), Approving a Budget Amendment, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract. (Beltran)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 9, 2024
Resolution No. 2024-130, Approving a Letter of Support from the Ceres City Council to Present to San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission for the 2024 Good Jobs Challenge: The Rail Academy of Central California Project. (City Manager)
10. Resolution No. 2024-131, Approving a Letter of Support from the Ceres City Council to Present to San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program Application for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024: Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project. (City Manager)
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving items 1 - 3, 5, 7 - 10. 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
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 4: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Casey Register of Audited Demands) Dated August 21, 2024 through August 28, 2024. (Esenwein)
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding the City's cell phone carrier.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding staff cell phones and if they are set up correctly.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving item 4. 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 6: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Casey So leer placemen musir the rear me Paris Division For
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 9, 2024
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding where we buy parts for the vehicle and the bidding process.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding the warranty.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included clean air regulation compliance.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Silveira, approving item 6. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Silveira Mayor Lopez
Casey Martinez
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Resolution No. 2024-XXX, Establishing the Annual Assessment Levy for the 2024- 2025 Fiscal Year on the Businesses in the Downtown Area Defined in the Ceres Downtown Revitalization Area Board (CRAB) Annual Report for the Activities and Programs of the Ceres Downtown Revitalization Area for Fiscal Year 2024-25. (Aguirre)
Redevelopment & Economic Development, Julian Aguirre, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Brandy Meyer spoke regarding more businesses getting involved.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding consequences if businesses do not participate.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included businesses benefiting from the funds of the business improvement district (BID), suspend the BID, research how to revitalize the BID, streetlights on Fifth Street, restructuring the BID, allowing for a six-month
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 9, 2024
review prior to suspending the BID, adding streetlights on Fifth Street to the capital improvement project list, Planning Commission approval, BID budget, structure of the BID, and notification of the public hearing.
Resolution failed due to lack of a motion.
12. Resolution No. 2024-132, Accepting the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Prepared for the Stanislaus Urban County Consortium. (Aguirre)
Redevelopment & Economic Development, Julian Aguirre, 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 12. 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
13. Resolution No. 2024-133, Approving an Amendment to the Department Head Employment Agreements and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreements. (City Manager)
City Manager, Doug Dunford, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the item for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Silveira, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, approving item 13. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Martinez Mayor Lopez
Silvera
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 9, 2024
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
14. Becoming a Sister City
(Requested by Councilmember Martinez)
Councilmember Martinez presented the referral.
Mayor Lopez opened the item for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the requirements and cost of becoming/being a sister city.
Council provided consensus for staff to bring back an item on a future agenda (5/0).
15. Sponsorship of Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
(Requested by Councilmember Martinez)
Mayor Lopez opened the item for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month across the United States of America and celebrating other cultures.
Tony Madrigal spoke regarding the history of Hispanic Heritage Month and other months that celebrate various cultures.
Shirley Rogers spoke regarding whether the sponsorship included money.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the cost of the sponsorship, if the money was budgeted, and American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Council did not provide consensus (2/3 → No = Casey, Vierra, & Silvera).
REPORTS
• Mayor
Nothing to report.
• City Council
Councilmember Martinez spoke regarding the Ochoa Park grand opening.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 9, 2024
Vice Mayor Silvera spoke regarding the Ochoa Park grand opening.
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding the homeless alliance meeting, a homeless person sent from the hospital to the Community Center Cooling Shelter, and shopping local.
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding St. Matthews Mesopotamian Festival, St.
Jude's Family Festival, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Walk, weed abatement reporting, and California Admission Day September 9, 1850. • City Manager
Nothing to report
• City Attorney
Nothing to report.
• Departments
Police Chief, Chris Perry, spoke regarding the procedure for reporting weed abatement, Code Enforcement's case at 1952 Hollister Street, and Ceres Police Department's 2023 Awards Ceremony and Swearing-In of New Officers.
Community Development Director, Lea Simvoulakis, provided a surplus land update. • County Supervisor
Nothing to report.
CLOSED SESSION
None
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on September 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in the Community Center at 2701 Fourth Street, Ceres, CA
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 9, 2024
There being no further business, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
Javier Lopez, Mayor
Tallon Luasti
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.