OF
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, February 10, 2025 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 February 10, 2025 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Present:
Mayor: Javier Lopez
Vice Mayor: Daniel A. Martinez (District 4)
Councilmembers: James Casey (District 1); Rosalinda L. Vierra (District 2); Cerina Otero (District 3)
District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Present Present Present Present Present
INVOCATION
Invocation by Jerry Swain, New Vision Christian Center.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lopez.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Black History Month Proclamation
Rene Crawford accepted the proclamation on behalf of the NAACP.
B. Website Update Presentation
Information Technology Manager, Jon Frederick, gave a presentation on an update to the City's website.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Dave Pratt spoke regarding issues with the My Ceres app.
John Warren spoke regarding issues with the My Ceres app.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included signing up for news blasts via the City's website.
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Dave Pratt spoke regarding issues with the My Ceres app and chicken eatery options in Ceres.
Jose Magana spoke regarding the timeframe to remove illegal carports and the number of carport complains.
Irma Luis Gutierrez agreed with what Jose Magana stated.
Gene Yeakley commended council for their decision regarding carports and inquired about enforcement.
Dalton Pellanda spoke regarding the lack of uniformity in Ceres and neighborhood blight.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
None
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
Planning Commission Appointment
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the February 10, 2025 City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. (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)
Register of Audited Demands) Dated January 15, 2024 through January 22, 2025.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
(Esenwein)
4. Consideration to Cancel the Regularly Scheduled City Council Meeting of February 24, 2025. (City Manager)
5. Removed for separate consideration.
Resolution No. 2025-11, Accepting the U.S. Department of Justice Program, Bureau of Justice Assistance 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Allocation and Approving a 2024-25 Budget Amendment to Appropriate the Funds. (Johnson)
7. Removed for separate consideration.
8. Resolution No. 2025-13, Approving the North Central Avenue Reconstruction Project (New Project String), Approving a Budget Amendment to Appropriate and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Consultant Project Agreements up to $50,000 for this Project. (Beltran)
9. Resolution No. 2025-14, Ratification of the General Services Agreement for Emergency Flooring Replacement in the City Hall Annex with Flooring Liquidators. (Beltran)
10. Resolution No. 2025-15, Approving the Central Avenue Reconstruction Project (New Project String), Approving a Budget Amendment to Appropriate Funds, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Consultant Project Agreements up to $50,000 for this Project. (Beltran)
11. Resolution No. 2025-16, Approving the Richland Avenue Reconstruction Project (New Project String), Approving a Budget Amendment to Appropriate Funds, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Consultant Project Agreements up to $50,000 for this Project. (Beltran)
12. Removed for separate consideration.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vy tre blowing gol cal vo1, 6, and 8-11. Motion carried 5/01010 Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 5: Removed for separate consideration by Vice Mayor Martinez Resolution No. 2025-10, Authorizing the Submission of an Application to the Office of Traffic Safety for a Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant. (Johnson)
Vice Mayor Martinez inquired as to whether the STEP Grant covers the site team.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding how the hours can be spent and split up.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 5. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Item 7: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero Resolution No. 2025-12, Approving an Agreement with Eide Bailly, LLP to Provide Accounting Consulting Services for the Completion of the Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Audit. (Ledezma)
Councilmember Otero inquired as to the importance of the audit, the frequency, and the services the consultant will provide.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included whether charges could be altered and if the services will help bring the City in compliance for the Fiscal Year 2023 audit.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 7. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Martinez Mayor Lopez
Otero
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
Item 12: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero Resolution No. 2025-17, Approving the Professional Services Agreement for a Water and Wastewater Rate Study Update to Willdan Financial Services, Inc., Authorizing a 10% Contingency, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Beltran)
Councilmember Otero spoke regarding the last rate study that was conducted, last utility fee schedule, inquired as to how often should rates should be reviewed, and how to prepare for the future.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding previous studies and rate increases.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included how often rate studies are conducted, the last time the water and sewer rate studies were conducted, water connection fees, the last nexus study on water connection fees, how often we can raise the connection fees, compliance with State laws, Proposition 218, public workshops, future development, and reserves.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 12. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Martinez Mayor Lopez
Otero
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
13. Public Hearing Communication Outreach
(Referred by Councilmember Casey at the January 13, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting)
Councilmember Casey introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding Facebook community groups.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding text message services.
Shirley Rogers spoke regarding a quarterly newsletter.
Dave Pratt spoke regarding the difficulty in finding a common form of communications.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council provided consensus for staff to bring back an item on a future agenda to explore options to increase communications related to public hearings (5/0).
14. Volunteers for Code Enforcement
(Referred by Vice Mayor Martinez at the January 13, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting)
Vice Mayor Martinez introduced the item and stated he had a previous referral regarding the dog park.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Dalton Pellanda spoke regarding personnel that address public safety concerns.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included Volunteers in Policing (VIP), scope of work for Code Enforcement volunteers, training for volunteers, forming a committee to seek out areas out of compliance, cost of implementation, and union compliance.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
Council provided consensus for staff to bring back an item on a future agenda to explore the creation of adding Code Enforcement volunteers, including training and liability (5/0).
REPORTS
• Mayor
Nothing to report.
• City Council
Councilmember Otero spoke regarding the Chamber of Commerce's Coffee & Conversation being held at the Cupcake Boutique on February 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding the Permanent Local Housing Allocation, Stanislaus Equity Partners, and the Meet & Greet Electeds event. • City Manager
City Manager, Doug Dunford, announced Police Chief Chris Perry's retirement. • City Attorney
Nothing to report.
• Departments
Nothing to report.
CLOSED SESSION
15. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation, Cal. Gov't Code "For the purposes of this section, litigation shall be considered pending when any of the following Cocal agrances tie alice of is legal couse, based on sting facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the local agency." Potential Case: 1 case
16. Public Employment, Cal. Gov't Code §54959
Title: Interim Police Chief
17. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 0 Arthur Way (APN 127-002-047)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia l.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Pedro Orozco (Buyer) and Alvena Maryam (Real Estate Agent) Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
18. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: APN 041-009-001
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: William and Linda Mineni
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
19. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 943 E Grayson Road (APN 041-007-007)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Marchy Dairy
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
20. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 1367 E Grayson Road (APN 041-009-010)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Sun Meadow LLC
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
21. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: APN 041-009-013
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Phillip and Linda Yori
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
22. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 4849 Blaker Road (APN 041-009-007)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Woods David Marion
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
23. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 4869 Blaker Road (APN 041-009-012)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Negotiating Parties: Kelly and Cindi Martin
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
24. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 4925 Blaker Road (APN 041-009-011)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Fernando Diaz
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
25. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 1573 and 1607 E Grayson Road (APN 041-009-005) Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Cuauhtemoc and Helen Marquez
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
26. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: APN 041-009-015
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Napa Farms LLC
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
27. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 4737 and 4749 Central Avenue (APN 041-009-003) Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: MCB Farm Holdings LLC
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
28. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 4619 Central Avenue (APN 041-009-016)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Marlin and Cindy Bauman
Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
Mayor Lopez introduced the Closed Session items.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Item 15-28:
• Mayor Lopez stated there was nothing to report out.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 10, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on March 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in the Community Cénter at 2701 Fourth Street, Ceres, CA.
There being no further business, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. ravier Lopez, Mayor
Tauon 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.