OF
CITY
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, June 23, 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 June 23, 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 Chris Henry, Hope Tree Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lopez.
PRESENTATIONS
None
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Justin Farkas spoke regarding updates on Assemblyman Juan Alanis' office.
Supervisor Chance Condit spoke regarding the community cleanup event on June 28,
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Regular City Council Meeting
June 23, 2025
2025.
Randy Cerny congratulated the new Police Chief Trenton Johnson, attaining police officers, code enforcement, city blight, street vendors, cooking out of homes, residential landscaping, landscape watering, Airbnb's, semi-trucks in neighborhoods, thanked Councilmembers Casey and Otero.
Coni Goudeau spoke regarding the disarray of Ochoa Park.
Dave Pratt spoke regarding the Planning Commission meeting and number of food trucks in Ceres.
Shirley Rodgers spoke regarding grub hubs, food courts, and thanked Councilmember Casey.
Brandy Meyer spoke regarding the hot air balloon event and upcoming one table, one community event and golf tournament.
John Warren spoke regarding global issues going on in the Middle East.
Damon Flores spoke regarding his accomplishments at the Junior Olympics.
Nasson Sanchez spoke regarding the condition of Smyrna Park, City staff, and assisting a senior citizen resident of Ceres.
James Casey wished his grandfather, Councilmember Casey, a happy birthday.
Gene Yeakley thanked the attendees at the council meeting and thanked Councilmembers Casey and Otero.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
None
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the June 23, 2025, City Council Meeting was Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (City Clerk)
2. 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)
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Regular City Council Meeting
June 23, 2025
3. Approval of Minutes for the June 2, 2025, Special City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
4. Approval of Minutes for the June 9, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
5. Register of Audited Demands) Dated May 28, 2025, through June 4, 2025. (Esenwein)
6. Removed for separate consideration.
7. Resolution No. 2025-048, Approving Amendment #1 for Building Inspection and Plan Check Services with Stanislaus County and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Amendment. (City Manager)
8. General Correspondence - Information Only
a. Public Works Monthly Report for April 2025. (Royal)
9. Removed for separate consideration.
10. Removed for separate consideration.
11. Resolution No. 2025-051, Approving a Regional Solid Waste Disposal Plan Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Ceres and Stanislaus County and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Memorandum of Understanding. (Royal)
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 1 - 5, 7 - 8, & 11. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Otero
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 6: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero Resolution No. 2025-047, Approving Addendum #1 to the Current School Resource Officer Services Agreement and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (City Manager)
Councilmember Otero inquired about the cost of the School Resource Officer, what the district will be paying, and wanted it added for record keeping.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
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Regular City Council Meeting
June 23, 2025
Council and staff discussion included the length of the contract.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving item 6. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Item 9: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Vierra Resolution No. 2025-049, Ratifying the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Ceres and Ceres Public Safety Mid Managers Association and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Memorandum of Understanding. (Vasquez)
Councilmember Vierra inquired about the contract expiration date.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding the pay increase provided to the Ceres Public Safety Mid Managers Association, the cost per year and using reserve funds.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving item 9. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Item 10: Removed for separate consideration by John Warren Resolution No. 2025-050, Ratifying the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Ceres and Ceres Police Officers' Association and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Memorandum of Understanding. (Vasquez) Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren stated he had the same comment for this item as he did for item 9.
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Regular City Council Meeting
June 23, 2025
Irma Gutierrez was thankful for the help she received regarding the issue she had around her house.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the City's financial budget, police officer retention, pulling money from reserves to recruit and retain officers.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 10. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
12. Resolution No. 2025-052, Adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 Beginning July 1, 2025, and Ending June 30, 2026, and Approving Positions for Fiscal Year 2026. (Esenwein)
Resolution No. 2025-053, Adopting Appropriations Limitations for Fiscal Year 2026. (Esenwein)
Finance Director, Shannon Esenwein introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Shirley Rodgers asked if money was budgeted for a Sister City.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included legal services budget, revenue projections for Kase Manufacturing and Kase's Journey, internal audit for every department, interim budget to further review the FY 25/26 budget, budget updates, concerns regarding information related to upcoming City projects, transparency, reevaluation of priorities, additional planning related to the annual budget, updating the strategic plan, surveying the community, Community Service budgeted item, what the Community Service budgeted item is intended for, if the money for the Community Service budget item is coming from reserves and if it will impact events
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Regular City Council Meeting
June 23, 2025
the Recreation Manager and Redevelopment & Economic Development Manager host, and creating a process on how the Community Service budgeted item will work.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 12. Motion carried 3/2/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes No Yes Yes
NEW BUSINESS
13. Resolution No. 2025-054, Ratifying the Appointment of Trenton Johnson to the Position of Chief of Police, Approving an Employment Agreement, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (City Manager) City Manager, Doug Dunford, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Mike Borges commended the Council and City Manager for selecting Trenton Johnson as Police Chief.
Lee Brandt congratulated Trenton Johnson.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included their appreciation for Trenton Johnson.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 13. 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
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
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Regular City Council Meeting
June 23, 2025
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
None
REPORTS
• Mayor
Mayor Lopez spoke regarding Concerts in the Park, Whitmore gazebo ribbon cutting, and receiving an update on Ochoa Park.
• City Council
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding Stanislaus Homeless Alliance and calling non-emergency to report illegal fireworks.
Councilmember Otero thanked staff for their communication regarding Ochoa Park, Police Department regarding their approach and response to homelessness, and a family who helped clean up Ochoa Park.
• City Manager
Nothing to report.
• City Attorney
Nothing to report.
• Departments
Recreation Manager, Joey Chavez, spoke regarding Concerts in the Park and the hot air balloon event.
Public Works Director, Sam Royal, provided an update on Ochoa Park.
Interim Police Chief, Trenton Johnson, spoke regarding how to report illegal fireworks and the amount of the fine.
CLOSED SESSION
14. Conference with Labor Negotiators, Cal Gov't Code §54957.6(a) "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a legislative body of a local agency may hold closed sessions with the local agency's designated representatives regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fridge benefits of its represented and unrepresented employees, and, for represented employees, any other matter within the statutorily provided scope of representation."
Agency Designated Representative: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and Human Resources Director, Delilah Vasquez
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Regular City Council Meeting
June 23, 2025
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
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Vice Mayor Martinez reported that directions were provided to staff.
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on July 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in the Community Center at 2701 Fourth Street, Ceres, There being no further business, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Javier 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.