OF CE
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, August 11, 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 August 11, 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 Pastor Dick Connors, Ceres First Baptist 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)
John Warren spoke regarding the September 11th services that will be held at Whitmore Park at 8:00 a.m.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
Brandy Meyer spoke regarding the September 26th golf tournament and the October 10th One Table event.
Kimberly Oliveira spoke regarding civic engagement for youth and youth internships.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from David Yonan regarding Code Enforcement.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
Councilmember Otero recused herself from item 14.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
A. Council Designation of a Voting Delegate and Alternate Delegate to Represent the City of Ceres at the League of California Cities' 2025 Annual Conference.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council consensus to designate Vice Mayor Martinez as the voting delegate with Councilmember Casey as the alternate voting delegates at the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the August 11, 2025, City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 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)
Approval of Minutes for the July 28, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
4. Register of Audited Demands) Dated July 16, 2025, through July 24, 2025. (Esenwein)
General Correspondence - Information Only
a. 2025 Public Health Goals. (Royal)
b. PFAS Presence Exceedance Letter. (Royal)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
Resolution No. 2025-92, Approving a Construction Contract with DSS Company (dba Knife River Construction) for the Hatch Road 18" Water Transmission Main Project (Project No. 2525) in the Amount of $1,895,750.00, Approving a 10% Contingency, Approving a 10% Construction Support Budget, Resulting in a Total Construction Budget Authorization of $2,274,900.00, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract. (Beltran)
7. Resolution No. 2025-93, Approving an Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement of the Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Amendment. (Vasquez)
8. Resolution No. 2025-94, Appropriating Additional Funding for CML-5241(074) Bike Lane Corridors - Class Il and Approving a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $50,000.00. (Beltran)
Resolution No. 2025-95, Accepting the George Costa Fields Lighting Grant from the Turlock Irrigation District in the Amount of $69,546.00, Appropriating the Grant Amount to a New Project String, and Authorizing the City Manager to Sign the Award Letter. (Beltran)
10. Removed for separate consideration.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving items 1 - 9. 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
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 10: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Vierra Resolution No. 2025-96, Approving an Agreement with Access Electric for George Costa Fields Lighting in the Amount of $178,708.00, Approving a Budget Amendment, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Beltran)
Councilmember Vierra inquired about the budget amendment and prevailing wage.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
Council and staff discussion included the Recreation Facilities fund, prevailing wage, City staff making contact with Ceres Youth Baseball, and the fields that will get new lighting.
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 VierraR Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. Resolution No. 2025-97, Ordering the Levy and Collection of Special Taxes for Fiscal Year 2025/26 within the City of Ceres Community Facilities District No. 1 (Public Services). (Beltran)
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included residents receiving the services efficiently and how the money is allocated/split.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 11. 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
12. Resolution No. 2025-98, Ordering the Levy and Collection of Special Taxes for Fiscal Year 2025/26 within the City of Ceres Community Facilities District No. 2 (Public Services). (Beltran)
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Angela Huerta asked if the fees were only for FY2025-2026 or if they will continue after.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the impact to general fund reserves.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 12. 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
PUBLIC HEARING
13. Resolution No. 2025-99, Approving the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Amended Engineer's Report and Ordering the Levy of Assessments for the 1987 Landscape and Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2025-26. (Beltran)
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Kimberly Oliveira asked for clarification regarding the engineer's assessment.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included the range of the increase per parcel.
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
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
14. Resolution No. 2025-100, Denying the Appeal of Planning Commission's Approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application Number 24-09 for a Maverik Fueling Station, Located at the Southeast Corner of Mitchell Road and Rode Road in Ceres, CA (APN: 041-018-007). (City Manager)
Planning Consultant, Lea Simvoulakis, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
Diane Kindermann, legal counsel for the appellant, spoke in opposition of the project.
Sergio Valdez spoke regarding the traffic study report.
Sunny Ghei spoke in opposition of the project.
Todd Meyers, project applicant, spoke in favor of the project.
Farman Shir spoke regarding the electronic vehicle charging station and site distance and circulation.
George Ghossain spoke regarding the traffic study.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
William Rossi spoke in opposition of the project.
Greg Scudder spoke in support of the project.
AJ Singh spoke in opposition of the project.
Brandy Meyer spoke in support of the project.
Jacob Collins spoke in opposition of the project.
Nirmal Chandi spoke in opposition of the project.
Jagpreet S. spoke in opposition of the project.
Vickram spoke in opposition of the project.
Nirin T. spoke in opposition of the project
Esam Khacho spoke in favor of the project.
Frank Orosco spoke in opposition of the project.
Mandeep Kaur spoke in opposition of the project.
Ranjeet Singh spoke in opposition of the project
John Warren spoke regarding the pros and cons of the project.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
Galen Guzman spoke in opposition of the project and communication.
Kimberly Oliveira spoke in opposition of the project.
Gene Yeakley spoke in opposition of the project.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from Surainder Singh regarding his support of the project.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included hours of operation, cameras, overnight parking, CEQA, concerns from the Fire Department and Police Department, electronic vehicle chargers, public improvements, previous use permits for the site, traffic mitigation, truck stop verses fueling station, separation of passenger vehicles, zoning.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 14. Motion carried 4/0/0/1 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Abstain Yes Yes
15. Ordinance No. 2025-XXXX, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Adding Section 5.19.000, Definitions, Amending Section 5.19.040 - Eligible Organizations, Section 5.19.080 - Chief of Police Investigation, Amending Section
5.19.090 from Summary Suspension or Revocation to Renewal of Permit to Operate, Section 5.19.100 from Enforcement to Bingo Location Security, Adding Section 5.19.110 - Conduct of Games, Section 5.19.120 - Financial Records, and Section 5.19.130 - Enforcement, of the Ceres Municipal Code. (Johnson) City Attorney, Nubia Goldstein, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Mike Warda thanked the City Attorney and Police Department for revising the ordinance.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included enforcement of code and congratulating bingo halls.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 15. 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
NEW BUSINESS
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
Reestablish the Transient Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee (Requested by Councilmember Otero at the July 14, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting)
Councilmember Otero introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included why the committee dissolved and the history of the committee.
Council provided consensus for staff to bring back an informational item regarding the summary and history of the committee. (3/2 → No = Lopez & Martinez) Increase Permitted Watering Days from Two to Three Days per Week (Requested by Councilmember Otero on July 22, 2025)
Councilmember Otero introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council provided consensus for staff to bring back an item to increase the number of watering days from two to three days per week. (5/0)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
REPORTS
• Mayor
Nothing to report
• City Council
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding touring the new fire training facility upgrades and a ride along with the Ceres Police Department.
• City Manager
Nothing to report.
• City Attorney
Nothing to report
• Departments
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, spoke regarding Hatch Road closure at Central Avenue for one to two weeks in November.
CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Labor Negotiators, Cal Gov't Code §54957.6(a) 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
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
Mayor Lopez stated there was no reportable action.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
August 11, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on August 25, 2025, 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 9:52 p.m.
Javier Lopez, Mayor
salon chast
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.