MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, September 8, 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 September 8, 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 led by Danna Roman, Adkison Elementary School.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Patriot Day Proclamation
Modesto Fire accepted the proclamation.
B. Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
Central Valley High School's AP Spanish Literature Club accepted the proclamation.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
C. Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation
American Foundation of Suicide Prevention accepted the proclamation.
D. California's 175th Anniversary Proclamation
E. Cannabis Business Program (City Attorney)
City Attorney, Nubia Goldstein, presented the information.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Mike Warda spoke regarding smoke shops, police department resources, and proposed tobacco ordinance.
Ron Roberts spoke regarding cannabis retailers, illegal smoke shops, and tax rates.
John Warren spoke regarding the amount owed to the City by cannabis operators.
James (last name not provided) spoke regarding the black market and capping the amount of dispensaries.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included employment and drug testing, police resources, response times, access to public cameras, amount of dispensaries within the city, black market, safety and security of cannabis businesses, fairness, background checks on new operators, tax rate, basis of the tax rate, permitting structure, tax collection, auditing cannabis businesses, timeline on updating the Ceres Municipal Code, tax rates of surrounding cities, and double taxation on retail and distribution.
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Maggie Mejia spoke regarding Art, Family, & Culture's National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Jonathan Vazquez spoke regarding placing a mural at the Ceres Library.
John Warren spoke regarding the 9/11 ceremony at Whitmore Park.
Dave Pratt spoke regarding Stanislaus Council of Governments' Oversight Committee for Measure L projects.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
Gene Yeakley thanked meeting attendees, City staff members, and the student led pledge of allegiance.
Brandy Meyer spoke regarding an upcoming ice cream social, WoodSprings Suites grand opening/ribbon cutting, River Classic Golf Tournament, Coffee & Conversation, and One Table One Community events.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
Councilmember Casey abstained from item #15.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the September 8, 2025, City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, September 8, 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)
Removed for separate consideration.
General Correspondence - Information Only
a. Public Works Monthly Report for July 2025 (Royal)
Resolution No. 2025-104, Approving the Project Agreement to the Master Agreement for Professional Consultant Services with Kleinfelder, Inc., for Construction Observation and Materials Testing Services for the 2024 Pavement Preservation (2512, 2513, & 2514) Project in the Amount of $30,954.80, Approving a $10,000.00 Contingency, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Beltran)
6. Resolution No. 2025-105, Approving an Agreement with Environment Control for Custodial Services at the Ceres Community Center for an Annual Amount of $69,364.00 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Royal)
7. Removed for separate consideration.
8. Resolution No. 2025-107, Approving a Three-year Operational Agreement between Healthy Alternatives to Violent Environments and the Ceres Police Department and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Johnson)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
9. Resolution No. 2025-108, Approving the Purchase of New Traffic Signal Controllers in Support of the Traffic Signal Timing Optimization Project (2414) from SWARCO McCain, Inc. (Beltran)
10. Resolution No. 2025-109, Approving the Purchase of New Traffic Signal Switches in Support of the Traffic Signal Timing Optimization Project (2414) from AZCO Supply. (Beltran)
11. Removed for separate consideration.
12. Waiver of Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-1091, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Adding Chapter 10, Tobacco and Smoke Shop Restrictions, to Title 6, Health and Sanitation, of the Ceres Municipal Code. (Johnson)
13. Resolution No. 2025-111, Approving a General Services Agreement with Taylor Backhoe Services Inc., dba TBS Contractors for the Crows Landing Road Rehabilitation Pothole Services Project in the Amount of $62,976.00, Authorizing a Contingency for Up to Fifteen Additional Potholes in the Amount of $14,760.00 (Totaling $77,736.00), and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract. (Beltran)
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 1-2, 4-6, 8-10, and 12-13. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Mayor Lopez
Casey Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 3: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Casey Register of Audited Demands) Dated August 13, 2025, through August 20, 2025. (Esenwein)
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding water world and donated funds listed as expenses.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included SCADA communications.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 3. 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 7: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero Resolution No. 2025-106, Approving an Agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the Purchase and Installation of a Security Camera System at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Amount of $257,121.00, Approving a Budget Amendment, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Royal) Councilmember Otero spoke regarding using Motorola for other areas throughout the city.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding the wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included monthly fees and integration with other Motorola products used by the City.
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 Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Item 11: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Vierra Resolution No. 2025-110, Concurrence and Support of the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Prepared for the Stanislaus Urban County Consortium. (Aguirre)
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding community and local meetings held regarding the CAPER
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
John Warren spoke regarding Notify Me.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the dates the meetings were held, social media advertising, and notifying the community.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving items 11. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
14. Resolution No. 2025-112, Adopting the Amended City Council Rules and Procedures Handbook Dated September 2025, to Further Amend the Committee Appointment Process. (City Clerk)
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included pre-determined set of questions, providing questions in advance of the meeting, ChatGPT, and how other cities conduct open- meeting interviews.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving items 14. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez Mayor Lopez
Yes No Yes Yes Yes
PUBLIC HEARING
15. Resolution No. 2025-XXX, Denying the Appeal of Planning Commission's Approval of Conditional Use Permit Application Number 24-45 CUP for the Truck Stop Grub Hub and Outdoor Music Venue Located at 1379 E. Whitmore Avenue, Ceres, CA (APNs: 040-089-033, -034, -035). (Aguirre)
Planning Consultant, Lea Simvoulakis, introduced the item.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Andy Sanchez spoke regarding alcohol licensing, Planning Commission, public noticing, and number of grub hubs.
Vito Ranuio spoke regarding his grub hub project.
Hardeep Gill spoke regarding the number of grub hubs allowed, alcohol licensing, commissary, and music.
Reyana Burciaga spoke regarding the number of grub hubs allowed.
Almarjit Singh Malhi spoke regarding the addresses of the Ceres Grub Hub, cannabis and liquor stores, money spent on his project.
Juan Ruis spoke regarding a food truck waitlist.
James (last name not provided) spoke regarding his neighborhood surroundings, warehouses in his area, traffic, alcohol, and amount of food trucks.
John Warren spoke regarding noise from music, alcohol, and amount of parking.
Galen Guzman spoke regarding agricultural surroundings, traffic, needing more grocery stores, and food truck approval.
Josue Padilla spoke regarding project location, noise from music, and alcohol.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included traffic, alcohol, music venue, fairness and consistency with the Ceres Municipal Code's food truck ordinance, maximum occupancy for an outdoor venue, future median on Whitmore Road, El Rematito restrictions, synthetic lawn, hours of operation, and food truck committee.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving the appeal of the Planning Commission approval of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 24-45 for the Truck Stop Grub Hub and outdoor music venue located at
1379 East Whitmore Avenue based on concerns with public safety parking, music venue, alcohol, general public safety, and direction for staff to draft a resolution for Council approval at the next City Council meeting. Motion carried 4/0/1/0 by the following roll call vote:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Abstain Yes Yes Yes Yes
16. Resolution No. 2025-113, Approving the Annual Report of the Ceres Downtown Revitalization Area (CDRA) for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and Setting a Public Hearing for October 13, 2025, to Consider Approving the Levy Assessment for CDRA Activities and Projects. (Aguirre)
Redevelopment & Economic Development Manager, Julian Aguirre, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included cost of the landscaping contract, outreach with the businesses in the CDRA, current contract vendor, landscape area for the CDRA, public meetings for businesses within the CDRA, services received by the businesses, and the collection of assessments.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 16. 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
NEW BUSINESS
17. Resolution No. 2025-114, Accepting the 2024-25 Military Equipment Annual Report and Approving the Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition and Use Policy. (Johnson)
Police Chief, Trenton Johnson, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving item 17. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
18. Short-Term Rental Ordinance
(Requested by Councilmember Otero on August 14, 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 regarding a Short-Term Rental Ordinance. (5/0)
REPORTS
• Mayor
Nothing to report
• City Council
Vice Mayor Martinez spoke regarding his ride-along with Modesto Fire.
Councilmember Otero thanked Code Enforcement for their presentation at the August 25" City Council meeting and Recreation for the City of Ceres Night Market.
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding an anti-bullying event, City of Ceres Night Market, Stanislaus Homeless Alliance meeting, upcoming Kabaddi event, retirement of Ann Montgomery, WoodSprings grand opening, and an upcoming mixer.
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding September 8th being the day the Virgin Mary was born.
• City Manager
Nothing to report.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
September 8, 2025
• City Attorney
Nothing to report
• Departments
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, spoke regarding the Hatch Road Transmission Main Project, Pavement Preservation Project, and introduced Senior Engineer, Eric Soito.
CLOSED SESSION
19. 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
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
20. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation, Cal Gov't Code §54956.9 "For purposes of this section, litigation shall be considered pending when any of the following circumstances exist... Litigation, to which the local agency is a party, has been initiated formally." Name of Case: Rafid Khoshaba and Tow One Inc. vs. City of Ceres, Stanislaus County Superior Court Case Number: CV-24-005948
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lopez reported that staff was given direction.
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on September 22, 2025, 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 8, 2025
There being no further business, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 10:08 p.m.
Doroper 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.