OF
CERES
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, October 27, 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 October 27, 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 Jim Stochl, Harvest Presbyterian Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by Gabriela Hernandez, Cesar Chavez Junior High School.
PRESENTATIONS
None
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Narinder Bahia provided an update on Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's office.
Justin Farkas provided an update on Assemblyman Juan Alanis' office.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
Clint Jones spoke regarding Westward Ho mobile home park and rent control.
Darrell Landry spoke regarding Westward Ho mobile home park and rent control.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
None
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
A. Planning Commission Appointment Interview Process
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 conducting open-meeting interviews, transparency, contingency if only one applicant, and conducting sub-committee interviews when there are multiple applicants.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Otero, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving an open-meeting interview process. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CONSENT CALENDAR
Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the October 27, 2025, City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 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)
3. Approval of Minutes for the October 13, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
Register of Audited Demands) Dated October 1, 2025, through October 8, 2025. (Esenwein)
5. Removed for separate consideration.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
6. Resolution No. 2025-125, Approving the Project Agreement to the Master Agreement for Professional Consultant Services with BSK Associates for Construction Observation and Materials Testing Services for Parkside Estates, Woodacres, and 6th Street Water Main and Service Replacement (2524) Project in the Amount of $36,777.00, Approving a $10,000 Contingency, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Beltran)
7. Resolution No. 2025-126, Approving a Memorandum of Understanding Between the County of Stanislaus and the City of Ceres Regarding the Stanislaus County Replacement Benefits Plan, Approving a Budget Amendment, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Memorandum of Understanding. (Vasquez)
8. Removed for separate consideration.
9. Resolution No. 2025-XXX, Approving the Construction Contract for the Hatch Road 18" Water Transmission Main Phase 3 Project (New Project String) to Rolfe Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $1,449,612.00, Approving a 10% Contingency in the Amount of $144,961.00, Approving 10% Construction Support Funds in the Amount of $144,961.00, Totaling $1,739,534.00, Authorizing a New Project String, Authorizing a Budget Transfer, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract. (Beltran)
*This item was pulled by staff and not considered by the Ceres City Council.
10. Removed for separate consideration.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 1 - 4 and 6 - 7. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Otero Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CONSIDERATION OF ITEM(S) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 5: Removed for separate consideration by Vice Mayor Martinez Resolution No. 2025-XXX, Appropriating Additional Funding for HSIPSL- 5241(076) Median Installation at Mitchell Road and Authorizing a Budget Amendment. (Beltran)
Vice Mayor spoke regarding images reflecting the proposed median.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
Dave Pratt spoke regarding the median drawings and northbound left turns.
John Warren spoke regarding when the project was first presented to council, public outreach, and traffic collisions in the past five years.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included number of accidents within the area of the proposed median in the last five years, public outreach to businesses surrounding the proposed median, who requested the project, what funds are paying for the project, purpose of the project, accident data for the past ten years, why the project is coming before council at this time, what happens if council does not approve the use of the grant funds, possibility of moving the funds to a new/different project, modifying the project to not include the median, fire apparatus access, and how much money the City would have to pay back if council denies the project.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, denying item 5. Motion carried 3/2/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Otero
No No Yes Yes No
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, approving the budgetary amendment and for council to receive an update on community outreach related to the design. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Casey, seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez, tabling the budgetary amendment subject to a proposal by staff related to a community outreach plan for item 5. 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 8: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero General Correspondence - Information Only
a. Redevelopment & Economic Development Quarterly Report - July, August and September 2025 (Aguirre)
Councilmember Otero spoke regarding why the City collects data on businesses that are closing and leaving the city, total number of businesses the city has overall,
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
the total number of businesses in the downtown area, and number of new businesses joining the downtown area.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included work the City is doing with downtown businesses.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving item 8. 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 10: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero Resolution No. 2025-127, Approving a Retroactive Agreement with the Lew Edwards Group to Provide Planning, Communication and Engagement Services for Quality-of-Life Vision, Approving a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $115,500, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (City Manager) Councilmember Otero spoke regarding the total spent on the contract.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Jon Blount spoke in support of the Lew Edwards Group agreement.
Josh Lepper spoke in support of the Lew Edwards Group agreement.
John Warren spoke in support of the Lew Edwards Group agreement, unfunded positions, and the cost of funding the unfunded positions.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included May and June invoice total, payment of May and June invoices, the City's strategic plan, typo in the agreement, why using general fund money for the project, why the money was not budgeted, work the consultant has provided since contracting with them, Community Development Director's role, what the budget amendment for this item will be used for, Public Information Officer's role, what work the consultant does with the monthly charge, scope of services, end goal by engaging with the Lew Edwards Group, and options to help the City be fiscally sustainable.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving item 10. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Otero Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Resolution No. 2025-128, Denying the Appeal of Planning Commission's Approval of Site Plan Approval Application 25-13 SP and Tentative Parcel Map Application 25-14 TPM and Finding the Project Consistent with the West Landing Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report SCH #2008122087 for the Warehouse 18 and 19 Project Located at 3807 Crows Landing Road in Ceres, CA (APN: 086-034-004). (City Manager)
Planning Consultant, Lea Simvoulakis, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Charles Evins spoke regarding installation of stop sign, parking, access to B Street, visibility of the foothills, zoning, safety during processions, a median, Ceres staff availability, landscaping, public records request, and requesting council postpone the appeal to have legal counsel available.
Dave Romano spoke regarding annexation of the parcel into the City, West Landing Specific Plan, community meetings, employment, reaching out to neighborhood, zoning, selection of appeal date, and requesting the Council uphold the hearing.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included appellant's attorney of record, required permits to conduct a funeral home business, extension requests, CALgreen landscaping requirements, B Street, benefits and jobs the project will bring to the city.
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:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
12. Resolution No. 2025-XXX, Accepting the Annual Report on Development Impact Fees for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 as Required by Government Code Section 66006(b). (Beltran)
Mayor Lopez announced this public hearing is being continued to the November 10, 2025, Regular City Council meeting.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing and asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
NEW BUSINESS
13. Resolution No. 2025-129, Accepting the 2022-2023 City of Ceres Audited Financial Statements and Audit Reports for the Period Ended June 30, 2023. (Esenwein)
Finance Director, Shannon Esenwein, presented 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 Vierra, approving item 13. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Otero Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
DISCUSSION ITEMS
14. Resolution No. 2025-130, Adopting the Council Donation Policy. (City Manager) City Manager, Doug Dunford, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren requested a donation to the VFW.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
Council and staff discussion included granting multiple donations to the same organization, how the donation total per person can be split up, timeline from request to award, creating a committee to determine where and who the donations are applied to, June 23, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, June 23, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting minutes, how much was budgeted, why the budgeted amount is more than what the policy states per councilmember, donating to the Ceres VFW, where the money goes if the budgeted money is not spent, impact on the Recreation Division, creating a committee to determine how the funds are spent, purpose of budgeting such funds, and include W-9, IRS Determination Letter, and event flyer as required documents when submitting the application.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Mayor Lopez, approving item 13 with an amendment to the policy where a W-9, IRS Determination Letter, and event flyer must be submitted with the application and each councilmember will be allocated $5,000 each, totaling $25,000.00. Motion carried 3/2/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes No No Yes Yes
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
15. Staffing Levels & Recruitment Presentation
(Requested by Vice Mayor Martinez at the September 22, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting)
Vice Mayor Martinez presented the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the previous presentation by Human Resources on staffing levels and conducting a workshop in January 2026.
Council provided consensus on conducting a workshop in January 2026.
16. Request to Cancel the November 24, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting. (Requested by Mayor Lopez on October 14, 2025)
Mayor Lopez presented the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
Council and staff discussion included conducting the November 24, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, Councilmember Otero's absence from the November 24, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, and allowing staff to have a break and spend time with their families.
Council provided consensus on bringing back an item to cancel the November 24, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
REFERRAL REQUESTS
Securing Commercial Garbage Dumpsters
(Requested at the dais by Councilmember Casey on October 27, 2025) Placing the City Treasurer on the 2028 General Municipal Election (Requested at the dais by Councilmember Casey on October 27, 2025) Conducting a Forensic Financial Audit of the City
(Requested at the dais by Councilmember Otero on October 27, 2025)
REPORTS
• Mayor
Mayor Lopez spoke regarding the Crosstown Showdown football game and trunk-or treat.
• City Council
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding trunk-or-treat, Chick-fil-A mobile food truck, grants, Stanislaus County Sherrifs Open House and Stanislaus Animal Services Agency.
Vice Mayor Martinez spoke regarding trunk-or-treat, congratulated Recreation Manager, Joey Chavez, for being inducted into the San Jose State University's baseball hall of fame, and the Christmas Tree Lane meeting.
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding trunk-or-treat.
Councilmember Otero spoke regarding trunk-or-treat events, Central Valley athletic booster dinner, and thanked the outgoing Finance Director, Shannon Esenwein. • City Manager
Nothing to report.
• City Attorney
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
October 27, 2025
City Attorney, Nubia Goldstein, introduced a new attorney with White Brenner, Sarah Carrillo.
• Departments
Director of Engineering, Mike Beltran, spoke regarding the Hatch Road project.
Recreation Manager, Joey Chavez, spoke regarding Trunk-or-Treat and the Day of the Dead event.
CLOSED SESSION
17. Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Cal. Gov't Code §54957(b)(1) Title: City Manager
18. 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: Ashley Ranuio, Vito Ranuio, Individually and dba The Truck Stop Food Park vs. City of Ceres, Mayor and City Council, Stanislaus County Superior Court Case Number: CV-25-009856
Mayor Lopez introduced Closed Session.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lopez stated there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on November 10, 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 10:27 p.m. avier Lopez, Mayor
tallon astr
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.