OF
CITF CERES,
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, November 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 November 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 Chris Henry, Hope Tree Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Veterans Day Proclamation
The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War accepted the proclamation.
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Lisa Mantarro Moore provided an update on Congressman Adam Gray's office.
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Regular City Council Meeting
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Nasson Sanchez spoke regarding motivation, the Dia de Los Muertos event, pumpkin carving festival, and turkey drive.
Shane Parson spoke regarding transit occupancy tax, council donation funds, and downtown parking.
Milt Trieweiler spoke regarding farmland, soil quality, and water availability.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding Freddy Morales and veteran recognition.
V. Chavez spoke regarding veteran banners placed on the Whitmore Avenue overpass.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
None
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
B. Planning Commission Interviews and Appointment
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council conducted Planning Commission interviews.
Council and staff discussion included resignation of Planning Commissioner Gill, conducting interviews, appointing both applicants, interviewing both applicants, appointing one applicant, conducting a new recruitment for the vacancy created by Planning Commissioner Gill's resignation, and thanking the applicants.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, to conduct interviews to fill the January 1, 2026, Planning Commission vacancy and conduct a new
recruitment for the vacancy created by a resignation. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving the appointment of Francisco Mireles to the Planning Commission. Motion carried 3/2/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
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Regular City Council Meeting
November 10, 2025
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes No Yes Yes
CONSENT CALENDAR
Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the November 10, 2025, City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, November 5, 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)
3. Approval of Minutes for the October 27, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
4. Removed for separate consideration.
5a. Removed for separate consideration.
5b. Removed for separate consideration.
5c. Removed for separate consideration.
5d. Removed for separate consideration.
6. Resolution No. 2025-135, Approving the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) 911 Award Money Project List to Upgrade the Current Ceres Police Department 911 Dispatch Center and a Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Amendment to Appropriate Funds for Reimbursable Purchases. (Johnson) Resolution No. 2025-136, Accepting the Morgan Road Storm Drain Improvements Project as Complete; and Approving the Balancing Contract Change Order; and Authorizing the Filing of the Notice of Completion; and Authorizing the Release of the Remaining Retention to the Contractor. (Beltran)
General Correspondence - Information Only
a. Public Works Monthly Report for September 2025 (Royal) Resolution No. 2025-137, Approving an Amendment to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Agreement with Sensus USA to Include VertexOne Software EULA Approving a Purchase with Aqua-Metric Sales Company for a VertexOne Customer Water Portal, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Amendment. (Royal)
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Regular City Council Meeting
November 10, 2025
10. Removed for separate consideration.
11. Consideration to Cancel the Regularly Scheduled City Council Meeting of November 24, 2025. (City Manager)
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 1 - 3, 6 - 9, and 11. 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
CONSIDERATION OF ITEM(S) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 4: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero Register of Audited Demands) Dated October 15, 2025, through October 22, 2025. (Ledezma)
Councilmember Otero spoke regarding Gouveia Engineering invoices and candidate statement refunds.
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 4. 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 5a - 5d: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Casey Resolution No. 2025-131, Approving a Three-Year Agreement with the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office for their Use of the Police Department Range and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Johnson) Resolution No. 2025-132, Approving a Three-Year Agreement with the Stanislaus County Probation Department for their Use of the Police Department Range and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Johnson) Resolution No. 2025-133, Approving a Three-Year Agreement with the Stanislaus County District Sheriff's Department for their Use of the Police Department Range
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Regular City Council Meeting
November 10, 2025
and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Johnson) Resolution No. 2025-134, Approving a Three-Year Agreement with Valley Defense Consulting for their Use of the Police Department Range and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Johnson)
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding modifications to the contract and council approval.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included modular rooms, restrooms, and contract language.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 5a - 5d. 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 10: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Vierra Resolution No. 2025-138, Approving the Designation of the City Manager as the Authorized Signer on Behalf of the City Until a Finance Director is Appointed and Bonded. (City Manager)
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding various government codes and who is required to be bonded.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren inquired about the amount that people are bonded for and confirmed who is bonded.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included what elected officials are and were bonded, departure of the City's Finance Director, bonding of City Manager, Council approval or City Manager's bond, bonding of City Treasurer, approving an authorized signer who is not bonded, bonding of the Mayor, proof the City Manager is bonded, effects of not passing the agenda item, temporarily allow City Manager to sign the payroll checks only, historical practices, tabling the item to later in the meeting, compliance
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November 10, 2025
with the Ceres Municipal Code, alternate motion, reopening the item, and bank requirements to be an authorized signer.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by Mayor Lopez, approving item 10. Motion failed 1/3/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes No No
*Conversation ensued regarding the implications of not approving the agenda item and another motion was made before Mayor Lopez could cast his vote.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving to reopen item 10. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Otero
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Mayor Lopez, approving to table the item until the later part of the meeting while staff obtains a list of who is bonded. Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Vierra Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Otero
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
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
Vierra Mayor Lopez
Casey Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
12. Ordinance No. 2025-XXXX, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Adding Section 10.05.000 - Definitions, Amending Section 10.05.020 - Regulations
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for Bicycle Operation, Adding Section 10.05.120 - Organized, Planned or Street Take Over, and Adding Section 10.05.130 - Penalties, of the Ceres Municipal Code. (Johnson)
Police Chief, Trenton Johnson, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Dave Pratt spoke regarding bicyclists use of sidewalks, pedestrians and use of helmets.
John Warren spoke regarding applying the ordinance and using City-owned cameras and private cameras.
Gene Yeakley spoke regarding the City being overdue for the ordinance, enforcement, priority level of offense and collection of fines from minors.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included impounding bicycles, offense levels/penalties, how to collect fines when citations are issued to a minor, number of tickets issued for helmet violations, age range, and action against adults.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving item 12. 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
13. Resolution No. 2025-139, Accepting the Annual Report on Development Impact Fees for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 as Required by Government Code Section 66006(b). (Beltran)
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, presented the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included relocating the corporation yard facility out of Smyrna Park.
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Regular City Council Meeting
November 10, 2025
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 Mayor Lopez
Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
NEW BUSINESS
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
14. Food Vendor Audits by Code Enforcement and Quarterly Reports on Sales Tax Collected
(Requested by Councilmember Casey at the October 13, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting)
Councilmember Casey presented the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding resale licenses.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included a sales tax report and enforcement.
Council did not provide consensus for this referral.
15. Placing the City Treasurer on the 2028 General Municipal Election Ballot (Requested by Councilmember Casey at the October 27, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting)
Councilmember Casey presented the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council did not provide consensus for this referral.
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Regular City Council Meeting
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16. Conducting a Forensic Financial Audit of the City
(Requested by Councilmember Otero at the October 27, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting)
Councilmember Otero presented the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding audits being conducted each time a finance director is hired.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included when and why forensic financial audits are conducted, how many years back the forensic audit would go, the status of outstanding audits, findings of most recent audit, and the difference between regular audits and forensic audits.
Council did not provide consensus for this referral.
REFERRAL REQUESTS
Difference in Services Provided by NorthStar Engineering Group and Gouveia Engineering
(Requested at the dais by Councilmember Otero on November 10, 2025) Bond Review and Approval
(Requested at the dais by Councilmember Otero on November 10, 2025) Hourly Parking in Downtown
(Requested at the dais by Vice Mayor Martinez on November 10, 2025)
REPORTS
• Mayor
Nothing to report.
• City Council
Vice Mayor Martinez congratulated Central Valley High School Crosstown Showdown win and thanked Councilmember Casey for his service.
Councilmember Otero thanked veterans, thanked the Planning Commission applicants, spoke regarding the Dia de Los Muertos event, music festival, and
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Regular City Council Meeting
November 10, 2025
Crosstown Showdown.
Councilmember Vierra thanked veterans, spoke regarding Valley Builders Exchange, local developers, interest rates, Crosstown Showdown, pumpkin carving event, senior luncheon, Dia de Los Muertos event, Howard Prep, and the music festival. • City Manager
Nothing to report.
• City Attorney
Nothing to report.
• Departments
Recreation Manager, Joey Chavez, spoke regarding Trunk or Treat, Day of the Dead, music festival, and the holiday market 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: Rafid Khoshaba and Tow One Inc. vs. City of Ceres, Stanislaus County Superior Court Case Number: CV-24-005948
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 direction was provided to staff
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on December 8, 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 10:28 p.m.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
November 10, 2025
Javier Lopez/Mayor
Yauan 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.