OF
CITT
*
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, December 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 December 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 Patrick Davis, Ceres Christian Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by Cesar Morales, La Rosa Elementary School.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Crosstown Showdown Certificates
Certificates were issued to:
• Greg Magni, Athletic Director (Central Valley High School) • John Bussard, Athletic Director (Ceres High School)
• Derrick Goblirsch, Varsity Football Coach (Ceres High School)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
December 8, 2025
Ceres High Varsity Football Tean Athletes:
Matthew Ontiveros
• Dominick Delgadillo
• William Montez
• Jaycob Casias
• Roberto Gomez Jr.
B. Unmet Transit Needs (StanCOG)
Stanislaus Council of Governments Associate Planner, Kassandra Barrientos, gave the presentation.
C. HdL Presentation
HDL Operations Manager, Jaronie Samnang, gave the presentation.
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Brandy Meyer spoke regarding her business license, Pawsome Cuts ribbon cutting, multi- chamber holiday mixer, Workforce Development partnership, and Chamber Installation and Awards Dinner.
Galen Guzman spoke regarding bus stops, demographics of public transportation riders, loading zone in front of the Community Center, and Ceres Police Department gun range operating hours.
Gene Yeakley thanked Brandy Meyer, thanked Shane Parson for hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, and the passing of Freddy Morales.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from Alvaro Franco regarding items 9a, 9b, 10, and 11 on the Consent Calendar.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
None
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the December 8, 2025, City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. (City Clerk)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
December 8, 2025
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)
Approval of Minutes for the November 10, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
4. Register of Audited Demands) Dated October 27, 2025, through November 18, 2025. (Ledezma)
5. Resolution No. 2025-140, Accepting the Richland Sidewalk Improvement 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)
6. Resolution No. 2025-141, 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)
Resolution No. 2025-142, Approving the Hourly Pay Rate Schedule for Part-Time (Non-Regular) Employees, Effective as of the Pay Period Beginning December 21, 2025. (Vasquez)
8. General Correspondence - Information Only
a. Public Works Monthly Report for October 2025 (Royal) 9a. Removed for separate consideration.
9b. Removed for separate consideration.
10. Removed for separate consideration.
11. Removed for separate consideration.
12. Removed for separate consideration.
13. Resolution No. 2025-148, Authorizing Staff to Submit an Application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant to Reimburse up to Fifty Percent (50%) of the Purchase Cost of Ballistic Vests for the Police Department. (Johnson)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
December 8, 2025
14. Resolution No. 2025-149, Accepting the State of California Office of Traffic Safety Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant and Approving a Budget Amendment to Appropriate the Funds for Fiscal Year 2025-26. (Johnson)
15. Removed for separate consideration.
16. Governmental 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Between the City of Ceres and Nationwide, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Vasquez)
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving items 1 - 8, 13 - 14, and 16. 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 9a & 9b: Removed for separate consideration by Ceres Resident, Dave Pratt Item 10: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero and Ceres Resident, Dave Pratt
Item 11 & 12: Removed for separate consideration by Ceres Resident, Dave Pratt *Items 9a, 9b, 10, 11, & 12 were all heard together.
Resolution No. 2025-143, Approving an Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. in the Amount of $89,275.00 for the Purchase of Trees and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Chavez)
Resolution No. 2025-144, Approving an Agreement with California Landscape Supply in the Amount of $96,995.64 for the Purchase of Trees and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Chavez)
Resolution No. 2025-145, Approving an Agreement with Westside Landscape & Concrete, Inc. in the Amount of $174,598.00 for Tree Planting and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Chavez)
Resolution No. 2025-146, Approving an Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. in the Amount of $217,000.00 for the Urban Forestry Management Plan and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Chavez)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
December 8, 2025
Resolution No. 2025-147, Approving a Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Amendment to Appropriate Funds for the Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in the Amount of $1,084,600. (City Manager)
Dave Pratt spoke regarding newly planted trees needing to be monitored.
Councilmember Otero spoke regarding how the location will be determined of where to plant the trees, community involvement, and dead City trees on residential homes.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding the location of where the trees will be planted.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included community involvement, regular updates to the Council, Urban Forestry Master Plan, and allocation of trees going to the school district.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 9a, 9b, 10, 11, & 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
Item 15: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Vierra Waiver of Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-1094, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Adding Section 10.05.000 - Definitions, Amending Section 10.05.020 - Regulations for Bicycle Operation, Am 100120 ong Adding Section 10.05.120 - Organized, Planned or Street Take Over, and Adding Section 10.05.130 - Penalties, of the Ceres Municipal Code. (Johnson) Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding enforcement strategy and who is responsible for enforcing the ordinance.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren inquired about cameras capturing offenders of the ordinance.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
December 8, 2025
Dave Pratt spoke regarding placing a camera on every corner and bicycles on sidewalks.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, age of the offenders, and thanked staff for creating the ordinance.
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
Vierra Mayor Lopez
Casey Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
17. Resolution No. 2025-151, Ratifying the Appointment of Vanessa Portillo to the Position of Finance Director, 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. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included welcoming Vanessa Portillo to the City.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 17. Motion carried 4/0/0/1 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Otero Martinez Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra
Abstain Yes Yes Yes Yes
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
December 8, 2025
18. Accepting the Appointment of Councilmember Cerina Otero to the League of California Cities' Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Policy Committee and Providing Direction on a Related Policy. (City Attorney) City Attorney, Nubia Goldstein, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included rules and/or policies on appointing councilmembers to committees and congratulated Councilmember Otero for being placed on the committee.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving the acceptance of the appointment of
Councilmember Otero to the League of California Cities' Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Policy
Committee. 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
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
Presentation to Council Before and After Large Events
(Requested at the dais by Councilmember Otero on December 8, 2025) Creation of an Ad-Hoc Committee for Christmas Tree Lane that Includes Christmas Tree Lane Residents
(Requested at the dais by Councilmember Otero on December 8, 2025)
REPORTS
• Mayor
Mayor Lopez wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. • City Council
Vice Mayor Martinez thanked City staff and various individuals and organizations for their efforts related to the Christmas parade.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
December 8, 2025
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding Christmas festivities, La Posada, Caswell Kermes, Winter Festival at Sinclair Elementary, Shane Parson for hosting Thanksgiving dinner, and the Turlock Christmas parade.
Councilmember Otero thanked everyone involved in the Christmas festivities and Shane Parson for hosting Thanksgiving dinner.
Councilmember Casey wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. • City Manager
City Manager, Doug Dunford, announce St. Jude Church will be having a procession on Friday, December 12, 2025.
• City Attorney
Nothing to report.
• Departments
Nothing to report.
CLOSED SESSION
19. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: APN 127-016-014
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Judicial Council of California
Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment
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 January 12, 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
December 8, 2025
There being no further business, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Javier Lopez, Mayor
Gallon 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.