MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
via ZOOM and in- person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, February 9, 2026, 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 February 9, 2026, 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 Absent Present
INVOCATION
Invocation by Dick Conners, Ceres First Baptist Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by McKenzie Marie Ormonde, Aspire Summit Charter Academy.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Recognize the Retirement of Public Works Director, Sam Royal B. Black History Month Proclamation
Renee Crawford with the Modesto NAACP accepted the proclamation.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
CITIZEN, COMMUNICATIONS to: the Council on matter' s not included on the agenda five minutes)
Nathan Alonza, Senior Government Relations Representative with PG& E provided an update.
Gary Condit spoke regarding 2026 swim lessons.
City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and surveillance cameras.
CO Nl Ll tT P.-IiNTERES: T DEGLARATI; O N
None
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the February 9, 2026, City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. ( 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. Register of Audited Demand( s) Dated January 13, 2026, through January 22, 2026.
Portillo)
4. Resolution No. 2026- 08, Approving an Access/ Right- of- Entry Agreement, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement, and Authorizing the Recordation of the Agreement with the County Recorder. ( Beltran) ir WeElm t •
6. Resolution No. 2026- 10, Accepting the Whitmore Gazebo Project as Complete, Authorizing the Filing of the Notice of Completion, and Authorizing the Release of the Remaining Retention to the Contractor. ( Beltran)
7. Resolution No. 2026- 11, Authorizing the Submission of an Application to the Office of Traffic Safety for a Special Traffic Enforcement Program ( STEP) Grant.
Johnson)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9., 2026
8. Resolution No. 2026- 12, Approving a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) with the Stanislaus Council of Governments ( StanCOG) for the Suballocation of the Regional Early Action Planning ( REAP) 2. 0 Grant, Authorizing a Budget Amendment to Appropriate Funds, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Memorandum of Understanding. ( City Manager)
9. Resolution No. 2026- 13, Approving a Professional Services Agreement with EMC Planning Group, Inc. to Perform Professional Planning Services Related to the Implementation of the 6t" Cycle 2023- 2031 Housing Element and an Update to the Downtown Specific Plan and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. ( City Manager)
MOTM- 6171771
11. General Correspondence — Information Only
a. Public Works Monthly Report for December 2025 ( Royal)
12. Removed for separate consideration.
13. Removed for separate consideration.
14. Removed for separate consideration.
15. Removed for separate consideration.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by
Councilmember Otero, approving items I — 41 6 — 9, and 11.
Motion carried 4/011/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Absent Yes
Item 5: Removed for separate consideration by Dave Pratt Resolution No. 2026- 09, Approving the Service Road Bridge Project to be Added to the Capital Improvement Program and Create New Project String for a Total of 537, 782. 12, Approving the Project Agreement to the Master Agreement for Professional Consultant Services with Consor North America for Design Services for the Service Road Bridge Over Ceres Main Canal Project in the Amount of 517, 782. 12, Accepting Highway Bridge Program Grant Funding in the Amount of 277, 000 and Related Budget Amendment Increasing Revenue Funds, Approving Budget Transfers Totaling $ 260, 782. 12 from Project 2601 ($ 145, 565. 33) and Project 2603 ($ 115, 216. 79) for Matching Funds, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. ( Beltran)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
Dave Pratt spoke regarding bridge replacement, traffic, and the condition of the bridge.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by
Councilmember Otero, approving item 5. Motion carried 4/ 0/ 110 by the following. roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
MayorLopezCasey
Yes
Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes
Yes Yes Yes Absent Yes
Item 10: Removed for separate consideration bZ Councilmember Vierra Resolution No. 2026- 14, Approving the Donation of $ 5, 000 to Lloyd R. Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars ( VFW) Post 10293 as Designated by Councilmember James Casey. ( Portillo)
Councilmember Vierra asked for clarification on 501( c)( 3) status, amounts provided to each councilmember, and consistency.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding the council donation policy.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included VFW' s 501 ( c)( 1 9) status, amount of donation, requirements of who/ what is eligible for a donation, where the money is being paid out of, requesting a flyer from organization receiving award, and benefit to the community.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by
Councilmember Otero, approving item 10. Motion carried
4/ 0/1/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Absent Yes
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
Item 12: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Werra Resolution No. 2026 -XXX, Approving a Five -Year Agreement with NetFile, Inc. in the Amount of $ 5, 100 per Year for Electronic Filing of Campaign Statements, Statements of Economic Interests ( Form 700), AB 1234 Ethics Training, and SB 827 Financial Training, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. ( City Clerk) .
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding Form 700 filers and spending money on NetFile.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the City' s aquatic' s program, SIB827 training, and budgeted funds.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Otero, seconded by
Mayor Lopez, approving item 12. Motion failed 2/1/1/1 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No No Yes Absent Yes
Resolution No. 2026- 15, Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Gouveia Engineering in the Amount of $ 40, 000. 00 for Principal Planner Services and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. ( City Manager) Councilmember Otero spoke regarding cost of hiring a Senior Planner in comparison to contracting for services.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included recruitment challenges, cost of hiring a full- time Senior Planner, recruiting for a Senior Planner, frozen positions, and work load of the contracted planner.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by
Councilmember Otero, approving item 13. Motion carried
4/0/110by the following roll call vote:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Absent Yes
Item 14: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Case Resolution No. 2026 - XXX, Approving a General Services Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Tree Removal Services at George Costa Fields, Approving a Budget Amendment, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. ( City Manager)
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding issues with the lights.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Ismael Ontiveros spoke regarding removing the trees, foot candle testing results, strobe effect, and voided existing warranties.
John Warren spoke regarding fixing the lights and not cutting down trees.
Jorge Guerrero spoke regarding previous council meeting appearance, Modesto Bee, removing lights that had warranties, pole warranties, foot candle testing results, and having a lighting study.
Council and staff discussion included cost of removing 39 trees, warranty, adjustment of lights, trimming the trees, light study, energy saving project, type of lighting selected, safety, outreach to surrounding neighbors, tabling the item, timing of removing the trees and opening day, and thanking City staff for working on the project.
Action: Motion by Mayor Lopez, seconded by
Councilmember Vierra, tabling item 14. Motion carried 4/ 011/ 0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Absent Yes
Item 15: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Casey Resolution No. 2026- 16, Approving an Agreement with NorthStar Engineering Group, Inc. for an Amount Not to Exceed $ 49, 000. 00 to Provide Project Planning Management Services, Approving a Budget Amendment, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. ( City Manager)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
Councilmember Casey inquired as to the difference in the work provided by NorthStar Engineering and Gouveia Engineering.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included projects that NorthStar Engineering is working on and the Housing Element, total cost spent on NorthStar Engineering, Community Development Director position, and plan for hiring a Community Development Director.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by
Councilmember Otero, tabling item 15. Motion carried 311/ 1/ 0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes Yes Absent Yes
UNFIW HED. WWNES&
None
HEARING
16. Resolution No. 2026- 17, Approving the Revision of the Load -Carrying Capacity of the Service Road Bridge Over the Turlock Irrigation District Ceres Main Canal Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 35751. ( Beltran) Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Dave Pratt stated the bridge needs to be replaced soon.
John Warren inquired as to how long before the bridge is replaced.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included available truck routes and the capital improvement list.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by
Councilmember Otero, approving item 16. Motion carried
4/0/1/0 by the following roll call vote:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes
Yes Yes Yes Absent Yes
NEW BUSINESS
17. Resolution 2026- 18, Approving the Submittal of a Letter of Support from the Ceres City Council for South Modesto Businesses United for the 2025 Planning and Capacity Building Grant Application. ( Aguirre)
Redevelopment & Economic Development Manager, Julian Aguirre, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Tony Madrigal spoke regarding the grant South Modesto Businesses United is pursuing.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included South Modesto Businesses United deadline for a letter of support.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Otero, seconded by
Councilmember Vierra, approving item 17. Motion carried 410/1/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Absent Yes
0SCUSS' ON ITEMS
None
CO: UNCILMEM; BER REFERRALS
18. City Council and Planning Commission Joint Meeting
Requested by Mayor Lopez)
Mayor Lopez introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
Council and staff discussion included community involvement, strategic plan update, understanding the community' s vision, delay until community input is received.
Council did not provide consensus for this referral.
19. Community Event & Activities Grant Program & Reevaluate the Council Donation Policy
Requested by Councilmember Otero)
Councilmember Otero introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included expectations of the existing policy, consistency, and rules currently in place with the policy.
Council did not provide consensus for this referral.
Funding Options for Aquatics Program
Requested by Mayor Lopez)
Current Budget Status Review
Requested by Councilmember Casey)
REPORTS
Mayor
Mayor Lopez spoke regarding the community disposal day.
City Council
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding the community disposal day, Howard Prep, Dutch Bros, a new carwash that is under construction, Crunch Fitness open house, Stanislaus Homeless Alliance, Point - in -Time Count, Code Enforcement and illegal mobile food vendors.
City Manager
Nothing to report.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
City Attorney
Nothing to report.
Departments
Acting Deputy Public Works Director, Josh Casas, thanked all who helped with the community disposal day and provided totals for the event.
Redevelopment & Economic Development Manager, Julian Aguirre, spoke regarding CDBG' s Annual Action Plan and ADU guidelines.
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, provided an update on Hatch Road.
CLOSED SESSION
20. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov' t Code § 54956. 8 Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a legislative body of a local agency may hold a closed session with its negotiator prior to the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for the local agency to grant authority to its negotiator regarding the price and terms of payment for the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease."
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
21. 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 et al. v. City of Ceres et al., Stanislaus Superior Court Case Number: CV - 25- 009856
This item was pulled by staff and not considered by the Ceres City Council.
22. 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
23. Conference with Labor Negotiators, Cal Gov' t Code § 54957. 6( a) Agency Designated Representative: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and Human Resources Director, Delilah Vasquez
Employee Organization: Laborers' International Union of North America ( LiUNA!) Under Negotiations: Price and/ or terms of payment
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
February 9, 2026
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lopez reported out from Closed Session the following information:
20. No reportable action.
22. A settlement has been reached.
23. No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on March 9, 2026, 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 8:31 p.m. er Lopez, Mayor
vkaLV-,
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. usl agenda center.