OF
CERES,
*
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
(via ZOOM and in-person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, March 23, 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 March 23, 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 Present Present
INVOCATION
Invocation by Tim Giannosa, Valley Grace Community Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by Lexi Farinha, Virginia Parks Elementary School.
PRESENTATIONS
None
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS to the Council on matters not included on the agenda (five minutes)
Justin Farkas provided an update on Assemblyman Juan Alanis' office.
Jim Pernetti spoke regarding youth baseball and George Costa Fields
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
Gary Condit spoke regarding Ceres Youth Baseball (CYB) contract, leadership, soccer fee increase, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, swim lesson program, City budget, and council health insurance.
Jessica Lopez spoke regarding the Recreation Manager, CYB organization, for-profit organization, and CYB board meetings.
Marty Sanchez spoke regarding services CYB provide to George Costa Fields.
Gary Russell spoke regarding CYB, Ceres youth basketball, importance of youth sports, and CYB contract.
Jorge Guerrero spoke regarding CYB contract, CYB contributions, for-profit offer, tournaments at George Costa Fields, CYB board meetings, and fee increases.
Ismael Ontiveros spoke regarding recorded video during CYB and Recreation Manager meeting, CYB contract amendment, renting out George Costa Fields, and CYB contract language.
Joel Rodriguez spoke regarding youth sports, honesty, transparency, youth opportunities, investing in the youth, and generating revenue.
Brenda Herbert spoke regarding George Costa Fields, George Costa, and family history.
Brandy Meyer spoke regarding a Chamber of Commerce meeting, Love Ceres, CYB, youth opportunities, and George Costa.
Alyssa Long spoke regarding youth sports, decline in youth sports attendance, and for- profit sports organizations.
Randy Wheeler spoke regarding CYB, George Costa and youth opportunities.
Jose Martinez spoke regarding CYB and the upcoming Ceres City Council elections.
Gloria Dias De Guerrero spoke regarding CYB lighting and commuting for youth sports.
Brianna Garcia spoke regarding CYB and youth opportunities.
Angie Duarte Smith spoke regarding council health insurance and council decisions.
Mike Kline spoke regarding professionalism, language used online, and social media.
Marissa Ontiveros thanked Jorge Guerrero and Ismael Ontiveros for volunteering with CYB and youth sports.
Anthony Balceros spoke regarding travel sports, coaching, and supporting the youth.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
Daniel Nichols spoke regarding Copper Trails, annexing, generating revenue, veteran homes, bonds, and staffing.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
None
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the March 23, 2026, City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 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. Approval of Minutes for the March 9, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting. (City Clerk)
Register of Audited Demand(s) Dated February 25, 2026, through March 11, 2026. (Portillo)
Removed for separate consideration.
6. Removed for separate consideration.
7. Resolution No. 2026-26, Approving a Three-Year Service Agreement with Jay's Tires for Upfitting Police Department Vehicles and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Johnson)
8. Resolution No. 2026-27, Approving a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $45,427.88 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to Appropriate COPS (SLESF) Funds to Add Command Boxes and Upgraded Police Radios to the Two Watch Commander Police Vehicles. (Johnson)
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving items 1 - 4 and 7 - 8. 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
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
CONSIDERATION OF ITEM(S) REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Item 5: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero Resolution No. 2026-24, Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Goodwin Consulting Group in the Amount of $55,000 for Consulting Services to Establish Community Facilities District No. 4 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement. (Beltran)
Councilmember Otero spoke regarding the area coverage of CFD No. 4.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren inquired as to the meaning of CFDs.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included citywide CFD, new commercial and residential, CFD collection projection, what CFDs cover, pocket areas with existing homes having to join the CFD, and the cost of the CFD consultant.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 5. Motion carried 3/2/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes No Yes Yes
Item 6: Removed for separate consideration by Councilmember Otero Resolution No. 2026-25, Approving Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Schneider Electric Buildings Americas, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $4,988,067 for Turnkey Design and Construction Energy Services, Authorizing the Construction of a 995-Kilowatt Solar Photovoltaic System at the City of Ceres Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Amendment. (Beltran)
Councilmember Otero spoke regarding an RFP for the project, presentations on this project, community input, other cities that have completed a project of this size, federal investment tax credit, Turlock Irrigation District's role regarding the project, timeline for project completion, increased sewer rates for citizens, commitment to the project, and general funds.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included an RFP, previous council and community interaction related to the project, locations that have completed a similar project, how the tax credit is received, funding source, and side-by-side cost comparison.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 6. Motion carried 3/2/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes No Yes Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
9. Ordinance No. 2026-XXXX, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City Council of the City of Ceres Amending Chapter 10, Tobacco and Smoke Shop Restrictions, to Title 6, Health and Sanitation, of the Ceres Municipal Code. (Johnson) Mayor Lopez announced this public hearing was being continued to the April 13, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
10. Ordinance No. 2026-XXXX, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Amending Title 5, Business Licenses and Regulation, Chapter 20, Fireworks Sales of the Ceres Municipal Code. (Johnson)
Police Chief, Trenton Johnson, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
John Warren spoke regarding enforcement, collection of fines, and garnishing wages.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
Council and staff discussion included enforcement, fine collection statistics, Ceres Municipal Code regarding fine collection, and the administrative process.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez, approving item 10. 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
11a. Ordinance No. 2026-XXXX, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ceres Amending Title 5, Business Licenses and Regulations, Chapter 3, General Permit Procedure, Section 010, General and Title 5, Business Licenses and Regulation, Chapter 22, Cannabis Pilot Program, of the Ceres Municipal Code. (City Attorney) 11b. Ordinance No. 2026-XXXX, A Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment of the City Council of the City of Ceres Adding Chapter 43, Cannabis Conditional Use Permits, to Title 18, Zoning, and Amending Sections 18.02.010, 18.13.020,
18.16.040, 18.17.040, 18.18.040, 18.19.040, and 18.20.040, of Title 18, Zoning, of the Ceres Municipal Code. (City Attorney)
City Attorney, Nubia Goldstein, introduced items 11a & 11b.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Drew Ford spoke regarding good faith proposal, cease letter, history of Kase Manufacturing, fees paid to the City, pilot program fee structure, development agreement expiration, communications with Modesto Fire, shutdown notice, and council action.
Matt Johnson read a statement from Andy Hartog regarding his relocation and to provide time to correct the facility.
Leighann (no last name was provided) spoke regarding her employment with Kase Manufacturing.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included cap for dispensaries, enforcement, number of cannabis businesses in Ceres operating in good standing, and violation fine amounts.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 11a and limiting the total number of
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
licenses cannabis dispensaries operating within the city to not exceed two (2) and the Police Chief being responsible for enforcement. 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
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 11b. 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
12. Resolution No. 2026-28, Approving Cannabis Business Tax Rates. (City Attorney) City Attorney, Nubia Goldstein, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
Drew Ford spoke regarding cannabis taxes, amount of taxes paid by Kase Manufacturing, cannabis manufacturing business, compliance issues, Covid, and payments to the City.
John Di Girolamo spoke regarding spoke regarding Kase Manufacturing, previous City officials, development agreement, and working with the City.
Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing.
Council and staff discussion included proposed percentage rate increase, cannabis tax to go towards youth and police, rate comparison for other cities, rates for cities within Stanislaus county.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 12 with the following rates set for Cannabis businesses:
4% for storefront
3% for manufacturing
2% for distribution
1% for laboratories
$4 per square foot for cultivation
Motion carried 4/1/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor Mayor Lopez Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
NEW BUSINESS
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS
13. Official Bonding of City Treasurer and Addition of Vice Mayor to Bonding Coverage. (Portillo)
Finance Director, Vanessa Portillo, introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included who is bonded and if the City Manager's bond needs to be approved by the Council.
COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS
14. Create Ad-Hoc Committee for Christmas Tree Lane that Includes Christmas Tree Lane Residents
(Requested by Councilmember Otero at the December 8, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting).
Councilmember Otero introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included continue working with existing process in place, door-to-door to invite area residents to attend meetings, and resident participation.
Council did not provide consensus for this item.
NEW REFERRALS
Updated List of Councilmember Referrals
(Requested by Vice Mayor Daniel Martinez)
Quarterly Budget Reviews
(Requested by Councilmember Casey)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
Forensic Audit of the Past Five Years
(Requested by Councilmember Casey)
REPORTS
• Mayor
Mayor Lopez spoke regarding CalTrans and State of the City. • City Council
Vice Mayor Martinez spoke regarding Ceres Youth Baseball's opening day and requested an update on the 6th Street & Shushan Drive project.
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding Stanislaus Homeless Alliance, Easer festivities, Ceres Pups, and Mocse mixer.
• City Manager
City Manager, Doug Dunford, spoke regarding upcoming budget workshop dates and announced his resignation.
• City Attorney
Nothing to report.
• Departments
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, provided an update on the 6th Street & Shushan Drive project
CLOSED SESSION
15. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Cal. Gov't Code §54956.9(d)(2)
Potential Case: 2 cases
16. 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!)
17. Liability Claims, Cal. Gov. Code §54956.95
Claimant: Ronald Smith
Agency Claimed Against: City of Ceres
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
March 23, 2026
18. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 041-007-013
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Allen & Victoria Moore and G3 Enterprises Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
19. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Cal Gov't Code §54956.8 Property: 041-007-010
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Douglas D. Dunford and City Attorney, Nubia I.
Goldstein
Negotiating Parties: Daniel Lamb Trust and G3 Enterprises Under Negotiations: Price and/or terms of payment
20. Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Cal. Gov't Code §54957(b)(1) Title: City Manager
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lopez reported out that direction was provided to staff for Closed Session items 15 - 20.
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on April 13, 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 10:49 p.m.
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.