MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
via ZOOM and in - person)
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, May 11, 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 May 11, 2026, meeting to order at 6: 00 p. m.
ROLL CALL — Present:
Mayor: Javier Lopez
Vice Mayor: Daniel A. Martinez ( District 4)
CounciImembers: 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 Dick Conners, Ceres First Baptist Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by veteran Dave Pratt.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Stroke Awareness and Prevention Month Proclamation
Members from Doctors Medical System' s Comprehensive Stroke Center accepted the proclamation.
B. Mental Health Awareness Week Proclamation
Ceres High School' s NAMI On Campus Club accepted the proclamation.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May 11, 2026
C. National Public Works Week Proclamation
Public Works Superintendent, Josh Casas, accepted the proclamation.
D. Older Americans Month Proclamation
Shirley Rogers accepted the proclamation.
C11TIENMICATIONh n iflto: te:Coudnttersnot'the' nclde aae. ve.:m41uteHardeep Gil spokeregarding
grub hub being visited by City staff, business licenses, and music at the grub hub. AndySanchezspokeregarding
workingwith Community Development, music, advertisinglogo, water hookup for food trucks, and addresscorrection. r mdy Hartogh spoke regardingKase Manufacturing's business proposaland potentialclosure of Kase Manufacturing.
Nasson Sanchezspokeregarding
the 6 th annual ice cream,
police,
and low riders event and the mission of
the event. 11'... ity Clerk, Fallon
Martin,
readan email into the recordfrom RichieSayavongwith the Departmentof Insuranceregarding various assemblybills and senate bills. PIL NINTERESTDECLAR4TIQN Councilmember Caseydeclared a
conflict of interest withitem # 13. r 1111 1 m
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City
Clerk,
Fallon Martin,
introducedthe item. Mayor Lopez askedfor
public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopezclosed publi comment. i Mayor Lopez reopened public
comment. The following membersof the publi spoke: I
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May 11, 2026
Angela Huerta spoke regarding why she did not submit her application for Measure H.
Council and staff discussion included Form 700 submittal, reopening the application period, interview process, appointing one or two committee members, tabling the interview process, and previous appointments.
Action: Motion by Mayor Lopez to table the item and reopen th application process. No second. Motion failed. i
Council conducted Measure H Citizens' Oversight Committee interviews.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving the appointment of Randy Moore to the Measure H Citizens' Oversight Committee. Motion carried 4/ 0/ 0/ 1 by the following roll call vote:.
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Abstain Yes Yes Yes Yes
Action: Motion by Mayor Lopez, seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez, approving. to reopen the recruitment for the Measure H
Citizens.' Oversight Committee. Motion carried 312/010 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
No Yes No Yes Yes
CONSENT ALE IDAR
Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the May 11, 20267 City Council Meeting was Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 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 sa- id- titles-, wh- i-ch-- ap-pear- on- th-e- pub-l-ic---a- gen- da shall--- be-- d-eterm- ined- ta- h-ave- be-en--------- - read by title). ( City Clerk)
3. Approval of Minutes ( City Clerk)
a. April 13, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting
b. April 21, 2026, Special City Council Meeting ( Budget Workshop)
4. Register of Audited Demand( s) Dated April 22, 2026, through April 29, 2026.
Portillo)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May 11, 2026
5. Resolution No. 2026- 48, Approving the Replacement of the Sensus Flexnet Base Station with Aqua - Metric Sales Company in the Amount of $ 49, 819. 22. ( Casas)
6. Resolution No. 2026- 49, Approving a Professional Services Agreement wit Black Water Consulting Engineers for the 2026 Risk and Resilience Assessmen and Emergency Response Plan Updates in the Amount of $ 25, 444. 00 an Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute the Agreement. ( Casas) I
7. Resolution No. 20260= 50, Approving an Amendment to the Project Agreement to the Master Agreement for Professional Consultant Services with Kleinfelder, Inc., for Construction Observation and Materials Testing Services for the Hatch Road 18" Transmission Line Ph2 ( 2525) Project for a New Total Cost of $ 49, 701. 60 and Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute the Amendment. ( Beltran)
8. Removed for separate consideration.
9. General Correspondence — Information Only
a. , Public Works Monthly Report for March 2026 ( Casas)
10. Resolution No. 2026- 52, Adopting a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. ( Beltran)
11.. Removed for separate consideration.
12. Removed for separate consideration.
13. Removed for separate consideration.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember approving items I — 7 & 9 - 10. Motion carried 5/0/010 -by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
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Resolution No. 2026- 51, Approving an Agreement with Ceres Unified School District for Ceres Police Department to Provide School Resource Officers and Law Enforcement Services to the School District and Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute the Agreement. ( Johnson)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May2026
Councilmember Otero inquired as to whether the Police Officer' s Association had reviewed the School Resource Officer contract.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included the role of the Police Officer' s Association with the contract and overtime.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving item 8. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following rol,l call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
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Resolution No. 2026- 53, Approving a Donation of $ 1, 000 to South Modesto Businesses United ( SMBU) as Requested by Mayor Javier Lopez. ( Portillo)
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Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
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Dave Pratt spoke regarding the City' s current financial status. --- Saul Puga spoke regarding support from the City.
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Co- un- cil---and-- staff- discuss ion- I ncl uded-- u pdati ng- the donation- - form _- do- nation- award----- agreement, donation request form, including both the donation request and donation agreement with the agenda item.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item 11. Motion carried 4/ 1/ 0/0 by the following roll call vote:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May 11, 2026
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
Mayor Lopez
Casey Vierra Otero Martinez
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Resolution No. 2026- 54, Approving a Donation of $ 1, 000 to Ceres Rush as Requested by Mayor Javier Lopez. ( Portillo)
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Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public SpOL,,=- FXII .
Saul Puga spoke regarding supporting the youth and the opportunities sports provides.
Council and st0r- discussion included congratulating Ceres Rush, supporting youth, and supporting organizations that give back to the community.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, ap: p roving item 12. Motion carried 5/0/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember ' Councilmember
Vier* ra
I
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Item 13: Removed for separate consideration b.v CouncHmember, Pterp Resolution No. 2026M55, Approving a Donation of $ 1, 000 to Knights of Columbus Council 13104 as Requested by Vice Mayor Daniel A. Martinez. ( Portillo) III IIIIIIIIj
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Ma—
yor Lopezasked-- or - pau- b- ficcomment. The-- flo- l- lowingmembe-rs— af- the-- publicspoke:
Frank
Borelli thanked the City Councilfor the donationconsideration and spokeabout what they do for the community. Mayor
Lopez closed public comment.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May 11,, 2026
Council and staff discussion included thanking the Knights of Columbus for what they do for the community.
Action: Motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmernber Vierra, approving item 13. Motion carried 4/ 010/ 1 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Vice Mayor
MayorLopezCasey
VierraOtero Martinez Abstain
Yes Yes Yes Yes 14.
City of CeresWorkforceVacancies, Recruitment and RetentionEfforts. ( Vasquez) 11110117- 709= 00 111501AM
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Mayor
Lopez opened the public hearing for publiccomment. The followingmembers of thepublicspoke: Galen
Guzman spoke regarding exit interviewsand turnoverin the Police Department. i ;;
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and staff discussionincluded front loadingvacatio 15.
OrdinanceNo. 2026- XXXX, An Ordinanceof theCity Councilof theCityof CeresAmending Chapter 10. 17, Section10. 17. 010, Speed Limits, of theCeresMunicipalCode to Reestablishthe PrimaFacie Speed Limits on VariousStreet Segmentsin the City of CeresBased on the 2026 Engineeringand TrafficSurvey. (Beltran) Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, introduced the item. Mayor
Lopez opened the public hearing for publiccomment. The followingmembers of thepublicspoke: Dave
Pratt spoke regarding not changingthe speed limits, speeding in neighborhoods, main thoroughfares, synchronizing stop lights, and traffic during school.
Mayor
Lopez closed the publichearing.
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May 11, 2026
Council and staff discussion included legal authority to reduce speeds, looking at speed limits on Booth Road ( Hatch Road to Mitchell Road) and Eastgate, cost to changing signs and street painting, fees associated with revisiting speeds in certain locations, speed limits at roundabouts, and referral to revisit specific locations.
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
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
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Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. The following members of the public spoke:
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4 City Clerk, Fallon Martin, read an email into the record from John Warren regarding the budget.
Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council and staff discussion included information technology costs, legal cost, lawsuits, grant writer, Finance Director, Interim City Manager, savings from Fire, Police Department overtime and overtime strategy, fire training center, Pecos Fire Station, alternate fire service provider, SWAT, in- house attorney cost, what option B looks like depending on the threshold, extending the budget beyond June 30th lay-offs-,--- furio- ug-h-s,— it-em- ized- list-- of- tha-- b-udgeted- items,- review- cu- rrent- reven- ue--- sources, budget options that affect staffing, special meeting prior to June 8th 7 Action: Motion by Mayor Javier Lopez, seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez, have staff present budget with Option A and Option B at $ 1. 5 million of reserves. Motion fa.iled 2/ 3/ 010 by the following roll call vote:
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May 11, 2026
i
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez Mayor Lopez
No No No Yes Yes
Action: Motion by Councilmember Otero to have staff present Optio B at $ 1. 0 million of reserves and Option C. No second. Motio failed. I
Action: Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by
Councilmember Otero, to have staff present a budget with Option B including staffing reduction, Option C, and holding a Special Meeting 1"n advance of June 8, 2026. Motion failed 3/2/0/0 by the following roll call vote:
Councilmember
Casey
Councilmember
Vierra
Councilmember
Otero
Vice Mayor
Martinez
Mayor Lopez
Yes Yes Yes No No
17. Presentations to Council Before and After Large Events Requested by Councilmember Otero at the January 12., 2026, Regular City Council Meeting)
Councilmember Otero introduced the referral.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. Noonespoke, Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
Council
and staff discussionincluded workload on staff, the type of report, and communications to thecommunity. A
I-
T
q
ey,
marsylkExplore
amendingthe CeresMunicipalCode to eliminatehealth benefitsfor counciland reducecouncil stipend by 50%. Requested
by CouncilmemberOtero Evaluate
strategies of amendingthe zoningordinanceto diversifybusiness types. Requested by CouncilmemberOtero)
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May2026
Form a budget committee that consists of a member from each district and one person appointed by the mayor.
Requested by Councilmember Casey)
Quarterly review of the budget.
Requested by Councilmember Casey)
REP`, R TS
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Aft
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City Council
Councilmember Vierra spoke regarding the Ceres Street Faire, flag football, Mindful May, Red Dress Gala, low cost dog baths at Modesto Junior College, Shirley Rogers' recognition at the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors meeting, Ceres Flower Show, and conference attendance.
Councilmember Casey spoke regarding poppy weekend, the Memorial Day event, and shopping local.
Tice Mayor Martinez spoke regarding Concerts in the Park and wishing those a Happy Mother' s Day.
0 City Manager
Nothing to report.
City Attorney
Nothing to report.
Departments
Redevelopment and Economic Development Manager, Julian Aguirre, spoke regarding Stanislaus Equity Partners, Housing Element workshop, and procurement expo.
Engineering Director, Mike Beltran, provided an update on Hatch Road and spoke regarding traffic signal synchronization.
18. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Ljtigafion, Cal. Gov' t Code § 54956. 9 Name of Case: Ashley Ranuio et al. v. City of Ceres et al., Stanislaus superior Court Case Number: CV- 25- 009856
MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
May 11, 2026
19. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation, Cal. Gov' t Code 54956. 9( d)( 2)
Potential Case: 1 case
20. Conference with Labor Negotiators, Cal Gov' t Code § 54957. 6( a) Agency Designated Representative: Interim City Manager, Steve Williams, and Human Resources Director, Delilah Vasquez
Employee Organization: Laborers' International Union of North America ( LiUNA!)
21. Public Employment, Cal. Gov' t Code § 54957
Title: City Manager
22. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation, Cal. Gov' t Code 54956. 9( d)( 1)
Name of Case: Matthew Berlier vs. City of Ceres, a public entity; City of Ceres, et. al.; Stanislaus Superior Court Case No. CV- 24- 007723 Mayor Lopez introduced the item.
Mayor Lopez asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Lopez closed public comment.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lopez reported out that direction was provided to staff for Closed Session items 18- 21.
Mayor Lopez reported out that for items 18 — 21 direction was provided to staff and for item 22 by a 5/0 vote the city council approves settlement of this matter subject to final approval by the City' s risk pool board the settlement provides for payment of $ 350, 000 in exchange for dismissal of all claims.
ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled City Council Meeting will be held on June 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in the Community Center at 2701 Fourth Street, Ceres, CA.
There eing no further busi ss, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 11.04 p.m.
Lopez, Mayor
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.