AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CERES, CALIFORNIA
City Council Chambers, 2701 Fourth Street
Monday, June 1, 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
ROLL CALL
Mayor: Javier Lopez
Vice Mayor: Daniel A. Martinez (District 4)
Councilmembers: James Casey (District 1); Rosalinda L. Vierra (District 2); Cerina Otero (District 3)
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS
While the City Council welcomes and encourages participation in City Council meetings, adopted rules allow no more than five minutes (Resolution No. 2007-106). Members of the public interested in addressing the City Council during this Special Meeting may address the items which have been described in the notice of this Special Meeting in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.3(a).
Click this link to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81124978713?pwd=8EpDQdPsSBlMNwMKD1YaHUX30dFetX.1 Webinar ID: 811 2497 8713; Passcode: 404723; or Dial: (669) 900-6833
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING BY EMAILING THE CITY CLERK AT [email protected] BEFORE 4:00 PM THE DAY OF THE MEETING. INCLUDE THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER OR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF THE EMAIL. THE CLERK MAY READ WRITTEN COMMENTS INTO THE RECORD, IF SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR EMAIL. YOUR
WRITTEN COMMENT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND KEPT ON FILE AS PART OF THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE COUNCIL MEETING.
*If you have any questions on how to attend virtually or are encountering difficulties connecting to the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at [email protected].
AGENDA
Special City Council Meeting
June 1, 2026
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget Overview and Council Direction. (Portillo)
CLOSED SESSION
2. Threat to Public Services or Facilities, Cal. Gov’t Code § 54957(a) Consultation with: Police Chief, Trenton Johnson
3. 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!)
4. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, Gov. Code, § 54956.8 Property: APN: 038-015-039
Agency Negotiation: Interim City Manager, Steve Williams, City Attorney, Nubia Goldstein, and Director of Engineering, Mike Beltran
Negotiating Parties: Antonio and Lilia Cordova
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
5. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, Gov. Code, § 54956.8 Property: APN: 038-011-020
Agency Negotiation: Interim City Manager, Steve Williams, City Attorney, Nubia Goldstein, and Director of Engineering, Mike Beltran
Negotiating Parties: Jose Mejia
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
ADJOURNMENT
The next regularly 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
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Fallon Martin, City Clerk, for the City of Ceres, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing agenda for the Regular City Council Meeting was posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the following locations in Ceres:
• Community Center Display Case – 2701 Fourth Street
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Fallon Martin, City Clerk
AGENDA
Special City Council Meeting
June 1, 2026
Council Agenda:
The City Council agenda is available for public review on the City’s website at www.ci.ceres.ca.us and posted at the time and places noted above.
Related Materials:
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall located at 2220 Magnolia Street, Ceres, CA during normal business hours. Persons with questions concerning any agenda item may call the City Clerk’s Office at (209) 538 - 5731.
Notice regarding Americans with Disabilities Act:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting or if you need the agenda and/or the documents in the agenda packet provided in an alternative format, please contact the city clerk’s off ice at (209) 538- 5731 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made (28CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA TITLE II).
AGENDA
REUNIÓN ESPECIAL DEL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL
CIUDAD DE CERES, CALIFORNIA
Sala del Concejo Municipal, 2701 Fourth Street
Lunes, 1 de junio de 2026, a las 6:00 p.m.
Dirección de envio: Ceres City Hall, 2220 Magnolia Street, Ceres, CA 95307-3292 Teléfono: (209) 538-5700 Fax: (209) 538-5780
LLAMAR AL ORDEN
Alcalde Lopez
PASE DE LISTA
Alcalde: Javier Lopez
Vicealcalde: Daniel A. Martinez (Distrito 4)
Concejales: James Casey (Distri to 1); Rosalinda L. Vierra (Distri to 2); Cerina Otero (Distrito 3)
COMENTARIOS PÚBLICOS al Consejo sobre asuntos no incluidos en la agenda (cinco minutos).
El Consejo Municipal da la bienvenida y fomenta la participación en sus reunion es. Las reglas adoptadas permiten un máximo de 5 minutos (Resolución n.° 2007 -106) para la expresión sobre temas incluidos en la agenda. Los miembros del público interesados en dirigirse al Concejo Municipal durante esta Reunión Especial podran hablar acerca de los temas que se han descrito en la notificación de esta Reunión Especial en conformidad con la Sección 54954.3(a) del Código de Gobierno.
Únete al seminario web de ZOOM para participar en vivo en:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81124978713?pwd=8EpDQdPsSBlMNwMKD1YaHUX30dFetX.1
ID del seminario web: 811 2497 8713; Código de acceso: 404723; or Llame: (669) 900-6833
PARA PARTICIPAR EN LA SESIÓN DEL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL VIA COMMENTARIO PÚBLICO REMOTE ENVÍE UN CORREO ELECTRÓNICO A LA SECRETARIA MUNICIPAL A [email protected] ANTES DE LAS 4:00 P.M. EL DÍA DE LA REUNIÓN. INCLUYA EL NÚMERO DEL PUNTO DEL ORDEN DEL DÍA O MENCIONE "PERÍODO DE COMENTARIOS DEL PÚBLICO" EN EL ASUNTO DEL CORREO ELECTRÓNICO. LA SECRETARIA PODRÁ LEER LOS COMENTARIOS POR ESCRITO DURANTE LA SESIÓN, SI ASÍ LO SOLICITA EXPRESAMENTE AL COMIENZO DE SU CORREO ELECTRÓNICO. SU COMENTARIO ESCRITO SE DISTRIBUIRÁ A LOS MIEMBROS DEL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL Y SE ARCHIVARÁ COMO PARTE DEL ACTA OFICIAL DE LA REUNIÓN.
Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre cómo asistir virtualmente o si tiene dificultades en conectarse a la reunión, comuníquese con la Secretaria Municipal a través de la dirección de correo electrónico [email protected].
AGENDA
Reuniòn Especial Del Consejo Municipal
1 de junio de 2026
Página 2
ASUNTOS PENDIETES
1. Resumen del presupuesto propuesto para el año fiscal 2027 y directrices del Concejo. (Portillo)
SESIÓN A PUERTA CERRADA
2. Amenaza a servicios o instalaciones públicos, Código Gubernamental de California §54957(a)
Consulta con: Jefe de Policía, Trenton Johnson
3. Conferencia con con negociadores laborales, Código Gubernamental de California §54957.6(a)
Representantes designados de la agencia: Administrador Municipal Interino, Stever Williams y Directora de Recursos Humanos, Delilah Vasquez Organización de empleados: Sindicato Internacional de Trabajadores de América del Norte (LiUNA!)
4. Conferencia con negociadores de bienes inmuebles , Código Gubernamental, § 54956.8
Propiedad: APN: 038-015-039
Negociadores de la Agencia: Gerente Municipal Interino, Steve Williams, y Abogada Municipal, Nubia Goldstein
Partes negociadoras: Antonio y Lilia Cordova
Objeto de la negociación: Precio y condiciones de pago
5. Conferencia con negociadores de bienes inmuebles , Código Gubernamental, § 54956.8
Propiedad: APN: 038-011-020
Negociación por parte de la Agencia: Gerente Municipal Interino, Steve Williams, y Abogada Municipal, Nubia Goldstein
Partes negociadoras: Jose Mejia
Objeto de la negociación: Precio y condiciones de pago
INFORME DE LA SESIÓN A PUERTA CERRADA
APLAZAMIENTO
La próxima reunión regular del Consejo Municipal será el 8 de junio de 2026, a las 6:00 p.m., en la sala del Consejo Municipal ubicada en el Centro Comunitario, en 2701 Fourth Street, Ceres, CA.
AGENDA
Reuniòn Especial Del Consejo Municipal
1 de junio de 2026
Página 3
Agenda del Consejo:
La agenda del consejo está disponible para revisión pública en el sitio web de la ciudad en www.ci.ceres.ca.us y se publica en la fecha y los lugares indicados anteriormente.
Materiales relacionados:
Cualquier escrito o documento proporcionado a la mayoría del Consejo Municipal en relación con cualquier punto de esta agenda estará disponible para inspección pública en la Oficina de la Secretaria Municipal, ubicada en el Ayuntamiento, en 2220 Magnolia Street, Ceres, CA, durante el horario commercial normal . Las personas que tengan preguntas sobre cualquier punto de la agenda pueden llamar a la Oficina de la Secretaria Municipal al (209) 538-5731.
Aviso acerca de la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades:
En conformidad con la Ley para Estadounidenses con
Discapacidades, si necesita asistencia especial para participar en esta reunión o si necesita que la agenda o los documentos incluidos en el paquete de la agenda se le proporcionen en un a forma alternativa, comuníquese con la oficina de la secretaria municipal al (209) 538-5731 con al menos 48 horas en anticipación a la reunión para garantizar que se puedan realizar los arreglos necesarios (28 CFR 35.102-35.104, Título II de la ADA).
DECLARACIÓN JURADA DE PUBLICACIÓN
Yo, Fallon Martin , Secretaria Municipal de la Ciudad de Ceres, declaro bajo pena de perjurio que la agenda para la Sesiòn Especial del Concejo Municipal fue publicado el miércoles 27 de mayo de 2026 en los siguientes lugares de Ceres:
• Vitrina del Centro Comunitario – 2701 Fourth Street
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Fallon Martin, Sectretaria Municipal
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
Javier Lopez, Mayor
James Casey, Dist.1
Rosalinda L. Vierra, Dist. 2
Cerina Otero, Dist. 3
Daniel A. Martinez, Dist. 4
MEETING DATE: June 1, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Steve Williams, Interim City Manager
CONTACT: Vanessa Portillo, Finance Director
[email protected], (209) 538-5764
SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Scenarios and Council Direction RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council review the Fiscal Year 2027 budget scenarios and provide direction to staff regarding the preferred budget approach for preparation of the final Adopted Budget to be presented on June 8, 2026.
I. BACKGROUND:
The City of Ceres prepares an annual budget that serves as both a financial plan and a guide for allocating resources based on City Council priorities and community needs. The budget process combines financial forecasting, policy decisions, and coordination across all departments to ensure that available resources are aligned with operational needs and long-term fiscal sustainability.
The Fiscal Year 2027 budget process began with a status quo budget, including only contractually obligated increases, as the starting point which would result in a structural deficit of approximately $5.62 million . Staff identified balancing strategies of approximately $3.46 million which would reduce the structural deficit to approximately $2.16 million, to be covered through the use of fund balance reserves. The use of fund balance reserves would reduce projected General Fund Unrestricted reserves from $4.0 million to approximately $2.24 million.
A Budget Workshop was held on April 21, 2026, where staff presented an overview of the City’s financial condition, General Fund projections, and balancing strategies for Council consideration. The Budget Workshop materials and discussion were subsequently presented during the C ity Council’s Regular Meeting on April 27, 2026, to provide an additional opportunity for public review and Council discussion regarding the City’s fiscal outlook and budget priorities.
On May 11, 2026, the City Council received a follow-up presentation regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget and provided direction to staff to prepare additional budget ITEM 1
scenarios for Council consideration. The City Council requested that staff return with three budget options reflecting varying levels of General Fund reserve usage and expenditure reductions.
Based on Council direction, staff prepared the following scenarios for consideration:
A. Budget with Balancing Strategies
Maintains the proposed service levels and includes the use of approximately $2.16 million in General Fund reserves.
B. Budget with Reduced use of Reserves
Includes expenditure reductions and/or balancing strategies to limit the use of General Fund reserves within a range of approximately $1.5 million to $1.0 million.
C. Balanced Budget Scenario
Includes sufficient expenditure reductions and/or revenue adjustments to present a balanced budget with no use of General Fund reserves.
These scenarios are being presented at the June 1, 2026, Special City Council Meeting to allow the City Council the opportunity to discuss priorities and provide direction regarding the preferred budget approach.
Following Council direction, staff will finalize the Fiscal Year 2027 Adopted Budget for presentation and consideration at the June 8, 2026, City Council meeting.
II. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:
The Fiscal Year 2027 budget continues to reflect ongoing financial pressures, including increasing personnel costs, contractual obligations, and operational expenditures. While the Budget with Balancing Strategies incorporates cost-saving measures to reduce the projected deficit, the budget still requires the use of General Fund reserves to maintain current service levels.
Council direction will guide staff in finalizing the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget in a manner that aligns with the City’s financial policies, service priorities, and long-term fiscal sustainability goals.
III. FISCAL IMPACTS:
Fiscal impacts associated with each budget scenario will be presented and discussed during the June 1, 2026, Special City Council Meeting. Final fiscal impacts will be incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2027 Adopted Budget scheduled for City Council consideration on June 8, 2026.
IV. EXISTING POLICY / RELATIONSHIP TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN:
These recommendations reflect Council’s priority to sustain essential public safety services while ensuring responsible fiscal management
ITEM 1
V. POLICY ALTERNATIVES:
Council may provide additional or alternative direction to staff prior to final budget preparation.
VI. INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
All City departments participated in the development and evaluation of the proposed budget scenarios and associated expenditure reduction strategies.
VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
The City Council and staff remain committed to maintaining a transparent and inclusive budget process. The June 1, 2026, Special City Council Meeting provides an additional opportunity for public review and input prior to adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
IX. STEPS FOLLOWING APPROVAL:
Following City Council direction on June 1, 2026, staff will finalize the Fiscal Year 2027 Adopted Budget for presentation to the City Council on June 8, 2026.
Approved by: ___________________
Steve Williams,
Interim City Manager
ITEM 1