RESOLUTION NO. 2022-39
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GONZALES IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF CITY MANAGER RENE L. MENDEZ FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE
CITY AND CITIZENS OF GONZALES
WHEREAS, in 2005, the Gonzales City Council entered into an agreement with Rene L. Mendez for City Manager/Redevelopment Agency Executive Director services, unaware of the significant long-term impact this decision would have on the City; and
WHEREAS, employing innovation and creative leadership over his unprecedented 17 year term as City Manager, Mendez has presided over a staggering list of noteworthy firsts, changes, and events in the City, including but most certainly not limited to attracting major new agricultural interests to the Gonzales Industrial Business Park; construction of a new Police Station; construction and/or installation of a variety of much needed public improvements, including the Alta Street renovation, lighting and equipment at parks, and the community swimming pool renovation; the procurement and distribution of free internet hotspots to residents throughout the City and neighboring communities; initiation of an innovative partnership with the Gonzales Unified School District and the establishment of the much-envied Gonzales Youth Council; a host of health care efforts that resulted in improved living conditions throughout the City and national recognition when the City received the prestigious Culture of Health Prize from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; establishment of the award-winning Gonzales Grows Green (“G3”) economic program; and crystallization of the meaning and values embraced by the community through the “Gonzales Way” initiative; and WHEREAS, Rene’s tenure with the City has also included successful navigation through turbulent economic periods and unprecedented challenges, to which he responded with the clear, thoughtful and decisive action that has been the hallmark of his service to the City, including proposing and championing two tax measures that helped the City maintain financial stability; efforts involved with the orderly dissolution of the City’s Redevelopment Agency; and his tireless, groundbreaking efforts during the COVID-19 Pandemic to protect the City’s residents, resulting in a remarkable 100% City vaccination rate and the dissemination of food, diapers, and financial and other forms of support to individuals and businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Rene has dedicated countless hours to representing the City of Gonzales through membership in a variety of county-wide entities, having served on the boards of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, United Way Monterey County, Hartnell College Foundation, Central Coast Community Energy, and as a founding member of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, and as a result of such service, has established the visibility, credibility and effectiveness of Gonzales as a leader in regional, State and national interests; and WHEREAS, while Rene’s outstanding work ethic and dedication have earned him the respect of the Gonzales community and staff, as well as his local and statewide peers, he is also known for his sense of humor, compassion and willingness to support his directors, assistants, and elected and appointed officials, and willingness to give his time to a wide variety of causes and organizations in the City, including his work with the Gonzales Rotary Club and several years of coaching girls’ tennis at Gonzales High School; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his work for the City, Rene has maintained his relationships with his beloved wife Martha (who has also made significant contributions to the community), and his two sons, Alejandro and Gabriel, to whom the community owes a debt of gratitude for graciously allowing the City to consume so much of Rene’s time and energy during close to two decades of work on behalf of the City.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Gonzales takes great pride and pleasure in drawing special attention to the accomplishments of Rene L. Mendez and the indelible history he has created with the City, and through this resolution, does hereby honor, commend and congratulate Rene L. Mendez for his exemplary service to the citizens of Gonzales, and wishes him well as he moves on to new challenges.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Gonzales at a regular meeting held on the 6th day of June, 2022, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Pro Tem Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller, and Mayor Jose L. Rios
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
Jose L. Rios, The Honorable Mayor
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk
AGENDA
ITEM