MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Jose L. Rios.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
1. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Jose L. Rios Mayor/Chair Present
Liz Silva Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Present
Scott Funk Council/Agency Member Participated remotely from 2030 S Avenue 3E, Yuma, AZ, USA 85365
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Shelby Anderson and Ricardo Rodriguez.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, Finance Director Mike Howard, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Yoanna Meza, Public Works Director/City Engineer Octavio Hurtado, and Police Chief Keith Wise.
* Successor Agency Item
*
PUBLIC NOTICE
This meeting is being conducted consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The public may participate in person or online via zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87020263943 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 870 2026 3943. If you wish to make either a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, please use the Raise Hand function. You will be allowed two minutes for your comments.
If you choose not to attend the City Council meeting but wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item, please submit your comment limited to 250 words or less by 12:00p.m. on the day of the meeting to the City Clerk at [email protected]
CLOSED SESSION
Any member of the public may address the Council on a closed session item appearing on the agenda.
Speakers shall have a limited time of two (2) minutes. Please be brief and to the point.
There was none.
2. The City Council will recess to closed session to consider personnel matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 (Evaluation- City Manager).
City Manager and Council conferred on evaluation issues and Council provided direction. No other reportable action taken.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Introduction of New City Employee
City Manager Gil introduced Public Works Director/City Engineer Octavio Hurtado.
Public Works Director Hurtado mentioned he grew up in Gonzales, attended schools here, and said he was honored that the City found trust in him to help out with the City.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
4. Business from the Public not on the Agenda; any member of the Public may address the Council for a period not to exceed three minutes on any subject not on the Agenda. The Council will listen to all communications, but may take no action.
Henry Martinez Jr., via zoom, talked about a blown-up picture that Mr. Martinez Sr. was holding in the audience about four people helping one of the Officers as he was getting beat by an individual, and the four getting charged and sent to court instead of being congratulated for helping.
CONSENT AGENDA
5. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - February 2, 2026 Minutes
6. Approve Accounts Payable Warrants #53353-53415
7. City Manager’s Report
8. Community Development Department Activity Report
9. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
10. Fire Department Activity Report
11. Police Department Activity Report
12. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
13. Consider Adding a Finance Manager Position to the Position Allocations for FY 2025-2026
14. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-03, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Accepting the 2025 Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation Project as Complete, Authorizing Staff to Record a Notice of Completion and Release Retention Monies to the Contractor
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-05, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution of Amendment #1, Extension of Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Gonzales and the Gonzales Police Officers Association, for the Period Covering January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026; and Resolution No. 2025-06, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution of Amendment #1, Extension of Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Gonzales and the Gonzales Police Supervisor Officers Association, for the Period Covering January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026
16. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-07, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution of Amendment #1, Extension of the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Gonzales and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388, for the period covering January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026
17. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-08, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing a One-Time Lump Sum Payment to the Unrepresented City staff Similar to the Public Safety 2026 MOU Extensions
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 5-17
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
18. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-04, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Submitting to the Voters at the General Municipal Election to be Consolidated with the Statewide General Election Held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, a Measure That Would Implement a Special Parcel Tax to be Levied on Properties Within the City Based on Land Use to Fund Fire and Emergency Medical Services to be Provided in the City of Gonzales Staff Report: City Manager Gil presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Henry Martinez Sr. commented that as a landlord, he was in favor of funding the Fire Department, and elaborated on the Police Department being funded by the Council in the past and the equipment he felt they didn’t need.
Henry Martinez Jr., via zoom, mentioned he was the owner of his properties, not his dad. He said if this measure passed, the rents will increase again, but he was in support of the Fire Department.
He added he had not yet read or seen the documents and he needs reassurance this money won’t be handed out to any other areas in the City, and if everything isn’t disclosed properly, he will be voting no.
Council Discussion: City Manager Gil addressed questions about where the funds will go, which specifically the funds will be to maintain fire services.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Resolution No. 2026-04
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
19. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioners Anderson and Rodriguez updated on the progress of the food pantry which was almost complete, pantry murals, Community Day on March 28th at the Community Garden, meetings regarding the Youth Summit, GYC meeting on February 20th and meeting with Supervisor Lopez on February 26th. They also announced the High School events and games.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
20. Appoint an Alternate Member to the South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority Mayor Rios informed the Council he was the Representative for the South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority and mentioned they were looking for an alternate. He asked if there was an interest from any Council Members to attend these meetings as Alternates. The meetings are held in Greenfield quarterly and can be attended via zoom. Mayor Pro Tem Silva expressed interest.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva was appointed to represent the Board as an Alternate.
21. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
No report.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
Council Member Funk mentioned AMBAG didn't have a quorum for a meeting, but he represented CalVans on behalf of AMBAG in Sacramento during their legislative sessions; and reported on the hiring of a permanent Executive Director and funding. c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the request for an increase in the buses due to the tariffs, access to taxicabs in South County, Corda Camp plan, and the way MST recognizes their staff. She talked about the importance of recognizing staff and letting them know how important they are. She told City staff that they are very important to the Council and without them, they wouldn't be able to run the City. She said we don't have the capabilities that MST had as far as budget, but we recognize how hard staff works and they appreciated that. She announced the next meeting on March 9th.
22. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco concurred with Council Member Worthy about recognizing staff. She suggested that staff recognitions be included in the City Manager’s reports for example for their years of service in blocks of five, ten years and so on. She hoped other agencies would still provide meals since the Salvation Army is no longer doing that.
She said it was also nice to get kudos from folks when they read great news like an article that was recently published in the San Francisco Chronicle and Joe Matthews made a reference to our Youth Council for the good work they're doing. She congratulated our Youth Council for all the work that has been done in previous years and especially now with the Teen Innovation Center.
She announced Ash Wednesday tomorrow, and St. Theodore’s Church will be having Enchiladas from 11am to 5pm, and the Lenten dinners will vary every Friday.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva reminded everyone to slow down and not forget to turn on the lights now that we have rain. She announced the Retired Fireman Group chicken drive-through barbecue on February 22nd behind Carlito's. She shared she had a lot of friends call her to say great things and were very excited about the electronic billboard. She announced she will be attending the Legislative Updates on February 25th in Sacramento sponsored by Assembly Speaker Rivas.
Council Member Worthy announced the food pantry this Friday at the Community Church, and every third and fourth Friday of the month. She felt it was very important for community members to call City Hall if they have questions or concerns or if they want to understand something better. She said all the agendas are always public and were accessible to the community. She encouraged everyone to read the information so that they are aware of what is going on.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
23. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil reported on a great meeting she had with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's staffer last week where she shared the major projects going on in Gonzales, and he was very impressed and interested in potentially supporting the Wastewater Treatment Plant. She said she and Public Works Director Hurtado will be working on putting a proposal together to help generate some funds from them. She informed staff is having conversations regarding the Car Show in April and will get a date out soon. She mentioned the programming at the Community Center is gaining momentum and is moving along. She's getting daily reports of the number of students attending and the Boys and Girls Club is seeing about 18 to 20 students a day depending on the day, so people are starting to come in and enjoy it.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown mentioned that once staff has a date, they can advertise it on the new billboard. He thanked Councilwoman Worthy for pointing people to City Hall for additional information, and for advertising, staff can direct them to the company which has discounts for Gonzales businesses.
CLOSED SESSION
Any member of the public may address the Council on a closed session item appearing on the agenda.
Speakers shall have a limited time of two (2) minutes. Please be brief and to the point.
There was none.
24. The City Council will recess to Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(D)(2) to confer with Its Attorney- Significant Potential Exposure to Litigation.
Council conferred with legal counsel and provided direction. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk