City Council Minutes
August 26, 2025
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MEETING OF AUGUST 26, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Councilmembers Ortiz, Jones and Garcia
ABSENT: Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez,
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Captain Paredes, Economic & Community Development Director Mugan, Public Works Director Tugel, Science Workshop Director Sanchez, Parks and Recreation Manager Perez, Community Engagement Coordinator Lopez, IT Director Espinosa, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun
GUESTS: Gai Stewart White, Jose Vazquez, Lourdes Villarreal, Nicole Pedroncelli, Laura Mireles, Aurora Benavides, Juergen Smith, Carlos Venegas, Jazmine Venegas, John Huerta, Jr., Cynthia Zavala, Rosario Benavides, Veronica Garcia, Emily Baranek, Josefina Zamudio, Angelica Sanchez, Stephanie Garcia
EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER ABSENCES
A MOTION by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to excuse Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez. All in favor. Motion carried.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW
No changes made.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Lourdes Villarreal stated that she was here about a problem that had been happening for months and it was with trash cans location and having no room because of the cars that were parked in front of her house. She stated that she had brought this problem to Council several times before and the problem still exists. She also stated that there was a problem with abandoned vehicles and stated that she was receiving poor services from the police department. She stated that she had been disrespected by the police department and needed to protect her well-being and needed a safe space.
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Jazmine Venegas, government representative for PG&E, stated that she was here to introduce herself to the City Council. She stated that she would be the Council’s and staff’s point of contact and would be the one updating everyone on power outages or anything related to PG&E. She encouraged the Council and staff to contact her if they needed any information.
John Huerta, Jr. stated that he was here in support of Nicole Pedroncelli and Laura Mireles regarding the fence that they wanted to put up on the corner of 10th Street and Maple Avenue.
He stated that the City was requiring that there be a 15’ setback and usually it was only 10’. He stated that if the City required 15’ that it was like taking some of her property. He stated that Ms.
Pedroncelli was willing to do a variance to obtain her fence permit and that the fence was needed for safety. He stated that there had been two reports to the police department regarding people trying to get onto her property.
Nicole Pedroncelli stated that she would like to build a fence for safety reasons. She stated that she had previously submitted two permit applications, and they had been denied. She stated that there were several locations in the City where there were six-foot fences on the corners with 10’ setbacks: however, the City was requiring her to have 15’ setbacks She stated that she was here for some help and support from the Council and stated that she wanted to be treated like everyone else.
Juergen Smith stated that he was here to support Nicole Pedroncelli. He stated that she needed the fence for safety reasons and stated that there had been some safety concerns with people coming onto her property. He stated that she needed Council’s support and help and wanted to be treated like everyone else.
Jose Vazquez stated that Rite Aide had closed and there was no pharmacy in town. He stated that there were many senior citizens that do not have cars or drive and were not able to get their prescriptions.
Laura Mireles stated that she was here in support of Nicole Pedroncelli. She stated that the Council should do what was in the best interest of its residents and work with Nicole to get a permit.
Carlos Venegas, Veteran, stated that he was also here in support of Nicole Pedroncelli. He stated that safety should be the number one priority. He announced that on November 11th they would be hosting a Veterans parade in Greenfield for all active and inactive military. He also announced that the American Legion would also be hosting a breakfast for all first responders on September 11th.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Garcia stated that she had noticed in the news all these beautiful murals being displayed and people being invited to see them from Carmel to Soledad to King City. She said while attending Fresno State she attended an art class and learned how to paint murals. She stated that cities would invite students to paint murals and the owners of the shops would provide all the materials and they would paint the murals. She stated that it would be great if Greenfield would come up with an event that connected all the local cities and murals and get a map with the location of the murals.
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She stated that she attended the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority workshop and it was about planning for the future.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that she wanted to let the community know that she does read social media and read that there were some concerns regarding the last council meeting. She stated that she had spoken with the City Manager and asked that anytime meetings were cancelled, that it be posted on social media as soon as possible. She also stated that she and Mayor White on August 7th attended the Salinas Valley Speaks event at Braga Ranch. She stated that the four south county Mayors and County Supervisor Lopez spoke that day and stated that it was well attended. She stated that there were a lot of important people there and a lot of good information was given, and a lot of really good connections were made. She stated that she met two ladies from Relay for Life and she was asked if Greenfield would participate in paint our town purple, which meant putting purple ribbons throughout the city to support survivors of cancer and remember those we have lost. She stated that she and members of the public did put ribbons throughout the city. She stated that Mayor White and she would be attending a Paint Your Town Purple event this Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Steinbeck center. She stated that the Veterans parade on November 11th in Salinas was cancelled, and Greenfield would be hosting that parade on Veterans’ Day at 2 p.m. on El Camino Real, from the Memorial Hall to Elm Avenue and back to the Memorial Hall. She stated that the American Legion would be hosting a BBQ that day as well. She also stated that the hometown banners would be coming in by November 1st so they would be up in time for the parade. She also stated that the planning for the Day of Thanks, was underway and they had received confirmation from supporters that they would be supplying the food.
Mayor White announced the community yard sale on August 30th and 31st and Greenfield Clean Up Day would be on September 6th. He stated that he attended the Salinas Valley Chamber Event in Soledad. He stated that the Mayors spoke about their vision for their communities and he stated that he spoke about Greenfield trying to build community pride and spirit. He stated he attended the town hall meeting hosted by Speaker Robert Rivas in King City on August 2nd. He stated that he reminded Speaker Rivas about the City’s wastewater treatment plant problems and stated that he was very aware of it. He announced that there were a lot of things going on this weekend: a car show on Saturday at the Memorial Hall, the Market at the Gazebo on Saturday and the flea market on Sunday also at the Memorial Hall.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the consent items including Warrants #325218 through #325458 and Bank Drafts #6786 through #6848 in the amount of $1,923,587.38; approve Minutes of the July 22, 2025 City Council Meeting, Receive and File Monthly Report –Science Workshop / Police / Finance, adopt Resolution #2025-75, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Accepting and Appropriating Funds in Fiscal Year 2025/2026 in the Amount of $1,597.93 from the United States Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program”. All in favor.
Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS PROCLAMATION – A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD PROCLAIMING AUGUST 21, 2025 AS “SENIOR CITIZENS DAY” 18 City Council Minutes
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Mayor White read the proclamation proclaiming August 21, 2025 as “Senior Citizens Day” Fabiola Lopez, Jose Vazquez and Aurora Benavides accepted the proclamation and thanked the City Council for providing events for senior citizens.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF GREENFIELD ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE
ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS REQUIRING A NEW WASTEWATER CONNECTION OR
THAT WILL RESULT IN INCREASED WASTEWATER FLOW TO THE CITY OF
GREENFIELD WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
ORDINANCE #575
Staff report was given by City Attorney Thompson.
City Clerk Rathbun reported that the City received two letters regarding the moratorium, one from Monterey Bay Economic Partnership and another from Peoples Self Help Housing.
John Huerta Jr. stated that he disagreed with Item #4 regarding grant-funded projects. He stated that this would affect the City’s recreation center. He stated that the ordinance stated that the City could not build the recreation center because it could not be hooked up to the sewer and that doesn’t make sense. He stated that this would delay the project, and he disagreed with this language and it shouldn’t be included. He stated that a lot of people and staff have worked hard in getting this grant.
Emily Baranek, representing Peoples Self Help Housing, stated that they had a project in the works for the past five years, but they were not aware of the deadline for the project. She stated that their project was an affordable for ownership project at 296 Apple Avenue with 34 new homes. She stated that they originally submitted the plans March of 2021 and have been working on the project. She asked that the City make an exemption to the moratorium for their project and if that was not possible then to have the opportunity to discuss other options.
Veronica Garcia, representing Peoples Self Help Housing, stated that she was here to express their concern about the proposed moratorium. She stated that their organization had pending financial commitments to the project that would be jeopardized due to the proposed moratorium which included grants that were secured to deliver the housing and to administer the program as well as financing that was obtained to secure the land. She asked that Council continue this matter for further consideration or at minimum confirm that the 296 Apple Avenue project be exempt from the proposed moratorium. She stated that they have significant legal questions because the project could be derailed and shut down by the moratorium.
Councilmember Garcia stated that this had not been easy and stated that she had met with a lot of people and she does hear the concerns; however, she was trying to do what was best for everyone.
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Mayor White stated that the Council and staff does not take this lightly and that the City was blindsided by the State. He explained that the State had stated that they would fund the new wastewater treatment plant completely and then said no. He also stated that the Regional Water Board had approved 1.5 million gallons daily and then stated it would be 1.2 million gallons daily. He stated that the plant was over 70 years old and this Council had inherited this problem; however, they had to move forward.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that this Council had been talking about this for over 2 years and does not take this lightly. She stated that the Council does not want to stop growth; however, something needed to be done.
A MOTION by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to read, by title only, second reading and adopt Ordinance #575, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on the Issuance of Building Permits Requiring a New Wastewater Connection or that will Result in Increased Wastewater Flow to the City of Greenfield Wastewater Treatment Plant”. All in favor. Motion carried.
Councilmember Ortiz stepped down due to a conflict of interest at 7:02 p.m.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD
AUTHORIZING THE GREENFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO USE ELEMENTS OF
CITY LOGO AND SEAL IN CHAMBER BRANDING
RESOLUTION #2025-76
Staff report was given by City Attorney Thompson.
Cynthia Zavala and Stephanie Garcia addressed the Council and asked for approval to use elements of the city logo and seal for the Chamber branding.
A MOTION by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Jones to adopt Resolution #2025-76, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Authorizing the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce to Use Elements of City Logo and Seal in Chamber Branding”. AYES: Mayor White, Councilmembers Jones and Garcia. ABSENT:
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez. ABSTAIN: Councilmember Ortiz. Motion carried.
Councilmember Ortiz returned to her seat at 7:08 p.m.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD
AWARDING A PURCHASING CONTRACT FOR A DETECTIVE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO
RESOLUTION #2025-77
Staff report was given by Captain Paredes.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2025-77, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Awarding a Purchasing Contract for a Detective Vehicle to Toyota of San Luis Obispo”. All in favor.
Motion carried.
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ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD
ESTABLISHING THE POSITION OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AND
AMENDING THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES AND
APPOINTING THE CURRENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR TO THAT
POSITION
RESOLUTION #2025-78
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
Stephanie Garcia stated that she supported the promotion for Fabiola Lopez.
Elizabeth stated that this was a 15% increase and the City was talking about cutting services and stated that the promotion should not be happening with this budget.
Braulio Fabian stated that he supported the promotion for Fabiola and stated that it was well deserved.
City Council and staff discussed the funding and salary of the promotion.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2025-78, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Establishing the Position of Community Engagement Manager and Amending the Salary Schedule for the Non-Represented Employees and Appointing the Current Community Engagement Coordinator to that Position”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD
ESTABLISHING THE POSITION OF PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR AND AMENDING
THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES AND PROMOTION
OF RECREATION MANAGER TO THE DIRECTOR POSITION
RESOLUTION #2025-79
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
Stephanie Garcia stated that she supported the promotion for Jesus Perez.
A MOTION by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2025-79, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Establishing the Position of Parks & Recreation Director and Amending the Salary Schedule for the NonRepresented Employees and Promotion of Recreation Manager to the Director Position”.
All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD
APPROVING A REQUEST TO SUPPLEMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) BUDGETS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 TO FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026, FOR A TOTAL OF $3,236,844.87 AND TO SUPPLEMENTALLY APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDED BUDGETS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 TO FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 FOR A TOTAL OF $62,062.67
RESOLUTION #2025-80
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Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2025-80, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Request to supplementally Appropriate Public Works Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budgets from Fiscal Year 2024/2025 to Fiscal Year 2025/2026, for a Total of $3,236,844.87 and to Supplementally Appropriate Grant Funded Budgets from Fiscal Year 2024/2025 to Fiscal Year 2025/2026 for a Total of $62,062.67”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD SUPPLEMENTALLY APPROPRIATING $40,772.72 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 AND $565,912.90 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 FOR THE CITYWIDE GENERATOR PROJECT RESOLUTION #2025-81
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2025-81, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Supplementally Appropriating $40,772.72 for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 and $565,912.90 for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 for the Citywide Generator Project”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION - GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Agency designated representative: City Manager Paul Wood Employee Organizations: International Union of Operating Engineers Local #3 No comments were received.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Meeting reconvened to open session at 8:12 p.m.
There was no reportable action.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
No report.
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor White stated that he wanted to reserve a moment of silence for the family of former Councilmember Martinez whose grandmother passed away August 7th, just a few weeks short of age 100.
Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
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Mayor of the City of Greenfield
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City Clerk of the City of Greenfield
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