City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez. Councilmembers Ortiz, Jones and Garcia ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Captain Paredes, Economic & Community Development Director Mugan, Public Works Director Tugel, Assistant Planner Meza, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun
GUESTS: Richard Villarreal, Teresa Villarreal, Jose Vasquez, Maria Vasquez, Serafin Ramirez, Jose Vazquez, Linda Pruitt, Edelfa Madrigal, Christian Ramirez, Delia Perez, Gail Stewart White, Rosario Couynan, Saul Cardona, Tony Amezuca, Hailey Shingler, Ramiro Robles, Maria Luisa Cordona, Laura Mireles, Claudia Gomez, Irene Linares, Annabelle Rodriguez, Maria Lopez, Juana Diaz, Maria Diaz, Jose Diaz, Andres Cruz, Juan Garcia Santos, Eulogio Sanchez de Jesus, Cecilia Mares, Jose Villarreal, Mildred Villarreal
INVOCATION
There was a moment of silence.
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 Rosario Guzman stated that she was here to let the Council know of the water issues she and her family have been experiencing. She stated that her father lived on 14th Street and stated that her father had got his well-tested in 2023 and the result stated that the water was high in nitrates and 123 TCP. She stated that her family could not drink, cook or take hot showers with it. She stated that a couple months ago their well went dry and had been using the neighbor’s water which was also contaminated. She stated that they had been looking for a long-term solution and now had an opportunity for a fully funded water project. She stated that they would like to work with the City to ensure that all residents had safe and clean water.
Saul Cardona, 40052 Walnut Avenue, stated that he had lived in Greenfield for over 50 years and stated it was difficult to live a normal life knowing that the water was contaminated. He stated that they have to use bottled water to cook and drink and not take hot showers without exposing themselves to cancer causing chemicals which might have already happened because they did not know the water was 26 City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
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contaminated. He stated that they have been looking for a long-term solution and have received approval for a fully state funded project. He stated that they want to work with the City in order to accomplish this project.
Tony Amezuca, 40924 12th Street, stated that he had lived here for almost 30 years and stated that he and his family could not use the water from his well because it was contaminated with nitrates and 123 TPC. He stated that their community needed the City’s help and support for the Walnut Avenue Drinking Water Project.
Joel Mercado, Mercado Camp at the end of Apple Avenue, stated that there were also 20 other families that lived there as well. He stated that their well had high levels of nitrates and they had dealt with water pump breakdowns and not having water for days. He stated that he was always worried about having a reliable source of water. He stated that he and his neighbors were in urgent need of long-term drinking water solutions. He stated that they had an opportunity to work with the City on a fully funded state funded water project in order to make sure that they have safe drinking water. He stated that California Law stated that safe drinking water was a human right and not a privilege. He stated that he was asking the City to work with them on a long-term solution.
Laura Mireles stated that she would like for the Council to look at other options for the wastewater funding and stated that there had to be other solutions instead of increasing the community’s bills.
Dorthy Jones stated that she was here about the situation that happened on Thursday and stated that she did not agree with anything that Mr. Huerta stated at the meeting. She stated that there were a lot of people in attendance were confused and asked that that be fixed. She stated that the City needed to be able to help the seniors, disabled and Veterans because they were on a fixed income. She stated that there was a lot of misinformation given on Thursday and the information needed to be cleaned up and cleared up.
Mayor White announced that there would be meetings regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant on September 30th and October 5th.
A Resident, would like to know why the water was increasing in price. He stated that there were a lot of retired people and they should receive credit instead of increasing the price.
A Resident, stated that there were only 3 people in their home and they pay $160 to $180 monthly for their water bill. She stated that the bill was too high and was not justified.
A Resident, stated that she wanted to know why the City did not have another system as to why, how and how much the services were going to be increased. She also asked if the City had explored different ways to get the funds to build and if different proposals were sought to build the plant. She stated that they were retired and only had one income and there were rumors that the prices were going to increase significantly. She stated that she would like the City to look for other options that were less expensive and take what was being said at this meeting into consideration.
Jose Vazquez stated that the water rates were very high and wanted the City to look for other options and stated that he was not in favor of raising the water rates.
Mayor White invited everyone to attend the special meeting regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the sewer rate proposed increase on September 30th and October 6th.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Jones requested that the presentation during the special meeting be in Spanish. 27 City Council Minutes
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Councilmember Garcia stated that she took another tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and thanked the people working there. She stated that she knew it was not enough, but it did look better and she knew that the City needed to do more.
Councilmember Ortiz announced that if anyone had family that was in the military or retired military that she was accepting photos for the banners because she wanted to get the banners up by Veterans’ Day.
She asked that people contact her in order to get a banner.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez thanked city staff for helping her get the recognition on the agenda and for following up with Supervisor Lopez in getting the accessibility signs for the parks. She asked about the raising the Pride flag and if this would be going through the Community Engagement Department or would an outside community organization take the reins on that. She asked if this would be an official ceremony that the City would host and set a date for or what the process was. City Manager Wood stated that this would probably be up to Council because this had not been done in the past. Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez stated that this was new; however, looking at what other cities have done, they have done a flag raising ceremony. City Attorney Thompson stated that if the City Council wanted it to be a city event, Council could direct staff to bring it back to a future agenda to approve it and stated that if a community organization wanted to host an event on city property they would just need to get some sort of use permit. City Manager Wood stated that Community Development or Parks & Recreation would be the department to issue the special permit. Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez stated that she would not be attending the October 6th meeting because she would be on her way to the League of California Cities Conference and asked to be excused from that meeting.
Mayor White stated that he and his wife attended the food truck event at the gazebo, and it was a lot of fun and well attended. He also stated that he attended the 3CE conference in San Luis Obispo Wednesday and Thursday of last week and stated that they passed the annual budget. He also stated that he wanted to make sure that the fire in Moss Landing with the battery container storage was not part of 3CE. He stated that in order to fund the wastewater treatment plant, Council needed to pass the rate study. He stated that the City would not receive the $75 million dollars grant if the rate study was not approved because it was a condition of the State. He stated that the City was ready to start the project once the funding was secured and stated that the City would be choosing the company to construct the new wastewater plant very carefully. He asked about the rate study. City Manager Wood explained the rate study.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the consent items including Warrants #325540 through #325634 and Bank Drafts #6874 through #6891 in the amount of $782,158.741; approve Minutes of the September 9, 2025 City Council Meeting, and Receive and File Monthly Report – Fire / Police. All in favor. Motion carried.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING A MURAL PERMIT AT THE GREENFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER, LOCATED AT 1351 OAK AVENUE RESOLUTION #2025-84
Staff report was given by Assistant Planner Meza.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2025-84, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Mural Permit at the Greenfield Community Center, Located at the 1351 Oak Avenue”. All in favor. Motion carried. 28 City Council Minutes
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ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD CANCELLING THE NOVEMBER 11, 2025 MEETING DUE TO THE VETERANS’ DAY HOLIDAY AND RESCHEDULING THE MEETING TO NOVEMBER 18, 2025
RESOLUTION #2025-85
Staff report was given by City Clerk Rathbun
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2025-85, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Cancelling the November 11, 2025 Meeting Due to the Veterans’ Day Holiday and Rescheduling the Meeting to November 18, 2025”. All in favor. Motion carried.
BRIEF REPORTS ON CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor White reported that he attended the Monterey Bay Division meeting on September 8, 2025 in Hollister. He stated that they selected a new president, Mayor Oglesby and their guest speaker was Supervisor and Coastal Commissioner Chris Lopez.
Mayor White reported on the AMBAG meeting on September 10th, and they discussed the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan and had a closed session item.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez reported on the MST meeting. She stated that she had requested the amount of ridership for the circulator system and MST stated that they would be reporting that on a quarterly basis so they would be receiving that report at the next meeting. She also reported that transit ridership was up and above pre-covid levels. She also stated that MST was awarded the American Public Transportation Association, Outstanding Public Transportation System Award and stated that some staff and board members traveled to Boston to receive the award. She also stated that MST had moved from the Fort Ord location into the Rianda Center location and the Board recognized the staff for all their work and effort in completing the move. She stated that there was also a closed session item.
Mayor White reported on the Monterey County Mayors Association meeting that was held in Greenfield on September 5th and thanked City Manager Wood for the presentation at the meeting.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Wood announced that there would be special workshops for the Wastewater Treatment Plant on September 30th and October 6th.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:57 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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