City Council Minutes
December 9, 2025
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MEETING OF DECEMBER 9, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Councilmembers Ortiz and Garcia
ABSENT: Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez and Councilmember Jones STAFF: City Manager Wood, Chief Mixer, Public Works Director Tugel, IT Director Espinosa, Recreation Director Perez, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun GUESTS: Alan Galermo, Emily Baranek, Carlos Venegas, Richard Villarreal, Teresa Villarreal, Simitria Isidro, Carlos Ruiz Martinez, Gail Stewart-White, Art Carrillo, Isabel Gonzalez, Rosario Benavides, Leo Trujillo, Miguel Flores, Rosa Martinez, Cythia Zavala, Ericka Radcliff, Juan Bautista, Evelyn Santiago, Jesus Gonzalez, Faviola Mireles, Andres Zungia, Hector Ramirez, Juan Zarco, Graciela Zarco, Pedro Trujillo, Dominic Gilliam, Idonna Guerrera, Manuel Morales, Marciano Hernandez, Kathy Franscioni
EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER ABSENCES
A MOTION by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to excuse Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez and Councilmember Jones. All in favor. Motion carried.
INVOCATION BY PASTOR RAMIRO LUGO
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 Carlos Venegas, American Legion Post 365 Greenfield, presented the family of Paul Mugan with a memorial wreath for his service.
The following stated that Paul Mugan would be missed and expressed their condolences to Paul Mugan’s family, wife – Leslie and son – Brady: Stephanie Garcia, Cynthia Zavala, Chief Guillermo Mixer, Public Works Director Jamie Tugel, Kathy Franscioni, Rosio Rocha, Beatriz Diaz, Leo Trujillo, Jose Chavez, Nataly Andrade, Councilmember Belen Garcia, Councilmember Rachel Ortiz and Mayor Robert White.
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December 9, 2025
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Mayor White called for a recess at 6:24 p.m.
Meeting was reconvened at 6:32 p.m.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Garcia stated that she was thankful for the people that she serves with and the people that showed up to many events and stated that people do notice. She also stated that she was grateful to all the people that put on the Day of Thanks lunch and stated that it was amazing. She also thanked the people that put her on the Council, and she hoped that she would be on Council for a while.
She presented City Clerk Rathbun with flowers for her 40 years of service to the City of Greenfield.
Councilmember Ortiz stated she had been receiving many calls regarding the amazing job that everyone did on the parade. She stated that there were a lot of entries and people were really happy with it.
She thanked City Clerk Rathbun for everything she did and congratulated her for 40 years of service.
Mayor White thanked everyone that was involved with the holiday in the park event and the parade. He stated that the parade just kept getting bigger and better every year. He announced that the home decorating contest was still going on until December 19th and there would be 5 winners, each $100 and there would be two holiday craft fairs at the Memorial Hall on December 14th and 21st. He stated that he was notified by the Mayor of Gonzales, Jose Rios, that the Mexican Consulate would be in Gonzales on Saturday at the Gonzales Council Chambers from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone needing help with documents for traveling to Mexico. He also announced that the Coat Drive was happening through December 18th with locations for drop-offs at the City Hall, the Fire Station, the Science Workshop and Community Center at Patriot Park.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve the consent items including Warrants #326010 through #326188 and Bank Drafts #6990 through #7033 in the amount of $906,076.34; approve Minutes of the November 18, 2025 City Council Meeting, Receive and File Monthly Departmental Reports – Grants, Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance #576, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Amending Chapter 13.32 – Sewer Rates of the Greenfield Municipal”; adopt Resolution #2025-99, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving an Agreement for Consultant Services Between the City of Greenfield and Del Rio Advisors, LLC”, and adopt Resolution #2025-100, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Appropriating a Refund Received of $5,504.68 to the Fire Command Vehicle Replacement Account”. All in favor. Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS PROCLAMATION – A PROCLAMATION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GREENFIELD COMMENDING AND CELEBRATING THE OUTSTANDING EFFORTS OF OUR
VOLUNTEERS IN SUPPORT OF THE DAY OF THANKS
Mayor White read and presented the proclamation to the following: Greenfield High School ROTC, Greenfield youth Council, Greenfield 4-H, King City Stangs, Camila (the youngest volunteer), and Dorothy (representing all the other volunteers).
Mayor White and Councilmember Garcia presented Councilmember Ortiz with a token of appreciation for all her work and dedication to the Day of Thanks,
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Councilmember Ortiz thanked everyone that volunteered for the Day of Thanks, with a special thank you to Madresitas Group, American Legion, Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, all the volunteers, donors and Arron Chavez for all their help.
Aaron Chavez gave a power point presentation of the Day of Thanks.
PUBLIC HEARING
CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GREENFIELD APPROVING WASTEWATER RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND CAPACITY CHARGES RESOLUTION #2025-101
Staff report was given by Project Engineer Nisich.
Mayor White opened the public hearing at 7:09 p.m.
Mayor White asked City Clerk Rathbun if the City received any written protests on this item. City Clerk Rathbun stated yes.
Carlos Ruiz Martinez stated that they were again and stated about 2 years ago there was a study done and the rates were going to increase 85% in 5 years, from 2023 to 2028; however, those numbers were incorrect so here they were again. He stated that with these numbers the increase would be from 2026 to 2030 and the costs would be increased more than 100%. He stated that there were a lot of people on fixed incomes. He stated that there were some issues with the notices and stated that there was a large community of tenants that Spanish was their second language, with no knowledge of English at all. He stated that these people would not be able to participate. He stated that the notice asked for a parcel number (APN), and he could not find it anywhere so it was almost impossible to find it and that might be a legal issue. He stated that he called some of his cousins and friends regarding the notice and they told him just to throw away the notice because the City Council was going to do what they wanted anyway.
He stated that the Council were members of the community and live in this community and asked that the Council explain the situation clearly with transparency. He also asked that the Council provide their feedback so that community members know what they think about this increase.
Gaby stated that she would like the Council to postpone the sewer rate increase and the reason why was the sewer rate increase was based on water usage calculation, yet the City water meter system was currently unreliable. She stated that many meters did not function properly with the readings being inconsistent or inaccurate and until the City could verify that the meters were working properly it was unreasonable and unfair to base the sewer rates on this data. She stated that her family’s ranch had been vacant for 3 months; however, the meter continued to show the usage level consistent with an occupied home, which clearly indicated that either the meter was malfunctioning or there was an inaccurate meter reading by staff. She also stated that they had requested information regarding their usage and the staff had not provided them with them as of yet.
Laura Mireles stated that she would not like the rates to increase. She stated that there was no full transparency, and they see their bills and the water readings do not match. She stated that they had asked for staff to meet with them regarding this matter and there had been a lack of communication and no meeting had been scheduled. She stated that the City of Greenfield had a community of low-income and they would not be able to afford this increase. She stated that there needed to be a better proposal where the increase was paid from somewhere else and not the residents.
Mayor White closed the public hearing at 7:15 p.m.
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Mayor White announced that the public hearing was closed and asked how many written protests were received. City Clerk Rathbun stated that 148 protests were received.
Mayor White announced that the threshold of 50% plus one had not been met and the Council could proceed with the resolution approval process.
A MOTION by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2025-101, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving Wastewater Rate Adjustments and Capacity Charges”. All in favor. Motion carried.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD ADOPTING THE CITY’S CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PLAN AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO SUBMIT THE
PLAN TO THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD (SWRCB) RESOLUTION #2025-102
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2025-102, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Adopting the City’s CrossConnection Control Plan and Authorizing Staff to Submit the Plan to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD AUTHORIZING A
SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNERS OF THE APPLE AVENUE
HOMES SUBDIVISION FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE
ACCEPTANCE OF STREET AND LANDSCAPE EASEMENTS
RESOLUTION #2025-103
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
Emily Baranek, People’s Self-Help Housing, thanked the City Council for considering approval of this resolution.
A MOTION by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2025-103, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Authorizing a Subdivision Improvement Agreement with the Owners of the Apple Avenue Homes Subdivision for Public Improvements Necessary to Facilitate Acceptance of Street and Landscape Easements”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING THE FINAL MAP FOR THE SUBDIVISION LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY AT 296 APPLE AVENUE RESOLUTION #2025-104
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2025-104, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving the Final Map for the Subdivision Located on the Property at 296 Apple Avenue”. All in favor. Motion carried. 32 City Council Minutes
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BRIEF REPORTS ON CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Ortiz reported on the Transportation Agency of Monterey County meeting and stated that they went over personnel evaluations, real property that they own and what they would be doing with it and discussed electronic vehicle takeoff and landing, EVOL, integrate pilot program application.
Mayor White reported on the Salinas Valley Mayors/Managers meeting on November 24th at the Salinas Airport. He stated that they heard about the history of the Salinas Airport and how it was a training site for the pilots during World War II. He stated that one significant thing for South County was the fact that the airport was home to CalStar, the air ambulance for the South Monterey County area. He stated that the Mayors discussed making a public announcement regarding distracted driving, distracted walking and motorized scooter use.
City Manager Wood stated that the youth council was also getting together with all the youth councils up and down the valley to do a social media post with their cohorts in the school themselves regarding districted walking.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Thompson gave an update regarding new laws that would becoming effect on January 1, 2026: SB707 – Impacts or Changes the Brown Act; SB827 – Mandatory Training for the Council, department heads and some city employees. She stated starting July 1, 2026 AB827 would require local agencies to post on their website instructions for the public on how they could request ethic training records.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Wood addressed the Mugan Family – Leslie, Brady and Michael who was not present. He stated that it was impossible to ignore the outpouring of this community for Paul and the huge impact he had on this community and on the many things that he accomplished. He stated that we heard from city employees, residents, and people that worked with him and it was a testament to Paul and how he got things done. He stated that this was a testament to the community that love does exist and stated that he had two older sisters and he was a younger little brother and did not have a brother, but Paul was the closest thing he had to a brother and he would be missed.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor White adjourned the meeting in memory of Paul Mugan.
Meeting adjourned at 7:49 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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