MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
March 1, 2022
The Council meeting was held in the Council Chambers with members of the public attending virtually with the use of an online meeting room and teleconference dial-in phone number.
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Council Members: Bonta – Brazil – Ford - Alexander – Mayor Nagy Staff present: City Manager Doug Dunford, Attorney Associate Anne Branham, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Economic & Community Director Jami Westervelt, Finance Director Jas Birring, Public Works Manager Jesus Chavez, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Fire Chief Patrick Borrelli, and Deputy City Clerk/Human Resources Director Melanie Correa
PRESENTATIONS
1. Commissioner Recognition
Don Bruck, Planning Commissioner
Mayor Nagy presented Mr. Bruck with a certificate of recognition for his service on the Planning Commission. Mr. Bruck shared some words of gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Lloyd Pareria, Merced County Supervisor, expressed his sentiments on how amazing the Motors on Main event was. Supervisor Pareira introduced Raul Mendez, as the County’s CEO. Mr. Mendez reported his optimism for his new capacity, and shared his background and expressed excitement to work with City of Gustine.
Richard Gilton, expressed his wish to comment on administrative item #5. Mr. Gilton also expressed accolades for Mr. Mendez.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and may be approved by one action of the City Council, unless any member of the City Council wishes to remove an item for separate consideration.
Are there any items on the consent calendar that any member of the public would like to comment on?
2. Minutes of the February 15, 2022 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar. There was no public comment. Council member Brazil advised of his abstention from the “Dennis Brazil” warrant. Council member Brazil made a motion to approve the consent calendar, with his abstention on the “Dennis Brazil” warrant. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and carried 5-0 with Council member Brazil abstaining from the “Dennis Brazil” warrant.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
4. Consider Request for Use of City Park, Services and Allowance of Mobile Food Vendors for Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the request to use City park and services, and allow mobile food vendors at Gustine Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt Recreation Manager Vitorino presented the staff report. There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta recused himself from the vote due to conflict of interest. Mayor Pro Tem Alexander made a motion to approve the request to use City park and services and allow mobile food vendors at the Gustine Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt. The motion was seconded by Council member Brazil and carried 4-0 with Council member Bonta in abstention.
5. Consider Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of Notice of Intent to Comply with SB1383
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the resolution
City Manager Dunford presented the staff report. Richard Gilton, via telephone, expressed his confusion with lack of communication in the request for proposal process.
Mr. Gilton inquired how the City came to establish the Notice of Intent document. City Manager Dunford provided information on request for proposal timeline and the cause for deviations from the published schedule. Mr. Gilton explained that as the City’s longstanding refuse hauler, he expected more communication and notice that the City was not renewing their contract. Attorney Associate Branham provided information that the item being considered is separate from the request for proposal. There was additional discussion related to the notice and the information contained within the document.
Raul Mendez, CEO, Merced County, explained the County’s position on the state mandate as of their meeting earlier in the day. Council member Ford and Council member Brazil expressed their opinions that Council should be involved in the evaluation and decision process. There was further discussion from Council relating to whether the intent filing can be amended after filing, to which Attorney Associate Branham ensured that the document could be amended after filing. Mayor Nagy inquired for additional information of the intent’s wording and the components that are completed within the document. City Manager Dunford provided information. Council directed staff to schedule presentations from the companies who responded to the request for proposals. Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the resolution, with the caveat that filing can be further amended, if necessary, after filing.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and carried 5-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Fire Chief Borelli advised that the department was undergoing mandatory EMS training.
He reported that Engine 306 and Engine 74 were being outfitted with new radios. Chief Borrelli provided results from the department’s recent election, in which he was reelected as Chief. He reported that the department would be holding a Driver/Operator training course in Gustine. Fire Chief Borelli advised of the upcoming Cioppino Dinner at the Goman Center on March 5. Lastly, Chief Borrelli updated the Council on tenure of the department staff.
Police Chief Chavez reported on recent hiring of CSO Gallardo, he also provided information on a newly developed system within the department to ensure complaints are handled in a timely fashion. As CSO Gallardo gets acclimated, some of the items he is working on include: fire damaged properties around town, along with illegal dumping in alleyways. Chief Chavez updated that the Sheriff’s office had arrested four suspects in the recent string of robberies, Chief Chavez advised that the department was working closely with the Sheriff’s office to identify any links of these suspects to robberies within Gustine. Chief offered accolades to Bernie Medeiros and family for well executed Motors on Main event. He reported that the second annual event planning is already underway. Chief Chavez provided information on the recent passing of Merced Police Officer Luna, whose procession was regarded by both GPD and GFD as it passed through town. Chief advised that he will be joining Rotary Club in “Reading across America” event at Gustine Elementary School. Council member Brazil advised that he was interested in Council considering instituting a proactive approach to CSO enforcement.
Public Works Manager Chavez advised that the pool had been refilled, and was being monitored. He advised of the departments’ current on-goings, including watering, egret mitigation and an upcoming training the department would be hosting on hydrant and valves. Mayor Pro Tem Alexander reported a piece of wood on top of solar array at Schmidt Park. Council member Brazil inquired on status of staff at the Wastewater Treatment plant, to which Public Works Manager Chavez provided information. Council member Ford inquired on hydrants on Payne, and reported their low pressure. Council member Ford asked staff to research whether Schmidt Park could receive irrigation from the Gustine Drainage District.
Finance Director Birring provided information on the City’s recent application to claim past due water bills. She relayed that the department was heavily encouraging residents to setup payment arrangements on past due balances. She reported that she was working on the single audit and budget. Mayor Nagy inquired status of being able to shut off water for nonpayment, to which Finance Director Birring provided information.
Recreation Manager Vitorino advised of upcoming events that included: Adult Craft Night, Kids Craft Night, Adult Basketball, Baseball/Softball Clinic, and Movie Night.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of an upcoming job fair to be held at Henry Miller Park on March 24. She advised that a summer youth program was in the works as a partnership between Merced County Boys & Girls Club, Gustine Unified School District and the city. She updated that the Planning Commission had recently approved a conditional use permit for an urgent care clinic in Gustine.
Council member Bonta inquired on whether the former RJ’s site had any movement, to which Mrs. Westervelt provided information.
Deputy City Clerk Correa advised that interviews for Police Records Clerk were being held on March 3. She reported that Council had been invited to participate in a Covid vaccination campaign being organized by the Merced County Department of Public Health. Mrs. Correa advised of upcoming meetings for the Language Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee. Lastly, Deputy City Clerk Correa advised Council that it had been determined that the Police Records Clerk and Community Services Officer positions would mirror City Hall staff with a 9/80 work schedule to assist with citizen accessibility.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Dunford advised that the next League Central Division dinner was scheduled for March 10 in Turlock. Mr. Dunford provided information on Family Dollar’s recent plan check approval. He advised that Family Dollar was awaiting approval from CalTrans. Council member Brazil inquired whether the City had requirements for a barrier fence for construction sites, and what the status was on lights around Schmidt Park path. City Manager Dunford provided information. Council member Bonta expressed his wish to see road resurfacing in the FY 22/23 budget.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Bonta advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Ford advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Brazil commended the Medeiros family on a successful Motors on Main event. He expressed his opinion of the need for two dedicated employees at Fire Station. Lastly, Mr. Brazil advised that he was looking forward to working with Mr.
Mendez.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy thanked Supervisor Pareira and County CEO Mendez for attending the meeting. He offered welcome sentiments to Mr. Mendez. Mayor Nagy thanked everyone involved in executing the Motors on Main event.
Mayor Nagy advised that the closed session item was being pulled from the agenda.
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION- Title: City Manager.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 8:21 P.M.