MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
October 4, 2022
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. and conducted the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Council Members: Bonta - Brazil - Alexander - Mayor Nagy Staff present: Interim City Manager Brad Kilger, City Attorney Ann Siprelle, Public Works Director Jesus Chavez, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Project Manager Danny Reed, City Engineer Mario Gouveia and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
Council member Ford was absent.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Wreaths Across America
Roselee Hurst, Local Coordinator, Hills Ferry Cemetery presented information on the Wreaths Across America event and distributed flyers to Council.
2. Capital Improvement Projects Update
Danny Reed presented an update on the City’s Capital Improvement projects.
Council member Bonta inquired on impacts to parking on 4th Avenue, and repaving the road, to which Mr. Reed advised that a portion of 4th Avenue that will be paved as part of the 4th Ave/5th Street roundabout project.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Craig Christenson commended the City’s recent Kids Fishing Day event.
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?
3. Minutes of the September 20, 2022 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Minutes of the September 20, 2022 Special Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
5. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and approve
6. Approve Resolution Declaring Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale, Auction or Destruction of Certain City Records/Property
Recommendation: Review and approve
7. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Allowance of Mobile Food Vendors for Annual Motors on Main Event
Recommendation: Review and approve
8. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Services for Chamber of Commerce Olde Fashioned Christmas Events
Recommendation: Review and approve
9. Authorize Interim City Manager to Enter into Contract for Police Communications Antenna, and Authorize the Reallocation of funds
Recommendation: Review and authorize
10. Approve Resolution Approving Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Gustine and Gustine Public Works Association Recommendation: Review and approve
11. Approve Gustine Employee Salary Schedule
Recommendation: Review and approve
Administrative Services Director Correa advised that the motion listed on consent calendar item #10 has a typographical error, and should state Gustine Public Works Association, instead of Gustine Clerks Association.
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
Council member Brazil inquired on consent calendar item #11, to which Administrative Services Director Correa advised she would look into adding the Fire Chief’s salary range to the schedule.
Council member Brazil made a motion to approve the consent calendar with the amendments.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and carried 4-0, with Council member Ford absent.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
12. Consider Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Water Valve and Fire Hydrant Replacement Project and Authorizing Interim City Manager to Enter into Contract
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the resolution
City Engineer Gouveia presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Brazil inquired whether any of the bidders were based locally, to which Mr. Gouveia advised all local contractors were informed of the project.
Council member Brazil inquired on the timeline of the project, to which Mr. Gouveia advised approximately 30 working days.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the City is eligible to use the UUT funds, to which Interim City Manager Kilger advised of the recommendation to keep funding sources as stated, which also aligned with the City’s adopted budget.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the resolution.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and carried 4-0, with Council member Ford absent.
13. Consider Authorizing Interim City Manager to Enter into Contract with Merced County Roads Division for Repairs to Carnation Road
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to enter into contract with Merced County for repairs to Carnation Road
Public Works Director Chavez presented the staff report.
During public comment, Craig Christenson voiced his favorable opinion of the project.
There was some discussion in regards to the location of the repaving, during which Council requested that staff reach out to the County for pricing to repave the entirety of the City’s portion of the road.
Council member Brazil made a motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to enter into contract with Merced County for repairs to Carnation Road.
The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 4-0, with Council member Ford absent.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez applauded the Explorers for their hard work at Pebble Beach.
He updated on the Portuguese Presidential visit.
He commended Officer Trujillo and Police Records Clerk Canals for their hard work and commitment in a recent case. He informed Council of the upcoming animal Vaccination Clinic on November 9th at 4 P.M.
He provided information on the new Pink Project patches being sold at the police department to benefit breast cancer awareness.
Public Works Director Chavez informed Council Tribute Tree planting is underway.
He also informed Council of the Schmidt Park path repaving/striping that will take place starting Thursday.
He updated on the water main repair at Edith and Sherwood Drives, and on the installation of a temporary pump at the North Avenue lift station.
He informed Council that staff is waiting for parts for the SCADA system upgrade.
Council member Brazil inquired on reseeding at the City Parks, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised he is looking to rent an aerator.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the City is working with Flavor Farms to make sure they continue to move forward to opening.
She provided an update on Family Dollar and advised the store should be done by November. She informed Council of a donut shop at 403 3rd Avenue that should be opening in November as well.
She advised the 2022 Fly-In event is still in need of sponsors.
Council member Brazil inquired on the status of Whichcraft Taproom, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the business should be opening by the end of the month.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the success of Kid’s Fishing Day.
She advised the City is seeking food vendors for the 2022 Fly-In event.
She informed Council of the Halloween Trunk or Treat theme which is “Hollywood”, and advised she is still in need of trunks to participate.
She updated on the Goman exterior painting project, and informed Council of recently installed signage in Schmidt Park prohibiting vehicles inside the park.
She also informed Council of an upcoming visit with NAS and Lincoln Aquatics to go over pool infrastructure and repairs before the next pool season.
On behalf of the Finance Department, Administrative Services Director Correa informed Council of the audit meeting scheduled for tomorrow. She advised the City is still seeking a Finance Director.
Administrative Services Director Correa also informed Council the new Postmaster is being sworn in on October 28th at 1:30 P.M.
She advised a ballot box was being delivered to City Hall on Friday.
She relayed information in regards to Central Valley Chemical Day, which is taking place on November 3rd at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds.
Lastly, she reminded Council of the mandatory training and Employee Appreciation Luncheon on October 6th at the Goman Center.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Kilger informed Council the City received approval from CalRecycle on the SB1383 waiver. He advised this is good news but also challenging as the City has almost fully implemented SB1383 as the City Council will need to decide how they wish to implement the waiver. Therefore, staff has decided to delay the proposed Council solid waste program study session special meeting date to the last Tuesday of the month, October 25th.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Bonta advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Brazil commented on the cardboard bins that were removed from the community, and relayed remarks from community members who utilized the bins.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander remarked on the good publicity for Gustine resulting from the Portuguese Presidential visit.
Mayor Nagy commended Police Chief Chavez for the coordination of the Portuguese Presidential visit. He gave kudos to Gustine Pentecost Society for coordinating the event as well.
He reminded everyone of the Boots and Skirts event on Saturday, hosted by the Gustine Chamber of Commerce. He inquired on the status of the museum window project, to which Interim City Manager Kilger advised it is making progress.
Mayor Nagy commended on the Wreaths Across America event.
He relayed his concerns with the soccer field fencing and field maintenance, to which Interim City Manager Kilger advised the City does not have the funds for fencing and maintenance. Interim City Manager Kilger suggested adding it to the Capital Improvements Plan.
He commended Police Chief Chavez on the Explorer program.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the Schneider water meter testing, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised Schneider has not responded back with the outcome but he will reach out to them for an update.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the meter transponders, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised around 30 transponders have gone out for warranty repair.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy wished wellness to Council member Ford and adjourned the meeting at 7:37 P.M.