MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
October 18, 2022
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M. and conducted the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Council Members: Bonta - Ford - Alexander - Mayor Nagy
Staff present: Interim City Manager Brad Kilger, Attorney Associate Anne Branham, Public Works Director Jesus Chavez, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Code Enforcement Officer Jose Gallardo, City Engineer Mario Gouveia, Fire Chief Pat Borrelli and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
Council member Brazil was absent.
PRESENTATIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Pat Rocha, 841 Ash Avenue, inquired on street sweeping and complained of the inconsistency of sweeping, to which Mayor Nagy advised the City was in process of securing a street sweeper, and that once secured the schedule will be shared with the residents.
Ms. Rocha also stated the Tennis Club would like to contribute towards a table or other seating options outside of the tennis courts.
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?
1. Minutes of the September 28, 2022 Special Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
2. Minutes of the October 3, 2022 Special Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and file
4. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Allowance of Mobile Food Vendors for Annual Christmas in the Park Event
Recommendation: Review and approve
5. Authorize Interim City Manager to Execute Agreement with Merced County for Additional Repairs to Carnation Road
Recommendation: Review and authorize
6. Ratify Expenditure for Emergency Repairs at North Avenue Sanitary Sewer Lift Station
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and carried 4-0, with Council member Brazil absent.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
7. Consider Authorizing Interim City Manager to Enter into Service Agreement with Gustine Chamber of Commerce to Utilize City Recreation Software
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to enter into service agreement with Chamber of Commerce to utilize City’s recreation software program
Administrative Services Director Correa advised staff would like to pull administrative agenda item #7.
Interim City Manager Kilger advised staff needs to review this item with the City Attorney prior to presenting to Council.
8. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element Participation
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Hold discussion and provide direction
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta inquired if a grant is obtained, would it backfill any monies expended, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt affirmed.
Council member Ford inquired on the cost of the last housing element update, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised she did not have that information, but would report back.
Council directed Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt to proceed with participating in the Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element.
9. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Proposed Amendment to Merced County Association of Governments Joint Powers Agreement
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Hold discussion and provide direction
Interim City Manager Kilger presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Nagy provided additional background, as the City’s representative on the Merced County Association of Governments Governing Board.
There was further discussion in regards to the Joint Powers Agreement.
Council consensus was for Mayor Nagy to concur with the cities’ request for additional time to discuss the issues raised in the September 22, 2022 memorandum to the Merced County Association of Governments Governing Board regarding the proposed 3rd amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement, provided it was completed with all due haste.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Fire Chief Borrelli updated on his attendance on behalf of the department at the Livingston 100-year Sweet Potato Festival. He advised of a recent fire and home invasion outside of city limits.
Police Chief Chavez advised the department was awarded a COPS grant for $335k. He informed Council the award was for a clinician for the City for the next three years.
Community Services Officer (CSO) Gallardo provided information in regards to the upcoming animal licensing and vaccine clinic. He advised the department is starting from scratch on licensing records.
Mayor Nagy inquired on a multi-year license, to which Police Chief Chavez advised the code already allows a 3-year license for altered animals.
Police Chief Chavez thanked Dana Debeaumont, of Capital Advocacy Partners, for their dedication to the City and success at obtaining grant funding.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander reported excessive cats on Main Street, to which Police Chief Chavez advised CSO Gallardo would look into it.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the completion of the Goman Center exterior painting. She advised the City is now waiting for Paul’s Glass for the window and door replacement.
She also advised she is working with the Chamber of Commerce, Florie Nunes of the Chamber of Commerce, and Public Works on Christmas Tree setup and decorations.
She informed Council of an upcoming Adult Halloween Softball tournament, and provided additional details on the Halloween Trunk or Treat event.
She advised the City is working on seating options for the tennis courts, and she updated on the current donation amount for Wreaths Across America.
Mayor Nagy complimented the Goman Center and inquired on updated photos, to which Recreation Manager advised updated photos will be posted once the window and door is replaced and landscaping is completed.
Public Works Director Chavez updated on PG&E sinkhole on Linden Avenue.
He advised of preparations for the 2022 Fly-In event, and informed Council the lead and copper water testing program results had been received.
He advised the results are well below and within the state’s threshold.
He informed Council the vector truck is in the repair shop.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt updated on her work with the REAP work group and advised a consultant should be chosen by next week to conduct the Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element.
She also informed Council of her work with the Capital Advocacy Partners in reviewing grant opportunities.
She updated Council on the opening of Sovanna’s Donuts, which will occur in November.
She advised that Whichcraft Taproom is continuing to move forward and are awaiting approval from the Environmental Health department.
She reminded Council of the 2022 Fly-In event taking place on Saturday.
Administrative Services Director, on behalf of the Finance Department, advised the Financial Project Consultant will be in-office on Thursday to work on the State’s Annual Street report and the Measure V audit.
She also advised the FY 21/22 audit is pushing forward.
She informed Council staff is continuing to pursue past due accounts.
Administrative Services Director Correa informed Council of an invitation to the Post Master Installation on October 28th at 1:30 P.M.
She thanked Recreation Manager Vitorino and Administrative Assistant Porras for their assistance with the Employee Appreciation Luncheon. She also thanked everyone who attended the training and Employee Appreciation Luncheon.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Kilger informed Council of the SB1383 waiver study session on October 25th at 6 P.M. He advised the street sweeping item will be on the November 1st or November 15th agenda to present alternatives for permanent street sweeping.
City Attorney Associate Branham informed Council of changes to the Levine Act SB1349, which now includes Council members and will go into effect in January.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Bonta advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Ford advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander updated on his attendance at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. He expressed his concerns with reported adverse actions toward the Whichcraft Taproom.
Mayor Nagy updated on his attendance at the Chamber of Commerce Boot and Skirts event. He thanked staff for the Employee Appreciation Luncheon.
CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT. Position: City Manager
After returning to open session, it was reported that there was no reportable action from closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 8:22 P.M.