MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
November 1, 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 - Ford - 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, City Engineer Mario Gouveia, Fire Chief Pat Borrelli and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
PRESENTATIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
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 October 4, 2022 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
2. Minutes of the October 12, 2022 Special Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Minutes of the October 18, 2022 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Minutes of the October 25, 2022 Special Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
5. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and file
6. Treasurer’s Report – September 2022
Recommendation: Review and file
7. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Services for Annual Veteran’s Day Parade
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta inquired on warrant list project “none”, to which Administrative Services Director Correa advised it is the total amount of all warrants not associated with a project.
Council member Brazil advised of his abstention from consent calendar item #3 due to his absence at that meeting.
Mayor Nagy and Mayor Pro Tem Alexander recused themselves from the warrants paid to them from the City.
Council member Brazil made a motion to approve the consent calendar items 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 5-0, with Council member Alexander abstaining from the warrant in his name, and Mayor Nagy abstaining from the warrant in his name.
Mayor Nagy re-introduced consent calendar item #3.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander made a motion to approve consent calendar item #3.
The motion was seconded by Council member Ford and carried 4-0, with Council member Brazil abstaining.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
8. Consider Resolution Approving Employment Agreement for City Manager Services and Authorizing Mayor’s Execution of Agreement
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the resolution
Administrative Services Director Correa presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the resolution.
The motion was seconded by Council member Ford and carried 5-0.
Anna Nicholas expressed excitement and her gratitude for the opportunity to work with staff, Council, and the community.
9. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: City Street Sweeping Service
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Hold discussion and provide staff with direction on preferred street sweeping option
Interim City Manager Kilger presented the staff report.
Public Works Director Chavez elaborated on advantages of owning a street sweeper.
Interim City Manager Kilger informed Council of lease-purchase payment options.
There was no public comment.
Council member Brazil inquired on purchasing without financing, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised the price to purchase direct is $223,416.86.
Interim City Manager Kilger advised the City did not look into purchasing with a loan because of the high interest rates.
Council member Brazil inquired on the total weekly hours the street sweeper will be in use, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised he will be doing a trial run to see how long it takes to do half the City.
Interim City Manager Kilger inquired on route and frequency, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised the City streets would be swept twice a month.
Interim City Manager Kilger explained the frequency quote provided is based on current community expectation.
Council member Brazil suggested increasing staff to have sweeper operational when needed.
Council member Ford inquired how familiar Public Works Director Chavez is with the street sweeper, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised the street sweeper is comparable to what the City has been using with the contracted sweeper.
Council member Ford suggested the City fund the street sweeper and an additional Public Works employee by charging a fee to residents and businesses, to which Interim City Manager Kilger advised the City would have to go through the Proposition 218 process.
Council member Brazil advised San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District may have monies available for the sweeper depending on the engine type.
The Council directed staff to proceed with bringing back the item to lease-purchase a sweeper.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Fire Chief Borrelli advised that he had nothing to report.
Public Works Director Chavez updated on the Fire Hydrant and Valve Replacement project. He advised staff is cleaning lines on 6th Street due to sewer issues. He provided an update on Well #7 and advised Well #6 is not operational at the moment.
Council member Brazil inquired on over seeding in the parks, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised staff is still working on scheduling over seeding.
Council member Bonta informed Public Works Director Chavez of running water on the east side of Schmidt Park, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised it is the result of recent well testing, and slight positive bac-t results.
Council member Bonta inquired on gopher abatement at Schmidt Park, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised pest control comes out monthly.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt thanked Council, Airport Commission, Recreation Manager Vitorino and Public Works for their assistance with the 2022 Fly-In event. She informed Council of the Merced County Broadband initiative. She updated on the Comcast Fiber project. She advised staff is following up on solid waste ordinance amendments. She also advised of a Clean California program.
Council member Ford inquired on Pioneer Park, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the engineer is working on the final plans and stated Request for Proposals are scheduled for release next month.
Interim City Manager Kilger advised of his meeting with the engineer and stated the Request for Proposals for Pioneer Park have been rescheduled to the first of the year.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander inquired on the status of Whichcraft Taproom, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised they are working on Merced County’s Environmental Health list of items required prior to opening.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on Trunk or Treat. She thanked the trunks, Public Works, volunteers, and Gustine High School Interact Club. She advised the Goman Center front door and windows project has been pushed back to mid-November. She also advised once the doors and windows were completed she would reach out to Westside Garden Club to landscape the front planter areas. She informed Council of the Gustine Historical Society beautification project. She advised the City is tightening up on the rules and regulations for facility rentals in the parks. She updated on the first annual Halloween Softball Tournament. She also advised that staff would be bringing a discussion and direction item to Council at a future meeting to discuss options for the pool.
Council member Bonta inquired on the Museum Window Replacement project, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the work was beginning today.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander inquired on whether roof repairs were necessary at the museum, to which Public Works Director Chavez advised after investigating, the leak is from the buildings A/C unit.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander inquired on the use of the horseshoe court at Schmidt Park, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised she does not see that area used for its intended purpose. Mayor Pro Tem Alexander suggested a dog park at that location.
Administrative Services Director, on behalf of the Finance Department, advised the FY 21/22 audit is pushing forward.
She informed Council all requested reports have been provided to the State for the Annual Street Report.
Administrative Services Director Correa also advised the City hosted the President and Vice-President from Sister-City Angra De Heroismo today. She updated on her attendance at the Risk Management Agency meeting on behalf of the City. She advised of finance vacancies across the valley. She commended the Recreation Department and community for a successful Trunk or Treat.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Kilger updated on the status of the Katakis Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map amendment application. He advised of a possible special Planning Commission meeting on November 30th. He also advised all details and information will be available to the new City Manager. He updated on the Rasmussen Vesting Tentative Subdivision Maps and advised the process is moving forward.
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 acknowledged the new City Manager.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy welcomed the new City Manager. He thanked staff for all of their hard work. He suggested starting a Student Exchange program. He also suggested looking into creating a Foundation to manage Sister-City visits and correspondences.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting in memory of Gustine Rotarian Bill Nunes at 7:31 P.M.