MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
December 20, 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: Marsigli - Bonta - Ford - Mayor Nagy
Staff present: City Manager Anna Nicholas, City Attorney Ann Siprelle, Public Works Director Jesus Chavez, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Police Lieutenant Samuel Joseph, Project Manager Danny Reed, Fire Chief Pat Borrelli and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
Council member Brazil was absent due to the swearing-in ceremony at Westside Ambulance.
PRESENTATIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
District Supervisor Lloyd Pareira, congratulated Council member Marsigli, Council member Ford and Mayor Nagy on their electoral wins. He expressed honor in administering the Oath of Office.
Craig Christenson, 657 West Avenue Gustine, relayed concerns from his neighbor, regarding the City’s green waste drop-off location closure. He advised the green waste site was locked and his personal key to the facility was no longer allowing him entrance to the facility. He inquired if Mid-Valley Disposal is disallowing green waste, to which Mayor Nagy advised of issues with out-of-towners and businesses excessively dumping.
Mr. Christenson also informed Council of a resident on the Northwest corner of Wallis and Ash, who has multiple conex boxes position with a roof connecting them together.
Mayor Nagy advised he would have the Community Services Officer check it out.
Mr. Christenson inquired additional information on what is being done to follow up on the water meter testing, to which Mayor Nagy provided clarification on the test sample.
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 December 6, 2022 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
2. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Treasurer’s Report
Recommendation: Review and file
4. Approve Resolution Approving Gustine Fire Station Ceiling Retrofit Project and Authorizing the Use of User Utility Tax Funds
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
5. Approve Request to Cancel January 3, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Recommendation: Review and approve
6. Direct Staff to Send Out Warrant Checks Prior to January 17, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
7. Approve Resolution Accepting Soil Removal and Disposal Project as Complete, Directing City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion, and Authorizing Final Payment of Retention Monies
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
8. Approve Resolution Authorizing California Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Program Grant Application
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Ford attested to the sacredness of the UUT Funds.
Council member Marsigli requested to pull consent calendar item #1 for separate consideration.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the consent calendar, excluding consent calendar item #1.
The motion was seconded by Council member Ford and carried 4-0, with Council member Brazil absent.
Mayor Nagy re-introduced consent calendar item #1.
There was no public comment.
Council member Ford made a motion to approve consent calendar item #1.
The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 3-0, with Council member Brazil absent and Council member Marsigli abstaining.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
9. PUBLIC HEARING – Consider Resolution Amending the Health and Safety Element of the Gustine General Plan to Incorporate a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Open the public hearing
3. Receive public comment
4. Close the public hearing
5. Consider a motion to approve resolution
Lieutenant Joseph presented the staff report.
Mayor Nagy opened the public hearing at 6:41 P.M.
There was no public comment.
The public hearing was closed at 6:41 P.M.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the resolution.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0, with Council member Brazil absent.
Lieutenant Joseph left the meeting at 6:42 P.M.
10. PUBLIC HEARING – Consider Adopting an Urgency Ordinance Amending Gustine Municipal Code Section 4-72-040 Relating to Use Permit Requirement to Repair or Rebuild Nonconforming Residential Structures
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Open the public hearing
3. Close the public hearing
4. Consider a motion to approve the urgency ordinance
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
Mayor Nagy opened the public hearing at 6:44 P.M.
Craig Christenson, 657 West Avenue, attested to previously paying $250 and provided his opinion on applicant fees, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt clarified this item relates solely to the use permit process.
The public hearing was closed at 6:46 P.M.
Council member Ford clarified the benefit of this is to develop the damaged properties.
Mayor Nagy attested two legislative bills are working through the system, which would allow at-will residential buildings within community zones, without local control.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the urgency ordinance.
The motion was seconded by Council member Ford and carried 4-0, with Council member Brazil absent.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the success of Christmas in the Park. She thanked the Police Department volunteers and Public Works for their assistance. She also thanked Council for their participation. She updated on the Lion’s Club Toy/Food drive and advised the Club serviced over fifty families.
Fire Chief Borrelli advised the department has been quiet and informed Council of their annual training after the beginning of the year. He commended City staff for chipping in to make this community special. He wished everyone happy holidays.
Public Works Director Chavez updated on the challenge to isolate valves for the Valve Replacement project. He advised staff would continue the work for this project after the New Year. He advised leaf pick-up is ongoing. He informed Council staff has called in a street sweeper to help with leaves on Main Street. He updated on the Wastewater Treatment Plant and advised two aerators have been received. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the Pioneer Park grant implementation deadline has been extended to 2028. She also advised staff is working with Comcast on their City-wide fiber application. She informed Council staff is also working with Unwired on a similar fiber application. She also informed Council that applications have been submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission relating to these projects. She advised a Building License has been issued to Whichcraft Taproom and provided details on their opening. She informed Council that Airport Commissioner Anderson has decided not to elect for reappointment on the Airport Commission. Lastly, she advised that Airport Commissioner Dioszegi has expressed interest in reappointment.
Administrative Services Director Correa informed Council free COVID tests are available from the federal government. She advised of her attendance at the BBK Annual Labor and Employment Law webinar. She reminded Council the last call for RSVP’s to the City’s sister city, Angra de Heroismo Portugal Festa Celebration in June 2023. She informed Council the City/County Relations Dinner, hosted by the City of Gustine is scheduled for January 26th. She advised of open enrollment for the Planning and Airport Commission vacancies.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicholas presented on behalf of Council member Brazil. She shared that he sends his best wishes to Derek Alexander and congratulates the electeds on their electoral wins.
She updated on her attendance at the MCAG TRB and networking meeting with the County CEO. She also advised of her one-on-one meetings with City department heads. She informed Council the City is continuing to work on the Finance Director recruitment.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli expressed her hope that no other City equipment experiences an outage. She advised she will do her best as a Council member.
Council member Bonta wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Council member Ford thanked the community for his re-election. He relayed resident compliments to City Manager Nicholas.
Mayor Nagy reminded everyone of the Sanjoaninas Festa Celebration in 2023. He provided details on the Portuguese Friends Community event, as requested by Chief Chavez. He updated on his attendance at the MCAG Governing Board meeting. He also advised Merced County housed forty-eight families during the Governor’s 100-day challenge period. He informed Council that MCAG approved a resolution to support California Inland Port project, bringing transportation hubs into the valley. He commended all staff on Christmas in the Park.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:07 P.M.