MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
April 4, 2023
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 – Mayor Pro Tem Ford - Mayor Nagy Staff present: City Manager Anna Nicholas, City Attorney Ann Siprelle, Finance Director Jennifer Morrison, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Fire Chief Pat Borrelli, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Castro, Lieutenant Sammy Joseph, Reserve Officer Luciano Zelvaggio, and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the agenda as published.
The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 4-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised of his abstention from the Dick Ford’s Tractor Repair warrant.
PRESENTATIONS
1. New Employee Introduction
Jeremy Cardona, Part-Time Maintenance Worker
Jeremy Tate, Part-Time Maintenance Worker (temporary assignment) Public Works Supervisor Castro introduced Jeremy Cardona. He advised Jeremy Tate was unable to attend due to his other job.
Council welcomed Jeremy Cardona.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Refugio Llamas, Merced County Veterans Services, invited council to the Merced County Veteran Stand Down event. He provided background on the meaning of a military “stand down”.
Administrative Services Director Correa read aloud a public comment received prior to the meeting by email. She read that Ricky Santiago, FEMA Voluntary Assistance Liaison, wanted to introduce himself and FEMA’s push to assist those individuals impacted by the severe weather earlier in the year. FEMA was particularly interested in connecting with individuals whose damages were not covered by insurance or FEMA assistance.
The email concluded with an invitation to contact Melanie Correa if anyone would like his contact information.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised of a resident who would be a good candidate for this program. Administrative Services Director Correa advised she would email the contact information to Mayor Pro Tem Ford.
Craig Christenson inquired if the Urgent Care is open, to which Mayor Nagy affirmed and advised the Urgent Care just recently purchased RAN Health as well. Mr.
Christensen reported overgrown weeds at the entrance to the Urgency Care.
Mr. Christenson further inquired if the City is following up with the tear down of a home without a permit and the asbestos abatement, to which City Manager Nicholas advised staff would look into the matter.
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 March 21, 2023 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Approve Resolution Approving and Authorizing Execution of Lease of Real Property for Agricultural Farming Purposes
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
5. Approve Resolution Directing the Filing of Annual Reports for the City’s Assessment Districts
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
6. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Services, and Allowance of Mobile Food Vendors for Annual Color Run/Walk 5K Event
Recommendation: Review and approve request
7. Approve Resolution Approving and Authorizing Execution of Contract with Gustine Unified School District for Campus Police Services Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli provided her opinion in keeping sales tax local when purchasing tires.
Council member Marsigli advised the month to month option on consent calendar item #7 is less than the lease amount, to which City Manager Nicholas advised that the amount was left over from prior agreement. She also advised it is only applicable when the lease expires.
Council member Marsigli advised Borrelli is misspelled on the staff report and resolution for consent calendar item #5.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the SRO salary includes benefit contributions, to which City Manager Nicholas advised the amount listed in the contract is base salary only.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the City still has a COPS Grant, to which Police Chief Chavez affirmed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if the lease on consent calendar item #4 is a re-write with a 5% increase each year, to which City Manager Nicholas confirmed and advised that the original contract expired in 2021, and that in 2022 a one-year extension was granted verbally.
Council member Marsigli advised to amend end of lease month to month from $2,000/month to $2,400/month.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to amend and approve the consent calendar as amended.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford abstaining on warrant to Dick Ford’s Tractor Repair.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
8. Consider Authorizing City Manager to Execute Letter of Support for AB1708
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to authorize the City Manager (or designee) to execute a letter of support for AB1708 (Muratsuchi)
City Manager Nicholas presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta made a motion to authorize the City Manager (or designee) to execute a letter of support for AB1708 (Muratsuchi).
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mario Gouveia, Gouveia Engineering, advised the Fire Hydrant and Valve Replacement project has been completed and stated it came in within budget, although he advised there had been some changes to the original project scope because of not being able to isolate several valves.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if his office was updating the Storm Drain Master Plan, to which Mr. Gouveia advised it is something they are working on.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the percentage of cast-iron lines exsiting in town, to which Mr.
Gouveia advised that it was unknown.
Finance Director Morrison advised she had nothing to report.
Police Chief Chavez updated on a call for shots fired and advised the department is still working through the investigation. He advised of his attendance at local school Career Day events and thanked Reserve Officer Zelvaggio for attending as an owner of a construction company. He updated on GHS’s Every 15 Minutes event and advised there was a lot of assistance from many department members. He distributed Mother’s Day patches to Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if DNA can be obtained on casings, to which Police Chief Chavez answered yes, as is customary in murder investigations. Police Chief Chavez advised the issue posed by weather on the day of the shooting.
Lt. Joseph and Reserve Officer Zelvaggio exited the meeting at 7:07 P.M.
Fire Chief Borrelli updated on his attendance at the Career Day events. He also reported on the Every 15 Minutes event and gave kudos to the High School. Chief Borrelli thanked the department for their help. He advised of the NDA Fill the Boot fundraiser event on May 27th from 9AM – 1PM. He also advised the newest engine is going for pump testing next week.
Public Works Supervisor Castro advised the department is trying to mow the parks as quickly as possible. He advised the department is installing bark in play areas around town, and updated on well #6 advising it is back online and well #7 is getting a filter installed. He updated that the drainage pumps at the airport were all in working condition. He advised the department is maintaining the Schmidt Park pathway and has been removing broken limbs in city parks. He updated on the new dump truck and thanked Mr. Christenson for locating the truck.
Council member Bonta inquired if FEMA can assist with the runway damage from flooding, to which City Manager Nicholas affirmed the City is working with FEMA on actual expenses incurred from the severe weather.
Council member Bonta reported that several city trees on the corner of Laurel and Hwy 33 had been trimmed excessively.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the egrets, to which Public Works Supervisor Castro provided information on the department’s deterrent efforts thus far.
City Manager Nicholas presented on behalf of Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt. She updated that 209’s Finest Barber passed inspection and is ready to open.
Administrative Services Director Correa advised of her recent meeting with FEMA relating to individual assistance. She advised of her attendance on a webinar hosted by Best, Best & Krieger of eDiscovery as it relates to the Public Records Act. She warned everyone to be mindful of city business conducted via personal devices, which is all applicable to the public records act. Mrs. Correa advised of the open recruitments for Lifeguard and Public Works Director.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicholas advised of her attendance at the CSJVRMA Board meeting and advised it was reviewed that costs all around were increasing. She reported that estimated premium increases were up 20% due to increased claims and increased liability. She thanked Craig Christenson for locating the dump truck. She also gave kudos to staff for attending the Career Day events, and wished everyone a Happy Easter.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Siprelle advised that she had nothing to report.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli advised she watched the Every 15 Minutes program and stated she was impressed with the coordination of efforts. She reminded Council of Motors on Main event on April 29th.
Council member Bonta advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy advised of the many agencies that contributed to the Every 15 Minutes event. He also advised of his attendance at Valley Voice in Sacramento and stated the platform was mainly transportation. He thanked Christian from the Congressman’s office for attending.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:21 P.M.