MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
May 2, 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, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Fire Chief Pat Borrelli, City Engineer Mario Gouveia, Administrative Assistant Desirae Porras 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
None.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Certificate of Recognition to Filberto Souza
Mayor Nagy presented Mr. Souza with a certificate of recognition. Mr. Souza thanked everyone for their support and promised to continue his hard work.
2. Update from Merced County Association of Governments Stacie Guzman, Executive Director
Stacie Guzman, Executive Director of Merced County Association of Governments, presented an update on Measure V.
Jose Perez, Assistant Transit Manager, provided an overview of the MicroBus.
Council member Bonta inquired on additional advertising for City residents, and help for seniors to access the MicroBus phone app, to which Mr. Perez advised he could bring pamphlets to City Hall, and advised the MicroBus services customers by phone.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the hours, to which Mr. Perez advised the bus is available Monday-Friday from 6AM-8:15PM and from 8AM-6PM on the weekends.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Christian Santos, Field Representative, Congressman Duarte’s office, advised it was a pleasure attending the Motors on Main event. He reminded Council of Congressman Duarte’s Mobile Office on May 16th at City Hall from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. He advised if the City has any lists or maps of properties that could benefit from the Emergency Use Permit due to flooding to send over to him.
Lloyd Pareira, District Supervisor, commented on the Motors on Main event, and advised he is available to assist with any matter relating to the County.
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 April 18, 2023 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and approve
5. Approve Resolution Authorizing the Destruction of Certain City Records Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
6. Approve Resolution Accepting Water Valve and Hydrant Replacement Project as Complete, and Directing City Clerk to File a Notice of Completion Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
7. Approve Resolution of Intent to Levy and Collect Annual Assessment for Citywide Assessment District 95-1; Southport Assessment District; and Borrelli Assessment District and Setting a Public Hearing
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
8. Approve Resolution Terminating the Local Declaration Established in Response to Flood Risk and Damage Resulting from Severe Weather Storms Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
9. Approve Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a New Mower and Approving a FY 22-23 Budget Amendment in Fund 043 (ARPA)
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the Foster Farms warrant, to which Mayor Nagy advised the vendor should be Foster Pump.
Council member Marsigli inquired on item #7, in regards to the entire city being in the Citywide Assessment District, to which Mayor Nagy confirmed, and shared the other two assessment districts are in addition to the citywide assessment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on item #9, in regards to the mulching attachment, to which Mayor Nagy advised it could be taken on or off.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the old mower could be traded in through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Board, to which City Manager Nicholas advised she would ask Public Works Supervisor Castro if this was a possibility.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
10. Consider Approval of Sole Source Procurement of Municipal Lagoon Microbe Treatment for Wastewater Treatment Plant
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the sole source procurement of Municipal Lagoon Microbe Treatment from AquaNatural Solutions
City Manager Nicholas presented the staff report.
Bryan Griggs, AquaNatural Solutions, provided background on the company and their product.
Council member Bonta inquired if the microbes continue to grow or do you have to continue to inject them, to which Mr. Griggs advised over time they will need to periodically be injected.
Council member Bonta inquired on how the product reacts to detergent and additional chemicals, to which Mr. Griggs advised those chemicals would slow growth but will not dissolve the microbes.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the microbes affect wildlife, to which Mr. Griggs confirmed they do not impact wildlife.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on copies of the research studies on the product, to which Mr. Griggs advised he could make them available.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if they have clients in the surrounding area, to which Mr.
Griggs advised they do have municipal clients throughout the valley.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on how the City was referred to AquaNatural Solutions, to which City Manager Nicholas advised they were referred by Public Works personnel.
City Manager Nicholas inquired on which surrounding cities AquaNatural Solutions has worked with, to which Mr. Griggs advised they have worked with City of Mendota and many Bay Area cities.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the breakdown process, to which Mr. Griggs explained the process.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the thickness of the existing sludge at the City’s wastewater treatment plant, to which Mr. Griggs advised the sledge is around 8 ft. deep.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if City Engineer Gouveia has worked with AquaNatural Solutions, to which Mr. Gouveia affirmed.
There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the sole source procurement of Municipal Lagoon Microbe Treatment from AquaNatural Solutions.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 4-0.
11. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Community Contribution Payment Expenditures
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Hold discussion and provide staff with direction
Recreation Manager Vitorino presented the staff report.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the audio system could be enabled with a bluetooth connection, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the City would need to verify with the City’s I.T. company to ensure existing wifi would stretch to the 4th Ave and 5th Street intersection.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the 4th of July deficits, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino elaborated as per the staff report.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the yearly contributions from Engie, to which City Manager Nicholas advised after looking into it the City was supposed to receive $6k a year for 3 years. She further stated that the City has received $12k out of $18k and the City will be contacting Engie to reconcile those funds.
Council directed staff to move forward with the downtown audio system and to bring the current year fireworks revenue and expenditures to the first City Council meeting in August for review. They also directed staff to bring additional information on new picnic tables at that meeting as well.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on Paint Night. She advised there are only two contestants for Miss Gustine and stated the Pageant Committee was still interested in holding the pageant. She advised of her attendance at the GES Health Fair. She informed Council she is working on scheduling the OLM Festa special event-planning meeting. She commented on the success of Motors on Main and thanked Bernie Medeiros for bringing business into town.
Police Chief Chavez commended the Motors on Main event. He advised of the annual Gustine Police Department training occurring on Thursday. He informed Council the Police Department had 15 students sign up for the Explorer program. He advised of his meeting with RAN Board and informed Council of the new Mobile ID machine. He informed Council that Community Services Officer Gallardo is in the process of sending out weed abatement letters.
Fire Chief Borrelli advised of meeting with Police Chief Chavez in regards to weed abatement. He advised a new Gustine firehouse Engineer, Jared Markle. He reminded Council Fill the Boot event will be Saturday May 27th.
Finance Director Morrison advised she had nothing to report.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt updated on the scope of work change approval from State of California. She informed Council that Caltrans has requested that the Airport “notice to air men (NOTAM)” advised there is no night landing due to the issue with the runway lights. She advised the runway light project is scheduled for after the runway rehabilitation project. She updated on the reopening of L&E Café.
Council member Bonta inquired on the flooding situation at the Airport, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised to her knowledge there has not been any flooding. She advised City Engineer Gouveia and Public Works have been working hard to get the pumps in working condition. She also advised Mr.
Gouveia will be attending the next Airport Commission Meeting to provide an update on drainage.
Administrative Services Director Correa informed Council of the LAFCO Public Member Alternate vacancy, and that the deadline to apply is May 10th. She advised of the open recruitments for Lifeguard, Public Works Director and Council member vacancy.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicholas updated on Congressman Duarte’s mobile office at City Hall on May 16th. She informed Council of the City of Gustine’s first edition of City Snippets. She thanked Bernie Medeiros for allowing her to be a car show judge at the Motors on Main event.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Siprelle advised that she had nothing to report.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli inquired if there are additional fees to pay City utility bills online, to which Mayor Nagy answered no. She echoed appreciation to Ms. Medeiros for the Motors on Main event. She inquired on the ribbon cutting for mobile businesses, to which Judi Gandy, of the Gustine Chamber of Commerce, advised that the ribbon cutting for mobile businesses were intended to peak interest for other mobile and homebased businesses to become a Chamber member.
Council member Marsigli wished the May Day Fair participants good luck.
Council member Bonta advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised of his attendance at the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District City Wide Special Selection Committee meeting. He also advised of his role as a judge at the Motors on Main event. He commented on the City Snippets newsletter.
Mayor Nagy advised of his attendance at the San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Committee workshop Monday – Wednesday last week. He updated on his attendance at the RAN Board meeting. He congratulated Filberto Souza on the Certificate of Recognition. He provided an overview of the money Mr. Souza has raised for our SisterCity, Angra do Heroismo. He commended staff on the newsletter. He commented on how well Motors on Main turned out and the amount of out of town residents talking about the event. He thanked the two Orestimba High School students for attending the meeting.
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. Agency Negotiator: City Manager: Employee Organization: City of Gustine Public Works Association.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. Agency Negotiator: City Manager: Employee Organization: City of Gustine Clerks Association.
3. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. Agency Negotiator: City Manager: Employee Organization: City of Gustine Police Officers Association.
After returning to open session, it was reported that there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 10:16 P.M.