MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
July 18, 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: Giles - Marsigli – Mayor Pro Tem Ford – Mayor Nagy Staff present: City Manager Anna Nicholas, Public Works Director Gary Ingram, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Fire Chief Patrick Borrelli, Finance Director Jenny Morrison, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, City Attorney Ann Siprelle, Police Chief Ruben Chavez and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
Council member Bonta was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 4-0, with Council member Bonta absent.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Mayor Nagy advised of his abstention from both of the minutes from the June 20th meetings due to his absence.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Gustine Aquatic Center Staff Introductions
Tiffany Vitorino, Recreation Manager
Recreation Manager Vitorino provided a brief background and introduced each of the 2023 Lifeguard staff.
2. Gustine Police Explorer Introductions
Ruben Chavez, Police Chief
Police Chief Chavez introduced the Explorers. He provided a brief overview of the Pebble Beach detail.
City Manager Nicholas introduced Public Works Director Gary Ingram and provided a brief background.
Public Works Director Ingram conveyed his excitement.
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?
3. Minutes of the June 20, 2023 Special Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Minutes of the June 20, 2023 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
5. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and approve
6. Treasurer’s Report – June 2023
Recommendation: Review and file
7. Approve Request for Use of Streets and Services for Annual Our Lady of Miracles Celebration
Recommendation: Review and approve
8. Approve Resolution Declaring Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale, Auction or Destruction of Certain City Property
Recommendation: Review and approve
9. Approve Resolution Authorizing the Filing of a Regional Surface Transportation Program Claim for FY 2022/2023
Recommendation: Review and approve
10. Approve Emergency Purchase of Booster Pump and Backflow Device for Schmidt Park Irrigation System
Recommendation: Review and approve
11. Approve Resolution Approving Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Gustine and Gustine Police Officers Association Recommendation: Review and approve amendment, and authorize City Manager to execute agreement
12. Approve Gustine Employee Salary Schedule
Recommendation: Review and approve
13. Approve Resolution Establishing a list of City-Paid Holidays Recommendation: Review and approve
14. Approve Addition of One Full-Time Police Officer to Budgeted Elected Officials and Staff Listing
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
Administrative Services Director Correa advised of a typographical error in the June 20, 2023 Regular meeting minutes adjournment information.
Council member Giles made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0, with Council member Bonta absent and Mayor Nagy abstaining from consent calendar items #3 and #4.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
15. Consider Approval of Expenditure from User Utility Tax Fund for Schmidt Park Pond Aeration
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the expenditure from the User Utility Tax Fund for aeration components at Schmidt Park Pond and authorize City Manager to enter into contract for installation
Recreation Manager Vitorino presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the status of the existing waterfall, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the waterfall is operable, but it is not a recirculating water source and continuous operation is not feasible.
Council member Giles inquired if the levels of water and buildup have been checked, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino affirmed.
Council member Giles inquired if it is a turn-key install, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino affirmed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve the expenditure from the User Utility Tax Fund for aeration components at Schmidt Park Pond and authorize City Manager to enter into contract for installation.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0, with Council member Bonta absent.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Fire Chief Borrelli urged drivers to be safe on the road. He updated on the department’s Family Night at the pool. He advised of the Fire department’s attendance at the Color Run, FFA Tractor Pulls, 4th of July Parade, and the Fireworks show. He also advised of two small fires caused by fireworks. He updated on the department’s Pancake Breakfast and GPS Parades.
Police Chief Chavez commended the Police department for all their hard work during the 4th of July activities. He reported on firework citations and arrests. He updated on the GPS Festa. He advised of the continuing egret issue in Schmidt Park. He updated on Officer Gilstrap’s receipt of the MADD award.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the turnaround on hiring new Police Officers, to which Police Chief Chavez provided details on the hiring process.
Police Chief Chavez presented a slideshow of his visit to Angra do Heroismo.
Recreation Manager Vitorino thanked Public Works and the Police department for helping out with the 4th of July events. She updated on the Color Run and the 4th of July activities. She advised the City received $13,529 in firework donations and stated the City is still receiving donations. She updated on the Aquatics Center Movie Night events. She advised of an Open House at the pool that is scheduled for July 28th. She provided details of the revenue received from the Miss Gustine pageant. She announced the Miss Gustine and Mr. Gustine winners. She informed Council the Miss Gustine and Mr. Gustine participants will be at the next meeting to give their presentations. She thanked Public Works for watering and planting trees in town.
Public Works Director Ingram updated on the service leak repairs throughout the town.
He advised of weed and tree trimming that has been completed due to safety concerns. He also advised Public Works has been working with CalFire’s Mt. Bullion to reduce weed population at the Airport.
Council member Marsigli inquired about two heavily trimmed trees in Henry Miller Park near the gazebo, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the trees were deceased, and were trimmed that way to limit City liability within the City’s budgetary constraints. Mayor Nagy inquired on the fall tree on West and Meredith, to which City Manager Nicholas advised it is not a City tree.
Finance Director Morrison advised that she had nothing to report.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt updated on the Permanent Local Housing funds allocation. She also updated on the broadband funding through USDA. She advised Family Dollar is looking to open by mid-August and would like to hold a job fair as early as this Friday, depending on finalization of the parking lot.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the railroad rail line under the proposed sidewalk, along Hwy 33, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised she would follow-up on this concern.
Administrative Services Director Correa reminded Council of the last call for the City/County Dinner in Dos Palos. She informed Council of the Planning Commission recruitment.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicholas thanked Mayor Nagy and Police Chief Chavez for returning from Portugal. She informed Council Christian Santos, of Congressman Duarte’s office, will be at City Hall tomorrow from 3-5 P.M. holding mobile office. She advised the Merced Bus is providing free rides through September 2023.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Ann Siprelle advised that she had nothing to report.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Giles advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Marsigli thanked the Fire department for all their work they do for the City. She informed Council of people claiming to be taking down the wood telephone poles and installing metal telephone poles.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy expressed his enjoyment of his time in the Azores. He provided additional details from his trip. He presented gifts from Angra do Heroismo. He thanked all City staff and departments for all their hard work.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Nagy advised the closed session was being pulled.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:52 P.M.