MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
September 5, 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 - Bonta - Ford - Mayor Nagy Staff present: Interim City Manager Melanie Correa, City Attorney Ann Siprelle, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Police Chief Ruben Chavez and Administrative Assistant Desirae Porras
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised of his abstention from the Richard A. Ford warrant.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Lanetta Smythe
Lanetta Smythe, Division Director, provided an overview of the Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery services and divisions.
Public Works Director Ingram arrived to the meeting at 6:46 P.M.
Mayor Nagy asked for a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised it would be shared once received.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Pat Rocha, 841 Ash Avenue Gustine, advised she is concerned with the street sweeping process due to the overwhelming amount of vehicles parked in the street. She asked that Council create a plan that specifies the day street sweeping will occur and to also request residents to move their vehicles from the street on that day.
Lloyd Pareira, Merced County District Supervisor, informed Council he was in attendance to check in and answer any questions or address any concerns. He advised of work on Carnation Avenue but did not have an update on that work.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford commented on seeing County Public Works in town painting crosswalks, to which Mr. Pareira advised a Public Works employee reached out to him a month ago and asked for the County’s help with the crosswalks. He mentioned that this was a normal collaborative practice prior to COVID-19.
GUSTINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BUSINESS
2. Gustine Community Foundation Meeting
Refer to separate minutes from the Gustine Community Foundation meeting.
At 7:00 P.M. Mayor Nagy advised that the regular meeting of the Gustine City Council would reconvene.
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 August 15, 2023 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
5. Approve Request from Gustine Traveling Library for Street Closure and Use of City Services for Annual 9/11 Memorial Walk
Recommendation: Review and approve
6. Approve Gustine Airport Capital Improvement Plan Submission Recommendation: Review and approve submission
7. Approve Resolution Designating Voting Delegate for the 2023 Annual League of California Cities Conference Business Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
8. Approve Expenditure Request for Mobile Message Board with Trailer Recommendation: Review and approve
9. Approve Request from Gustine High School for Street Closure and Use of City Services for Annual Homecoming Parade and Night Rally
Recommendation: Review and approve
10. Approve Request for Allowance of Mobile Food Vendors for Annual Kids Fishing Day Event
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification that the BIL Funding would afford $110K per year to offset the listed projects, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the City will receive $110K per year for four years.
Council member Marsigli also inquired if the local funding amounts would need to be included in future budgets, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt affirmed.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether any additional accessories were necessary for the mobile message board, to which Police Chief Chavez advised the items listed on the quote is what is needed.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the wheels will be taken off of the mobile message trailer to deter theft, to which Police Chief Chavez advised if necessary, the department can remove the wheels or install wheel locks. Police Chief Chavez advised the trailer will be relocated a lot depending on events and traffic.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the message board is radar equipped and includes the data storage, to which Police Chief Chavez affirmed.
Mayor Nagy further inquired if the message board has a license plate reader, to which Police Chief Chavez answered no.
Mayor Nagy inquired more information on the mechanics of the message board, to which Police Chief Chavez advised the unit raises by crank.
Mayor Nagy questioned whether 3’X6’ is sufficient size-wise, to which Police Chief Chavez relayed that the vendor informed him the 3’X’6 size will accommodate the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired why the City did not receive a full refund from HD Supply for the returned hand pump, to which Interim City Manager relayed that the City decided to retain the battery, which resulted in a lessened return amount.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired clarification on the hand-held pump listed as part of the warrant list, to which Public Works Director Ingram provided an overview of how the pump is used.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford abstaining from the Richard A. Ford warrant.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
11. Consider Authorizing Submittal of Grant Application for $1.3M Award Appropriation for Broadband Equity and Expansion
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to authorize submittal of an application to USDA ReConnect Program for broadband equity and expansion funding
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the City or Unwired would be required to submit grant reporting, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the City would be the lead reporting agency. Mrs. Westervelt continued that internal discussions are being had on sub recipient agreements and responsibilities.
Council member Marsigli inquired if Comcast was still proposing their project both above and below ground, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised Comcast has advised their project will remain hybrid above and below.
Council member Bonta made a motion to authorize submittal of an application to USDA ReConnect Program for broadband equity and expansion funding.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 5-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised Mid-Valley Disposal will be providing a swap and service special event for damaged refuse carts during the week of September 11th. She updated on Family Dollar/Dollar Tree and advised they are continuing work and have an estimated open date for October. She provided an overview of the Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element Community Workshop and advised the Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element presentation will be heard by the Planning Commission on September 27th. She advised of staffing changes for CSG and informed Council that Tom Navarro is no longer with CSG. She advised of the ribbon cutting for Carlito’s Barbershop. She also advised the True to Self-Barbershop received their license from the City and their intent to not have a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Mayor Nagy inquired if CSG will be adjusting their bill now that we do not have an assigned Planner, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised CSG only charges the City for in-office hours. She pointed out that the Council will see numerous charges in the coming months from CSG for the Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element project.
Interim City Manager Correa presented on behalf of the Finance Department. She advised Finance Director Morrison has been busy getting additional information in regards to the Tesla/PG&E True-Up issue. She advised the City has been able to comb through the contract, and are making sure Tesla notified the City as per the contract and Mrs. Correa advised of internal procedural changes the Finance Department has made to monitor the solar panel collection on a monthly basis.
Council member Marsigli inquired if Tesla will be monitoring the panels, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised Tesla will be monitoring the panels, but as a secondary cautionary move, staff will be monitoring solar outputs by requesting and reviewing monthly reports from PG&E.
Public Works Director Ingram thanked Mr. Pareira and the County for their help in painting crosswalks this past weekend and for helping Public Works fine-tune their sprayers. He advised of work being done at Henry Miller Park and Borrelli Park to keep them updated and maintained. He stated Public Works is ready for event traffic control this weekend. He informed Council he is waiting for one last landscaping estimate for Schmidt Park and once received he will gather all information and bring to Council for comparison. He advised Public Works is still doing research on the street sweeper and stated he will bring all information to Council by next meeting.
Council member Bonta commented on the dry grass at Schmidt Park on the north and west sides and inquired if there was trouble with the valves, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised he was unaware of any valve issues.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford commented on the amount of pressure coming from the new sprinklers, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised of leaks due to the new booster sprinklers but stated the unit is more efficient. He informed Council he is not familiar with recent leaks at Schmidt Park but advised there may be some that occur.
He advised of his goal to move in the direction of automated sprinklers throughout the parks instead of having a Public Works employee manually turn them on and off.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the tulles in the pond, to which Public Works Director Ingram offered to take the tulles out if requested by Council or Interim City Manager Correa. Council member Marsigli commented on the City having to be on top of the tulles because they can get out of control.
Council member Marsigli inquired when the aerator would be in, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the aerator should be received by the end of the month.
Council member Giles inquired on an update on the tree stump survey, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised he has not yet had the chance to complete.
Public Works Director Ingram advised that Grover Landscaping was coming back out late September to finish Henry Miller Park. He stated the next step would be to work on street trees and stumps.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford expressed appreciation for the work and research Public Works Director Ingram and the department has done.
Recreation Manager Vitorino reminded everyone of the Festa this weekend and Rotary Flea Market next weekend. She reiterated that Grover Landscaping is coming back out at the end of the month to finish tree trimming at Henry Miller Park. She informed Council the Aquatics Center season has come to a close. She advised Kid’s Fishing Day is September 30th and thanked Public Works for trimming trees around Schmidt Pond, which helped deter egrets. She also advised the Public Works and Police Departments have done a great job in making sure the dead egrets are picked up. She also advised the Rotary Club has reached out to Recreation to put host a cornhole tournament during the Flea Market on September 17th, and invited participants to register online.
She updated on the Gustine Library and advised there are still issues with the A/C, wall cracks, and termites. She did inform Council that AA meetings are still taking place on Fridays in the facility and that Agape is also continuing their weekly food pantry program. She did inform Council that private party rentals of the facility have been placed on hold until the issues are resolved. Mrs. Vitorino updated on the downtown sound system and explained that speakers were set up to play music, as opposed to broadcasting an announcer, and the City has received recommendation to purchase two additional speakers to allow for this use. She advised the Goman Center microphone is in need of replacement, and that she will be bringing an item to Council for additional direction on the Community Benefit spending plan.
Police Chief Chavez advised of working with Caltrans and Gouveia Engineering to coordinate a traffic detour exercise with the Traffic Ad Hoc Committee and other attendees. He updated on CHP’s recent enforcement within the City. He advised the operation was a great collaborative resource and they are hoping to do it again. He informed Council of a $500 scholarship that was awarded to Caitlyn Gallichio, Police Explorer, and a donation to the Explorer Program in the amount of $7K from their assistance in Pebble Beach. Chief Chavez informed Council the two new Police vehicles will be picked up next week by CSO Gallardo, Reserve Officer Zelvaggio, and Reserve Officer Hollis. He informed Council of the K9 License and Vaccination Clinic taking place on Thursday September 28th at Schmidt Park. He advised Festa preparations are underway and that the volunteers will be posting no parking signs. He also advised he is working with the Department of Transportation to get the encroachment permits completed. He gave a shout out to Officer Trujillo for his Field Training Officer services and his CIT coordinating services.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on the date and time for the K9 Vaccination Clinic, to which Police Chief Chavez advised it is scheduled for September 28th from 4:30 P.M.-6:30 P.M.
Mayor Nagy asked Police Chief Chavez to send his regrets to the OLM Society for not being in attendance this weekend due to his commitment in Washington D.C.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Siprelle advised that she had nothing to report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Correa informed Council that staff had received resignation from Planning Commission Chairperson Mike Gandy. She also updated on a meeting she had recently with a person interested in appointment to the Planning Commission. She commended the Public Works and Police departments for helping a resident who popped their tire on a City storm drain. She advised the Public Works employees provided information to the resident on how to submit a claim and they were on top of getting the hazard fixed the next day. She informed Council that staff is still researching the formation documents on the User Utility Tax Fund relating to a spending plan that may have already been established. She advised the City has extended a conditional offer of employment for the Part-Time Records Clerk position. She updated on the City Manager recruitment with Ralph Anderson and Associates. She advised the recruitment has closed and a total of 17 candidates submitted their resumes. She also advised that Council will review the applications during a closed session item on September 19th.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Giles advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Marsigli hopes for a busy Festa. She also wished Council member Bonta an early Happy Birthday. She advised of a resolution she received from the League of Cities reiterating local control. She provided a copy of the resolution to all Council members and Interim City Manager to look into implementing with the City.
Council member Bonta advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford asked that the City consider changing building requirements in regards to widened sidewalks. He expressed his concerns with the size of the City sidewalks. He advised of his conversation with the General Manager at Central California Irrigation District in regards to the parks being dry, and shared that CCID may be able to assist the City with Schmidt Park irrigation with the use of a turnout. Mayor Pro Tem Form shared that this turnout irrigation option would assist with the City’s SGMA surface water requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Ford expressed frustration with the amount of money being spent on Housing Element Updates in each year considering the City’s other immediate needs.
Mayor Nagy advised that the League of Cities purpose is to promote the retention of local control. He wished everyone a wonderful Festa.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:53 P.M.