MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
October 17, 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 - Mayor Nagy
Staff present: Interim City Manager Melanie Correa, City Attorney Ann Siprelle (virtually), Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Finance Director Jenny Morrison and Public Works Director Gary Ingram.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Nagy asked to take a moment of silence for all individuals involved in the car accident that took place Friday evening and the motorcycle accident involving a Gustine graduate in Mexico on the same day.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Rocha, Gustine resident, relayed frustration from contacts made by the police department for parking his commercial vehicle overnight. He provided his opinion that his parking is not problematic.
Mayor Nagy advised he will have staff look into this.
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 October 3, 2023 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
2. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
3. Treasurer’s Report – September 2023
Recommendation: Review and file
4. Approve Resolution Declaring Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale, Auction or Destruction of Certain City Property
Recommendation: Review and approve
5. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Services for Annual Veteran’s Day Parade
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Interim City Manager Correa advised of an edit on the resolution for consent calendar item #4, removing “Section 34090 of the Government Code of the State of California” and adding “Gustine Municipal Code section 2-6-43.”
Council member Marsigli thanked Interim City Manager Correa for answering her questions prior to the meeting.
Council member Marsigli inquired if Mid-Valley Disposal has charged for tree trimmings in the past, to which Interim City Manager Correa affirmed.
Mayor Nagy inquired on consent calendar item #4, specifically the AR14H Vibratory Tandem Ride-On Roller was the recently acquired Roller, to which Public Works Director Ingram confirmed it is the item we just bought and advised of issues with the starting the product.
Interim City Manager Correa advised the City has identified a buyer that has offered to purchase the item at cost.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
6. Consider Resolution Declaring the City’s Intent to Participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and Authorizing Submittal of Application
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution declaring the City’s intent to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and authorizing submittal of application Interim City Manager Correa presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired who is entitled to buying the insurance, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised staff is working on this and provided history of a constituent that experienced flooding in the beginning of the year and was unable to obtain flood insurance. She also advised she spoke with FEMA who relayed that Merced County does participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and if the constituent’s residence is outside of City limits,they should be eligible to receive the flood insurance. Council member Marsigli inquired why the City needs to participate if there are no flooding issues within the City limits, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised she was waiting for further information from FEMA.
Council member Marsigli inquired how an annexation would impact residents currently within a flood plain area in the County. Interim City Manager Correa advised if the City were to annex into an area that was County floodplain without participating in the National Flood Insurance program, the City would need to apply to be part of the National Flood Insurance Program, to allow for those residents to be eligible to obtain the insurance. She relayed that she was unsure what would happen to existing property owners that have coverage as County residents.
Council member Marsigli inquired where the floodplain is in the City’s sphere of influence, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised it is a small strip along the side of the airport, and that zero structures exist on that portion.
Council member Marsigli revised the question and inquired the sphere of influence outside of the City limits, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised she was unsure how sphere of influence was considered, as opposed to city limits, by FEMA for this process.
Mayor Nagy relayed his concerns with approving this resolution and participating in the National Flood Insurance program.
There was no motion, the item failed due to lack of motion.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez reported on accidents that occurred on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He gave a shout out to the Police department volunteers for their help in searching for a missing woman with Alzheimer’s on Sunday evening.
Janis Peters, Police volunteer, provided additional information in regards to the missing woman on Sunday.
Police Chief Chavez relayed how helpful the volunteers are to the department.
He informed Council that the new department vehicles have been received and are waiting for parts to be received before outfitting takes place.
He also informed Council that a previous Police Reserve, Jarrod Nunes, was appointed to Chief at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Reservation Police Department.
Council member Bonta inquired if the department was aware of October 19th being International Shake-Out Day for earthquake preparedness and asked if anything was being planned in relation to this event, to which Police Chief Chavez advised that School Resource Officer Fuentes may be working on something with the School District.
Public Works Director Ingram advised of the department’s continued work in City parks and the rehabilitation of the Wastewater Treatment facility. He also advised the department will be procuring the compost that is required by SB 1383. He stated the City is only required to procure or buy back 85 tons of compost. He advised of holding free compost give away days to the community or and seeking out industrial farmers that may be interested in the compost.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the compost comes in bag or bulk form, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised it comes in bulk.
Council member Marsigli inquired on seasonal community brush removal, to which Mayor Nagy advised that SB 1383 changes the feasibility of this historical convenience.
He also inquired if Public Works used a chipper to chop trimmings would the City would still have to pay to have it hauled off. Mr. Ingram affirmed, but shared that using a chipper would assist with filling the roll off bins more efficiently which may save on costs for the City.
Public Works Director Ingram advised of the possibility of doing burn piles as well.
Council member Marsigli relayed positive feedback from a resident in regards to Maintenance Worker Jon Bishop.
Council member Giles inquired if the City could buy back the compost and deliver it in bulk to a third party, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised all that is required is the ability to track where the compost goes for annual reporting.
Finance Director Morrison advised she has signed an agreement to extend the LowIncome Housing Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) expiration date from March 31, 2024 to May 31, 2024 for City residents needing assistance with their utility bills.
Recreation Manager Vitorino advised of the need for trunk volunteers and candy donations for the Halloween Trunk or Treat event. She also advised candy donations could be delivered to the Police Department. She informed Council the Chamber of Commerce’s Old-Fashioned Christmas event will take place on November 25th and will come to Council next meeting for approval to use City streets and services.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the fire truck rides will be coming back, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino answered no and advised she is working on a train ride.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the picnic tables are in, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino affirmed and advised they are at Public Works.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Correa advised the Merced County Elections Office final public comment period is open for the Amended Election Administration Plan and stated public comment is open until October 24th. She also reminded Council of two Special Council meetings next week to convene in closed session for the City Manager interviews.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli advised of her attendance at the High School science wing ribbon cutting ceremony. She reminded Council the Gustine Historical Society Annual Luncheon is October 25th from 11:30AM to 1:30PM at the Goman Center.
Council member Bonta advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Giles advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy advised of the Chamber of Commerce’s Boots and Skirts event taking place on Saturday. He commented on the attendance at the vigil and how endearing it was to see the community come together. He commended the Police Officers and volunteers on their efforts by directing traffic and closing intersections. He thanked Craig Christenson for putting the flags out on Sunday to honor the Leyva and Rodriguez families. He asked the community to come out and support the Gustine High School football team at their game on Friday. He thanked Recreation Manager Vitorino for all her work and for putting together Trunk or Treat. He also thanked the Explorers.
CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:13 P.M.