MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
November 7, 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 (virtually), Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Finance Director Jenny Morrison, Fire Chief Pat Borrelli and Public Works Director Gary Ingram.
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
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Sister-City Delegation – Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, Portugal Vice Mayor Guido Telles
Council member Paulo Lima
Mayor Nagy introduced Vice Mayor Guido Telles and Council member Paulo Lima.
Christian Santos, on behalf of Congressman John Duarte, presented certificates to the delegates.
Justin Farkus, on behalf of Senator Caballero and Assemblyman Juan Alanis, also presented the delegates with certificates.
Fire Chief Borrelli and CalFire Captain Adam Kernaghan welcomed the delegation and presented them with patches from Gustine Fire and CalFire.
Merced County Executive Officer, Raul Lomeli Mendez welcomed the delegation and relayed his honor to present them with certificates on behalf of Merced County.
Mayor Nagy presented Mr. Telles and Mr. Lima with gifts from the City and thanked them for visiting Gustine and for the hospitality they exhibited when Mayor Nagy visited the Azores.
Mr. Telles and Mr. Lima also presented gifts to Mayor Nagy and thanked the City for having them and advised of how memorable this visit was.
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to recess at 6:44 P.M. for a short reception.
Mayor Nagy called the meeting back to order at 6:56 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Christan Santos, on behalf of Congressman John Duarte, complimented the Gustine Historical Society Luncheon. He welcomed Gustine’s Sister-City delegates. He updated on a bipartisan effort led by Congressman Duarte and Congressman Costa relating to newly imposed retaliatory tariffs placed on almonds, and impacting central valley growers. He asked to take a moment to personally reflect on Mike Gandy. He expressed the pleasure he had in interacting with Mike Gandy. He sent love and condolences to Mike Gandy’s family and the Leyva and Rodriguez families.
Justin Farkus, on behalf of Assemblyman Juan Alanis, updated on legislation recently signed into law. He informed Council of an upcoming public hearing on retail theft on November 16th.
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 October 17, 2023 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Minutes of the October 23, 2023 Special Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Minutes of the October 24, 2023 Special Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
5. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
6. Approve Expenditure for FY 2024-2029 Water and Sewer Rate Study and Authorize Interim City Manager to Enter Into Contract
Recommendation: Review and approve
7. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Services for Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession
Recommendation: Review and approve
8. Approve Expenditure for Water-Related Asphalt Patches and Authorize Interim City Manager to Enter Into Contract
Recommendation: Review and approve
9. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Services for Annual Old-Fashioned Downtown Christmas Event
Recommendation: Review and approve
10. Approve Expenditure for Road Patch Repairs on North Ave and Fentem Road and Authorize Interim City Manager to Enter into Contract
Recommendation: Review and approve
11. Approve Expenditure for Asphalt Repair on East Ave and Authorize Interim City Manager to Enter Into Contract
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli requested to pull consent calendar items #8, 10, and 11.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve consent calendar items #1-7 and 9.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
Mayor Nagy reintroduced consent calendar items #8, 10, and 11.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli advised of her unfavorable opinion of the way the exhibit bids were a running project list as opposed to one bid per project. She inquired on the material being used to patch up the road, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the material is the normal hot patch that has been used in the past.
There was a brief discussion in which Council member Marsigli and Council member Bonta relayed info on a product they had seen a demonstration of for road patching.
Council member Marsigli inquired on postponing the work until January, to which Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised against it due to the possibility of inclement weather.
Public Works Director Ingram advised of his willingness to try out and test out new products to allow the department to handle repairs in-house.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the bids would be viable after their expressed “good until” date, to which Public Works Director Ingram affirmed through discussions with each of the contractors.
Council member Giles inquired why staff was recommending Rocha Backhoe Service for the North Avenue project, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised of the contractor’s familiarity with the area and original projects.
Craig Christenson, Gustine resident, provided his opinion that the areas would further deteriorate if made to endure another winter season.
Mayor Nagy expressed his concerns with the lack of details in the bids, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised he will endeavor to request additional information on future bids.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the timeframe of when the work would begin, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised he was unsure but stated once contractual requirements were met, the projects should be completed quickly.
Council member Marsigli inquired why there was two bids for all projects but there are three projects up for consideration, to which Mayor Nagy advised each project is being funded out of different funding sources. Interim City Manager Correa affirmed Mayor Nagy’s statement and provided further detail of the importance of clear historical records.
Interim City Manager Correa advised of staff’s intention that once the projects are awarded, staff would work with the contractors to obtain detailed scopes of work to include in the contracts.
Council member Giles made a motion to approve consent calendar items #8, 10 and
11. The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
12. Consider Resolution Authorizing Submittal of CalRecycle Individual Grant Applications
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution authorizing submittal of CalRecycle grant applications
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Nagy inquired what the maximum grant amount was, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised she will look into it. Mayor Nagy suggested the City apply for the maximum.
Council member Marsigli suggested the City not apply for grants that overburden staff that also carry a low acceptance rate.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised that this grant covers consultant fees to manage the grant, which includes reporting requirements.
Council member Giles inquired if the consultant’s fee is covered whether the grant is approved or not, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the City puts the grant items together and once the City receives the grant the consultant will report on the grant.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of the importance of applying for this funding.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve resolution authorizing submittal of CalRecycle grant applications.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 5-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Fire Chief Borrelli relayed harvest has finished. He advised of department training at the Fire Station. He also advised of patch work recently completed on the roof at the Fire Station. He informed Council of wanting to get together with Interim City Manager Correa to put a flyer together in the billing to remind residents of time change, smoke alarms battery checks, chimney checks and carbon monoxide monitor checks. Lastly, he reminded Council of the Breakfast with Santa event on November 25th from 8 A.M. – 11 A.M.
Finance Director Morrison advised that she had nothing to report.
Public Works Director Ingram advised the parks are fertilized and the City should see some positive changes within the next few weeks. He advised the department is working on downtown decorations and advised they should be done by Thursday afternoon. He also advised the leaf truck is up and running the same route as last year.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford commented on the department using a hand spreader at the park and inquired if the department has any other equipment to use, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the department does have another piece of equipment but they have more control with the hand spreader.
Mayor Nagy relayed positive comments about the Public Works Corporation Yard from the Sister-City delegates, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised he gives all credit to Public Works Supervisor Dennis Castro.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of an upcoming Planning Workshop on Thursday on November 16th. She also advised consultants will have an information table at the downtown Christmas event for residents to stop by for information and provide input.
Mayor Nagy inquired where the Planning workshop is taking place, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised it will be at Perry’s More Than Pizza.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if it the workshop is open to Council members, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised it is open to all community members.
Interim City Manager Correa reminded Council of the limitations of mini-meetings as per the Brown Act, and cautioned that no more than two members attending should be discussing the subject matter.
Council member Marsigli suggested the City plan meetings, in regards to major issues, far in advance so residents are able to receive notice, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of ways the City is trying to better their outreach.
Mayor Nagy inquired if MCAG is doing outreach meetings, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised MCAG did a county-wide survey but not many people from Gustine submitted responses. She also advised the City is opening a survey and a QR code has been shared at the recent outreach meetings.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the Council with a flyer for the Planning Workshop on November 16th.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Correa reminded Council of the Special City Council meeting tomorrow for the City Manager recruitment. She expressed her fascination in learning about how local government works in the Azores. She provided a brief remembrance on her interactions with Mike Gandy throughout her career with the City, and remarked on the impact he made in Gustine.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Giles advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Marsigli advised that she had nothing to report.
Council member Bonta echoed Interim City Manager Correa’s sentiments in regards to Mike Gandy and advised he will be missed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy reiterated the loss of a tremendous City advocate in Mike Gandy. He thanked everyone who was involved with the Sister-City activities throughout the day.
CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting in memory of Mike Gandy at 7:40 P.M.