MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
March 5, 2024
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M. and conducted the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Council Members: Giles - Marsigli - Bonta – Mayor Pro Tem Ford - Mayor Nagy Staff present: City Manager Soknirorn Than, Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Finance Director Jenny Morrison, Fire Chief Pat Borrelli, Police Sergeant Francisco Martinez and Public Works Director Gary Ingram.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 5-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Promotional Badge Pinning
Police Sergeant F. Martinez
Police Sergeant G. Gilstrap
Administrative Services Director Correa, on behalf of Police Chief Chavez, provided a brief background on Police Sergeants Martinez and Gilstrap.
Sergeant Martinez expressed appreciation for the acknowledgment and support from the City staff, Council and Police Department.
Sergeant Gilstrap thanked his family and Council for their support.
Mayor Nagy thanked both Sergeants Martinez and Gilstrap for their hard work.
Raymond Framstad, Lieutenant, Merced County Sheriff’s Office, advised of the importance of the Sergeant role and commended Sergeant Martinez and Sergeant Gilstrap on their promotion.
2. Reserve Police Officer Wing-Pinning
Reserve Officer E. Gonzales
Administrative Services Director Correa, on behalf of Police Chief Chavez, provided a brief background on Reserve Officer Gonzales. Reserve Officer Gonzales thanked the Police department and his family for their support.
Mayor Nagy expressed appreciation for being able to give recognition to City employees.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Christian Santos, on behalf of Congressman John Duarte, congratulated Sergeants Martinez, Gilstrap, and Reserve Police Officer Gonzales. He wished everyone a happy Women’s History month. He informed Council Congressman Duarte was awarded Distinguished Community Healthcare Advocate of 2024. He provided an overview on the Bipartisan Lower Costs More Transparency Act.
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 February 20, 2024 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
5. Approve Adoption and Waive Second Reading of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 12 “Tobacco Retailers” to Title 5 of the Gustine Municipal Code Regulating the Sale of Tobacco Products
Recommendation: Approve adoption and waive second reading Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli provided details on the Gouveia Engineering warrants and advised grant reimbursement to the City is $30,897.70.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
6. Consider Approval of Limited-Term Appointment Agreement for the Position of Acting Police Chief, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the limited-term appointment agreement and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement
Administrative Services Director Correa presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the limited-term appointment agreement and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
7. Consider Resolution Establishing Exception to 180-Day Wait Period and Appointing CalPERS Retiree
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the resolution
Administrative Services Director Correa presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve the resolution.
The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 5-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Fire Chief Borrelli updated on Fire department elections for Fire Chief and Fire Assistant and he further advised there were no changes in the positions. He advised on ongoing mandatory training. He informed Council the Fire department will be attending the Career Day for Gustine Elementary School on March 14th and the Gustine High School on March 21st.
Finance Director Morrison updated on Tesla Solar and the PG&E true-up charge. She advised she has a few items she is working on with Shawn Davidson, Utility Reporting Consultant, once he provides answers she will report back to Council. She advised she is doing research into the LAIF program.
Public Works Director Ingram updated on routine maintenance.
Council member Marsigli commented on the egrets returning, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the grass is too soft to drive the equipment on. He further advised when the ground hardens up the department will start efforts to pull down the egret nests within the parameters of the City’s depredation permit.
Sergeant Martinez commended Public Works Director Ingram for leading his department by example. He updated on the outfitting of the two Police Explorer’s. He also updated that Officer Hollis is nearing the final phase of FTO and that Officer Gonzalez will begin FTO phase II next week. He informed Council of upcoming events at the Gustine Elementary School and Romero School to teach the kids how to read, Career Day at Romero School on Friday and the City-Wide Clean-Up on Saturday.
Recreation Manager Vitorino informed Council Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) will be holding meetings at the Library Room, twice a week. She advised of her attendance at the California Parks and Recreation Society Conference in Palm Springs last week. She informed Council she will be sworn in as the CPRS District 5 President next month. She updated on City-Wide Garage Sale weekend. She advised she is working on the Special Event Policy and will bring to Council once updated. She further advised of her meeting today with Beto Aleman and Bart Garcia in regards to storm basin use. She advised of upcoming Career Days at Romero, Gustine Elementary and Gustine High.
She informed Council of the upcoming events: Softball/Baseball Clinic on Saturday, Paint Night on March 22nd and the Easter Egg Hunt on March 30th. She advised the City is seeking vendors for the Easter Egg Hunt.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised she has reached out to Whichcraft Taproom to connect about their public comment at a prior meeting.
She thanked staff for assisting while she was out of the office.
Sergeant Martinez informed Council the Police Explorer Post received a $5K check from the recent Pebble Beach event. He commended the volunteers, Explorers and Reserves for their work and efforts towards this event.
Administrative Services Director Correa reminded residents to vote today and stated the Goman Center is open until 8 P.M. for in-person voting. She informed Council of two upcoming stakeholder meetings in regards to the SR-140/33 Roundabout project and advised one meeting will be for businesses and the other for residents. She informed Council the City hosted the Boys and Girls of Merced County after school program last week and held two mock City Council meetings with the students. She reminded Council Form 700s are due April 2nd. She advised of her upcoming meeting on Thursday with Adam Amaral, County OES, in regards to the mass communication system. She informed Council the Police Officer recruitment will open this week. Lastly, she advised of the upcoming City/County Dinner in Livingston on April 18th.
Council member Bonta inquired details on a drone show, to which Administrative Services Director Correa advised it is synchronized drones that create a light show in the sky.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Siprelle advised she had nothing to report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than commended Administrative Services Correa for her help with onboarding. He expressed excitement for the opportunities from the City. He informed Council this week will revolve around making connections, meeting staff, touring the City facilities and reaching out to the City’s partner agencies.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli advised of her meeting with the Merced County Association of Governments and Politico to discuss the City’s One Voice platforms. She further advised the City can apply for technical assistance to obtain a lead pipe and valve inventory report which would position the city for future grant funding to replace the lead infrastructure. She updated on her ride along with Officer Gill on February 24th.
Council member Giles advised that he had nothing to report.
Council member Bonta asked Council member Marsigli if there is funding for the new water lines in the technical assistance, to which Council member Marsigli advised that she was unsure but further advised the Merced County Associations of Governments and Politico explained the accessibility to funding for lead infrastructure.
Council member Bonta asked Finance Director Morrison if the City has received repayment from 209 Multimedia, to which Administrative Services Director Correa advised she is in contact with 209 Multimedia and they are working out the repayment process.
Council member Bonta inquired on the different color markings on the highway and streets, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the markings are USA utility identification markings specifically used for identifying utilities before any construction can begin. He further advised the City will see more of these markings due to the Roundabout project.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired status on the Water Tank/Loop Line project, to which Finance Director Morrison advised she is working with Capitol Advocacy to login into the system to be able to draw down the money.
Mayor Nagy advised of his upcoming meeting at Valley Voice in Sacramento and further advised they will be covering the topic of SB125 in regards to roads. He reminded everyone of the Hops and Bangers event on March 16th and the Clean-Up event on Saturday. He inquired if Recreation Manager Vitorino has reached out to anyone in regards to painting pickle ball lines, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino affirmed she is in contact with local pickleball players.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:22 P.M.