MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
March 19, 2024
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 - Ford - Mayor Nagy
Staff present: City Manager Soknirorn Than, Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Acting Police Chief Sammy Joseph, Finance Director Jenny Morrison, Public Works Director Gary Ingram and Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt
Council member Bonta was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Giles 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
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Westside 4-H Communications Team
Melissa Ventura, Club Leader
The Westside 4-H Communications team provided a brief overview of each of their individual interests and “sparks”.
Mayor Nagy commended the 4-H members on their presentation abilities.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Robert Dylina, Buildco, advised he would like to keep communications open for the development of 75 units on Sullivan and Grove.
Christian Santos, on behalf of Congressman John Duarte, wished everyone a Happy Agriculture Day. He advised of his attendance at the Hops and Bangers event. He updated on the passing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 and provided an overview of the Act. He informed Council of an upcoming Westside Town Hall on March 25th at 6:00 P.M. in Los Banos.
Abby Pendleton, on behalf of Assembly Member Juan Alanis, provided a legislative update on bills that are moving forward such as AB 1880, AB 1839 and AB 1927. She thanked the community for attending the Education Town Hall and thanked Gustine Unified School District for assisting with the event. She wished everyone a Happy Agriculture Day.
Julia, Gustine resident, informed Council the Newman School District is hosting a Town Hall at Yolo Middle School on Thursday in regards to Human Trafficking. She suggested the City plant fruit trees along Meredith Avenue.
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 March 5, 2024 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Treasurer’s Report – February 2024
Recommendation: Review and ratify
5. Approve Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter into Memorandum of Understanding with Merced County for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Joint Purchase
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired the cost for the self-contained breathing apparatus, to which City Manager Than advised the cost is $10K for one.
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.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
6. Consider Resolution Establishing a Special Event Policy Limited-Term Ad Hoc Committee and Appoint Two Council Members to the Committee
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the resolution establishing a limited-term Special Event Policy Ad Hoc Committee
4. Consider appointment of two sitting Council members to serve on Special Event Policy Ad Hoc Committee
Recreation Manager Vitorino presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired clarification on the date the Special Event Policy would be considered by City Council, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino confirmed the anticipated completion date is July 1, 2025.
City Manager Than provided further detail on why the date was set for July 1, 2025 and expressed hope that the item will be considered prior to this date.
Council member Marsigli inquired if there is written notification from Merced County on their requirements in regards to special events, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised there has only been emails from Merced County clarifying the City’s requirements relating to public food service within city limits.
City Manager Than expressed the importance of forming an Ad-hoc Committee.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if this requirement from the County is in regards to health issues, to which City Manager Than advised that is one of the reasons staff is establishing a policy and he further stated other components such as liability and insurance require the City tighten up its procedure.
Council member Giles inquired if there is required criteria for the policy, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino attested there is no required criteria and the County is just wanting a policy in place and knowledge of when special events occur.
City Manager Than advised of the steps City staff has to follow when it comes to special events that involve street closures and traffic control.
Council member Marsigli suggested inviting the members in charge of special events to a meeting to voice their opinions on the policy.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the resolution establishing a limited-term Special Event Policy Ad Hoc Committee.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 4-0, with Council member Bonta absent.
Mayor Nagy made the motion to nominate Council member Marsigli and Council member Giles to be appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 4-0, with Council member Bonta absent.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the Aquatic Center Resurfacing project and advised the demo is complete. She advised the sound system at the Goman Center was fixed prior to the Hops and Bangers event. She reminded Council and residents Paint Night is Friday. She informed Council the Easter Egg Hunt event is March 30th and advised there are 13 vendors and 3 food vendors attending the event. She advised the SR-140/33 Roundabout Groundbreaking ceremony will be April 2nd and stated invitations were sent out. She further advised of her upcoming meeting with City Manager Than and the pickleball group to discuss pickleball lines. She informed Council she is working with Gustine Unified School District regarding open gym for soccer. She further advised she is also working with Rescue 74 to host a Situational Awareness and Preparedness seminar on May 22nd.
Council member Marsigli inquired the event time for the Easter Egg Hunt, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the vendors will be ready by 9:30 A.M. and the Easter Egg Hunt begins at 10 A.M.
Council member Giles inquired on the timeframe for the Aquatic Center Pool Resurfacing project, to which Recreation Manager advised the project is expected to be complete by mid-April.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the lines on the pickleball court, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised some of the pickleball lines are tape and stated the tennis court lines are permanent.
Recreation Manager provided further details on the request from the community pickleball players.
Council member Marsigli inquired the cost of pickleball lines being installed, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised it could cost up to $4K.
Acting Police Chief Joseph reported on the crime rate and advised of upcoming events the department is preparing for. He informed Council of Reserve applicants who are currently in the P.O.S.T Academy. He advised of the departments goals to implement more proactive activities once Reserve positions are filled.
Council member Marsigli inquired status on the outfitting of the Police vehicles, to which Administrative Services Director advised they are being outfitted and are expected to be complete within a few weeks.
Public Works Director Ingram advised the department has started the irrigation schedule and monitoring the system. He also advised of upcoming water distribution maintenance within the next month and stated it will not cause any disruptions. He updated on the launch of a few aerators last week. He informed Council the department performed sewer maintenance today.
Council member Giles inquired on the Egrets, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the Egrets are returning and the department has been delicately removing empty nests.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the Egrets have laid eggs, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised there are a few eggs but they have not hatched yet.
City Manager Than advised prior to removing nests staff has to count the eggs and complete the annual report.
Mayor Nagy inquired if staff is counting eggs as they remove the nests, to which City Manager Than advised the annual reports are due and in order to renew the depredation staff has had to go through and count the eggs prior to removing the nests.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if the department has received the chipper, to which Public Works Director Ingram affirmed and advised they have used the chipper for several projects thus far.
Mayor Nagy commented on the weeds in the medians at the Borrelli Ranch entrances and advised they need attention. He inquired on the trees on Sullivan that have broken off within the last storm, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised he is looking into hiring a tree removal company.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the maintenance of the Lion’s Park and advised staff needs to look into who is maintaining the park.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt reiterated staff is still working on broadband plan review and advised staff has asked both applicants once approval is received they visit Council to provide an update on their projects. She provided an update on surveying that is taking place throughout the City and advised the markings on the roads are not final marks. She reported Family Dollar will receive their unconditional approval. She updated the City received approval for an extension of LEAP funding for $65K for development of further housing. She informed Council of a lot split on Wallis that will be introduced to the Planning Commission next Wednesday and then come to Council on April 16th.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the circles throughout the City that state “pole,” to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised Public Works Director Ingram went out to check the circles out. She further advised of the various reasons for the markings.
City Manager Than advised of his plan review process when projects come in. He further advised a lot of the information coming in is preliminary. He stated staff will look closely into requirements for undergrounding and will keep the residents informed.
Finance Director Morrison advised of upcoming FY 24/25 budget meetings. She informed Council she has been looking into the LAIF policy and will be pulling the investment policy to bring to Council for an update. She advised of her meeting with Mid-Valley Disposal in regards to the increased tipping fees that will be effective on July 1, 2024.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the solar update, to which City Manager Than advised he has jumped in to help with a contract with Solar City. He further advised staff is still in contact with Tesla to get answers in regards to construction and repair timeline.
There was further discussion in regards to the flooding occurrence.
Finance Director Morrison updated that reviews indicate as of right now the City does not have a true up bill for 2024.
Administrative Services Director Correa informed Council the Council agenda packets are now searchable online. She updated on her discussion with Merced County relating to the Everbridge Mass Communication system and stated the City will be ramping up efforts to have residents enroll. She further advised the County OES Everbridge policy committee formation is planned for this summer. She informed Council Stephen Qualls from the League of California Cities will be attending the April 2nd Council meeting to provide an update on the California Business Roundtable efforts. She advised of the SR140/33 Roundabout project information sheet distributed at their seats on the dais.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
There was no City Attorney report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than advised of his recent tours of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, parks, facilities and roads. He further advised of the City’s goal to implement all grants and meet all grant deadlines. He commended the SR-140/33 Roundabout project and advised of his priority to relay any maintenance to the residents ahead of time. He updated on the sidewalk improvement project and advised Caltrans will be coming to the April 2nd Council meeting to provide update on the project and they will be working on an outreach plan to the stakeholders on the impact of the project. He advised of the sidewalk infill project on North Avenue is in the construction phase. He further advised of issues the project has encountered and stated he will bring these issues to Council on April 2nd. He advised of his attendance at Career Day at Gustine Elementary School.
Council member Marsigli inquired on North Avenue issue, to which City Manager Than affirmed Council has provided direction but advised of connection issues needing further Council direction.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli apologized for missing the Roundabout Stakeholder meetings.
She advised of her trip to the Tesla Mega Plant with Council member Giles and Mayor Pro Tem Ford. She asked for further details on the Water Conservation Regulation update. She advised of a signature sheet distributed by Stephen Qualls in regards to stopping the corporate tax tricks and inquired if the City needs to complete the sheet, to which Administrative Services Director Correa advised that topic will be presented by Stephen Qualls at the April 2nd Council meeting. She wished everyone a Happy Easter.
Council member Giles advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired how Mid-Valley Disposal includes the tipping fees, to which City Manager Than advised the tipping fee is in regards to the disposal component and stated it is a pass through not an increase by Mid-Valley Disposal but from Merced County Association of Governments and Regional Waste Authority as they are evaluating their operations.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the billing process, to which City Manager Than advised the billing comes from the Regional Waste Management Authority and further stated the Mid-Valley Disposal trucks are weighed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if this includes all cans, to which City Manager Than advised the green and blue cans are separate and are processed in Kerman.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired the cost of the tipping fee for green waste, to which City Manager Than advised it is not getting increased and stated he did not have that number in front of him but could find that information out and bring it back to Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford thanked City Manager Than for the update via email.
Mayor Nagy commended 4-H and advised of how inspirational they are. He informed Council of two charging stations that will be installed along I-5, one of which will be installed on Sullivan Road. He provided further details of the project. He advised of the Governor’s revision of the funding for the Housing Element Cycle. He informed Council and residents of the measles outbreak in Stanislaus County. He reminded everyone of the SR-140/33 Roundabout groundbreaking on April 2nd. He advised of an upcoming meeting with Caltrans. He updated on the Hops and Bangers event. He commended the sound system at the Goman Center. He recommended residents to attend the Paint Night.
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
1. THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES. Pursuant to Government Code Section 549579(a). Consultation with: Soknirorn Than, City Manager After returning to open session, Mayor Nagy advised there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 8:13 P.M.