MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
July 2, 2024
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Ford 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 Staff present: City Manager Soknirorn Than, City Attorney Ann Siprelle (virtual), Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Acting Police Chief Sammy Joseph, Finance Director Jenny Morrison, Public Works Director Gary Ingram, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
Mayor Nagy 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 Nagy absent.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
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 June 18, 2024 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
2. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
3. Approve Request from Gustine Pentecost Society for Use of City Streets and Services for Annual Celebration Event
Recommendation: Review and approve request
4. Approve Request for Use of Streets, and Allowance of Mobile Food Vendors for City National Night Out Event
Recommendation: Review and approve request
5. Approve Resolution Adopting Updated Paid Sick Leave Police for Part-Time, Temporary, and Seasonal Employees
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
6. Approve First Amendment to Contract Employment Agreement for Public Works Utilities Project Consultant and Authorize City Manager to Execute Amendment Recommendation: Review and approve first amendment and authorize City Manager to execute amendment
7. Approve Resolution Adopting Gustine Employee Salary Schedule Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
8. Approve Resolution Appointing City Manager Pro Tempore Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
9. INFORMATIONAL UPDATE: San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District Vehicle Grant Recommendation: Review and file
Mayor Pro Tem Ford introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the state mandate required an 80-hour carryover clause, to which Administrative Services Director Correa advised the mandate outlays the carryover clause, and that the City’s personnel policy affords methods to ensure the leave is used for applicable uses.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0, with Mayor Nagy absent.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
10. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter Agreement with Earth Systems Inc. for Contract On-Call Geotechnical Engineering Services
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
City Manager Than presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on the combined ICR percentage, to which City Manager Than advised it is comprised of fringe benefits, leaves and overhead.
Council member Giles advised of his questions prior to the meeting and advised the prior consultant was Krazan and Associates.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether Krazan and Associates submitted a proposal, to which City Manager Than affirmed and advised the City received four proposals in total.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing City Manager to enter into agreement with Earth Systems Inc. for contract on-call geotechnical engineering services.
The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 4-0, with Mayor Nagy absent.
11. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contract Amendment with Capitol Advocacy Partners
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
City Manager Than presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Bonta inquired whether Capitol Advocacy Partners provides tracking and reporting, to which City Manager Than affirmed.
Council member Marsigli clarified the language listed in item #2 of the addendum, in that the additional amount will be charged only when Capitol Advocacy Partners works on the EPA Loop line and Water Tank project.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired whether costs could be paid through the tobacco grant, to which City Manager Than advised the City will use the enterprise funds.
Council member Giles inquired whether the additional monies towards the Tobacco grant be recoverable once the City receives the grant, to which City Manager Than advised the City has an existing tobacco grant that expires in September, which will cover the program until the award for the new grant is expected.
Council member Giles inquired whether the grant could go towards the technical services in updating the grant, to which City Manager Than advised he does not believe so but will look into it.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing City Manager to execute contract amendment with Capitol Advocacy Partners.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 4-0, with Mayor Nagy absent.
12. Consider Resolution Authorizing Expenditure for Two Police Vehicles and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Purchase Contract
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
City Manager Than presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Giles inquired if the City’s search within California was limited to all black patrol vehicles, to which City Manager Than advised the search was for any color patrol vehicles as well as different models.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing expenditure for two police vehicles and authorizing City Manager to execute purchase contract.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 4-0, with Mayor Nagy absent.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Acting Police Chief Joseph thanked the Council for approving the purchase of two police vehicles, he expanded on the benefits toward moral that come with Council’s authorization of the expenditure. He advised traffic detail is ongoing and reported on citations and warnings issued. He also advised the department will use additional manpower for firework details. He updated Council on the onboarding of a new Level 1 Reserve Police Officer.
Council member Bonta inquired whether the department could use the old cars as decoys, to which Acting Police Chief Joseph advised the department will be looking more into this idea closer to the school year.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford commented signage advising of the detour truck route needed to be bigger.
Public Works Director Ingram advised of temporarily rented electric signboards that will be installed tomorrow morning to assist in advising motorists of the detour.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the Movie Night events at the Aquatic Center. She advised the Pop-Up Pool Party was not well attended but she shared hope for future events. Mrs. Vitorino updated on firework donations and advised $12K has been raised to date. She advised Westside 4H assisted in gathering donations. She reminded everyone of the Westside Auto Club Linguica Run on July 13th and the GPS Festa on July 20th and 21st. She thanked Council for approving the National Night Out event. She informed Council she will be on vacation from July 6th to July 28th.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the Fire Department was having their annual breakfast, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino affirmed and advised it will be the morning of July 13th.
Council member Bonta inquired on 4th of July activities for kids, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino provided a list of activities that will be available to the kids by gentleman company located in Los Banos.
Finance Director Morrison updated on business license renewals.
Council member Bonta inquired whether 7 Star Smoke Shop will be opening, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the shop is working on issues within the shop and hopefully will be issued a license within 30 days.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt expressed excitement with getting contracts for contract planning services signed. She advised in-house planning with take place once a week for a full day. She informed Council the City received the environmental clearance letter from USDA for broadband funding. She advised Unwired is still in review phase. She updated on her meeting with the Rasmussen’s on their Vesting Tentative Subdivision Maps and advised of their interest in moving forward.
She advised of staff’s work on Housing Element funding and advised of the work the City needs to do within the next eight months. Mrs. Westervelt advised of the LEAP funding the City is able to re-scope to align with the Housing Element work. She also advised the REAP 2.0 funding is still allocated in the state’s budget at 93% and reported HCD is leaning towards allowing it to be used towards re-zoning efforts.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the cabling installation on North Ave, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised is for the Gustine Unified School District Fiber project.
There was further discussion in regards to the work being done for the GUSD Fiber project.
Public Works Director Ingram advised of the departments support with the ongoing projects in town. He informed Council the department received the sweeper today. He advised he is working on obtaining new vehicles before purchasing new aerators.
Council member Giles inquired if the leaf truck will make it another year, to which Public Works Director Ingram affirmed.
Council member Bonta inquired what is being buried at Schmidt Park close to Linden Ave, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the storm drain was hit by the drill and further advised of the support the department provided to repair the storm drain.
Administrative Services Director Correa updated on her attendance at the Countywide City Clerks meeting at the Election Central Count Facility. She also updated on the candidate filing period, advising candidate filing period is open from July 15th to August 9th. She informed Council the Notice of Election is being published tomorrow.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Siprelle advised of her work on Professional Service Agreements. She wished everyone a Happy 4th of July.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than informed Council of the opening of the cooling center tomorrow.
He advised the Gustine cooling center will be in the community room next to the library.
He thanked the Police Department volunteers for their assistance. He advised the cooling center will be open from Wednesday through Saturday and further advised the City will continue to monitor the forecast. He advised the pool would be open for open swim Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1-4 P.M. He informed Council the North Ave Sidewalk bid closes next week.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the surplus vehicles, to which City Manager Than advised the vehicles will be added on a surplus list and will be auctioned or sold direct.
Council member Giles inquired an update on the County OES outreach program, to which Administrative Services Director Correa advised it is currently just a County program but stated she will follow up with Adam Amaral in regards to the program being extended to agencies within the County.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Giles recommended everyone get their chores done early to beat the heat.
Council member Marsigli wished everyone a Happy 4th of July and commented on the Westside Auto Club Linguica Run. She asked City Manager Nirorn to explain the ARPA Grand Jury Report, to which City Manager Than provided information. City Manager Than further advised the City is not in violation and stated the Council must obligate remaining funds prior to December 31, 2024.
Council member Bonta advised of a complaint from Westside Welding in regards to PG&E taking his property and a discrepancy with a pole. He asked staff to look into it, to which City Manager Than advised he will look into it.
Council member Bonta advised of his attendance at the Merced County Association of Governments Governing Board meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised he had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Ford adjourned the meeting at 7:30 P.M.