MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
September 17, 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 – Bonta - Mayor Pro Tem Ford – Mayor Nagy Staff present: City Manager Soknirorn Than, City Attorney Ann Siprelle (virtual), Public Works Director Gary Ingram, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, City Engineer Mario Gouveia, Project Manager Danny Reed and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 5-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Emergency Operations Plan Project Update
Steve Longoria, Aanko Technologies, Inc.
Administrative Services Director Correa introduced the presenters from Aanko Technologies and Merced County Office of Emergency Services.
Steve Longoria, Aanko Technologies, provided an overview of the Emergency Operations Plan project.
Council member Bonta inquired how the plan will be communicated, to which Mr.
Longoria advised the plan will reside within the Police and Fire Departments, along with City Hall. He advised the document will be available online for the public.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the County will be funding the required updates every two years, to which Mr. Longoria could not attest.
Mr. Longoria advised of the various free trainings available to all through the Merced County Office of Emergency Services.
2. Pacific Gas & Electric Fixed Charge and Affordability Update Nathan Alonzo, Local Government Affairs
Nathan Alonzo, PG&E, Local Government Affairs, introduced himself and provided the affordability update.
Council member Marsigli inquired why additional monies is needed for capital from solar participants, to which Mr. Alonzo advised of fixed costs for “provider for last resort” designation and further advised usage is also billed. He provided information on cost increases due to extreme weather events requiring cost recovery, inflation and supply chain issues.
Council member Marsigli inquired the plan for small businesses, to which Mr. Alonzo advised of the Economic Development Rate plan available.
Council member Giles inquired for incentives for fixed income seniors, to which Mr.
Alonzo advised fixed income customers will qualify for affordability programs.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether fixed rates are consistent throughout the state or if they fluctuate, to which Mr. Alonzo advised of the varying rates throughout California.
Mr. Alonzo addressed PG&E’s delay in the 33/140 Roundabout project timeline and advised PG&E is working on accelerating the delay.
City Manager Than inquired whether there was federal assistance in 2023 provided to PG&E, to which Mr. Alonzo advised there was no FEMA funding in PG&E’s storm damage recovery efforts.
Council member Giles inquired the additional charges for storm damage, to which Mr.
Alonzo advised storm recovery charges occur when an Emergency Operations Center is deployed in cases of major damages/outages.
Council member Marsigli inquired the purpose of Public Safety Power Shutoff, to which Mr. Alonzo advised it is PG&E’s proactive safety program designed to shut off the distribution grid in order to lower the risk of sparks in extreme weather.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Danielle Morgar, on behalf of Assembly Member Juan Alanis, provided a legislative update on bills passed by the Committee.
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 September 3, 2024 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
5. Treasurer’s Report – August 2024
Recommendation: Review and file
6. Authorize Issuance of Letter of Opposition for AB 2561 (McKinnor) Recommendation: Review and authorize
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 5-0, with Council member Bonta abstaining from consent calendar item #3 due to his absence.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
7. Consider Approving Street Names for Southeast Gustine Katakis Development
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the list of proposed street names Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
Joe Oliveira, resident, advised of his preference to include local veteran names.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the subdivision has been named, to which City Manager Than advised the developer has not determined a name and is open to suggestions.
Council member Giles made a motion to approve both lists of proposed street names.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0.
8. Consider Resolution Authorizing Purchase Order with Winner Chevrolet for Public Works Utility Trucks Amending the FY 2024-2025 Financial Budget and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Documents
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
Public Works Director Ingram presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the funding split, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised of the culmination to split the allocation across multiple accounts.
Council member Giles inquired the costs from Dodge, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised he would send the info to Council member Giles after the meeting.
Council member Bonta inquired what the recall issue was with Dodge, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised it was a transmission issue.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the trucks are dual cab, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 will be dual cab and stated the other three vehicles will be single cab.
Mayor Nagy inquired who is taking care of the installation, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised Royal Truck Body will outfit the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and Knapheide will outfit the Chevrolet Silverado 2500’s. He further advised all outfitting is included in the estimates except for the decals.
Council member Bonta inquired payment date, to which City Manager Than advised payment is due at delivery.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing purchase order with Winner Chevrolet for Public Works utility trucks and amending the FY 2024- 2025 financial budget and authorizing City Manager to execute documents.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
9. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Utility Users Tax Expenditure Plan
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Hold discussion and provide staff direction
City Manager Than presented the staff report.
Joe Oliveira, resident and former Council member, provided his input that when the UUT was originally implemented it would not be used for benefits and salaries but was intended to be used for tangible items the City could see and could not otherwise afford.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford recalled his understanding of the intent of using UUT towards quality of life expenditures.
City Manager Than informed Council of their two options in delineating UUT funding expenditures, as outlined in the staff report.
There was further discussion in regards to the importance of documenting uses for UUT funds for future staff.
Council provided direction to keep the current practice, adopting the UUT expenditure plan annually within the budget adoption and keeping the salary and benefit restriction.
City Manager Than advised staff will bring a one-page capital overlay program for the fund for the current plan to a future meeting for review and approval.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the completion of the Goman Center mural and the pond aeration project. She thanked the Public Works department for their efforts in completing the project. She advised of the upcoming Kid’s Fishing Day event and on the success of the Rotary Flea Market and OLM Festa. She reminded everyone of the upcoming Fall Clean-Up event on September 28th, and advised the Color Run is scheduled for November 10th.
Council member Bonta inquired who runs the timer for Color Run, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised Synergy.
Public Works Director Ingram advised routine on goings within his department.
Council member Bonta inquired on Sycamore outlet closure, to which Public Works Director Ingram updated the closure was to redo the valley gutter at that intersection.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether Mid-Valley Disposal will have access, to which Public Works Director Ingram affirmed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised of the basin weeds on Jensen Road, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the department will maintain that area.
Council member Bonta inquired whether the location will remain as a basin, to which City Manager Than informed Council staff has submitted for a grant to convert the basin into a storm water recharge basin.
Council member Giles inquired on stump grinding, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised this item will be on next month’s Council agenda.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt informed Council of the submittal of three requests to HCD declaring exemption from Surplus Lands Act and advised HCD has thirty-days to respond to the City. She also advised of her meeting with the City Manager and vested tentative subdivision map holders in regards to the Community Facilities District. She informed Council LEAP approved the scope change and advised the City can use LEAP funding toward the additional work from Rincon Consultants. She advised Tip Top Farms is working on bringing something to Council in regards to extending their agreements.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on online solar permitting, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised she is bringing this item to Council in October and further advised of the SB 379, which mandates solar permitting.
Mayor Nagy suggested providing new and existing business with the PG&E’s affordability programs, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised she would include it in the new business packet and on the City’s website.
Administrative Services Director Correa reminded everyone of the League Central Valley Division dinner meeting scheduled next week in Chowchilla. She advised of the current open recruitment for Code Enforcement Officer and vacancies on Airport and Planning Commissions.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Siprelle advised of her work with the City on noticing the sales of the properties on the City website.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than, on behalf of Acting Police Chief Joseph, reported on department calls for service. He advised of the departments work with the Festa, Homecoming Parade, 9/11 Memorial Walk and Animal Vaccination Clinic. He advised of letters that will go out to properties that are not compliant with the City’s weed abatement and nuisance code. He informed every one of the upcoming Traffic Community meeting Thursday to discuss permanent three-way stops at the intersection of Sullivan and Hunt.
Lastly, City Manager Than updated on Caltrans’ sidewalk project and advised the open areas are expected to be restored by September 24th.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Giles advised he is impressed with the new fountain aerators at the pond.
Council member Marsigli inquired on Pioneer Park, to which City Manager Than advised the City has not received any commitment from the electeds.
Council member Marsigli inquired on a shade structure for Henry Miller Park playground, to which City Manager Than advised there is not a specific plan in place but Council can consider shade structures in a future Council meeting with consensus to do so. He further advised the City is looking currently at replacing the slide at Henry Miller Park playground.
Council member Marsigli advised tickets are available for the Annual Historical Society Luncheon.
Council member Bonta thanked staff for his birthday card. He advised of requests from pickle ball players to get stripes painted, to which City Manager Than advised of staff’s direction to form a club and make an official request.
City Manager Than further advised of what their request would entail.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford commented on the aerators and complimented the pond.
Mayor Nagy advised the Rotary Club was pleased with the assistance provided at their food distribution program. He complimented the aerators and the Goman Center mural and advised they are nice additions to the City. He further advised of the importance in attending the Central Valley Division meeting in Chowchilla. He informed Council after December 31st orchards will be unable to burn and advised they will have haul it away. He commented on extensive nature of the Emergency Operation Plan process. He updated Gustine High football game win.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 8:33 P.M.