MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
March 4, 2025
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: Melville – Giles – Marsigli - Mayor Pro Tem Ford - Mayor Nagy Staff present: City Manager Soknirorn Than, Finance Director Jenny Morrison, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Fire Chief Richard Martin, Public Works Director Gary Ingram, City Attorney Ann Siprelle (virtual), 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
Mayor Nagy advised of his abstention from the warrant reimbursement in his name.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Certificate of Recognition
Mary Ann Bloom, Heacox Pioneer Award
Mayor Nagy presented a certificate of recognition to Mary Ann Bloom.
Mrs. Bloom expressed her gratitude and shared the project was a group effort, and advised it would not have been possible without the help from her friends, the Historical Society, City Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Amber Cozzolino, Gustine Youth Baseball Softball, advised that opening ceremonies are scheduled for next weekend. She continued to request a waiver of fees for use of the Petersen Shelter in the event weather impacts their ceremony.
Mayor Nagy advised the Council cannot vote on items not listed on the agenda and shared that staff will connect with her to discuss her request.
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 February 18, 2025 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Approve Request from Gustine High School for Use of City Streets, City Services, and Waive Fees for Every 15 Minutes Program
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Administrative Services Director Correa advised of two typographical errors in consent calendar item #2.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the consent calendar as amended.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0, with Mayor Nagy abstaining on the warrant issued to his name.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
5. Consider Resolution Adopting City of Gustine 2025-2028 Strategic Plan
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the resolution
City Manager Than provided a brief background and introduced Gabe Gonzalez, G2 Advisory Group, who presented the draft Strategic Plan.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the description under objective #1 for the Economic Development, to which Mr. Gonzalez advised the document is a draft and informed Council of their ability to direct staff to make changes.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification whether the description under objective #1 was an example or an actual goal, to which Mr. Gonzalez advised the listed objectives were derived from the second Strategic Plan workshop.
City Manager Than reiterated to Council their ability to edit the draft at any time.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the City has to update the General Plan in order to meet certain objectives, to which Mr. Gonzalez denied.
There was some discussion to the reasoning of having the General Plan update included in the action plan.
Council member Marsigli expressed her concerns with such, to which Mr. Gonzalez advised the City Manager and staff would review and revise the action plan as necessary. He further advised some actions may not be practical.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford expressed his concern with limiting the language in Goal #5 to future infrastructure and suggested adding existing infrastructure as a priority.
Council member Giles inquired the duration of the Implementation Plan, to which City Manager Than advised the plan is a 3-year document, that would be brought to Council annually, and at that time amendments can be made.
Council member Marsigli further advised of her concerns, to which City Manager Than and Mr. Gonzalez advised of the process of periodically reevaluating the goals and objectives and the importance of fine-tuning the Strategic Plan.
Council directed staff to add additional language in Goal #5, “Support current as well as future residential and commercial growth”.
Council member Marsigli expressed concern in regards to Recreation not being included.
City Manager Than advised of objective #5 in Goal #6, which aligns with Recreation.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli suggested section 4 of the draft resolution be removed.
Council member Giles made a motion to approve the resolution adopting City of Gustine 2025-2028 Strategic Plan with amendments to the resolution and Goal #5.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
6. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: 4th of July Fireworks Show
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Hold discussion and provide staff with direction
Recreation Manager Vitorino presented the staff report.
City Manager Than suggested Council focus primarily on the 2025 show, and then consider discussion on future shows.
There was no public comment.
Council member Melville inquired whether the City is accepting donations, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the City accepts donations year-round.
Council member Melville inquired the difference from what we received to what the City owes, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the average annual shortfall is $10K.
Council member Marsigli suggested requesting to present to the Newman City Council as an agendized item, and suggested more fundraising.
Mayor Nagy remarked that the show was citizen-sponsored prior to the City taking responsibility and shared his opinion on the importance of face-to-face donation requests.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired how much is raised by the mass mailer, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino responded $8-$9K, she further shared the other fundraisers the City holds to raise funds for the show.
Mayor Nagy suggested reaching out to Newman for additional assistance in paying for the show.
Council member Giles suggested inquiring with service clubs to assist with seeking donations.
Mayor Nagy remarked on using the City’s 501c3 to assist with seeking donations.
City Manager Than shared that staff can explore some of the suggestions provided for future year shows.
Council directed staff to proceed with Pyro Spectaculars for 2025 and to seek partnerships with service clubs and related groups for fundraising ideas for future shows.
7. Consider Resolution Approving Mid-Year Budget Adjustment for Fiscal Year 2024- 2025
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the resolution
Finance Director Morrison presented the staff report.
City Manager Than advised the transfer from General fund to the Swimming Pool fund has yet occurred, and advised it will be a transfer of $150K.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired the percentage of secured property taxes collected, to which Finance Director Morrison advised the City has collected $424K, which is 43% of what the City will collect. She further advised the next anticipated receipt of secured property taxes is expected in May.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on one-sided journal entries, to which Finance Director Morrison advised there will be some accounts that will not use what is budgeted and therefore those amounts will be put back into the fund balance.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on page 65 in regards to insurance, to which City Manager Than advised it includes workers compensation, property, liability, and vehicle insurance but does not include health insurance.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on Alternative Cost Related Model, to which City Manager Than advised it is to show facility rentals have declined from last year.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the resolution approving mid-year review.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0.
Mayor Nagy remarked on the lack of activity in Fund 220 (abandoned vehicles), and suggested the police department begin enforcement. City Manager Than reminded Council of the current RFQ for citation processing services.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez informed Council he picked up the third new Ford Explorer today and advised the fourth is scheduled to be ready in a few weeks.
He further commended Sergeant Gilstrap for successfully apprehending thieves who targeted Dollar General. Chief Chavez further commended Officer Hollis for a similar apprehension.
Fire Chief Martin reported on the department’s recent election results. He advised the department is currently working on apartment and school inspections. He informed Council of the Fill the Boot fundraiser on March 22nd from 9am-1pm at the Hwy 33/SR140 intersection. He further advised the department would be participating in Every 15 Minutes at GHS on March 20th and the department’s golf tournament fundraiser on August 9th.
Mayor Nagy congratulated Fire Chief Martin on his recent election.
Public Works Director Ingram thanked Council for approving the new department vehicles and advised the department has started egret deterrence efforts.
Council member Marsigli inquired on progress of microbes at the wastewater treatment pond, to which Mr. Ingram advised they are efficient in breaking down the dairy product received at the plant.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford remarked on the cost savings by having the Public Works department orchestrate in-house repairs.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt updated on the status of the airport fuel pump and advised it is out of commission at present pending repair. She informed Council the City is seeking bids for the hangar demolition project and thanked Public Works for their assistance on this effort. She shared the City received its skid steer equipment. She informed Council the sale has closed on the City’s property sale.
Public Works Director Ingram advised of the free compost event occurring on several Fridays this month. City Manager Than advised that the compost is for residential use and is not for resale purposes.
Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the Petersen Shelter tables have been received.
She informed Council Facilities Maintenance Worker Marco Hernandez is attending the Certified Pool Operator training this week. She shared a Bird Committee meeting is scheduled for March 11. She advised the Miss Gustine pageant does not have a director nor coordinator for this year, and shared there will be no pageant this year. She updated on the City-Wide Yard Sale weekend, Romero Career day, and Clean-up day this weekend.
Finance Director Morrison advised preparations for the FY26 budget will begin soon.
Administrative Services Director Correa advised she had nothing to report.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Siprelle advised she had nothing to report except to remind Council Associate Attorney Olivia Clark will attend as Attorney on March 18.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than thanked Council and staff for their work on the budget review process, and expressed pride in staff’s initiative in developing and minding of their budget. He advised the SR-140/33 Roundabout project work will continue through the remainder of the month and stated the City is making sure PG&E remains on schedule.
He advised of the upcoming challenges regarding the FY 2026 budget, AB1600 Expenditure Plan, and closing out all federal grants. He advised of public safety grants the City will be applying for along with prior grant applications that will be resubmitted.
He informed everyone the Bid package for East Ave project will be available in two weeks and he shared his hope to have local contractors bid. Lastly, he advised the North Ave pump project would be going out to bid after the East Ave project bid.
Administrative Services Director Correa congratulated City Manager Than for his oneyear anniversary of employment.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Melville welcomed Fire Chief Martin. He remarked on the successful yard sale weekend. He thanked his counterparts for adopting the Strategic Plan. He reported on his attendance at the Planning Commission meeting last week.
Council member Giles congratulated Fire Chief Martin and congratulated staff in their work on the budget.
Council member Marsigli thanked City Manager Than and staff for always providing her with information. She inquired on more information on the recent update on Pioneer Park, to which City Manager Than provided more information on the newly loosened public workshop requirements.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the nature of the traffic violation citations, to which Police Chief Chavez provided that most were stop sign violations. She remarked on the success of the Gustine High School Stock Show. She advised of her attendance at the GUSD Central Kitchen grand opening. She reminded everyone of the upcoming Rotary Club Hops and Bangers on March 22nd.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford commended staff, especially Finance Director Morrison and City Manager Than, on the budget.
Mayor Nagy reiterated Mayor Pro Tem Ford’s commendation. He welcomed Fire Chief Martin. He advised of his attendance at the GUSD Central Kitchen grand opening event. He thanked Gustine Youth Baseball Softball for attending the meeting. He advised of the upcoming Valley Voice meeting next week in Sacramento and stated he will be advocating for smaller cities.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 8:18 P.M.