MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
March 18, 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, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Fire Chief Richard Martin, Public Works Director Gary Ingram, Assistant City Attorney Olivia Clark, 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. Citywide Broadband Project Update
Mark Peterson, Strategic Projects, Unwired
Economic and Community Development Director Westervelt introduced Mr. Peterson who gave a brief overview of the citywide project. He then introduced VP of Operations John Majors, who gave an overview of the project in more detail.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired where boring would occur, Mr. Major introduced Jeff Schamber who along with City Manager Than advised that the boring would occur at edge of the sidewalk and the property line. Mr. Schamber explained Unwired’s process with exploring cabling from the street to the residence.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired whether the cost to install per customer would be based off the extent to which the boring would need to go, to which Mr. Majors advised typically customers are not passed along the costs of installation to establish service.
Council member Marsigli expressed concern over the integrity of her existing concrete, to which Mr. Major described different methods Unwired utilizes to provide installation to expand their service.
Council member Marsigli inquired more information on the coverage map, to which Mr.
Peterson provided information.
Council member Marsigli inquired why businesses are charged more than residential, to which Mr. Peterson advised business customers typically utilize more service, as compared to residential customers.
Mayor Nagy expressed concern that downtown Gustine was in the final phase of the installation schedule.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether North Avenue sidewalk would be impacted from his project, to which City Manager Than advised some areas may have to be staked but affirmed the sidewalks will not be impacted.
There was some discussion related to the affordability of the plans.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether there was a difference on the upload and download capabilities, to which Unwired responded the service is symmetrical.
Mr. Schamber provided information that downtown was part of the final phase to allow for proper planning and coordination with business owners so as to not impact their business.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Abby Pendleton, on behalf of Assembly Member Juan Alanis, updated on bills scheduled to be heard within the coming weeks.
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 4, 2025 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Treasurer’s Report – February 2025
Recommendation: Review and file
5. Approve Resolution Directing the Filing of Annual Reports for the City’s Assessment Districts
Recommendation: Review and approve
6. Approve Resolution Authorizing the Destruction of Certain City Records Recommendation: Review and approve
7. Approve Resolution Authorizing the Sale, Auction, or Destruction of Certain City Property
Recommendation: Review and approve
8. Approve Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of the Housing Element Annual Progress Report for 2024 and Annually Hereafter During the Sixth Cycle Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
City Manager Than advised a Tuatara would remain City property.
Administrative Services Director Correa advised the 2015 police explorer should be removed from the surplus property list.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the radar trailer and utility trailer, to which Administrative Services Director Correa advised the utility trailer would be removed from the surplus property list.
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.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
9. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Compliance with New Legal Obligations for City Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts (AB2561)
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Hold discussion and provide staff with direction
Administrative Services Director Correa presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli advised staff to do bare minimum to satisfy mandates.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford expressed frustration with the new legal obligations for the City.
Mayor Nagy expressed frustration and advised this bill was written for larger cities that circumvent the system.
Council provided consensus for staff to comply with the law at minimum.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez advised he had nothing to report.
Fire Chief Martin advised school inspections are underway. He informed Council of a recent Business license inspection that was completed. He updated on the Engine 306 hose testing and advised Engine 305 is next. He advised of his upcoming attendance at the GHS Career Day and Every 15 Minutes program. He informed Council the Fill the Boot for the Burn Institute fundraiser will be Saturday. He updated on his attendance at the Westside Community Health District special meeting and provided an update on the District’s current decision to potentially dissolve the ambulance portion of the district or declare bankruptcy.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired what the ambulance portion is, to which Mr. Martin provided information on the healthcare district remaining as a grant agency pass through agency.
City Manager Than advised this item will be coming to the Council at a future meeting, once staff gathers all the relevant information.
Public Works Director Ingram advised on the Bird Ad Hoc Committee meeting held last week. He provided accolades to the Community Services Officers Gallardo and Elizalde for their assistance with the ducks at Schmidt Park.
Finance Director Morrison advised invites were sent out for preliminary budget meetings.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt informed Council of the new tire business in town. She advised of her participation in a westside meeting with Los Banos, Dos Palos, and Mercy Medical on westside healthcare needs. She updated on the Planning Commissioner academy, and thanked commissioners for continuing their education. She provided an update on the Comcast project installation.
Administrative Services Director Correa advised of Recreation Manager Vitorino’s attendance at CPRS conference.
She further advised of her upcoming attendance at Career Day at GHS. She informed Council of the current Lead Lifeguard recruitment, and advised Lifeguard I and II recruitments will follow. She updated that the Lifeguard Certification training is open for registration.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than advised of staff’s push to evolve to proactivity. He advised of his attendance at the Read across America event at Gustine Elementary.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Assistant City Attorney Olivia Clark introduced herself and expressed her honor to serve the City.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli advised of a social media post praising the City. She advised of her attendance at the Volunteer Fire Department cioppino dinner.
Council member Melville provided his notes from the Westside Ambulance meeting. He advised of his attendance at the Fire Department cioppino dinner and stated it was well attended. He reported of his attendance at Bird Ad Hoc Committee meeting. He thanked Public Works for starting deterrence efforts. He remarked on the fundraiser by Downtown Business Association for Mr. Bustos.
Council member Giles inquired on status of repaving Carnation Rd, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the project is still scheduled and anticipated this year.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford thanked staff for jumping on egret deterrence efforts. He inquired on a policy to approve patios on sidewalk along Main Street, to which City Manager Than advised Planning Commission has brought this up as well, and will be working to develop a recommendation to bring to Council.
Council member Marsigli inquired the timeline on the veterinary business, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised there is a lot of work to be done inside the building which is anticipated to take a year.
Mayor Nagy advised of his attendance at the San Joaquin Valley Policy Valley Voice in Sacramento. He also advised of his role in awarding Police Officer of the Year award tomorrow. He informed Council of his upcoming attendance at the MCAG Governing Board meeting, League of California Cities Central Division Quarterly meeting, San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Commission meeting. He reminded everyone of the Rotary Hops and Banger event on Saturday.
CLOSED SESSON PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION- Title: City Manager.
After returning to open session, Mayor Nagy advised there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:53 P.M.