MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
April 1, 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, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Fire Chief Richard Martin, Public Works Director Gary Ingram, City Attorney Ann Siprelle, and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Giles made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Grant Report
Jose Betancourt, La Familia
Gustine Police Officer S. Hollis
Gustine Police Officer S. Hollis introduced Mr. Betancourt, with La Familia, who provided a report on the Crisis Intervention Team grant and the services provided through the grant.
City Manager Than advised the City was not able to apply for additional grant funding due to the additional requirements of new grants. He spoke toward the City’s need for continued crisis intervention, and shared the county and regional efforts available to residents in the City. He further shared Gustine Unified’s current efforts toward applying for grant funding for a Health Resource Center.
Mayor Nagy commented on the success of the CIT program.
Council member Marsigli inquired on follow up on the cases, to which Mr. Betancourt advised of La Familia’s mobile unit being deployed to serve Gustine, Los Banos and Newman in May.
2. City Well #5 Update
Gary Ingram, Public Works Director
Public Works Director Ingram presented the update on City Well #5.
Council member Melville inquired how long ago the well was cleaned, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised there is no record of such service.
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?
3. Minutes of the March 18, 2025 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
5. Approve Resolution Authorizing Contract for 2025 Gustine Fireworks Show and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contract Documents
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on the Ford Ranger listed on the warrant list as recently repaired, to which City Manager Than advised the repaired vehicle is instead the current Community Services Officer pickup.
Council member Marsigli requested changing the payment date on consent calendar item #5 from April 1st to April 18th to avoid paying interest on a late payment.
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
6. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Pioneer Park Funding Status Update
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Hold discussion and provide staff with direction
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the City has to level the park, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the City must remove what is not up to code.
Mayor Nagy advised it would be helpful to view the components and their associated costs to build the project to align with the available funding. He further advised of his opinion to keep the project within the existing budget.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt clarified staff is seeking direction on next steps for the project.
City Manager Than advised of the current options to supplement the current project scope with City funds or to modify the scope and project cost.
Council provided direction to set the public hearing date to bring this item back to Council to consider project modifications to align the project within existing funding.
7. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Gustine Municipal Code Section 7-6 Fireworks Fines and Other Updates
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Hold discussion and provide staff with direction
Police Chief Chavez arrived to the meeting at 7:10 P.M. and presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Melville inquired the quantity of tickets issued of this nature in previous years, to which City Manager Than advised six were issued in 2024.
There was some discussion related to the social host component.
Council member Giles inquired how businesses would fit into the social host aspect, to which Police Chief Chavez and City Manager Than advised of the use of body worn cameras and in-car cameras to determine who would receive the citation.
City Manager Than inquired whether a recording of use of illegal fireworks could be used to cite a resident/property owner, to which Police Chief Chavez advised he was unsure if they could use the recording.
City Attorney Siprelle advised that with a social host clause, the citation would be issued to the owner of residence.
Council member Giles inquired how the City would be able to pinpoint where the fireworks are coming from if they are not observed, to which Police Chief Chavez advised the City’s process has been to have officers in unmarked cars observing, along with response to citizen reports.
City Manager Than advised the City could take an incremental approach by first increasing the fines.
Council provided direction to proceed with increasing fines, and revisit social host at a later date. Council provided consensus on an administrative citation fee increase of $2k first offense, $4K second offense, $8K for third offense and beyond in fine increase.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez advised of his attendance at the POST Academy class earlier that evening to recruit for the department. He advised Gustine Explorers will be competing in public safety exercises on Saturday. He offered compliments to Andrew at Wolfsen’s for arranging the takeout fundraiser for Abraham Bustos Guzman. Lastly, he advised of a recent drug-related arrest.
Fire Chief Martin updated that no decision was reached at the Westside Ambulance District meeting related to ambulance service and stated the decision was tabled to their next meeting. He informed Council $4,678 was raised at the recent Fill the Boot. He advised of upcoming events.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of new business license for law offices. She updated on her meeting with Chamber and Downtown Business Association as the first step in regular meetings between the agencies. She informed Council of the Planning Commission recommendation to Council to approve an ADU Ordinance amendment.. She advised comments from HCD on the City’s Housing Element submission is expected back by April 4.
Public Works Director Ingram advised of routine maintenance, and he recognized Marco Hernandez for his work on repainting the Petersen Shelter. He complimented the fresh paint paired with the new tables at the facility.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the ducks at Schmidt Park, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the Public Works and Police departments are working together to take care of the ducks.
He advised of the free compost giveaway this Friday.
Council member Marsigli inquired about non-residents obtaining compost, to which City Manager Than advised of the requirement of the grant that it be limited for use within city limits.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on status of egret population, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised a contractor has been secured to trim the trees to deter nesting.
Council member Melville inquired on an ordinance against feeding the ducks, to which staff advised a discussion item would be brought to Council within the next few meetings.
Council member Marsigli inquired on slurry seal for Schmidt Park walking path, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the walking path will be closed on April 7th for the seal.
Public Works Director Ingram advised the tulles in the Schmidt pond were removed which helped with reducing duck habitat.
Administrative Services Director Correa reported on behalf of Recreation Manager Vitorino and advised of the success at Paint Night. She further updated the Lead Lifeguard recruitment is closed, and that remaining lifeguard recruitments would open soon.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than advised on behalf of Finance Director Morrison of the work being done to prepare for FY26 budget as well as the audit cycles they are pushing through.
He further updated on the SR-140/Hwy 33 Roundabout project, which is expected to be energized next week. He mentioned the lighted crosswalks that are part of the project.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised of misuse of the pedestrian sidewalk ramp at Richard’s Market, to which City Manager Than advised staff will look into a solution.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Siprelle advised she had nothing to report.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli inquired an update on the Comcast broadband project, to which City Manager Than advised plan check is underway and further advised of the bottleneck of work occurring currently with the influx of encroachment permits being applied for currently.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the City is going to oppose SB79, to which City Manager Than affirmed.
Council member Melville advised of his attendance at the Every 15 Minutes event at GHS. He commended the public safety teams for their work.
Police Chief Chavez reiterated thanks to the public safety teams and a shout out to Megan Azevedo for coordinating the event. He also informed Council of the video of the event on YouTube.
Council member Melville went on to update on his attendance at the Rotary Hops & Bangers event. He commended the local efforts towards the Bustos Guzman family. He also advised of his attendance at the Paint and Sip event.
Council member Giles inquired whether the crosswalk at SR-140/Hwy 33 and Linden Ave will get additional signage installed, to which City Manager Than affirmed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy wished Council member Melville a happy birthday. He advised of the upcoming San Joaquin Regional Valley Policy Committee conference in Merced next week.
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 8:48 P.M.