MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
April 15, 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 Nagy Staff present: City Manager Soknirorn Than, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Fire Chief Richard Martin, Finance Director Jennifer Morrison, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Public Works Director Gary Ingram, Assistant City Attorney Olivia Clarke (virtual), and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa Mayor Pro Tem Ford was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Nagy advised that administrative agenda item #13 is being removed from the agenda.
Council member Giles made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli, and carried 4-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Gustine Police Explorer Post Update
ATT ProAm Pebble Beach Detail Report
Merced County Bob Luna Explorer Competition Report
Police Chief Chavez introduced the Police Explorers in attendance and gave a presentation on their efforts at the ATT ProAm and Explorer competition event. The Explorers presented a check to the City from Tillamook Police Cadet Program for thier assistance at the ATT ProAm event.
Mayor Nagy commended the Explorers and thanked them for their dedication.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Abby Pendleton, on behalf of Assembly Member Juan Alanis, provided an update on several bills.
Beth Crisanti, inquired on the status of the recently removed welcome sign at the north entrance of town, to which Mayor Nagy advised staff would be in touch with an update.
Mark Petersen, with Unwired Broadband, commended the Explorers for their contributions to the community. He congratulated them on their efforts.
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 April 1, 2025 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Treasurer’s Report – March 2025
Recommendation: Review and file
5. Approve Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Henry Miller Park Gazebo Roof Replacement Project, Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contract Documents, and Increasing the Appropriations Limit in the User Utility Tax Fund
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
6. Approve Employment Agreement for Public Works Utilities Supervisor Recommendation: Review and approve employment contract
7. Approve Resolution Authorizing Contract Amendment for Water & Sewer Rate Study and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Amendment Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the difference between workmanship warranty and quotes provided for consent calendar item #5, to which City Manager Than provided information.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the shingle styles quoted were of the presidential style requested, to which City Manager Than advised the shingle samples were inspected.
There was further discussion in regards to the shingle styles.
Council directed staff to pull consent calendar #5 from consideration for additional information from bidders.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve consent calendar items 1-4, and 6-7.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
8. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Merced County Local Aging and Disability-Friendly Action Plan
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Hold discussion and provide staff with direction
Economic and Community Development Director Westervelt introduced Mike King, of Pear Street Consulting, who presented an overview of the draft plan.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the California Master Plan for Aging, to which Mr.
King advised it is the State’s version of the critical needs for seniors and stated the five goals related to the critical needs.
Council member Marsigli inquired the outreach to get Gustine stakeholders to the community meetings, to which Mr. King provided information on the groups, businesses, organizations and staff who they worked with to obtain community input.
Mr. King advised of his intent to work with the City to address the needs of the community.
Council member Giles expressed his opinion on whether the City has resources to comply with the recommended actions.
Mayor Nagy expressed his oppositional position regarding the action plan.
Council member Marsigli provided her opinion that the City should not participate.
Mr. King advised of his intention to move forward in working with the City to have further communications to make the community more livable for the seniors without having to obtain funding from the City.
Jaz Chima, Merced County Human Services, voiced concerns with funding for the assisted transportation program, affordable legal services and counseling, and advised of the need for community support.
9. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter into Contract with Harris & Associates for AB1600 Impact Fee Reporting and Increasing the Appropriations Limit Accordingly
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider the motion to approve the resolution
Finance Director Morrison presented the staff report.
City Manager Than advised of the importance in complying with the reporting requirement.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into contract with Harris & Associates for AB1600 Impact Fee Reporting and increasing the appropriations limit accordingly.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
10. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter into Contract with Data Ticket, Inc. for Administrative and Parking Citation Processing Services
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider the motion to approve the resolution
Police Chief Chavez presented the staff report.
There was some discussion related to minimum fees.
Mayor Nagy remarked on the need to increase the City’s fine schedule.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the City fee schedule can be changed prior to the June start date with Data Ticket, to which City Manager Than advised the City is hopeful to get the fee schedule updated within 6 months.
Police Chief Chavez advised of the City working with Data Ticket to update the fee schedule and provided details of another agency’s experience in doing so.
Council member Giles inquired whether Data Ticket would start helping the City with the fee schedule as soon as the agreement is approved, to which City Manager Than affirmed.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing City Manager to enter into contract with Data Ticket, Inc. for administrative and parking citation processing services.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
11. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter into Agreement with U.S.
Department of Agriculture and Unwired Broadband to Implement USDA Reconnect Program Grant
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider the motion to approve the resolution
Economic and Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Giles made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreement with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Unwired Broadband to implement the USDA Reconnect Program grant.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
12. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter into Agreement with Unwired Broadband Clarifying Co-Awardee Roles in USDA Reconnect Program Grant
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider the motion to approve the resolution
Economic and Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the agreement safeguards the City from being liable to make any future repairs, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt affirmed and further advised the City will be required to prepare and submit reporting but Unwired will be responsible for providing the data.
Council member Melville made a motion to authorize City Manager to enter into agreement with Unwired Broadband clarifying Co-Awardee roles in USDA Reconnect Program grant.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
13. Consider Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Demolition of Nine Airport Hangars, Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contract Documents, and Increasing the Appropriations Limit in the Measure V Fund
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive public comment
3. Consider the motion to approve the resolution
This item has been pulled from the agenda.
14. Consider Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 7-6-10(a) of Chapter 6 of Title 7 of the Gustine Municipal Code Regarding Administrative Fines for Fireworks
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Open the public hearing
3. Close the public hearing
4. Consider a motion to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 7-6-10(a) of Chapter 6 of Title 7 of the Gustine Municipal Code regarding Administrative Fines for Fireworks
Police Chief Chavez presented staff report.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the language regarding period of escalation.
City Manager Than inquired whether the ordinance can be updated to reflect the changes to 5-year period of escalation, to which Assistant Attorney Clark advised she would look into it.
Mayor Nagy opened the public hearing at 8:30P.M.
Don Pasarrelii, TNT Fireworks, provided support of the presented ordinance.
The public hearing was closed at 8:32P.M.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether a resident can store safe and sane fireworks for a year, to which Fire Chief Martin advised there may be language in the Fire Marshall’s code relating to a limited amount of storage of safe and sane fireworks.
City Manager Than advised the current Municipal Code does not allow the storage of illegal nor safe and sane fireworks after July 6th each year.
Council provided consensus to increase the fines to $2,000, $4,000, and $8,000 for consecutive violations.
Council member Melville made a motion to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance Section 7-6-10(a) of Chapter 6 of Title 7 of the Gustine Municipal Code regarding Administrative Fines for fireworks as amended.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford absent.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez provided information of a recent arrest related to drug activity and advised of the assistance by County Drug Task Force.
Fire Chief Martin updated that the Westside Ambulance district has not had any additional meetings to consider changes in ambulance services.
Public Works Director Ingram advised that he had nothing to report.
Recreation Manager Vitorino shared Petersen Shelters recently updated paint and new tables. She reminded everyone of the Easter Egg Hunt this weekend. She informed Council of the pump at pool being repaired, and advised of Lifeguard training scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.
Finance Director Morrison advised the preliminary budget review appointments are scheduled for the week of April 28.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised that she had nothing to report.
Administrative Services Director Correa thanked Council for approving the employment agreement for the Public Works Utilities Supervisor position and stated the start date of April 28th. She advised of her attendance at the San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy conference, and shared the City is hosting the County CEO/City Manager Quarterly luncheon later this week.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than advised that the traffic detour and temporary traffic plan from the SR140/Hwy 33 Roundabout project will dissipate tomorrow, April 16th. He further advised that the additional stop signs at SR140 and East and SR140 and Sullivan will be removed.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether signage can be installed advising cross traffic does not stop, to which City Manager Than advised the City has to inquire with Caltrans prior to displaying signage.
Council member Giles inquired whether the City needs approval from Caltrans to display on the mobile message board, to which City Manager Than affirmed should the sign be located on the highway.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Assistant Attorney Clark advised she had nothing to report.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli updated on a successful meeting with GUSD. She reminded everyone of Motors on Main on April 26. She complimented the path at Schmidt Park and thanked Public Works for the new trees on West Avenue.
Council member Melville advised of the Open House at Cali Form fitness on April 26th.
He advised of his attendance at Romero Day, and their basketball tournament. He further advised of his participation in cleaning Lions Park.
Council member Giles advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy inquired of the ribbon cutting date for SR140/Hwy 33 Roundabout, to which City Manager Than advised no date has been set. He informed Council of his attendance at the GUSD 2v2 meeting and San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Conference. He inquired on schedule for stump grinding, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the department will work on them. Mayor Nagy thanked staff for all they do.
CLOSED SESSON PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE, DISMISSAL, RELEASE.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
After returning to open session, Mayor Nagy advised there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 9:31 P.M.