MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
September 16, 2025
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to order at 6:34 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 Jennifer Morrison, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, City Attorney Olivia Clark (virtual), Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Public Works Director Gary Ingram, Fire Chief Rich Martin, and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 5-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Council member Giles abstained from consent calendar #2 - 9/2/25 minutes due to his absence at that meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Pickleball for a Cause – Event Overview
Daniel Gomes
Daniel Gomes, Garret Gomes, and Patty Garcia-Gomez presented an update on the Pickleball for a Cause event.
Mayor Nagy and Council member Melville added their congratulations on the success of the event.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Abby Pendleton, Assembly member Alanis’s office, provided highlights from 2025 legislative session.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Minutes of the September 2, 2025 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Treasurer’s Report – August 2025
Recommendation: Review and file
5. Establish Utilities Maintenance Worker Job Classification and Approve Job Description
Recommendation: Review, establish, and approve
6. Approve Resolution Adopting Updated Gustine Employee Salary Schedule Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
7. Approve Update to Maintenance Worker Job Description Recommendation: Review and approve
8. Approve Request from American Legion Post 240 for Use of City Streets and Services, and Waiver of Fees for Annual Veteran’s Day Parade Recommendation: Review and approve request
9. Approve Resolution Authorizing Purchase of Trailer-Mounted Pothole Patching Equipment and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Purchasing Documents Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
10. Approve Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Agreement with Merced County for Animal Services
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli expressed her opinion on of seeing City become a “no-kill” community.
City Manager Than shared that the City is engaging with local animal rescues to rehome animals.
Mayor Nagy inquired if pothole patcher is diesel or propane, to which City Manager Than advised it is propane.
Mayor Nagy inquired clarification on the specifics of the equipment, to which City Manager Than advised of the hydraulic hatch opening option but added staffs concern with having the additional equipment.
City Manager Than advised the City had the option to add electric generators and arrow boards, to which the City has opted out of.
Council member Giles inquired on freight cost for the patcher, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised it is the cost from manufacturer to Tulare.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
11. Consider Approval of a Resolution Adopting Revised Local Responsibility Area Map for State Fire Marshall Identified Fire Hazard Severity Zones
1. Receive staff report
3. Receive Public Comment
5. Consider a motion to approve resolution
City Manager Than presented the staff report.
Mayor Nagy inquired who determined and established this zone, to which City Manager Than advised the determination is from Cal Fire and State Fire Marshall.
There was further discussion related to additional disclosures and costs associated with high- and very high- zones.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve resolution adopting Local Responsibility Area Map for State Fire Marshall identified fire hazard severity zones.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 5-0.
12. Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Purchase of Compost Spreader Equipment and Recycling Containers from CalRecycle Grant Funding and Increasing Appropriations Accordingly
1. Receive staff report
3. Receive Public Comment
5. Consider a motion to approve resolution
Economic and Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired definition of “collection” along with additional expenses incurred from additional recycling bins.
Council member Giles suggested a bagging machine to assist with dispersing compost and as a sand bag filler during the rainy season.
Public Works Director Ingram advised there may be an attachment available for the skid steer for those purposes.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired where compost would be spread, to which Public Works Director Ingram stated it would be spread at all parks.
There was further discussion related to City’s exemption through 2030 to procure additional compost.
Council member Giles made a motion to approve resolution authorizing purchase of compost spreader equipment and recycling containers from CalRecycle grant funding and increasing appropriations accordingly.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0.
13. Consider Approval of a Resolution Adopting 2025 Emergency Operations Plan
1. Receive staff report
3. Receive Public Comment
5. Consider a motion to approve resolution
City Manager Than presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired whether Mayor Nagy has the authority to declare emergency, to which City Manager Than clarified that the Council may, and that the City Manager is the Emergency Director, with Chief of Police as Assistant. He further advised once declared within five-days council would make official declaration.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Nagy commented on misnomer related to how Gustine received its name.
Mayor inquired on flood disaster probability, to which City Manager Than advised it is tricky due to no flood zone declaration by FEMA.
Mayor Nagy recommended taking out flood hazard catastrophic assessment.
Fire Chief Martin reminded council of the two main water conveyances just outside of town in the Delta-Mendota canal and the aqueduct.
Council member Melville added that Gustine’s elevation would lend well in the event of a dam inundation.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve resolution adopting 2025 Emergency Operations Plan as amended.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez commended 9/11 walk and successful festa celebration.
Fire Chief Martin updated on fundraising $15K from golf tournament. He advised the money would go toward repairs, equipment replacement and trainings.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on upcoming events, and recognized Mayor Nagy as the Homecoming parade Grand Marshall. She reminded everyone of the Rotary Flea Market on Sunday.
Finance Director Morrison advised she had nothing to report.
Public Works Director Ingram advised of routine maintenance.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt reminded everyone of the Business Roundtable tomorrow night in the City Council Chambers. She also alerted on current survey out.
Administrative Services Director Correa updated on Utilities Maintenance Worker internal recruitment and SRO recruitment of interest.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than advised East Ave. sidewalk improvements are making progress. He informed Council the loop line and tank project funding is secured.
He advised of the Notice to Proceed for the North Avenue Pump Station Improvements project. He informed Council of the SB1 Paving pre-con meeting 9/24 and advised paving would start within 2 weeks following. He updated that full alleyway would be included from Hwy 33 and 5th Ave.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired whether broadband boring would be complete prior to paving, to which City Manager Than affirmed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised concrete was being poured into boring holes, to which City Manager Than advised of difference of standards between City and Caltrans.
He advised of the Hanger Demo pre-con meeting on 9/22 and expressed hope to get the permit to San Joaquin Air Board for construction approval.
He advised the Lucerne sidewalk project E-76 will go to Caltrans shortly, and updated on Lucerne/West Roundabout delay due to AT&T vault in middle of project needing relocation.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the costs will increase due to delay, to which City Manager Than affirmed and advised it will impact the construction costs and stated the project is matched with Measure V funding.
He advised of the CalCities Valley Division dinner next week and informed Council he and council member Melville will be attending.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired schedule for downtown roundabout, to which City Manager Than advised bidding would commence in January.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Administrative Services Director Correa advised of City Attorney Clarke’s update on SB707 which has passed assembly, and is headed to senate. She advised Ms. Clarke would keep Council posted.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli advised of her attendance at the 9/11 walk. She commended Henry Miller Park sign relocation.
Council member Melville remarked on successful festa celebration and 9/11 walk. He commented on Ducks Unlimited Gustine chapter event in October.
Council member Giles inquired update on veterinarian business, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised building demo is complete, with inspection pending.
Mayor Nagy advised the architect is holding up project.
Council member Giles inquired on the EPA potholing for lead service line inventory, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised the inventory is not complete and advised he would get contractor update.
Council member Giles inquired what next step would be in accessing grants, to which Public Works Director Ingram advised he would get an update on that as well.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired process to obtain building permit, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt and Finance Director Morrison provided information.
Mayor Nagy commented on successful festa and bullfights. He advised of the upcoming Homecoming and Rotary Flea Market events. He apologized for his absence from the 9/11 Walk.
CLOSED SESSON PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:49 P.M.