MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
October 21, 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 – Marsigli – Giles – 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, Fire Chief Rich Martin, 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
Council member Marsigli advised she would abstain from consent calendar item #1 due to her absence at that meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
Craig Christensen advised this Friday will be the last home football game of the season, invited community to support.
Lori Sequeira, co-Treasurer Gustine Newman Garden Club, advised of upcoming Garden of Tables fundraising luncheon and thanked Council for ongoing fee waiver in support of their fundraiser.
Abby Pendleton, Assembly Member Alanis’s office, advised the Legislative Analyst’s Office released findings on the State’s budget outlook. She further advised the State lacks capacity for new commitments.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired more information on temporary revenue increases, to which Ms. Pendleton advised it is borrowed funds from reserves.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of the October 7, 2025 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
2. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
3. Treasurer’s Report – September 2025
Recommendation: Review and file
4. Approve Request from Chamber of Commerce for Use of City Streets and Services, and Waiver of Fees for Annual Chamber of Commerce Old-Fashioned Christmas Event
Recommendation: Review and approve request
5. Approve Adoption and Waiver of Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 4-44, Section 4-44-140 of the Gustine Zoning and Subdivision Code Relating to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units and Finding the Action to be Statutorily Exempt from CEQA
Recommendation: Review and approve
6. Approve Use of City Park Facilities and Services, and Authorize Mobile Food Vendors at Annual Color Run Event
Recommendation: Review and approve
7. Approve Resolution Continuing Adoption of Military Equipment Use Policy and Directing Retention of Policy in Gustine Police Department Policy Manual Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
8. Approve Resolution Accepting Completion of Roundabout on SR-140/33 Project, Authorizing City Clerk to File a Notice of Completion, and Authorizing City Manager to Make Final Payment of Retention Monies
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
9. Approve Update to Mayoral Committee Appointments for 2025-2026 Calendar Years
Recommendation: Review and approve
10. Approve Resolution Naming and Confirming Signatories on the City’s Banking Accounts
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
11. Approve Request from Gustine Elementary School for Use of City Streets and Services for Annual Parade of Costumes Event
Recommendation: Review and approve request
12. Approve Public Works Director Job Description Update Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
Craig Christensen, 657 West Ave, provided his opinion of negative impacts of mandates to new utility infrastructure for new ADUs.
City Manager Than advised staff is requesting to add a bullet point on item #12 inserting “Other duties as assigned”.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0, with Marsigli abstaining on item #1 and including the amendment to #12 as stated.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
13. Consider Resolutions Approving Two-Year Extensions for Vesting Tentative Subdivision Maps Related to Development of Parcels in the Southeast Gustine Master Plan Area
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution approving two-year extension for the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map Submitted by Richard and Rebecca Rasmussen
4. Consider a motion to approve resolution approving two-year extension for the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map Submitted by Michael and Dana Rasmussen Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented staff report.
Mike Rasmussen, applicant, advised the request for extension is related to other master plan area parcel infrastructure development.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve resolution approving two-year extension for the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map submitted by Richard and Rebecca Rasmussen.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve resolution approving two-year extension for the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map submitted by Michael and Dana Rasmussen.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
14. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Agreement for Animal Care Services
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
Police Chief Chavez presented the staff report.
City Manager Than provided additional information on the importance of this partnership. He introduced Crickett Brinkman, of Kate’s Furreka Rescue to share information on the rescue efforts.
Mrs. Brinkman thanked the City for the opportunity to partner. She shared the difficulties that rescue organizations are faced with the overabundance of animals being dumped, lost and surrendered. She shared information on the microchip portion of the upcoming city licensing and vaccine clinic.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on technicalities of microchip registering, to which Mrs.
Brinkman provided information that the rescue will overwrite microchip registration.
There was no public comment.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing City Manager to execute agreement for animal care services.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 5-0.
15. Consider Resolution Adopting Transportation Analysis Guidelines, Establishing Procedures for Vehicle Miles Traveled and Level of Service Analysis for Development Review and CEQA Compliance
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
City Manager Than presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
City Manager Than provided additional information on the intricacies of the law. There was some discussion related to the inconsistencies posed by these principles.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve resolution adopting Transportation Analysis Guideline, establishing procedures for Vehicle Miles Traveled and Level of Service Analysis for development review and CEQA compliance.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 5-0.
16. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: 2026 Merced County Association of Governments Trip Delegate and Priority Projects
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Hold discussion and provide consensus to staff on direction City Manager Than presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council provided consensus to delegate Police Chief Chavez and approved the proposed priority projects.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez advised of recent probation sweep. He further advised the department assisted with County code enforcement on pop-up food vendors. He informed Council the new CSO truck was received. He advised Reserve Police Officer Marot was selected to be featured in Merced College magazine. He reminded everyone of the Cocoa with a Cop event this Saturday.
Fire Chief Martin advised over the past month, the department has been actively engaged in responding to service calls. He advised of department’s participation in Trunk or Treat.
Finance Director Morrison advised she had nothing to report.
Recreation Manager Vitorino advised of ongoing preparations for Trunk or Treat and Color Run events. She commended the Newman Gustine Garden Club for front scape of Goman center. She advised of weathering efforts on facilities to prepare for winter.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt updated on her contact with First 5 of Merced County. She thanked City Manager Than for his work as City Manager.
Administrative Services Director Correa informed Council of the upcoming Merced County Association of Governments public workshop. She advised both Utilities Maintenance Worker positions had been filled and advised of the opening of the Public Works Director recruitment.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Than reminisced on his first Council meeting with Gustine. He shared his thoughts on his time with the agency, he thanked Council, staff, and the public. He spoke of his optimism for Gustine in the months to come.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Clark wished City Manager Than well, and advised her office is preparing a primer on SB707, the Brown Act overhaul, which will be shared soon.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Melville reminded everyone of the Ducks Unlimited Chapter event this weekend. He thanked City Manager Than for his input.
Council member Giles wished City Manager Than goodbye, and advised staff to keep the momentum going.
Council member Marsigli inquired on status of roundabouts and rodent abatement.
City Manager Than advised downtown roundabout would be going out to bid early 2026. He reported on the Lucerne/3rd Ave roundabout was moving forward in design.
He updated on the rodent abatement at Schmidt Park and advised it is in the third week of efforts. He further advised the treatment area has seen a notable decrease in activity, but new colonies seem to be popping up in other untreated areas .
Council member Marsigli shared sink holes developing from broadband operations, City Manager Than advised of 10-year maintenance contract with both companies to ensure repair.
Council member Marsigli expressed appreciation of Assembly Member Alanis visit. She thanked City Manager Than for being so productive.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford reported sink hole on his business driveway. He expressed appreciation in City Manager Than’s tenure, dedication and effort in Gustine.
Council member Melville commented on hangar demolition project, inquired on status of fuel pump at airport. Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt shared update that project is on ACIP in FY27. She advised FAA is closed with government shutdown.
Council member Melville further inquired on intersection of East and Carnation needing completion, to which City Manager Than provided information.
Mayor Nagy shared his appreciation for City Manager Than’s efforts in Gustine. He wished him the best. He introduced former Council member Derek Alexander.
CLOSED SESSON PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT. Position: City Manager
After returning to open session, Mayor Nagy advised there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 8:42 P.M.