MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
November 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 – Marsigli – Giles – Mayor Pro Tem Ford – Mayor Nagy Staff present: Interim City Manager Melanie Correa, Finance Director Jennifer Morrison, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Fire Chief Rich Martin, City Attorney Olivia Clark, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, and Acting Deputy Clerk Desirae Porras
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Giles made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 5-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. County Elections Office – November 4, 2025 Election Report Melvin Levey, Registrar of Voters
Melvin Levey, Registrar of Voters, provided an overview of the November 4, 2025 Election report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli requested for future elections the ballot box be picked-up no earlier than 8 P.M.
Council member Marsigli asked if a voting center could be opened for a single day. Mr.
Levey conveyed that new regulations required voting centers to be open for four days.
Council Marsigli inquired clarification on the residency validation process, to which Mr.
Levey provided the County’s process.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired the postmark deadline for mail-in ballots, to which Mr. Levey advised the ballots have to be post marked on Election Day and received within seven days.
There was further discussion regarding the issues that occurred due to the early removal of the ballot box.
Mayor Nagy commented on the lack of voting centers in the Westside. He expressed appreciation to Mr. Levey for attending the meeting and addressing the concerns of the community.
Council member Marsigli inquired the process to remove deceased voters from voting polls, to which Mr. Levey advised Department of Public Health transfers the information to Vote Cal who then push it to Registrar of Voters. He further advised of other options on how to process the removal. He provided insight on the clerical portion of updating voter information.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Abby Pendleton, Assembly member Alanis’s office, updated on legislative bills Craig Christenson, 457 West Avenue, expressed frustration regarding the early removal of the ballot box. He gave kudos to law enforcement for their traffic safety operation that took place earlier. He commended staff for putting up the Christmas decorations.
He commented on the fiber optic construction throughout town.
Britney Tran, Optimized Investment Firms, provided a preliminary analysis of her company and offered services to the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Minutes of the November 4, 2025 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Treasurer’s Report – October 2025
Recommendation: Review and file
5. Approve Request from Our Lady of Miracles for Use of City Streets for Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession
Recommendation: Review and approve request
6. Approve Resolution Supporting AB1012 Securing the Efficiency of Transportation Funding and Implementing Timely Use of Federal and State Funding for the CMAQ 2025 Infill Sidewalk Improvements Project
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
7. Approve Resolution Accepting Proposal and Authorizing Interim City Manager to Execute Contract with Roof and Solar Solutions for Fire Station Roof Repairs Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
8. Approve Resolution Supporting City’s Submission of 2025 Measure V Regional Candidate Project for the East Ave, Hunt Road, and Sullivan Road Rehabilitation Project
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether there is a federal match for consent calendar item #8, to which Danny Reed, Project Manager, advised this is a Regional Measure V project requiring no federal match. He stated the City is funding the design portion through transportation funds and further advised the application is for construction of the project.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
9. Consider Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 4, Article 2 Adopting by Reference the California Code of Regulations Title 24, 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Open the public hearing
3. Receive public comment
4. Close the public hearing
5. Consider a motion to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Title 4, Chapter 4, Article 2 Adopting by Reference the California Code of Regulations Title 24, 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code Mike Brinkman, Building Inspector, presented the staff report.
Mayor Nagy opened the public hearing at 7:29P.M.
There was no public comment.
The public hearing was closed at 7:30P.M.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether it is required to have electric only, to which Mr. Brinkman denied.
Mr. Brinkman advised the safety code will become mandatory January 1, 2026, whether adopted or not.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether it could be amended, to which Mr. Brinkman affirmed it could be amended.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the Ordinance needs to be updated first and then amended, to which City Attorney Clark advised the process is adopting the ordinance with said amendments.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the ordinance states it is required to do all electric, to which Mr. Brinkman advised it is not required nor stated that electric only is required.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Title 4, Chapter 4, Article 2 adopting by reference the California Code of Regulations Title 24, 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 5-0.
10. Consider Resolution Amending the Gustine Municipal Parking Violation Fine Schedule
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve the resolution
Police Chief Chavez introduced Aaron Chandler from BBK and advised he is available for further questions.
Police Chief Chavez presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on language throughout the fine schedule and advised the language is vague.
Council member Giles inquired on the layout of the schedule, to which Police Chief Chavez advised the City can adopt what is presented with Council modifications.
Mayor Nagy requested clarification on what is being requested of Council and for more information about the fees involved.
Mr. Chandler advised the statutes allow recovery of fees to a certain extent and stated it could be questioned if the fees are too high.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on vehicle code 22500, to which Mr.
Chandler advised the vehicle code allows adoption of the vehicle code for enforcement by the local agency to issue civil penalties. He provided explanation on vehicle code 22500.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the City can adopt an ordinance relating to parking on the lawn, to which Police Chief Chavez advised this item is for vehicle code related violations only.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the City is updated fines for moving violations, to which Mr. Chandler advised it is limited for local agency to enforce moving violations.
Council member Marsigli expressed with frustration in U-turns on Main Street, to which Mr. Chandler advised the District Attorney would have the authority to prosecute that and further advised the local agency does not have the authority.
There was further discussion regarding the fine amounts listed in the provided fee schedule.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the language stating City staff has the right to determine appropriate fine amounts, to which Mr. Chandler stated his understanding of the purpose behind bringing this item to Council today and advised the next step would be for staff to come back with a fine tuned and more detailed fine schedule resolution.
Interim City Manager Correa clarified the importance of approving the resolution.
City Attorney Clark recommended having certain violations included in the fine schedule regardless if the City is enforcing it now.
Council provided recommendations on the adjustment of fees.
Council provided consensus to cover weighted costs, factor in Data Ticket fees and propose to Council an increase to existing fine schedule.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether an Ad-Hoc Committee is necessary, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised staff to bring it back to Council and at that point, Council can determine if they would like to create an Ad-Hoc Committee for the item.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the resolution.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 5-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez commended the volunteers for their work. He reported on the traffic safety operation that took place earlier and provided a breakdown of the citations. He thanked the volunteers and Reserve Officers for their help with the Veteran’s Day parade, and the Merced County Food distribution event. He informed Council the Department of California Tax and Revenue conducted another inspection at 7 Star Smoke Shop and issued a second citation. He thanked Recreation Manager Vitorino for publishing the Police Department Community survey. He advised of the help from Police Reserves and volunteers at the Trunk or Treat event. He informed Council of the feature of Reserve Officer Marrot in Merced College magazine. He advised of his communications with Amanda Duran in Public Health regarding enforcement of the taco pop-ups. He further advised of the upcoming training with Pipe Down Solutions.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford commended the department regarding the route for the food bank distribution.
Fire Chief Martin advised of the department’s participation in retired Fire Chief Mel Souza’s funeral services. He reminded Council of the upcoming Breakfast with Santa on November 29th.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of the memo placed on the dais regarding Cottage Food Operations and stated that Merced County does not have a permit for the Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation. She provided the difference between the Cottage Food Operations and the Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operations.
Finance Director Morrison updated on 2025 firework fines.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and advised of the additions to the Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas event. She reminded everyone of the Lion’s Club Food Drive on December 12th. She advised of the upcoming Police Explorer’s Game Night event on Friday at the Goman Center. She thanked Council for approving the Fire Department Roof Repair project.
She thanked the Police Department and volunteers for their assistance at the food distribution event this morning. She informed Council that park bathrooms will be closed at 3 P.M. during winter.
Acting Deputy Clerk Porras updated on the Employee Appreciation Luncheon. She thanked Council and staff on their attendance and participation. She expressed appreciation to staff and Council.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Correa advised she had nothing to report.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Clark advised on the routine work with staff, and expressed pleasure in working with staff.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Melville advised of his attendance at the Veteran’s Day parade and the Employee Appreciation Luncheon. He informed Council of the upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner at Green Acres for the veterans and senior citizens on Friday from 4P.M. to 6P.M.
Council member Giles inquired whether the lights at 7 Star Smoke shop are in compliance with City Ordinance, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the code does not state the business cannot have lights and does not specify brightness requirements. She further advised if Council would like to include in code, staff could work on it and bring it back.
Council member Marsigli advised of her attendance at the Annual Garden of Tables event. She addressed issues that occurred with the microphone at the event, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised it could be due to low battery. Council member Marsigli inquired on CalRecycle enforcement, to which Economic & Development Director Westervelt advised she has not received an update from CalRecycle.
Council member Marsigli inquired on whom to call to report the taco pop-up on Highway 33, to which Fire Chief Martin advised to contact Merced County Sherriff’s office.
Council member Marsigli wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired whether the sewer line behind City Hall is on the Capital Improvement Projects list, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised she would look into it. Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired whether there is a storm drain on the corner of Chevron, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised there is a drain and further advised of her upcoming meeting with the City Engineer, and Caltrans for additional information on their plans with the storm drain. He commented on the sinkhole issues throughout town, to which Interim City Manager Correa advised she would follow up.
Mayor Nagy advised of his attendance at the Veteran’s Day parade and Employee Appreciation Luncheon. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and reminded everyone of the Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas event. He thanked the Public Works department for assisting with the Christmas decorations. He reminded all of the Lion’s Club Food and Toy Drive. He complimented the new lighting fixtures by the Gustine Club and DJ Dan’s business. He thanked staff for the Employee Appreciation Luncheon.
Mayor Nagy adjourned open session in memory of Mel Souza.
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 reported that Council has advised the City Attorney to continue negotiations with their selected candidate.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 9:26 P.M.