MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
March 3, 2026
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 Melanie Correa, Finance Director Jennifer Morrison, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Fire Chief Rich Martin, City Attorney Olivia Clark (virtual), Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, City Engineer Mario Gouveia, and Acting Deputy Clerk Desirae Porras
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Merced County Veteran Service Officer Introduction
Benjamin Hernandez, Veteran Service Officer
Benjamin Hernandez, Merced County Veteran Service Officer, introduced himself and provided an overview of the County Veteran services.
Mayor Nagy thanked Mr. Hernandez for his service and provided him a business card with the local VFW Commander’s information.
Mr. Hernandez thanked the Council and advised he will be available for veterans in office or at home visits.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Steve Dioszegi, Gustine Resident, voiced his concerns with the feral cats and asked Council for help with addressing the problem.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Minutes of the February 17, 2026 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Approve Resolution Accepting Proposal for Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Agreement for Services Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
5. Approve Resolution Accepting Bid and Authorizing City Manager to Enter into Contract for Construction of Henry Miller Park Playground Ramp with Redstone Construction, Inc.
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
6. Approve Resolution Accepting Completion of Gazebo Roof Replacement Project, Authorizing the City Clerk to File a Notice of Completion, and Authorizing City Manager to Make Final Payment of Retention Monies
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
7. Approve Resolution Adopting 2026 Restated Joint Powers Agreement of the Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Agreement
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Deputy Clerk Porras advised of a missing word on the February 17, 2026 minutes.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the consent calendar as amended.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
8. Consider Appointments to Gustine Airport Commission
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve appointment of Airport Commission applicants City Manager Correa presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve appointment of Airport Commission applicants Jacob Beach and Zachery Ramos.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 5-0.
9. Consider Appointment to Gustine Planning Commission
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve appointment of Planning Commission applicant City Manager Correa presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli commented that the applicant does not reside in city limits, to which City Manager Correa advised there is no state law requirement, nor does the Municipal Code require Planning Commissioners to reside within city limits.
There was further discussion related to out of town applicants.
Council member Marsigli inquired City Attorney’s recommendation, to which City Attorney Clark provided different options the Council can consider for this item along with options to amend the code.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether it is a conflict if the Council approved the appointment and then create the requirement after, to which Mrs. Clark advised the Council can approve the appointment now and then look into creating the requirement at a later date.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired the authority of the Planning Commission, to which Mrs.
Clark advised the Planning Commission has final decision-making authority over several processes and permits with Council acting as the appeals board when applicable.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the Planning Commission is the appeals board for administrative citations, to which City Manager Correa confirmed that portion of the code was in process of being amended to allow for the City Manager to designate a Hearing Officer over such appeals.
Council provided consensus they would like staff to provide code amendment options limiting Planning Commissioner appointees to reside within city limits.
There was no motion for appointment.
10. Consider Accepting the City’s Financial Audit for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to accept the City’s Financial Audit for FY 2023-2024 Finance Director Morrison presented the staff report and introduced Amy Amend, CPA with O’Connor & Company.
Ms. Amend thanked Benjamin Hernandez for his service to the country. Ms. Amend provided an overview of the FY 23-24 Financial Audit.
Council member Marsigli inquired which auditor recommendations have not been implemented, to which Finance Director Morrison advised of the three recommendations, and provided information that staff had since implemented recommended procedures.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to accept the City’s Financial Audit for FY 2023-2024.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 5-0.
11. DISCUSSION & DIRECTION: Prohibition of the Sale and Advertisement of Whippit Canisters
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive public comment
3. Council discussion
4. Provide staff with direction
Police Chief Chavez presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Giles inquired whether the local businesses CUP be pulled and enforced upon if the business is selling items outside of their approved permit, to which City Manager Correa advised she would look at the past minutes where the CUP was approved and stated she would also pull the CUP to see what is delineated in there.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether there was more than one local business selling these items, to which Police Chief Chavez advised he was aware of only one store selling the item.
Mayor Nagy provided his opinion to delineate a fine included in the code for violators.
Council directed staff to bring an ordinance for Council’s consideration.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez updated on an assault that occurred on February 15th and advised both suspects were apprehended. He informed Council the Explorer’s joined the Livingston Explorer’s for a day of training at the range. He advised of an upcoming competition for the Explorer’s. He advised of the department’s assistance with a service member’s funeral service on February 24th. He updated on the department awards event on February 25th and announced Officer Alvarez as Officer of the Year and Kathie Borba as Volunteer of the Year. He advised of an incident that occurred on February 27th of a baby locked in a car. He further advised of his participation in the upcoming State of the County event.
Fire Chief Martin advised of the service award given to Second Assistant Chief, Michael Martin, for his 25-year service achievment. He further advised of the Officer elections and provided the current officers of the volunteer department. He updated on the increase in calls for elderly assistance. He reminded everyone of the upcoming Crab Feed dinner on Saturday.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the success of Paint Night and advised of upcoming Citywide Garage Sales and Spring Clean Up events. She informed Council of her attendance at conference next week and Career Day at Romero Elementary on Friday. She advised of current issues with the Goman stove and stated Council will see an invoice on the future warrants for the repair. She advised of the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether fees apply for e-waste portion of Clean Up day, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised fees are assessed depending on the item that is taken in.
Mayor Nagy inquired how the payment is processed, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised it is done at the event.
Council member Marsigli inquired on battery recycling, to which Mayor Nagy advised residents are able to drop off batteries for recycling at City Hall.
Finance Director Morrison advised of MCAG’s third party Measure V audit. She further advised the mid-year budget adjustments have been completed and stated the Finance Department is compiling data to compile an SOP.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised all pieces of Henry Miller Park Playground project have been installed. She updated Council on the egret progress and advised of the measures staff is taking in line with the city’s depredation permit. She advised of staff’s participation in the Regional Transportation Plan Roundtable. She informed Council of staff’s participation in the Regional GIS workgroup and she provided information regarding the upcoming GIS workshops and meetings.
She updated on two new local businesses. She thanked Council for the Airport Commission appointments.
Council member Giles inquired whether the City will be using a different approach to the egret issue this year, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the City will focus on those efforts proved effective in past years.
Council member Marsigli noted her opposition to cutting down the trees, explaining that their removal would take away shade from the walking path.
City Manager Correa advised the City is earmarking fund to re-plant in the next budget cycle.
Council member Giles inquired the number of trees being removed, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised 8 trees are being removed.
Recreation Manager Vitorino further advised of the decrease in walking path activities due to the egrets.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the stumps will be grinded, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the City has plans to grind the stumps it is just a matter of funding.
There was further discussion relating to the approaches to get rid of the egrets.
Council member Giles inquired whether egret tree removal is on the budget, to which City Manager Correa advised the Public Works Department will be handling the task.
Mayor Nagy inquired why the Public Works Department is not using the City’s lift, to which City Manager Correa advised the City’s lift is too heavy and compromises the walking path.
Mayor Nagy inquired where the lift rental will be from, to which City Manager Correa advised it is from Sunbelt in the East Bay.
Deputy Clerk Porras advised Public Works Utilities Supervisor interviews were held last Thursday and second interviews will be scheduled this week. She further advised recruitment will open this week for Administrative Assistant position. She stated she has been actively working on records request.
City Engineer Gouveia updated on the North Avenue lift station and sidewalk repairs on 5th, 6th and 7th Streets. He advised the water tank cleaning and inspection should occur this month. He further advised that Caltrans has agreed to do improvements to the drainage at the Hwy 33/SR-140 intersection and that the City has requested the agreement to be in writing.
Council member Melville inquired on the fire hydrants throughout town that are bagged, to which City Engineer Gouveia advised those fire hydrants are out of use.
Fire Chief Martin provided information n the out of order hydrants. He stated in the past the department has flushed the hydrants and are looking at that approach again.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Correa followed up on last week’s email to the Council and staff with an update on the crosswalk concerns previously brought to staff’s attention.
Mayor Nagy commented on the burglary at 7 Star Smoke shop.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the challenge coin given to the CHP Commander was a Gustine Police Department coin, to which Police Chief Chavez affirmed.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Clark advised her and City Manager Correa are coordinating a Brown Act, Conflicts and Public Records Act update to provide to Planning and Airport Commissions.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli expressed enthusiasm about the Airport Commission resuming operations. She further advised of a pilot having issues retrieving the Airport code. She suggested the City to get approval for the instrument approach, to which Steve Dioszegi, Airport Commissioner, advised of the inability to do so due to lack of equipment. He further advised of other concerns that should take priority.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt thanked Council member Marsigli for the feedback and advised of additional training that will be given to the new front staff employees.
Council member Marsigli informed Council of the Rib Take Out event on April 7th sponsored by Merced County Farm Bureau. She wished everyone success in their garage sales.
Council member Melville advised of his attendance at the Gustine Traveling Library event and Paint Night.
Council member Giles inquired whether aerospace fuel or jet fuel taxed and if the City collects UUT tax at the Airport, to which City Manager Correa denied the UUT tax, but advised the fuel was subject to gas tax.
City Manager Correa further advised the City gets gas tax revenues from the State.
City Manager Correa advised the City does mark up the fuel to gain a profit. She updated on the Fuel Card Island and Card Reader project and advised construction is scheduled for late 2026.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford complimented the Airport and advised of the difference the removal of hangars has made on the appearance. He informed Council of interested hangar applicants, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised him to send their contact information to her and she will add them to the list.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised of his attendance at the MCAG meeting in February and provided details on the vote against Regional project funding proposals.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford expressed frustration with not receiving additional information regarding the vote against the proposals.
Mayor Nagy advised of his honor to give out the awards at the Gustine Police Department ceremony. He commended the officer who received multiple awards. He advised of his attendance on the School Site Committee. He informed Council of the upcoming League of Cities Quarterly meeting, Gustine Fire Department Crab Feed, local school Career Days and Paint Night. He raised concerns about the weeds in the lot behind Sullivan, noting they pose a fire hazard, and advised staff to contact the property owner. He thanked Mr. Hernandez again for his service and for attending the Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 8:14 P.M.