MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
March 17, 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 – Marsigli – Mayor Nagy
Staff present: City Manager Melanie Correa, Finance Director Jennifer Morrison, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Police Sergeant Francisco Martinez, Fire Chief Rich Martin, City Attorney Olivia Clark (virtual), Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, and Deputy Clerk Desirae Porras Mayor Pro Tem Ford and Council member Giles were absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 3-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford and Council member Giles absent.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
Danielle Morgart, Assembly member Alanis’s office, updated on legislative bills.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Steve Dioszegi, Gustine Resident, voiced his concerns with feral cats and asked Council for help with addressing the problem.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of the March 3, 2026 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
2. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
3. Treasurer’s Report – February 2026
Recommendation: Review and file
4. Approve Resolution Directing the Filing of Annual Reports for the City’s Assessment Districts
Recommendation: Review and approve
5. Approve Resolution Adopting Delta-Mendota Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Memorandum of Agreement and Authorizing City Manager to Execute the Agreement
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 3-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford and Council member Giles absent.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
6. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter into Lease Agreements for City Property with Historical Society for Gustine Museum (APN# 020-044-017) and Wilbur & Irene Gomes History Center (APN# 020-034-020)
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve resolution authorizing City Manager to enter into Lease Agreements for City property with Historical Society for Gustine Museum (APN# 020-044-017) and Wilbur & Irene Gomes History Center (APN# 020-034-020).
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 3-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford and Council member Giles absent.
7. Consider Resolution Authorizing Staff to Engage with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Related Documents
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the report is required to be shared, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the report from the State has been provided and stated it was an objective assessment of the property.
Council member Marsigli advised that Feihe paid for a report and was told that the plume was offsite.
John Quirring, former Feihe consultant, provided background on the open case and how it came to light along with the reluctance Feihe has had with the State regarding the past assessments.
Council member Marsigli inquired EPA’s success rate, to which Daniel Moher, EPA consultant, advised the U.S. EPA Brownfields program treat State Water Board and California Department of Toxic Control as the primary oversight agency when the technical completion of the assessment occurs. He further advised the program provides funding, resources and planning expertise to help move the assessment along.
He stated while engaging with the City they would also engage with the State to help fulfill the requirements.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether staff has revealed who Gustine Investments LLC are, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt denied and provided information on the methods she engaged to gather information.
Mayor Nagy inquired on TRQ Investments, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised those sites are being sold and informed Council of her conversation with the realtor.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether parcels 8-10 are zoned residential, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised they were not rezoned and stated she was unsure if they changed within our zoning update.
Mayor Nagy inquired if a parcel was left out of this program, in the future would that parcel have to go through this program or a different mitigation program, to which Mr.
Moher advised when site assessments are done included sites are fully customizeable.
He further advised the City can return to U.S. EPA Brownfields if other parcels needed the service.
Council member Melville inquired clarification whether parcels 7-9 are residential, to which Economic & Community Development Director advised she did not have that answer but further stated zoning designations are not pertinent for the program.
Mr. Moher advised existing zoning designations are not important to determine the exceedances.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing staff to engage with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program and authorizing City Manager to execute related documents.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 3-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ford and Council member Giles absent.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Sergeant Martinez updated on recent partnership with Merced County illegal food vending checks. He advised the department has handled 511 incident reports with a total of 18 citations, 19 reports prepared and 5 arrests.
Fire Chief Martin thanked everyone who attended the Crab Feed. He advised the department is working steadily to adhere to all fire regulations. He further advised the department has applied for a congressionally directed spending request for fire department radios.
Finance Director Morrison updated on the Measure V audit underway. She advised the department is working on journal adjustments and once completed will move on to the FY 24/25 audit.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on her attendance at the CPRS conference. She advised of tentative trainings for lifeguards from April 10th – 12th and for the Lifeguard Instructor Course. She informed Council the Aquatic Center women’s toilets will be replaced. She updated on upcoming Career Days she will be attending. She advised the City has several returning lifeguards. She reminded everyone of the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt on April 4th and the Hops and Bangers event on April 11th. She informed Council the egrets are now at Schmidt Park and advised the City will be sounding the cannon off at the end of this week and beginning of next week.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of her attendance at the Gustine Elementary School Career Day event. She informed Council of the new business located at 295 South Avenue. She advised of her meeting with USDA Reconnect Program representative regarding grant opportunities. She updated on the old bakery building and advised there may be potential interest.
Deputy Clerk Porras advised the Clerk’s Department has been actively working on records request as received. She advised of Planning Commissioner Lackey’s attendance at the Planning Commission Academy. She informed Council of open recruitment for HR/Deputy Clerk Administrative Assistant and advised of second interviews for Public Works Utilities Supervisor and Public Works Director.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Correa, on behalf of Public Works, advised of the two significant local transportation projects beginning this week. She further advised of ongoing egret tree work and stated Public Works Supervisor Castro has advised tree trimming work would be completed tomorrow. She advised the City has obtained a .gov website address and will be making the switch over later this year. She updated on her participation in the Read Across America event at Gustine Elementary School. Lastly, she reminded everyone of the upcoming State of the County Address on Friday, March 20th at 10A.M.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Clark advised more information regarding SB827 Fiscal Financial training would be forthcoming.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli commended the Crab Feed, Citywide Garage Sale and Clean-Up events. She reminded everyone the Merced County Farm Rib Take-Out is April 7th. She informed everyone that Comcast is not offering fiber to businesses and provided information on her conversation with a Comcast representative. She thanked City Manager Correa for providing her a copy of the CUP for the 7 Star Smoke Shop.
She advised the street sweeper is no longer throwing rocks. She wished everyone a Happy Easter.
Council member Melville reiterated compliments to the Crab Feed. He advised of his upcoming attendance at the Gustine High School Career Day event. He commended Public Works for their work at Schmidt Park.
Mayor Nagy reiterated compliments to the Crab Feed and reminded everyone of the upcoming GPS Tri-Tip take out and Hops and Bangers event. He commented on the weed abatement at the Police Department. He thanked Assembly member Juan Alanis for approving AB1728, putting police officer and firefighter tracks in community colleges. He reiterated details pertaining to the upcoming State of County address on Friday, March 20th. He advised the equestrian portion of the fair will return this year. He commended the Gustine Historical Society on recent projects for the City. He thanked John Quirring for attending the meeting and commented on Feihe’s cooperation throughout the years.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:27 P.M.