MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
April 21, 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, Acting Police Chief Francisco Martinez, City Attorney Olivia Clark (virtual), Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Project Manager Danny Reed, Public Works Director Alberto Villa-Leyva and 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. 2025 Mid-Valley Disposal Recycler of the Year Award
Marissa Corralejo, Recycling Program Specialist
Billie Hansen, Mid-Valley Recycling Manager, introduced Recycling Program Specialist, Marissa Corralejo.
Ms. Corralejo provided an overview of 2025.
Teresa Orozco, Mid-Valley Disposal Recycling Coordinator, presented La Esperanza Meat Market with the 2025 Recycler of the Year award.
A representative from La Esperanza thanked everyone for the award and advised of their compliance with Mid-Valley Disposal.
City Manager Correa introduced Public Works Director Villa-Leyva and provided an overview of his background and experience.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bryan Ronngren, President of Teamsters Local 386, updated Council on negotiations with Saputo and their employees. He advised of a potential employee strike at Saputo.
He asked the City of Gustine to stand with the employees and provide support.
Abby Pendleton, Assembly member Alanis’s office, updated on legislative bills.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Minutes of the April 7, 2026 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Treasurer’s Report – March 2026
Recommendation: Review and file
5. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Services, Waiver of Aquatics Center Fees for Patrons under 12, and Allowance of Mobile Food Vendors for Annual 4th of July in the Park Event
Recommendation: Review and approve request
6. Approve Resolution Authorizing Budget Appropriation in the Airport Fund Due to Emergency Airport Repair
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
7. Approve Use of City Streets and Services, and Authorize Mobile Food Vendors at Annual Color Run Event
Recommendation: Review and approve
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the aerators, to which City Manager Correa advised there are two operating aerators.
Council member Marsigli advised the City needs to budget for more aerators, to operate properly.
Mayor Nagy recommended the aerators being on rotational maintenance, to which City Manager Correa advised of the goal to have two new aerators on the budget per fiscal year.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on the International Telepath warrant, to which City Manager Correa advised the expense was in the adopted operating budget and further stated the report was necessary to address communications issues between officers and dispatch using the radio equipment. She further advised the report provided repair options.
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
8. Approve Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Nichols Consulting for Facilitation of State Reimbursement Fee Claims
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
Acting Police Chief Martinez presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the department could go back further than two years for reimbursement, to which Acting Police Chief Martinez advised the department can only go as far back as two years.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised he would like to see the City consider the 20% of reimbursement payment option.
Council member Ford inquired whether the City would be obligated to payment should there be no reimbursement, to which City Manager Correa advised she would look into it.
Council directed staff to bring the item back to next meeting with additional information.
9. PUBLIC HEARING: AB2561 Presentation on Gustine Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention for 2025
1. Receive Staff Presentation
2. Open the Public Hearing
3. Receive Public Comment
4. Close the Public Hearing
5. Provide Council Comment
City Manager Correa provided the presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired whether the City would be reimbursed for staff time spent preparing the state-mandated AB 2561 presentation, to which City Manager Correa denied. She shared that she had inquired about reimbursement, including for Public Records Act (PRA) efforts, but noted that as of 2012, the law reclassified reimbursements for election mandates, rendering PRA and AB2561 mandates non-reimbursable.
Mayor Nagy opened the public hearing at 7:05P.M.
There was no public comment.
The public hearing was closed at 7:05P.M.
There was no Council comment.
10. Consider Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of an Ordinance Adding Division 3 and Section 7-7-241 to Title 7 of the Municipal Code Related to the Sale of Nitrous Oxide within the City
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance adding Division 3 and Section 7-7-241 to Title 7 of the Municipal Code related to the sale of nitrous oxide within the city
Acting Police Chief Martinez presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Nagy inquired what would occur if the canister was punctured, to which Acting Police Chief Martinez advised it would release its contents in the air.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the canister could explode, to which Acting Police Chief Martinez advised it could explode.
Council member Marsigli inquired additional information on the timeline for escalating offenses, to which City Attorney Clark clarified the three-strike process.
Council member Marsigli provided her opinion on the penalty given for illegal business, to which City Attorney Clark explained that the penalty is cumulative and applies in addition to any other penalties the City may impose.
Council member Marsigli voiced her concerns with the City’s Conditional Use Permits.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether the first-offense fine could be set at $1,000 and whether a twelve-month reset period is required. He also expressed his opinion that the City should be able to revoke a business license, to which City Attorney Clark responded that staff can review and revise the ordinance.
Council Member Giles inquired whether the sale of nitrous oxide is considered a misdemeanor under state law and suggested fining the business owner, to which Acting Police Chief Martinez affirmed it is a misdemeanor to sell nitrous oxide and noted that while the City may act, the District Attorney would also need to proceed with legal action on their end.
Council directed staff to set the initial fine at $1,000, eliminate the twelve-month reset period, and establish a $2,000 fine for a second offense with revocation of the business license and related permits.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance adding Division 3 and Section 7-7-241 to Title 7 of the Municipal Code related to the sale of nitrous oxide within the city as amended.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
11. Consider Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 4-2-32 of the Municipal Code Regarding Planning Commissioner Residency Requirement
1. Receive staff report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 4-2-32 of the Municipal Code regarding Planning Commissioner residency requirement
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli made a motion to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 4-2-32 of the Municipal Code regarding Planning Commissioner residency requirement.
The motion was seconded by Council member Melville and carried 5-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Acting Police Chief Martinez advised of the upcoming Probation Sweep in Merced County on Thursday and stated three Reserves and one Officer will be assisting. He further advised there will be eight Explorer’s assisting with the Earth Day event. He expressed excitement for the upcoming Motor’s on Main event.
Public Works Director Villa-Leyva advised of his upcoming meetings and tours with staff regarding projects, goals and maintenance.
Finance Director Morrison advised of second budget meetings with department heads this week and upcoming two on two meetings with Council. She updated on the collection of firework fines thus far.
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the City could have the fines collected go towards the fireworks, to which Finance Director Morrison advised the firework fund and firework fines go into similar general fund accounts.
Recreation Manager Vitorino advised of the upcoming Miss Gustine Pageant on June 12th and stated they are still looking for Little Mr. and Miss Gustine contestants. She informed Council the Joe DeGregori sign has been completed. She updated on lifeguard training. She reminded everyone of the Earth Day event set for tomorrow and thanked all who will attend and who have donated toward the event. She reminded everyone of the upcoming Motors on Main event.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt updated on the Feihe property and advised she was able to get in contact with one of the owners. She advised of the progress in restoration from Unwired and provided an update in the project. She informed Council the owner of the bowling alley has submitted a demolition permit and advised the building is now in compliance with the Boarded Building Ordinance. She advised of a new Esthetics business at 680 South Ave. She informed Council of the new Business License software and advised of the upcoming improvements.
Deputy Clerk Porras updated on the lifeguard recruitment closure and the hiring of 14 lifeguards. She further advised of the open recruitment for the Aquatics Operations Assistant and the upcoming start date for the Administrative Assistant on Tuesday, April 28th. She informed Council of her work in registering department heads for the SB 827 webinar.
Project Manager Reed provided updates on three construction projects. He reported that the SB1 project is not yet complete, with chip work scheduled for next Tuesday. He stated that final walkthroughs for the City-Wide Crack Seal project began last week and are expected to conclude this week. He also shared that the North Avenue lift station was tested today, with dry runs scheduled for tomorrow; improvements will be completed this week, and a final walkthrough is planned for next week. He further provided an update on the aerators, noting that even with five in operation the microbes remain necessary in order to keep up with what is going into the pond. He explained that additional aerators would be needed to eliminate the use of microbes; however, new aerators at the Public Works yard cannot be installed at this time due to electrical issues that need to be resolved prior to utilizing the aerators.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Correa reminded Council of the City/County Dinner in Livingston on Thursday. She advised of the upcoming Downtown Roundabout stakeholders meeting on April 28th at 6P.M. She informed Council of the upcoming Request for Qualifications for On-Call Engineering for electricians. She wished luck to all local Gustine exhibitors at next week’s Los Banos Fair.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Clark advised of her Brown Act overview with the Airport Commission. She reminded everyone to keep up with their Ethics training. She provided clarification on the SB 866 bill.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli inquired whether the City could paint the Schmidt Park sign located by the waterfall. She complimented the Main Street corners and City parks. She inquired on a parking space with a red curb located in front of Coast to Coast Hardware store. She also reported that a light pole is missing its panel, leaving wires exposed. She reminded everyone of upcoming Motors on Main event.
Council member Melville thanked Recreation Manager Vitorino for her work with the Joe Degregori sign. He reiterated compliments to the parks. He advised of his attendance at the Hops and Bangers event. He commended the GPS Trip Tip fundraiser. He advised of his attendance at the Airport Commission meeting, Gustine Traveling Library 10-year celebration and the Love Romero fundraiser. He advised he will be attending the City/County Relations Dinner in Livingston on Thursday.
Council member Giles reported a large pothole on 33/140 at Pusateri Nut, to which City Manager Correa advised she has reached out to get the pothole filled.
Council member Giles inquired whether Jensen Water Recharge Basin has been looked at, to which City Manager Correa advised staff is reviewing different solutions to get the weeds abated.
Council member Giles inquired on the HM Park Playground Park Ramp, to which City Manager Correa advised there was a delay in contract requirements and now that the City has received all required and executed documents the project is scheduled for late next week or first week of May.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised of his attendance at the MCAG Governing Board meeting and provided information on an upcoming intersection widening project on Sullivan and HWY 33, to which Project Manager Reed provided specifics on the project.
Mayor Nagy advised of the firework request from the GHS Student Body, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the item has been denied by the district.
Mayor Nagy complimented the new Joe DeGregori sign. He advised of his zoom meeting with City Manager Correa and the Governor’s External Affair Team regarding small city requirements.
City Manager Correa further advised of her work in trying to get different city-size tier requirements for the smaller cities.
Mayor Nagy advised he was contacted by residents regarding individuals approaching front porches and warned residents of porch pirates, to which City Manager Correa advised residents to contact the police department. He informed Council of the Memorial Day Services invitation for the Sunday on Memorial weekend and advised the Council to inform him if they would like to RSVP.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:56 P.M.