MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
May 19, 2026
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to order at 6:43 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, Project Manager Danny Reed, and Public Works Director Alberto VillaLeyva
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Melville made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Giles and carried 5-0.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. PROCLAMATION: Public Works Week
Mayor Nagy presented the proclamation to Public Works Director Villa-Leyva.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Abby Pendleton, on behalf of Assemblymember Juan Alanis, provided a legislative update.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Minutes of the May 5, 2026 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and ratify
4. Treasurer’s Report – April 2026
Recommendation: Review and file
5. Approve Adoption and Waive Second Reading of Ordinance Amending Section 4-2-32 to the Gustine Municipal Code Regarding Planning Commissioner Qualifications
Recommendation: Review and approve
6. Approve Request for Summer Recess and Direct Staff to Cancel July 7, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
7. Approve Resolution of Intent to Levy and Collect Annual Assessment for Citywide Assessment No. 95-1; Southport Assessment District; Borrelli Assessment District and Setting a Public Hearing
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
8. Approve Resolution Accepting Completion of FY26-Citywide Crack Sealing Program 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
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 Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
9. Consider Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Enter into Agreement with CG Wiring Integrators, Inc. to Upgrade the Electrical Infrastructure at the Police/Recreation Storage Garage
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to approve resolution
Police Chief Chavez and Recreation Manager Vitorino presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether Lightning Flash and Zapien Electric are the same contractor, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised of the typographical error and the report should state Lightning Flash.
Mayor Nagy inquired whether outlets will be installed inside the building, to which Police Chief Chavez denied and advised there are two outlets currently installed.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the current outlets are two prongs, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised they are three prong outlets.
Mayor Nagy recommended installing additional outlets for future purposes, to which Police Chief Chavez advised he would reach out to the contractor regarding adding two additional outlets.
Council member Melville made a motion to approve resolution authorizing City Manager to enter into agreement with CG Wiring Integrators, Inc. to upgrade the electrical infrastructure at the Police/Recreation storage garage.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Chavez advised of the upcoming recognition for Part-Time Police Records Clerk, Emma Barragan, for her work with evidence.
He advised of the explorer’s participation in traffic control at UC Merced. Lastly, he advised of the SRO’s work on a case that led him to an arrest in San Jose with the assistance of San Jose PD..
Fire Chief Martin advised of the promotion of a fire volunteer to professional firefighter with French Camp Fire. He informed Council of the retirement of the Los Banos Fire Chief Paul Tualla. He further advised Chief Tualla donated new pagers to Gustine Volunteer Fire Department. He advised fire season is in full force.
Public Works Director Villa-Leyva updated on hydrant maintenance. He advised another aerator at the Waster Water Treatment Plant is reconnected and is in operation. He further advised the storm drain pump at the airport is also back in operation. He updated on tree trimming and debris pickup throughout the City. He advised the wood fiber has been spread at Henry Miller playground. He informed Council of the retirement notification from Public Works Supervisor Dennis Castro.
Finance Director Morrison updated two by two-Council budget meetings are underway. She informed Council the budget workshop will be brought to Council on June 2nd.
Recreation Manager Vitorino updated on the pickleball and tennis rates and revenue.
She advised of the upcoming Aquatic classes available on June 8th. She commended Public Works for assisting with graffiti removal at Ed Peterson Shelter. She updated on fireworks donations.
Council member Giles inquired whether there are cameras at the Ed Peterson Shelter, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino denied and advised there is no internet available there.
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt updated on Flavor Farms progress. She advised Depot Garage pulled a permit for electrical work. She informed Council CalRecycle has approved the City’s budget change for the grapple attachment. She updated on the Feihe property and advised two registered letters have been sent out to Nevada with the hopes in finding the last property owner. She informed Council the inspector came out to Henry Miller Park and the playground is ready for the public.
Council member Giles inquired whether the City has found the owners name for the Feihe property, to which Economic & Community Development Director affirmed and advised of the two locations she sent out the registered letters.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired whether the County has a direct address, to which Economic & Community Development Director advised the County has a P.O. Box.
Project Manager Reed advised of upcoming Notice of Completions that will be coming to Council.
Council member Marsigli inquired on Unwired, to which Project Manager Reed advised they are working on restorations and further advised he has done walk throughs of the areas Unwired has marked as completed.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Correa advised of the upcoming Cal Cities Central Valley Division General Membership Meeting and Dinner on June 11th and the City/County Relations Dinner on July 16th. She informed Council of her upcoming meeting with the City’s Engineers office to discuss the railroad crossing arms and the project initiation document. She further advised of her attendance at the upcoming TRB meeting and Merced County OES Hazardous Mitigation Planning meeting. Lastly, she advised that Merced County OES would be in town on Friday across the street from the Fire Department to continue their county tour. She advised Council of the upcoming June meetings.
Council member Marsigli inquired the next steps for the marquee, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of research and cost estimates being done.
Mayor Nagy recommended bringing the items to Council separately in order to avoid delays.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Clark updated on the Whippit Ordinance and advised she will have more information for Council at the next meeting.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli inquired on the downtown PA system, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised she would do a sound check before the 4th.
Council member Marsigli advised of resident complaints on animals and hay storage on West Avenue, to which Police Chief Chavez advised per the City’s Municipal Code if the parcels are a certain size they are allowed to have a certain number of animals. He further advised he has not received any complaints on this item and recommended residents to complete the complaint form online.
Council member Giles advised he is impressed with the Water Master Plan.
Council member Melville commended the weed abatement at 966 Linden Ave, to which Police Chief Chavez advised the CSO connected with the owner.
Council member Melville informed of the Ducks Unlimited meeting tomorrow at Pizza Factory.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford informed Council of an email received by MCAG regarding a fire at the Highway 59 landfill and advised of the damage caused. He advised of his attendance at the upcoming MCAG Governing Board meeting on Thursday.
Mayor Nagy commended Public Works and advised of the importance of Public Works week. He advised of his attendance at the Police Officer of the Year Award Ceremony last week. He further advised of Police Chief Chavez’s attendance at the Capitol for Police Memorial Week. He informed staff that Unwired has completed their work at his residence. He advised of the retirement of Rodrigo Espinoza on the County Schoolboard. He reminded everyone of the upcoming Memorial Day Service events on Sunday at 9A.M. at Veteran’s Cemetery and on Monday at Hills Ferry Cemetery at 10A.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:31 P.M.