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MINUTES OF MENDOTA
SPECIAL GITY COUNCIL MEETING
JOINT-MEETING OF THE
MENDOTA CITY COUNGIL AND
THE MENDOTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Special Meeting Wednesday, March 22,2023 6:00 p.m.
Mendota Unified School District ("MUSD") Board of Trustees conducted rol! call and established a quorum.
Joint Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:04 p.m.
Rol! Call
Gouncil Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" Lopez, dnd Council Member Jose
AIonso
Council Members Absent: Council Members Joseph Riofrio and Oscar Rosales
The Flag Salute was led by Mayor Martinez.
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Alonso to approve the agenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales).
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Daniel Gomez reported on Mendota Cobra Football, including current program activities.
Ofelia Ochoa requested that the MUSD Board of Trustees and the City of Mendota provide additional support, programs, and assistance for children with special needs. \-,
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Antonio Gonzalez reported on the initiation of the Mendota Chamber of Commerce; shared the importance of shopping local; and encouraged everyone to shop locally.
Joseph Amador shared his personal background; thanked the MUSD Board of Trustees and the City Council for their work; and reported on the Public Safety Sub-Committee meetings which are held every first Monday of the month.
BUSINESS
1. Discussion Forum:
a. Gity's plan to address traffic congestion; and
b. Update on the roundabout project at the intersection of State Highways 180 and 33 and Mccabe Avenue
Dr. Lopez introduced the items and requested that the City of Mendota provide information on the items.
City Manager Gonzalez deferred to City Engineer Osborn who provided information on various City projects that are currently in the planning process including the Safe Routes to School Project near the Mendota Junior High School; the Local Street Reconstruction Project; the 5th Street and Quince Street Reconstruction Project; the Safe Routes to School Master Plan status; the extension and connection of Amador and Smoot Streets; and the status and layout of the roundabout project at the intersection of State Highways 180 and 33 and McCabe Avenue.
Discussion was held on the various projects mentioned, including the schedule of projects; the specifications of the extension/connection project for Amador and Smoot Streets; the specifications of the roundabout project at the intersection of State Highways 180 and 33 and McCabe Avenue; the layout of the road diet of Oller Street and Derrick Avenue and the subsequent impacts; and educating the public on how to properly maneuver through a roundabout.
c. Update on Police DepartmenUcity Council Chambers Project Dr. Lopez introduced the item and requested that the City of Mendota provide information on the item.
City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on the project.
Discussion was held on ensuring that the contractor clean the area surrounding the project, and the need for an expanded City Hall.
d. Gopy of the City's Master Plan, including new housing developments Dr. Lopez introduced the item and requested that the City of Mendota provide \-,
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information on the item
City Manager Gonzalez reported on the City's General Plan, and a housing subdivision that is currently in development.
Discussion was held on the status of the proposed housing development, and the need to ensure that MUSD is prepared to serve additional students, and the purpose of the General Plan.
e. Compressed Natural Gas ("CNG") fuelstation
Dr. Lopez introduced the item and requested that the City of Mendota consider a partnership with MUSD to allow the agency use of the City's fuel station.
City Manager Gonzalez reported on the City's CNG pumps, including the background of the project and ongoing partnerships that the City has with other agencies for the use of the stations.
Discussion was held on the possibility of MUSD having access to the fuel station to fuel a vehicle; the possibility of installing additional electric charge locations in the City; and promoting the electric charge stations at City Hall and the Police Department. f. Use of City towers/light poles for MUSD community wi-fi project Dr. Lopez introduced the item, provided background information on MUSD's community wi-fi project, and requested that the City of Mendota consider a partnership with MUSD to allow the agency to use City towers/light poles to implemenUexpand the project.
Discussion was held on the positive impacts of the project and of the proposed partnership.
g. VacanUunused City property
Dr. Lopez introduced the item and reported that MUSD is currently researching the possibility of constructing an additional school site and inquired as to whether the City has any vacanUunused City property that may be suitable for a school site.
City Manager Gonzalez reported on the availability of the William Robert Johnston MunicipalAirport ("Airport") land and the City researching possible uses for the land. h. Safety/perimeter lighting around alternative education area Dr. Lopez introduced the item and reported on the limited lighting along Smoot Street, and the safety concerns the issue raises; and requested that the City consider providing additional lighting in the area.
Discussion was held on the possibility of installing additional lighting as part of the \-,
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Amador/Smoot Streets extension project
i. School Resource Officers program and update; and j. MUSD safety procedures Dr. Lopez introduced the items and discussion was held on the partnership between MUSD and the Mendota Police Department ("MPD"); the positive impact that the partnership has had on students; and recent safety concerns regarding an increase in student fights.
Discussion was held on MUSD stating their interest, intent, and reasons to increase the amount of School Resource Officers ("SRO(s)") to a total of five (5) SROs; various safety procedures that will be implemented/enhanced District-wide, including campus monitors, perimeter fencing, school cameras, the "raptor" system, vaping sensors in the student restrooms, a program that is being implemented that will allow school staff to call for a lockdown from their phones; the various lockdowns and training drills that the District has; the mental impacts that lockdowns and drills have on students and adults; educating the students and their parents on the dangers of drugs; the development of smoke shops in the City; the existence and impacts of cannabis companies in the community; different companies that will be opening a business in the City; MUSD's and the City's stance on cannabis; potential venues/methods for educating the public on the detrimental impacts of drugs; and the Board commended MPD Officer Gurrola for a presentation he recently made on the impacts of fentany! and other drugs. k. Facility use process for MUSD facilities
Dr. Lopez introduced the item and deferred to Mayor Martinez to provide additional information.
Discussion was held on the process that the City has to follow to request to utilize MUSD facilities for events, meetings, and emergencies; and ensuring that both entities continue to have open and efficient dialogue as it relates to ensuring the safety of the community in cases of emergencies, including potential emergencies related to flooding. l. Student involvemenucivic engagement
Dr. Lopez introduced the item and deferred to Mayor Martinez to provide additional information.
Discussion was held on the City partnering with MUSD to increase student involvemenUcivic engagement in the community, including implementing a student MUSD Board Member and a student City Council member program. m. Other
Discussion was held on the existing flood watches and the impacts of the recent storms; the City's water capacity and whether it is sufficient to support future housing \-,
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ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 9:24 p.m. by Councilor Alonso, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales).
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