Public Safety Sub-Committee Minutes 1 August 7, 2023
MINUTES
MENDOTA PUBLIC SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETING
August 7, 2023
12:00 PM
Mendota City Hall
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Lopez at 12:05 p.m.
Members Present: Vice Chairperson Libertad “Liberty” Lopez and Committee Member Joseph Amador
Members Absent: Chairperson Jose Alonso
Staff Present: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager; Jennifer Lekumberry, Director of Administrative Services; Kevin Smith, Chief of Police; Gerardo Galaviz, Police Lieutenant; Jeronimo Angel, Public Utilities Superintendent; Michael Osborn, City
Engineer; and Celeste Cabrera-Garcia, City Clerk
Others Present: Maria Jacinto, RCS Fresno – Carmen Meza Center; Nicolas Esquivel, Caltrans; Eric Olson, Caltrans; Maria Gavina, RCS Fresno – Carmen Meza Center and Rod Brown, Fehr and
Peers
II. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The minutes for the regular meeting of June 5, 2023, were approved based on a subcommittee consensus.
III. BUSINESS
1. Public Safety Subcommittee to provide input on walking and biking needs in Mendota for the active transportation plan update
Rod Brown with Fehr & Peers presented information on the active transportation plan and requested input from the subcommittee.
Discussion was held on the possibility of creating bike lanes and enhancing existing lanes; improving local parks; installing flashing beacons at certain areas of the City; completing sidewalk gaps and having gap closures; what type of projects will receive higher scores and be more likely to receive funding; the plan referencing the City’s Safe Routes to School Master Plan; and enhancing street lighting throughout the City.
Public Safety Sub-Committee Minutes 2 August 7, 2023
2. Chairperson Alonso
Chairperson Alonso was not present at the meeting.
3. Vice-Chairperson Lopez
Vice Chairperson Lopez commended Community Service Officer Alcazar for addressing an incident involving a loose dog in a positive matter; requested a cage to capture a dog; and reported on another incident where an individual was arrested for disorderly conduct.
4. Committee Member Amador
a) Update in regard to the Animal Control Department and housing of animals
Committee Member Amador introduced the item and discussion was held on purchasing cages to capture loose dogs; whether the City will be seeking grant funding to construct an animal shelter and the City’s plans to design a proposed shelter. b) Update on weed abatement program
Committee Member Amador introduced the item and discussion was held on areas in the City that need to be abated and when the process can start; and the possibility of having an employee of the Fresno County Department of Health come out to the City and provide information.
5. Code Enforcement
a) Monthly updates
6. Police Department
a) Monthly updates
Chief of Police Smith provided the monthly update for the Code Enforcement Department and the Police Department including their ongoing work and statistics, addressing the noise ordinance, their National Night Out event, and the upcoming drag racing events.
7. Other Business
City Manager Gonzalez thanked the participants for attending the meeting.
Committee Member Amador commented on his participation in the Mendota Chamber of Commerce.
Maria Gavina with RCS Fresno – Carmen Meza Center provided an update on services offered by the agency.
Public Safety Sub-Committee Minutes 3 August 7, 2023
Nicolas Esquivel with Caltrans introduced Eric Olsen.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 12:45 p.m., with no more business to be brought before the Committee.
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Libertad “Liberty” Lopez, Vice Chairperson
ATTEST:
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Celeste Cabrera- Garcia City Clerk