MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting October 10,2023
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:07 PM.
Roll Call
Gouncil Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" Lopez, Council Members Jose Alonso,
Joseph Riofrio, and Oscar Rosales
Council Members Absent: None
Flag salute led by Mayor Victor Martinez
A moment of silence was held in honor of Mendota resident Fred Serrano who had recently passed away
lnvocation led by Police Chaplain Ophelia Lugo
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Alonso to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Rosales; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PRESENTATION
1. Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria to present a ceremonial check to the City of Mendota for the Mendota Community Center project.
Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria presented the City of Mendota with a ceremonial check for the Mendota Community Center project and commented on her work with the City, the Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 October 10,2023
need for the Community Center in the City and all the benefits that the Community Center wil! bring to the City.
The City Council thanked Assemblywoman Soria for her support of the City and commented on the Mendota Community Center project.
RECESS (20 minutes)
At 6:25 p.m. the City Council took a recess and reconvened in open session at 7:09 p.m
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Kevin Romero provided an update on local youth sports.
Ofelia Ochoa thanked the City Council for their work; commented in favor of the "Granja de Favian" Project; and on the grand opening of the inclusive playground, including thanking the City Council for the recognition she received during the event.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Ochoa.
Karina Beltran commented on the "Granja de Favian" Project; and inquired into whether the City Council will be able to assist with the project and on possible locations for the project.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Beltran, including possibly partnering with the Mendota Unified Schoo! District ("the MUSD") to assist with the project; reaching out to Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco to assist with the project; and the need to continue to provide services to children with special needs and the benefits of having this project in the City.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September'12,2023, and the special City Council meeting of October 3,2Q23.
Notice of waiving of the reading of all resolutions and/or ordinances introduced and/or adopted under this agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 October 10, 2023
1 CONSENT CALENDAR
Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote.
There will be no separate discussion of these items. lf discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately.
SEPTEMBER 22,2023 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 53869 THROUGH 53908
TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL - $1,673,7 13.55
A motion was made by Council Member Alonso to approve item 1, seconded by Council Member Rosales; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
Council discussion and consideration of the design and Iayout of the Mendota Community Center Project.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Charles Dellinger with RRM Design presented information on the design and layout of the Mendota Community Center Project ("the Project").
Discussion was held on the information provided by Mr. Dellinger, including size of the Mendota Community Center Project and possible uses and functions for the Mendota Community Center ("the Center").
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment peiod at 7:37 p.m Edwin commented in favor of having an indoor sports facility in the Center Sergio Valdez commented in favor of the Center having educational services available to students in the City; recommended that the Center avoid providing similar services to those offered by the AMOR Wellness Center and other local organizations; and commented on a possible partnership between the City and the MUSD to offer services at the Center.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Valdez
Joseph Amador thanked the City Council for their work with the project and commented on costs for the project.
Jonathan Meza thanked the City Council for their work; provided an update on the Mendota Chamber of Commerce; and commented on a possible partnership between the City and the Mendota Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Martinez c/osed the public comment period at 7:52 p.m.
Discussion was held on possible uses for the Center; newly installed lighting at the McCabe Elementary School; the timeline for the project; and on a possible partnership between the Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 October 10,2023
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City and the MUSD on the project.
Council Member Alonso left the City Council Chambers at 7:55 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to provide direction to continue to gather and evaluate ideas for potential uses forthe Mendota Community Center Project, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Jose Pineda thanked the City Council for their support of local soccer leagues in the City and inquired on a completion timeline for the new soccer field at Rojas-Pierce Park.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Pineda, including the possibility of local soccer leagues using the soccer fields at the various school sites.
Council Member Alonso returned to the City Council Chambers at 7:59 p.m.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on the Stormwater Improvement Project.
Discussion was held on the project and on ensuring that the storm drain basin remains clean, and on an upcoming Caltrans project along State Highways 33 and 180.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that he would be providing a training to the Finance and Code Enforcement Departments on Thursday, October 12th regarding the new mobile food vendor regulations.
Discussion was held on updating the Mendota Municipal Code to increase the penalties for all-terrain vehicles being driven in the City and on the existing penalties for these violations; and on individuals playing loud music.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez reported on ongoing projects; and thanked the Council and community for the opportunity to serve.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Rosales thanked the public for their attendance.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 October 10,2023
Mayor Martinez left the Council Chambers at 8:15 p.m. and returned within the same minute.
Council Member Riofrio shared memories of the late Fred Serrano Mayor Pro Tem Lopez inquired on the status of the Pool Park Revitalization Project; reported on the status of the fence at the Taco Bell building; and asked each staff member and Council Member to share what they like to do to unwind and take care of their mental health.
The City Council and staff shared information on activities that help them unwind and take care of their mental health.
Council Member Alonso thanked the staff and the community members that made the inclusive playground grand opening possible.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked the community for their support.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Ongoing litigation pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one case).
Case unspecified to avoid jeopardizing service of process.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL _ ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one potential case).
At 8:38 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session.
At 8:45 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to items 1 and 2 of the closed session there were no reportable actions.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:45 p.m. by Counci! Member Rosales, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously apprgld (5 ayes). l/l,k tVictor Martinez, Mayor 1 2
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 October 10, 2023
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 October 10, 2023