MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting October 24,2023
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:00 PM.
Roll Call
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" Lopez, Council Members Jose Alonso and
Joseph Riofrio
Council Members Absent: Gouncil Member Oscar Rosales
Flag salute led by Council Member Joseph Riofrio
A moment of silence was held in honor of Javier Alonzo Zambrano.
Se guard6 un minuto de silencio en honor de Javier Alonzo Zambrano. lnvocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt the agenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Jonathan Jtleza expressed his concerns over the Vista Square Shopping Center ("Vista Square") not opening within the timeframe that was previously agreed upon, including the possibility of this being a breach of contract; commented on an unpermitted event that Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 October 24,2023
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recently took place at Vista Square; and on a lack of communication and transparency between the Vista Square owner and businesses who will occupy the building.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Meza, including possible legal actions that can be taken to ensure that the issue is resolved.
Brian Gonzalez commented on not receiving payment from the Vista Square owner for services that were provided; on the need for Vista Square to open for business in order to avoid negative effects on the City and on his desire for the City to continue to grow.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Gonzalez.
Kevin Romero provided an update on local youth sports.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 10,2023 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 Alonso to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by; Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
CONSENT GALENDAR
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.
OCTOBER 5, 2023 THROUGH OCTOBER 20,2023
WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 53909 THROUGH 53970
TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAI- = $1,574,184.89
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 23-70, cancelling the November 28th and December 26th regular City Council meetings and authorizing the City Manager to execute any necessary warrants.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 23-71, accepting and filing the Community Facilities District No. 2006-1 Annual Report for Fiscal Year 202312024.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 23-72, granting a Utility Distribution Easement to the Pacific, Gas and Electric Company on APN 013-222-014.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to approve items 1 through 4, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
BUSINESS
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3. 4
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 October 24,2023
1 Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 23-73, approving the $160,637.57 proposal submitted by Sound Contracting for the installation of the audio and video systems in the new Police Station and Council Chambers; authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary therefor.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report.
John Graham with Sound Contracting presented information on the installation of the audio and video systems (the "systems") in the new Police Station and Council Chambers and provided information on Sound Contracting's background, including various projects completed by the company.
Discussion was held on the information provided by City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia and Mr.
Graham with Sound Contracting, including on the life expectancy of the systems that will be installed at the new Police Station and Council Chambers.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period at 6:24 p.m. and seeing no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt Resolution No. 23-73, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 23-74, approving the $130,037.35 proposals submitted by Surveillance lntegration for the installation of the access control system and the video security system in the new Police Station and Council Chambers; authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary therefor.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Chief of Police Smith provided the report Jim Richardson with Surveillance lntegration presented information on the installation of the access control system and the video security system (the "systems") in the new Police Station and Council Chambers; provided information on Surveillance lntegration's background, including various projects completed by the company; commented on the life expectancy of the systems; and on the benefits of having these types of systems in the new Police Station and Council Chambers.
Discussion was held on the information presented by Mr. Richardson with Surveillance lntegration; on the differences between cloud-based software systems and server-based software systems; the importance of equipping the new Police Station and Council Chambers with state of the art technology; the Mendota Unified School District's use of the same security system; on how frequently the systems are vandalized; continued expansion of the systems throughout the City; and on the Mendota Police Department's use of body cams.
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Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Albert Escobedo commented on his support of the systems and on the need to keep the community safe.
Joseph Amador inquired into how monitoring of the security system will work Discussion was held on the inquiry made by Mr. Amador, including details on how monitoring of the security system works; on Pool Park being selected as one of the location sites for the security system; and on continued expansion of the security system throughout the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez left the Council Chambers at 6:51 p.m. and retumed within the same minute.
Brian Gonzalez commented on illegal street racing occurring throughout the City and inquired into whether the systems will assist with enforcement.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Gonzalez.
Jonathan Leiva commented on the security system's ability to differentiate between different objects in order to not set off any false alarms.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Leiva
Mayor lVlartinez c/ose d the public comment period
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt Resolution No. 23-74, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 23-75, approving the $115,270.10 proposal submitted by Surveillance Integration for the installation of community video policing infrastructure; authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary therefor.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Chief of Police Smith provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Chief of Police Smith Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period and seeing no one willing to comment c/osed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Council Member Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 23-75, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
4. Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 23-76, approving the Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 October 24,2023
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$79,600.00 proposal submitted by Howell Communications for the purchase and installation of a self-supporting communications tower at the new Police Station and Council Chambers; authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary therefor.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Chief of Police Smith provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Chief Smith, including the possibility of using the proposed self-supporting communications tower to provide free internet services to the community.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period at 7:07 p.m. and seerng no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt Resolution No. 23-74, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) Update
Chief Smith provided the monthly update for the Animal Contro!, Code Enforcement, and Police Departments including ongoing tasks; participation in upcoming community events and commented on Adelante Mendota's Car Show.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Chief Smith, including the Mendota Police Department's ("MPD's) work to address public drinking in the City; the need to address noise violations throughout the City and a recent statutory rape victim and the MPD connecting them with the RCS Fresno - Carmen Meza Center.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro provided an update on ongoing tasks and projects, including a presentation he provided to the City's Finance Department and Code Enforcement Department regarding new mobile vendor regulations.
Discussion was held on new mobile vendor regulations; tables and chairs being permanently set up at locations of mobile food vendors, including the possibility of this being a public nuisance violation and the City Council's desired direction on how to address these issues and on loud music being played by businesses throughout the City.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez commented on new mobile food vendor regulations, including giving businesses a notice to ensure that they comply with the new mobile food vendor Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 October 24,2023
regulations; thanked City staff for their work and those who attended the meeting, and commented on the Police Department and City Council Chambers project.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Counci! Member(s)
Council Member Riofrio thanked City staff and those who attended the meeting and commented on concerns that were voiced during the meeting regarding the Vista Square Shopping Center.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Council Member Riofrio.
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez commented on her attendance to the 32nd Annual Westside Red Ribbon Carnival and Parade held in Tranquility on October 22nd; on public drinking occurring at the location of mobile food vendors throughout the City; inquired into the possibility of providing the City Council meeting agendas in Spanish; and thanked City staff for their work and those who attended the meeting.
Council Member Alonso commented on a meeting held with Community Schools Program Coordinator Jennifer Jasso; on the possibility of attending a League of California Cities City Leaders Summit in April; thanked those in attendance for the moment of silence held in honor of his uncle who recently passed away and thanked City staff and the MPD for their work.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Council Member Alonso
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked those who attended the meeting; commented on a meeting he held with Congress Member John Duarte; on ongoing projects occurring throughout the City, including a new soccer field, road repair projects, and Mendota Municipal Code updates, and encouraged community members to attend City Council meetings.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mayor Martinez and on the possibility of providing City Council meeting agendas in Spanish.
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).
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2. 3 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERry NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: A Portion of APN 012-190-255T
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Westlands Water District
Under Negotiation: Purchase Price
At 7 .29 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session At 8:10 p.m.the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to items 1 through 3 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 8:10 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanrm ously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales)
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 7 October 24,2023
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