MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting November 14,2023
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:00 PM.
Roll Call
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Moyor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" Lopez, Council Members Jose Alonso,
Joseph Riofrio, and Oscar Rosales
Council Members Absent: None
FIag salute led by Raul Varela
lnvocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
Council Member Alonso requested that a moment of silence held in honor of Javier Alonzo Zambrano at the regular City Council meeting of October 24, 2023, be translated into Spanish.
Assistant City Attorney Castro requested to move the Closed Session ltems after the Consent Calendar and before Business ltem 1.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt the modified agenda as requested by staff, seconded by Council Member Rosales; unanimously approved (5 ayes) Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 November 14,2023
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Raul Varela inquired about the possibility of installing more cameras throughout the City to reduce vandalism, including reaching out to State Senator Ana Caballero to assist with funding; and on the possibility of installing two more speed bumps on 2nd Street.
Discussion was held on the inquires made by Mr. Varela
Discussion was held on the comment made by Ms. Rasmusen Gil, including possible grants that provide funding for animal control facilities and on possibly reaching out to Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco to assist with funding for the animal control facility.
Kevin Romero provided an update on local youth sports.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Mr. Romero lris Ruiz commented on ongoing vandalism occurring at her business and on the Mendota Police Department's ("MPD's") lack of action to address the issue.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Ruiz and on the MPD's response to the vandalism, including the identification of a suspect in connection to the ongoing vandalism issues and possible consequences for the suspect.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 24, 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 Rosales to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
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.
OCTOBER 20, 2023 THROUGH NOVEMBER 3, 2023
WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 5397 l THROUGH 54097
TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL - $1,560,419.49
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 23-77, honoring and recognizing Tony Boren for his service and commitment to the City of Mendota, the Fresno Council of
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Veronica Rasmusen Gil requested an update on plans for a new animal controlfacility.
Governments and to the Fresno Region
3 Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 23-78, approving the bid submitted by RGPOWER for the purchase of lawn mowers for the Public Works Department.
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to approve items 1 through 3, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes)
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGAT]ON
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).
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERry NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: 1161 Oller Street, Mendota, CA 93640
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Steve Bogart
Under Negotiation: Purchase Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERry NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: 1758 7th Street, Mendota, CA 93640
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Gabriel Guillen
Under Negotiation: Purchase Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY 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 and Terms of Payment
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to subdivision (b) of Government Code section 54957 Title: Finance Director
At 6:22 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session 1 2
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Minutes of City Counci! Meeting 3 November 14,2023
1 At 7:05 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to items 1 through 6 of the closed session there were no reportable actions.
BUSINESS
Council discussion and consideration of Public Safety Sub-Committee goals and meeting schedule.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Chief of Police Smith provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Chief Smith; suspending the Public Safety Sub-Committee meetings for the remainder of the year and addressing any public safety concerns during City Counci! meetings.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period and seeing no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Counci! Member Rosales to suspend Public Safety Subcommittee meetings for the remainder of 2023 and bring an item back for the City Council to consider the Public Safety Subcommittee's future during the first City Council meeting of 2024; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Council discussion and consideration of City policies determining the comparative responsibility for the maintenance and repair of sanitary sewer laterals (house connections).
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Engineer Osborn provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Engineer Osborn; on the logistics of who is responsible for the maintenance and repair of sanitary sewer laterals; on ways that other Cities handle the maintenance and repair of sanitary sewer laterals; on the fiscal impact of the City assuming responsibility for the maintenance and repair of sanitary sewer laterals; and on ways to improve the Mendota Municipal Code to address the maintenance and repair of sanitary sewer laterals.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period and seeing no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to direct staff to gather more information on how other cities address the maintenance and repair of sanitary sewer laterals and bring the information back to a future meeting for further discussion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
2 Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 November 14,2023
3 Council discussion and consideration of the possible imposition of a moratorium on the payment of development impact fees for residential developments within the City.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Manager Gonzalez; on ways to attract more contractors to provide housing in the City; on whether the waiving of development impact fees will affect the price of housing; improving the City's water infrastructure to maintain new housing that will be brought into the City, including the possibility of meeting with the Mendota Unified School District to discuss water infrastructure and on the different types of fees for developers interested in building new housing in the City.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Ofelia Ochoa commented on the need for new housing to be accessible; on the need for new housing to provide accommodations for senior citizens, and on possibly having a designated area for special needs accessible housing.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Ochoa
lVlayor fi/lartinez closed the public comment period
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to direct staff to look into the possible suspension of development impact fees and bring the item back to a future meeting for further discussion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Council Member Rosales apologized for vandalism that has occurred throughout the City; commented on the City's desire to reduce crime in the City; congratulated Mayor Martinez on the birth of his new child; thanked Mayor Martinez for his assistance in securing 3 million in funding for the Golden Plains School District; thanked everybody for their work, and thanked those who attended the meeting.
Council Member Rosa/es left the City Council Chambers at 7:37 p.m. and did not return
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on ongoing City projects, including the Stormwater lmprovement Project and the upcoming bid opening for the Fleming and McCabe Street Reconstruction project.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Osborn and on the need to Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 November 14,2023
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improve lighting throughout the City, including the possibility of surveying community members to see what areas of the City need lighting.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro commented on ongoing tasks and projects and on the confirmation of District Judge Ana de Alba to serve on the Ninth Circuit for the United States Court of Appeals.
City Manager
a) Pool park perimeter fencing
City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project, including the installation of a new irrigation system; commented on the need to install perimeter fencing in the area during the installation of the new irrigation system to keep vehicles out, and on the different types of perimeter fencing available for installation, including the costs of each.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Manager Gonzalez; the benefits and drawbacks of each type of perimeter fencing, and on improving the type of perimeter fencing that is installed once more funding is received. b) Agenda translation Iogistics
City Manager Gonzalez inquired into the City Council's desired direction regarding the translation of agendas.
Discussion was held on the inquiry made by City Manager Gonzalez; on Brown Act requirements associated with translation services for the agenda; on when the agenda should be fully translated in order to comply with all requirements, and on the possibility of researching how the Mendota Unified School District translates their agendas.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Riofrio commented on the passing of community member Mr. Rojas, and shared memories he has about Mr. Rojas.
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez stated that she had a great experience at the Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon; thanked staff for their work; thanked the community for their attendance; stated that she has been approached by individuals who are requesting a designated area to use all-terrain vehicles; reported on areas that have very little lighting throughout the City; requested additional patrol at the intersection of Lolita and Divisadero Streets, and on vehicles not stopping at the crosswalk at 3'd and Oller Streets.
Council Member Alonso reported on a trip that he and the Mendota Police Department Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 November 14,2023
Explorers took to the California State Capitol and requested that City staff look into installing benches near the inclusive playground at Rojas-Pierce Park.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked all who attended the meeting; reported on ongoing projects for Oller Street; reported on the upcoming toy giveaway; the new Christmas decorations for Oller Street; requested that staff work with the Mendota Unified School District to schedule a joint meeting; congratulated the Mendota Police Department for their win at the Firebaugh Police Department vs. Mendota Police Department softball game; requested that City staff look into installing benches near the inclusive playground at Rojas-Pierce Park and outside the Mendota DMV, and thanked staff for the work.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:11 p.m. by Council Member Riofrio, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes). 4
ATTEST
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 7 November 14,2023
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