MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting January 9,2024
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:00 PM and he wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Roll Gall
Council 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 Gouncilor Rosales and he wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
lnvocation led by Police Ghaplain Robert Salinas
Council Member Rosales stated that his coworker's son was recently killed in Reedley and requested that everyone keep her and her family in their prayers.
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 Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes)
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Lourdes Santiago - thanked the City of Mendota for the opportunity to work in the community and shared her experience with working in the community; thanked the Council and staff for their assistance with her projects; stated that the areas surrounding her rental Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 January 9,2024
2 properties are very dark and that it creates safety hazards; and requested that the City consider installing additional streetlights.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Santiago; the need for additional lighting throughout the community; the City streetlighting mapping and data collection item that is on the agenda for consideration; and the Council thanked Ms. Santiago for sharing her comments and for her efforts in the City.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 12,2023 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
Mafters 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.
DECEMBER 6,2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 29, 2023
WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 5421 8 THROUGH 54316
TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAI- = $2,237,146.41
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-01, approving a Lease Agreement Extension with the California Department of General Services for the premises located at 655 Quince Street.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-02, reappointing Mr. S. Leo Capuchino to serve as the City of Mendota representative on the Fresno Westside Mosquito Abatement District Board.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-03, suspending the regularly scheduled Public Safety Sub-Committee meetings for a period of six months.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-04, approving the Consultant Services Agreement and Proposal from Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group for the City streetlight data collection and mapping project.
A request was made to pull item 5 for discussion
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to approve items 1 through 4, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes). 1 2
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5 Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 January 9, 2024
5 Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-04, approving the Consultant Services Agreement and Proposal from Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group for the City streetlight data collection and mapping project.
Discussion was held on the item, including the purpose of the project A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to approve item 5, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
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 proposed McCabe Avenue and Fleming Avenue Reconstruction Project; and the status of a grant application to reconstruct Divisadero Avenue.
Discussion was held on the contractor fixing the hump issue at the intersection of Naples and 9th Street;the status of the Roundabout project; and the status of the Highway 180 and 33 improvement project.
At 6:30 p.m. Mayor Martinez left the Council Chambers, and Mayor Pro Tem Lopez led the meeting.
Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) November Monthly Logs
Police Lieutenant Galaviz provided the monthly update for the Anima! Control Department, including statistics.
At 6:31 p.m. Mayor Martinez retumed to the Council Chambers and continued leading the meeting.
Discussion was held on the instances when vicious dogs are removed from their owner, and the purpose of the 1O-day quarantine period for dogs.
Police Lieutenant Galaviz provided the monthly update for the Code Enforcement and Police Departments, including statistics, ongoing tasks and enforcement, and upcoming events.
Discussion was held on the importance of educating the public on traffic laws and regulations.
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 January 9, 2024
3. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro reported on ongoing tasks.
4. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez thanked staff for their work and reported on upcoming events; the employees of the year being recognized at the next City Council meeting; potential developers reaching out to him following the approval of the development fee moratorium; scheduling the goa! setting meeting; and working with the Mendota Unified School District ("MUSD") to schedule a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and City Council.
Discussion was held on the possibility of holding a town hall meeting; and on the proposed joint meeting of the MUSD Board of Trustees and City Council.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Rosales stated that he met with community members who live on I Street who have been victims of crimes committed by homeless individuals; and requested that everyone give additional effort to apply for and obtain grants.
Discussion was held on the issues surrounding the airport basin homeless encampment.
Council Member Riofrio commented on the passing of former Mendota Public Works Director Louie Garcia; a deceased individual on Oller and 4th Streets; a gentleman that was intoxicated on 7th Street; and requested that the police department continue to enforce public intoxication violations.
Discussion was held on homeless individuals bathing near a backflow preventer near the William Robert Johnston Municipal Airport.
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez thanked staff, the community, and the Councilfortheirwork, support, and patience; shared compliments that she received regarding the City's holiday decorations; commented on staffs Christmas luncheon; on the City's Charlie elf-of-theshelf social media postings; efforts on working with the Department of Motor Vehicles to increase the service days; thanked staff for the agendas being translated in Spanish; the City's presence on social media; and shared that the City may want to consider moving forward with the walking trail at Poo! Park.
Discussion was held on the importance of individuals participating in the census.
Council Member Alonso stated that he conducted a poll on social media where he requested input from the community on projects/items that they would like to see implemented, including reporting on suggestions that he received; and shared his well wishes for the new year.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 January 9,2024
1 At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez left the Council Chambers and retumed at 7:01 p.m.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez commented on the new year; shared an update from the Fresno Council of Governments Policy Board meeting that he recently attended, including ongoing discussions related to Measure C; shared an update on a Fresno County Transportation Authority meeting he attended; a meeting with the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency; upcoming and ongoing efforts and projects, including grants, parks, and street lighting projects; installing benches for the Department of Motor Vehicles ('DMV") building and the all-inclusive playground; issues with stray dogs and cats and the possibility of holding a spay/neuter program in the community; and ignoring negative comments about the City's progress and moving forward in a positive manner.
Discussion was held on Mayor Martinez's efforts to secure funding for communities on the Westside of Fresno County, and the possibility of asking a solar company working near the City for funding.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: 1758 7n Street, Mendota, CA 93640
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Gabriel Guillen
Under Negotiation: Purchase Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Ongoing litigation pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one case).
City of Mendota v. Ashley Dabbs, et al.
Fresno County Superior Court Case No. 23CECL08924.
At 7:07 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session At 7:35 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to items 1 through 2 of the closed session
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 7:35 p.m. by Council Member Alonso, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanim approved (5 ayes)
arti nez, Mayor
2 Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 January 9, 2024
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ATTEST:
Celeste
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 January 9, 2024
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