MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting January 23,2024
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,
Joseph Riofrio, and Oscar Rosales
Gouncil Members Absent None
Flag salute led by Mayor Martinez
lnvocation led by Police Chaplain Ophelia Lugo
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
City Manager Gonzalez stated that Presentations 2 and 4 will be tabled to a future meeting.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt the modified agenda as requested by staff, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PRESENTATIONS
1. Chief of Police Smith to present the Police Department's 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award to Veronica Gill.
Chief Smith shared the work that Ms. Gill does with the Animal Control Department and presented her with the 2023 Police Department Volunteer of the Year Award.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 January 23,2024
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The City Council thanked Ms. Gill for her work and congratulated her for her achievement.
Chief of Police Smith to present the Police Department's 2023 Employee of the Year Award to Police Officer Juliana Lopez.
Presentation 2 was tabled to a future meeting.
Public Works Superintendent Banuelos to present the Public Works Department's 2023 Employee of the Year Award to Maintenance Worker I Andrew Sanchez.
Public Works Superintendent Banuelos shared the work that Mr. Sanchez does with the Pubfic Works Department and presented him with the 2023 Public Works Department Employee of the Year Award.
Mr. Sanchez thanked Superintendent Banuelos and the City Council for their support and recognition.
The City Council thanked Mr. Sanchez for his work and congratulated him for his achievement.
Finance Administrative Supervisor Sandoval to present the Finance Department's 2023 Employee of the YearAward to Administrative Assistant ll Grecia M. Gallegos.
Prese ntation 4 was tabled to a future meeting
City Manager Gonzalez to present the City Administration Department's 2023 Employee of the Year award to Finance Administrative Supervisor Marilu Sandoval City Manager Gonzalez shared the work that Ms. Sandoval does with the Finance Department and presented her with the 2023 City Administration Department Employee of the Year Award.
Ms. Sandoval thanked City Manager Gonzalez and the City Council for their support and recognition.
The City Council thanked Ms. Sandoval for her work and congratulated her for her achievement.
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
None offered.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 9, 2024 Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 January 23,2024
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2 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 Council Member Alonso; 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.
JANUARY 3, 2024 THROUGH JANUARY 17,2024
WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 54317 THROUGH 54338
TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAI- = $332,225.36
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Proposed ratification of a letter of support for funding for the National Farmworker Jobs Program.
Proposed ratification of a letter of support for Fresno County for the Caltrans Climate Adaptation Planning Grant.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-05, approving the First Amendment to the Translation Services Agreement with Patricia Lyons dba Lyons lnterpreting and Translation and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Amendment.
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to approve items 1 through 4, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
Council discussion and consideration of the activity memorandum provided by Townsend Public Affairs.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez introduced Andres Ramirez with Townsend Public Affairs (.TPA').
Mr. Ramirez reported on the work that TPA has done on behalf of the City; provided an update on different funding that the City has received; reported on the hold that was placed on the funding that was previously earmarked for the Community Center Project; and commented on TPA's goals lor 2024.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Mr. Ramirez and on the process of submitting grants, including ways to improve grant submittals.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period and seeing no one willing to comment c/osed it within the same minute.
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1 Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 January 23,2024
Discussion was held on the importance of the City receiving grants and the effect that Census data has on Cities who apply for grants.
2 Council discussion and consideration of continuing the translation of City Council meeting agendas.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report Discussion was held on the report provided by City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia; on the cost associated with translating the entire agenda packet as opposed to just the agenda; and on potential liabilities with translating agendas in house.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment peiod at 6:58 p.m Albert Escobedo inquired into the cost of translating the agendas and commented in favor of continuing to translate the agenda.
Joseph Amador commented on a city in Texas which conducts the City Council meetings entirely in Spanish.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period at 7:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Alonso to direct staff to continue to translate City Council meeting agendas for all City Councilmeetings, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
3. Council discussion and consideration of City Council participation at externalevents Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia, including which City Council members will attend which external events; recommended dates to schedule certain external events; and a possible government shutdown affecting attendance of certain external events.
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 Alonso to provide direction to staff to prepare for City Counci! attendance at various external events, seconded by Council Member Rosales; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) December Monthly Logs
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Chief of Police Smith and Mendota Police Department Officer Garibay provided the monthly update for the Code Enforcement department, including upcoming events.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Chief Smith and Officer Garibay.
Chief Smith and Officer Garibay provided the provided the monthly update for the Animal Control Department, including statistics and on the possibility of offering a free spay and neuter clinic.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Chief Smith and Officer Garibay Chief Smith provided the monthly update for the Police Department, including assisting Fresno County with an ongoing homicide investigation; commented on a Fresno County Chiefs meeting he attended; and provided an update on staffing for the police department.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Chief Smith, including ways to improve staffing issues.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro had nothing to report.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez commented on the all-inclusive playground opening for Tulare County; on improvements for the inclusive playground at Rojas-Pierce Park; on the Mendota Stormwater Improvement Project; on the Community Center project; thanked staff, the City Council, City consultants and the community for their support; and commented on the possible scheduling of a joint board meeting with the Mendota Unified School District.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Manager Gonzalez
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council MemberAlonso thanked those who attended the City Council meeting; commented on Ramon Gonzalez's upcoming drag racing event; thanked Andres Ramirez with Townsend Public Affairs for his work; and thanked the rest of the City Council for allowing him to attend the external events.
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez thanked City Manager Gonzalez for his help in getting benches placed at the Mendota Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV"); commented on the need to increase service days for the DMV; on her excitement for the new PD/Council Chambers and thanked those who attended the City Council meeting.
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Council Member Riofrio commented on Ramon Gonzalez's upcoming drag racing event; on a new state law that prohibits parking within 100 feet of crosswalks; on California's budget deficit; on the need to increase Mendota Police Department staffing; and commended Mendota Police Department Officer Garibay for his work.
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez left the council chambers at 7:46 pm and returned at 7:47 pm.
Council Member Rosales thanked those who attended the City Council meeting; commented on having items on the next City Councilagenda to discuss the implementation of an open-door policy and vehicles being towed in the City.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked those who attended the City Council meeting; commented on Ramon Gonzalez's upcoming drag racing event; on the need for the City Council to keep working as a team; and on the need to continue looking for ways to improve the community, including improving lighting throughout the City.
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).
City of Mendota v. Ashley Dabbs, et al.
Fresno County Superior Court Case No. 23CECL08924.
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: Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: 643 Quince Street, Mendota, CA 93640
Agency Negotiator. Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: United Security Bank
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL _ ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (two potential cases).
At7:53 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session
At 9:22 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 January 23,2024
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Castro stated that in regard to items 1 through 4 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 9:23 p.m. by Council Member Alonso, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 7 January 23,2024
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