MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting February 27,2024
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:03 PM
Roll Call
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, M?yor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" LopeZ, Council Members Jose Alonso and
Joseph Riofrio
Council Members Absent: Counci! Member Oscar Rosales
Flag salute led by Mayor Martinez
lnvocation led by Police Ghaplain Ophelia Lugo
Mayor Martinez requested that everyone keep Juan Hernandez in their prayers and requested a moment of silence in honor of Saul Garcia who recently passed away.
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 Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
PRESENTATIONS
1. City Manager Gonzalez to swear in Finance Director Nora Valdez.
City Manager Gonzalez swore in Finance Director Nora Valdez.
Ms. Valdez thanked the Council and staff for their support and confidence.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 February 27,2024
2. City Council to honor and recognize the Iegacy of Gina Ramirez Mayor Martinez and the City Council presented a certificate of recognition to the family of Gina Ramirez.
Denise Anguiano thanked the City Council for their support and recognition of her late mother.
Jesse Maldonado spoke in honor of Gina Ramirez.
3. Mid Valley Disposal to present the Recycler of the Year Award to M&M Grocery.
Billie Miller of Mid Valley Disposal shared that M&M Grocery was selected as the Recycler of the Year and shared the work done by M&M Grocery to increase recycling and reduce food waste.
4. City Councilto honor and recognize the Drs. Oscar and Marcia Sablan Mayor Martinez and the City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to Drs. Oscar and Marcia Sablan.
Drs. Sablan thanked the City Council for the recognition.
At 6:23 p.m. the Counciltook a recess and reconvened in open session at 6:40 p.m
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Kevin Romero provided an update on Mendota High School sports.
Carl Castro inquired into which types of mobile trailer homes are permitted under California Accessory Dwelling Unit laws.
Discussion was held on the inquiry made by Mr. Castro
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 23,2024
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 Mayor Pro Tem Lopez to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 February 27,2024
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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 17,2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1,2024
WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 54339 THROUGH 54480
TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL - $1,430,884.51
Proposed approval of Proclamation No. 24-0{, proclaiming the month of February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and urging all residents of Mendota to work together to end the cycle of violence in our community.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-06, accepting a pedestrian easement along the frontage of 757 Marie Street.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-07, vacating a portion of the alley abutting APNs 013-230-04, 05, and 37, quitclaiming it to the owners of the abutting parcels, and flnding that such vacation does not meet the definition of a project under CEQA guidelines section 1 5378.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-08, updating the United Security Bank authorized signers for City of Mendota bank accounts.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-09, approving the First Amended Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Mendota Groundwater Sustainability Agency and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Groundwater Sustainability Agency, the Memorandum of Agreement among the Delta-Mendota Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, and the Special Project Agreement for the development of a single Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Delta-Mendota Subbasin, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-10, approving the quotes submitted by Jim Manning Dodge and Cook's Communications and authorizing the purchase of three vehicles for the Police Department.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to approve items 1 through 7, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
BUSINESS
Council discussion and consideration of appointing a Mendota resident to the Mendota Planning Commission.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 February 27,2024
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Kevin Romero shared his experience working with Ms. Alicia Escobedo and commented in favor of her appointment to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to approve Mayor Martinez's appointment of Alicia Escobedo to the Planning Commission, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
Mayor Martinez stated that an individual was inadvertently not called to speak under the Citizens Oral and Wriften Presentations secfion of the agenda, and invited the individualto speak before the City Council.
Karina Beltran provided an update on the Granja de Favian Project (the "Project"), including its approval as a non-profit organization and inquired into whether the City Councilwould be able to assist with acquiring a location for the Project.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Beltran; on reaching out to different governing bodies to assist with acquiring a location for the Project, and on the City's desire to keep the Project in the community.
BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Council discussion and consideration of recommendations for annual budgetary earmark requests.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report Discussion was held on the report provided by City Manager Gonzalez; on the need to improve road conditions and lighting throughout the City; and on the funding that was previously earmarked in the State budget for the Community Center Project.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Albert Escobedo commented in support of requesting funding to improve road conditions in the City, and on his belief that the City will receive the funding that was previously earmarked in the State budget for the Community Center Project. 2 Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 February 27,2024
1 Ofelia Ochoa thanked the City Council for their support with the all-inclusive playground; commented in favor of requesting funding for the Community Center Project, and on the need to continue to work with elected officials to improve the community.
Joseph Amador commented on the need for sales tax to improve road conditions in the City; thanked Ramon Gonzalez for his support of City events; and thanked City Manager Gonzalez and Chief Smith for their work.
Ir/layor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Discussion was held on the Community Center Project; on the Granja de Favian Project; and on State Budgetary issues.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to direct staff to submit a budget request to the Office of State Senator Caballero requesting 20 million dollars to improve road conditions in the City, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
PUBLIC HEARING
Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 24-11, authorizing the placement of special assessments on the 202412025 property tax roll for 2023 nuisance abatement costs.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Chief of Police Smith provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Chief Smith.
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.
Joseph Amador inquired into whether the City has previously placed special assessments on the property in question, and requested that the City identify the property.
Discussion was held on the inquiry made by Mr. Amador.
Mayor Martinez c/osed the public hearing at 7:36 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt Resolution No. 24-11, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. City Engineer
a) Update
City engineer Osborn provided an update on the Fleming and McCabe Street Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 February 27,2024
2 Reconstruction Project and the Mendota Stormwater lmprovement Project.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Osborn; on the status of the Derrick and Oller Roundabout project; on funding received for the reconstruction of Divisadero Street; on Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funding tha the City received; and on the status of the Citywide railroad improvements.
Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department b) January Monthly Logs
Chief of Police Smith provided an update on the Mendota Police Officer's Association ('MPOA') Valentine's Ball; thanked business owners for their support of the MPOA Valentine's Ball and provided the monthly update for the Code Enforcement and Animal Control Departments.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Chief Smith; the possibility of holding a spay and neuter clinic; on improving the animal control holding facility, including possibly allowing community members to go look at dogs being held at the City's animal control holding facility.
3. City Attorney
City Attorney Kinsey had nothing to report.
4. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez commented on new Finance Director Valdez; reported on the upcoming joint meeting with the Mendota Unified Schoo! District Board of Trustees, and thanked Ramon Gonzalez and businesses for their support of the MPOA Valentine's Ball.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Alonso thanked everyone in attendance and commented on the farm workers who recently passed away in Madera.
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez stated she was happy to see so many people in attendance; commented on Turning Point closing their office in the City, and welcomed Finance Director Valdez.
Council Member Riofrio commented on trash being left throughout the City; on the importance of monitoring the accumulation of trash in the outer areas of the City, and on the need to improve the East side of the City.
2. Mayor
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 February 27,2024
Mayor Martinez thanked everyone in attendance; welcomed Finance Director Valdez; commented on the streetlight data collection and mapping project; on his desire for a clean and safe city; and on the possibility of the City once again offering a community clean up event.
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 LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code sections 54954.5, subdivision (f), 54957.6 a. Agency Designated Representative: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager b. Employee Organization: Mendota Police Officers Association 1 2
3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY 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 LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one potentia! case).
At 8:06 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session At 9:25 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and City Attorney Kinsey 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 9:25 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
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Victor Marti nez, Mayor
4 Minutes of City Council Meeting 7 February 27,2024
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 8 February 27,2024
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