MINUTES OF MENDOTA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JOINT.MEETING OF THE
MENDOTA CITY COUNCIL AND
THE MENDOTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Special Meeting Wednesday, March 13,2024
Joint Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 5:36 p.m.
Roll Call
5:30 p.m.
Gouncil Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" Lop@2, Council Members Jose Alonso
and Oscar Rosales
Gouncil Members Absent Gouncil Member Joseph Riofrio
Mendota Unified School District ("MUSD") Board of Trustees conducted roll call and established a quorum.
The Flag Salute was led by Mayor Martinez.
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
Adjustments to Agenda
Adoption of final Agenda.
City Manager Gonzalez requested that Business ltem G be moved to the beginning of the agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member AIonso to approve the modified agenda as requested by staff, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
CITIZENS ORAL AND N PRESENTATIONS
Karina Beltran presented information on the Granja de Favian Project (the "Project"); and inquired if the City would be able to assist with acquiring property for the Project. 1 2
Minutes of Special City Council Meeting 1 March 13, 2024 Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Beltran; on the City leasing land to the cannabis industry; and on the City's limitation to assist with the Project due to a lack of available land.
Ofelia Ochoa spoke in favor of the Project; thanked the City Council for their support of the all-inclusive playground; commented on the need to work as a team to support and provide services to special needs children in the City; and on the need for the City to assist with the Project.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Ochoa.
Milna Beltran commented in support of the Granja de Favian Project (the "Project"); requested that the City Council and Board of Trustees guide them as to how to proceed to acquire property for the Project; commented on the importance of supporting and providing services to special needs children in the City; and on the need for the City to support the Project.
Viviana Munguia and Ofelia Ochoa requested the City's support for the proposed Kid's Day Celebration event at Rojas-Pierce Park.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Munguia and Ms. Ochoa.
Albert Escobedo stated that the Mendota Community Corporation may be able to assist with the proposed Kid's Day Celebration event at Rojas-Pierce Park.
BUSINESS
1. Discussion Forum:
g. Prioritization of the location of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez and City Engineer Osborn provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Manager Gonzalez and City Engineer Osborn; on the proposed locations for the installation of the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (the "Beacons"), including which locations should be prioritized; and on whether there will still be a need for crossing guards once the Beacons are installed.
A consensus was reached to prioritize the following locations for the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons:
1) The crossing in front of Mendota Donut on Oller Street 2) The crossing at 3'd and Oller by Ramon's Tire and Auto Service, lnc 3) The crossing on Oller and 9th by the Fastrip gas station Minutes of Special City Council Meeting 2 March 13, 2024 4) The crossing on Oller and Sth by the Washington EIementary School 5) The crossing on Derrick Avenue near the entrance of McCabe Elementary School
6) The crossing on 7th and Oller
7) The crossing on 11th and Oller
8) The crossing on 6th and Oller
i. Potential Partnership between the City of Mendota and Mendota Unified School District for Student Participation in Local Government Mayor Martinez introduced the item and discussion was held on increasing MUSD student participation in the City Council and City events, including establishing a student City Council; and on a potential meeting between Mendota High School staff and City staff to promote community service opportunities.
j. Follow-up on Availability of Mendota High School to make Barbecue Pits and Benches to be installed at Mendota Pool Park.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and discussion was held on the item including on the possibility of MUSD exposing itself to liability; on the City indemnifying the MUSD once the barbecue pits and benches have been provided to the City; on Mendota High School ("MHS") needing additional information on the item in order to proceed; and MUSD thanked the City for their assistance with the placement of MHS Senior banners throughout the City.
a. Securing State & Federal Funds for Common Projects
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and discussion was held on the grants that the City is seeking; the ability for the City to look at obtaining additional funding to develop recreational areas; possible recreational amenities that can be brought into the City; the status of the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project; on the possibility of creating a park in the Las Palmas homing area; and the City and MUSD working together to apply for grant funding for the development of recreational areas.
b. SRO Program Officers. What is the City doing to Attract and Retain Police Officers?
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and the MUSD Board of Trustees commended the School Resource Officers ("SROs") for their work and inquired as to whether there is anything MUSD can do to retain officers due to the high turnover rate.
Discussion was held on the City currently being in negotiations with the Mendota Police Officer's Association to negotiate a successful benefits package.
Chief of Police Smith provided information on the personnel of the Mendota Police Department and explained the current hiring process; and introduced all of the SROs.
Minutes of Special City Council Meeting 3 March 13, 2024 Discussion was held on the need to ensure that every school site in the City has an SRO available to them; on the need to enhance benefits for Mendota Police Department Officers to ensure that they remain in the City; on the Anima! Control and Code Enforcement vehicles having the word "police" on them; on the need to provide information to the public on what a Code Enforcement officer is; on whether the City has informational material on how to maneuver through roundabouts; on cars not yielding for pedestrians on Oller Street; and on cars double parking near Washington Elementary School.
At 7:13 p.m. the Council and MUSD Board of Trustees took a recess and reconvened in open session at 7:30 p.m and Council Member Rosa/es did not return. c. Update on Wi Fi Project for Students
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and discussion was held on the issue of MUSD students' lacking access to internet; on MUSD obtaining hotspots to increase access to internet; on the update on the status of the Wi Fi project; and on the possibility of using the City's tower at the Mendota Police Department to assist with increasing internet access for MUSD students.
d. The City of Mendota Mental Health Summit
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and discussion was held on an organization proposing to have a Mental Health Summit (the "Summit") in the City; on the need for mental health services in the City; on the City's efforts to address the closure of the Turning Point office in the City; on the effects California Proposition 1, Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure will have on the City if passed; and how MUSD can assist with the Summit, including logistics of how the Summit will take place. h. Update on Mendota Unified School District Projects
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Dr. Lopez with the Mendota Unified School District provided an update on MUSD projects, including a new ten classroom building at MHS, a new weight room, locker room, and expanded cafeteria at MHS, a district wide security fencing project; a special education and special needs project at McCabe Elementary School; a field and track update at McCabe Elementary School; and a Mendota Elementary School classroom expansion project.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Dr. Lopez; on planned City projects, including the streetlight data collection and mapping project; on the Divisadero Street road repair project and proposed housing developments in the City. k. Potential Collaboration between the City of Mendota and Mendota Unified School District to Create Walking Trails for the Youth and their Families.
Minutes of Special City Council Meeting 4 March 13, 2024 Mayor Martinez introduced the item and discussion was held on the need for the City and MUSD to collaborate to provide walking trails for the youth and their families; on the proposed Triangle Park project; and on ways the City and MUSD can collaborate on these projects.
!. Update from Mendota Unified School District on Available Programs to Help Students Stay Away from Drugs and Ways the City of Mendota can Collaborate
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and discussion was held on drug prevention programs offered by MUSD, including their Red Ribbon Week celebration, on having guest speakers speak to MUSD students to discourage drug use; SROs conducting assemblies to discourage drug use; on ongoing vaping issues being faced by MUSD, including ways to combat this; on cannabis industries in the City; new suspension laws for drug violations in schools; and dress code regulations on clothing that promotes drug use.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:44 p.m. by Councilor Alonso, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales). ,42 t/1u7
ATTEST: F
RP
o
0 + I ,
t a
a
\. a
o RN \
Minutes of Special City Council Meeting 5 March 13, 2024 t
t
I