MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting April 9, 2024
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:01 PM
Roll Call
Gouncil Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" Lopaz, and Council Member Jose Alonso
Gouncil Members Absent Council Members Joseph Riofrio and Oscar Rosales 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.
A motion was made by Council Member Alonso to adopt the agenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales).
CITIZENS ORAL AND N PRESENTATIONS
Officer Robert Garibay provided an update on the Mendota Police Officer Association's ('MPOA') newly proposed scholarship program for Mendota High School Seniors and on the possibility of the MPOA holding a "cruise night" event in the City.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Officer Garibay Kevin Romero provided an update on the Mendota High School baseballand softballteams and provided clarification on his election to the Fresno County Democratic Party Central Committee District 1 seat.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 April 9, 2024
1 2
Kyle Savage introduced himself to the City Council and provided an update on Congressman John Duarte's ongoing legislative work that will benefit the City.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Savage.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the special City Council Meeting of March 13, 2024, the regular City Council meeting of March 26,2024, and the special City Council meeting of April 4, 2024.
Notice of waiving of the reading of a!! resolutions and/or ordinances introduced and/or adopted under this agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Alonso to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales).
CONSENT CALENDAR
MARCH 22,2024 THROUGH MARCH 28,2024
WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 54627 THROUGH 54678
TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAI- = $S20,860.01
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez to approve item 1 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales).
BUSINESS
1. Council discussion and consideration of the draft facility use policy 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 the provisions of the proposed policy.
Ir/layor Martinez opened the public comment period
Sergio Valdez commented in favor of the draft facility use policy; the need to keep City facilities closed enough days in order to allow for proper maintenance; individuals using City fields when they are wet or it is raining; thanked the City Council and the Recreation Commission for their work with the draft facility use policy; inquired into how the draft facility use policy will be enforced if implemented; and commented on the need to give citations for any facility use violations.
Kevin Romero commented in favor of the draft facility use policy; commented on other 1 Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 April 9, 2024
Cities who have implemented facility use policies; the effectiveness of facility use policies; the condition of City facilities; and on the need to properly maintain City facilities.
Sergio Valdez commented on the need to inspect City facilities before and after every usage; compliments he receives from other cities regarding the conditions of City fields; and thanked the City Council for their work.
Santiago Batres commented on his previous use of the Danny Trejo Soccer Field (the "Soccer Field"); the possibility of once again being allowed to use the Soccer Field; on the overuse and poor condition of the Soccer Field due to a lack of soccer fields; and the possibility of the City providing more soccer fields in order to rotate use to ensure proper maintenance.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Batres
Ofelia Ochoa commented in favor of the City providing more soccer fields; commented on the need for community members to properly maintain facilities during their use; and the benefits of having recreational areas for community members to enjoy.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Discussion was held on the need to close City fields in order to ensure proper maintenance; the City Council's desire to construct more sports fields for the community; the process and cost of constructing new sports fields; who gets cited if individuals are caught drinking or smoking on City facilities, including whether both the facility use applicant and spectators can be cited; the types of violations proposed in the draft facility use policy, including how violations will be enforced; ensuring that applicants clean the facilities after use; and the provisions of the proposed policy.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez to direct staff to proceed with the implementation of the draft facility use policy with the inclusion of the tournament vendor fees to the fee schedule and further investigate who can be cited for drinking and smoking during use of City facilities, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales).
2. Council discussion and consideration of establishing a Youth Commission 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; which department would oversee the Youth Commission ("Commission"); and an upcoming meeting with Mendota High School Administration to further discuss establishing the Commission.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period,
Minutes of City Council tvleeting 3 April 9, 2024
1 Kevin Romero shared his background in local government; commented on the need for the youth to be involved in local government and commented in favor of establishing the Commission.
Raymond Aquino commented in favor of establishing the Commission and on the benefits of getting the youth's perspective when discussing different issues in the City.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Discussion was held on the Commission, including the need to increase youth involvement with the City.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez to proceed with establishing a Youth Commission and continue discussions with the Mendota High School administration regarding the Youth Commission, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS A D INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on City projects, including the Stormwater Improvement Project and on road repair projects that can be funded with the Community ProjecUCongressionally Directed Spending that Congressman John Duarte championed for on behalf of the City.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro had nothing to report
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez thanked staff and consultants fortheirwork; thanked everyone who attended the meeting and commented on the possibility of holding a goal setting meeting.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1, Council Member(s)
Council Member Alonso commented on his upcoming attendance to the League of California Cities City Leaders Summit to advocate on behalf of the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez commented on her efforts to bring new businesses to the City; on her excitement for upcoming City events and projects, including road repair projects and the new Mendota Police Department and City Council Chambers; on the possibility of Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 April 9, 2024
1 holding an employee appreciation banquet and on the possibility of expanding the type of merchandise that the City sells through the Mendota Community Corporation.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez and on the William Robert Johnston MunicipalAirport ("Airport") basin encampment eviction process, including the need to provide resources to the individuals who will be evicted.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked everyone who attended the meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
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
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code sections 54954.5, subdivision (f), 54957.6 a. Agency Designated Representative: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager b. EmployeeOrganization: UnrepresentedManagementEmployees 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 PROPERry NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APN 013-222-02
Agency Negotiator. Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Jorge Rebollo and Saturnino Rebollo
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 potential case).
At7:18 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session
At 8:04 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to items 1 through 5 of the closed session there were no reportable actions.
2 3
4 5.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 April 9, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:04 p.m. by Council Member Alonso, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Riofrio and Rosales). rt
Victor Marti nez, Mayor
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 April 9, 2024
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