MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting April 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" Lop@2, and Counci! Members Jose Alonso,
Joseph Riofrio, and Oscar Rosales
Council Members Absent None
Flag salute Ied by Mayor Martinez
lnvocation led by Albert Escobedo
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).
PRESENTATIONS
Congressman John Duarte to present a ceremonial check to the City of Mendota for the Mendota Pavement lmprovement Project.
Congressman John Duarte commented on his work with the City and the City Council, and provided information on the funding for the Mendota Pavement lmprovement Project, including the process of securing the funding.
1 Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 April 23,2024
The City Council thanked Congressman John Duarte for his work and shared their experience working with Congressman John Duarte.
RECESS (20 Minutes)
At 6:19 p.m.the Counciltook a recess and reconvened in open session at 7:03 p.m.
PRESENTTQTIONS eeN
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CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Ofelia Ochoa and Karina Beltran thanked the City Council for their work; commented on the need to continue to support and provide services to special needs children in the City; the possibility of having a walUrun in honor of special needs children in the City; provided an update on the Granja de Favian Project (the "Project"), including inquiring if the City would be able to assist with acquiring property for the Project and the upcoming Celebraci6n del Dia de Niflo.
Sergio Valdez shared information on Mr. Ray Camacho and commented on a proposed event to honor Mr. Camacho, including details of what will take place at the event.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Valdez
Maria Rodriguez commented on the Fresno Housing Authority Esperanza Commons apartments increasing the price of rent due to the incorrect reporting of income and inquired into whether the City Councilwould be able to assist with this issue.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Rodriguez; the possibility of the City investigating as to why this is happening, including reaching out to the Chief Executive Officer of Fresno Housing Authority; Ms. Rodriguez providing her concerns in writing; and the proposed housing development in the City.
Officer Robert Garibay commented on the Adelante Mendota Car show on April 27th; the Mendota Police Officers Association ("MPOA") proposed scholarship program; and MPOA fundraises, including a firearm raffle and hosting a fireworks stand during the 4th of July.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Garibay; on the proposed Cruise Night event and the firearm raffle.
Community Service Officers ("CSOs") Sandoval and Pefla commented on the Adelante Mendota Car show scheduled for April 27th; their assistance with the Celebraci6n del Dia de Nifro; thanked the City Council, Chief of Police, and the Mendota Police Department for the opportunity to serve the City as CSOs; and stated that their final day as CSO's for the Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 April 23, 2024
City will be on April 30th due to funding from Proposition 64: The Adult Use of Marijuana Act ending.
Discussion was held on the comments made by CSOs Sandoval and Pefra.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April I 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 Council Member Rosales to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
APRIL 5, 2024 THROUGH ARPIL 15, 2024
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 54679 THROUGH 54734
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $1,556,038.67
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-15, approving the purchase of one new 2024 cargo trailer from Thompson Trailers, and upfitting costs for service as a functional Mobile Command Post for the Mendota Police Department.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-16, approving Amendment No. 4 to the Cooperative Agreement to Establish Program Eligibility and Funding Requirements between the City of Mendota, City of Reedley, and the Fresno County Transportation Authority for the Sustainable Aviation Project.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-17, approving the agreement with the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, for the provision of available court connection and electronic support services.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-18, approving the acceptance of grant funds for the Mendota Community Center Project.
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to approve items 1 through 5 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
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5. Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 Apral 23,2024
2 Council discussion and consideration of authorizing a Letter of Support for Assembly Bill No. 2661, introduced by Assembly Member Soria, which aims to repurpose agricultural lands for the purpose of clean energy development.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Manager Gonzalez; the possibility of sending a letter to Assembly Member Soria to express the need for the City to expand to allow for more housing; multiple families living in a single household in the City, and the need to prioritize community needs.
Mayor Martinez opened public comment.
Sergio Valdez requested information on Assembly Bill No. 2661; commented on previous attempts to repurpose land near the City for the installation of solar panels, including the rejection of this proposal by previous City Counci! Members.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Valdez.
Ofelia Ochoa inquired into whether Assembly Member Soria was requesting the proposed letter of support for Assembly Bill No. 2661
Discussion was held on the inquiry made by Ms. Ochoa and the desire to oppose the proposed letter of support.
Raymond Aquino commented on the possibility of sending a letter to Assembly Member Soria to express the need for more housing in the City; the City Council opposing the letter of support for Assembly Bill No. 2661 and the need for housing in the City.
Mayor fi/lartinez closed public comment period.
A motion was made by Mayor Martinez to not authorize a letter of support for Assembly Bill No. 2661, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Council discussion and consideration of purchasing body-worn cameras for the Mendota Police Department.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Chief of Police Smith provided the report Discussion was held on the report provided by Chief Smith; the need to treat community members with respect; the need to educate community members who are in violation of the law; the need to keep Mendota police officers from leaving the Department; the need to maintain a strong police department; the positive impact that body worn cameras can have; the discretion that police officers have when writing citations; ensuring that police officers treat community members fairly and respectfully; the timeline for testing body worn cameras and acquiring quotes, and the records maintenance of footage captured by body Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 April 23, 2024
3 worn cameras.
Officer Garibay with the Mendota Police Officers Association commented on police personnel and the work that they do.
Discussion was held on the roles and responsibilities of Council Members and police officers in the City.
Joseph Amador commented on other law enforcement agencies in Fresno County that have implemented body worn cameras; the roles and experiences of police officers; a former Chief of Police; and the need to hold Public Safety Sub-Committee meetings.
At 8:09 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez left the Council Chambers Ofelia Ochoa stated that police officers should treat community members with respect.
At 8:11 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez retumed to the Council Chambers.
Sergio Valdez commented on the benefits of implementing body worn cameras and the need for police officers to treat community members with respect.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Discussion was held on the importance of maintaining a safe community and ensuring that community members are treated respectfully.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to direct staff to proceed with the next steps in acquiring body worn cameras for the Mendota Police Department, seconded by Council Member Rosales; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PUBLIC HEARING
Council discussion and consideration of the introduction and waiver of the first reading of Ordinance No.24-02, amending Title 17 of the Mendota Municipal Code to add and modify housing-related definitions, procedures, and regulated uses.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that the item was not removed from the agenda due to the public noticing that was previously sent out regarding the Public Hearing.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to continue the Public Hearing at the May 14,2024 City Council meeting, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
1 Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 April 23,2024
DEPARTMENT REPORTS D INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Animal Gentrel; Gede Enfereement; and Peliee Department @
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro had nothing to report.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez had nothing to report.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Mayor Martinez thanked staff for their work; commented on the Community Center Project; the funding received for the Mendota Pavement Project; the Mendota Police Department; and the streetlight data collection and mapping project.
Council Member Rosales thanked those in attendance
Council Member Riofrio had nothing to report
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez encouraged those in attendance to attend upcoming City events; commented on the need to continue to champion for additional funding for the City, and thanked everyone for their work.
Council Member Alonso had nothing to report.
2. Mayor
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 1 Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 April 23,2024
3. 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 PROPERW 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
5. GONFERENEE WITH tEGNt EEUNSET NNTIEIPNTED TITIGATIEN Signifieant expesure te litigatien pursuanF te paragraph (2) ef subdivisien (d) ef At B:19 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session.
At 8:49 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to items 1,3, and 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 8:49 p.m. by Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously (5 ayes)
Victor Marti nez, Mayor
ATTEST
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