MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting September 17,2024
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:02 PM
Roll Gall
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, M?yor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" Lopez and Council Members Jose Alonso
and Joseph Riofrio
Gouncil Members Absent: Council Member Oscar Rosales
FIag salute led by Mayor Martinez
lnvocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
PRESENTATIONS
1. Chief of Police Smith to introduce Police Sergeant Greg Houser.
Chief Smith introduced Police Sergeant Greg Houser and shared information about his background.
Sergeant Houser thanked the City Council, Chief Smith and the Mendota Police Department ("MPD") for the opportunity to serve Mendota.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 September 17,2024
The City Council congratulated Sergeant Houser, wished him well, and welcomed him to the community.
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Mike Leyva and Alicia Leyva commented on the invocation led by Police Chaplain Salinas; shared information on an incident that took place in their home involving two girls that live with them; the Mendota Police Department ("MPD") responding to the incident, including Mr. Leyva being arrested by the MPD; different issues they have with the two girls that live with them and stated they would like to submit a complaint against Sergeant Antuna and Officer Lopez.
Discussion was held on the information provided by Mr. and Ms. Leyva; the purchase of body-worn cameras for the MPD; and Chief of Police Smith meeting with Mr. and Ms. Leyva to discuss the incident.
Ofelia Ochoa and Karina Beltran stated that they have visited the proposed property that the Council is considering leasing to La Granja de Favian ("La Granja"); provided information on La Granja; and thanked the City Council for their support.
Discussion was held on the information provided by Ms. Ochoa and Ms. Beltran and translation services being offered at City Council meetings.
Kyle Savage with the Office of Congressman John Duarte provided an update on legislation, including Congressman Duarte cosponsoring H.R. 9531: Farm to Market Road lmprovement Act.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 3, 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 Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
CONSENT CALENDAR
AUGUST 28,2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 55318 THROUGH 55339
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAI- = $248,990.87
2. Proposed adoption of Proclamation No. 24-01, recognizing the Mendota Unified School District Expanded Learning Program and Proclaiming November 7 ,2024 as "Lights on Afterschool Day."
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 September 17,2024
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4 Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-51, declaring surplus certain City-owned personal propefi and authorizing the sale or disposal of such property.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-52, approving the Consultant Services Agreement and Proposal from Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group for Land Surveying and Engineering Services for the 2024 Local Streets lmprovement Project.
A request was made to pull items 3 and 4 for discussion A motion was made by Counci! Member Alonso to approve items 1 and 2 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Rosales).
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-51, declaring surplus certain City-owned personal property and authorizing the sale or disposal of such property.
Discussion was held on the item
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-52, approving the Consultant Services Agreement and Proposal from Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group for Land Surveying and Engineering Services for lhe 2024 Local Streets lmprovement Project.
Discussion was held on the item
At 6:33 p.m. Mayor Maftinez opened the public comment peiod for ltem 4 of the Consent Calendar.
Ofelia Ochoa thanked Congressman John Duarte for championing on behalf of the City for funding for road repairs and commented on the condition of the Rojas-Pierce Park Main Pavilion and thanked the City for their work.
At 6:34 p.m. Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period for ltem 4 of the Consent Calendar.
A motion was made by Council MemberAlonso to approve item 4 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
At 6:35 p.m. Mayor Martinez opened the public comment peiod for ltem 3 of the Consent Calendar and seeing no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Council MemberAlonso to approve item 3 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
3. 4
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 September 17,2024
1 PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-53, finding an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act and amending the City of Mendota General Plan Update 2005-2025 by adopting the 2023-2031 Housing Element.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Assistant City Planner Czeshinski provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Assistant City Planner Czeshinski.
At 6:49 p.m. Mayor Martinez opened the hearing to the public.
Discussion was held on the City of Mendota Genera! Plan Update 2005-2025 andthe2023- 2031 Housing Element.
At 6:50 p.m. Mayor Martinez c/osed the hearing to the public.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez to adopt Resolution No. 24-53, seconded by Council Member Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Alonso).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) August Monthly Logs
The City Council thanked Chief of Police Smith for a letter he issued to businesses in the City regarding the need to beautify their locations.
Chief of Police Smith commented on the letter he issued to businesses in the City regarding the need to beautify their locations.
Discussion was held on the letter issued to businesses in the City and the need for everyone to work together to improve and beautify the community.
At 6:53 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez left the Council Chambers and retumed at 6:54 p.m.
Chief of Police Smith provided the monthly updates and reports for the Animal Control Department, Code Enforcement Department and Police Department; reported that Officer Vasquez participated in the Mothers Against Drunk Driving 5K Walk/Run; Mendota Police Department ("MPD") officers patrolling the drag racing event that took place in the City; upcoming events including the MPD conducting a Driving Under the lnfluence checkpoint on September 20th and September 26th; commented on MPD officers assisting with the Kerman Harvest Festival; and the MPD participating in the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, including seeking local businesses to sponsor the MPD's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 September 17,2024
1 Discussion was held on stray dogs in the City, including the resources that the City is expending to catch stray dogs; the possibility of purchasing pink City of Mendota hats and the grand opening of the new City Council Chambers and Mendota Police Department.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro nothing to report
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez reported on the Grand Opening event for Starbucks; the Mendota Police Department's You Got Served a Starbucks by a Cop event; status of the new Police Department and City Council Chambers; a compliance inspection that took place at the 5 Points Facility; and a recent Community Center meeting and an upcoming Community Center meeting.
Discussion was held on the Citywide Streetlight lnventory and Evaluation project;the status of purchasing new streetlights; status of the Roundabout Project on State Highways 180 and 33; the possibility of connecting property owners of empty lots to potential buyers in the City; and the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Mayor Pro Tem Lopez commented on the California Department of Transportation and the Fresno Arts Council painting electrical boxes in the City; the Vista Square grand opening; the status of the Community Center project; Suicide Prevention Month, including providing a quote in relation to Suicide Prevention Month; the Red Ribbon Week celebration in Tranquility, including whether the Mendota Police Department can participate; thanked the audience for attending; and thanked Mr. and Ms. Leyva for sharing their concerns.
Council Member Alonso requested that Chief Smith issue a letter regarding individuals illegally parking in handicapped spots; commented on the Vista Square grand opening; a ride along he had with City Manager Gonzalez and Luis Martinez with the office of Senator Caballero to advocate on behalf of the City.
Council Member Riofrio commented on the possibility of modifying the street sweeping hours near Mendota High School due to traffic impacting the efficiency of the street sweeper; the status of the Dirt Soccer Field and the condition of the Danny Trejo Soccer Field.
Discussion was held on the Danny Trejo Soccer Field and Dirt Soccer Field and the Facility Use Policy.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 September 17,2024
1 2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked to staff; thanked the audience for attending; thanked the City Council for their work; commented on ongoing projects in the City and the need to continue to work to improve the community.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APNs 012-160-255, 012-190-56, 012-190-255T, 012-190-09T, and 012- 190-265T
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Westlands Water District
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Potential initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (two potential cases).
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERry NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APN 013-050-21 T
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Karina Beltran
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
At 7:25 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session.
At 8:17 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to items 1 through 3 there were no reportable actions.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:17 p.m. by Council Member Alonso, seconded by Council Member Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales). 4r,b v A ST:
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Minutes of City Co September 17,2024
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