MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting October 1, 2024
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:00 PM
Roll Call
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Moyor Pro Tem Libertad "Liberty" Lopez and Council Members Jose Alonso,
Joseph Riofrio, and Oscar Rosales
Council Members Absent None
Flag salute Ied by Mayor Martinez
lnvocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
A moment of silence was held in honor of Rosa Maria Marmolejo who had recently passed away
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Rosales; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PRESENTATIONS
1. Chlef of Police Smith to introduce Police Officer Steven Mares.
Chief Smith introduced Police Officer Steven Mares and shared information about his background.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 October 1,2024
2 Officer Mares thanked the City Council, Chief Smith and the Mendota Police Department ("MPD") for the opportunity to serve Mendota.
The City Council congratulated Police Officer Mares, wished him well, and welcomed him to the community.
City Council to recognize the Marjaree Mason Center and proclaim the month of October 2024 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month."
Mayor Martinez and Mayor Pro Tem Lopez read Proclamation No. 24-02 into the record and presented the proclamation to Jessica Sailor of the Marjaree Mason Center ("MMC").
Ms. Sailor thanked the City Council and City for the proclamation and provided information about the MMC.
Discussion was held on the MMC, and the MMC providing classes to high school students
3. Rick Raiwith Mid Valley Disposalto present information on the airport basin cleanup Rick Rai and Michael Haar with Mid Valley Disposal ("MVD') presented information about their efforts and assistance with the airport basin cleanup, including that MVD would be providing the City with a credit for the cost of the cleanup.
The City Council thanked Mr. Rai, Mr. Haar, and Mid Valley Disposal for their assistance and support for the community.
4. Alex Gibbs with Townsend Public Affairs, lnc. to provide an update on grants.
Alex Gibbs with Townsend Public Affairs, lnc. ("TPA") provided an update on grants that the firm has worked on behalf of the City.
Discussion was held on the role that TPA has in the City's efforts in applying for grants.
CITIZENS ORAL AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS
Sergio Valdez with Mendota Youth Recreation ("MYR") thanked the City Council for including Business item 1 on the agenda; requested thatthe City Councilconsider replacing the scoreboard atthe Benny Mares Sr. Baseball Field; and stated that MYR has been asked to host a Cal Ripken tournament, but the City's baseballfields are not an adequate size for the tournament.
Discussion was held on MYR requesting to use the Mendota Unified School District ("MUSD') baseball fields for the tournament; how MUSD utilizes California Community School Partnership grant funding; and ensuring that MUSD and the City work together to address the needs of the community.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 October 1,2024
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Amalia Bernardo with Centro Binaciona! para el Desarrollo lndigena Oaxaquefro reported that Boca Del Rio Agriculture LLC ("Boca Del Rio") was not paying its employees in accordance with the law; and requested that the City act on the issue by ensuring Boca Del Rio's compliance with the City's development agreement.
Discussion was held on the information provided by Ms. Bernardo, and the City's efforts to ensure Boca Del Rio's compliance with the City's development agreement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 17 ,2024.
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 Alonso to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 11,2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13,2024
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 55340 THROUGH 55374
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $459,179.20
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 24-54, approving the Consultant Services Agreement from Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group for the preparation of California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act documentation for the Second Street Stormwater Project.
A motion was made by Council Member Rosales to approve items 1 and 2 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
Council discussion and consideration of providing direction to staff on the purchase of the scoreboard for the Alfredo Muratalla Baseball Field.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report Discussion was held on the item.
At 6:47 p.m. Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period, and Council Member Rosa/es left the Council Chambers.
Sergio Valdez and Justina Muratalla commented on the item. 1 2
1 Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 October 1,2024
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Valdez and Ms. Muratalla and on the item.
At 6:58 p.m. Mayor Martinez c/osed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Council Member Alonso to direct staff to proceed with option 3 as shown in the staff report, with staff exploring the possibility of removing the clock, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS D INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1 City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn presented the monthly update
Discussion was held on the status of various road improvement projects; the status of the Citywide Railroad Crossing Improvement Project; the 2nd Street Stormwater lmprovement Project; a Safe Routes To School Subcommittee meeting that Mayor Martinez recently participated in; the Fresno County Transportation Authority providing information on funding that is available for improvements for state highways, and the need to ensure that additional safety measures be implemented on State Highways 33 and 180.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that he had nothing to report.
Discussion was held on off road vehicles being recklessly driven in the City, including how the City can address the issue; and semi-trucks driving through residential/non-truck route areas.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on the Police Station and City Council Chambers project; the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project; the COPs Hiring Grant; and commented on the Starbucks Grand Opening event and that Starbucks had recently closed its lobby area temporarily due to plumbing issues.
Discussion was held on ensuring that the community continues to grow
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Riofrio commented on off road vehicles being driven in the City and issues with vehicles speeding and having a modified exhaust.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 October 1,2024
Discussion was held on law enforcement catching these indiviudals; whether the Mendota Police Department ("MPD") has police officers that are certified to operate the MPD's drones; and the need for community members to report illegal or suspicious activity.
At 7:20 p.m. Mayor Martinez lefr the Council Chambers and returned at 7:23 p.m Mayor Pro Tem Lopez reported on a fence that was tagged on the Eastside of Mendota; unhoused individuals populating around the train tracks and Lolita street; the need to address unhoused individuals; all-terrain vehicles driving on the Eastside of Mendota; stores in the City illegally selling vape pens; thanked City Engineer Osborn for the Fresno Greek Fest tickets; commented on grants that the City has received; the Starbucks grand opening; thanked everyone for their work; thanked Mayor Martinez for his advocacy; thanked the Council for their work; and thanked Luis Martinez with the office of State Senator Anna Caballero.
At 7:24 p.m. Mayor Martinez left the Council Chambers and retumed at 7:25 p.m At 7:26 p.m. Council Member Riofrio left the Council Chambers and returned within the same minute.
At 7:27 p.m. Council Member Riofio left the Council Chambers and retumed at 7:29 p.m Council Member Alonso thanked Luis Martinez with the office of State Senator Anna Caballero for recently coming out to Mendota for a ride along and thanked the City Council and staff for their work.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked the Council, staff, and Luis Martinez with Senator Caballero's office for their work.
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
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERry NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APN 01 3-050-217
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Karina Beltran
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5
1 October 1,2024
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
At 7:31 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session At 8:12 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to items 1 and 2 there were no reportable actions.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:12 p.m.by Council Member Alonso, seconded by Council Member Mayor Pro Lopez; unanimo approved (4 ayes, absent: Rosales)
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 October 1,2024
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