MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting February 18, 2025
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:11 PM
Roll Call
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Jose Alonso, and Council Members Libertad "Liberty" Lop@2, and
Jesus "Jesse" Mendoza
Council Members Absent: Gounci! Member Joseph R. Riofrio Flag salute led by Council Member Libertad "Libefi" Lopez lnvocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
A moment of silence was held for the Orellana-Lopez family for the passing of their family members.
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda
A request was made by City Manager Gonzalez to table ltem 2 of the Consent Calendar to a future meeting.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to adopt the modified agenda as requested by staff, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Riofrio).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 February 18, 2025
1 PRESENTATION
City Council to proclaim the month of February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and urge all residents of Mendota to work together to end the cycle of violence in our community.
Mayor Martinez read Proclamation No. 25-02 into the record and presented the proclamation to the Marjaree Mason Center.
Jessica Sailor and Kiara with the Marjaree Mason Center shared information about the organization.
The City Council thanked the Marjaree Mason Center for their work. 2 City Council to recognize the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation for their work in the community.
Mayor Martinez commented on the work that the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation has done in the community and presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.
Dora Westerlund with the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation provided information about the organization and thanked the City Council for their support and recognition.
At 6:28 p.m. Mayor Martinez announced that there would be a brief recess of the meeting of the City Council. At 6:41 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Mendoza commented on the drag racing events held at the William Robert Johnston Municipal Airport; on the positive impact the drag racing events have on the community; thanked Mr. Ramon Gonzalez for his work with the drag racing events; and commented on the possibility of installing Autism Awareness banners along 7th Street.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso commented on an immigration rally event that he attended; shared his support for all immigrants; commented on the drag racing events at the William Robert Johnston MunicipalAirport; and stated that he spoke to Congressman Adam Gray and that Congressman Gray shared that he will be visiting the City in March.
Council Member Lopez thanked everyone for attending the meeting; commented on the Eastside Streetlight project; comments she has received from community members regarding misinformation surrounding the funding that is used for the annual Fireworks Show Spectacular; the need to install and fix sidewalks in the City; the need for sidewalks throughout the City; the possibility of installing a four way stop at an intersection on gth Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 February 18,2025
Street and Quince Street and encouraged the public to make public comments Discussion was held on the comments shared by Council Member Lopez.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked everyone for attending, and welcomed Baby Mateo; commented on ongoing projects, including the Eastside Streetlight project, road repair projects, the Community Center project, the Derrick and Oller Roundabout project, and the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons; the need to support immigrants; potential new housing developments in the City; the possibility of Congressman Adam Gray assisting with projects and encouraged all community members to have a voice in the City.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ada Juarez inquired about the possibility of increasing the number of yard sales permitted per address from three per year to one per month.
Discussion was held on the comment shared by Ms. Ju arez Benjamin Bunton commented on the unhoused population in the City, including the City considering helping individuals who are experiencing addiction; and stated that there is police misconduct occurring in the City.
Alma Salgado shared information on a traffic stop that took place involving her daughter and Officer Perez, including Officer Perez being rude and using profanity while speaking with her daughter; stated that she would Iike to submit a complaint against Officer Perez; that she felt disrespected by Officer Perez and asked whether officers and patrol vehicles have cameras.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Ms. Salgado.
City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia read into the record a public comment that was submitted by Gary Ferraris.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 4,2025.
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 Alonso to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 February 18, 2025
1 CONSENT CALENDAR
JANUARY 29,2025 THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2025
A. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 55963 THROUGH 56009
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $481,169.97
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Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-15, awarding the construction contract for the Derrick & Oller Roundabout to Agee Construction Corporation in the amount of $3,083,542.00.
Proposed ratification of a letter calling for unity in supporting the workforce and agriculture of Mendota.
Proposed ratification of a letter of support for the continued operation of the Cantua Creek Head Start program.
A request was made to pull ltem 3 of the Consent Calendar for discussion.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1, 4, and 5 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Riofrio).
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-15, awarding the construction contract for the Derrick & Oller Roundabout to Agee Construction Corporation in the amount of $3,083,542.00.
3. 4
5 3.
Discussion was held on item 3 of the Consent Calendar and warrant number 55978, including tasks that Provost and Pritchard Consulting completed as part of the check warrant.
A motion to approve item 3 of the Consent Calendar was made by Council Member Mendoza, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Riofrio).
BUSINESS
City Council to receive a grant funding update from Townsend Public Affairs and consider providing direction on upcoming and pending grant applications.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided information on the item and introduced Alex Gibbs with Townsend Public Affairs ("Townsend"). 1 Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 February 18, 2025
Mr. Gibbs provided a grant funding update
Discussion was held on the update provided by Mr. Gibbs; grants to help address the unhoused population in the City; grants to offer services to the special needs' population in the City; additional grant funding for road repair projects and park projects and the California Department of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program.
Ir/layor lVlartinez opened the public comment period
Josh Garcia inquired into what recreation opportunities the City is looking into; requested that the City Council consider building a sports complex; and commented on community members playing soccer on the Eddie Porras Basketball Courts due to a lack of available soccer fields.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Mr. Garcia.
Ir/layor Martinez closed the public comment period.
At 7:53 p.m. Council Member Lopez left the Council Chambers A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to direct staff to proceed with applying for the California Department of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program and request funding for the proposed park at the William Robert Johnston MunicipalAirport, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Lopez and Riofrio).
At 7:55 p.m. Council Member Lopez retumed to the Council Chambers City Council discussion and consideration of the City of Mendota's goals and priorities for the 2025 Federal and State Advocacy Meetings.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided information on the item and introduced Spencer Street with Townsend.
Mr. Street presented information on the item
Discussion was held on the presentation provided by Mr. Street.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to direct staff to prioritize parks and recreation projects, public safety, special needs services, the unhoused population and infrastructure during their 2025 Federal and State Advocacy Meetings, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio). 2 Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 February 18, 2025
3 City Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 25-16, designating surplus real property and approving a Lease Agreement with La Granja De Favian.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report Discussion was held on the report provided by City Manager Gonzalez At 8:12 p.m. Mayor Martinez left the Council Chambers and retumed at 8:14 p.m lVlayor fillartinez opened the public comment period
Karina Beltran and Ofelia Ochoa commented on the item and requested modifications to the Lease Agreement.
Discussion has held on the comments shared by Ms. Beltran and Ms. Ochoa; Article 20 of the Lease Agreement regarding property taxes; and Ms. Beltran and Ms. Ochoa meeting with City Manager Gonzalez and Assistant City Attorney Castro to discuss their requested modifications.
lVlayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
The City Council directed staff to meet with Karina Beltran and Ofelia Ochoa to discuss the modifications that they are requesting and bring back the item to a future meeting.
Council discussion and consideration of proposed changes to the City of Mendota Facility Use Policy.
Mayor Martinez requested to table business item 4 to a future City Council meeting A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to table business item 4 to a future City Council meeting, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) January Monthly Logs
Mayor Martinez thanked Chief of Police Smith for issuing out a letter regarding the responsibility of pet owners.
Chief Smith provided the monthly update for the Code Enforcement Department.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Chief Smith; intoxicated individuals paying others to purchase alcohol for them and issues with illegal parking in the City. 4 1
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 February 18, 2025
2 Chief Smith provided the monthly update for the Police Department, including arrests made for vehicle thefts; narcotic arrests increasing during the month of January; and vehicle citations.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Chief Smith; the possibility of the City offering a spay and neuter clinic, including vets unwillingness to provide a spay and neuter clinic in the City due to the difficulty of the surgical process; and stray dogs attacking community members.
Veronica Ruiz Sanchez commented on issues with loose dogs in the City.
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on ongoing projects, including the Derrick and Oller Roundabout project, the Sth and Quince Street Reconstruction project; the Amador and Smoot Extension project, lhe2025 Local Street Reconstruction project;the Divisadero Street Reconstruction; the Rojas-Pierce Park Expansion project and the Citywide Railroad lmprovements.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Osborn; the Eastside Streetlight project, including the need for lighting on 9th Street; the need for lighting and striping on Guillen Parkway; the possibility of creating turning lanes on 9th Street; and an empty property located on Marie Street.
3. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that he had nothing to report but would be happy to answer any questions.
Discussion was held on provisions regarding the Development Agreement with Element 7 Mendota, LLC and the annual hearing for Odyssey Agricultural Development, LLC, Odyssey Agricultural Holdings, LLC, and Valley Agricultural Holdings, LLC.
4. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez thanked everyone for attending; commented on holding a budget workshop in March; funding for road repairs; and reported on the ongoing meetings with the City Council Housing Subcommittee and the Airport Land Plan Subcommittee.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by City Manager Gonzalez; the next meeting with the Pool Park Rehabilitation Subcommittee; and scheduling a joint meeting of the Mendota City Council and Mendota Unified School District Board of Trustees.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 7 February 18, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 9:03 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
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Minutes of City Council Meeting B February 18, 2025
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