MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting April 1,2025
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:02 PM
Roll Gall
Counci! Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez and Gouncil Members Libertad "Libertyl" Lopez, and Jesus "Jesse"
Mendoza, and Joseph R. Riofrio
Council Members Absent Mayor Pro Tem Jose Alonso
Flag salute led by Gouncil Member Lopez
lnvocation led by Police Ghaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Alonso).
PRESENTATION
Billie Hansen with Mid Valley Disposal to provide an update and present the Recycler of the Year Award to Latino Market.
Billie Hansen with Mid Valley Disposal provided an update on their work and deferred to Fernando Botello who presented the Recycler of the Year Award to Latino Market.
Discussion was held on the information presented
1 Minutes of City Counci! Meeting 1 April 1,2025
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Riofrio commented on businesses in the City undergoing renovations; the proposed new gas station in the City; the Eastside Streetlight project, including positive feedback that was received; the Federal Advocacy trip, including benefits of conducting these types of trips; a food giveaway that was previously held in the community; the need to continue to bring new businesses and housing to the City; and a meeting with Congressman Adam Gray that took place during the FederalAdvocacy trip.
Council Member Lopez commented on the Eastside Streetlight project, including positive feedback that was received; thanked Council Member Mendoza for his work on the Autism Awareness Banner Program; commented on the condition of the railroad tracks on State Highway 33; her graduate school graduation taking place on May 10th; and thanked everyone for attending.
Council Member Mendoza commented on the Eastside Streetlight project, including the positive impact it is having on the Eastside of the community; the Federal Advocacy trip, including meetings held with the United States Department of Transportation, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and various elected officials; thanked the community for their support; thanked Mayor Martinez for his work during the Federal Advocacy trip; commented on the month of April being Autism Awareness Month; the Autism Awareness Banner Program, and thanked staff for their work with the Autism Awareness Banner Program.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked the community for their support; thanked the City Council and staff for their work; commented on the Derrick and Oller Roundabout project, including negative comments he has received and the need to educate the community; planned road repair projects, including the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project; the Eastside Streetlight project; the proposed new soccer field at Rojas-Pierce Park; a meeting with Habitat for Humanity to bring new housing to the City; a potential housing development on Westlands Water District land near the City; and thanked everyone for their work.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Mayor Martinez; the recent Pool Park Rehabilitation meeting; and Pool Park being opened during Easter Weekend.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ofelia Ochoa thanked the Council for their work and commented on the positive progress of the community.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Ms. Ochoa and on La Granja de Favian Minutes of City Counci! Meeting 2 April 1 ,2025
1 2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 4,2025, and the special City Council joint worUstudy session of March 18,2025.
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 Lopez to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Alonso).
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mafters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote.
There will be no separate discussion of these items. lf discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately.
FEBRUARY 26,2025 THROUGH MARCH 14,2025
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 56073 THROUGH 56165
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $835,581.27
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-16, designating surplus real property and approving a Lease Agreement with La Granja De Favian.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-19, approving a proposal for lnformation Technology managed services with Datapath; authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement and execute all necessary documents.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-20, authorizing the City Manager to purchase a vehicle in an amount not to exceed $80,000.00 plus taxes and fees and execute all documents necessary to effectuate the purchase.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-21, approving the dissolution of the Mendota Public Safety Sub-Committee and directing staff to explore and present alternative committee structures that comprehensively address all aspects of public safety in the future.
Proposed ratification of a letter of support for the LEAP lnstitute's "Green Raiteros" Program service area expansion.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to approve items 1 through 6 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Alonso).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) February Monthly Logs
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 April 1 ,2025
1 2
3. 4
5. 6
2 Police Lieutenant Renteria provided the monthly report for the Animal Control Department, including monthly statistics; provided the monthly report for the Police Department, including a job opening for a Community Service Officer; an increase in graffiti throughout the City; working with the Firebaugh Police Department to arrest the individual suspected of causing the increase of graffiti; vehicle thefts decreasing; and Monday, April 14, 2025 being the proposed move in day at the new Police Department.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Lieutenant Renteria; complaints being received about community members not maintaining their yards, including the need to warn community members that their yards must be maintained; tree roots lifting sidewalks throughout the City; the need to continue to address stray dogs in the City; the need to address the increase in graffiti throughout the City; an individual crashing into a fence at McCabe Elementary School, including this individual being arrested; kids engaging in animal cruelty, and the need to offer mental health services to kids who display negative behavior.
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on the Derrick and OIler Roundabout project.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Osborn; the Citywide Railroad lmprovement project; ways that the City Council or the Fresno Council of Governments can assist with moving the Citywide Railroad lmprovement project forward; the need to continue to apply to Surface Transportation Block Grants to receive funding; the 2025 Alley Paving project; the Amador and Smoot Street Extension project; the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project;the Sth and Quince Street Reconstruction project; the proposed new soccer field at Rojas-Pierce Park, including funding that was approved to install new turf at the Danny Trejo Soccer Field; potentially adding additional fencing at the Eddie Porras Basketball Courts ("Basketball Courts") to help address individuals playing soccer on the Basketball Courts; the need to continue to plan for future road repair projects and the need to continue to invest in the City's infrastructure.
3. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro provided an update on Accessory Dwelling Units ("ADUs") including ADU laws being the same for the Cities of Mendota, Firebaugh and Kerman due to State laws; the City not being able to prohibit individuals from owning property if they do not reside in the City; landlords needing a business license in the Cities of Mendota and Kerman in order to rent out their properties; the Landlord Accountability Act in the Mendota Municipal Code (.MMC') which subjects landlords to inspections to ensure living conditions are up to par; and parking laws in the City, including educating community members of the 72 hour parking limit on streets.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Assistant City Attorney Castro; the need for individuals to maintain their yards, including ways to address this issue under the MMC; Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 Apri! 1 ,2025
issuing warnings to individuals who do not properly maintain their yards; and possibly including a message on the monthly newsletter informing individuals that their yards must be properly maintained, per the MMC.
4. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on personnel in the City; the need for a new Community Service Officer; a bid opening for one of the components of the Community Center; thanked Mayor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Alonso and Council Member Mendoza for their work on the State and Federal Advocacy trips; new 14 unit apartments on Oller Street; a proposed new gas station; thanked Karina Beltran, Ofelia Ochoa and Assistant City Attorney Castro for their work with La Granja de Favian Lease Agreement; and thanked staff and consultants for their work.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Manager Gonzalez; the State and Federal Advocacy trips; upcoming drag racing events held by Ramon Gonzalez, including positive comments received due to these events; and the Community Center project.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournment was made at7 19 p.m.by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Alonso). ,A
Victor Marti nez, Mayor
ATTEST
Antonio Pizano, Deputy City Cle 942 j*
o F rn
a BP
7 I a
t a
R
I ,
I ,
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 April 1,2025
t
tO
a