MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting May 20,2025
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:01 PM
Roll Call
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Jose Alonso, and Council Members Libertad "Liberty" Lopez and
Jesus "Jesse" Mendoza
Council Members Absent Council Member Joseph R. Riofrio Flag salute led by Gouncil Member Lopez
Invocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
City Manager Gonzalez requested that Closed Session item 1 be tabled to a future meeting, and that closed session item 2 be moved to occur after the approval of minutes and notice of waiving of reading.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to adopt the modified agenda as requested by staff, seconded by Counci! Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Riofrio).
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 tVlay 20,2025
Council Member Lopez thanked the City for the flowers she received for her graduation; thanked Council Member Mendoza for assisting during the ICSC Las Vegas event, thanked Director of Administrative Services and Assistant City Manager Lekumberry for her guidance and assistance during the ICSC Las Vegas event; provided information on the ICSC Las Vegas event; commented on the Public Works Department installing the veterans banners along 7th Street; requested that the City enforce that Pool Park is closed as there are individuals playing soccer; stated that she recently graduated from Fresno Pacific University; thanked everyone for their support and patience; and inquired on the possibility of modifying the City's per diem rates.
Discussion was held on the information provided and the ICSC Las Vegas event.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso apologized for his recent absences from events due to illness; stated that in the last couple of months he has attended a State Advocacy Trip and the CalCities City Leaders Summit; thanked Council Member Lopez, Council Member Mendoza, and Director of Administrative Services and Assistant City Manager Lekumberry for representing the community and attending the ICSC Las Vegas event; and congratulated the Muratalla and Mares families for the recent dedication ceremony of the Alfredo Muratalla Baseball Field and rededication ceremony of the Benny Mares Sr.
Baseball Field.
Council Member Mendoza commented on the ICSC Las Vegas event and thanked Council Member Lopez and Director of Administrative Services and Assistant City Manager Lekumberry for their leadership and assistance; commented on the Silva Strong Superhero 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk that was recently held; the dedication ceremony and rededication ceremony that were recently held for the Alfredo Muratalla Baseball Field and Benny Mares Sr. Baseball Field; and thanked staff and Council for their work.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked the Council and staff for their work; commented on Governor Newsom's May budget revisions and budget projections for future years; a phone message that he received from the office of Congressman Adam Gray; additionalwork that needs to be completed in the community; that he was recently appointed to the Local Agency Formation Commission ("LAFCo"); other boards that he serves on; recent meetings he has held with Westlands Water District; and his goal to continue moving the community forward.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None offered.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 6,2025.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 May 20, 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 Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one potential case).
At 6:21 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session.
At 6:35 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to item 2 there was no reportable action.
CONSENT CALENDAR
APRIL 29,2025 THROUGH MAY 9,2025
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 56365 THROUGH 56439
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAI = $508,899.08
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-27, approving an amendment to the Nonexclusive License Agreement with Ramon Gonzalezfor racetrack operations at the former site of the William Robert Johnston Municipal Airport.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-28, accepting the donation of land from Westlands Water District and authorizing the City Manager to sign all documents necessary for this transfer of land.
Discussion was held on Consent Calendar item 3
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to approve items 1 through 3 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Riofrio).
BUSINESS
1 Council discussion and consideration of establishing goals for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report, including ongoing and upcoming planned projects.
Discussion was held on continuing road improvement projects; beautifying the community, Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 May 20, 2025
2 1
2. 3
1 including improving entrance signs and installing trees and plants; the condition of the cement plant; increasing economic development; attracting housing developments to the community; rehabilitating 7th Street; modifying the City's per diem rate and stipend for Council Members; improving parks, including establishing a park at the former site of the William Robert Johnston MunicipalAirport; the possibility of converting State Highways 180 and 33 to 2-lane highways; the need for rapid flashing beacons on State Highways 180 and 33; installing sidewalks in areas where they are needed; the purpose of the General Plan Update; allowances for Council Members to hold meetings; attracting additional businesses; the benefits of becoming members of Team California; installing additional cameras throughout the City; installing multi-purpose solar lights; and upgrading the Water Treatment Plant.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to direct staff to incorporate the goals discussed by the Council in the budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
PUBLIC HEARING
Council discussion and consideration of proposed waiver of the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 25-01, amending Title 17 of the Mendota MunicipalCode to add Chapter 17.42 - Housing Element lmplementation Overlay District.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Assistant City Planner Czeshinski provided the report.
Discussion was held on the item
At 6:58 p.m. Mayor Martinez opened the heaing to the public, and seeing no one willing to comment, closed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 25-01, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Animal Contro!, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) April Monthly Logs
Chief of Police Smith provided a personnel update; the current capacity of the dog pound facility; the monthly animal control statistics; and the condition of the new Police Department building.
Discussion was held on the cost of euthanizing dogs; the possibility of holding a spay and neuter clinic; the possibility of holding a dog vaccination clinic; enforcing the use of allterrain vehicles; enforcing the maintenance of private properties; a property that is being used as a dirt road; the monthly Police Department statistics; and a notice that was Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 May 20, 2025
1 published by the Police Department relating to the use of electric bicycles and scooters.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that he is willing to take on new assignments and projects.
Discussion was held on the possibility of the City Attorney's office routinely presenting information on new laws that go into effect.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez thanked the delegation that went to the ICSC Las Vegas event; thanked Mayor Martinez for assistance with the land donation between Westlands Water District and the City; commented on the preparation of the budget for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026; and the status of ongoing and upcoming projects.
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on the Derrick and Oller Roundabout project, the projects that wil! take place at the land donated by Westlands Water District; the status of upcoming road repair projects; and grant applications that have been submitted for additional road repair projects.
Discussion was held on the status of the Rojas-Pierce Park basketball court fencing project and a Rojas-Pierce Park basketball court that needs repairs.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CENFERENCE WITH RENt PREPERTY NEGETINTERS
Pursuant te Gevernment Gede seetien 54956=8
Neg etiating Pa rty: Te rraferm Pewe r/Breekfi eld Renewab le Under Negetiatienr Priee and Terms ef Payment
Item 1 of the C/osed Session was tabled to a future meeting. 2= CANFERENCE WTH LEAALCAANSEL ANTICPATED LITIGAflEN
Signifieant expesare te litigatien pursaant te paragraph (2) ef subdivisien (d) ef eevemment eede seetien 51956=9 (ene petential easd,
Item 2 of the C/osed Session occuned after the approval of minutes and notice of waiving of reading.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 May 20,2025
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 7'.14 p.m. by Council Member Lopez; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanrmous ly approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
Victor Marti nez, Mayor
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 May 20,2025
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