MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNGIL MEETING
Regular Meeting July 1, 2025
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:00 PM
Roll Call
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Jose Alonso, and Council Members Libertad "Liberty" Lopez,
Jesus "Jesse" Mendoza and Joseph R. Riofrio
Council Members Absenfi None
Flag salute led by Eliseo Gamino
lnvocation led by Police Ghaplain Robert Salinas
A moment of silence was held for Sadie Navarro 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 Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Riofrio thanked staff for their continued efforts, acknowledged the work of the Fresno Council of Governments (FCOG), recognized Mayor Martinez's contributions to FCOG, and expressed appreciation for his representation on the FCOG Board.
Minutes of City Council lVleeting 1 July 1,2025
Council Member Lopez expressed gratitude to staff for their hard work.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso thanked both staff and Council for their efforts in organizing the 2025 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular, and extended his condolences and prayers to the families of the firefighters who lost their lives in Idaho.
Council Member Mendoza thanked Mayor Martinez for his leadership on the FCOG Board and staff for their work on the 2025 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular. He also acknowledged Mendota resident Brandon Lopez for being named to the Fresno Bee High School Baseball All-Stars, thanked Ramon Gonzalez for organizing drag racing events at Mendota Raceway Park, and recognized Mendota Youth Recreation for another successful youth baseball season.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked all those in attendance and spoke about the importance of unity within the community. He highlighted the achievements of former Mendota High School student Jennifer Alvarez, who participated in the Annual Nor Cal Carpenters Union Apprentice Design-Build All-Star Women's Competition Team, and requested that both Jennifer Alvarez and Brandon Lopez be recognized at a future City Council meeting.
Mayor Martinez also provided updates on several ongoing p@ects, including the 2025 Local Street Reconstruction, the Divisadero Street Reconstruction, and the Rojas-Pierce Park Phase lll Expansion. He noted that the Fresno County Transportation Authority has approved the addition of passing lanes on State Highway 33 from Mendota to Firebaugh and is considering additional passing lanes on State Highway 180 from Mendota to Kerman. He emphasized the importance of submitting a Measure C application for additional funding and mentioned upcoming project recommendations to FCOG, including the 7th Street Pavement Rehabilitation. He also gave an update on the Community Center project and concluded by thanking the City Council for their continued collaboration in support of the community.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Armin Garcia expressed interest in meeting with City representatives to explore ways to reduce energy costs in Mendota.
Discussion followed regarding Mr. Garcia's comments.
Eliseo Gamino thanked the City for its support of the Joaquin Murrieta Tradici6n y Cultura Annual Horse Ride and shared background information on the group's riders and the legacy of Joaquin Murrieta.
Discussion followed regarding Mr. Gamino's comments.
Minutes of City Council lt/eeting 2 July 1,2025
1 2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 17,2025.
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 Council Member Lopez to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
JUNE 16,2025 THROUGH JUNE 23,2025
a, WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 56578 THROUGH 56644
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $629,351.79
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 2542, approving the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program Agreement with the California Highway Patrol.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 through 2 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
Council discussion and consideration of introducing and waiving the first reading of Ordinance No. 25-02, amending Sections 2.04.070 through 2.04.100 of Chapter
2.04 ol Title 2 of the Mendota Municipal Code to increase the compensation of City Council Members.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Assistant City Attorney Castro provided the report.
Discussion was held on the item.
At 6:35 p.m. Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing.
Armin Garcia commented on the item.
Discussion was held on the item.
At 6:36 p.m. Mayor Martinez c/osed the public heaing.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 25-02, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
1 Minutes of City Council lt/eeting 3 July 1, 2025
1 DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
City Engineer
a) Update
City Manager G onzalez presented the City Engineer's report.
Discussion was held regarding the status of several ongoing City projects.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro provided an update on various matters his office is currently handling.
Discussion included the performance of Odyssey Agricultural Development LLC and Element 7 under their respective development agreements with the City; the potential for the City Council to tour the Odyssey Agricultural facitity; abatement efforts being pursued by the City Attorney's office; and the enforcement of Recreational vehicle/trailer parking regulations within the City.
3. City ltilanager
City Manager Gonzalez expressed appreciation to City statf, the City Council, and the community for their collective efforts in making the 2025 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular a success. He also provided updates on the Community Center project, the Derrick and Oller Roundabout project, and the beginning of the 2025-2026 fiscal year. He concluded by thanking the City Council for their continued leadership and support.
Discussion followed regarding the potential award of three grants from the FCOG; the importance of advancing City projects in a timely manner; the success of the 2025 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; the status of the Community Center project; and public safety concerns related to nearby solar developments.
Armin Garcia raised concerns about public safety impacts stemming from solar projects near the community.
Eliseo Gamino commented on the effects of solar developments on surrounding communities and the potential community benefits these projects could offer. tt/inutes of City Council [\ileeting 4 July 1,2025
1 CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Propefi: APNs 012-160-25S, 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
At7:00 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session.
Al7:20 p.m. the City Council reconvened in open session and Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that in regard to item 1 there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournmentwas made al7:20 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso, seconded by Council Member Lopez; u imously ap (5 ayes)
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Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 July 1,2025
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