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MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting August 5, 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 and
Jesus "Jesse" Mendoza
Council Members Absent: Council Member Joseph R. Riofrio Flag salute led by Mayor Martinez
Mayor Martinez remarked on the recently installed "In God We Trust" sign in the Council Chambers.
Invocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
A moment of silence was observed in honor of Xiomara Lopez, who recently passed away, and the City Council extended their condolences to her family.
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 August 5, 2025
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Lopez reported on the recent Community Center Project sub-committee meeting; commended the Public Works Department for their work on recent projects; thanked staff for their efforts; and expressed appreciation to the audience for attending the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso reported on the recent Community Center Project sub-committee meeting; shared details of a meeting with Congressman Gray regarding the Community Center Project/Congressionally Directed Spending initiative originally championed by former Congressman Duarte on behalf of the City; expressed gratitude to the community for their fundraising support for the funeral of his cousin, Isais Ruiz Carabez, and thanked the Police Department for assisting with the funeral procession.
Council Member Mendoza spoke about the unity of the community; highlighted the Joaquin Murrieta Rides Again "Tradición y Cultura" event that was recently held; and thanked Macario Bañuelos and Gabriel Llanos from the Public Works Department, the Police Department, and Llamas Ag for assisting with the event. He also expressed appreciation to Director of Administrative Services/Assistant City Manager Jennifer Lekumberry for her work and assistance while the City Manager was out of the office.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez reported on a recent Fresno Council of Governments meeting, noting the approval of three Mendota projects to receive funding; announced tederal funding allocated for the Community Center Project as a result of the Federal Advocacy rips completed earlier this year; asked for the community's patience during the construction of the Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project; and shared information on additional community projects planned for the near future.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ramon Gonzalez apologized to the City of Mendota and the Mendota Police Department for an incident that occurred during the July 26th Burn Box event at Mendota Raceway Park and addressed the status of future events.
The City Council discussed Mr. Gonzalez's comments, potential security measures for future events, and the possibility of having Mr. Kevin Arias Romero, Recreation Commission Chairperson, provide a report at a future meeting.
Kevin Arias Romero then gave an update on local youth sports, which was followed by a discussion.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 August 5, 2025
Ofelia Ochoa and Karina Beltran shared information about La Granja de Favian, which was also followed by a discussion.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 15, 2025.
2. Notice of waiving of the reading of all resolutions and/or ordinances introduced and/or adopted under this agenda.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso requested that his report under "Mayor and Council Reports and Informational Items" be translated into Spanish.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to approve items 1 and 2 with the requested modification to the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 15, 2025, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. JULY 8, 2025 THROUGH JULY 25, 2025
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 56691 THROUGH 56784
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $1,304,865.53
2. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-46, approving the application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Airport Park Project.
3. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-47, approving the Electrical Facilities Cost Sharing Agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation.
4. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-48, approving the Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation.
5. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-49, approving the amended and restated Joint Powers Agreement of the Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to approve items 1 through 5 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Riofrio).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 August 5, 2025
BUSINESS
Council discussion and consideration of the proposed application for the Wonderful Community Grant.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item, and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report.
Discussion was held on potential projects and ideas for grant applications, including the possibility of the Mendota Community Corporation submitting its own application, and the City applying for funding for the Pool Park Project to include shade structures, barbecue pits, playgrounds, lighting, and a security camera system.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Karina Beltran commented on the item.
Ofelia Ochoa commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Council Member Mendoza to direct staff to submit an application for the Wonderful Community Grant to fund Pool Park Project amenities, including shade structures, barbecue pits, playgrounds, lighting, and a security camera system, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
2. Council discussion and consideration of whether the western fence at Rojas-Pierce Park should remain to separate the two soccer fields or be removed.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item, and City Engineer Osborn provided the report.
Discussion was held on the item.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Recreation Commission Chairperson Kevin Arias-Romero commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to direct staff to keep the western fence at Rojas-Pierce Park between the two soccer fields, add a couple of gates to the fence, and return to a future meeting with an item to discuss and consider modifying the Facility Use Policy to limit soccer field availability to Saturdays and Sundays only, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
Council discussion and consideration of fundraisers that are held in the community.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 August 5, 2025
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez stated that the item was requested by Council Member Riofrio and he suggested that the item be tabled unless the City Council would like to proceed with discussing the item.
Discussion was held on the community coming together to support fundraisers; ensuring that the organizers ensure that ordinances and laws are followed; and the enforcement of the consumption and sale of alcohol on private property.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Karina Beltran commented on the item.
Ramon Gonzalez commented on the item.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Gonzalez.
Ofelia Ochoa commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to encourage the community to report illegal alcohol sales at fundraisers and direct the Police Department to enforce related regulations and issue a public notice on the matter, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
4. Council discussion and consideration of obtaining services for a one-day mobile spay and neuter clinic for cats and dogs at a cost of $9,500.00.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item, and Police Lieutenant Renteria commented before deferring to Code Enforcement Officers Ciarra Navarro and Alexis Navarro, who presented the report. Their presentation included details about the proposed spay and neuter clinic for cats and dogs, a potential vaccine clinic, microchip services, and proposed modifications to the Mendota Municipal Code related to animal control regulations.
Discussion was held on the information provided, including a recent Police Department operation in which several stray dogs were captured and citations were issued to pet owners for allowing their dogs to run at large
City Manager Gonzalez commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Ofelia Ochoa commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 August 5, 2025
Discussion was held on the item, and the possibility of hosing a vaccine cli A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve obtaining services for a one-day mobile spay and neuter clinic for cats and dogs at a cost of $9,500.00, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
At 7:16 p.m. Council Member Lopez left the Council Chambers.
Discussion was held on discussing potential modifications to the Mendota Municipal Code regarding animal control regulations.
At 7:19 p.m. Council Member Lopez returned to the Council Chambers.
PUBLIC HEARING
Council discussion and consideration of the proposed waiver of the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 25-02, amending Sections 2.04.070 through
2.04.100 of Chapter 2.04 of 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.
At 7:19 p.m. Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing.
Discussion was held on the item.
At 7:21 p.m. Mayor Martinez closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 25-02, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn presented his report, providing updates on the 2025 Local Street Reconstruction Project and the Citywide Railroad Crossing Improvement Project.
Discussion was held on the preparation of a detailed status report on multiple City projects by the City Engineer, as well as the potential scheduling of a special City Council meeting to review these projects.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 August 5, 2025
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that he is available to answer any questions from the public and will be conducting research on potential updates to the Municipal Code concerning animal control regulations.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez expressed his gratitude to staff for their efforts during his absence.
Discussion was held on the City Manager's responsibilities; the possibility of installing a sidewalk on the northern section of Bass Avenue near State Highway 33; enhancing the City's entrances; increasing patrols by the Police and Code Enforcement departments during the first week of school commutes; positioning police officers near the Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project ("Roundabout Project") during school commutes; and the new detour route for the Roundabout Project.
Ofelia Ochoa raised concerns about an unsafe sidewalk on Belmont Avenue and noted that the crosswalk lights are not functioning on Belmont Avenue.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (three potential cases).
At 7:31 p.m. the City Council moved into closed session.
At 7:51 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 adjournment was made at 7:51 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
Victor Martinez, Mayor
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Minutes of City Council Meeting August 5, 2025