CANTALOUPE CENTED
OF THE WORLD
VIINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting August 19, 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 Absent: None
Flag salute led by Former Mayor Alex Valdez
Invocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
Adjustments to Agenda.
Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PRESENTATION
City Council to honor and recognize Lupe Flores in celebration of her retirement.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Council Member Lopez read the Certificate of Recognition into the record
Lupe Flores thanked the City Council for the honor and shared a few words.
The City Council congratulated Mrs. Flores on her retirement.
Minutes of City Council Meeting August 19, 2025
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Mendoza reflected on the recognition of Ms. Flores; noted that September is both Leukemia Awareness Month and Suicide Prevention Month; suggested placing ribbons on City light poles to raise leukemia awareness; acknowledged Mayor Martinez's personal battle with leukemia; and expressed gratitude to Mayor Martinez for his service to the community.
Mayor Martinez spoke about his own battle with leukemia.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso reported on a meeting with Congressman Adam Gray; mentioned the upcoming National Night Out event; and highlighted outreach efforts regarding the future Airport Park during that event.
Council Member Lopez requested Mendota Police Department ("MPD") assistance for a pregnant unhoused resident; asked MPD to increase patrols in East Mendota; commented on a noise complaint regarding loud music; requested a breakdown of the Development Impact Fee moratorium; addressed negative social media posts concerning the Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project; encouraged residents to attend City Council meetings for better understanding of City projects; suggested reviewing the number of yard sales allowed per address; noted a family entering Pool Park while closed for repairs; referenced the Danny Trejo Soccer Field and New Soccer Field; announced a luncheon with Congressman Adam Gray; promoted the upcoming "You Got Served an Ice Cream by a Cop" event; and thanked City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia and the City for accommodating client meetings in the Council Chambers.
Council Member Riofrio thanked staff for their work; commented on the Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project, including negative social media remarks; and recognized the City's continued progress.
Mayor
Mayor Martinez addressed negative remarks on social media regarding City projects; explained the process for road repair projects; encouraged residents to attend City Council meetings to stay informed and share feedback; provided updates on the Community Center Project and Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project; encouraged the public to learn how to properly navigate roundabouts; spoke on the Fresno Council of Governments' work with Measure C and its importance; thanked the Council, staff, and community for their support and emphasized the ongoing need to improve the City.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 August 19, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kevin Romero provided an update on local high school sports, including the start of football season, and shared his involvement with the Recreation Commission.
Discussion followed regarding his comments, including the Recreation Commission's role and the high school football season.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 5, 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 Council Member Riofrio unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. JULY 28, 2025 THROUGH AUGUST 5, 2025
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 56785 THROUGH 56833
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $1,374,488.24
2. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-50, declaring surplus certain City-owned personal property and authorizing the sale or disposal of such property.
3. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-51, awarding the construction contract for the Westside Water Tank and Pump Station project to W.M. Lyles Co. in the amount of $4,192,700.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 through 3 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
1. Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 25-52, appointing voting delegates for the League of California Cities' Annual Conference General Assembly.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report.
Discussion was held on the item.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Joseph Amador commented on the item.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 August 19, 2025
Kevin Romero commented on the item.
Discussion was held on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Mayor Martinez to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Alonso as the voting delegate and Council Members Libertad "Liberty" Lopez and Joseph R. Riofrio as the alternate voting delegates and adopt Resolution No. 25-52, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
2. City Council discussion and consideration of establishing a formal naming process for dedication plaques associated with City projects.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report.
Discussion was held on the item.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period and seeing no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
Discussion was held on the item.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to direct staff to draft a policy establishing a formal naming process for dedication plaques related to City projects. The policy is to be presented at a future meeting and should reference the inclusion of the following individuals: City Council Members serving at the time of the building's grand opening, the Council seated during the prior term, key staff, and elected officials who advocated for project funding. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso and unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 25-53, approving the quote from Signs of Success, Inc. to remake the dedication plaque for the Mendota Council Chambers & Police Station.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report.
Discussion was held on the item, including the possibility of adding the names of Senators Anthony Cannella and Anna Caballero to the remade dedication plaque for the Mendota Council Chambers and Police Station in recognition of their advocacy for project funding.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period and seeing no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt Resolution No. 25-53, with the Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 August 19, 2025
modification to include the names of Senators Anna Caballero and Anthony Cannella, seconded by Council Member Lopez and unanimously approved (5 ayes).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) July Monthly Logs
Chief of Police Smith reported on the upcoming dog and cat spay/neuter clinic; Animal Control's ongoing efforts to capture stray dogs and a recent confiscation of chickens; the Police Department's prior educational outreach on electric bicycle use and its current focus on enforcement of e-bike regulations; recent traffic control efforts related to the Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project; the upcoming "You Got Served an Ice Cream by a Cop" event; the National Night Out event scheduled for August 21st; and a recent Car Seat Safety event.
Police Sergeant Houser provided additional details on the Car Seat Safety event and announced plans to hold another similar event.
Discussion followed regarding the reports presented by Chief Smith and Sergeant Houser, as well as traffic congestion on Black Street.
At 7:28 p.m. Council Member Lopez left the Council Chambers and returned at 7:29 p.m.
Discussion was held regarding the possibility of holding a dog vaccination clinic.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro reported that he had no updates but remained available to answer any questions from the City Council.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez commended the Police Department for their work on recent and upcoming events; thanked Lieutenant Renteria for his leadership during Chief Smith's absence; recognized Sergeant Houser for his passion and dedication; reported that Mendota Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Lopez expressed his appreciation for the work of the School Resource Officers; acknowledged City staff for managing traffic control related to the Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project; thanked the Mendota Community Corporation for approving the establishment of the Breast Cancer Awareness Banner Program; and thanked the community for their patience with current projects, requesting their continued patience with future ones.
Discussion followed regarding the status of the Divisadero Street Reconstruction Project.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 August 19, 2025
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APN 013-050-21T
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Karina Beltran
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APN 013-061-18T
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Macario Bañuelos
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
At 7:36 p.m., the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 8:18 p.m., the Council reconvened in Open Session, at which time Assistant City Attorney Castro reported that there was no reportable action on items 1 and 2.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m. on motion by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso, seconded by Council Member Mendoza, and unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Vietor Martinez, Mayor
ATTEST:
CORPORAL
Colest Cabrera Carce Ciyt0142
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 August 19, 2025