MENDO
1 IHEORPORATED
1942
CANTALOUDE CENTEN
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting September 2, 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,
Jesus "Jesse Mendoza and Joseph R. Riofrio
Council Members Absent: None
Flag salute led by Mayor Martinez
Invocation led by Council Member Lopez
A moment of silence was observed in honor of Marcelino Garcia who recently passed away.
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
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 Mendoza thanked staff and Council for their work; noted the change in weather; and emphasized the importance of continuing to work toward the community's orogress.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 September 2, 2025
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso commented on the Mendota Police Department's ("MPD") National Night Out event; and thanked staff and the City Council for their work.
Council Member Lopez commented on the MPD's National Night Out event; the MPD's free Car Seat Check-Up event; a luncheon hosted by Congressman Adam Gray; requested that the MPD Homeless Engagement And Response Team ("HEART") offer assistance to a new unhoused individual in the City; thanked staff and the City Council for their work; and thanked those in attendance.
Council Member Riofrio commented on the recent passings of community members; wished Council Member Mendoza's mother a happy birthday; commented on a recent encounter with an unconscious community member in an alleyway along 7m Street; an overflowing garbage bin on 7th Street; a vehicle playing loud music in the City; an increase in public drinking; encouraged community members to report any issues they see to MPD; commented on a business illegally operating on 7th and Stamoules Street; a car accident on State Highway 33 and expressed his appreciation for staff.
Council Member Mendoza expressed appreciation to Council Member Riofrio for his remarks and thanked staff for placing orange bows on the light posts along 7th Street in recognition of Leukemia Awareness Month.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Silvia Martinez commented on the possibility of increasing the number of permitted garage and yard sale permits.
Discussion was held on the comment made by Ms. Martinez.
Rachel commented on the need for the City to address illegal firework use and the dangers of illegal firework use.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Rachel; community members not knowing how to properly navigate roundabouts; the layout of Sorensen Avenue; and MPD traffic stops on Black Avenue.
Kevin Romero provided an update on local high school sports.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Mr. Romero.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 19, 2025.
Notice of waiving of the reading of all resolutions and/or ordinances introduced and/or adopted under this agenda.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 September 2, 2025
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
AUGUST 13, 2025 THROUGH AUGUST 21, 2025
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 56834 THROUGH 56881
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $578,814.08
2. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-54, approving the quote from Fonroche Lighting America for the purchase of solar powered lighting for Bass Avenue.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-55, approving the quote from Christmas by Krebs for the purchase of Christmas ornaments.
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 introducing and waiving the first reading of Ordinance No. 25-03, amending Section 5.04.200 of Chapter 5.04 of Title 5 of the Mendota Municipal Code to increase the number of permitted garage and yard sales.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report.
Discussion was held on the item.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period
Rachel commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period
Discussion was held on the item.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 25-03 and modify the ordinance to increase the number of permitted garage and yard sales to six per calendar year, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
2. City Council discussion and consideration of an installation for the community space at the Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez deferred to City Engineer Osborn who provided the report.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 September 2, 2025
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 and possibly contacting the Fresno Arts Council for input on the project.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to direct City Engineer Osborn to present different installation and funding options for further Council discussion at a future meeting, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Council discussion and consideration of modifications to the City's facility use policy.
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.
Kevin Romero commented on the item.
Discussion was held on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Council Member Riofrio left the Council Chambers.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to direct staff to prepare an updated list with the proposed modifications that were discussed and an overview of facility use fees for calendar year 2024 for further discussion at a future meeting, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. City Engineer Osborn
a) Update
Council Member Riofrio returned to the Council Chambers.
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on the Divisadero Street Reconstruction Project.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Osborn; the need to prioritize road repair projects on the eastern side of the City; the Westside Water Tank and Booster Pump Project; the 2025 Local Street Reconstruction Project; the Citywide Railroad Improvement Project, and the importance of continuing efforts to complete projects.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 September 2, 2025
City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro reported that he had nothing new to present but was available to answer questions.
Discussion was held regarding the overflow of parking on public streets resulting from the increase in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), as well as possible actions the City could take to address both parking impacts and the growth of ADUs.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez provided updates on the Pool Park Rehabilitation Subcommittee Meeting, the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project, and the Community Center Project.
Discussion was held on the possibility of Townsend Public Affairs ("TPA") presenting a grant update at a future meeting; a business grant opportunity identitied at the lust Las Vegas conference; the need to seek additional funding from the Fresno Council of Governments, and new housing developments within the City.
At 8:20 p.m. Mayor Martinez left the Council Chambers and returned at 8:22 p.m.
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: La Granja de Favian
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APNs 013-152-29ST & 013-162-19ST
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Verizon
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
At 8:25 p.m., the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 8:40 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.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 September 2, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. on motion by Council Member Riofrio, seconded by Mayor Martinez, and unanimously approved (3 ayes, absent: Alonso and Lopez).
Victor Martinez, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rebels
Celeste Cabrera-Garcia, CiuKÇ1e942
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 September 2, 2025