INCORPORATEO
CANTALOUPE CETER
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting November 4, 2025
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:01 PM
Mayor Martinez commented on the initial lack of a Vote Center in the City for the November 4, 2025 Special Election, and the City's efforts in bringing a one-day Vote Center to the City.
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. Riofric
Council Members Absent: None
Flag salute led by Fresno City Council Member Mike Karbassi Invocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Mendoza thanked everyone in attendance; thanked Mayor Martinez for his work in bringing a Vote Center to the City for the November 4th Special Election; Minutes of City Council Meeting November 4, 2025
commented on funding that was awarded for the Safe Routes to School Master Plan Project; the need to continue road repair projects in the City; and the need to continue to work to improve the community.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso shared a statement regarding the Vote Center in the City for the November 4' Special Election; thanked Mayor Martinez, Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco; Assemblywoman Emeralda Soria, City Manager Gonzalez, and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia for their work in acquiring a one-day Vote Center; thanked all the volunteers who worked the Vote Center; and commented on the coin toss at the football game between Mendota High School and Firebaugh High School, where the City Councils of both communities came together.
Council Member Lopez thanked Mayor Martinez; City Manager Gonzalez; City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia and Mayor Pro Tem Alonso for their work in acquiring a one-day Vote Center in the City for the November 4th Special Election; commented on Mendota Youth Recreation's Annual Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon; AMOR Wellness' senior food giveaway; the Mendota Community Corporation's ("MCC") Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway with the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation; and urged the community to travel safely at night.
Council Member Riofrio commented on the history of Vote Centers in the City; strong patriotism in the community; Fresno County's strong agricultural sector; and the passing of Antonia Llamas de Cantu and shared his condolences for the family.
Mayor
Mayor Martinez commented on sending an arrangement to the Llamas and Cantu families; shared his condolences for the family; commented on the Darden Clean Energy Project Small Business Contract Opportunities Workshop scheduled for November 6*h; a meeting with the General Consulate of El Salvador; the Fresno Council of Governments ("FCOG) awarding the City one million dollars in funding for the Safe Routes to School Project; the negative effects of the Federal Government shutdown; the Community Center Project; the MCC's Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway; the Christmas Celebration and Toy Giveaway; decorating the City with Christmas lights; recognized Veterans in honor of Veteran's Day; commented on Measure C renewal efforts; the condition of roads in the City; thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve; thanked the City Council for their work and unity and thanked staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Fresno City Council Member Mike Karbassi commented on the lack of a Vote Center in the City; the importance of voting and giving the community the opportunity to vote in person; the importance of every incorporated community receiving a Vote Center; thanked the City Council, City Manager Gonzalez, City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia, Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, and Supervisor Brian Pacheco for their work in acquiring a one-day Vote Center.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 November 4, 2025
Kevin Romero provided an update on local high school football.
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 October 21, 2025.
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 Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. OCTOBER 17, 2025 THROUGH OCTOBER 24, 2025
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 57105 THROUGH 57184
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $817,119.91
Proposed ratification of a letter to the Fresno County Clerk concerning the absence of a Voting Center in Mendota for the November 4, 2025 Special Election.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 and 2 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
1. City Council discussion and consideration of the funding and advocacy memorandum provided by Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Manager Gonzalez; City Council attendance at external events; the need to focus on shovel ready projects; continuing to work to bring a park to the eastside of the City; continuing to work for additional funding for the Community Center Project; continuing to work to improve roads in the City; new water infrastructure; working to acquire self help homes; the Amador and Smoot Extension Project; possibly developing a pocket park near 7th Street and Tule Street; focusing on underground infrastructure for roads; the walking trail at Pool Park; additional funding for the Mendota Police Department; and programs to assist first time home buyers.
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.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 November 4, 2025
A motion was made by Council Member to Lopez to proceed with the various projects and (saties that were discussed, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez, unanimously appraved Discussion was held on the item.
City Council discussion and consideration City Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 25-69, updating the City of Mendota's facility use policy.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Deputy City Clerk Pizano provided the report.
Discussion was held on item.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to table the item to a future City Council meeting, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on grant applications; the Smoot Avenue Reconstruction Project; and the Well 10 and Water Main Relocation Project Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Osborn; the Westside Water Tank and Booster Pump Project; the Rojas-Pierce Park Annexation; the Belmont and State Route 33 Gas Station; the Crown and Gubir Single Family Residential Developments; the Marie Street Complete Street Improvements Project; the 2025 Alley Paving Project; the 7h Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project; the Naples Street Reconstruction Project; the Citywide Railroad Improvement Project; and the Derrick and Oller Roundabout.
City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated he would save his comments for closed session.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez invited the City Council to visit the Pool Park to see the new lighting features that were installed; commented on attending a TeamCalifornia Meet the Consultants event in Concord: and Chief Smith's Retirement Celebration taking place on November 7th
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 November 4, 2025
CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APN 013-061-181
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Mendota Boxing Club, Inc.
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Ongoing litigation pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one case)
Everbank, N.A. v. Javier Marvilla, et al
Fresno County Superior Court Case No. 25CECG04090
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Potential initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (two potential cases).
At 7:33 p.m., the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 8:10 p.m., the City Council reconvened in Open Session, at which time Assistant City Attorney Castro reported that there was no reportable action on items 1, 2 and 3.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. based on a City Council Consensus.
Victor Martinez, Mayor
OF.
ATTEST: ORPORATE→
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Antonio Pizano, Deputy City Clerk
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 November 4, 2025