INCORPORATED
1942
CANTALOUPE CENTEN
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting December 16, 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 Mayor Martinez in honor of veterans
Invocation led by Mayor Martinez
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 Mendoza; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PRESENTATION
City Council to honor and recognize Juan Esparza Loera in celebration of his retirement.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and read the Certificate of Recognition irto the record.
Juan Esparza Loera thanked the City Council for the honor and shared a few words.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 December 16, 2025
The City Council congratulated Mr. Esparza Loera on his retirement.
Mayor Martinez commented on Chief of Police Smith's retirement.
Marc Benjamin with the office of Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco presented a certificate of recognition to Chief Smith.
Chief Smith commented on the recognition; his retirement and provided an update on an armed robbery case led by Detective Vasquez.
Discussion was held on Detective Vasquez's work and on a high-speed pursuit involving Sergeant Levandusky.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Members)
Council Member Mendoza thanked everyone in attendance, commented on the Mendota Police Department's ("MPD") work; the end of the year approaching; his excitement for projects in 2026 and wished everyone happy holidays and a happy new year.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso congratulated Mr. Esparza Loera on his retirement; wished everyone happy holidays; encouraged everyone to be kind during the holidays; commented on the 3rd annual Christmas Celebration and Toy Giveaway; the annual Chris:mas Parade; and urged everyone to be careful when driving.
Council Member Lopez commented on the Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway; thanked Mendota Valley Food for donating chicken during the Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway; commented on the 3r° annual Christmas Celebration and Toy Giveaway; positive remarks she has received regarding the progress of the City; Sergeant Levandusky's high speed pursuit; and seasonal depression.
Council Member Riofrio commented on the end of the year approaching; events held throughout the year; the Mendota Community Corporation (MCC"), including fundraising efforts for the organization; the Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway; the Holiday Food Voucher Giveaway; the need for more housing in the City; the need to continue road repair projects; the federal government easing restrictions on the cannabis industry; his excitement for 2026; and thanked everyone in attendance.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked God for another year; thanked everyone for their work; thanked the City Council for their continued unity; commented on Measure C renewal efforts; the Community Center Project; the Divisadero Street Reconstruction Project; the 7th Street Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 December 16, 2025
Rehabilitation Project; planned housing development in the City and the Westside Water Tank and Booster Pump Project.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Melissa Gil Garcia commented on the removal of the signage at Jess Gil Park and the lack of notice from the City regarding the removal of the signage.
Discussion held on the comments made by Ms. Gil Garcia
Karen Phil Joyner commented on Mr. Gil being the first Mexican to serve on the Mendota Unified School District Board of Trustees.
Discussion held on the comments shared by Ms. Phil Joyner.
Daniel Garcia commented on Mr. Gil and his desire to work with the City to properly honor him.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Mr. Garcia.
Kevin Romero commented on Chief Smith's retirement and thanked him for his service; commented on local high school sports; and stated he is looking forward to 2026.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Mr. Romero.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of November 4, 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 Riofrio to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
OCTOBER 30, 2025 THROUGH NOVEMBER 10, 2025
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 57185 THROUGH 57240
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $857,661.20
NOVEMBER 17, 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 4, 2025
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 57241 THROUGH 57353
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $1,644,994.87
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 December 16, 2025
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-70, approving the proposals submitted by Winner Chevrolet and Cook's Communications for the purchase and upfitting of a vehicle for the Mendota Police Department, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the purchase.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-71, accepting and filing the Community Facilities District No. 2006-1 Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2025-202€.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-72, committing to receipt, obligation, support and timely use of additional funds through the surface transportation b ock grant program for the Smoot Avenue improvements.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-73, approving the quote submitted by Pro- Force Law Enforcement and authorizing the purchase of new department handgun for all sworn police officers.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 through 6 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) October and November Monthly Logs
Chief Smith provided the monthly update for the Animal Control Department, including donations received to support the Animal Control Department, and working to improve heating in the animal control facility.
Discussion was held on the updates provided by Chief Smith; the decrease in stray dogs update for the Mendota Police Department ("MPD"); the newly decorated School Resource working with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the MPD incident reports.
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn provided an update on ongoing projects, including a subdivision map for Bass Avenue; the Citywide Railroad Improvement Project; the 5th and Quince Street Reconstruction Project; the Divisadero Street Reconstruction Project; and the Amador and Smoot Extension Project.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Osborn; creating an access point on Belmont Avenue to Amador Street; the five million in funding that was earmarked Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 December 16, 2025
from the federal government for road repair projects; the American Public Works Association recognizing the Derrick and Oller Roundabout Project; and a donation made to the Mendota Community Corporation on behalf of Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group.
3. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated he will save his comments for closed session.
4. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez commended staff the Council for their work with the Christmas Celebration and Toy Giveaway; stated Deputy City Clerk would be filling in while City Clerk Cabrera-Garica is off; commented on Chief Smith's retirement; thanked City Engineer Osborn for his work; provided an update on the Community Center Project thanked the Council tor their work and wished everyone happy holidays.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by City Manager Gonzalez; thanking City Manager Gonzalez for his work; and the need to continuing to work to improve the City:
CLOSED SESSION
1. 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: Mendota Boxing Club, Inc.
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APNs 012-160-25S, 012-190-56, 012-190-25ST, 012-190-09T, and 012- 190-26ST
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Westlands Water District
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
3. 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
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Potential initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one potential case).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 December 16, 2025
5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivis on (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (two potential cases).
At 7:30 p.m., the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 8:16 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, 3 4, and 5
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. based on a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso, seconded by Council Member Mendoza, and unanimously approved (5 ayes.
Munr
Victor Martinez, Mayor
NOF MENO
ATTEST:
Arte COOLORA
Antonio Pizano, Depuly cily Chek, 1942
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 December 16, 2025