INCORPORATED
1942
CANTALOUPE CENTEN
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting February 3, 2026
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:00 p.m.
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 Lupe Flores
Invocation led by John Flores
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda
City Manager Gonzalez requested to table business item 2 to a future meeting agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to adopt the modified agenda as requested by staff, 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 the Lord and community members for allowing him to continue to serve the community; stated that he serves the City while keeping the needs of the community in mind; commented on the immigration protest led by Mendota High School Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 February 3, 2026
("MHS") students; his excitement for upcoming projects; and shared a concern he received from a resident regarding the lights at the baseball diamonds at Rojas-Pierce Park.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso commented on addressing the condition of roads and sidewalks throughout the City; and the immigration protest led by MHS students, including commending them for the protest.
Council Member Lopez commented on the status of the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project, including opening the park for Easter; the community becoming accustomed to navigating the Derrick and Oller Roundabout; the Mendota Community Corporation ("MCC") and its 2026 Charitable Golf Tournament planned for May; the immigration protest led by MHS students, including her son's participation in the protest; the number of stray dogs in the community; and ongoing efforts to ensure the community is clean.
Council Member Riofrio commented on the immigration protest led by MHS students; protests that have been held throughout the country; and the history of immigration enforcement and reform.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez commented on ongoing efforts to ensure the community is clean; the Community Center Project; upcoming MCC events including the Charitable Golf Tournament, the Silva Strong 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk, and the inaugural Soccer Tournament; the condition of the soccer fields at Rojas-Pierce Park; provided an update on planned street reconstruction projects, including the Divisadero and Inez Street Reconstruction, the 2025 Local Street Reconstruction Project, the 2nd Street Stormwater Improvement Project, 7* Street Rehabilitation Project, a planned alley paving project, and the Citywide Railroad Improvement Project; commented on a transportation initiative led by Moving Forward Together, including offering his support for the initiative; thanked the Mendota Police Department for keeping the community safe; commented on loud music being played late into the night throughout the community; the Mattress Recycling Program; and the need to ensure responsible pet ownership.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Marvin Villanueva inquired about the MCC's inaugural Soccer Tournament; commented on a soccer league he participates in that needs to travel out of the City in order to practice due to the soccer fields being closed, including the obstacles this creates; and requested that the City consider allowing the league to use the grass area of the baseball diamonds at Rojas-Pierce Park to practice.
Discussion was held on the prior use of the Danny Trejo Soccer Field, including the poor condition in which it was left; the City's investment of a significant amount of funding to improve the Danny Trejo Soccer Field and to construct a new soccer field at Rojas-Pierce Park; and the closure of both soccer fields until they are ready for use in the spring; and Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 February 3, 2026
the City Council congratulated Mr. Villanueva for his soccer team being champions in their soccer league.
Lupe Flores shared that she recently attended a Firebaugh City Council meeting where the City of Mendota received positive remarks for its efforts to improve the community; shared her background and stated that she is running for the office of Fresno County Board of Supervisors, District 1.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Ms. Flores.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 20, 2026
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 Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. JANUARY 14, 2026 THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2026
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 57496 THROUGH 57560
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $507,164.00
2. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-03, approving the Third Amendment to the Translation and Interpretation Services Agreement with Patricia Lyons dba Lyons Interpreting and Translation.
3. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-04, in support of the Moving Forward Together transportation initiative.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1, 2 and 3 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
City Council discussion and consideration of naming a facility/park in honor of Mr.
Jesse A. Gil.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report, including a request from the Gil family to name the park located at the intersection of Ramirez Street and Lua Avenue in honor of Mr. Jesse A. Gil.
Discussion was held on the item.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 February 3, 2026
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Melissa Gil Garcia commented on the item.
Karen Phil Joyner commented on the item.
Daniel Garcia commented on the item.
Eugene commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to direct staff to proceed with naming the park located at the intersection of Ramirez Street and Lua Avenue in honor of Mr. Jesse A Gil and to plan a naming ceremony to formally dedicate the park, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
2. City Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 26-05, updating the City of Mendota's Facility Use Policy.
Business item 2 was tabled to a future meeting agenda.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Osborn commented on the status of the Citywide Railroad Improvement Project; the Divisadero Street Reconstruction Project; the 5th and Quince Street Reconstruction Project; the 2025 Local Street Reconstruction project; and planned housing developments in the City.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Osborn; the condition of sidewalks along Oller Street, including who is responsible for maintenance; whether a study has been completed regarding the condition of sidewalks in the City; programs that the City previously implemented to assist property owners rehabilitate their sidewalks; and staff sharing the Safe Routes to School Master Plan with the City Council.
City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated he had nothing to report.
City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez acknowledged that he feels proud when he sees Mayor Martinez on television advocating and sharing his passion for the community; commented on the Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 February 3, 2026
status of the Community Center Project; reviewing options to improve the welcome signs in the City and the immigration protests led by MHS students.
Discussion was held on the immigration protests led by MHS students; student pertormance in the Mendota Unitied School District, the annual MCC Scholarship Program, including the applications received from MHS seniors; the status of the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project, including the installation of shade structures; encouraging economic development in the City; the status of the gas line project at Vista Square; and the City Council thanked the staff for their work.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. based on a motion by Mayor Pro Alonso, seconded by Council Member Riofrio, and unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Heel
Victor Martinez, Mayor
BLOF MENO A CORPORATIO
ATTEST:
*j 1942
eleste Cabrera-Garcia, City Clerk 7.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 February 3, 2026