INEORPORATEO
CANTALOUPE CENTER
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting February 17, 2026
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:04 p.m.
Roll Call
Council Members Present: Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Jose Alonso, and Council Members Libertad "Liberty" Lopez and
Jesus "Jesse" Mendoza
Council Members Absent: Council Member Joseph R. Riofrio Flag salute led by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso
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 Lopez; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
PRESENTATION
City Council to proclaim the month of February 2026 as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month" and present the proclamation to the Marjaree Mason Center.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and deferred to Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to read the proclamation into the record.
Jessica Sailor with the Marjaree Mason Center shared information about the organization's work and the kNOw More program.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 February 17, 2026
Travis Kirby, principal of Mendota High School, commented on the positive impact that the KNOw More program has had on students, and thanked Ms. Sailor and the Marjaree Mason Center for their work and services.
The City Council commented on Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month; the prevalence of negative influences that can lead to teen dating violence; ways to identify unhealthy relationships; the impact of the kNOw More Program; and thanked the Marjaree Mason Center for their work and services.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Council Member(s)
Council Member Lopez thanked those in attendance; commented on upcoming Mendota Community Corporation ("MCC") and City events and programs, including the Silva Strong 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk; the Charitable Golf Tournament and the Autism Awareness Banner Program; encouraged community participation in events; and thanked the Council, staff and the community.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso thanked the Council and staff for their work and thanked those in attendance.
Council Member Mendoza thanked those in attendance; commented on upcoming MCC and City events and programs, including the Inaugural Soccer Tournament; the Autism Awareness Banner Program; the Silva Strong 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk; the Charitable Golf Tournament; and the 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; requested a status update on improvements to the welcome signs on State Highways 180 and 33; requested a status update on the Public Utilities Department; thanked the Mendota Police Department ("MPD") for maintaining the community safe and thanked staff for their work.
Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked the MPD for their work in helping locate a missing child; thanked staff for their work; commented on the Community Center Project; thanked Assemblywoman Emeralda Soria and Congressman Adam Gray for the funding they are providing for the Community Center project; commented on the status of the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project bid opening; stated he was invited by Congressman Gray to attend the 2026 State of the Union address and to speak on immigration; stated he was contacted by a reporter of the Los Angeles Times who authored the book Ecos Migrantes and expressed interest in presenting the book in the City as it includes stories of Mendota residents; thanked the community for allowing him to serve; encouraged everyone to become involved; and encouraged the community to be mindful that individuals may be facing different circumstances.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 February 17, 2026
PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Payne stated that he is running for the office of Fresno County Board of Supervisors, District 1 and shared his background.
Sade Williams provided information on "Go Public Schools," a non-profit organization.
At 6:36 p.m. Mayor Martinez left the Council Chambers and returned within the same minute.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 3, 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 Council Member Lopez to approve items 1 and 2, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. JANUARY 28, 2026 THROUGH FEBRUARY 6, 2026
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 57561 THROUGH 57616
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $1,580,560.85
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-06, authorizing final payment of retention to Marina Landscape, Inc. for the Rojas-Pierce Park Expansion Phase III - New Soccer Field Irrigation & Turf project.
3. Proposed ratification of letter of support for the LEAP Institute's Capacity and Planning Grant proposal.
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 (4 ayes, absent:
Riofrio).
BUSINESS
City Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 26-05, updating the City of Mendota's Facility Use Policy.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia, including researching how other cities handle soccer field maintenance; ways to improve the facility Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 February 17, 2026
use deposit process; the benefits and drawbacks of allowing community members to have a practice day on the soccer fields in addition to games, and fees and deposits for use of the soccer fields
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Twila Gonzalez commented on the item
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Discussion was held on the item.
Based on a City Council consensus, staff was directed to return with additional information based off the City Council's discussion for further consideration at a future City Council meeting.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) January Monthly Logs
Interim Chief of Police Renteria provided the monthly update for the Code Enforcement Department; and provided an update on a juvenile burglary that took place in the City.
Discussion was held on ways to address an increase in juvenile burglaries in the City, including educating the youth on consequences of burglaries, and collaborating with the Mendota Unified School District to address the increase in juvenile burglaries; a possible joint walk out immigration protest between Mendota Junior High School and Mendota High School students; enforcing a zero tolerance policy for vehicles with loud exhausts and emitting loud music; continuing to work to address stray dogs; looking into ways to bring additional spay and neuter clinics to the City; and the City Council thanked Interim Chief Renteria and the MPD for their work.
City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated he had nothing to report but would be happy to answer any questions.
Discussion was held on the condition of a house on Lolita Street, including what is being done to address the safety concerns of the house and the concerns of nearby residents.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project bid opening.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 February 17, 2026
Discussion was held on the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project bid opening; the status of the Divisadero and Inez Street Reconstruction project bid opening; the 2025 Local Street Reconstruction project; a mandatory pre-bid meeting for the Community Center project; the timeline of the Community Center project once bids are received; a groundbreaking ceremony for the Community Center project; an update on the Public Utilities Department including aging water infrastructure and possibly conducting a study to look at the water rates in the City; the 2nd Street Stormwater Improvement project; art related grant opportunities; possibly installing additional solar lights on Lolita Street; and the City Council commended the Public Works Department for their work in dealing with the rain, thanked City Manager Gonzalez for his work, and thanked staff for their work.
At 7:42 p.m. Council Member Lopez left the Council Chambers and returned at 7:43 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
1. 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
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: Central Cali Health and Fitness
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
At 7:47 p.m., the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 8:08 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 and 2.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. based on a motion by Mayor Pro Alonso, seconded by Council Member Mendoza, and unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Riofrio).
11 Victor Martinez, Mayor
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 February 17, 2026
BUT OF MENE
Celeste Cabrera-Garcia, eily Clok 1942
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 February 17, 2026