INCORPORATEO
1942
CANTALOUPE CENTEN
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting April 21, 2026
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:05 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 Council Member Lopez
Invocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PRESENTATION
City Council to recognize Don Fermin and Griselda Ochoa for their contributions to the community.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and read the Plaque of Recognition into the record.
Griselda Ochoa thanked the City Council for the recognition and shared a few words.
The City Council commented on the recognition.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 April 21, 2026
Kevin Romero commented on the recognition.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Member(s)
Council Member Mendoza commented on the recognition of Don Fermin and Griselda Ochoa; the Mendota Community Corporation's ("MCC") inaugural soccer tournament; the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project; former Mayor Alex Valdez attending the Central Valley Honor Flight; and thanked everyone for attending.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso commented on the MCC's inaugural soccer tournament; thanked staff for their work; commented on the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church; the upcoming Cal Cities City Leader's Summit; and the recognition of Don Fermin and Griselda Ochoa.
Council Member Lopez commented on the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project, including community use of Pool Park during Easter Weekend; the MCC's inaugural soccer tournament; and the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project.
Council Member Riofrio thanked staff for their work; thanked Mayor Martinez for his representation on the Fresno Council of Governments; thanked the City Council for their work; thanked Cal Fire; and thanked the Mendota Police Department for their work.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked everyone for attending; commented on the Westside Economic Development meeting held on April 17t; the Community Center Project; road repair projects, including the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project; the 2024 Local Streets Reconstruction project; the 2nd Street Reconstruction project; Moving Forward Together initiative; status update on grants for new lights on State Highway 33 and flashing beacons on State Highway 180; and potentially hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the Community Center.
PUBLIC COMMENT
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
1. City cos on then of April 8, il meeting of March 17, 2026 and of the special Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 April 21, 2026
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
APRIL 8, 2026 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2026
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 57815 THROUGH 57868
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $910,752.76
2. Proposed adoption of Proclamation No. 26-03, recognizing and honoring Stamoules Produce Company for their contributions to the City of Mendota.
3. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-20, approving the award of the construction contract for the Mendota Community Center project to Marko Construction Group, Inc. in the amount of $8,855, 315.00.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-21, approving the quote from David's Plumbing for professional services to conduct annual backflow prevention assembly testing.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-22, approving the quote submitted by Tru- Trailers, Inc. for the purchase of one 14-foot dump trailer for the Public Works Department.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-23, approving amendments to the agreement with Precision Civil Engineering, Inc., for professional engineering services.
A request was made by Council Member Riofrio to pull item 3 of the Consent Calendar for discussion.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to approve items 1,2,4,5, and 6 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Discussion was held on item 3 of the Consent Calendar.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to approve item 3 of the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
City Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 26-24, accepting the City of Mendota Audit Committee Letter, Management Comment Letter, and Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 April 21, 2026
At 6:54 p.m. Council Member Lopez left the Council Chambers and returned at 6:55 p.m.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Finance Director Valdez provided the report and introduced Fausto Hinojosa with Price Paige & Company who presented the City of Mendota's Audit Committee Letter, Management Comment Letter, and Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
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.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to adopt Resolution No. 26-24, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Council discussion and consideration of the proposed waiver of the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 26-01, amending Title 15 of the Mendota Municipal Code to adopt the 2025 California Building Code and related Trade Codes by reference.
Mayor Martinez introduced item and Finance Director Valdez provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Finance Director Valdez.
At 7:09 p.m. Mayor Martinez opened the hearing to the public and seeing no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 26-01, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) March Monthly Logs
b) Spay and Neuter Action Project (S.N.A.P.) Spay and Neuter Clinic Update Police Sergeant Antuna provided an update on S.N.A.P.; a planned spay and neuter clinic and the Animal Control Department.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Sergeant Antuna; the Police Department addressing a situation involving a community member under the influence of drugs; and an individual being assaulted on the corner of Lolita Street and Divisadero Street.
City Attorney
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 April 21, 2026
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated it was nice to see everyone and commented on working with Community Service Officer Navarro on weed abatement issues.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Assistant City Attorney Castro.
City Manager
a) Relocation of Westside Youth, Inc.'s Open Market
City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on the Community Center Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Manager Gonzalez; relocation of Westside Youth, Inc's Open Market; the 2024 Local Streets Reconstruction project; the Audit Committee's Letter presented by Price Paige and Company; potentially having a small groundbreaking ceremony for the 2024 Local Street Reconstruction project; and thanking staff for their work.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APNs 013-221-05 and 013-221-06
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Ernestine & Sergio Torres
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
At 7:29 p.m. the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 7:44 p.m. the City Council reconvened in Open Session, at which time Assistant City Attorney Castro reported that there was no reportable action on item 1.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 7:44 p.m. by Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes)
Manor
Victor Martinez, Mayor
OF MENO
ATTEST СОКРОДіЯ
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1942*
Celeste Cabrera-Garcia, ejty Çlerk
Minutes of City Council Methin en April 21, 2026