INEORPORATED
1942
CANTALOUPE CENTER
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting June 16, 2026
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:03 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 Mr. Jonathan Meza
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 Riofrio to adopt the agenda seconded by Mayor Martinez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PRESENTATION
Richie Sayavong with the California Department of Insurance to provide a legislative update.
Richie Sayavong with the California Department of Insurance provided a legislative update.
Discussion was held on the information provided by Mr. Sayavong.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 June 16, 2026
City Council to recognize Jose and Irma Meza and the Meza Family for their positive impact on the community through their local businesses.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and read the certificate of recognition into the record.
The City Council congratulated the Meza family and thanked them for their positive impact on the community through their local businesses.
At 6:36 p.m. Council Member Lopez left the Council Chambers and returned at 6:37 p.m.
Jose Meza thanked the City Council for the recognition.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Mr. Meza.
Jonathan Meza thanked the City Council and commented on the recognition.
Discussion was held on Mr. Jonathan Meza's involvement in the community, including his involvement with the Mendota Chamber of Commerce.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Members
Council Member Mendoza thanked the City Council, City staff, and the community for working together to help move the City in a positive direction and invited the community to attend the upcoming 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular.
At 6:40 p.m. Council Member Riofrio left the Council Chambers.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso congratulated Police Lieutenant Antuna on his promotion; shared that he attended the grand opening of Congressman Adam Gray's district office; invited the community to attend the upcoming 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; congratulated the Meza family on their recognition; and commented on the positive progress of the community.
Council Member Mendoza extended Father's Day wishes to all fathers.
Mayor Martinez wished Mayor Pro Tem Alonso an early happy birthday.
Council Member Lopez commented on the large attendance for the meeting; thanked Chief Renteria and the Mendota Police Department for their assistance in managing a situation involving the railroad crossing on State Highway 180; invited the community to attend the upcoming 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; and commented on the ongoing construction and improvements occurring throughout the community.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 June 16, 2026
Mayor
Mayor Martinez provided an update on various ongoing projects in the City, including the Divisadero and Inez Street Reconstruction project, the 2024 Street Reconstruction project; the installation of rapid flashing beacons on State Highway 180; the installation of additional Ighting at te Derrick and Oller Roundabout, the Community Center project; the Westsid Vater Tank and Pump Station proiect the status of housing develonments: the administrative work involved with projects and thanked staff for their work.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Victor Criado provided information about Ember Shield Al.
Discussion was held on the information provided by Mr. Criado.
Patricia shared concerns regarding a significant number of cars parking near her home.
Discussion was held on the concerns shared by Ms. Patricia.
At 6:59 p.m. Council Member Riofrio returned to the Council Chambers.
Kevin Romero provided an update on local youth sports and inquired into why a gate to enter the basketball courts at Rojas-Pierce Park is closed.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Mr. Romero.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 2, 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 Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PUBLIC HEARING
Public hearing the City of Mendota's Vacancies Report Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2561.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Administrative Services Director/Assistant City Manager Lekumberry provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by Administrative Services Director/Assistant City Manager Lekumberry.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 June 16, 2026
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 accept the City of Mendota's Vacancies Report pursuant to Assembly Bull 2561, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
JUNE 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 5, 2026
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 58069 THROUGH 58106
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $511,602.34
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-39, approving the fireworks stand permits for 2026.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-40, adopting Annex H (City of Mendota) of the 2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-41, establishing the annual Proposition 4 appropriation limit for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
5. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-42, approving and adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 operating budget for the City of Mendota.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 through 5 the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
City Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 26-43, adopting a policy addressing disruption of telephonic or internet service during public meetings.
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.
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 Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 26-43, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 June 16, 2026
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) May Monthly Logs
Chief of Police Renteria provided an update on the Animal Control Department and the Police Department, including an update on the recent driving under the influence checkpoint.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Chief Renteria.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro commented on delays to court filings due to staffing issues within the Fresno County Superior Court
Discussion held on the update provided by Assistant City Attorney Castro.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on the installation of rapid flashing beacons on State Highway 180; a personnel update for the Fresno County Firestation 96; the updated location of Westside Youth, Ind's Open Market; street repair projects in the City; the Community Center project and thanked staff and the City Council for their work.
Discussion was held on the railroad crossing issues on State Highway 180 and the City Council thanked City Manager Gonzalez for his 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
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code sections 54954.5, subdivision (f), 54957.6 a. Agency Designated Representative: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager b. Employee Organization: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 June 16, 2026
3. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code sections 54954.5, subdivision (f), 54957.6 a. Agency Designated Representative: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager b. Employee Organization: Mendota Police Officers Association
4. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code sections 54954.5, subdivision (f), 54957.6 a. Agency Designated Representative: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager b. Employee Organization: Unrepresented Management Employees
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Potential initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one potential case).
At 7:26 p.m. the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 8:04 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 through 5.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:04 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso, seconded by Mayor Martinez (5 ayes).
Victor Martinez, Mayor
ALOF MEND
ATTEST: COKPOHAHO
* 1942
Celeste Cabrera-Garcia, City Elerk *
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 June 16, 2026