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MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting July 7, 2026
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:00 PM
Roll Call
Council Members Present:
Gouncil Members Absent: None
Flag salute led by Council Member Lopez
lnvocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
2. Adoption of final Agenda.
Mayor Victor Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem Jose Alonso,
and Council Members Libertad "Liberty" Lopez,
Jesus "Jesse" Mendoza and Joseph R' Riofrio
Assistant City Attorney Castro reported that staff requested the addition of a business item to the agendi for City Council discussion on the recent vandalism at Rojas-Pierce Park and to consider potential solutions to address the issue.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to add a business item to the agenda for City Council discussion on the recent vandalism at Rojas-Pierce Park and to consider po[ential solutions to address the issue, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to adopt the modified agenda as requested by staff, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 July 7,2026
1 Mayor Martinez introduced the presentation and read the certificate of recognition into the record.
The City Council congratulate Jonathan Alfaro Saravia, Christopher Torres-Alfaro, Mr.
Tamayo and Mr. Pena on their achievements.
lndia Buenrostro, representing the Office of Congressman Adam Gray, presented certificates of recognition to Jonathan Alfaro Saravia and Christopher Torres-Alfaro.
Luis Martinez, representing the Office of Senator Anna Caballero, presented certificates of recognition to Jonathan Alfaro Saravia and Christopher Torres-Alfaro.
Jonathan Alfaro Saravia, Christopher Torres-Alfaro, Mr. Pefra and Mr. Tamayo thanked the Council for the recognition.
Beatrice Prieto, on behalf of Prieto Automotive, presented scholarships to Jonathan Alfaro Saravia and Christopher Torres-Alfaro and commented on their achievement.
Council Member Lopez left the Council Chambers
MAYOR AND COU NCIL REPOR AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Members
Council Member Mendoza congratulated Jonathan Alfaro Saravia, Christopher TorresAlfaro, Mr. Tamayo and Mr. Pefia on their accomplishment; commented on the 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; commented on possibly resurfacing the basketball courts at Rojas-Pierce Park; working to improve outdated speed humps throughout the City; and thanked staff and the City Council for their work.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso commented on the 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; thanked staff for thelr work and congratulated Jonathan Alfaro Saravia, Christopher Torres-Alfaro, Mr. Tamayo and Mr. Pefia on their accomplishment.
Council Member Riofrio commented on the need to address the lack of street lighting along 7th Street during the evening; the continued concerns regarding the use of electric bicycles; the use of illegal fireworks within the City; and shared that his uncle Albert Rios had recently passed away and shared memories of him.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 July 7,2026
PRESENTATION
City Council to recognize Mendota High School students Jonathan Alfaro Saravia and Christopher Torres-Alfaro for winning first place at the MESA National Engineering Design Competition, and recognize Mr. Tamayo and Mr. Pefra, whose dedication and guidance helped make this achievement possible.
Mayor Martinez commented on the 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; the citizen led Better Roads Safe Streets initiative; ongoing projects including the Community Center project, the 2024 Loal Streets Reconstruction project; and the Divisadero Street Reconstruction project; commented on the continued concerns regarding electric bicycles and all-terrain vehicle use in the City; the vandalism that occurred at Rojas-Pierce Park; and the process of bring new housing developments into the City.
At 6:31 p.m. Council Member Riofrio left the Council Chambers.
At 6:32 p.m. Council Member Riofrio returned to the Council Chambers.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Victor Criado provided information about Ember Shield Al.
APPROVAL OF INUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVI NG OF REAOING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 16,2026.
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 Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent Lopez).
CONSENT CALENDAR
JUNE 1O,2026THROUGH JUNE 25,2026
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 58107 THROUGH 58198
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $1 ,212,514.00
1 2. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-44, approving a list of projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 funded by senate Bill 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
3. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 25-45, approving a successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Mendota and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees L:ocal2703 Mendota Chapter.
4. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-46, revising the management benefit resolution applicable to the City's management employees.
5. Proposed adoption of Resolution No, 26-47, accepting the Engineers_Report for Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District 2019-01 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 July 7,2026
2. Mayor
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declaring its intention to levy and collect assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, and scheduling a public hearing for consideration of same, pursuant to California Streets and Highways Code Section 22565 et seq.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-48, approving the proposal from Precision Civil Engineering, lnc. to prepare a Municipal Service Review and provide support services associated with the City of Mendota's pending Sphere of lnfluence Amendment application before the Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 through 6 the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent:
Lopez).
PUBLIC HEARING
1 Pubiic hearing and consideration of Resolution No. 2649, in the matter of Application No. 26-02, approving a General Plan Amendment (GPA), abandonment of right-of-way, and Site Plan Review (SPR), and introducing and waiving the first reading of Ordinance No.26-02, approving a rezone for the Cantu Apartments Projec[and further, approving an lnitial study/Negative Declaration finding that such activities authorized under the GPA, rezone, abandonment of right of way, and SPR would not result in significant adverse environmental effects.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Planner O'Neal provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Planner O'Neal.
At 6:49 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 Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 2649 and to introduce and waive thsfirst reading of Ordinance No. 26-02, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (4 ayes, absent: Lopez).
BUSINESS
1. City Council discussion and consideration of solutions to address the recent vandalism that took place at Rojas-Pierce Park.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Assistant City Attorney Castro, City Manager Gonzalez and Chief of Police Renteria provided the report, including the status of the investigation of the vandalism that took place at Rojas-Pierce Park; a proposal received from Surveillance lntegration for the installation of video security cameras at Rojas-Pierce Park; and what actionslhe City Council would need to take in order to approve the proposal.
Discussion was held on the report, including the importance of installing video security cameras at Rojas-Pirce Park to improve public safety
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 July 7 ,2026
1 Mayor Maftinez opened the public comment peiod.
Victor Criado commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to direct staff to approve the proposal submitted by Surveillance lntegration for the installation of video security cameras at RojasPierce Park, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Gross provided an update on Naples Street Reconstruction project and the 7th Street Rehabilitation Project.
Discussion held on the update provided by City Engineer Gross; the Alley Repaving project; the Welcome Sign Reconstruction project; Safe Routes to School project; the Airport Park Master Plan project; Rojas-Pierce Park updates, including repainting the basketball courts; improving Veteran's Park; the Municipal Service Review process; the need to continue to apply for grants, including grants offered by the Fresno Council of Governments; the installation of a High-intensity Activated Crosswalk ('HAWK') system on State Route 33; the Citywide Railroad lmprovement project and road repair projects.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro provided an update on court filings with the Fresno County Superior Court for the weed abatement nuisance process.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez commented on lhe 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; thanked staff, sponsors and community members for lhe 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; provided an update on the Community Center project; a Board of State and Community Corrections grant that was awarded to the City; stated that he will be taking a vacation; commented on the 2024 Local Streets Reconstruction project; and the vandalism that took place at Rojas-Pierce Park.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Manager Gonzalez; thanking staff for their work with the 2026 Mendota Fireworks Spectacular; the need to continue to work to improve the City; the State of City event on July 30th and an Airport Park Community Outreach Meeting on Saturday, July 18th.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 July 7,2026
1 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APNs 013-221-05 and 013-221-OG
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Ernestine & Sergio Torres
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
2 CONFERENCE WTH 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 At7 25 p.m. the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 7:36 p.m. the City Council reconvened in Open Session, at which time Assistant City Attorney Castro reported that the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the Option Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Real Property to revise the effective date to July 15, 2026, thereby modifying the associated payment terms, and reported that there was no reportable action on item 2.
DJ URNME
\Mth no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 7:36 p.m. by Council Member Mendoza, seconded by Council Member Lopez (5 a S
artinez, Mayor
ATTEST
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Minutes of City Council Meeting o July 7,2026
CLOSED SESSION
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