INCORPORATED
1942
CANTALOUPE CENTER
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting July 21, 2026
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:00 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.
PRESENTATION
City Council to recognize Alejandro "Alex" Puentes Valdez for his military service and participation in the Central Valley Honor Flight
City Council to recognize Ramon Puentes Espinoza for his military service and participation in the Central Valley Honor Flight.
Mayor Martinez recognized Alejandro "Alex" Puentes Valdez and Ramon Puentes Espinoza and read Certificates of Recognition into the record.
The City Council thanked Mr. Valdez and Mr. Espinoza for their service and shared memories of both individuals.
Minutes of City Council Meeting July 21, 2026
Ralph Espinoza stated that he is proud of the community.
Alejandro "Alex" Puentes Valdez spoke on the recognition and thanked the City; shared memories of his time of military service; commented on a project that he has undertaken to create a list of veterans from Mendota; and shared information on his brother, Ralph Espinoza.
Elma Espinoza acknowledged the many service members who did not make it back home and thanked the Lord for allowing her dad and her uncle to return home.
Rob Espinoza commented on the recognition and shared memories of Mr. Valdez and Mr. Espinoza; and thanked the City Council for recognition of veterans.
The City Council commented on the recognition of Mr. Valdez and Mr. Espinoza.
Kevin Romero commented on the recognition of Mr. Valdez and Mr. Espinoza; on the recognition of veterans; and thanked Mr. Valdez and Mr. Espinoza for their service.
Mayor Martinez shared a comment on behalf of Jenny Valdez sharing that she loves Mr.
Valdez and Mr. Espinoza.
Council Member Lopez thanked Mr. Rob Espinoza for his role as an educator.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Members
Council Member Riofrio welcomed Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria; commented on ongoing projects in the City, including the Community Center project and road repair projects; continuing to improve the Police Department; shared memories of the Espinoza and Valdez families; and thanked the City Council for their work.
Council Member Lopez thanked Assemblywoman Soria for attending the meeting; commented on the Airport Park Community Outreach meeting; a workshop taking place on July 23rd to assist individuals with immigration services; ongoing construction in the City; and thanked staff and the City Council for their work.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso thanked Assemblywoman Soria for attending the meeting and thanked staff and the City Council for their work.
Council Member Mendoza thanked Assemblywoman Soria for attending the meeting; thanked staff for their work; and commented on continuing to improve the community.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 July 21, 2026
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked Assemblywoman Soria for attending the meeting; commented on continuing to improve the community; thanked the City Council for their work and unity; the rising costs of projects; thanked everyone for their work; and invited everyone to the State of the City event taking place on Thursday, July 30*h.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kevin Romero commented on the vandalism that took place at Rojas-Pierce Park; his involvement with the Recreation Commission; thanked the Police Department for their work with investigating the vandalism that took place at Rojas-Pierce Park; shared that he will be running for a seat on the Mendota Unified School District Board of Trustees and thanked Assemblywoman Emeralda Soria for attending the meeting.
Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria stated she is delighted to attend the meeting; stated she is currently on summer recess and provided an update on her work, including a bill to offer pet spay and neuter clinics to disadvantaged communities; difficulties with the state budget; upcoming negotiations for Proposition 4 funding; thanked the City Council for the partnership; commented on looking forward to continuing to work with the City Council; and thanked the City Council.
Discussion was held on update provided by Assemblywoman Soria.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 7, 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. JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JULY 10, 2026
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 58199 THROUGH 58254
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $1,468,969.17
2. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-50, approving participation in Fresno County's Urban County Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnerships, and Emergency Solutions Grants Program for Federal Fiscal Years 2027, 2028, and 2029, approving the Joint Power Agreement, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement and related documents.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 July 21, 2026
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-51, authorizing the City Manager to submit an application for the fiscal year 2026-2027 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program law enforcement grant, accept the grant award, and execute all required documents.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 through 3 the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
City Council discussion and consideration of waiving the second reading and adopting Ordinance No. 26-02, amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Mendota to reflect a change of zone for Assessor's Parcel Number 013-241-19.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period and seeing no one willing to comment closed it within the same minute.
Discussion was held on the item.
A motion was made by Council Member Lopez to waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 26-02, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
2. City Council discussion and consideration of the design options for the new City of Mendota welcome signs.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Engineer Gross provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Engineer Gross; possibly bringing back additional iterations of the sign for the City Council's consideration; the design options that the City Council preferred; and installing additional lighting at the welcome sign locations.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Kevin Romero commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Discussion was held on the item, including creating additional design options and directing staff to bring back additional options for further discussion.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 July 21, 2026
a) June Monthly Logs
Chief of Police Renteria provided the monthly update for the Animal Control Department and the Police Department, including installation of security surveillance cameras at Rojas- Pierce Park; and enforcement of illegal fireworks and unsafe usage of electric bikes.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Chief Renteria; the need for responsible pet ownership throughout the community; the Code Enforcement Department issuing warnings to property owners that do not maintain their yards; ensuring enforcement of illegal usage of all-terrain vehicles; the investigation of the vandalism that occurred at Rojas-Pierce Park; commending the Police Department for engaging with the youth; and the upcoming 2026 National Night Out event.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro provided an update on the weed abatement process with the Code Enforcement Department.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on the Community Center Project and the abatement of a property on Derrick Avenue; commended staff for their work; and shared that he will be on vacation.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Manager Gonzalez; the 2nd Street Storm Water Improvement Project; the Pool Park Rehabilitation Project; the Divisadero Street Reconstruction Project; the La Granja de Favian Project; and a personnel update for the Public Works Department.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APN 013-221-07
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Carlos A. Nunez
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: Mendota Police Officers Association Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 July 21, 2026
3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: 1300 2n° Street, Mendota, Ca 93640
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Tower Point
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: APNs 013-050-58
Agency Negotiator: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Stantec
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
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).
6. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (one potential case).
At 7:28 p.m. the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 8:18 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 6.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:19 p.m. by Council Member Riofrio, seconded by Mayor Martinez (5 ayes). /ictor Martinez, Mayor
ДОКРОКОН
Celeste Cabrera-Garcia, eE0·942
CALIFORNIA
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 July 21, 2026