LNCORRATED 1942
CANTALOUPE CENTER
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting August 4, 2026
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:09 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 Riofrio
Invocation led by Police Chaplain Robert Salinas
A moment of silence was held for Julian Andrade who recently passed away.
Se guardó un momento de silencio en memoria de Julian Andrade, quien falleció recientemente.
Mayor Martinez encouraged community members to prioritize safety when operating notorized recreational vehicles, including e-bikes, ATVs, four-wheelers, and off-road notorcycles, and reminded everyone to take appropriate safety precautions to help prevent serious accidents and injuries.
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
Adjustments to Agenda.
Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to adopt the agenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 August 4, 2026
PRESENTATION
1. City Council to proclaim the day of August 6, 2026 as "Día del Salvadoreño" and present the proclamation to the General Consulate of El Salvador.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item, read the proclamation into the record, and presented it to Wilber Aleman Aleman of the Consulate General of El Salvador.
The City Council commented on the proclamation and recognized the Salvadoran community.
Mr. Aleman thanked the City Council for the recognition, commented on his work, and shared information about El Salvador.
City Council to recognize Antojitos Guanacos for their positive impact on the community through their business.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and read the certificate of recognition into the record.
The City Council congratulated Antojitos Guanacos.
At 6:37 p.m. the City Council went into a brief recess.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Members
The City Council reconvened its meeting.
Council Member Mendoza commented on the State of the City event and thanked the community for attending
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso commented on the Joaquin Murrieta Rides Again "Tradición y Cultura" annual horse ride; the State of the City event; shared that he participated in a ride- along with Chief of Police Renteria; and commended Director of Administrative Services/Assistant City Manager Lekumberry for her work during City Manager Gonzalez's vacation.
Council Member Lopez thanked everyone for attending; shared that she brought informational booklets regarding immigrant workers' rights; commented on Mendota Youth Recreation's annual backpack giveaway; Westside Youth, Inc.'s upcoming school supply giveaway; the Council Chambers serving as a cooling center; and thanked everyone for their work.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 2 August 4, 2026
Council Member Riofrio commented on the State of the City event; the work of Director of Administrative Services/Assistant City Manager Lekumberry; Mayor Martinez's work on behalf of the City; and the work of City Manager Gonzalez.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez commented on the Community Center project; the Westside Water Tank and Pump Station project; the State of the City event; invited the community to attend City Council meetings; thanked the City Council and staff for their work; welcomed City Manager Gonzalez back from vacation; and thanked the Police Department for their work.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kevin Romero provided an update on local youth sports and commented on Assembly Bill 1923.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Mr. Romero and on Measure C.
Dino Perez commented on the progress of the community and shared information regarding his nonprofit organization, Valley Social Services.
Irwin Bonilla provided information on Valley Social Services and its work in the community.
Mr. Perez commented on the possibility of holding a food distribution event on the eastern side of the City.
Discussion was held on the information shared by Mr. Bonilla and Mr. Perez.
Lourdes Santiago shared information regarding a tentative parcel map for her property and requested the City Council's assistance in moving the project forward.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 21, 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 (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
JULY 15, 2026 THROUGH JULY 27, 2026
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 58255 THROUGH 58309
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $1,588,292.13
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 August 4, 2026
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-52, concerning Local Transportation Purpose Funds (Measure "C" Extension Funds).
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-53, approving and authorizing the execution of a conflict waiver for legal services in connection with a proposed credit arrangement with Community West Bank.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 through 3 the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
1. City Council discussion and consideration of the design options for the Jesse A. Gil Park sign.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez provided the report.
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Manager Gonzalez.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Melissa Garcia commented on the item.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to direct staff to proceed with Option 3, modified to incorporate the "City of Mendota" wording design from Option 2, and to include lighting and flagpoles at the sign location, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; 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 held on the report provided by City Engineer Gross.
At 7:37 p.m. Council Member Riofrio left the Council Chambers and returned at 7:39 p.m.
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, including providing the City Council with additional time to consider the design options and narrowing the options under consideration to Design Alternate 1 and Design Alternate 4.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 August 4, 2026
Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 26-54, appointing voting delegates for the League of California Cities' Annual Conference General Assembly.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Clerk Cabrera-Garcia provided the report.
Discussion 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 Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to appoint himself as the voting delegate and Council Members Mendoza and Riofrio and Mayor Martinez as alternate voting delegates, and to adopt Resolution No. 26-54, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Council discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 26-55, confirming the diagram and authorizing the levy and collection of assessments for Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 2019-01 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and City Manager Gonzalez deferred to City Engineer Gross who provided the report
Discussion was held on the report provided by City Engineer Gross.
At 7:45 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 Lopez to adopt Resolution No. 26-55, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
City Engineer
a) Update
City Engineer Gross provided an update on ongoing projects, including the Naples Street Improvements project and the 7th Street Rehabilitation project Discussion was held on the update provided by City Engineer Gross; opportunities to beautify 7th Street; the Alley Repaving project; the Welcome Sign Reconstruction project; the Safe Routes to School project; the Airport Park Master Plan; improvements to Rojas- Pierce Park; a rezoning project; grant opportunities and updates; City Engineer Gross's attendance at his first Fresno Council of Governments Transportation Technical Committee meeting; and efforts to continue moving the City forward Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 August 4, 2026
City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that he will provide updates during Closed Session at the next City Council meeting and shared that his wife preferred Design Alternate 1 for the new welcome signs.
City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez commended staff for their work during his vacation; thanked the City Council for the opportunity to take time off; thanked the City Council and staff for their continued work; commented on the challenges faced by the Police Department in enforcing safety throughout the City; and expressed his appreciation for working with the City Council and staff
Discussion was held on the comments shared by City Manager Gonzalez; continuing efforts to move the City forward; the start of a new adult soccer league; and appreciation for City Manager Gonzalez taking time to vacation with his family.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 8:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso, seconded by Council Member Mendoza; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Neil
Victor Martinez, Mayor
ATTEST: A CORPORAT
Relat 117942
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abrera-Garcia, (
ALIFORNIA
Minutes of City Council Meeting 6 August 4, 2026