CANTALOUPE CENTED
OF THE WORLD
MINUTES OF MENDOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting August 18, 2026
Meeting called to order by Mayor Martinez at 6:01 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
A moment of silence was held for Emeterio Cuevas and Julian Andrade who had recently passed away.
FINALIZE THE AGENDA
1. Adjustments to Agenda.
Adoption of final Agenda.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to adopt the agenda, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Council Members
Council Member Mendoza thanked staff for their work and thanked the community for their patience during the construction of ongoing projects.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 1 August 18, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso commented on the possibility of creating a proclamation recognizing Sepsis Awareness Month; shared his experience with sepsis; commented on possibly recognizing community members who have a positive impact on the City; and thanked the City Council and staff for their work.
Council Member Lopez thanked everyone for attending; thanked staff for their work; and commented on the Mendota Police Department's ("MPD") National Night Out event and the Mendota Boxing Club event.
Council Member Riofrio commented on ongoing projects throughout the City; the MPD's work; the start of the new school year; and the process for railroad crossing improvements.
2. Mayor
Mayor Martinez thanked the community for their patience during ongoing projects; commented on the installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at various pedestrian crossings along State Route 180 in the City; the installation of a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk; the Safe Routes to School Master Plan; the Community Center project; the 7th Street Rehabilitation Project; the Alley Repaving Project; the Naples Street Improvement Project; the 2nd Street Stormwater Project; the Economic Development Quarterly Meeting held on August 14; stated that Congressman Adam Gray recently visited the City; and urged the community to spread awareness regarding electric bicycle safety.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Mayor Martinez.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Adrian Soto requested use of the Danny Trejo Soccer Field and New Soccer Field to host a soccer tournament on September 19 and 20.
Marvin Villanueva shared information regarding the proposed soccer tournament scheduled for September 19 and 20.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Mr. Soto and Mr. Villanueva.
Mayor Martinez read a public comment on behalf of Victor Antonio Garcia regarding the closure of the restrooms at Veterans Park and the condition of railroad crossings throughout the City.
Discussion was held on the comments shared by Mayor Martinez on behalf of Mr. Garcia.
Kevin Romero provided an update on local youth sports; inquired when the basketball courts at Rojas-Pierce Park would be repainted; and inquired whether the basketball nets could be replaced.
At 6:31 p.m. Council Member Lopez left the Council Chambers and returned within the Minutes of City Council Meeting August 18, 2026
same minute.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING
1. Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 4, 2026.
2. Notice of waiving of the reading of all resolutions and/or ordinances introduced and/or adopted under this agenda.
Mayor Pro Tem Alonso requested that a moment of silence held in honor of Julian Andrade at the regular City Council meeting of August 4, 2026, be translated into Spanish.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alonso to approve items 1 and 2 with the modification he requested, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. AUGUST 4, 2026 THROUGH AUGUST 10, 2026
a. WARRANT LIST CHECK NOS. 58310 THROUGH 58366
b. TOTAL FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL = $675,052.98
2. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-56, authorizing the City Manager to execute Master Agreements, Program Supplemental Agreements, Fund Exchange Agreements, Fund Transfer Agreements, and any amendments thereto with the California Department of Transportation.
Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-57, approving the proposal from Precision Civil Engineering, Inc., for engineering and design services for the Smoot Street Improvements.
4. Proposed adoption of Resolution No. 26-58, approving the proposal from Precision Civil Engineering, Inc., for boundary survey services for Assessor's Parcel Number 013-050-021.
Mayor Martinez shared his excitement for upcoming projects.
A motion was made by Council Member Riofrio to approve items 1 through 4 the Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
BUSINESS
Discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 26-59, authorizing the formation of a City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee to assist with auditing and negotiating with commercial cannabis businesses in the City.
Mayor Martinez introduced the item and Assistant City Attorney Castro provided the report.
Minutes of City Council Meeting 3 August 18, 2026
Discussion was held on the update provided by Assistant City Attorney Castro.
Mayor Martinez opened the public comment period.
Sergio Valdez commented on the item.
Discussion was held on the comments made by Mr. Valdez; a light post hazard at 3rd Street and Pucheu Street; and working with the Mendota Unified School District to provide a notice regarding electric bicycle safety.
Mayor Martinez closed the public comment period.
Discussion was held on the item.
A motion was made by Mayor Martinez to appoint himself and Council Member Mendoza as regular members of the Subcommittee and adopt Resolution No. 26-59, seconded by Council Member Riofrio; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Police Department a) Update
Chief of Police Renteria provided the monthly update for the Animal Control Department, Code Enforcement Department and Police Department.
At 6:43 p.m. Council Member Riofrio left the Council Chambers.
Discussion was held on the update provided by Chief Renteria; the Police Department's assistance with traffic control during the start of the new school year; bringing another spay and neuter clinic to the community; and concerns regarding community members keeping roosters and chickens at their residences.
At 6:46 p.m. Council Member Riofrio returned to the Council Chambers.
2. City Attorney
Assistant City Attorney Castro stated that he is working on the annual audits and reviews of commercial cannabis businesses in the City and the weed abatement process.
3. City Manager
City Manager Gonzalez commented on the Mendota Boxing Club's upcoming event; the Community Center Project; ongoing street striping throughout the City; the reopening of the Derrick and Oller Roundabout ("Roundabout"); thanked the Police Department for its work during the recent Roundabout closure; thanked staff for their work; and shared that former Minutes of City Council Meeting 4 August 18, 2026
City of Mendota employee Charles Johnson had positive remarks regarding the City's progress.
Discussion was held on the update provided by City Manager Gonzalez and the design options for the new City welcome signs.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code sections 54954.5, subdivision (f), 54957.6 Agency Designated Representative: Cristian Gonzalez, City Manager b. Employee Organization: Mendota Police Officers Association _CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION a. Potential initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9 (two potential cases).
At 6:51 p.m. the City Council entered into Closed Session.
At 7:12 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 2.
ADJOURNMENT
With no more business to be brought before the City Council, a motion for adjournment was made at 7:12 p.m. by Council Member Mendoza, seconded by Council Member Lopez; unanimously approved (5 ayes).
Victor Martinez, Mayor
A CORPORAL "OF MEND
ATTEST
7,1942
celeste Cabrera-Garcia, City Clerk
CALIFORNIA
Minutes of City Council Meeting 5 August 18, 2026