City Council Chamber
Merced Civic Center
2nd Floor
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
9:00 AMSaturday, February 19, 2022
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor SERRATTO called the Strategic Planning Session to order at 9:04 AM.
Clerk's Note: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, Council Member PEREZ attended the Strategic Planning Session virtually.
Clerk's Note: Council Member ORNELAS arrived to the meeting at 9:05 AM.
B. ROLL CALL
Mayor Matthew Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Kevin Blake, Council Member Fernando Echevarria, Council Member Delray Shelton, Council Member Bertha Perez, Council Member Jesse Ornelas, and Council Member Sarah Boyle
Present: 7 -
Absent: 0
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Sheng XIONG, Leadership Council - requested the use of local tax dollars for affordable housing.
Steve RUSSOS, Merced - suggested a program to increase civic engagement.
Pangcha VANG, Merced - spoke about the cost of public safety and the need for more affordable housing.
Daniel KAZAKOS, Merced - applauded Council for their housing efforts.
Fue XIONG, Merced - requested community equity in policing and requested funding for an affordable housing trust fund.
D. BUSINESS
D.1. SUBJECT: Discussion on the City Council’s Goals and Priorities
February 19, 2022City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Related to any and all City Departments and/or Subjects That Fall Within the Subject Matter Jurisdiction of the City Council Including, but not Limited to, Policy Discussion Related to the Following: Public Safety, Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, Housing and Homelessness, and City Beautification
REPORT IN BRIEF
Discussion on the City Council’s Goals and Priorities related to any and all City departments and/or subjects that will fall within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, including, but not limited to, policy discussion related to the following: Public Safety, Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, Housing and Homelessness, and City Beautification as previously adopted by the City Council in FY 2021/22.
RECOMMENDATION
For discussion only.
Council and Staff briefly discussed the previous years priorities and then discussed current priorities which included public safety (traffic and public relations), downtown (safety, blight, parking, and development), industrial development, investment in youth, City boards and commissions, and park improvements.
Clerk's Note: Council took a brief recess at 11:03 AM and reconvened at 11:07 PM.
Council continued to discuss topics as potential priorties which included partnerships for homeless support, homeless encampments, various housing issues (regional housing trust, rent prices and potential rental registration), a citywide Community Facilities District (lighting and landscaping), graffiti abatement, City art projects, and consistent messaging from the City to citizens.
E. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Strategic Planning Session was adjourned at 12:37 PM.
A motion was made by Council Member Shelton, seconded by Council Member Boyle, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Blake, Council Member Echevarria, Council Member Shelton, Council Member Perez, Council Member Ornelas, and Council Member Boyle
7 -
No: 0
February 19, 2022City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Absent: 0