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/Successor
Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
6:00 PMTuesday, January 23, 2024
Merced City Council Chamber Town Hall
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor SERRATTO called the Town Hall Meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
A.1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mayor SERRATTO led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
B. ROLL CALL
Clerk's Note: Mayor Pro Tempore PEREZ was present via
teleconference.
Mayor Matthew Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Bertha Perez, Council Member Sarah Boyle, Council Member Ronnie DeAnda, Council Member Shane Smith, and Council Member Fue Xiong
Present: 6 -
Council Member Jesse OrnelasAbsent: 1 -
C. OPENING COMMENTS
C.1. Matthew Serratto - Mayor
Mayor SERRATTO briefly explained the process and reasons the City Council holds yearly Town Hall Meetings.
All Council Members introduced themselves, welcomed the public, and thanked them all for attending.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. SCOBLE, Merced - asked Council for information regarding funding for the Bear Creek clean-up project and paving efforts for the 27th Street project.
Ron COOK, Merced - spoke on his concerns of the collapsed creek bank, graffiti, the conditions of the barricades, and the homelessness in the area
January 23, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking
Authority/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Minutes
of R Street and Bear Creek Drive.
Nikiesha THOMAS, Merced - spoke on her concerns of the crime in Merced and open drug-use and asked to implement Care Court.
Merced Resident - spoke on speeding issues, increase of crime, uneven sidewalks, and placing speed plates in the area of M Street and Lehigh Drive.
Merced Resident - spoke on the speeding and vegetation issue in the area of Yosemite Avenue and El Redondo Drive.
Abbey MAE, Merced - spoke on the pothole issues of the alleyways on 20th Street and her appreciation of investment in Downtown Merced.
LaTonya RASHARD, Merced - spoke on economic development of the area, the physical and mental health of Merced County, Care Court, Proposition 1, housing, and the unhoused.
Christan SANTOS, Representative of Congressman John DUARTE, Merced - spoke on Congressman DUARTE's Town Hall event.
Cindy KELLY, Merced - spoke on a Measure C education campaign.
Dr. Susan WALSH, Merced - spoke on the League of Women Voters of Merced County endorsing Measure C and asked Council to collaborate with County and School districts on local issues.
Rick WENDLING, Merced - asked the public to get more involved with State Legislatures to reduce crime.
Pat SCOBLE, Volunteer at Senior Center, Merced - spoke on the relocation of the Senior Center and the Boys and Girls Club due to the High Speed Railway.
Ana QUINTANA-CEJA, Merced - spoke on concerns of the sidewalks and crosswalks of the Southeast Merced development.
Jeff HENEFENT, Merced - spoke on the Police department numbers regarding traffic, Code Enforcement not being proactive, and asked for parking issues and vehicle tow efforts.
January 23, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking
Authority/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Minutes
Japjeet SINGH, Merced - thanked Council for approving the Virginia Smith Trust annexation and asked about Council's views on international issues.
Shirley FARLEY, Merced - thanked Council for the new play equipment at Fahrens Park, spoke on the pothole issue on R Street, speeding issues on Buena Vista Drive, and suggested growing vines for graffiti prevention.
Julian NOVARRA, Representative for Assemblywoman Esmeralda SORIA, Merced - announced the office movement and encouraged everyone to reach out to Ms. SORIA.
Merced Resident - spoke on homelessness on the bicycle trails, updating the Merced Connect application, the Police Department's traffic statistics, and sound pollution.
E. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Members gave a brief closing comment and thanked those in attendance and for their input.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Town Hall Meeting as adjourned at 8:48 PM.
A motion was made by Council Member Boyle, seconded by Council Member Xiong, that this Town Hall Meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Perez, Council Member Boyle, Council Member DeAnda, Council Member Smith, and Council Member Xiong 6 -
No: 0
Absent: Council Member Ornelas1 -