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 PMThursday, February 15, 2024
Chenoweth Elementary School Town Hall
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor SERRATTO called the Town Hall Meeting to order at 6:22 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: Council Member SMITH arrived to the Town Hall Meeting at 6:26 PM and Council Member XIONG arrived to the Town Hall Meeting at 6:34 PM.
Mayor Matthew Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Bertha Perez, Council Member Jesse Ornelas, Council Member Sarah Boyle, Council Member Ronnie DeAnda, Council Member Shane Smith, and Council Member Fue Xiong
Present: 7 -
Absent: 0
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
Betty HUEY, Merced - spoke on her concerns of the gas station placement on Yosemite Avenue and El Redondo Drive.
Loren LUKENS, Merced - thanked the City of Merced for allowing an emergency water connection and asked if the City could assist with
February 15, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking
Authority/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Minutes
ongoing water connection issues.
Zoey and Father, Merced - spoke on the lack of play equipment and trespassers engaging in illegal activity in the parks located on G Street, Gerard Avenue, and Childs Avenue. They also spoke on having a standard for urbanism, safer bicycle lanes, availability of public transit, and more walk-able areas.
Peg LARSON, Merced - spoke on Measure C and the importance of voting.
La'Vonne PHILLIPS, Merced - raised concerns on speeding vehicles, the conditions of roads, flooding in her area, housing issues and spoke on the diversity of the Fire Department.
Merced Resident - spoke on being grateful for what the City, Police, and Fire employees do for the residents of Merced.
Jeananne, Merced - spoke on the road conditions and plans to fix damaged roads.
Merced Resident - spoke on the road conditions and the Merced Mall development.
Jason BEACH, Merced - thanked the Parks and Public Works departments and Council for attending the Disc Golf meetings and spoke on the high crime rate in Fahrens Park.
Gilbert ARIAS, Merced - spoke on the speeding, traffic issues, graffiti, and homelessness in the City and County.
Gloria SANDOVAL, Merced - spoke on potholes, expanding the definition of public safety, holding workshops for citizens to understand the City budget, community outreach on city businesses, and asked for an update on the gas station on 21st Street and G Street.
Merced Resident - spoke on a video of the Sheriffs Department in Ohio, asked if local law enforcement was aware of threats to the country, and the training they receive for terrorist threats.
Anthony MARTINEZ, Merced - spoke on leadership and multiple ongoing issues in the City.
February 15, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking
Authority/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Minutes
Alejandro FLORES, Merced - spoke on the 5% allocation to roads in Measure C, issues with potholes, and homeless shelters in Merced.
Priya LAKIREDDY, Merced - spoke on the importance of agencies collaborating, advocated for Measure C, and asked voters to be informed and vote.
Irma MARTIN, Merced - asked about future plans for Parsons Avenue and Bear Creek Drive and spoke on City trees that need to be trimmed.
Merced Resident - spoke on the floods, thanked the police officers for evacuating citizens to safety, and asked for the status of the Laura Fountain project, how it ties with Applegate Park, flood mitigation, and the creek bike path.
E. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Members gave brief closing comments and thanked those in attendance for their input.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Town Hall Meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.