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 PMMonday, January 29, 2024
Tenaya Middle School Town Hall
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor SERRATTO called the Town Hall Meeting to order at 6:24 PM.
A.1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Council Member DEANDA led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
B. ROLL CALL
Clerk's Note: Council Member XIONG arrived to the Town Hall Meeting at 6:37 PM and Council Member SMITH arrived to the Town Hall Meeting at 6:52 PM.
Mayor Matthew Serratto, Council Member Jesse Ornelas, Council Member Sarah Boyle, Council Member Ronnie DeAnda, Council Member Shane Smith, and Council Member Fue Xiong
Present: 6 -
Mayor Pro Tempore Bertha PerezAbsent: 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
Peg LARSON, Committee for a Safer Merced, Merced - encouraged the community to vote on Measure C and shared details of the tax measure.
Gloria SANDOVAL, Merced - asked for clarification on the cost for Measure C.
January 29, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking
Authority/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Minutes
Kathy PASKIN, Merced - spoke on details of the High Speed Rail project.
Xerxes ZANGENCH, Merced - asked about the High Speed Rail's maintenance plans for cracked roads and public transit.
Carolyn RITTENHOUSE, Merced - asked for an update on the speed bumps on 5th Street and P Street.
Joseph BERKLEY, Merced - spoke on speeding issues and asked Council to collaborate with Merced County for water and sewer connections on P Street.
Walter SMITH, Merced - spoke on roads, funding for roads, speed bumps, and raising taxes to fix damaged roads.
Alejandro CARILLO, Merced - spoke on finding creative ways for funding sources, tourism dollars, Bear Creek funding, investment in art, community benefits, vehicle vandalism near the University of California, Merced building in downtown, downtown public safety, and encouraged the community to check voter registration.
Rick WENDLING, Merced - spoke on business development.
Ashley SUAREZ, Merced - spoke on issues in South Merced, emergency water connections, applying for grants, applying Measure V funds for public lighting, an extension of hours at the Bulky Item Drop Off site, and red-light cameras for traffic.
Victoria ESPINOZA, Merced - spoke on allegations of a police officer's involvement with a gang member, Connie's Angels Daycare shutdown, and raised concerns about the type of surveillance technology.
Cindy KELLY, Merced - spoke on the expansion of businesses in the Wardrobe area and plans for sidewalks.
Dr. SANDOVAL, Merced - spoke on placing an Urgent Care, a fresh produce market, and an Industrial park in South Merced. He also urged Council to speak to the Golden Valley Health Centers Board.
Clerk's Note: Council Member ORNELAS left the Town Hall Meeting at 8:02 PM.
January 29, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking
Authority/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Minutes
E. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Members gave a brief closing comment and thanked those in attendance for their input.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Town Hall Meeting was adjourned at 8:22 PM.