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
5:30 PMThursday, February 6, 2025
A. CITY DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
City Staff held a City Department Information Open House for the public from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
B. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor SERRATTO called the Town Hall Meeting to order at 6:17 PM.
B.1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Council Member HARRIS led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C. ROLL CALL
Mayor Matthew Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Sarah Boyle, Council Member Darin Dupont, Council Member Ronnie DeAnda, Council Member Michael Harris, Council Member Shane Smith, and Council Member Fue Xiong
Present: 7 -
Absent: 0
D. OPENING COMMENTS
D.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.
E. PUBLIC COMMENT
Micki ARCHULETA, Merced - spoke on advocacy work for LGBTQ+ community, requested to establish an LGBTQ+ Oversight Committee, and adopting local policies that protect the community.
Joel KNOX, Merced - spoke on equity regarding South Merced traffic congestion and advocating for a dog park in the South East location of the City.
February 6, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Eddie RODRIGUEZ, Merced - spoke on raising funding for the arts, suggested expanding to outside art, and incorporating other forms of art in the City.
Dr. Salvador SANDOVAL, Merced - spoke on immigration rights and concerns of Border Patrol being in various locations.
Jeremy MUMFORD - spoke on making Merced a sanctuary city and the importance of being a sanctuary city.
Priya LAKIREDDY, Merced - spoke on the Dual Immersion Program at Merced City School District, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) not being on school campuses, road safety, and details of the road conditions on McKee Road.
David DANIELS, Merced - spoke in support of making Merced a sanctuary city, details of immigration, and families being separated.
Maria CALDERON, Merced - spoke in support of making Merced a sanctuary city, families being separated, and details of immigration.
Ashley SUAREZ, Merced - spoke on the necessity of a Community Needs Assessment, adding amenities to parks, and the lack of infrastructure for transportation in South Merced.
Norma CARDONA, Merced - spoke on making Merced a sanctuary city and details of the Federal Government.
Merced Resident - spoke on the fears of UC Merced students from ICE, details of the Student Marches, and asked for available resources for immigration rights and the LGBTQ+ community.
Levonne PHILLIPS, Merced - spoke on traffic issues in her neighborhood, steps to improving road conditions, cleaning up Merced, and concerns of residents driving with expired registration tags.
Merced Resident - spoke on the road conditions on Lopes Avenue, infrastructure changes, details of underpasses in South Merced, and Public Service Announcement on immigration to the community.
Jesus, Merced - spoke on making Merced a sanctuary city, lack of development in South Merced, and asked to inform residents of immigration rights.
February 6, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Jazz, Merced - spoke on Merced taking a stand and becoming a sanctuary city, asked to create protocols for immigration protections, and requested more shade structures in the parks.
Merced Resident - spoke on Merced becoming a sanctuary city and wanting support from their local leaders.
Gloria SANDOVAL, Merced - spoke on placing an agenda item regarding Merced becoming a sanctuary city, the fear of unmarked vehicles, lack of trust from residents, and fears rising in the community.
Gayle BROWN, Merced - spoke on the development of Campus Parkway and the needs of South Merced such as having a dog park, a grocery store, and a fun kids place.
Merced Resident, Merced - spoke on adopting a sanctuary policy, placing Know Your Rights cards on water bills, allocating City funds for legal services, and details of the Christian Flag being approved to fly on the flagpole.
Merced Resident - spoke on gate keeping, local internships, and fundraising funds to mentor students.
Rene GUTIERREZ, Merced - spoke on having a sanctuary policy, requested a statement from the Mayor and the City regarding immigration, and blocking ICE from the City.
Merced Resident - spoke on Merced becoming a sanctuary city, the community contributions from undocumented immigrants, and ensuring trust in the community.
Miriam, Merced - shared her family's experience with deportation, interactions held with ICE, wanting to feel safe, and informing the community of their rights.
Ale, Merced - spoke on adopting a sanctuary city policy, stated that deportation is not a solution, and shared personal experiences with deportation.
Merced Resident - spoke on adopting a sanctuary policy and the affects of deportation.
Merced Resident - spoke on lack of lighting, infrastructure improvements,
February 6, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
and development in South Merced.
Blanca OJEDA, Merced - spoke on the immigrant community, the statement given by the City of Fresno Mayor, the false information being spread about ICE, and asked to provide information about ICE.
Ashley SUAREZ, Merced - spoke on becoming a sanctuary city, addressing the various needs of the community, suggested to use discretionary funds for infrastructure, and water connections for dried wells.
Nico MERALAS, Merced - shared a personal immigration story, spoke on protecting hard-working families, and families being affected by deportations.
Merced Resident - spoke on the American Dream and details of undocumented immigrants.
F. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Members gave a brief closing comment and thanked those in attendance for their input.
G. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Town Hall Meeting adjourned at 8:16 PM.