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 PMTuesday, January 28, 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 6:12 PM.
B.1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Merced County Supervisor Jim PACHECO 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
Curtis THOMAS, Merced - spoke on traffic congestion, affordable housing for single family homes, lack of cultural centers, amending the zoning code, and allowing micro businesses in neighborhoods.
Ron COOK, Merced - spoke on assessing the negative impacts of feral cats along Bear Creek and gave suggestions on relocating the cat
January 28, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
colonies.
Eduardo, Merced - spoke on the Youth United Organization, the maintenance of city parks, and the City of Fresno's tax measure for parks.
Joe DUENES, Merced - spoke on the condition of Joe Herb park and suggested the city look into exercise amenities in parks.
Ariana SMITH, Merced - spoke on Flannagan park, maintaining the cleanliness of city parks, and safety concerns.
Lucy PUENTE, Merced - spoke on improving park conditions and creating more funding for park enhancements.
Lena IVORY, Merced - shared details of the homeless crisis, spoke on finding a solution to homelessness, affordable housing, and the time frame given for homeless citizens.
Gloria CONLIN, Merced - spoke on speeding issues on 21st Street, stop signs in the downtown area, and low visibility when crossing the intersection.
Sharyl ELGIN, Merced - spoke on various issues of E 21st Street including speeding, traffic, and stop signs.
Steven GRAHAM, Merced - spoke on the needs of District 1, the lack of sidewalks on Childs Avenue, thanked Youth United for looking into improving city parks, and thanked Council for holding Town Hall meetings.
Erick SERRATTO, Downtown Improvement Association, Merced - spoke on making downtown a livable area, invited the community to join the Association, and thanked the previous President Diana ODOM GUNN for her work in the Association.
Joy WIDMARK, Merced - shared health and safety concerns regarding the proposed cell tower and details of a conversation she had with a City Staff member.
Lena IVORY, Merced - spoke on homeless clean ups and shared personal information of living on the streets.
Jermaine PASTOR, Merced - spoke on helping the previous speaker regarding housing, community clean ups, and physically viewing the unhoused community shelters.
January 28, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Patricia PRATT, Merced - spoke on the explosion sounds in the evening.
Ynette, Atwater - spoke on Merced County partnering with non-profits to assist the Hispanic Community and how to make the community feel safe.
Shirley FARR, Merced - suggested placing vines on the walls to avoid graffiti on Buena Vista and replanting plants when they dry out.
Japjeet SINGH, Livingston - spoke on a strategic plan for planning and infrastructure.
F. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Members gave a brief closing comment and thanked those in attendance and for their input.
G.. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Town Hall Meeting as adjourned at 8:10 PM.