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
5:00 PMMonday, December 9, 2024
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor SERRATTO called the Special Meeting to order at 5:10 PM.
Invocation - Pastor Lamar Henderson, All Dads Matter
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Lamar HENDERSON from All Dads Matter.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mayor SERRATTO led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: 6 - Mayor Matthew Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Bertha Perez, Council Member Shane Smith, Council Member Jesse Ornelas, Council Member Ronnie Deanda, and Council Member Sarah Boyle
Absent: 1 - Council Member Fue Xiong
B.1. In accordance with Government Code 54952.3, it is hereby announced that the City Council sits either simultaneously or serially as the Parking Authority, the Public Financing and Economic Development Authority, and the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency. City Council members receive a monthly stipend of $400.00 by Charter for sitting as the City Council; and the Mayor receives an additional $100.00 each month as a part of the adopted budget and Resolution 2020-86.
The members of the Parking Authority, the Public Financing and Economic Development Authority, and the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency receive no compensation.
C. WRITTEN PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Clerk's Note: The Clerk's Office did not receive any emails for the Special Meeting.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
James REESE, Merced - shared details of the upcoming meetings with Neighbors Unidos.
Merced County Supervisor Josh PEDROZO, Merced - shared details of
December 9, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
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Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
the Groundbreaking Event at the Merced Courthouse Museum.
Deputy City Manager Frank QUINTERO, Merced - introduced the new City Engineer, Daryl JORDAN.
City Manager Scott MCBRIDE and Mayor SERRATTO welcomed City Engineer Daryl JORDAN.
E. REORGANIZATION
E.1. SUBJECT: City Council Certification of November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election Returns
REPORT IN BRIEF
Certifies the November 2024 election returns for the Mayor and three City Council Members (Districts 1, 3, and 5).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2024-109, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024, declaring the result, and declaring such other matters as provided by law for the election of the Mayor and three members of the City Council.
Clerk's Note: There was no Council discussion.
A motion was made by Council Member Ornelas, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Perez, that this agenda item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Mayor Matthew Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Bertha Perez, Council Member Shane Smith, Council Member Jesse Ornelas, Council Member Ronnie Deanda, and Council Member Sarah Boyle
Absent: 1 - Council Member Fue Xiong
E.2. Recognition of Outgoing City Council Members
Assemblywoman Esmeralda SORIA - presented a Certificate of Recognition to Mayor Pro Tempore PEREZ and Council Member ORNELAS for their time on Council.
Merced County Supervisor Josh PEDROZO - thanked Mayor Pro Tempore PEREZ and Council Member ORNELAS for their time on Council.
Alonna CAMPOS, Merced - thanked her father, Council Member
December 9, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
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Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
ORNELAS, for his devotion and time on the Council.
The remaining sitting Council Members thanked the leaving members for their service and congratulated them on their achievements.
Mayor SERRATTO presented Mayor Pro Tempore PEREZ and Council Member ORNELAS with tokens of appreciation for their service on the Council.
E.3. Comments From Outgoing City Council Members
Mayor Pro Tempore PEREZ and Council Member ORNELAS gave final comments thanking everyone for their time on the Council.
E.4. SUBJECT: Presentation of Certificates of Election and Oaths of Office Pursuant to the City of Merced Charter Section 612
REPORT IN BRIEF
The new Mayor and Council Members will be presented their Certificates of Election and take their Oath of Office pursuant to City of Merced Charter Section 612, before taking their seats at the dais.
Assistant City Clerk Jennifer LEVESQUE presented the Oaths of Office to newly elected Council Member DUPONT and Council Member HARRIS.
She also presented the Oaths of Office to re-elected Council Member BOYLE and Mayor SERRATTO.
E.5. Comments From Newly Elected City Council Members
Newly-elected and re-elected members of the Council all expressed thanks to the voters, the members of their teams and family, and expressed excitement about moving the City forward.
Representative of Assemblywoman Esmeralda SORIA - congratulated all elected Members of the Council and presented Certificates of Recognition.
Steven GRAHAM, Merced - congratulated all elected Members of the Council and shared his excitement on receiving a new Council Member for his district.
Congressman Adam GRAY - shared insight on the work of public service and congratulated all elected Members of the Council.
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Minutes
Clerk's Note: Council hosted a reception for all elected members of the Council from 6:09 PM to 6:39 PM.
E.6. ROLL CALL
Mayor Matthew Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Sarah Boyle, Council Member Darin Dupont, Council Member Ronnie DeAnda, Council Member Michael Harris, and Council Member Shane Smith
Present: 6 -
Council Member Fue XiongAbsent: 1 -
E.7. SUBJECT: Election of Mayor Pro Tempore
REPORT IN BRIEF
Election of a Mayor Pro Tempore to a one-year term (conducted by the newly elected Mayor).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion appointing the Mayor’s nominee as Mayor Pro Tempore of the City of Merced for a one-year term of office.
Mayor SERRATTO nominated Council Member BOYLE to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore.
A motion was made by Mayor Serratto, seconded by Council Member Smith, that this agenda item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, Council Member Dupont, Council Member DeAnda, Council Member Harris, and Council Member Smith 6 -
No: 0
Absent: Council Member Xiong1 -
E.8. SUBJECT: Resolutions of Commemoration for Outgoing City Council Members
REPORT IN BRIEF
Resolutions of commemoration for outgoing City Council Members Jesse Ornelas and Bertha Perez.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2024-110, Public Service Commemoration, Jesse Ornelas; and,
B. Adopting Resolution 2024-111, Public Service Commemoration,
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Bertha Perez.
Clerk’s Note: There was no Council discussion.
A motion was made by Council Member Harris, seconded by Council Member Dupont, that this agenda item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, Council Member Dupont, Council Member DeAnda, Council Member Harris, and Council Member Smith 6 -
No: 0
Absent: Council Member Xiong1 -
F. ACTION ITEMS
F.1. SUBJECT: Seeking Direction on Other Reinvestment - Reallocation Options on the City Council Adopted American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Strategic Investment Plan
REPORT IN BRIEF
Seeking direction on other reinvestment - reallocation options on the City Council adopted American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Strategic Investment Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Provide staff direction on reinvestment - reallocation options related to the ARPA Strategic Investment Plan.
City Manager Scott MCBRIDE gave a slideshow presentation on the reallocation options for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Strategic Investment Plan.
Council and Mr. MCBRIDE discussed details of the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Program, details of the remaining ARPA funds, the Merced County Probation program taking over CalVIP, details of the Bob Hart Square project, projects to be determined to be funded by ARPA, and details of all remaining projects.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, to approve staff's recommendation as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, Council Member Dupont, Council Member DeAnda, Council Member Harris, and Council Member Smith 6 -
No: 0
Absent: Council Member Xiong1 -
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G. REPORTS
G.1. SUBJECT: Report Regarding Potential Fire Services and Emergency Operations Coordination Between the City of Merced and Merced County Including Mutual Aid, Automatic Aid Agreement, and Service Agreement Options
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provide an update to City Council regarding potential aid agreements or service agreement between the City of Merced and Merced County.
RECOMMENDATION
For Information only.
Interim Fire Chief Casey WILSON and City Manager Scott MCBRIDE gave a slideshow presentation on the Merced County Aid Agreement update.
Council, City Attorney Craig CORNWELL, Mr. WILSON, and Mr.
MCBRIDE discussed details of the recommendation, the difference between Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls and fire calls, details of the new squad vehicle, updates on the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, details of the partnership with Merced County, and details of firefighter safety. They also discussed the projected response times, details of the additional staffing, details of the cost-sharing listed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), conversations with UC Merced regarding the MOU, the Term of the MOU, details of the SAFER grant, the emergency responses, the benefits of the MOU, how calls will come through outside city limits, and details of Station 53's response.
Merced County Josh PEDROZO - shared details of the MOU, the cost-sharing between the County and the City, and the collaboration with all agencies to provide the best service for the citizens.
Mike MURPHY, Merced - requested Council to approve the discussions with County and the MOU and shared his safety concerns as a county resident impacted by the issue.
Dr. Steve TIETJEN, Merced - shared safety concerns as a county resident and spoke on the need of UC Merced collaborating with all agencies.
Council and Mr. MCBRIDE discussed the decision that would benefit all citizens, the impacts on the Merced Fire Department, and the continuation to collaborate with Merced County.
December 9, 2024City Council/Public Finance and
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Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Clerk's Note: There was no formal vote taken, the item was for information only.
H. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Special Meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, seconded by Council Member Harris, that this Special Meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, Council Member Dupont, Council Member DeAnda, Council Member Harris, and Council Member Smith 6 -
No: 0
Absent: Council Member Xiong1 -