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
6:00 PMMonday, October 20, 2025
A. CLOSED SESSION 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 -
B. CLOSED SESSION
Mayor SERRATTO called the Closed Session to order at 5:02 PM.
Clerk's Note: Council Member SMITH arrived to Closed Session at 5:08 PM.
B.1. SUBJECT: PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT Title: Finance Officer Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
B.2. SUBJECT: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING
LITIGATION City of Merced v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, et al. MSC Case No. 23CV-03845 Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
B.3. SUBJECT: CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Agency
Designated Representative(s): City Manager Scott McBride, City Attorney Craig Cornwell, Deputy City Manager Frank Quintero, Finance Officer Venus Rodriguez, Human Resources Manager Suzanne Fierro Employee Organization: UNREPRESENTED
EMPLOYEES' UNIT Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6
Clerk's Note: Council adjourned from Closed Session at 5:48 PM.
C. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor SERRATTO called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
C.1. Invocation - Pastor Joel Dorman, Summit Church of Merced
October 20, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Joel DORMAN of the Summit Church of Merced.
C.2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Council Member DEANDA led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
D. 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 -
D.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 $500.00 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 2024-78.
The members of the Parking Authority, the Public Financing and Economic Development Authority, and the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency receive no compensation.
E. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
There was no report.
F. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
F.1. SUBJECT: Proclamation - Digital Inclusion Week
REPORT IN BRIEF
Received by Norma Cardona, Cultiva Greatness.
Mayor SERRATTO presented the Digital Inclusion Week Proclamation to Norma CARDONA and Mauricio of Cultiva Greatness.
G. WRITTEN PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Clerk’s Note: The email was received for the following agenda item and forwarded to Council prior to the meeting.
Public Comment: Belinda BURNETT.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT
Sierra KELLEY, Merced - proposed a public seating area on the west side of Main Street and a pedestrian-only street in Downtown Merced.
October 20, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Cindy KELLY, Merced - shared details of the Spooky Community Cat Walk event and the Spay/Neuter Program.
Acting Planning Manager Jonnie LAN, Merced - shared details of the Community Workshop and Open House event for Imagine Merced.
Fortunato ACOSTA, Merced - spoke on the High Speed Rail (HSR) project and asked for a transparent process of integrating the HSR project in Merced.
Christina VALENTI-FELIX, Merced - spoke on the overdose accident at the Merced County Jail and requested that the Merced County Jail be supplied with Narcan.
Mayor SERRATTO stated that the Merced County Jail is overseen by Merced County Sheriffs Department.
Jerry BORILLA, Merced - proposed a Tent Community in Merced to help with the homelessness.
Merced County Supervisor Josh PEDROZO, Merced - thanked Merced Police Department for attending the Our Lady of Mercy School event and spoke on the discussions held with Merced County regarding illegal food pop-ups.
Rhonda BATSON, Merced - shared details of a recent incident during the Playhouse Merced board meeting and spoke on the process of honoring individuals in the City of Merced.
Karthik PRASAD, Representative of Congressman Adam GRAY, Merced - spoke on protecting the Health Care Bill.
I. CONSENT CALENDAR
Clerk's Note: There were no Consent Items pulled for separate consideration.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, seconded by Council Member Dupont, to approve the Consent Agenda. 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
October 20, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Absent: Council Member Xiong1 -
I.1. SUBJECT: Reading by Title of All Ordinances and Resolutions
REPORT IN BRIEF
Ordinances and Resolutions which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and a summary title may be read with further reading waived.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion waiving the reading of Ordinances and Resolutions, pursuant to Section 412 of the Merced City Charter.
This Consent Item was approved.
I.2. SUBJECT: Approval of City Council/Public Financing and Economic Development/Parking Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2025, and June 2, 2025
REPORT IN BRIEF
Official adoption of previously held meeting minutes.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council/Public Financing and Economic
Development/Parking Authority/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency - Adopt a motion approving the meeting minutes of May 19, 2025 and June 2, 2025.
This Consent Item was approved.
I.3. SUBJECT: Approval of the First Amendment to Community Facilities Districts (CFD) Administration Contract with Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc. to Add an Additional Term from November 4, 2025, to November 3, 2027, at the Rates Set Forth in Exhibit 2 to the Amendment
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers renewing the Community Facilities Districts (CFD) Administration Services Contract with Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc. for additional an two-year term.
October 20, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the first amendment to Community Facilities Districts (CFD) Administration Services Contract with Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc.; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to sign the necessary documents.
This Consent Item was approved.
I.4. SUBJECT: Approval of Professional Services Agreements with Precision Engineering (Surveying), Quad Knopf, Inc. (Surveying and Landscape Design), VH Design Group Inc. (Surveying), NJ Associates Inc., (Architectural Design), Siegfried Engineering Inc., (Architectural Design), Cupples Keller Designs (Landscape Design), and Melton Design Group (Landscape Design) to Provide Support Services for the City’s Engineering Department in a not Exceed Amount of $500,000 per Agreement Based on the
Consultant Hourly Rates Listed within Exhibit B of Each Respective Agreement for the Period Ending November 7, 2027
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving multiple Professional Services Agreements for engineering and design services for the City’s Capital Improvement Projects, and support of the Engineering Department. The services provided under these agreements will mainly be funded from individual Capital Improvement Project budgets as the projects occur through the contract period ending November 7, 2027, at the hourly rates set forth in Exhibit B of each respective agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the Professional Services Agreements, for a contract period ending November 7, 2027, with Precision Engineering (Surveying), Quad Knopf, Inc. (Surveying and Landscape Design), VH Design Group, Inc. (Surveying), NJ Associates Inc., (Architectural Design), Siegfried Engineering Inc., (Architectural Design), Cupples Keller Designs (Landscape Design), and Melton Design Group (Landscape Design) in a Not to Exceed Amount of $500,000 for each agreement; and,
October 20, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
B. Authorizing the City Manager to sign the necessary documents.
This Consent Item was approved.
I.5. SUBJECT: Approval of Consulting Agreement with ControlPoint Engineering, Inc., for Replacement of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility’s Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA) for a Three (3) Year Term, in the Amount not to Exceed $2,578,640
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a three-year consulting and professional services agreement for software maintenance services, replacement of all Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and related tasks for the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility’s SCADA system not to exceed $2,578,640 for the initial term of three (3) years.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the Consulting and Professional Services Contract with ControlPoint Engineering, Inc., for a three-year term in the amount not to exceed $2,578,640; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
This Consent Item was approved.
I.6. SUBJECT: Approval of a 3 Year Agreement with Merced County Times (Mid Valley Publications) to Provide the City of Merced Legal Advertising Services
REPORT IN BRIEF
Awards an agreement for publishing legal notices to the Merced County Times (Mid Valley Publications).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving an agreement with the Merced County Times (Mid Valley Publications) to provide the City of Merced legal advertising services.
This Consent Item was approved.
J. REPORTS
October 20, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
J.1. SUBJECT: Update Regarding Merced Fire Department First Responder Advanced Life Support Program
REPORT IN BRIEF
Update regarding the Merced Fire Department First Responder Advanced Life Support program for the period of January 1, 2025, through August 31, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION
This is for information-only.
Fire Chief Casey WILSON and Fire Battalion Chief Mickey BRUNELLI gave a slideshow presentation on the First Responder Advanced Life Support update.
Council, Mr. BRUNELLI, and Mr. WILSON discussed the process of dispatching for medical or acute care, the true-time emergency matrix, increasing Advanced Life Saving resources, the impact of the annexation of UC Merced, the call volume for Engine 55, the future need of additional resources for UC Merced, and the efficiency that comes with the apparatus and personnel.
Clerk's Note: There was no formal vote taken, item was for information only.
J.2. SUBJECT: Presentation of the Annual AB 481 Report Detailing Military Equipment Currently Used by the Merced Police Department
REPORT IN BRIEF
Merced Police Department is required by State Assembly Bill 481 to report and obtain approval for the use and funding of any equipment defined under the bill as Military Equipment. Chief Stanfield will make a brief presentation that will include an inventory of all defined Military Equipment currently in use at the Merced Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION
Information Only.
Chief of Police Steven STANFIELD briefly discussed the Assembly Bill (AB) 481 report that details the military equipment currently used by the Merced Police Department (MPD) and shared details of the Cops and Critters event where MPD will host their AB 481 Open House requirement.
October 20, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Clerk’s Note: There was no Council discussion.
Clerk's Note: There was no formal vote taken, item was for information only.
K. ACTION ITEMS
K.1. SUBJECT: Adopting a Resolution of the City of Merced City Council Authorizing an Application to the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) Measure V Regional 2025 Implementation Plan Call for Projects
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a Resolution to authorize the application to the MCAG Measure V Regional 2025 Implementation Plan Call for projects.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2025-61, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, approving an application to the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) Measure V Regional 2025 Implementation Plan Call for Projects; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
City Engineer Daryl JORDAN and City Manager Scott MCBRIDE briefly discussed the Resolution that authorizes an application to the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) Measure V Regional 2025 implementation plan call for project.
Council, Mr. JORDAN, and Mr. MCBRIDE discussed the projects on the list, details of the Road Widening Project, the importance of the widening project, the projects in California Department of Transportation's jurisdiction, the funding being received, the timeline of funding, the potential impact of other projects, the discussions held during a recent Transportation Subcommittee, funding other projects, the federal funds for bridge projects, details of big projects around the City, the Atwater Expressway project, and potentially having a more robust Subcommittee system.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, seconded by Council Member Harris, that this agenda item be approved as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
October 20, 2025City Council/Public Finance and
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Aye: Mayor Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle, Council Member Dupont, Council Member DeAnda, and Council Member Harris
5 -
No: Council Member Smith1 -
Absent: Council Member Xiong1 -
L. BUSINESS
L.1. SUBJECT: Request to Add Item to Future Agenda
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provides members of the City Council to request that an item be placed on a future City Council agenda for initial consideration by the City Council.
Council Member SMITH requested to discuss robust and publicly noticed Subcommittee Meetings at the December 1st Council Meeting. Council Member DUPONT seconded the request.
L.2. SUBJECT: City Council Comments
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provides an opportunity for the Mayor and/or Council Member(s) to make a brief announcement on any activity(ies) she/he has attended on behalf of the City and to make a brief announcement on future community events and/or activities. The Brown Act does not allow discussion or action by the legislative body under this section.
Council Member DEANDA announced his resignation as a City Council Member and spoke on his time on the City Council.
Council shared words of encouragement and stories of Council Member DEANDA's time as the District 2 Council Member.
M. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 7:37 PM.
A motion was made by Council Member Harris, seconded by Council Member Dupont, that this Regular Meeting be adjourned in honor of Council Member DeAnda. 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 -