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
Thursday, January 8, 2026 6:00 PM
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 6:02 PM.
B.1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Council Member Yang Pao THAO 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 Yang Thao, 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 Town Hall Meetings.
Council Members and Staff introduced themselves, welcomed the public, and thanked them all for attending.
E. PUBLIC COMMENT
La’Tonya RI’CHARD, Merced - spoke on funding for housing programs, anti-slumlord ordinance, a housing quality database with rental registry, and safe housing as public safety and a human right.
Robin PONASAVAGE, Merced - spoke on housing subsidies,
implementation of housing element suggestions, create safe affordable housing with strict guidelines, housing assistance agencies and programs, CITY OF MERCED Page 1 Printed on 10/5/2026
City Council/Public Finance and January 8, 2026
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
tenant reporting database to safely report landlords and property owners, and code enforcement staffing to address the violations.
Andrea URIBE, Leadership Council - spoke on complete streets that promote active transportation, road repairs, sidewalks, street lighting, missing sidewalks in South Merced, street light capital improvement project, prioritize sidewalk rehabilitation and light installation, utility service expansion, and grocery store access in South Merced.
Ashley Marie SUAREZ, Leadership Counsel - spoke on funding a housing quality database, rental registry, anti slum lord ordinance, tenant protections, legal assistance, South Merced infrastructure, affordable housing, and attracting developers to South Merced.
Crystal RAMOS, Youth United Merced - spoke on the parks maintenance and provided a presentation handout to council and staff.
Aj, Youth United Merced - spoke on concerns with the Merced Connect App, unresolved service requests, discussed the lack of resident usage of the app, app usage challenges, and park maintenance issues.
Quinton, Youth United Merced - spoke on unresolved Merced Connect App requests, adding photos to completed work orders, and increasing routine park maintenance.
Levonne PHILLIPS, Merced - spoke on unresolved police response at her residence, sidewalks and lighting, fallen trees, illegal dumping, park trash receptacles, and park staff supervision.
Steven GRAHAM, Merced - spoke on the proposed Gerard roundabout, traffic safety concerns, Mission road repaired, roadway striping, lighting, and pedestrian safety.
Council and staff addressed resident concerns, provided information, and directed residents to appropriate staff for follow-up.
Gloria SANDAVAL, Merced - spoke about concerns of missing persons, tinted vehicle windows, loud vehicles, homelessness, homeownership challenges and creating opportunities for young people, tenant struggles, unfair odds in eviction court, tenant rights education, and fear of retaliation for reporting housing issues.
Council and staff continued discussion regarding housing, tenant rights, sidewalks, lighting, community resources, a anti-slumlord ordinance, Code CITY OF MERCED Page 2 Printed on 10/5/2026
City Council/Public Finance and January 8, 2026
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Enforcement, and tinted windows.
Keith ENISMINGER, Merced - spoke on street lighting concerns, and the need for a pedestrian-activated crosswalk on 12th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Council and staff continued discussion on Code Enforcement staffing, resident communication, ordinance procedures, upcoming projects, grants, housing funding, and department staffing.
Nabora, Merced - spoke on public access to housing-related records, community review of the draft anti-slumlord ordinance, and tenant complaint reporting mechanisms.
Council and staff discussed the draft anti-slumlord ordinance, resident feedback, and the vacant building ordinance.
La’Tonya RI’CHARD, Merced - spoke on housing move-in costs, Code Enforcement concerns, and Council absence at the homelessness memorial event honoring individuals who had experienced homelessness who passed away.
Andrea URIBE, Leadership Council - requested information on the upcoming study session and opportunities for community participation.
Council and staff spoke the upcoming study sessions, Community Facilities District (CFD) rate update, and affordable housing.
Ashley Marie SUAREZ, Merced - spoke on incentives for housing development and inclusionary zoning policies to support affordable.
Keith ENSINGER, Merced - spoke on adding a housing comment section to the City's web-based public comment application.
Council and staff discussed street lighting improvements, sidewalk investments, city growth, infrastructure, future planning, and road projects.
Levonne PHILLIPS, Merced - spoke on speeding and traffic concerns on Northwood Drive, requested a traffic signal, and increased police enforcement.
Council and staff discussed traffic concerns, speeding enforcement, and speed survey requirements.
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City Council/Public Finance and January 8, 2026
Economic Development
Authority/Parking Authority
Minutes
Nabora, Merced - spoke on park maintenance grant funding, sanitation concerns, and South Merced funding.
Council and staff provided clarification regarding affordable housing on Park Avenue and funding allocations.
F. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council thanked everyone for their attendance and providing their comments and concerns.
G. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Town Hall Meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM.
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