Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
Citizens' Stipend Setting Commission
5:30 PMThursday, April 30, 2026
A. CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair ESTRADA called the Citizens' Stipend Setting Commission meeting to order at 5:33 PM.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
C. ROLL CALL
Member Belinda Burnett, Member Amanda Estrada, Member Jeremy Jenkins, Member Lee Pevsner, and Member Cynthia Kelly
Present: 5 -
Member Steve KuykendallAbsent: 1 -
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no members in the audience that wanted to leave a public comment.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
E.1. SUBJECT: Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission Minutes of April 16, 2026
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission Minutes from the meeting of April 16, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION
Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission - Adopt a motion approving and filing the Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission minutes of April 16, 2026.
A motion was made by Member Kelly, seconded by Member Jenkins, that this agenda item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Member Burnett, Member Estrada, Member Jenkins, Member Pevsner, and Member Kelly
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Kuykendall1 -
F. PUBLIC HEARING
ATTACHMENT 3
April 30, 2026Citizens' Stipend Setting
Commission
Minutes
F.1. SUBJECT: Review and Discussion of the Current Stipend for the Mayor and City Council Members and Discussion and
Recommendations, if any, Regarding the Appropriate Stipend for the Mayor and City Council Members
REPORT IN BRIEF
Continued discussion of the current stipend and any suggested changes and review of process.
RECOMMENDATION
Citizen’s Stipend Setting Commission - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2026-19, a Resolution of the Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission of the City of Merced, California, providing a written recommendation to the City Council regarding the recommended monthly stipend it deems appropriate for the City Council and the Mayor pursuant to section 402 of the City of Merced Charter.
Commissioners, Finance Officer Venus RODRIGUEZ, and Assistant City Clerk Jennifer PARSLEY discussed the dollar amount that was proposed, revisiting a smaller stipend increase, the current Council stipend, amount of time the Council spends on City business, and the Council's stipend financial analysis. They also clarified the decision that was being made at the meeting.
Assistant City Clerk Jennifer PARSLEY opened and subsequently closed the Public Hearing at 5:48 PM due to a lack of Public Comment.
A motion was made by Member Kelly, seconded by Member Jenkins, to approve Resolution 226-19 with the following change to fix the April 6th typo. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Member Estrada, Member Jenkins, Member Pevsner, and Member Kelly4 - No: Member Burnett1 -
Absent: Member Kuykendall1 -
G. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Citizens' Stipend Setting Commission meeting adjourned at 5:49 PM.
A motion was made by Member Kelly, seconded by Member Jenkins, to adjourn the Citizens' Stipend Setting Commission meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Member Burnett, Member Estrada, Member Jenkins, Member Pevsner, and Member Kelly
5 -
April 30, 2026Citizens' Stipend Setting
Commission
Minutes
No: 0
Absent: Member Kuykendall1 -