- 1 -
3/4/2025 5:30:00 PM
MODESTO CITY COUNCIL
www.modestogov.com
MINUTES
City of Modesto
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Chambers, Basement Level
Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th Street
Modesto, California
Tuesday, March 04, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Roll Call – Present: Councilmembers Alvarez, Bavaro, Escutia-Braaton, Ricci, Williams, Wright, Mayor Zwahlen
Absent: None
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Invocation: Jeremy Brown, Chaplain with Doctors Medical Center City Clerk’s Announcements: None
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest: None
PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON
Todd Aaronson, CEO of Visit Modesto, reported significant tourism growth since the City Council approved a business plan in 2019. Despite challenges, initiatives like the Almond Blossom Cruise have gained national recognition. Hotel occupancy is up over 11%, with increased visitors from across the U.S. and internationally. Local businesses have seen record demand and Visit Modesto’s marketing has reached over 100,000 users. Aaronson attributed this success to his team, local businesses, and community support.
- 2 -
3/4/2025 5:30:00 PM
CONSENT ITEMS – ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED
ACTION CONSENT ITEMS: (1-5; Bavaro/Wright; 7/0)
CONSENT
Consent
1. Consider approving the minutes for the February 25, 2025 Council Meeting. (Funding Source: Not Applicable)
Motion approving the minutes for the February 25, 2025 Council Meeting.
CITY CLERK; Diane Nayares-Perez, 209-577-5396, [email protected] ACTION: (Bavaro/Wright; 7/0) Motion approving the minutes for the February 25, 2025 Council Meeting.
Consent
2. Consider accepting the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and authorizing staff to submit it to the State of California. (Funding Source: General Fund) Resolution accepting the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and authorizing staff to submit it to the State of California.
CED; Jessica Hill, 209-577-5211, [email protected]
ACTION: (Bavaro/Wright; 7/0) Resolution 2025-080 accepting the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and authorizing staff to submit it to the State of California.
Consent
3. Consider approving the addition of Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) to the OnCall Consultant Services Agreements for Municipal Planning Services and amending the Agreements with Precision Civil Engineering, Inc., Harris & Associates, Inc., and Environmental Science Associates (ESA), by decreasing the agreements by $75,000 per consultant for a total not to exceed $900,000. (Funding Source: Developer Fees) Resolution approving the addition of Moore lacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) to the On-Call Consultant Services Agreements for Municipal Planning Services and amending the Agreements with Precision Civil Engineering, Inc., Harris & Associates, Inc., and Environmental Science Associates (ESA), by decreasing the agreements by $75,000 each, for a new agreement total of $225,000 per consultant for a total not to exceed $900,000 and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the Consultant Services Agreements.
CED; Leslie Danhoff, 209-577-5211, [email protected] ACTION: (Bavaro/Wright; 7/0) Resolution 2025-081 approving the addition of Moore lacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) to the On-Call Consultant Services Agreements for Municipal Planning Services and amending the Agreements with Precision Civil Engineering, Inc., Harris & Associates, Inc., and Environmental Science Associates (ESA), by decreasing the agreements by $75,000 each, for a new agreement total of - 3 -
3/4/2025 5:30:00 PM
$225,000 per consultant for a total not to exceed $900,000 and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the Consultant Services Agreements.
Consent
4. Consider approving a First Amendment to the Agreement with Scotts PPE Recon Inc., Lodi, CA for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Cleaning, Inspection and Repair Services increasing the Agreement amount by $200,000. (Funding Source: General Fund)
Resolution approving a First Amendment with Scotts PPE Recon Inc., for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Cleaning, Inspection and Repair Services increasing the Agreement amount by $200,000 to a revised estimated annual amount of $90,000 and a total amount not to exceed $450,000 over five years; and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Agreement.
FIRE DEPARTMENT; Kevin Wise, 209-572-9590, [email protected] ACTION: (Bavaro/Wright; 7/0) Resolution 2025-082 approving a First Amendment with Scotts PPE Recon Inc., for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Cleaning, Inspection and Repair Services increasing the Agreement amount by $200,000 to a revised estimated annual amount of $90,000 and a total amount not to exceed $450,000 over five years; and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Agreement.
Consent
5. Consider approving the Agreements for Portable Toilet Rental Services to United Site Services, Inc. of Modesto, CA and Clean Site Service of Highlands, CA for a total combined amount not to exceed $655,770 over five years. (Funding Source: Various Funds)
Resolution approving the Award of Bid and Agreements for Portable Toilet Rental Services to United Site Services Inc., Modesto, CA and Clean Site Service, North Highlands, CA for a two-year Agreement with three one-year extension options, for an annual estimated amount of $131,154 and a total amount not to exceed $655,770 over five years; and authorizing the Director of Finance to adjust agreement totals between vendors based on contractor’s availability and department’s needs, ensuring the combined total amount does not change and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Agreements.
PRN; John Skeel, 209-577-5216, [email protected]
ACTION: (Bavaro/Wright; 7/0) Resolution 2025-083 approving the Award of Bid and Agreements for Portable Toilet Rental Services to United Site Services Inc., Modesto, CA and Clean Site Service, North Highlands, CA for a two-year Agreement with three one-year extension options, for an annual estimated amount of $131,154 and a total amount not to exceed $655,770 over five years; and authorizing the Director of Finance to adjust agreement totals between vendors based on contractor’s availability and department’s needs, ensuring the combined total amount does not change and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Agreements. - 4 -
3/4/2025 5:30:00 PM
COUNCIL COMMENTS & REPORTS
Vice-Mayor Bavaro shared insights from a ride-along with Fire Station 5, highlighting the impact of the City's investment in Advanced Life Support (ALS) on Fire Engines. He observed Paramedics providing rapid medical care, using equipment like EKG monitors to assess patients before ambulances arrived, ultimately saving time and improving outcomes. He praised the Council’s decision to allocate Measure H funds for ALS upgrades and emphasized the need to ensure a paramedic is present on every engine to maximize effectiveness. Bavaro commended the professionalism of Station 5's team.
Council Member Escutia-Braaton announced participation in the Appointments Committee meeting, where recommendations for City Boards, Commissions, and Committees will be made. She encouraged community involvement, highlighting opportunities in various areas, including Measure H oversight. She also shared updates on the City's five-year Consolidated Plan workshops, required by HUD for federal funding. A recent workshop in her district had strong community participation, with discussions held in both English and Spanish to ensure diverse input. She emphasized the importance of public engagement in shaping Modesto’s future.
Council Member Wright thanked Visit Modesto and Todd Aaronson for their efforts in promoting the City over the past four years. He highlighted the organization's success in gaining media recognition and attracting visitors, sharing an encounter with a traveler from England who was impressed by Modesto. Wright encouraged regular updates to the Council to keep members informed about Visit Modesto’s impact and expressed appreciation for their work in showcasing the City.
Council Member Ricci expressed support for the upcoming Smoke Shop Ordinance, emphasizing the need to regulate unlicensed businesses that sell illegal substances, including unlicensed cannabis and meth pipes, often to minors. He highlighted the difference between regulated dispensaries and unregulated smoke shops, stressing the importance of accountability. He also praised the City’s Blight Abatement Team for their efforts in cleaning up Modesto’s streets and alleys. Additionally, he commended Visit Modesto for its work in promoting the city, sharing his observations of visitors enjoying the almond blossoms and noting Modesto’s positive recognition in major publications.
Council Member Williams thanked Todd Aaronson for his updates and shared several community events. He congratulated Gladys Williams on receiving the MLK Legacy Award and highlighted the upcoming NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner and a tree planting event at Roosevelt Park for Arbor Day. He also recounted a unique fundraiser between the Fire and Police Departments, where participants played basketball on donkeys, with the Modesto Police Department winning. He expressed appreciation for the event’s success in supporting POW's.
- 5 -
3/4/2025 5:30:00 PM
Mayor Zwahlen highlighted two recent events she attended. Black History Month empowerment luncheon hosted by the Cesar Chavez Community Celebration Committee, which was also attended by Council Member Williams and Vice-Mayor Bavaro, which featured a panel and was well received. She also spoke at the Appraisal Institute’s annual spring conference at the DoubleTree, where she welcomed attendees and discussed Modesto’s economic development and housing initiatives.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS & REPORTS
None.
HEARINGS
Published in the Modesto Bee on February 12, 2025.
6. Hearing to consider approving the application of Lennar Homes of California LLC for the rezone of approximately 22.6 acres in the Kiernan Business Park Specific Plan from Specific Plan (SP) Zone to Planned Development Zone P-D(617). (Funding Source: Developer Funded)
Resolution approving a Development Plan for Planned Development Zone PD(617). Resolution adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration for a rezone of 22.6 acres from Specific Plan (SP) Zone to Planned Development Zone P-D(617) Motion introducing and waiving the first reading of an Ordinance amending Section 1-3-8 of the Zoning Map to rezone 22.6 acres from Specific Plan Zone (SP), to Planned Development Zone P-D(617), property located at the northwest corner of Pelandale Avenue and American Avenue (Lennar Homes of California, LLC.).
CED; Katharine Martin, 209-577-5267, [email protected] ACTION: (Escutia-Braaton/Wright; 7/0) Resolution 2025-084 approving a Development Plan for Planned Development Zone P-D(617).
ACTION: (Bavaro/Wright; 7/0) Resolution 2025-085 adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration for a rezone of 22.6 acres from Specific Plan (SP) Zone to Planned Development Zone P-D(617)
ACTION: (Williams/Escutia-Braaton; 7/0) Motion introducing and waiving the first reading of an Ordinance 3790-C.S. amending Section 1-3-8 of the Zoning Map to rezone 22.6 acres from Specific Plan Zone (SP), to Planned Development Zone PD(617), property located at the northwest corner of Pelandale Avenue and American Avenue (Lennar Homes of California, LLC.).
Published in the Modesto Bee on February 21, 2025.
7. Hearing to consider approving the application and issuance of a Permit to operate as a Non-Emergency Medical Transport Company to Allstar Ambulance the City of Modesto. (Funding Source: General Fund)
- 6 -
3/4/2025 5:30:00 PM
Resolution approving the application and issuance of a Permit to operate as a Non-Emergency Medical Transport Company to Allstar Ambulance in the City of Modesto.
POLICE DEPARTMENT; Kalani Souza, 209-572-9500, [email protected] ACTION: (Wright/Williams; 7/0) Resolution 2025-086 approving the application and issuance of a Permit to operate as a Non-Emergency Medical Transport Company to Allstar Ambulance in the City of Modesto.
MATTERS TOO LATE FOR THE AGENDA
None.
ADJOURNMENT
This meeting adjourned at 6:15 P.M.
Attest:____________________________
Diane Nayares-Perez, City Clerk