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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, September 01, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Special City Council – Closed Session Meeting 4:20 p.m.
Roll Call: Present: Councilmembers Alvarez, Bavaro, Escutia-Braaton, Ricci, Wright, Mayor Zwahlen
Absent: Williams
Regular City Council Meeting 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Present: Councilmembers Alvarez, Bavaro, Escutia-Braaton, Ricci, Wright, Mayor Zwahlen
Absent: Williams
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Invocation: Lance Lowell, Neighborhood Church
City Clerk’s Announcements: None.
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest: None.
Reports from Closed Session: No Reportable action.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation declaring September 6 -12, 2026 as National Suicide Prevention Week. (Funding Source: Not Applicable)
CITY COUNCIL; Breanna Griffin, 209-577-5421, [email protected] - 2 -
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ACTION: Mayor Zwahlen presented proclamation declaring September 6 -12, 2026 as National Suicide Prevention Week.
2. Proclamation declaring September 15 - October 15, 2026 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. (Funding Source: Not Applicable)
CITY COUNCIL; Breanna Griffin, 209-577-5421, [email protected] ACTION: Mayor Zwahlen presented proclamation declaring September 15 - October 15, 2026 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
• A member of the public raised concerns about recent economic, political, and AIrelated developments involving foreign companies and technology, and their potential impact on Modesto and the nation.
• Bruce Hammerstrom alleged harassment and unfair code enforcement actions against his property, citing escalating fines and lack of assistance, and called for the City Attorney’s resignation.
• Milt Trieweller raised concerns about climate change, national debt, residential growth, and the potential impacts of data centers, urging the City to prohibit data centers in Modesto and Stanislaus County.
• Teresa Gamboa, Chairwoman of the Woodland West Community Neighborhood, invited the Mayor and Council to the neighborhood’s annual Family Fun Day and encouraged them to attend.
• Derek Castle praised the City’s efforts to expand bridge housing and supported exploring the purchase or lease of property to provide additional sites for tiny cabins and shelter for unhoused residents.
• Dauki Wilburn, founder of Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists, highlighted the nonprofit’s free technical animal rescues and requested a workshop with City staff to explore formalizing a partnership with the City.
CONSENT ITEMS – ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED
ACTION CONSENT ITEMS: 3-4, 6 (Wright/Escutia-Braaton; 6/0)
CONSENT
Consent
3. Consider approving the Minutes for the August 25, 2026 Council Meeting. (Funding Source: Not Applicable)
• Motion approving the Minutes for the August 25, 2026 Council Meeting.
CITY CLERK; Diane Nayares-Perez, 209-577-5396, [email protected] - 3 -
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ACTION: (Wright/Escutia-Braaton; 6/0) Motion approving the Minutes for the August 25, 2026 Council Meeting.
Consent
4. Consider accepting the improvements of the Sonoma Sewer Trunk Extension Phase 3 & 4A Project as complete, authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to release payments totaling $1,173,469. (Funding Source: Sewer Fund) • Resolution accepting the improvements of the Sonoma Sewer Trunk Extension Phase 3 & 4A Project as complete, authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to release payments totaling $1,173,469.
ENGINEERING SERVICES; Pete Kambel, 209-577-5444, [email protected] ACTION: (Wright/Escutia-Braaton; 6/0) Resolution 2026-278 accepting the improvements of the Sonoma Sewer Trunk Extension Phase 3 & 4A Project as complete, authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to release payments totaling $1,173,469.
Removed from Consent
5. Consider approving the Second Amendment with HDR Engineering, Inc., of Folsom, CA to complete assigned work and gain Regulatory Compliance for the Carpenter Road Landfill, Modesto California, thereby increasing the Agreement amount by $820,774 through the duration of the Agreement. (Funding Source: Carpenter Road Landfill)
• Resolution approving the Second Amendment to the Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc., of Folsom, CA., to complete assigned engineering and permitting work as next steps to gain regulatory compliance for the Carpenter Road Landfill, Modesto, California, increasing the Agreement amount by $820,774, to a new total amount not to exceed $1,172,224 through the term of the Agreement, and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Amendment.
PUBLIC WORKS; John Chavez, 209-577-5453, [email protected] ACTION: (Alvarez/Ricci; 6/0) Resolution 2026-279 approving the Second Amendment to the Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc., of Folsom, CA., to complete assigned engineering and permitting work as next steps to gain regulatory compliance for the Carpenter Road Landfill, Modesto, California, increasing the Agreement amount by $820,774, to a new total amount not to exceed $1,172,224 through the term of the Agreement, and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Amendment.
Consent
6. Consider entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Stanislaus County for the reimbursement of costs related to the Riverdale Water System Project for a total amount not to exceed $4,203,518. (Funding Source: Water Fund) • Resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Stanislaus County - 4 -
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for the reimbursement of costs related to the Riverdale Water System Project for a total amount not to exceed $4,203,518.
UTILITIES; Jim Alves, 209-571-5557, [email protected] ACTION: (Wright/Escutia-Braaton; 6/0) Resolution 2026-280 approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Stanislaus County for the reimbursement of costs related to the Riverdale Water System Project for a total amount not to exceed $4,203,518.
COUNCIL COMMENTS & REPORTS
• Councilmember Ricci advocated for permitting solutions for local vendor fairs, raised concerns about ongoing issues at Enslen Park, and criticized Stanislaus Animal Services’ handling of animal control, licensing, and community services. • Councilmember Alvarez supported developing micro-permitting options for entrepreneurs and pop-up events, noting that staff is working with local business organizations and stakeholders to develop an effective proposal. • Mayor Zwahlen highlighted community collaboration, local events, affordable housing, mental health awareness, and the strong use and maintenance of Modesto’s parks, expressing pride in the City and encouraging residents to take personal responsibility and contribute positively to the community.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS & REPORTS
• City Manager Lopez announced the City’s September 11 memorial ceremony and an upcoming free household disposal event for Modesto residents.
MATTERS TOO LATE FOR THE AGENDA
None.
ADJOURNMENT
This meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
Attest:____________________________
Diane Nayares-Perez, City Clerk