City of Patterson Page 1 Updated 7/27/2026
City of Patterson
Special Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2026
City Manager
Fernando Ulloa
City Attorney
Nubia Goldstein
Deputy City Attorney
Douglas White
www.pattersonca.gov
Mayor
Michael Clauzel
City Council
Gabriela Hernandez, District A
Vacant, District B
Kendra Mora, District C
Carlos Roque, District D
City Clerk
Aracely Alegre
1. Call to Order
Attendance Attendee Name, Title
Present Gabriela Hernandez, District A, Councilmember District A Kendra Mora, District C, Councilmember District C
Carlos Roque, District D, Councilmember District D
Michael Clauzel, Mayor
The special meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson of July 16, 2026 was called to order in the City of Patterson at 6:04 p.m. by Mayor Clauzel.
City Staff Present:
Assistant City Manager Willett
Deputy City Attorney White
City Planner Andrews
Acting Fire Chief Hakola
IT Manger Marty
City Clerk Alegre
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Statements of Conflict
None.
4. Items from the Public
Mayor Clauzel announced that, by consensus of the Council, all public comment would be consolidated under Agenda Item 5.1. No general public comment was received prior to that item.
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4-0 Move public comment to Item 5 after the staff report has been presented.
5. City Staff Reports
5.1 Discussion and Action on an Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 889 Reading by Title only, Waiving Further Reading, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Patterson Imposing a Temporary Moratorium on the Processing and Approval of New Land Use Applications for Data Centers Within the City for Evaluation of Public Health Impacts and Additional Regulations.
Deputy City Attorney White reviewed his report.
Council discussed policy questions like an applicant switching from warehouse to data center use, which would be prohibited under the new ordinance regardless of prior approvals. They also considered low-impact cooling technology for data centers and creating an oversight committee. Deputy City Attorney White noted that while formal committee creation wasn't possible immediately, the Council could direct staff to present options for it at a future meeting.
At 6:21 p.m. Mayor Clauzel opened the item to public comments.
Numerous members of the public expressed strong support for the moratorium both in person and via Zoom. Key concerns included water consumption, groundwater impact, noise, air quality, electromagnetic effects, limited job creation, and the intrusion of largescale industrial uses in a small community. Many highlighted negative experiences in other areas, calling for comprehensive environmental reviews and a transparent oversight committee. A dissenting view from a speaker representing local property interests emphasized potential benefits like increased property taxes and better infrastructure, while cautioning about the negative impact a moratorium might convey to businesses. The City Clerk noted receiving written comments from Save Mount Diablo, which were shared with the Council and public.
Motion to adopt Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 889, Reading by Title Only, Waiving Further Reading, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Patterson Imposing a Temporary Moratorium on the Processing and Approval of New Land Use Applications for Data Centers Within the City for Evaluation of Public Health Impacts and Additional Regulations, and to further instruct staff to include research into oversight committee options to bring back to the Council for consideration.
Councilmember Hernandez, District A, motioned to approve. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Mora, District C and approved by a 4-0 roll call vote.
RESULT: Approved
MOVER: Hernandez, District A
SECONDER Mora, District C
AYES: 4 Hernandez, District A, Mora, District C, Roque, District D, Clauzel NAYS: 0 None
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RECUSED: 0 None
EXCUSED: 0 None
6. Adjournment
At 7:19 p.m. Mayor Clauzel adjourned the open session and the City Council reconvened in closed session to address Items A, B, and C.
At 8:17 p.m. Mayor Clauzel announced the following:
The City Council met with legal counsel regarding Items 1A, 1B, and 1C, and provided direction to the City Attorney on each matter. By a 4–0 vote, the City Council confirmed that the City Attorney has long been authorized to make litigation strategy decisions on behalf of the City, subject to keeping the Council informed of significant strategic decisions. The Council further confirmed that this authorization includes, without limitation, the authority to file or oppose motions, seek or oppose stays, file petitions or writs, initiate or defend appeals, and take such other litigation and strategic actions as the City Attorney determines are in the best interest of the City. The Council confirmed that this authorization has always existed, continues in full force and effect, and shall remain so through the conclusion of these matters unless modified or revoked by future Council action.
There being no further business, the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson of July 16, 2026 was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Approved by the Patterson City Council on August 18, 2026.