City of Patterson Page 1 Updated 8/6/2026
City of Patterson
Special Meeting Minutes
August 3, 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
Absent None
The Special Council meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson of August 3, 2026 was called to order in the City of Patterson at 6:01 p.m. by Mayor Clauzel.
City Staff Present:
City Manager Ulloa
Assistant City Manager Willett
Police Chief Hill
City Attorney Remlinger
IT Manager Marty
City Clerk Alegre
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Statements of Conflict
None.
4. Items from the Public
By consensus of the City Council, all public comment was moved to Agenda Item 5.1. No general public comment was received.
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5. City Staff Reports
5.1. Discuss Candidate Interviews and Consider Approving Resolution No. 2026-51 to Appoint an Eligible Candidate to Fill the Vacant District B City Council Seat.
Staff Report: City Attorney Goldstein
Council Discuss Candidate Interviews and Consider Approving Resolution No. 2026-51 to Appoint an Eligible Candidate to Fill the Vacant District B City Council Seat.
Deputy City Attorney Thomas Remlinger presented the staff report.
Mayor Clauzel presented a draft meeting framework, which was adopted by consensus, providing for: a staff report; candidate opening statements (up to 5 minutes each); Council questions; public comment; candidate responses to public comment (up to 5 minutes each); and final Council deliberation and motion.
Candidate Statements:
Both candidates addressed the Council. Mr. Valdespino highlighted his background as a local pastor and community servant, emphasizing transparency, accountability, bridgebuilding, and service. Ms. Jack spoke to her nearly 20 years of community involvement in Patterson, her commitment to transparency, and her desire to serve the city's most vulnerable residents.
Council Questions:
Councilmember Hernandez asked both candidates to identify the biggest challenges facing District B. Both identified water quality, street lighting, park maintenance, and public safety as priority concerns. Councilmember Mora asked each candidate to name the first three city issues they would investigate if appointed. Mr. Valdespino identified water quality, the proposed data centers, and accountability with city staff. Ms. Jack identified water quality, the city budget, and affordable housing. Mayor Pro Tem Roque asked both candidates how they planned to support youth and families. Both candidates emphasized community engagement, mentoring, family events, and accessible city services.
At 6:11 p.m. Mayor Clauzel opened the item to Public Comments Sheryl Lex, posed two questions to the candidates: (1) how they planned to involve residents in decision-making, and (2) how they would utilize a hypothetical $1,000,000 grant.
Cynthia Homen, expressed support for Ms. Jack, citing her longstanding record of community service.
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Kandace Weinrich, spoke in support of Mr. Valdespino, citing approximately five years of direct observation of his community work with the fire department, youth, and homeless populations.
First Motion:
Mayor Pro Tem Roque moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-51 to appoint Tito Valdespino to fill the vacant District B City Council seat for the remainder of the term of office. Councilmember District C Kendra Mora seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Mayor Pro Tem Roque — Aye; Councilmember Mora — Aye; Councilmember Hernandez — Nay; Mayor — Nay. The motion failed 2-2.
Second Motion:
Councilmember Hernandez moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-51 to appoint Chinyere Jack to fill the vacant District B City Council seat for the remainder of the term of office.
Mayor Clauzel seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Mayor Pro Tem Roque — Nay; Councilmember Mora — Nay; Councilmember Hernandez — Aye; Mayor — Aye. The motion failed 2-2.
Both motions having resulted in a 2-2 tie, no appointment was made. Mayor Clauzel directed staff to continue the appointment process and seek additional candidates, noting the statutory 60-day deadline of August 15, 2026.
Direction to Staff:
The City Council reached consensus on the following directives for the next appointment process:
• The application period shall open the following day (August 4, 2026), with applications accepted through Friday, August 7, 2026, posted to the City website and social media channels.
• The appointment decision shall be determined on a metrics-based scoring system, with the highest-scoring candidate to be appointed.
• Both existing candidates (Valdespino and Jack) may reapply and, at their discretion, may elect to stand on their existing interview scores or undergo a new interview. • A subsequent special meeting shall be scheduled no later than August 14, 2026, at which the appointment vote will be based on numeric scoring results.
6. Adjournment
There being no further business, the Special Closed Session meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson of August 3, 2026 was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Approved by the Patterson City Council on August 18, 2026.