CITY OF PATTERSON
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 01, 2026
Present:
Councilmember Roque
Councilmember Mora
Councilmember Jack
Mayor Clauzel
Absent:
Councilmember Hernandez
City Staff:
City Manager Ulloa
Assistant City Manager Willett
Deputy City Attorney Pritchard
Acting Recreation & Community Services Director Hernandez Finance Director Williams
Fire Chief Hakola
Police Chief Casey
Acting Public Works Director Guluarte
Associate Planner Rodriguez
IT Manager Marty
Water Resources Manager Encinas
Acting Human Resources Director Callum
Community Development Director Stice
City Clerk Alegre
Call to Order
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson of September 1, 2026 was called to order in the City of Patterson at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Clauzel.
Pledge of Allegiance
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Statements of Conflict
None.
Proclamation
Proclamation - Child Cancer Awareness Month September 2026 (Mayor Clauzel) Mayor Clauzel read and presented a proclamation designating September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Patterson. Members of the Patterson Childhood Cancer Awareness Committee and Roberto's Smile were present to receive the proclamation. A moment of silence was observed.
Items from the Public
Kat Ritchie, Patterson - requested that City Manager Fernando briefly explain the structure of city government to attending high school students present as part of a government class.
City Manager Ulloa provided an overview of the city manager's role, departmental structure, and key functions. City Attorney also spoke to the importance of government transparency and public participation under the Brown Act.
Marco Ahumada, (Economic Strategic Commission Member), Patterson - reported on initiatives under discussion at the Economic Strategic Commission, including: an updated Patterson Market and Gap Analysis, the Facade Improvement Program status, the future of the city-owned old Sheriff's building, and the use of development impact fees for downtown revitalization. He also announced an upcoming mini-documentary about Blue's Cafe on September 12 and a forthcoming special events application for a Patterson Night Market.
Yolanda Magana, Patterson - announced the first Patterson "Broomsticks and Bubbly" event on Saturday, October 24 from 6:00–10:00 PM, a 21-and-over downtown business showcase event.
Tickets were reported to be on sale.
Alyssa, Patterson - addressed concerns regarding the conduct of Councilmember Hernandez toward members of the public on social media, citing the Council's own handbook standards for civility and respectful conduct. She also raised concerns about the ongoing censure process involving Mayor Clauzel, including questions of conflict of interest.
Sheryll Lex, Patterson - sought clarification from the City Attorney regarding the censure of Mayor Clauzel. The City Attorney confirmed that the investigation did not involve criminal allegations and that removal from office is not within the scope of the process, as only the electorate may remove elected council members. Ms. Lex expressed personal support for Mayor Clauzel and noted concern about the procedural conflict of interest involved in the censure vote.
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Kandace Weyhrauch, Patterson - commended the new City Attorney, expressed concern over the delayed public statement regarding the censure process, and spoke to the importance of believing victims in misconduct investigations. She offered her experience regarding recall procedures.
Christiana, Patterson (Invest in Me) - spoke on behalf of Invest in Me, a local nonprofit, announcing the 8th Annual Mental Wellness Summit on Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM at the Hammon Senior Center in observance of Suicide Prevention Month. She noted that Stanislaus County ranks among the top counties in California for suicide rates.
Guadalupe Gavina - expressed gratitude to Councilmember Hernandez, Councilmember Roque, and the Sheriff's Department for their assistance in locating her missing 14-year-old daughter, Natalie Perez Gavina, who has autism and was found safe in Modesto after going missing on August 29. Councilmember Roque acknowledged the family's situation and thanked Councilmember Hernandez, Chief Hill, and all deputies involved.
Consent Calendar
At 7:42 p.m. Mayor Clauzel opened the item to public comments. There were no comments.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 6.1 through 6.3 was made by Councilmember Mora and seconded by Councilmember Jack. The motion carried 4-0-1.
Motion to Waive Readings – All Reading of Ordinances and Resolutions, Except by Title are hereby waived.
Approve Resolution No. 2026-55 Accepting the Public Improvements for the Safavieh BTS Shell Improvements Project as complete with the exception of the Rogers Road Frontage Improvements; Authorizing the City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion and commence the One-Year Warranty.
Approve Resolution No. 2026-56 approving the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Stanislaus HOME Consortium and Stanislaus Urban County Consortium Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).
City Staff Reports
Approve & Authorize the City Manager to Award a Task Order with Woodard & Curran, Inc. For Preliminary Engineering Services Associated with the City's Hexavalent Chromium Treatment Project in an Amount Not to Exceed $99,990, Under the City's Existing Professional Services Agreement (PSA).
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Acting Public Works Director Guluarte introduced the item. Water Resources Manager Encinas presented a detailed overview of the project.
Councilmember Jack and Councilmember Mora both expressed support for the project's importance to public health.
Council Member Mora and Council Member Roque raised the concept of an independent peer review of the feasibility study.
City Manager Fernando confirmed staff could pursue a peer review as a separate action without delaying the current task order. Water Resources Manager Encinas clarified that quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) is incorporated into the current contract through senior technical staff review within the same firm.
At 8:01p.m. Mayor Clauzel opened the item to public comment.
Public comments were received from Kat Ritchie (in person), Kandace Weyhrauch (Zoom), and Mercedes Carter (Zoom), all generally supportive of the project while expressing concern over the timeline and advocating for an independent peer review.
Kandace Weyhrauch and Mercedes Carter emphasized the potential public health implications of chromium 6, particularly given the childhood cancer awareness context of the evening.
Motion to approve and authorize the City Manager to award a Task Order with Woodard & Curran, Inc. for Preliminary Engineering Services associated with the City's Hexavalent Chromium Treatment Project in an amount not to exceed $99,990 under the City's existing Professional Services Agreement was made by Councilmember Jack and seconded by Councilmember Mora. The motion carried 4- 0-1.
Staff was additionally directed to return with a separate action regarding an independent peer review of the feasibility study.
City Council Items
Councilmember Hernandez
8.1.A Stanislaus Homeless Alliance (Councilmember Mora alternante)
8.1.B Stanislaus County Hazerdous Waste Advisory Committee (Councilmember Mora alternate)
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Councilmember Jack
8.2.A San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (Mayor Pro Tem Roque alternate) Nothing to report.
Councilmember Mora
8.3.A Workforce Development Board (Mayor Pro Tem Roque alternate) Nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roque
8.4.A (EDAC) Stanislaus County Economic Development Action Committee Nothing to report.
Mayor Clauzel
8.5.A Stanislaus County Mayor's Meeting
8.5.B StanCOG (Mayor Pro Tem Roque alternate)
8.5.C League of California Cities (Mayor Pro Tem Roque alternate) Mayor Clausell reported the next Stanislaus County Mayor's Meeting is scheduled for September 9.
Other Matters
Councilmember Roque addressed questions raised by members of the public regarding the Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission’s involvement in the Centennial Park design, the current phase and status of the Centennial Park project, and the recording of commission meetings. He also requested a follow-up meeting with staff to discuss ADA ramp improvements in District D.
Mayor Clauzel delivered a prepared statement regarding the ongoing censure process. He noted that as of the meeting date, he had received no written or verbal communication regarding the next procedural steps following the council's public announcement of the censure. He stated he had been denied access to all report findings and documentation, had been denied legal representation throughout the investigation, and had not been afforded standard procedural safeguards.
Mayor Clauzel confirmed that he fully cooperated with the investigator, did not deny any material facts, and accepted responsibility where warranted. He called for a review of the process to ensure fairness and neutrality in future investigations of this nature.
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City Attorney responded, acknowledging the sensitivity of the matter due to its hybrid nature involving both a council censure process and personnel issues, which are subject to confidentiality requirements. The City Attorney confirmed that the process is still in early stages and that the public will be involved to the extent possible going forward.
Councilmember Jack urged the community to allow the process to proceed, affirming that all due process must be followed and that the community should be kept informed of next steps in a timely manner.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson of September 1, 2026 was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Approved by the Patterson City Council on October 6, 2026.
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