City Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome to today's city council meeting for the city of seriesir Monday February 9th 2026. I now call this meeting to order. Roll call please. District 1 council member Casey present. District 2 council member Vieiraa yes. District three council member Oro here. District four vice mayor Martinez absent. Mayor Lopez

here. Everyone please stand for the invocation by Dick Connors from Siri First Baptist Church. You'll be given the invocation today followed by the pledge of allegiance by Marie Armando Aspire Summit Charter Academy. Welcome everyone. Let's pray together. God in heaven, I make an appeal this evening for your gracious blessing upon our city. Without the help of Almighty God, our efforts to govern ourselves, our efforts to solve the problems within our community to ensure the safety and well-being of all its citizens would be a futile affair. So we pray that you would bless our city of Siri. We pray that you would extend your wisdom to our leaders, to the officers of this chamber, that they might do well in your eyes and do right in accordance with your will. We pray especially that you would protect and encourage those who serve us in law enforcement and all those who serve us in emergency response. We ask that you would help us to grow as a community in our love for our fellow citizens and in our eagerness to see the best circumstances be realized for all those who reside in series. Bless the proceedings this night according the abundance of your kindness and the grace we see so clearly in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Whenever you're ready. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all.

Thank you very much, council. Let's go ahead and move up to the front. We have two presentation. We have a presentation and a proclamation today. Is Sam here? Sam is not here. If Sam is not here, we're going to post postpone his until he does show up next time.

That actually makes sense. Sam, if you're listening, I will deliver this deliver this to you personally. In honoring of retiring from the city of Series as a public works director, we present the certificate to Sam Royal. Sam Royal has been here with the city of Siri for about nine and a half years from my understanding. And uh he's been since I've been here a good steward to the community and has worked really hard. And as you can tell, he's not here today because he is officially retired and I think that he's focused on other things. But with that being said, I just wanted to say thank you, Sam. And we will somehow get this to you. Thank you, Sam. We'll just round of applause. I know he's not here, but we'll send him the video. Thank you very much. And with that, today we have a proclamation Black History Month. Welcome. proclaiming [clears throat] February 2026 as Black History Month. Whereas Black History Month celebrates the contributions that African-Americans have made to American history and their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our nation's history. In 1926, Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History launched a week to bring attention and promote study and black history as a discipline and celebrate the accomplishments of African-Americans. Woodson sought to highlight the contributions and accomplishments made to the history of our country that for years had been omitted. The African-American community has endured decades of struggle to be recognized as equal among our fellow citizens. In 1976, as part of the nation's bicesentennial, excuse me, bsentennial president general Ford decreed black history month as national observance, stating, "We can seize the opportunity

to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endure throughout our history. During the month of February, our nation takes pause to reflect on the injustices and struggles fought and overcome by af African-Americans throughout our nation's history and pay tribute to the battles they have fought in the name of equality. Therefore, be it resolved I, Javier Lopez, mayor of the city of Sir, on behalf of the city council, Vice Mayor Daniel A. Martinez, council members James Casey, Ros Linda Elviea, and Serena Artero do hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month, and encourages all residents to join in celebrating our city's diversity and continue the efforts to create a world that is more just, peaceful, and prosperous for all. Thank you.

Can I say any words? with me. Hello, I am Renee Crawford, community coordinator with the NAACP here in Modesto, and we are so happy to accept this uh proclamation for Black History Month this year. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you.

[clears throat]

citizens communications. While the city council welcomes and encourages participation in city council meetings, adopt the rules allow no more than 5 minutes. Resolution 2007106 for expression of non-aggenda items. Matters under the jurisdiction of the city council and not on the posted agenda may be addressed by the general public. However, California law prohibits the city council from taking any action on any matter which is not on the posted agenda unless it is determined to be an emergency by the city council and citizens are entitled to address city council on any agenda subject to the five-minute provision. Anyone wishing to address the city council must adhere to the rules decorum and the rules decorum are posted outside the chamber doors. Are there any representatives here today? online.

Good evening, Mayor Lopez, council members, um Doug and team here in series, Nathan from Pacific Gas and Electric. Uh just wanted to come and give a brief update. I sent the council and the executive team here an email late in uh December of 2025 uh bringing attention to a release that our company had made that for the fourth time in two years we were reducing our price per kilowatt hour on the electric side and also our price per unit on the gas side that customers over the course of the next several months should be seeing between a 3 and 5% dip uh in their bill. Uh this could be as much as $12 a month for customers. Although $12 isn't a ton of money, it's something. And this is the beginning um and hopefully a consistent effort on our part along affordability. Affordability is something we hear a lot about. It's something that we're constantly looking at as far as rightsizing our organization, renegotiating third party contracts, and doing anything that we can in order to bring residential customer bills down. So hope to come back later on this year and talk a little bit more about some of the work that we're doing here in Stan County, specifically here in series and uh how we're doing a good job of uh helping um our partners here at the city uh continue to be a very uh attractive place to do business. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Is there anybody in person would like to speak? Uh Gary Khan did a series. Uh mayor, council staff, uh I come tonight to talk about uh a social media post that was posted by the recck department. Um it seems like the city will no longer be offering swim lessons or family aquatic night in 2026. Um eliminating programs that have long served serious families and children. The announcement was made with little uh public explanation and I do want to thank council member Otero for taking the time and initiative to clarify on her social media platform that that decision was based on budgetary constraints. Uh what is concerning is not only the lack of transparency but also the apparent priorities uh this decision reflects. uh community-based recreational programs, particularly those that promote youth safety and family engagement, appear to be the first uh in services cut. At the same time, the city continues to fund the approximately $100,000 a year in premium health insurance for our city council members, as well as the tens of thousands of dollars annually for our elected officials. For many years, as you all know, city of series uh has struggled to produce a truly balanced budget uh relying on reserves and the no longer available ARPA funds to address ongoing uh deficits. If fiscal responsibility is the guiding principle, it is reasonable to ask why reductions are not considered first in the elected officials perks and benefits before programs serving children and families. Budgetary decisions reflect values. The removal of youth focused recreational

programs sends a troubling message about whose interests are being protected. Our city already struggles with opportunity for our youth and families to gather and it seems like the city's answer to this is we're going to send them to Turlock and Modesto. It's not a very good message. And I hope each of you tonight and the absent council member uh find it in your heart of public service because that is why each and every one of you is up there uh to understand that your $100,000 uh a year health insurance um can be better used elsewhere and especially in budgetary issues. Um, so hopefully, uh, mayor, council, you will direct city staff to try to fund this appropriately for the summer uh, for our youth and families. Thank you for your time.

Next person, please. Anyone online? There are no hands raised on Zoom, but we did receive an email. Go ahead. Uh, the email does not have a name. Uh, it says here, "Hello, please read my comment out to the council as follows. One, what is the city of Siri doing or plan to do in preparation for the potential of an ICE presence? And two, speaking of an unwanted presence, can the data from the new surveillance cameras that are just about every intersection and plaza be presented and explained at the moment? If not, why? Thank you.

Thank you very much, city clerk. And with no additional comments, we will now close citizens communications and move on. Is there any conflict of interest from council members? Seeing none, moving on to the consent calendar. All matters listed on the consent calendar are considered routine in nature and will be acted by a single motion unless otherwise requested by an individual council member or public for special consideration. Otherwise, the recommendations of staff will be acted upon by a roll call vote. Is there anyone on the council that would like to pull a consent item? Mr. Casey 14 and 15.

Councilwoman Otero. Item number 13, please. Councilwoman Vera 10 and 12. Any members of the public that would like to pull an item from the consent calendar?

Dave [clears throat] Day Pratt number five. Thank you very much. If there are no more, bring this item back to the council for motion. Council M. Hopefully I got it right. I would like to motion consent items one 2 3 4 6 like 7 8 nine I guess 11. That's it. I'll second. We get a roll call, please.

Council member Casey. Yes. Council member Vieiraa, yes. Council member Otero, yes. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 40. Item number five.

Dave Pratt. Uh, [clears throat and cough] excuse me. Uh, day preries. Uh, that's been way overdue for to replace this bridge. It's too narrow and the traffic's just getting worse. And a lot of times if you turn off more road and and and take a short turn, you wind up clipping the bridge. A lot of times when I come off that, I wait for traffic to clear up. So when I do, I go over into the eastbound lane to make my turn. That way I don't take leave part of my vehicle with the bridge. I've I've mentioned this before and I'm glad it's coming up and I hope it don't take too long to be replaced. Uh thank you. Thank you very much. Any additional comments on this item from the public?

Bring this item back to the council for comments, questions, and or a motion. A motion for approval of item five on the agenda. Re uh res resolution regarding the service road bridge project. I'll second. Roll call. Council member Casey. Yes. Council member Vieira. Yes. Council member Otto. Yes. Mayor Lopez. Yes. Motion carries 40. Item number 10.

Um on 10. I just had some clarification issues regarding this cuz I guess I must have misunderstood the original resolution cuz I thought it was 500 or a,000 and then I also thought um amounts and then I also thought it had to be a 501c3 and so I just want to make clarifications that were set in the record moving forward. So, as my understanding at the time, we were targeting nonprofits. It wasn't strictly the 51c3. That's the one most people are familiar with. Uh, as an example, the VFW is a 501c19, which is scheduled or specifically for the veterans. And so, that's that was the whole purpose behind saying it was a non nonprofit. And then the amount because uh again because I when I went through and watched the video it said 500 and a,000 and this amount didn't match with the ordinance. So again it's just to set the record straight so we know moving forward we're all being consistent in what we're putting forward to the agenda.

And so there is some discrepancy what we're we're saying originally what was passed and approved at the council meeting on the donation policy was for 15000 or 22500. Originally that was presented was when the council was uh the mayor was being offered $2,000 and all the council members $1,000. We're saying 1,000 uh $1,000 donation and two $500 donations that morphed into the $5,000 one and the actual policy that was presented that night was for two $2500 and one 5,000 is my understanding. That's what's printed to me. And so

I I do remember the motion being uh 500 1,000 and 5,000. See, I don't remember the and 5,000 and then 5,000 being the maximum up to 5,000. Yeah. 500 and 1,000 up to exactly

to exceed an allocation of 5,000 per council member. And then was it just for any nonprofit or did it have to be for a specific event? cuz again just want to cuz I thought we had asked I remember asking for like a flyer or something that documented that they were intending to do something that was benefiting the community. Not that they don't do it but I just want to make sure we're consistent moving forward into what our expectations are for any other businesses or nonprofits that approach us because I did email it to all the nonprofits that I know of in the community and I just want to make sure we're being consistent as they approach me because what I've responded to them is differing from what we're presenting today. It was my understanding that it was some benefit to the community and that's why we were passing the donation policy was my understanding.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Um just for the record, at the end of the council meeting when we do referrals, I am going to have a referral regarding um the same topic just for clarification. And so hopefully everyone will be supportive of that when the time comes.

I think we just need to make sure we're on board cuz once we set the record, it needs to stay the same. So whatever we vote on tonight is how it needs to remain because we can't change the rules for other people after this. We need to be firm, fair, and consistent with what we do today is our president going forward. So what we do tonight is going to lay out the foundation moving forward. So I I don't say we should approve this and then go through and change the rules for everyone else. So to me, whatever we do tonight is what we need to stay at and we should be discussing the item that's beforehand as well as how we're going to move forward with future referrals because again I've already emailed it out to the nonprofits and whatever we're doing is what we need to stay at. And this is why I'm asking these clarifying questions that way we have a policy that we all understand.

Thank you very much. Councilwoman Mr. Casey, would you like to add, sir? Sure. So initially in June when we approved the budget, it was $5,000, $25,000 item, $5,000 for each council person to do as they wish. Unfortunately, I wasn't part of the budget process, but it was I asked the question that night and yeah, you can give $5,000. So I don't then then somehow another all this other stuff came up but initially when the budget was approved 4 to one it was to give each council person the opportunity to contribute $5,000 to the nonprofit charity organization of their choice. The confusion came after that was voted on. [snorts] It was not confusing to me but it That's what I recall when we voted on the budget that night because if we go back in the minutes, you can see that I asked the question and it was said that yeah, we can give $5,000. So, thank you, Mr. Casey. Move on to the public. Any members of the public would like to make a comment? Yes, Mr. Warren.

Thank you, council members. John Warren City of Series. Um, it's taken about 4 months approximately for this to come before the council for a vote. It was approved back in June when the budget was approved. Each member was allotted $5,000 from the toot fund, I believe, which comes, I believe, from uh the motel and hotels when people come and visit our city. That is where it's this this funding comes from. And $25,000 was allotted for the uh council persons to disperse to a nonprofit of their choice or if a nonprofit approached them um they could approve a certain amount up to $5,000 for each member. And if you uh read the courier after the u I believe it was the November 5th, it it was explained very well in there just what the council voted on and what the rules were. And when my organization, the VFW, made this application, they based it upon those rules. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Warren. I believe uh Ros Linda has a point of clarification. you have a button pressed. Oh, yeah. He had mentioned tot, but I thought when I read the budget and then the follow-up council meeting that we had on this that it was coming from the general fund, which ultimately would be coming from the reserves. So, I just want to get a point of clarification that this is coming from the Toot or coming from our general fund/reserves.

It's coming from our general fund. It's not from Toot. And it was approved in the budget back in June of 2024. uh we moved forward with this and it was brought forth to council to start moving some discussion on it. Uh the council came back and asked for clarification on rules and regulations on how they could give out the money and that's how we came up with the policy uh our first steps on trying to get the donation policy brought forth. At that time when we finally moved forward we were looking at anticipating some budget constraints. So, we asked reduction. The council said no. And so, we went back up to the original funded amount of $5,000. That's where we're at now.

Okay. That's what I wanted to because I remember specifically asking what would happen to Joey's programs if we did allocate the amount from the,000 to the 5,000. So, I just want to confirm that this is kind of how it all rolled up together. We ended up where we are today. Okay. So, that's I just want to make sure point of clarification that way there's not confusion because I've heard both sides of this um both online and people calling me. So, I just wanted to clarify. Thank you. You uh councilwoman um when we received the donation policy on in December, I understood the same way where was $5,000 per council member and it could be broken up into two $2,500 donations.

Thank you very much. Any additional comments? Bring this item back for a motion. I'll motion to approve resolution approving the $5,000 donation to the VFW Post 10293. I'll second. Roll call, please. Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieiraa, yes. Council member Otto, yes. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 40. Item number 12.

Okay. So, um you don't know where to start with this one. Um with number 12, I guess, um how many people are actually using or having to submit the form 700s? Because I know currently we have to submit it on the county platform as well. And then usually I just print it and update my cover page. And so and then since this wasn't since we just basically pulled money from the general fund and we just cut the aquatics program, I don't know if I necessarily feel comfortable spending money on something that approximately 15 people have to submit. Any additional comments from the council? any where's the question I guess sorry

so yeah as my understanding I think there's what 10 to 15 people or how many people submit the form 700s

no uh for the form 700 there is probably about 70 uh there's probably about I would say minimal 50 staff members that submit the form 700 between council planning commission measure h members and then staff members um that are employed through the city of series Um but the net file goes beyond just the form 700 submitt. Um it allows the campaign statements to be submitted electronically. Um it also allows for the AB1234 um training to be conducted which I understand is offered elsewhere. Um but what's most important about the net file um product is they are going to be providing the um now required financial training that is um in place as a result of SB827 which went into effect January 1st. Um and that's required of all elected officials, the planning commission, city treasurer as well as a number of staff members. Um this is a training that um there's very few uh vendors out there that are offering it at this time. Um and this does seem to be the most economical uh uh selection for us to meet that requirement. And it does come with the other perks of of submitting your form 700 electronically as well as campaign statements. Um, and I also have the um the uh a gentleman with netfile online if you guys have any additional questions that I may not have the answer to or that he can elaborate on. I don't think I necessar because we use it with we do our accounting files. I just don't know if it's necessarily a wise financial decision right now um considering our tough financial times that we're dealing with this financial year and we basically just approved taking money that from our reserves and we have some more um tonight. Um, and so

I think or general fund is what it said on the thing. And so my concern is more of the budget and making smart decisions and I'm not comfortable with um, spending money right now and that's only going to benefit 50 when we literally had to cut our aquatics program. That's benefits all our youth in the city. I do understand that um, concern. I will say we did budget for this uh, product for this budget year. Um, and as far as going forward, there is a disclaimer within the contract that if we want to get out at any moment's notice, we can with a 30-day notice. So, we aren't necessarily locked in for all five years.

I understand. But the form 700s are due April 1st. They're we're literally around the corner. So, it's not something that's done every month or significantly throughout the year. And I think that's where a lot of my hesitation is where and same with the AB, what was it 827? That's something that for current electeds doesn't go into effect for another two years and I actually found it online at a cheaper rate than the amount that you listed in the agenda. Um, so I think we need to spend a little bit more time before we make decisions that could affect our budget like it does now. So that's where I'm at on it. Mr. Casey, it's it's already in the budget. That is correct. And um, thank you.

Uh, Nubia, you may correct me if I'm wrong. I know we do have two years to comply with SB827 for existing elected members, but anyone that is coming in new, so for instance, our newly appointed planning commissioners, I believe we only have 6 months to comply with the financial training of 8 SB827. Yes, we we did discuss that when we were looking at implementation requirements for this for this new financial training. And so, yes, it's true that we have a grandfathering period to get the training for currently appointed and elected officials, but as Fallon stated, for new ones that are appointed following January 1st, we have a smaller time frame in order to get it done.

Yes. And I saw there were other program or organizations that were offering the same thing for a less a cheaper price. And I think that with the financial situation we're in, I'm thinking that's probably the better bet right now than investing the significant money that ultimately is going to be coming from reserves because we've pulled the money already out to spend it towards other things. So I think that's why we're talking a hand maybe one or two people that need to get it done within 6 months and not necessarily all 50 people as she indicated. Council, excuse me, councilwomano. Uh, you can council mine. Uh, council member Casey already asked the question. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Any members of the public would like to make a comment on this item. Seeing none, bring this item back for a motion for approval. A motion to approve item number 12. I'll second. Roll call, please. Council member Casey. and vote for the budget. So, no. Council member Vieiraa, no. Council member Otto, yes. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion fails. Thank you very much.

Item number 13. Thank you, mayor. So, in looking at this uh staff report, it looks like we are going to continue um contracting with Goa for a principal planner. Um I understand that this position is due to our vacant senior planner position, but I notice that the costs are starting to rise. Uh so far this year or this budget, this fiscal year, it looks like we're about approximately 46,000. The new cost is going to be 40,000. So looking at around 86,000. Um the senior planner at top step is 101,000 a year. So I'm just trying to figure out long term. Uh we probably need to keep in mind at some point maybe we should hire for this position, especially with the type of projects that are going to be coming in. Uh I have a lot of concerns about just contracting and not getting someone the opportunity to come in and focus on on the projects that the city has. So the the senior planner positions been open since December of when Delila when did senior planner open up please.

I'll have to double check that date for you. Let me look it up real quick. I think it opened up right after I got the notes. I think it was in January, February of last year, I believe. I didn't recently I didn't see it. Maybe I overlooked it on the on the recruitment. As

my understand, we have an open recruitment for a senior planner and we're not getting anybody hardly. And some of the people such as like Riverbank had they were getting planners, but they're um no disrespect, but they're party planners, not city planners. And so they needed to actually, you know, have some background in that. And that's what they were getting. So they finally hired an agency for about $25,000. and they finally got somebody from out of state. Uh so you know higher level areas people you know are developing trying to get there. The regular uh in between mid-management levels are harder to try and recruit and there aren't that many people and senior planners or planners in general are hard to try and find. And so right now, you know, we you mentioned the cost of a senior planner, top step is over 100,000. We're at 86. Uh don't forget that for total compensation that is probably closer to $200,000 it cost for a senior planer to be there if you count retirement and benefits and everything else. So uh we're still coming out ahead and we're getting a real good price uh for about $20 short dur or less an hour than what normal people, I'm sorry, regular companies would be charging for a principal planner. Thank you,

council member of Thank you. Uh, one quick question. I guess when we reviewed the budget, was this one of the positions that were frozen? Um, which is why the money was kind of allocated. Senior planner. No, it wasn't. Okay. No, the community development person was frozen. the senior planner is being recruited and um the secretary position as you recall we changed that to the planning tech. Thank you. Uh city manager with this uh contract, how many projects would you say that this principal planner is working on at the moment? the importance.

I'm going to ask Julian because he works side by side with this person and your Julian you could handle that question.

So mayor for specifically all new projects. So continuing if this is approved this evening the planner will continue with all new projects that are coming into the city. We have four major projects um that will need to be entitled. Um the city planner will take responsibility for that. Also working with the planning technician that's on site now. Um so the streamline for planning um will be a lot smoother. Um it's imperative. If we do not then all these projects will be on hold. Um and so we have several large um projects that are coming to fruition in the next week, month. Um and so at least to hold us until I believe it says in the thing um June to have this individual work with the staff to get these entitlements um to get land use questions that come through. Um we worked very well as you know in October the funding did run out um and so we were without a a a planner a consultant um for some time um and so it's very imperative that we kind of get this contract um for the moment but for projects I don't have a a hard number but I can tell you for sure um there will be at least six large projects that will be moving forward. Thank you, Julian. I appreciate that. Councilwoman Otto,

thank you, Mayor. I don't disagree that the position in this contract is extremely important right now to keep the projects moving, but I think we just need to keep in mind that because these there's about six projects coming, this cost could potentially be higher as we go down the road. Um, so I just want to make sure that the recruitment is still active and that we are doing our best with public outreach so that way there are people in the area, college graduates, um, anybody who's willing wanting to leave other cities to come here.

So keep keep in mind a college graduate wouldn't probably qualify for a senior planner position. You're going to need some experience and stuff. So a a college graduate's not going to have the depth and knowledge of experience and u just the breath of experience to come on as a senior planner. They're going to come on as a planning tech and work their way up. Uh so we do have it out. I mean I I'm constantly whenever I go places I'm recruiting for different positions in this city and people you know now I come walking in. they walk they they turn and walk another direction cuz they're going I don't want to talk to you cuz you're going to try and recruit all of us all the staff is now you know actually we try and recruit positions and uh so yeah we're we're out there but um it's it's a higher level position it's not a not a college grad position that we're looking for for a senior planner.

Thank you.

Councilwoman I just wanted to clarify you. So I know understanding that the expenses will depreciate like that's your concern with the new hire of the planning technician. Most of the responsibility that was assigned to this senior planner has now been reallocated to the planning tech. So a lot of the groundwork is being taken care of inhouse and then the the planning uh the senior planner can then do exactly what we will contract her for and that's preparing for planning commission hearings squas um and those things. So we're looking at reducing that cost and extending the time for her to be with us. And so with the planning technician, it has alleviated that that burden on the city for us.

Thank you for sharing that, Julian. Thank you, Julian, for the clarification. I take this item to the audience. Any members of the audience who would like to comment on this item? Seeing none, bring this item back for a motion. A motion to approve item 13, approving professional service agreement with is it JoeAng Engineering? I'll second. Roll call, please. Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieira, yes. Council member Otero, yes. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 40.

Item number 14. Who pulled 14? Council member Casey 13. Thank you. So my concern is uh we pulling out trees because of the lighting problem. Uh and if so pulling the trees out seem to be the problem. Removing [clears throat] the trees is isn't the issue. I think it's really the issue of the the lights and they were put in improperly and uh [clears throat] have we worked to adjust those lights and and someone brought to my attention that there might have been a warranty on the initial installer of the lights. And if that's the case, have we approached the initial lightning company? And the [clears throat] other part of it, of course, is requires a budget amendment. So, we've already talked about in the other resolutions. So, [clears throat] uh, we don't have enough now and we're going to add more to it. That's why I pulled it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Casey. Uh, Councilwoman Otero, go ahead.

Thank you, Mayor. So the my understanding too of the staff report is that we're going to remove 39 trees. Um I went out to this Costa Fields to look at the lighting. I think it was a day or two after the project was complete. And um I don't know that 39 trees need to actually be removed. I think maybe there are some around the field that around the lighting that need to be removed, but the cost of 39 trees is is quite expensive um at this time. I think that we need to focus on how we're going to resolve the issue with the lights since we've taken a step back instead of a step forward. Um I'm also concerned that did anyone and this is the question for the city manager uh engineer but did anyone look at the history of the lighting that was there previously that project just to see if um if there was a warranty?

So thank you for your question. Uh so as far as a warranty, there is a warranty on the new lights that are installed. Um that's it's a standard one-year warranty. Uh the the lights were installed um exactly how the company proposed to install all of those lightings, all those lights. Um the 39 [clears throat] trees as far as that removal goes. Um I know there's a budget amendment in the uh staff report. However, there is no budget amendment that is needed. The funds are available in uh the project and so we won't be using any um budget amendment to to to to fund the taking down of the trees. Um so there's we we have looked at the lights. Um the we've seen pictures um before and after pictures. Um, are there some some spots that could be adjusted? I believe that there are, but I don't know that that needs to be done until after the trees are removed. Um, and we can with the 39 trees that are being removed, if you actually look at the from a distance, if you look at the trees, you can actually see they kind of have snow caps on them. What we call snow caps. uh that are essentially where the light is actually hitting the top of the trees which is shading the the fields. Um so getting that done is is really important. We'll talk to the company about coming back out and making adjustments right after that. Um but we we do need to do something with the trees. Um the you know we've looked at you know doing kind of trimming the trees up. The problem with that becomes is that it makes them heavy on one side instead of um being even. And right now we are seeing uh the lights being or the

yeah the lights being shaded by the trees um without their full canopies. Uh so once summer comes around or spring comes around these trees really start to bloom um you know that canopy is going to get much much bigger and most likely shade even more. So, those are kind of some things I I think I touched on your questions and and Mr. Casey's questions also. Um, if I missed something, I'm I'm happy to address it.

Um, for clarification, did this company do any kind of study? Was there anything? How did they determine how many lights were needed? That's one question I have. My second question is has the city explored the option of correcting the remaining lights that should um be installed.

So uh in short the city has not looked at additional lighting. Um this is also not only is it a lighting improvement project, it is a energy savings project. So when we look at when we looked at getting grant funds from T um the project did have to save uh kilowatts as far as the wattage of the lights. Um and so that uh the the wattage that we have saved also comes back to us in in the grant funding. Um the the lighting companies all have their certain programs that kind of show how the lighting uh illuminates a field in candle watts. Um the lighting that we put up is what they call 2030 candle watt lighting. Um there was a cheaper option uh that was that was proposed also. It's an economy uh option. We did not go with that. We actually went with 2030. It's called recreational lighting. Um, and then you go up in uh Candle Watts. You know, there are some places around here that have uh 3050 and then they get up into 7100 um which is more professional uh lighting as opposed to recreation or tournament lighting which is 3050. Um all of which are much more uh much more expensive. Um and and they are substantially brighter because the candle watts uh that you're actually looking at are much brighter.

So you mentioned the tournament lighting. Um obviously it's youth baseball, but there's tournaments played there. There's a lot of games played there for me. Um the safety of the kids is what's important. You know, we started off with just needing field three and then it expanded to the city wanting to um implement the imp the energy efficient lighting, which I think is great for savings, but when it comes to the safety of the children, I don't I don't think that outweighs, you know, their safety. Um, but I just I just want to make sure that we're looking at all options right now to correct this issue. It is a long-term investment for our city and um it's for the youth again. So, thank you.

City attorney, just a point of order, just make sure that we're on topic. We're talking about the trees. Um and tell me if I'm going to be off topic. You were mentioning that we have not spent all the funding with the vendor for the for the lighting and you said there's some leftover money that we could use to spend for the trees. How much is that left over?

Um, I'm not sure the exact amount, but I I want to make sure that we are separate. So, the vendor for the lighting has been paid that that that is completely separate from the West Coast Arborous contract which is in which is agendaized for the $57,60 and and we do have that in the PRK2301 the Smeirna Park project. Okay. So that's so you're clarifying where that money is coming from. It's from the Sura Park project. That's Yes. So not from the original vendor that we paid. Correct. It is not from the original. That was the point of clarification that I had. Okay. Uh we cannot use that funding for lighting.

So I I guess the the big thing with using the money for lighting um is one, we would need to go back to T. Um they would most likely take grant funds from us. Um, so you could, but that doesn't negate the fact that no matter how many more lights you put up on the pole at this point in time, um, you still have white cap trees. So, you still have shading from those trees. And right now, I don't think you're seeing the breath of it simply because we don't have the full canopy of the tree. uh once those trees bloom out in the springtime, I think that the shading is going to get much much worse from from those trees as as we move into spring and summer.

Thank you very much, Council Member Vieira. Thank you. I guess I'm a little confused because it sounds like we got a little bit off of the agendaized item. Um this isn't about closing out that project, correct? Correct. Okay. So that's and that's not on the agenda. Correct. Okay. So we can't talk about it. Correct. Otherwise, we're in violation of the Brown Act since it's not agendaized. The question related to the funds being used for this project. That was fine. Anything further and beyond that now steering away from the agenda.

So, the type of lights and that kind of stuff. I just wanted to make sure I clarify that that was not on the agenda. And I want to make sure I'm not Okay. So, I just make sure I stay on agenda the topic here. Okay. So, I just wanted to make sure that that we weren't approving the lights tonight. Um, and then I guess when it comes down to the trees, I know in the past, um, my only concern about this is, yes, I've seen the white caps. I've been out there. I do see something does need to be done. Again, I'm not the engineer. You're the city engineer, so I'm going to rely on your knowledge for that. Um, I guess my only concern is the neighbors. Have the neighbors been concerned? Because in the past when we have discussed trimming the trees, they didn't seem very supportive of the trees because that gives them direct sunlight, especially in the sun where it's over 100° most of the summer. Um, and then we deal with the urban heat effect as well by providing 39 trees that were provid providing shade on that type of ground. And so I'm just kind of concerned about that, especially with Calgary requirements now in the city. So, I guess that's kind of my concern and the only concern about the trees other than what you recommend obviously is going to be your expertise that I would rely on, but it's more of the neighbors. Have they been notified and are they okay with us moving forward with this?

Uh, so the the neighbors have not yet been notified. Um, and I understand uh that Mr. Chavez uh is going to be reaching out to uh CYB to discuss uh contacting residents about trees coming down. [snorts] Okay. So, are we going to give the neighborhood an opportunity to come out and because again it's affecting the neighborhood. I'm okay with cutting the trees necessary for the baseball teams in order for the child's safety, I guess. But at the same time, I want to hear what the neighborhood has to say because this is affecting their it's directly across the street from some of those homes. And they're going to get 24-hour sunlight or at least whatever daylight is during the summer. It's 12 hours of 100 degree weather. And there's not going to be those trees that they've been customary to since they've moved into their homes. And those are some of my concerns that I have. Well, [clears throat] before we go out to the public, maybe it might be a wise idea that we table this until the neighbors are fully aware, but that's just my comments for now. Is there any additional comments from the council? Can I ask a question real quick? Sir,

West Coast Arbor's Josh Joey. um if we table this to March 9th uh and allow the other side to talk or whatever, what what does that look like as far as timeline for if we move forward with this? Is that before March 28th? Cuz that's opening day of baseball as a knock Joey. So, so they're in the they're in the process right now. They're doing tournaments now on the weekends, but they're actually a league will start on the 28th. The recreation league, March 28th. Yes. So, West Coast Arbor, if they go in, would they have it done before opening day or if it's approved on the 9th, it'll probably take them at least week and a half.

Okay. Okay. I'm going to go out to the public. There's any members of the public to like to make a comment on this item. Now is the time.

Hello everybody. He's Milan Tiveros, uh, youth baseball, uh, uh, vice president for series youth baseball. And I had the privilege on the 4th of February to walk the fields with the expert from Musco Lighting. And I know that the subject is uh, the tree trimming and how it's going to help. Uh, it's not going to improve the lighting other than at the fence line. Those lights that are surrounding the infield are not being blocked by any trees. I feel like it's going to really bring down the neighborhood if you do tear down these trees. They do need some trimming, of course, once they bloom and, you know, the leaves come in. Of course, it's going to do that, but the old lights, which were a lot brighter, were all over those trees and we still got enough lighting into the infield. So, I was able to walk with the Musco engineer around the infield with a with a meter testing what the uh foot candles are around the infield and they did he did mention that uh for little league field standards it should be around 50 in the infield and you want around 30 in the outfield. And I'll give you some examples of what the infield was reading. In some areas it was reading 59 and we read 25. In other areas, by shortstop, it read uh it used to read 57. Now it read 18. Trees have nothing to do with lighting that infield. Not only that, but the lighting goes from 60 on third base to 40 on first base. That is a 20ft candle drop just on a little field. So, can you imagine a third baseman throwing a ball across the field and the first baseman it goes from light to dark? Now, I was able to stand on three of the fields, fields one, two, and three, right around where the trees are. And yes, there are some dark spots around the perimeter of

the outfield. And a lot of these lights are even in front of the trees. So, of course, you're going to get a little snow cap from the lights. That's it's going to happen. But the lights are pointed straight to the field, and it's still not enough. So, taking these trees down is not going to do anything. Um, I also learned that the strobe effect, which is what I'm really concerned with with the ball, is it going from dark to light to dark to light. And I got to experience that live during practices. And I can tell you that there were some balls, and I'm I'm on the older side. Some of these kids are younger, their eyes are better, but I lost some of these balls going up and over and because of that effect, because of the strobe effect. Um the other issue that we're having of course is you can't just add a lights. The gentleman was telling us that now we voided a lot of the warranty on these posts and just trimming the trees and adding lights might not be the in the best interest for the safety of these kids. And at the end of the day, coach and I are here just to advocate for that. We wouldn't be here wasting our time. My team's out there practicing right now and I'm right here again talking to everybody about this this light situation. The trees are not the issue. Thank you.

Thank you, if you could please share that information when you get a chance to the engineer when you get a chance afterwards. Yes. Uh coach will will share that. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. Is there anybody else who would like to make a comment? Mr. Warren.

Thank you. John Warren, president. [clears throat] Um, these gentlemen spoke at the last city council meeting and kind of explained what the problem was. And I was going to reflect on that and in my comments to you, but they have done an excellent job tonight to basically tell you cutting down these trees will not solve the problem. So, I really, really think you need to pay attention to them. They know what they're doing. They've been involved with this baseball program here in the city for many, many years. Obviously, somebody didn't pay attention to them when this new lighting system was put in. They clearly told you there was only one field that needed to be taken care of and the city chose to redo the whole thing and basically screw things up. So, fix it. Don't cut these trees down. Get somebody in here that knows what they're doing. Pay attention to them. Pay attention to these gentlemen. They know what they're talking about. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. W. Next person, please.

Um, president of series and president of series youth baseball. First, uh, before I get started with this situation, I found out on Saturday that some of the people from the city were irritated. That was the word that was given to me. were irritated because I came a couple weeks ago and the report came on the Modesto. I want to clarify before everybody that as I said that day, I'm thankful for what you guys have done for CYB for trying to get those lights done and for moving forward with the project. And I said it on the microphone. I said it again today. I say it again today. The person from the Modesto B did not come with us. If you can go on the video, you can see her walking, chasing us to go talk to us and get our names. We did. We told her not to put it on the newspaper and she still did it. So, if you guys are irritated, I'm sorry. You have two jobs. One to be irritated and want to not be irritated because we did not want to make you irritated. Okay? Whoever it was, whoever it is who is upset about us coming here, that gives me another concern being serious of series that you guys don't accept somebody to come and give you an opinion on something that is going on that affects the city. I'm sorry, but that is unfortunate. Now, moving forward with the project, um, uh, Councilwoman Serena had a question about the warranty on the prior lights. If we hadn't posted or if we hadn't talked to the lady from Mesa or she hadn't put that on the on the B the day two days after the meeting, we hadn't found out that the lights still had 10 more years of warranty. The lights that we specified several times here not to get removed. Field light uh the lights

on field one and field two. the post that are holding those lights. It still had 10 years of warranty. I don't know who made the mistake of not looking into that. It's done. It's over. It's unfortunate, but those lights were great. Now we're going to 2030. I'm assuming it's 20 in the outfield, 30 in the infield. That's the sit if that's what you're saying. Before it used to be 50 in the infield, 30 in the outfield. So instead of improving we went down. We went back. That is unfortunate. Um yes we were saving um kilowatts but I mean we could have saved not having any lights at all. We would save 100% of the light. So it is unfortunate that the situation went that way. Um, I don't know who made that decision why it was decided to go 2030 when the standards for little league international are 5030. The standards for tournament baseball, which is what we're playing at those fields, it's 5030. When the ball is coming at you at 80 miles per hour by hit by a 12-y old, 2030 is not enough. So, I'm sorry who made that decision. that needs to be resolved. As coach Ismael stated, um the removal of those trees is going to help in the outfield line on one field. It's going to help on field three. It's going to help on the left corner or the corner of left field on field one. And it's going to help on the back side of field two. It's not going to help in the infield. is just going to help on the area that is not used or uh by the field uh on field two. So

removing all those trees is not going to help at all. I would propose and I'm here to make this proposal to the council to get somebody professional to give us a study on those fields and see what needs to be done about it. We're willing to pay $1,000 or put $1,000 to pay towards that study if the uh city pays for the rest before the city commits to pay 607,000. I don't know how much is the project for the tree removal. That is not necessary. We pay for that. We see what needs to be done. The spring summer is about to come. The uh daylight savings are about to to be here. So, we can get away a little bit with removing the games a little bit earlier to not put the uh kids on harm's way as much before the city commits to make that expense and that way by the winter when the time changes again those lights are fixed. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much. Is there anybody else? Bring this item back. I'm going to make a motion to table this item. Serena, go ahead.

I just want to add one thing. Um, you know, I just want to say thank you to city staff for making the effort to try to make these fields better and, you know, cost savings and everything that I think that's important for our city. But I also want to thank CYB board um for taking the time to come out and express their concerns. Um, I think we do need to consider their input as well. They're the ones who have been working in our at our fields um you know every day, every other day. There's they spent a lot of time there and they've been out there for years. Um they both have experience in baseball. So I think that we do need to take some consideration in what they've shared and um I would be interested in also a study to measure the lights. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Um [clears throat] I do have a motion to Mr. Mayor. Can I respond to Mr. Warren real quick? Go ahead, sir. Norian staff screwed up. If you recall, uh, there was complaints of lights on field three last year and I believe CB came forward and said, you know, cuz we were saying we don't have enough money, but they said, "Hey, we have this company and I believe it was L2 that we have a proposal from them that could fix these lights and we can put these lights up and it's like, you know, it can be cost effective." At that time, I believe we were talking that we don't have any money. And then we found out that we could partner with TI and uh get a grant from them, but we had to have some type of energy savings. And so we put out an RFP and lo and behold, L2 came in the low bid and we used what I thought was the proposal from CYB to fix those lights. And we had to do all of it. Then when we came back with the contract, everybody knew we're doing all the fields. So it shouldn't have been any surprise that all the fields were going to be touched because we had to show an energy savings. And so we moved forward with that and replaced the lights with what L2 was recommending to us. And we even actually since we had the money upgraded lights from what L2 had previously had told us and what they proposed to COB the COEB said was what we should do was we upgraded those lights and they were recreational lights.

Yes. So they gave they gave two options. They gave an economy option and they gave the 2030 option. Um we did not go with the economy option. All of our lights were the 2030 uh option. So to qualify for the grant from T we had to show the energy savings and the only way to do that we can't just do one field we had to do all three four fields excuse me and that's what we did and that was presented to the council and that was passed by the council and that was what everybody knew about at the time when we did that. The lights have been put up. We're trying to adjust them and we have no more money right off hand to put it towards lights. a significant amount of money except for maybe the 57,000. Um, but to go back up and start changing or doing things, I I don't know. I mean, as far as do we know about the 10-year contract or 10-year warranty on the lights still remaining? No, because they wanted the lights changed and they wanted to be done. And only way to change the lights in field three was to do all the fields. And so that's why we move forward with that. Thank you, city manager. [clears throat] I have a motion on the table. A motion is a table of this item.

Second that. We get a roll call, please. Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieiraa, yes. Council member Otero, yes. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 40. Thank you. And thank you to CYB as well. if you could please share that information and obviously we'll continue to work with ZB get this resolved. Moving on to item number 15. Who pulled item? Was that you council member? Sir,

sure. The re there's a couple of reasons uh I pulled this. One is again we've talked about money and the city manager just talked about money and uh approving this would be approving a budget amendment but also I have a question you know I'm still learning [snorts] uh we have a resolution appointing getting a professional service agreement with a another engineering company and this one is uh with another engineering company. Is there do they do two different things? Is that why we we have two different Thank you, Mr. Casey. So, Northstar Engineering will continue to work on our housing element um along with EMC. So we received a grant um from Stanco. That grant will cover most of the consulting for Northstar Engineering to assist us in consulting um with our housing element and getting that completed hopefully by it needs to be done by December 31st of this year. So this consultant because they have full knowledge of our housing element, they worked closely with EMC, it is beneficial for the city to continue with that service. Mind you that a portion of that consulting will come out of a another grant, another funding source. Um and so it will offset um what we are asking from the budget. I believe it's 18,000 that will need to be set aside. Um but that is only going to

be for emergencies. Um the consultant is going to do the infill. They're going to work on a lot of projects that inhouse we're just not able to do. though. Um, and so this is going to be a very specific contract only to go so that we can make our housing element. EMC is the one that's going to help us with the infill projects doing the downtown specific plan and then they're going to work with this consultant um on anything that has to do with regulation, housing development. So it's going to take um the time for internally for the other um senior planner with uh Joa to do in-house only. So it's two separate things. Um and it's a beneficial if we did not do this contract then all these projects will be delayed and we may not meet our numbers for our housing element.

Thank thank you. The initials EMC you used a couple times. What is that? I'm sorry. EMC. Is that DMC? Is that what he said?

No, not DMC. EM EMC. It's the other contract. Okay. They're the ones that have been contracted to help with the housing element completion of it because when we did the housing element and we applied for the REAP 2 grants, we had to meet certain demands by HCD and so EMC is working with that and HCD uh we went through hell trying to get RE 2.0 grant money because they kept changing uh the request and finally ended up on an infill. And so for our house element to be complete through HCD, we have to make certain changes within the zones and and some other things which significantly focus on infill and that has to be done by December 31st of 2026 or they can pull our housing element away from us which means now anybody can build whatever they want inside the city and we can't have any control over it in a nutshell. Thank you, [clears throat]

Councilwoman Otero.

Thank you, Mayor. This is another one of those contracts uh similar to what I mentioned in the other item where we're putting out costs. Um it looks like so far if you add the existing payments we've already made on the contract with the new cost of 49,000, we're about 104,000. um obviously less than having a community development director which is a top salary of 198 but we froze that position I think to have some savings here yet we're having to contract out some of these services so I just want to make sure that we have a plan going forward um maybe next fiscal year on potentially recruiting for the community development director have someone full-time long-term term um so we don't have to keep paying out in the contracts. Thank you.

So, Mr. Mayor, let me just clarify real quick. So, that $49,000 30,000 of that is coming from REAp. So, it's not coming out of our general fund at all. It's only $18,000 coming out of general fund. We're in the process now of taking Northstar and slowly phasing them out as we bring Goa in and Kelsey who's doing a fantastic job taking on everything else as Julian alluded to earlier. So that's what that part is. Um the community development director basically hinges on when we get enough money. Right now we've got 14 housing projects. No one's building a house. So our property taxes are flat. Prop their property taxes are flat at 3%. And you take that in consideration when you start looking at different things. You have for example police officers are 5% raise this year. their uh their retirement just went up another 10%. And then their benefits are another five. So for us to hire a cop, it actually cost 250 for a $1 cop or police officer, excuse me. And so we're trying to keep and our money under control and stuff. And this is one way of doing that right now. Uh, and because as I alluded to earlier, um, Northstar is very intricately involved in this HCD and and trying to get our house ament done and that's critical and that's that's why we're going after Northstar, but we're trying to phase them out through I think March of next year is where our our target data is to hopefully uh they'll be phased out completely.

Thank you. Thank you very much. We'll go out to the audience. Anybody from the office would like to make a comment? Seeing none, I bring this item back for a motion. Motion to approve item 15, resolution approving the agreement with no store in Junering Group. I'll second. Roll call, please. Council member Casey, no. Council member Vieiraa, yes. Council member Otero, yes. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 31. And we will now move on to a fivem minute recess. Be back.

Are we on? Looks like we are back everyone. Thank you very much for your patience. We do appreciate your time. And we will now move on to a public hearing. This is resolution 2026 XXX approving the revision of the load carrying capacity of the service road bridge over the Turlock Irrigation District series main canal pursuant to the California Vehicle Code section 35751 and this goes to our one and only engineer Mr. Build. Thank you uh mayor, council members. Uh so yes, this is the public hearing for the service road bridge over the Turlock Irrigation District series main canal um right next to Moore Road. Uh you approved an item earlier tonight to have that bridge redesigned uh using highway bridge program funds. um unfortunately in a CALR division of structure maintenance and investigations uh who does bridge inspections all over the state for all kinds of bridges uh on a on a year- round basis. That is why they have their own division uh when they uh took a look at this bridge in November of 2024, they recommended to the city that load restrictions uh be put on the bridge. Um the load restrictions are simply because when they uh looked at the bridge, there's lots of what we call spalling of concrete. Uh meaning the the concrete is kind of falling off the bridge uh in some areas. It is nothing uh that is a major safety issue for normal vehicles. Um but they do recommend putting load restrictions on the bridge. So right now as it currently stands there are no load restrictions um including permitted loads uh which are

loads that are actually applied for uh they get transportation permits through the engineering department. Um after this public hearing provided the resolution does get approved uh there are going to be recommended restrictions on it. Uh that sign is actually already posted. uh this is just the formal public hearing uh to really enact and make permanent those load restrictions. So for a single vehicle the load restriction becomes 14 tons. Uh for a semi-tra combination it is 32 tons and for a truck and full trailer is 34 tons. This will also make it so that no permitted loads are allowed to go over that bridge. Um, again, I I do want to say that for um the everyday vehicle, uh, so to kind of put it into uh a single vehicle at 14 tons, that's 28,000 lb. Um, normally your vehicle is somewhere in between, you know, about 5,000 and 8,000 lb. So, for the normal everyday vehicle, the bridge is safe. Um it's just as we move through this design process, we'll put these load restrictions on. We won't allow uh certain loads over the bridge. Uh and and we just do that for the general general uh public safety. Uh we want to make sure that, you know, we are loading our bridges properly and being that we're getting grant funds to redesign the bridge, uh this bridge will get redesigned over the next year, year and a half. Uh and at that point in time, we will apply for more grant funds to actually uh replace and widen the bridge uh to its uh ultimate capacity, which will be a four-lane bridge over over the canal. So, with that, I'm happy to take any questions.

Thank you very much. And the public hearing is now open. Is there anyone from the audience that would like to make a comment on this item? Mr. Pratt, welcome, sir. Uh yeah, Dave Pratt. Um continuation of number five that uh sooner the better that that that this gets replaced. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Anybody else? John Warren, City of Series. Um I call that Dave Pratt's bridge. Uh but anyway, if you were going to be a guessing man, uh Mr. Mike, how long do you think it would be before that bridge is replaced physically?

So, um we probably have, like I said, in between a year to two years of the design and environmental process. Um all of these funds are administered through CALR through the highway bridge program. So, it does take some hoops to jump through um which is fine. Uh but once we get the design completed then we need to now wait for highway bridge program funds to become available for the construction of the bridge. Um I would like to say probably within the next 5 to seven years is actually what it will what it will take in full to get the replacement actually completed. Thank you.

It's a definition a government works slow doesn't wow. Okay, maybe at that point we'll we'll name it after David Pratt. All right. Um, back to the council. I know council me woman Vieira has some questions. Go ahead.

Thank you. Two questions, I guess. One, obviously at 34 tons means it doesn't meet standard load for full full trucks. Do we have a truck route, which I totally understand. I've looked at the quality of that bridge. Do we have a truck route available since most loads come across at about 80,000 um when they do their axle weights? So that means they're not going to be able to go through town, which is what they were doing this last summer.

Yes. So we we do have a truck route that is uh accessible for truckers to use. Other than that, uh generally speaking that you can use the Keys uh road offramp. Um, obviously coming off of Mitchell and trying to turn right onto service that would uh that'll be an issue. Uh, they they will have to figure out how they're going to make a 87 point turn to turn around. Um, but you know, when it comes down to it, yes, there are alternate routes around the city um to to get over the canal if need be.

Thank you. And one last question, is this being added to our capital improvement list so we can ensure it continues? Yes. So, uh the in item number five tonight that you guys approved earlier, uh it does add it to the capital improvement program. Uh and we will begin design uh as soon as the contract routes for execution. Thank you. Thank you. Any additional comments from the council? If none looking for a motion.

I'm happy to motion this resolution approving the revision of the load carry capacity on the service road bridge over the Turlock irrigation district main series main canal. I'll second. A roll call, please. Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieiraa, yes. Council member Otto, yes. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 40.

Thank you very much. On to item number 17, which is approving the submitt of a letter of support the Siri City Council for South Modesto Business United for the 2025 planning and capacity building grant application. Sir, yes. Good evening, mayor and council. Uh this letter is a request from the South Modesto Business United, a letter of support so that they will be able to submit a grant application. Um they are going after grant to help identify um sorry did you lose it? [laughter] So, EV infrastructure, so um electric infrastructure within South Modesto series, um as the neighboring and so this is just a letter of support so that they can get that grant. Um and if you have any questions, I believe the applicant is online. If the applicant is online,

yes, he is. Tony, sir, could you please jump in before we move on and add some additional information for the letter? Can you hear me now? Yes, we can. Go ahead, sir.

Oh, just want to thank uh staff uh city manager, economic development department for uh bringing this uh to the council. Um, some of the businesses United is pursuing this grant application to uh secure funding to obtain a um planning grant to develop a written document that will uh do everything from basically uh identifying possible sites for electric vehicle chargers um as well as bundled infrastructure such as solar. um solar panel, solar uh charging structures so that those electric vehicle um charging stations can be essentially self-sufficient and not rely for example on uh on T uh for example to be very specific to you know to be able to charge the electric vehicle charging stations. Um and so these are the type of grants that um you know come around every once in a I'm going to say a long time. And uh the state of California was supposed to release this grant like around this time last year and they just kept postponing it and postponing it and we're happy to uh see that they finally um released this grant. And uh one of the things that strengthens application uh from nonprofit organizations such as ours is that um is that we're able to obtain letters of support from local government that uh are interested in in in partnering with us in the future and in showing support for this type of document to be put together. Uh these type of documents are the type of documents that uh in my experience

rarely get put together. These planning documents where you put together a plan for potential sites uh the type of permits that would be involved, potential cost, identify uh property owners or or you know people that actually own the properties or government or agencies that own those properties or potential um charging stations bundled with solar charging uh would be put together. These type of documents are the type of documents that rarely get put together because there's rarely uh any funding available at the local at the local say city level or or other local governments. And so to be able to receive a grant that helps pay to put together such a document and that we are able to partner with the city like the city of series to say, you know, let's come to the table and let's discuss what potential locations um we could have like larger charging stations uh available in Siri would just be one more added benefit, dare I say amenity or attraction to the city of series in the future. Um, you know, as as city as the city of series continues to grow. Um, I will I will just also share by way of background that Zodesto Business United um has already successfully engaged in a uh community transportation needs assessment survey uh that was um funded by a grant from the state of California uh back in uh 2024. And this was a grant for uh 99,000. And this uh this uh community transportation needs assessment survey um surveyed residents from South Modesto, from Siri, from neighboring jurisdictions to ask them what is their knowledge of electric vehicles, what is their

knowledge of electric vehicle charging stations, do they have interest, um what is their demographics? And some of the broad finding just to not to get into the weeds of it, but some of the broad findings that we that we found is that there is interest in um in electric vehicle charging stations, especially from typical communities that tend to get left behind um such as low-income, historically underserved uh neighborhoods that typically don't see this type of electric vehicle charging infrastructure built near or around their communities. And so um I just I share that by way of giving you background as far as our experience managing state grants. And in addition to that also just to give you a sort of um give you an understanding that we this is a that this whole electric vehicle equity if you will is something that that we've been uh passionately advancing and working on uh now for the past couple of years. And we want to continue that work and build upon that now by partnering with the city of series and other local jurisdictions uh to be able to come up with a plan to be able to uh have that plan as a written document that then makes it a lot easier for cities like the city of series to partner with city uh with um business united um to partner with other jurisdictions to then pursue additional grant funding for implementation and actually constructing this type of uh bundled electric vehicle solar charging uh network if you will.

Thank you very much. Thank you. We're going to go ahead and open this up to the public. Any members of the public? Seeing none. Any questions by the council? Okay. No questions. Do we have a motion? A question. I just have a statement. Um, go ahead. So, I know that they are on a tight deadline, so I'm hopeful that by tomorrow um the city can hopefully sign this and get it over to them because I believe it's due by by tomorrow, but I'm happy to support um item number 17 and make a motion to approve it.

I'll second that. And uh I will make sure I come here at 7 o'clock in the morning to sign that. But I know Fallon is not here that early. So I'm unfortunately uh Yeah, we need your signature. So [laughter] Sounds good. There's a motion, a first and a second. Can I get a roll call, please? Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieira, yes. Council member Oro, yes. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 40.

Okay, moving on to referrals. Uh my referral here is that we go ahead and do our annual council, city council, and planning commission joint meeting. There's no really much more explanation other than I would like to get this in the on the books and we're just looking for consensus, but we'll go ahead and open it up to the public. Members of the public, seeing none, bring it back to council for comment center questions and looking for consensus or do you have a comment? Yeah, I just have a comment, mayor. Um, I agree that the city council and planning commission joint meeting is important, but I think what's even more important is having community involvement. Um, and I asked for this last year around the time that there was some consideration, I think, for this type of meeting of having the strategic plan update. Um, we still haven't moved forward with that. I think when the council and planning commission get together, we should know what the community's vision is. Um, so I think that, you know, if we have a strategic plan in place or some other updates from the community on what they'd like to see, then I think that the meeting would be beneficial. But as at this moment, I think we should um delay this meeting until we can talk further with our community. my consensus that I'm asking at least to get the city manager on the radar to put it on the calendar whether it's after your proposal. So that's my only consensus. I just wanted to make sure that we were on top of this and that we're actually going to do it whether or not it you make that decision city manager. So looking for consensus for the joint planning commission and city of series council meeting left to right. She says no. Yes. Oh no. Okay. Thank

you. Moving on. And Serena, go ahead.

Thank you. Um, this kind of just earlier we were talking about the same topic of the donation program or don donation policy. I was doing some research and I know that the city had the community event and activities grant program. The last I think um last time they did was in 2019. Um, but I have been asked by twice by two different organizations if they can submit a request to the city for donations for their events, but I had to advise them of the new process. So, it kind of created some confusion um because for me personally, I once again I don't know that um having us decide who gets those funds um without an organization putting in is is fair. Um, I know that that program that the city had in the past, uh, they used the transient occupancy tax. Um, they would announce to the public how much was available, so these organizations knew how much they could potentially request. Um, the council would still review the request, but at least it came directly from the organization. I was I like the application process that was there. um there was a report that the organization had to do after um the event so they can report back to the council. I just think that that process would be more efficient so we can avoid uh the potential for any assumptions of favoritism and allows more opportunity for the community organization to step forward and put their request in. So that is uh my referral to kind of revisit this um donation policy.

Thank you very much. We'll open it up to the public. bring this item back to city council. I I we haven't even had an opportunity to really see what this donation policy looks like and I think that today was a good opportunity as Casey put forward and gave the VFW $5,000 which I'm really grateful to support that. Um I'm going to be a no on this. Looking for comments or questions

for me. I think we made it clear today on what the expectations are and outlines, which is why I asked for it during the motion to make sure we're from fair and consistent moving forward. I don't think it would be fair to the public to change the rules midway through the game. We need to stay consistent. I have reached out to every nonprofit. I have engaged and I've talked to the community. I'm not discriminating. I'm not just picking my favorites. We're here publicly stating it online. I see the newspaper on here. He could put it out there as well. It's open to any nonprofit doing good things in series. So, it's public. It's information. It's before everyone. We're being very transparent about it. There's nothing going behind closed doors. There's no favoritism, nothing else. It's open to everyone. There's a form. The form's online. I've emailed the form to several nonprofits. I've engaged in conversations and that's why I asked for clarification today and I'm not okay changing the rules and restrictions in the middle of it. So, I'm also going to be a no. Thank you.

Any comments or questions, Mr. Amazing. Sure. Well, I think we're it's okay to change the rules, but if we already have some in place, we should honor the ones that are in place. I think the confusion that we had tonight. Uh so, it's [clears throat] just a lot clearer. Uh so, I I'm okay with coming up with plans to change the process. However, if there happen to be some already in place, we should probably honor them. Thank you. Thank you. Is that a yes or a no, Casey?

No, I guess I have to abstain when it comes to the vote. I mean if we station assumption

yeah I just I think I think the the proposal is okay I but but since we've already we already have what we have we can't change if if there happens to be some already in place but if they're not in place then yeah let's change the rules. Okay. Very much. All right. So that's two nos one yes and uh abstain. Thank you very much. And on additional referrals that you know after you know hearing from from the public in regards to the aquatics program, I would just like to make a referral that we bring an item back to the council to take a look at some options for the aquatics program and get a better understanding on why the decision was made by the parks and reccks department. And uh that's just something for a future agenda as a referral. You clear got it,

Mr. Mayor? Yes, sir. So, this all stems from just budget preparation stuff. So, we're planning on next year's budget and that's moving forward with everything. Um, it was put out, we're looking at a flat budget or reducing budgets and that was one of the things that the recreation department was going to do. Had should they put it out in social media? probably not cuz it's not, you know, ironed and stone. But I I don't know if your referral as far as bringing stuff back is premature when we're doing budget talks cuz we don't know where we're standing with the budget right now and we won't until we're ready to present it to the council.

Okay. Well, then what I would suggest is that when we bring this item back that we have that discussion of consensus with this information only. But at least I want to have the ability to have that conversation. And and I also understand from talking to to Mr. Chavez that he was he made a decision based on what the future would look like instead of cutting the program last minute after hiring people. He didn't make that decision by himself, sir. No, I Okay. Thank you very much for clarifying that as well. Thank you. And with that, is there anything else? Let's see. Moving on. Moving on to reports. Actually, I take that. I always do this. Is there any additional council member referrals? Mr. Casey,

thank you. Uh, I'm not I want to get uh do it the right way. So, I'll be sending the referral to our city manager by 5:00 p.m. the Monday before our next council meeting. But we've talked about the budget, the budget, the budget. Um, and in the in the form of a informal referral, we've talked about having a review of the budget. So, here we are in February. Uh, we should have a re a review of our status now, but you can take that as an formal or informal referral. Thank you. Any other council members? Okay, seeing none. Moving on to reports. I uh just want to let everybody know this Saturday we did have the community and correct me if I'm wrong. Um the name of the the event that we had was the community what was it called again? I'm sorry. Got junk. That's what it was. Yes. So I was there bright early in the morning and I do just want to say that you know we've been doing this for the last four years. Uh, and I think that it's very important to also thank the public for participating in this being that I would rather have the public participate in this and dump their junk when we're doing a program like this versus it be in the public. But I did want to ask um, public works if you had anything to add. I I don't want to take away from all the work that your department has done in regards to this. If you do, do you have any information on this weekend's event?

Yes, thank you, mayor. Um, yes, so it was the 4th annual community uh disposal event at Riverbluff, and um we wanted to, you know, the public works department wanted to thank uh Mayor Lopez, Councilwoman Vieira for you, you know, spending your guys Saturday, Saturday there with the public and uh helping support the event. Uh, we also wanted to recognize the code enforcement team, Jack Taylor, Angie Martinez. Um, Jeff Vanney and Cassandra Dea Cruz. Uh, also Dave McCann for traffic control and our city street staff, Sean Walker, Oscar Hernandez, and, uh, Danny Vieiraa. Um, uh, also we want to thank Joey Chavez from recreation, uh, Rob Harrington from parks, and Tony Cordell from public works. Um, we also want to thank, uh, Bertilotti, the Greater Valley Conservation Corps, uh, and everyone else that was involved to make it, um, to make it a successful event. Uh, there was 541 participants uh, from the public, which is the most that we've ever had. Um there was 25 of the bins that were hauled away, not including the e-waste. Um there was 141 mattresses collected. They filled up, you know, filled up the the rail, not the rail car, but the the trailer and there was still leftover um with a total weight or all the the combined um waste was about 70 tons and um almost 1,000 tires were also disposed. So, just wanted to thank all you guys for for that and all the people that were mentioned and if I missed you guys, I'm sorry.

It's very incredible. Thank you very much for that information. Other than that, I don't have any additional reports and I will go ahead and start with Council Member Vieira.

Thank you, Mayor. And I appreciate everyone that was out there as well. I know Vney was our code enforcement, Vney was unloading the thousand tires and I talked to him at the end of the day. He was kind of out there alone doing it by himself and so he definitely was exhausted at the end of the day. Um but I was there I did see the 53-footer that was for those of you who know trucks that was completely full with mattresses and there were still mattresses left over that Balotti had to take cuz the trucks didn't have room for them. So that was impressive cuz a lot of those tires and mattresses would have ended up on our country streets and we were talking about it would probably would have been on Faith Home Road in Serena's district or on my district on Crow's Landing and Whitmore in that empty field. So I rather have them at this event which was free for the community and we had a lot of trailers and even some long horse trailers that came through. So a lot of people were able to get things cleaned out. So I was really glad to be part of the event and I'm really glad you did have the event. I know we didn't have the grant funding that we had in the past, but I'm glad we were able to budget it and get that taken care of. Now, back to what we've been doing. I did visit Howard Prep. Um got to go behind the scenes and see exactly what was going while they were preparing the meals for many of the local places and um government agencies that they provide meals for daily. So, I was quite impressed with all of them as well as some of their daily activities and their chicken farm, which was kind of cool to see. They're a great v local venue that's affordable here in series and they are within the city of Series. So, it's actually a city venue. Um I was glad to see Dutch Pros in District 2, which is my district on Whitmore is finally open. [snorts] Um and I look forward to seeing the car wash open soon. It looks like it's nearing completion. And then this weekend, um on Valentine's Day, Crunch Fitness is going to be having their open house from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It's going to be their um founding members open house. So, going to have vendors, food, music, fitness, and fun is what they're telling me. They promised me I would have lots of fun at the gym. I don't know how I

feel about that, mayor. Cuz you're more of a gym person than I am. I prefer to work out at home. Um, but with that said, I do have a um homeless meeting this week, the homeless alliance. I know I went out on the point in time count with the mayor as well as code enforcement and care. We did hit a couple hot spots and some discussion about some issues that I do see in the city. Please bring those forward and continue to bring those forward because those are issues that we want to address. We want to get them connected to services and get them into a place where they can um thrive and survive. So, and thank you and I look forward to our next meeting. Thank you very much, Councilwoman.

Thank you, Mayor. Um I'm just really excited to hear about the success that the um the junk day uh gave us. So, I just want to personally thank everyone who is involved as well and Mayor Lopez and Councilwoman Vieiera for being present. Um, it's just a good thing for our community. Just like Councilwoman Vieiera said, if those things that get dumped, they're going to get dumped on the side of the road and now code enforcement has to take care of it. So, um, that's great to hear. And then also, uh, I want to thank code enforcement for, uh, just keeping keeping up with the illegal vendors, um, that don't belong in our city. So, I do appreciate it.

Oh, go ahead. One more thing. Go ahead. Yeah, thank you. I just saw cuz I see my can's online and officer McCann was out there at the got event and he was directing traffic by hand. He put the lights on flashing so that way we can get through as quickly as we can. And I appreciate cuz I'm sure his arms were sore after 4 hours of hand directing traffic in and out of H hat Hatch Road cuz it did get backed up all the way to the old Walmart. So, I do appreciate you putting that extra time in, man. Please know you were recognized and I appreciate you helping with traffic cuz it was kind of nightmarish in the morning. Thank you very much, Mr. Casey. Any no reports? Okay, let's go to the city manager. Anything to report, sir? I have nothing to report, sir.

Okay. To our attorney? Nothing tonight, mayor. Thank you very much. What about our department heads? Okay, it's a record. Go ahead. Good evening, council. Oh, you do have something. I do have something to report. That was a long thought. Thank you. Sorry. [laughter] Go ahead. So,

I just want to inform you that the annual action plan for CDBG spending for 2627 will be coming out the first hopefully the first week of April from the county. Um, we'll have a public meeting on April 16th. We're at the community center. It will be hybrid. Um, so that is something to look forward to. Also, I just want to inform council that if you do get calls from representatives in our community, um the state accessory drawing unit um rules and guidelines have been amended as of January 2025 and as of January 1st of 2026. Um I will send this out to the clerk to h to make sure that all council and public commission have the handbook um for reference. Um they did change for you can now have a junior ADU and ADU along with the primary residence on your lot. The primary residence does not have to be owner occupied. Um so there's a lot of little things that changed and so we we will be getting calls from our community. So, I just want to um give you a heads up or be aware of what those changes can be. Um and the handbook is 53 pages long, but if you go to the back page, you'll see all the new addendums. Um these are assembly and state bills that were passed through our legislators.

Those are mandated by the state of California mandates. Okay.

All right. See, we'll see how it goes. Any additional comments? Uh one one uh update on Hatch Road. Um as you can see, there's still some work going on out there with the phase 2 water mane. Um so the contractor is working on a few issues out there uh trying to get those figured out. Um as soon as we get that figured out, we will have the third phase that will start. Um this has pushed the third phase back a little bit. Um that thirdphase contract is a five-month contract. So when we thought we'd be done sometime in April, it'll probably be pushing more in the May June time frame uh that we that we actually will get the third phase of the of the project complete, but it is still moving along. Um and you know, just bear with us, be patient, and we'll uh we'll get it all done.

Quick question. The the road project is not a road rehab project, correct? Obviously, there's I I have received some comments about the road conditions after the after the last the second phase and some of them were in the left-hand turn over there by Walgreens. And also there was a I believe about a week ago I gave you a call and told you that I was driving and and the the obviously the vendor had not uh cleaned up uh certain sections so a lot of the gravel was kicking up but you had [snorts] addressed that. Correct. Mhm.

Okay. Yeah. So, I just want to let the community know that uh we are fully aware of these conditions and we have our engineer that's making sure that everything's being done the right way and if you have any issues, you can go ahead and reach out to to the city of Series or send me a direct email if you have any issues while you're out there on Hatch Road. Correct. Thank you very much. Any additional comments? Okay. Well, with that being said, Mr. Mayor. Oh, yes, sir.

We are pulling item number 21. Okay, thank you very much. I appreciate that. Item number 21 is being pulled. We will now go to close session for confidence of real property negotiations. Is this the first one? Nope. We're good with this one. Government code 5 54956. Property APN 12701614. Agency negotiator is city manager Douglas Dunford and city attorney Noia Goldstein. Negotiating parties are judicial council of California under negotiations of price and terms of payment. A conference with legal counsel for exiting litigation. Name of the case. Oh, that's the one that's being pulled. Moving on. A conference with legal counsel for exiting litigation. Name of case Rafi from toe 1 incorporated versus city of Sirius Sanos County Superior Court. Case number CV24005948. And lastly, a conference with the labor negotiators, California government code 54957. Agency designated representatives is city manager Douglas D. Dumpford human resources director Delila Vasquez employee organization is laborers international union of the North America Luna under the negotiations for price and or terms of payment. Any comments from the public? Okay. Thank you very much everyone. This meeting is now adjourned. God bless and be safe.

Welcome back. On item number 22, the settlement has been reached. And on item number 20 and 23, no reportable action. Are you