City Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome to today's city council meeting today, January 26, 20, excuse me, January 26, 2026. And I now call this meeting to order. Roll call, please. District 1, Council Member Casey, present. District 2, Council Member Vieiraa, here. District three, Council Member Otto here. District 4, Vice Mayor Martinez, present. Mayor Lopez

here. And because the pastor had an emergency, we will now have Justin and do the invocation followed by the pledge of allegiance by Laney. Please stand. Good evening, city of Series. Uh thank you uh first to pastor or excuse me to Mayor Lopez. Um we hope that everything is okay uh with pastor Stokal. Uh let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Thank you for one more day of life and thank you for giving us an opportunity to come together with our peers to make our cities, our state, our country, and our world a better place for your people. This evening, Lord, we ask for your guidance and wisdom as our elected leaders prepare to do the work of the citizens of Steeries. We ask that you provide us all the patience to listen, strong discernment as decisions are made, and your grace as we seek grace from others. Above all, above all else, we ask that our hearts and minds be aligned with your will so that all in the great city of series and all who may come through can prosper and find joy. We pray for and thank you for our service members at home and abroad as well as those who have graciously served our nation through the generations. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Okay, you want to step up to the podium? Whenever you're ready, go ahead. 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, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you very much. Moving on to citizens communications. While the city council welcomes and encourages participation in the city council meeting, 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 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. Citizens are entitled to address city council on any agenda items subject to the five-minute provision. Anyone wishing to address city council must adhere to the rules of decorum and the rules of decorum are posted outside the chamber doors. And we'll begin with our representatives.

All right. Good evening, city residents and council. Justin Farcus representing the office of Assemblyman Juan Alanise coming to give a rather extensive uh legislative update here. We've been quite busy in Sacramento with the start of the new year. Uh starting with some new committees and appointments that the assemblyman has received. Uh he has been appointed as as caucus chair uh for the Republican caucus in the California State Assembly, putting him uh second in command of the Republican side of the aisle up there. Uh just behind our counterpart, Assemblyman Heath Flora, who is also represents this county and is the uh Republican leader, the minority leader in the state assembly. So uh carrying a lot of power on that side of the aisle here in Stannislaws. Uh, Sunman Alanise has also been appointed as co-chair for the problem solvers caucus, putting him as the uh, leader uh, for um, the uh, Republicans um, within the problem solvers caucus which um, does uh, a lot of work on behalf of California uh, residents. Um, in terms of our committees, we were removed from the budget committee but we were added to the water parks and wildlife committee. Um he has also uh been removed um as vice chair from um the agriculture and natural resources committee but he will be staying on both of those committees and in um return has received um the vice chairmanship of the labor and employment committee which is going to be extremely vital um as we work with our labor partners here in the state of California and in our district. uh he's still um the vice chairman of public safety and he remains on the business and professions committee as well as the public employment and retirement committee. We've had uh three bills moved so far um through the house from last year, Assembly Bill 333 um

which refers to uh recycling and expanding uh the use of recycling funds to include uh other projects than just making new recycled bottles. Uh that bill has unfortunately been held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. However, Assembly Bill 767, which will uh reclassify um SVP placements uh in our state uh to include uh discernment for uh daycarees and homeschools. Um, if you guys have been keeping track of the SVP placement issue that's happening just outside of Turlock, um, this that issue really sparked uh, this legislation because there's a number of uh, home schools and daycarees in close proximity to the potential placement of that sexually violent predator. Uh, the final one will be Assembly Bill 277 and that will expand background checks for behavioral technicians um, and behavioral health centers for uh, minors. So think like the Kindle Center in Modesto dealing with mild to severe uh children with autism. Um they will expand the background uh checks taking place for future employees of uh institutions like that. U the introduction deadline for new legislation is February 20th. So we will have a number of new bills uh coming forward throughout the remainder of the month and going into next month. I'll be sure to keep you informed on those. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Justin, is there any other representatives here? Seeing none, open it up to any comments from the public. Please step up to the podium.

Good evening. Um, I'm with my name is Jorge Guerrero and I'm with Series Youth Baseball. I'm here um because we've been going through the remodeling or the installation of the new lights. I want to thank the council for going through with the situation and everybody who has been involved, Joey and Michael Tran. Uh everybody who has been involved has been great. I'm here not to complain to you guys or to say that you guys have done anything wrong. I'm here just to be on the record like I've been on um talking to Joey. I talked I met with Joey and Mike Beltran a couple weeks ago. I talked to Serena one day at the fields as well and uh Mayor Lopez and uh Councilwoman uh Rosalinda last week. The situation with the lights is not the way that it should have gone. Um, field three, anything that was done on field three was or could have been done on field three was going to improve it because it was really, really, really bad. Um, but the other three fields were not bad. The other three fields were in good condition. They had good lights and now they're bad. Um, as I was coming right now, I and I explained this to Mayor Lopez when I met him last week. The technology that they use, I feel or we feel that they didn't use the enough lights because of the ways that they are set up. there in an angle that when the players are playing, you can see the light in your eyes. And that's a safety issue for the kids. I've had some kids that that yes, they go and catch the ball, but I have had some kids that are they're running to catch the ball. They're like, "Oh, I lost it."

They completely stop the fall, the ball falls in front of them. Um, and I was giving this example to Mayor Lopez. He coaches at Central Valley High School, plays his kids play at Sirius High. As I was coming right now from my house going the overpass, if you look to series High, Sirius High, they have the same concept of lights that are flat pointing straight to the ground and you don't see the light uh glaring to anybody or towards the street towards away from the fields. They're pointing straight down to the field. You look towards Costa Fields and you can see a few of those lights pointing away from the field and that is the issue that we were seeing that because of the angle that they installed those lights the the glaring in the kids' eyes. It's a safety issue. So, we just wanted to be on the record. Um, not sure where the city and T and everybody involved is with the payment to this company, but want to make sure that you guys understand that the job is not done properly. When and another example that I gave you guys when when we've been talking is that when you hire somebody to do remodeling in your house, you expect it to be better, not to be the same or worse than it was. And unfortunately with the all the money that the city MT invested on this those fields are not better. Those fields are worse. There are three fields that are completely worse than they were before. Yes, the lights and the spots that they are pointed. Yes, they are bright. And that's the uh comment that we have had that some areas are really bright but there are some areas that are really dark and some areas where the kids are

getting glare in their eyes. They're getting blinded. They have to turn away. Um field one kids cannot warm up. Right now, if we if you go and and when you were there, if you notice the kids were warming up in the infield because the outfield that is usually when they warm up as they get into the practice is dark. I understand that we're gonna get or you guys are going to do the tree pruning, but part of that field doesn't have any anything to do with the light with the trees that are in the left field side of the field, which is the gate um the other gate that comes into the park. So, that's the only reason why we were here or why I'm here because I wanted to leave it on record on a council meeting so that you guys understand. I appreciate everything that you guys have done for us. I just hope that you guys continue to look after that so that this company comes through with what they promised. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next person,

is Milen Tiveros. I am the VP of baseball uh along with Jorge for Series Youth Baseball. And I'm now in my 33rd year of coaching youth baseball. And when you coach that long, you tend to notice or see things when they're off, whether it be bases or the pitcher mound, fence, you know, fair foul lines. And I can tell you that as soon as I walked up the first time when the lights were completely redone, I knew something was wrong. And we right away noticed the parents right away were commenting. There were a lot of comments uh as I stood here last year and I know there were some issues with the reallocation of our funds from field three and we were you know going through that whole thing and then you guys somebody mentioned that it's because you guys wanted to do all the lights and I stood up here and I said look we don't need all the lights done we just need field three done because it's a safety hazard. Uh, but you know, we do appreciate the the effort and trying to do all the fields, but I think we've taken a step backwards and I've been coaching out there specifically here in series for the last 15 years and it it's it's really difficult. So, what the company did is they came out and myself and coach Jorge were out there. We met with them and they said they're going to try to adjust some of the lights to compensate for a lot of the dark spots. If you see some of our original pictures, you could see dark spots in the middle of the outfield, even in the middle of the infield. They lifted some of those lights up, which is what Coach Jorge was mentioning. When they lifted those lights up, now it's causing blind. Like, if you look at a LED light, it'll blind you. And I've had several incidents, specifically one with my third baseman where he almost got hit in the face cuz he literally turned at the last second when the light was right in his face. So, we're concerned right now. We're just we're just starting practices and it is a wreck league, but we do have competitive elite teams going out there

using uh high strength bats, UTSA bats. And we know if if you're into in in the game of baseball, you know that these bats, the ball comes off super fast. And we're we're a little bit uh we're afraid of what's going to happen during some of these tournaments. wreck ball, we might be okay with it, but once these tournaments start getting played and we start hosting some of these tournaments, we can see some major issues happening. And because of that lifting of those lights, I'm telling you, and that's why Coach Or and I, we we didn't want to come in here to kick up dust. We we're very thankful for the effort that the city council has done with T and everything else, but we're now we're afraid. We're actually very nervous and we're getting a lot of feedback. I had triyouts just the other day with the twelves and and uh the under twelves and under 10s and some of the comments that I was hearing and my wife being on the side, she was part of the check-in process. She was hearing a lot of parents and some of these other new coaches commenting on the lack of lights. So, we're just here to get on record and I I know mayor, you were out there the other day and we appreciate it. I just want it to be an ongoing effort to try to improve either by adding more lights. We were there when the company flew flew the drone and maybe they misunderestimated what was needed, but we're definitely in in some uh deep water here with these lights. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Is there anybody else? Anybody on Zoom? There are no hands raised and there were no emails received. Okay, thank you very much. Moving on from citizens communications. Is there any conflict of interest from the council? Seeing none, moving on to appointments to boards and commissions. Planning commission interview and appointments. Fallon.

Thank you. Good evening, council. Uh, tonight we have our planning commission interviews. We conducted um a recruitment. We had two applications. Uh, we have a gentle, one of the applicants is here in the audience. Um, at 5:54 we did receive an email this evening from the other applicant um stating that he would not be here due to a family emergency. Uh he did request if um he could reschedule his interview once things stabilize on his end. Um so that will be something the council can discuss and and decide upon. Um but we also have Mr. Bob Goel in the audience to um to do his interview for the planning commission.

Thank you very much. I'll bring this back to the council at the council's discretion. Uh if we would like to continue these interviews with the applicant that's here in person or would like to reschedu this application process. Um I would like to kill hear everybody's opinion and go from there. Council member, excuse me, Vice Mayor Martinez.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh unfortunately, I think the the lack of of the time of the notification, right? You said 54, so 15 minutes ago, they let us know they couldn't be here. Um Mr. Mr. Global is here this evening. So I I feel strongly that we should continue. I know when we did subcommittees in the past, if an applicant missed or wasn't able to attend, we continue those uh interviews. We went right along with the appointment process that way. So I would I would support uh go ahead and interviewing Bob and uh continuing with the process this evening. Thank you very much, Mr. Martinez. Councilwoman Otto.

Thank you, Mayor. I have to agree with Vice Mayor Martinez. Uh, at this time based on the current planning commission vacancy, I'd like to move forward with the interviews. Um, I apologize to the applicant who couldn't make it, but the timing of how these interviews are scheduled and the vacancies that need to be filled won't allow us to um, continue that interview for him. Thank you very much, Councilwoman Vieira.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I do have to concur with everyone else um, or the other two, Council Dero Martinez. I do think that we need to continue. we can't have a vacancy and being here um I think he needs to resolve whatever emergency he had which is unfortunate and I hope wish the best for the family and the situation and once that resolves maybe he can reapply for a future applicant or opening. Thank you very much council and I will agree with all of you as well. I I do really appreciate the applicant put in his application. It is very unfortunate but 15 minutes prior to the meeting as a notification is not sufficient. Uh Mr. Casey, would you like to add anything or or would you like us to continue with the application process?

Continue.

Thank you very much. Good call. Okay, Mr. Robert, would you please step to the podium? We have several questions to ask you, sir. Thank you for joining us. As the council well knows, you have a document in front of you and we have question number one to council member Casey. Go ahead, sir. Bob, what do you feel are your most important qualifications for the appointment to the planning commission? Um, as far as that goes, I have 20 plus years in the construction industry working and running construction companies. I'm very um familiar with all phases of construction from roadways to housing. Um as far as community and public service experience, I have two years. I was on the San Leandro PD Reserve for two years. I've been a series Lions for over 13 years and I'm past president and I've done other various um services and contributions to the city. I've also lived in the city now for 32 years. I'm retired and it's time for me to give back what the city has given me.

Thank you. So, um, guess you as answered the second question already. I have a question that's not really on here. And unfortunately, Mr. Casey, we have to stick to the questions. Okay. And there is a second. Thank you very much, Mr. Casey. There is a second part to that question, right, Mr. Casey? Answer. Okay. Thank you very much. Just want to make sure. Okay. Second question goes to Councilwoman Vieira. Thank you. Um, good evening and thank you for coming in and joining and submitting your application. Would you be able to make a recommendation on a project that was not popular with the majority of the audience members in attendance?

I have a lot of experience with that dealing with uh unions. I've been on both sides, business side of it and employee side of it. And I was never one of the more popular people on the on the board and doing um um contracts for employees and for the businesses. So I have absolutely no problem doing recommendations if it's not a popular Thank you. Thank you very much, Councilwoman Ottero.

Thank you. Thank you for being here today. In your opinion, should all commercial buildings look the same or should they have some distinct and recognizable characteristics? I think they should to a point be um the same, but at the same time have a distinct and recognizable characteristic like something small, not big. Something that blends in but still distinctive to the business itself. Thank you. Fourth question goes to Vice Mayor Martinez.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh Bob, what do you hope to accomplish during your time serving on the planning commission? I'm hoping to accomplish um having my decisions empower the city and its citizens. I think I have um a good head on my shoulders to vote what's right for the city as well as the people of city of Series. Okay, sir. Thank you, sir.

Which of the following statements would you most likely associate with and why? When the economy improves, the city should continue to build new single family homes. Or when the economy improves, the city should continue to build new single family homes, but at a higher density to preserve farmland. I think when the um economy approves improves, cities should continue to build new single family homes. The reason is if you look at the new homes nowadays and they're doing the um densities to preserve land and so forth. You have no room anymore to have your own home. They're building them with no backyards, no front yards. You're almost touching the next house next to you and it looks more apartmentish than an actual home. And I think it would be easier to sell newer homes with more land than having them back to back close to close.

Thank you very much. If you could end with the closing statement and then we'll bring it back to the council. What's that? Could you go ahead and give us a closing statement? Well, I'd just like to thank the mayor and the council members for giving me this opportunity. Like I said, I've lived in the city here for 32 years. I've seen it grow and I think I have a good handle on construction part as well as running businesses and I would be happy to do a great job for the city.

Thank you very much. Please have a seat. We were getting ready to delegate here. Council, any comments and or questions? Vice Mayor Martinez. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, I just wanted to quote two things I heard him say this evening that I I truly appreciated and liked. U, in answer to Council Member Casey's question, he said that he wanted to give back what the city has given him since he's lived here. Uh, I really respected that. And then an answer to my question, he said that he wanted to make sure that his decisions improved and empowered the citizens and the city. So, those are definitely some things I can get behind and I appreciate hearing. Thank you, Council Member Casey.

Sure, Mr. Mayor. I unfortunately I wasn't part of making up the question. So with my question in general to to any person applying for the job on the planning commission as a planning commissioner have they had the opportunity to review their responsibilities and understanding the what their job is and often times u that that doesn't that was going to be my question but I wasn't allowed to ask it. So that's it. Does he really understand the duties as they are outlined in our municipal code? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Councilwoman Otero. Thank you. I just want to thank you again for being present today. Um I do appreciate the response that you gave and uh I have to echo what council or vice mayor Martinez said when you mentioned empowering others in our community. I really appreciate that. So, thank you for setting uh stepping up and setting that example. Just want to thank you very much for showing up here today and I think that you will be very valuable on the planning commission as our city continues to grow. Now we'll bring this item back for a motion. Mayor, you'll want to open this up to public comment.

My vault. I will now open it up to the public. Any members of the public would like to make a comment on this item? Now is this time? Anybody on Zoom? There are no hands raised on Zoom. Okay, I'll bring this item back for a motion. I'll make a motion to appoint Robert Goal to the planning commission. I'll second that. Get a roll call. Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieira, yes. Council member Otto, yes. Vice Mayor Martinez, hi. Mayor Lopez, yes. Congratulations, sir.

Motion. Before we move on to the consent calendar, item number five is being pulled by staff and will not be considered. All matters listed on the consent calendar are considered routine in nature and will be enacted by a single motion unless otherwise requested by an individual council member or public for special consideration. Otherwise, a recommendation of staff will be acted and excuse me, accepted and acted upon by roll call vote. Is there anyone on the council would like to pull a consent item? Councilwoman Otto,

I'll pull item number six, please. Any other council members? Mr. Casey? Okay. Number seven. Number seven. Any members of the public that would like to pull any items other than six and seven? Anybody online? There are no hands raised online. Bring this item back. Make a motion to approve items one through four of the consent calendar. A second. Roll call. Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieiraa, yes. Council member Otto, yes. Vice Mayor Martinez, hi. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 5-0.

And we'll start off with item number six.

Thank you, Mayor. So, in looking at this item, it it looks pretty simple. SWAT uh series association uh wants to transfer ownership to seriesir police department or the city of Series of the Ford F-150. And this is an item that I do support. Um but I do want to express some thoughts and concerns. I am very grateful to the series SWAT association for their diligence in raising the funds and take the initiative to purchase a vehicle. They know that it's essential to accomplishing their mission and keeping our community safe. However, when I first saw this item, it was disappointing that our city can't afford to fund a critical public safety vehicle. Um, the men and women of these associations shouldn't have to worry about raising funds for high costs um for their mission essential equipment such as vehicles. The police department does require numerous resources and tools to keep the community and officers safe, and these need these must be planned for. Um, for example, take-home vehicles, those are critical to the response times of our SWAT team and detectives. Um, there are some questions that I think we need to keep in mind going forward. What is our long-term plan when it when additional vehicles are needed? Are we prepared for future replacements and expansion of the police department fleet? We should not be relying on our employee associations to purchase high ticket items. Officers shouldn't have to worry if the city is going to fund essential equipment. It doesn't seem there's a proactive approach to planning for large necessary um large purchases or necessary investments into the public safety resources and our chief should not have to bear the stress of securing basic operational equipment for his team. As everyone knows, we're in an era where law enforcement must be properly equipped to respond to day-to-day calls or uh critical incidents, and vehicles are essential essential service requirement to our community. Overall, a purchase such as this by an association,

it's not a long-term solution, and the association shouldn't be relied upon for these type of purchases. The item does completely highlight the need for improved planning, an updated strategic plan, better forecasted uh budget, so that way we can ensure the police department has the resources it needs to serve and protect effectively. Again, I do support this um item, and I'm willing to make a motion to accept item number six, authorizing the city manager accept the donation of a fully outfitted Ford F-150 truck for police department SWAT operations and to complete the transfer ownership from Series PD to the city, city of Series.

Uh Chief, do you have any comments?

Uh thank you. Um, I know that the SWAT team and their uh uh do donators are happy that their association money is going towards some critical um item like this truck, but I also know that they worry a little bit that uh it's a handout, not a hand up. And what I mean by that is that the city then relies on the associations for these vehicles. I know that's a worry of theirs, but it in um their presentation to me, they said this is a needed piece of equipment that we we want to give to the city. Um we are working on a three-year strategic plan for just our fleet in general so that moving forward, we do have a good idea of what we're going to need to re replace uh and what the city can afford. Um, so our priorities will be listed out and you'll hopefully see that this next budget and in the following budgets. Thank you, Chief. I do appreciate that. Uh, any members of the audience would like to make a comment.

Anybody on Zoom? There are no hands raised on Zoom. I'll bring this item back for any comments, questions, or motion. Mr. Martinez, do you have a comment, question, or motion? Make a motion. I'll motion that we accept item number six. I'll second. Roll call, please. Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieiraa, yes. And thank you, SWAT. I appreciate it. Council member Otto, yes. Vice Mayor Martinez, hi. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 50. Item number seven, Mr. Casey.

Yes. I'd like to hold off making the recommendation to cancel the February 23rd meeting until the February our first February meeting. There's items that could could come up that might be important particularly in the financial part and it wouldn't hurt to wait until the first part of February to make that decision. Thank you.

City manager, would you like to make a comment on this item? Currently, all of our staff reports are due 30 days in advance and so nothing right now is coming up. If it was to come up, it'll be placed on the March 9th uh agenda. And as the staff report says, I'll be out of the country. Our city attorney will be out of the country and uh so we don't have anything scheduled at this time on that agenda.

Thank you, city manager. Uh any members of the public do like to make a comment or question on this item? John Warren, City of Series. Good evening, uh, council members, and thank you. Um, I don't think any of our city council meetings between now and the time the budget is adopted for the coming year should be cancelled. I know things can be planned out like the uh city manager said into the March 9th meeting, but that just makes the March 9th meeting a longer meeting. And so every meeting is critical as we move forward in this in this planning this new budget year and every opportunity for the public to attend and participate and hear what's going on should take place. Um, it's understanding that people do make travel plans and or are called away from uh city business, but there are other people available to replace them and be in theirstead and that's why we have backup positions and things like that. So, I would recommend that the meeting take place as planned so you don't have to overload the next meeting or two. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. War. Anybody else like to make a comment? See none. Anybody online? No hands raised. Bring this item back for comments and questions. Council member,

I feel that recently due to the holidays, we did have a couple council meetings. Um I think with I understand city manager, you'll be out of the country. I think it's a great opportunity for someone that is in the acting city manager role to take the responsibility of um being part of the meeting or attorney. I'm not sure if there's someone that can cover the time that you'll you won't be available. Um I just do think there is business to discuss and I would rather um see that continue because we don't know when another holiday is going to hit where we do have to cancel a meeting or schedule a special meeting. Thank you very much. Any other comments or questions by the council?

Councilwoman Vera.

Thank you, mayor. Um, I guess it's going to go to the city manager because again, my concern is again, which has already been stated by my other two fellow council members is delaying any important stuff that needs to be addressed. I definitely don't want to put anything off. They said overloading agendas and I definitely don't want to overload staff either or make them stay here longer than needed. Oh, like I said before, we're we plan stuff out 30, 45, 60 days in advance. So, right now, we have nothing planned for the 26th. Uh so, you if you go ahead and have the council meeting, it will have registered demands and that will be about it. Everything else has already been planned for March 9th, 16th, and we're going to have longer meetings going forward because we're going to be having budget meetings and a bunch of other items are going to be coming to the council. So long meetings are not going to be stopped. We're going to have them.

Okay. So, just to confirm as of now, because I know you prepare these weeks in advance or kind of have the staff reports prepared, there is nothing that will be on an agenda on that date. If we did vote to move forward, is that correct? That's correct. Thank you. Okay, Mr. City Manager, depending on the outcome, if we do wind up moving forward with the 23rd, just rest assured that while you are gone and city attorney, that we'll be in good hands. Yes, sir. All right. Any additional comments or questions? I'm looking for a motion. I make a motion to approve item number seven of the consent calendar. I'll

second it. Get a roll call, please. Council member Casey, no. Council member Vieira, if there's nothing on the agenda, that'll be a yes. Council member Otto, no. Vice Mayor Martinez, I. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 32.

Thank you very much. Moving on to unfinished business. Item number eight, resolution approving the formation of the military appreciation committee. This is for the recreation manager, Joseph Chaveis, and please present the staff report. Good evening, mayor, council members. Um, just, you know, being here for the last four years, we we did start our committee four years ago um with appointment of of members. um we end up counciling it I think within a year and a half due to um not agreeing who should go up and who shouldn't go up on on the banners. Um, council member um wants to bring back the committee um as a formation of a appreciation committee um with the same members if they're willing to um accept being on that on that appreciation thing. There's there's several other items we were talking about, not just with banners, but beautifying the city with um fixing up the memorial on Whitmore, putting more flags up um with all the military flags and um fixing memorials. So, there'll be other projects and not just putting up military banners. That is the report. Thank you very much. We'll go ahead and u open this up to the public. There any members of the public that would like to make a comment on this item? John Warren, City of Series. Thank you again, council members. I think it's a excellent idea to bring back the committee. I'm hoping that the members

that were on it will think about stepping up and u and resetting their positions if that's what the council wants. Um we were under good hands with Joey being our spokesperson and lead person and bringing matters to the council for approval or or not approval. Um, but I am in favor and I would think this would be a good thing for the community, especially considering uh some of the ideas around Whitmore Park and the memorial. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Is there any additional comments?

Good evening, mayor, city council, and staff. Uh may I ask who the members are just out of curiosity who's on the currently there is no current members but I recall that the past members maybe Joey you can elaborate who the past members were. Yeah. Um so one member who who recently passed was Freddy Morales. Um Mr. War Mr. Yekley um uh Mr. Otto was on the committee and then um Officer King was on um Sam Samagetto was on the committee also with myself and officer King was also and also um Mr. Casey was our elected

um I would be happy to entertain a project for love series for this committee if it's reinstated just to throw it out there. Thank you very much. Any other members of the public like to com comment on this item? If not, anybody online? There are no hands raised on Zoom. Okay, we'll bring this item back to the council for discussion. I know since Serena brought this to our attention again, if you want to go ahead and start off the conversation.

Thank you, mayor, and I do appreciate the council for uh giving consensus originally when I um asked for this be brought back and to Joey for creating the staff report. Um, as I mentioned previously, the committee is going to be more about a banner committee. The committee is going to help shape and make decisions for our city when it comes to honoring our veterans, our service members, and their families. Um, the committee should be expected to actively participate in meetings and any activities pertaining to the committee. This also will ensure long-term planning and continuous feedback surrounding our veterans and their families. I think it's a great thing to to uh have this again. When it comes to the committee members, I do agree that we should give the opportunity to the previous committee members, allow them to come back. Um I'm not sure what our maximum number should be. Joey might have an idea on that, but there may be others that are interested. Um and I just I look forward to the support on on this committee. I would also like to recommend um myself to be on the committee as the spouse of veteran and council member Casey.

Thank you very much, Councilwoman Alterero. Um I would be willing to support this item under the conditions that we go back out to applications and that we place this item on the continuing appointments that we have every year. I would suggest that we have two sitting council members, two members of the public and Joey Chavez. That's what my recommendation would be. And in addition to that, I think that uh all the ideas that you have presented are great. I just don't want you guys to be limited. So, I would rather that you guys have the ability to bring any any recommendations to the city council for approval and not be limited to just the items that you proposed. So that way there's a there might be an idea that a member might propose that's beyond the list.

Can I ask for clarification? Um when you say that, are you saying that any any decisions that the committee wants to make, you want them to bring it to the council first?

That's how the committee was set up last time. So it's it's ratified by the city council. When we first brought the banner program, the suggestions were made by the members of the committee to the city council and we approved the locations. All the small intricates were fairly easy to approve like as far as the design. That's not we didn't get too much into the weeds, but some of these bigger decisions were ratified by the city council. So, when it comes to the decision making, I think if the item if it's something that the committee wants to do that's over maybe like the $25,000 threshold, uh I think that would be reasonable. But when we have a committee in our city, we are selecting these committee members and trusting them to help make the decisions that they feel is best for for the program that they are assisting with. I don't think it's necessary to bring it back to the council each time. I think that would defeat the purpose of the committee and plus um it kind of just ties their hands a little bit. That's those are my thoughts about that.

Thank you. Any additional comments? Council member Vieira.

Thank you, Mayor. um kind of mixed on this because I know there are other projects going on or other considerations that are going on that may I think it's important that the committee stays in communication with the council because there are other projects going on that we're also working on that we also communicate with each other which is why I have comments at the end of every council meeting. Um, so I do think reports do need to come to the council, including any funding. Um, especially if they're using city funds, um, then I definitely think it needs to come to council. If they're doing their own fundraising and stuff, then that might be a slightly different story. But if you're asking for any kind of city money and city staff, I think that needs to come to council for open transparency with the community and making sure the community also knows what's going on and how this is being used.

Thank you very much. Uh, Councilwoman, did you repress the button? I'm just Okay, go ahead. Um, so I think we just need to be careful with this because right now when we have I'll just give you an example. The the Christmas festival committee I at least last year I didn't see anything come to the council for approval when it came to any decisions that were being made. I think that's why we have our city staff that is present with the committee and you have two council representatives. So, I'm not sure again that it's necessary to bring back something every single time to the council unless it's some, like I said, a high like a high ticket item or something. Thank you very much, Vice Mayor Martinez.

Yeah, I just wanted to elaborate on that. Um, Council Member Otto, the Christmas tree committee is is myself, uh, Mayor Lopez, and, uh, Joey Chavez. It's not a citizens advisory committee, whereas this would be citizens from the community giving advice and being brought to the council. So, uh, the decisions made were made by myself, the mayor, and Joey without citizen input. We open up meetings and we have input from them, but, uh, it was our decision for those committees. This would be, uh, you and Mr. Casey, which I would support you being on it, uh, working with those citizens to bring items back to council. And I agree with Council Member Vieira, uh, just for transparency and for, you know, fiscal responsibility. I I think things should be brought back to council for approval.

Thank you very much, Council Member Casey. Yeah, I guess I don't understand why it this is an organization to try and help the veterans uh in our city accomplish I mean to help them do things. Uh, I understand clearly that we're going to spend serious taxpayer money. Those decisions need to come back and get approved. But if you don't trust your recreation director uh to guide us in the proper way, maybe we shouldn't have the committee. I don't know.

Thank you, Mr. Casey. So, at this time, we want to make sure we give clear direction to the city clerk and either an explanation on what how we want to move forward with this motion. Now, before I do that, we already went out to the public H1. Okay, we did. So, I will go ahead and bring this back for a motion, but let's make sure we're specific because on on these particular items, we have to make sure that we're specific to the T. And what is there anything you would like to say?

Yes, thank you, mayor. I just had a a thought. The way the resolution is drafted right now, it memorializes the committee is advisory and so it makes recommendations and any final decisions which would include fiscal decisions would be at the council's direction. If a potential motion would be um to approve the formation of the committee with an authorization of up to a certain amount of money to be exercised at the discretion of the committee. Again, I'm not saying that's a policy decision for the council, but for purposes of documenting the resolution, then I would recommend adding that to the motion because as it's drafted, it is purely advisory and any of those financial decisions would be ultimately made by the council.

Okay, I understand. So if in this motion, let's make sure that we are very specific on those items, but let's just make sure at this moment there's no actual funding available. When the suggestions come forward, obviously there will be an opportunity to discuss that. But I also want to make sure that in this motion it does include re going out to application for the application process. And when we bring this item back, we will then appoint the city council members and makes make sure that we add the two the two members of the public, the two council members and Joey as part of the motion. Do you want to get consensus on opening up to the public? Is I I heard a few council members say bring back house committee members first. I'm in support of bringing back past committee members first as well.

You're you're in support of bringing past M. Okay. And uh you're in support. Um Mr. Let's see. He was just saying as far as his motion.

Yeah, my motion would be to invite past committee members before we open up to the public. I I understand there is one vacancy um unfortunately, but to invite the past members to have an opportunity to reapply or uh rejoin that committee before we go out to the public. I guess it kind of depends on where we're at and if everyone that would be interested is interested because if there are new members or spouses of me of former of maybe they weren't aware of it before and now they may be interested. So I I don't want to just limit it. I just want to make sure everyone that is interested in supporting our veterans has the opportunity to be part of it and I don't want to limit it to just um the past ones that were part of it cuz obviously it dissolved for a reason.

Right. Got it. I think I have a motion. Uh mine motion is going to have inviting the past members back. So I'll go ahead and make this motion and then we'll see how it goes from there. Let's make sure that we we because we do have one open position that we bring this item back at that moment. We'll appoint the past members appoint the missing or the the open position and the two new council members on that item. Mayor. Mayor. Um yes. Go ahead. Go ahead. You you have a comment, sir. Go ahead.

Yes. Yes, mayor. Council members, just just to clarify on our um on the money that's being allocated, majority, our major money came from ARPA funding a few years ago. That is completely done with We do have a donation that came in. We do have a donation line that is is live. Um we have a total of $3,633 in that line as of today. Um, so we're we are leaning not towards going into the general fund because that's where the money would have to come from. I understand that. So I think, you know, with the committee, we're going to have to really get outside and really get no donations to move forward with our project. And that that's that's my 100% goal is to make sure that we do not get into our general fund and we'll find ways to get these projects done. Mr. Mayor.

Yes. Go ahead, sir. So real quick as follow up on Joey's U talk, it says in the no there'll be no fiscal impact. So what are the ground rules for this committee? I mean can anybody join or you have to be a military person or what is that? And then if are they going to be spending city money then I think that council should be responsible for approving that or not just not citizens. That that is correct and I think in the motion we have to be specific. So even if we have to go step by step on this motion to clarify, we'll do that.

And I think mayor um I also we need to determine a number of citizens that will be selected for this committee. Right now it looks like um it would be six that served previously. Are we going to stick at that? Are we going to stick to that number six as well? That's that was my question earlier. I mean, I'd made my recommendation of 2, two, and one. It's up to the council. Um, if you guys want to stick with the six or go back to my recommendation. I'm sorry, what was your recommendation again? It's just two citizens, two council members, and Joey Chavez or a staff member in the future.

Okay. So, I think with a committee like this, um, having a little bit more bodies to help us will help us accomplish, uh, some of the projects and goals of, um, honoring these veterans. So, I'm I like the I think number six. Six is good. Does that include you? I'm good. I'm good with I'm good with five. Okay. Two council members and myself. Okay. Thank you.

So, that would be five public members. Not five, not six total, like five public members, one one staff member, and two council members. Okay, you got that, Martinez? And then any any any funding to be ratified by the city council? Correct. Well, any anything else that we want to make sure we clarify

under reasons or for recommendations, which recommendations are you implementing? I'm going to make a motion that we bring back the military appreciation advisory committee going out to pass members first and adding a second council member. My recommendation will be Casey and Ottero, making it five citizens, two council members, and then our parks and recreations manager. And that any expenses from the general fund come to the city council first. I'll second them. Get a roll call, please. Excuse me. Roll call. Council member Casey. Yes. Council member Vieiraa. Yes. Council member Otto. Yes. Vice Mayor Martinez. Hi. Mayor Lopez.

Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. We will have to bring an item back for the additional member. Correct. In the future city council meeting. The which is the missing position. Yeah. Did you get that? And we we're going to have to bring the item back for Yes. Felon. make sure that we bring this item back at the at a next city council meeting for the member that unfortunately passed away to fill that position.

Okay. Can you please say that so that everybody else hears it? Yes. That we would need to bring this back uh to open up the application process for the one vacant position and then should any past committee members not desire to return, we'd also have to open it up to the public for them as well. Got that, Doug and Helen? Yeah, I don't know that it will be coming back the next council meeting if we're going to be conducting a recruitment, waiting to hear back from these individuals. So, I would just ask that we get a little time. I trust that you're you'll figure out the time. Thank you very much.

Okay. No public hearing, no new business, no discussions. We have a council member referral. Item number nine, sir community foundation discussion. This was requested by council member Otto. Go ahead.

Thank you, mayor. So, I was looking at some history of series and I did come across the series community foundation. Uh, this was a foundation that was established in 1994. It's a nonprofit uh 501c3 organization. It does allow the public to make taxdeductible contributions to projects such as developing cultural, historical, artistic, and parks and recreational facility um purposes. So, I'm proposing that we bring back a um a board for this foundation. I believe there are many benefits to reestablishing the foundation and it gives our residents the opportunity to participate. Um there are bylaws already in place. So that's going to take most of the work out of establishing a policy behind it. The other the other critical piece to the foundation committee is the funds uh do need to be managed, reviewed, and audited. It's important that all the required documentation that's uh needed by the state entities is current and correct names of who is managing the funds or listed as board members are also current. Um, in doing my research, it does appear back in 2324 fiscal years, there was approximately 128,000 in that fund. And just today, our city manager shared um that there's 400,000. So, this is a great opportunity to utilize these funds in some of our, you know, projects, additional projects in the city. Um, however, the large amount of funding for a nonprofit, uh, it needs to be managed by a board. uh otherwise it's going to raise concerns about accountability and transparency when it comes to when it comes to these funds. But overall, the this will benefit our city and it allows further participation by community members.

Okay. Thank you very much. Is there any comments by the city manager at this time? Julian's very familiar with this board. He's actually resurrected it. And you want to I heard you said there's still there's bylaws to this.

Yes. Good evening council. So the series community foundation we have one acting board member right now which is a director of finance. The director of finance can reestablish this committee um by appointing seven directors. Two would be from the city um a public works manager. the finance director is a lifetime um commitment to this foundation. Um the other five are appointed by the director of finance as the um acting chair for this foundation or the acting director. Um the uh corporation has to be a standalone account. So it is separate from any funding from the city. So this foundation is separate does not come to council. Um the finance um report is quarterly and it is derived by the finance director um to produce those financial records on a quarterly basis. Um the foundation um decisions will go through the directors. So the five directors will vote on any projects. Those projects will then um be displayed and come back just as a notice to the council but would not need council approval on this foundation. Um the bylaws are set um and the articles of incorporation. Um there is the um articles direct exactly how the membership is to be appointed, how the funding is to be uh presented. Um we had council take a look at this way back in I think in 2024. Um oh sorry, last year we had the council take a look at this when we found out that there was the actual U

foundation. We thought the foundation was dead in the water. Um but after reviewing it, we found out that we were still active with the state department. Um and so we just have to now call a meeting or actually the director of finance will have to call a meeting. Um at that meeting then we would have to be able to appoint or make recommendations to appoint individuals to this foundation. Um the foundation allows um for city staff that are residents in Siri. So that's one of the recommendations you have to be a city resident. Um and so we are looking to move this foundation as soon as possible. Um and then once it is there is specific goals as to what uh councilwoman Ontario said that it is for the beautifification of the city. So, what is going to benefit the city as a whole um to make of course the city of Series uh be more presentable and impactful for our community.

Thank you, Julian. And I just want to kind of put this over to the city attorney. Um everything that he just stated as far as the bylaws are concerned makes sense to you. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that we coordinated with staff in looking at this originally. So you've already went over and combed through this and verified. Yeah. So okay. So you would say that that the way that it is established now is is current and that's the only direction that this can actually move forward with. The city council cannot get involved. Right. Not without the changing of the fundamental rules, right? Okay. If you change the bylaws, then we have to send the new bylaws to the IRS because they have to be approved since it's a 501c3.

Okay. Question. Oh yeah, absolutely. Go ahead.

Can I ask a clarifying question? Um, the finance director gets to make the recommendations for the I guess board of directors or directors. How how is that done and how are these individuals selected? Under article five of the bylaws, the nominating committee of two directors appointed by the board president with approval of the board is supposed to notify the so it goes into uh because we don't have a board. So the director of finance can call the meeting and then individuals can make the recommendations for the directors and then the finance director can then appoint those individuals as the directors of that board. So how do we get the

So what we have to do is we have to call a meeting um a journal meeting um and at that meeting we would make those recommendations um before so it' be um she would have a list of names of individuals that would want to be appointed as the director. Um, and then that would be the vote would be obviously she's the only one. So, she would be the only one that would be able to appoint those individuals. Those individuals do have a term limit of 2 years. Um, the treasury, which is the director of finance, is a lifetime appointment. Okay. Vice Mayor,

thank you. Uh, Julia, if I'm not mistaken, you said that there's two city members. That's the director of public works. So, she's not the only one, correct? That is correct. So it would be her and it would be her and the um I believe you said that the second member was a director. It's uh parks and rack. So it' be Joey. Okay. So herself and Joey are the two city members. So they would decide. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. With you. Sorry. Sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead. I might be missing something here. But when she when they call the meeting and at that time appoint individuals these how are they going to be know how does the public know that we are opening this up to bring in new board directors

we would have to make a public notification yes thank you okay and I'm just going to make a comment that although so just make quick point of clarification it would it would have to be duly noticed as a public meeting in a sense we'd have to follow the brown for this committee.

Thank you very much. I do see uh Councilwoman Vier and Daniel Martinez did make a comment, but I just wanted to say, you know, Council Member Oter, I think this is great that you brought this up and even to get additional clarification on top of what the city council has previously done, and I do appreciate uh the city attorney working with the city staff uh to get this going. And being that we do have almost $400,000, I think that this will be a great opportunity to continue to beautify the city of Series. But unfortunately, because of the news that I've just learned, I think that we need to keep it the way it is and we'll be thumbs down on this item. Mr. Vice Mayor,

real quick, on Nubia, regarding this 501c3, it cannot be during business hours. It has to be separate because it's a whole different organization. Is that correct? Is that considered gifting of public funds if they're doing it on business time? I don't know if we looked into that specifically. I can and that could be a direction that we provide if if there's an issue of coingling of time and we staff to make sure that it's separate. Okay. Actually, um just want to make sure before we do consensus that public gets an opportunity to speak. So that's my apologies. We'll go out to the public. And actually, you know, before we go out to the public, Councilwoman Vieira, go ahead. just because she pressed her button and I apologize. Go ahead.

I just have a quick clarification. I just want to make sure I heard Julian correctly because I know the speakers aren't always amazing. You said they had to be the board members currently have to be members of this um employees of the city and reside in series. Correct. So it's limited to city staff that reside in series. They can be employees of the city. They just have to live in in series. So any director has to live in the city of Siri. If they are an employee that wants to be on the board, they're welcome to. It does not regulate that. They cannot and it does not come conflict.

Thank you. And then can I ask one more and maybe a Nubia question just for followup because I'm not aware of like all of the nonprofits like the chamber meetings we're not necessarily always invited to. So that's why I'm just wondering when it comes to nonprofits, what is the non uh public notice that's required? cuz I know we have like a lot of different organizations and I don't get those notices.

There's I think provisions in the specific bylaws. That's what makes it subject to that extra noticing. Those type of organization 501c3s are separate. They're they're not subject to um any specific noticing requirements unless their own bylaws require it. Generally, they don't. But I think this is what I think Julian's looking for now is that it discusses the nature of it um and the the nature of the meetings. Well, you you are looking for that. Um Mr. Vice Mayor, he pressed your button.

Yeah, just I had a couple of follow-ups. Um the first was uh you know has to be um sent out to the public and and we have to do a notification. Is the 501c3 taking care of that or is the city going to be, you know, financially responsible for paying for that? My second question was Julian, you said that the board of directors can be city employees but must live in the city. So, does that include our finance director and our parks and reccks manager? No, because the director of finance in here, it indicates that director of finance for the city is a lifetime appointment. So, it doesn't matter who's in that position. It specifically says director of finance. Thank you.

So that's that the special meetings are determined by the board of directors and the time to notify is will be determined by the board of directors. So whether it's 10 days, 30 days, whatever that that board will determine the notice for those public meetings. Um special meetings um should be noticed within 72 hours um for but it's given the direction to that the board to so whatever that committee is they would determine when the notices of those meetings would be posted to the community.

Thank you. And I know Serena had an additional Did you get it? Okay. So at this time uh we will go ahead and open this up to the public. Members of the public please step up to the podium. Hello, Ray Smith, serious resident. Um, I would just wonder um would this would there be any input from the um community um on this like what was going to take place for enhancements for the city or is this going to be completely up to the people that are nominated to it? And then um I didn't catch if this went from 100,000 to 400,000. was the was this all grant money or money that was raised or so I was just a few questions I great uh great cause and I was just kind of wondering you know who who decides where this money goes um and what we're going to do for it's a considerable amount of money and that um it's going to do something great for our city. So thank you.

Thank you. And Nubia, you said that being that they would have to um based on the Browns Act, will they when they do conduct these meetings and it is agendaized, it will be a section where the public can make a comment. There's specific clarify. So this the nature of this board doesn't subject it to the Brown Act. It's whatever it's included in the bylaws,

strictly bylaws. laws make it clear that they um there are certain noticing requirements associated with it and the noticing requirement would be presumably to open this up for the public participation. So I think that's I think that is um it has to be held at the principal office. There's annual meetings there special meetings. So those are those are all they there would have to be a component of public participation somehow. I'll confirm um that that's the case. But this is this is structured as like a corporate board in essence. Right. Right. That's essentially what it is.

And Julian, he just wanted to clarification that we started off with the 100,000 plus and now we have 400. Is there anything just off the top of your head that you can remember how we got to the 400? But if not, we we will make sure that we provide check. That was the latest number I got from finance today. And I went cuz I I didn't know we had that much. I I would hope that the moment that this becomes uh a full committee that they will provide that information to the public the moment that it is.

Yes. And when they do in the past, the committee did get representation from the citizens of series. So there was open forums and open communications on those. Um, from what I understand when reading all the prior or past notes, um, notifications went out for the foundation, um, there we do have records, paper records from way back in 1998, I believe we have, um, and so, yeah, so it looked like the the community uh was very involved in this foundation. It wasn't just the board of directors, but it was for the good of of the citizens of Sir. Okay. Thank you very much. Any

I could just add one thing. Sorry. Go ahead. No, I was going to you, but go ahead. Is it anybody else? Go ahead, sir.

Uh just to um I guess so one thing that um it sounded like it can't be done through city council um because of the the way it's set up. So, could it could it be um done through a city council as far as updates to where people showing up or it gets recorded or that or just transparencywise? How would that take place? And then how it it seems to me I guess if you guys could just have some further discussion on how people could know about this. I know it's hard. You have Siri courier you can't email everybody. I mean, so I just a little wondering for me how would we we would even find out about that. If you can just have discussion on that, that'd be great.

City manager at your discretion. Yeah, we we actually started this out. This has been a process ongoing and we're moving it forward and going to be bringing back the council to talk about get moving forward. Um, Councilwoman Otero made a referral so now we're actually ahead of it before we're really ready to talk about it. So, we're still making those decisions, trying to get everything in line before we bring them back. So, you were already working on this diligently? Yeah, we've been working on this since what, July of last year of trying to resurrect it, get up and we sent, you know, paperwork over to Nubia and she handed it off to Rachel who gave her stuff and got, you know, and kind of get us on a right track to get everything moving forward. I was in your court.

And so, yeah, we're we're slowly moving forward with it. We understand government is slow, but if you could speed it up, the community be very grateful. Thank you. I appreciate that.

Mayor, one point um that we've been looking at the the bylaws specifically, the board of directors can amend their own bylaws um in order to provide basically for any any kind of internal rules that they would like. One recommendation would be uh in con reconstituting this committee is a recommendation that once that board meets that they amend their own rules to provide that type of um public input and process so that it's codified in their own rules if there are potential holes associated with that. So I think that that is definitely within the purview of the council in reconstituting this is it's on the condition that you make this more transparent than you have to right now in the bylaws and that you memorialize that through an amendment to the bylaws.

Okay. Thank you very much sir. Any additional comments or questions? Just one thing. But um I wasn't really understanding was it is this more to um go back and beautify something that's existing or both or is this for like a new project to to do something new for the city or is it geared towards one or the other? Oh well it depends on the bylaws. Correct. It'd be up to the board to make make that decision. So it's all still in progress. Yes, absolutely. That'd be it. Thank you.

Awesome. Really? Thank you very much. Next person, please. Freddy Meyer, City of Series. Again, um I'm actually very familiar with this foundation. So, Debbie Wilson was a president um many years back and I worked with her in the office. I've been attended their meetings. Um I want to put on record that all the funds that we raised for the water tower went into this account. So, I have statements from the city and um information that shows that all the money that we did for fundraising for the series water tower before CO was put into this account by the financial director at that time.

And finance director, can you please work with her to try to figure out where the document is and I'm sure you guys can work together on that. No, thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, with that being said, unless there's any additional comments, just going to make sure no additional comments online. There are no hands raised online. I bring this item back for and and I remembered I know that we felt that it was important for us to go into depth, but we were just looking for consensus with the additional information that we just discovered. Serena, is there any additional comments you would like to make?

Yeah, just one quick thing. Uh I'm hopeful that when this uh board is reestablished for the sake of transparency like everyone's concerned about um maybe there's a website or on the city website where all the financial documents everything can be um placed on there for the public to see.

Okay. A city attorney being that we understand the purpose behind it. Is there really necessary for us to continue on with this item? There's nothing really that we can do. the item. Thank you. The item was brought forward as a referral for a discussion. Staff has been moving diligently forward. So, as the mayor mentioned, tonight is really just a kind of thumbs up, thumbs down on moving this forward. So, that's really the only direction we and we technically I guess don't necessarily have to do that since we're moving forward. That's what I'm saying. we don't necessarily need to continue to have a discussion if it's already happening is the reason why I wouldn't necessarily do a thumbs up for it.

It's moving forward and we'll be bringing back additional information either regardless. Okay. All right, council. We're going to move on if there's actually any additional referrals. Nope. We're going to move on to reports. I have no reports. Mayor, vice mayor.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to say that, uh, last Friday evening, myself and the entire council were able to attend, uh, the series chambers 57th. Is that right, Brandy? 57th annual awards banquet. Uh, I just want to congratulate everybody that was nominated, all the award winners. Uh, Howard Johnson Prep did a great job with the food. It was a great evening. So, I look forward to next year's.

Thank you, Councilwoman Vieira. Thank you, mayor. Um, just some quick updates on what's going on. Dutch Bros is opening in two days. Their official grand opening is Wednesday. I just want to correct I'm looking at Julian confirming it's the 28th at 11:00 a.m. I was told they are opening at 5:00. For you early birds that are up at 5:00 a.m. and want to stop by, please feel free to be the first one in line. I will not be. I'm just for clarification. Um this I have the uh stansas homeless alliance meeting coming up next week. We're looking at infill projects are going to be available for multifamily housing and apartments and I have submitted those questions that they have asked to the city manager. So that way hopefully we can see if we can get on the list. Um we also have the homeless count um point in time count coming on Thursday, January 29th and so we already have the resources already set up. Joey's kind of overseeing that here in series just to make sure we get a accurate count. I know last year they placed us at 18 homeless people. I think I counted 18 alone at Whitmore Park. So, I'm interested in seeing what the numbers come out. Yes. I Anyways, I also want to thank Sam. I believe this is his last meeting for before he departs and retires. And I appreciate everything you've done, your speedy emails, even on the weekends, and everything you've done while I've been here on council. And I appreciate the work that you put in and contribute to the city. Um, I really do appreciate it. So, I just want to make sure I took time out and everyone recognized that you're down to about your last 5 days, I believe. And so, I appreciate everything you've done. Um, again, the Brandy um hosted the chamber dinner and the MC's were always amazing. I always love Eric and Lisa. They're always a great couple up on stage and congratulate to everyone. All the nominees were amazing and contributed so much to series and some of those are really hard to make some decisions on some of those votes cuz I although I

love the fire department, I know Chief does some amazing stuff and he deals with all five of us constantly and that that's a hard hat to wear. So, um I appreciate it, but I also know fire is also here and they're pretty well respond to every call whether it's medical, fire, accidents, everything. So, they both contribute significantly to the well-being of the entire city. Um, Series Garden Club, um, we had a meeting over the last week. Um, they are planning something for Arbor Day, um, and some tree planting here in series. So, they're happy with the upcoming event and trees that we plan on getting planned. I know Joey's overseeing and hoping to have that started and finished here relatively quickly. So, I look forward to seeing that move forward. And then lastly, I'm doing a tour tomorrow over at Howard Prep. They did do some more remodeling, so I'm excited to actually see behind the scenes. Um, I did meet with them when they were at the chamber dinner and I look forward to seeing um what up updates they have. They are a local business, so always support local business, shop local, and if you can get your catering done here in series, please do. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Council Member Casey. Sure. Mine's more of a question of reports. You know, tonight we found out that at first we thought we had a h 100,000 or there was a $100,000 in somewhere in this city's funds. Um and then later on we found it was $400,000. Twice before the council, we've asked for a forensic audit and both times it was turned down. I would just like the council to reconsider. I can't do it as a referral, but maybe think about that. Um the other thing is and this goes to the chief of police you know uh more often than not we are having weekend people set up camps to cook food and this last weekend it was on roing two weekends ago it was in front of the series high school. Should these citizens call the non-emergency number and report that uh because what happened the with the one across the street from Sirius High School just it was all day it was from 5:00 Friday till I don't know what time and then again early in the evening to whatever time Saturday and nothing happened. I was I was contacted and they suggested that I call the non-emergency number. I said, "Well, you know, there's plenty of police wandering around. Surely they're going to find out." So, what is the proper procedure when they see that? Should they call the non-emergency number?

It's a great question. um code enforcement, they are the ones that deal with the illegal vending. Unless they're committing a crime, we aren't going to send an officer out there. So, what my recommendation would be to use the gov app or the ask series app and send that to code enforcement and code enforcement uh will and have adjusted their schedule to where they come out at night. The problem that we have is we don't have a 247 code enforcement and um sometimes these vendors will set up at 11:00 at night. So there unless we have a 247 code officer working there it's we're not going to be able to catch them all. Now, for some of the vendors, like the one at Home Depot, when I was working in dispatch, I actually sent an officer out there because they were trespassing. So, if we have that, we can send an officer out there, but we are not going to send a armed government agent to somebody that's um committing a vending violation. We're going to save that for code enforcement. But based on what I've heard tonight, I will change code enforcement schedule and we will go out with the county environmental resources and start uh taking their uh products when we can and their equipment and hopefully we'll put a dent in that starting as soon as I can legally change their schedule. Chief, and I just would like to add to this that know I I do understand you actually do have a plan and I know that the health department has been working with code enforcement so that we do go out there. Um, obviously we don't want to give them a heads up. Uh, Mr. Casey, I am 100% in support of your suggestions. We do need to try to figure out a way to either a more funding for remote enforcement officers and pay for overtime. Hint hint, Doug, depending on our budget constraint. But uh the fact that I've

heard plenty of times that you s do have a plan to address this issue and I know that the city of Siri has been very very upfront and try to provide education to some of these vendors but unfortunately these vendors do want not want to work with the city of series and I believe Julian you can answer this question that the fee is not that expensive right it's like 150 bucks maybe and if they go through the process any vendor is allowed to vend in the city of seriesir as long as they go through the process. But unfortunately, we have other businesses, food trucks, that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and these vendors are not and they're making cash money. And I think that at the end of the day, you have a lot of businesses that do want us to enforce it. And being that I know that you do have a plan, I think, Mr. Casey, I'm 100% behind you. And we're always open for suggestions from the city council to try to help improve code enforcement. And along those lines, I forgot to mention that every time we do issue a citation, they also the code enforcement provides the information needed to get the permit.

Thank you, Chief. Uh, but you know, as far as using the app, I've used the app several times and typically the answer automatically is they'll get back to you. And typically, well, I mean, always uh it's tomorrow or the next day and sometimes as often as a week later to see if it's been resolved. So using the app to report something that's happening on the weekend I mean I guess we can do that but it just is it's kind of a waste of motions. Uh I'd like to also add that you know we have a a beautiful cemetery and it's adding uh spaces. This is this is just a report. Uh the chief can probably answer that number of times, but because of the highway design that comes over Whitmore at least two or three times a year, someone crashes through the fence. Well, so far that part of the cemetery, there's nothing there except the fence. Well, the cemetery is growing and pretty soon they're going to actually have um people's remains there, personal, you know, family members, veterans, and I would hate for the city to be involved in who's responsible for what. So the uh city I mean the cemetery board has asked me to to ask the city to consider putting in K rails to prevent the breaking of you know when they come across. Again it's not their fault. I don't know whose fault it is. It was a poorly designed uh overpass and and I go by there often and

again the chief probably could answer the question but it it happens at least two or three times a year. So I think that public works somebody should look into installing some K rails to prevent that from happening. Thank you. a city manager, could you take that note as a referral? You guys can have an offline discussion. I don't want this to get lost because I think Mr. Casey um has some information I think that's valuable. Mr. Casey, make sure you contact the city manager for that referral. Make sure we bring it back about the railings. Okay. Uh Councilwoman Vieira, you pressed your button again.

I just wanted to follow up because I did see code enforcement this weekend um in the evening. I think I saw about 7 8:00 out by Walmart. Um, so I do know they're working evening. I appreciate that, Chief. I did see that this weekend, but I just want to confirm there's not a whole lot the city their hands are kind of tied this on what the city can do. It's only the Department of Environmental Resources that can confiscate and do anything when this happens. Or I see Julian nodding. I just want to make sure that we're clear so the public understands when they're calling our hands are kind of tied on the city side because of the way the laws are currently written.

That is correct. And uh we do have plans to work with them to confiscate, but we have to follow their rules and we don't even have a place to store all the equipment and uh the county does. So uh we've done it before and we will follow up with them. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you for everybody. Um that turned into being a bigger discussion, but that's all right. Uh so we'll move on to the city manager. Do you have anything to add, sir? I have nothing to add. Okay. City attorney. Nothing tonight. Thank you, mayor. And we'll go ahead with the departments back on the chief side.

Go ahead, Mayor. Uh members of the council, members of the public, I'm Andrew Hunter, assistant chief with the fire department. I want to report that uh last week uh the new computer aated dispatch went live with uh at SR 911 and this uh CAD is utilized by all the fire agencies within the county and a one of the huge benefits that I just wanted to point out with this is that it uses uh GPS to dispatch our fire units and that's going to realize help to realize a huge benefit to the public meaning that the closest fire resource will get dispatched to uh the emergency within series and the other fire agencies. And this was a as opposed to a zone dispatching which uh broke up the county uh within different zones. Um and we hope to see the uh the benefits of this to the public with reduced response times and ensuring that uh fire engines get to the scene as quickly as possible uh regardless of jurisdiction. Uh there's a a number of other benefits to it, but that I just wanted to highlight that uh that went live last uh week. Uh there were a few things that uh as this went live that we were able to correct. Um and we'll continue to uh make corrections as they pop up and refine this uh um into the future. Uh but it's a huge benefit. Um it's been a few years in the making and we're excited to see this go into effect.

Thank you very much. Anybody else? Okay. On this left side. Yes. So, just to uh Dutch Bros is opening on Wednesday. So, hopefully see everybody there at 5 in the morning. Get in line. So, this is not It's 5:00 a.m. Soft opening at 5, but the ribbon cutting will be at 11:00 a.m. But you want us to be there at 11:00 a.m., not 5:00 a.m., right? 11 a.m. I just wanted to make sure cuz Rosina kept saying 5:00 a.m. and I was like, I'll be there, but if you're saying 11:00 a.m. No, the grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. So,

thank you. Um also want to announce that uh the city of series economic development and the valley Sierra small business um is hosting a workshop on financing fundamentals on February 10th from 10 to 11. Um this will introduction to business loans potential funders and eligibility criteria. Um and so notices have gone out to over 300 uh businesses in series. Also we are partnering um with the series equity partners. Um they are holding a business entrepreneurship 6E cohort um starting Wednesday February 11th through March 18th. This is going to be held in Modesto at their Modesto office. um March and then in April they will actually come here to the city of Series to do a Spanish and English uh business entrepreneurship in uh for 6 weeks here at the community centers.

That's great. Thank you very much. Yeah. Good evening, Mayor City Council. I just want to point out that the uh city of Sar will be holding the third annual free community uh disposal event. Uh this this is scheduled for uh Saturday, February 7th and it'll start at 8:00 in the morning till 11:45 that uh Saturday. So if you have any junk, anything, mattresses, tires, um if you want to dispose of that, any electronics, they'll be um happy to take care of it.

Sam, that is your official last report. And I just want everybody to give Sam a round of applause. That was a great report. Thank you, sir. Joey, good luck following up on that. Any comments? No comments. Thank you very much, everybody. Once again, this is a great meeting and uh just want to tell everybody, God bless and have a great night. Meeting is adjourned.