City Council - Regular Meeting

and welcome to today's city council meeting today, Monday, December 8th. I now call this meeting to order. Roll call. District 1, Council Member Casey, present. District 2, Council Member Vieira, present. District 3, Council Member Oro, here. District 4, Vice Mayor Martinez, present. Mayor Lopez, here. Please stand for the invocation by Pastor Patrick Davis from the Sirius Christian Church, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Caesar Morales, La Roza Elementary School. Is Patrick online or in person? He's on Zoom. Just one moment. Okay. Thank you.

Can everybody hear me? Okay. Yes, we can. Thank you. Thank you so much. Um let's take a moment to pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to serve you, serve the city. Um God, we're getting close to Christmas and a lot of people are sick. So, I'm praying that you um heal people who are sick. Keep all the council members healthy and their families. Bless tonight's proceedings. Give us all wisdom in Jesus name. Amen. Is Caesar here? How you doing, Caesar? Go ahead and whenever you're ready to lead us with the pledge of allegiance on you.

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. Okay. So, today we do have a presentation. This is for the cross town showdown certificates. So, we'll have all the council step up to the podium along with the athletic director Rig Magny, John Bassard, Derek Goblish, any other Central Valley football coaches, and also Central Valley High School Varsity athletes who have been chosen today. Matthew, Dominic, William, Jacob, and Roberto. Please step up to the podium with us. Okay. Well, as everybody will knows that, you know, the city of Series outside of schedule scheduled business, we have a cross town showdown that is very important for the community. And this time, Central Center Valley High School went ahead and brought the trophy back. Congratulations, gentlemen. Now, at the city council, we had a friendly wager and of course, I believe it was Mr. Casey and Vice Mayor Martinez who lost the wager and they're supposed to wear some Central Valley gear. Uh, so they wore some green and all spirit. Um, as well goes. So, I just wanted to go ahead and introduce we'll start off with the coaches and then we'll give a go ahead and give away the certificates to the rest. So, I don't think John Bard is here. Okay, that to the side. So, we'll start off with Greg Magny and then uh we'll give

everybody certificates and then we'll have you guys speak. So, Greg Magny, Central Valley High School athletic director. Congratulations. Thank you. our head coach Derek Goblish. Then we have force the athletes Matthew. Yes, sir. Round of applause. William, round of applause. Dominic, round of applause. Roberto, round of applause. And Jacob. Okay. So, usually we'll go ahead and have maybe our director make a comment. Sure.

And then we'll go from there. All right. Thank you. I appreciate it.

All right. First off, thank you to the city for having us. This is really special for our players and our staff, the guys that can make it. Um, I've been at Central Valley all 21 years, so I've seen every game of this rivalry. Uh, we are now 16 and four. if you're keeping taking notes on that just by chance. Um we are really looking forward to hosting this game not next year but the year after in our new stadium. Uh so that's very exciting. Uh but just a couple things for this year. Uh these boys they put in a ton of work. We had a rough season a year ago and we rebuilt and they came back strong this year. They tripled their win total. Uh they worked hard in the summertime all the way through, hit the weights, put in the effort, and uh we're on the up. Our JV and uh freshman teams also did extremely well. Both were one score away from league championships, and our varsity kids had an excellent season. So, this is for them. It's for the coaches. I'm just proud of them and proud of representing Central Valley High School. So, thanks for having us again. Thank you, sir. Okay. Um, any of the players like to say anything? Are you sure? This is your opportunity to shine. Let's leave it on the football field, right? Well, thank you very much, everyone, for coming here today. Let's go ahead and take a a photo. We'll go ahead and move these out of the way and we'll try to get all together.

Yeah. Thank you everybody for coming. Now we have two more presentations. This presentation will be from the Stannis Council of the Governments, the associate planner, Cassandra. She will be giving the presentation. Welcome.

Good evening everybody. My name is Cassandra Barentos and I'm the associate planner at the Stannis Council of Governments. I want to thank you all for allowing me to present to you guys today about the transportation development act and its unmet transit needs process. Um the unmet transit needs can be defined as a transportation service that does not currently exist but users would want to exist so that way they can do their daily mobility tasks. So we're really trying to identify what the mobility gaps are in our local bus services or dialeride and paired transit service. On November 12th, Stanco officially kicked off its public comment period and it will be ongoing until January 12th or sorry, January 22nd. Next slide, please. So every year the transportation development acts holds its unmet transit needs process and Stanco is responsible for the administration of the state transportation development act funds which has two funding sources. The local transportation LTF that comes from a quarter cent sales tax and the state transit assistance which comes from a gas and diesel tax. Next slide please. So these are the requirements that are needed with the unmet transit needs process. We are required to do public outreach. We are presenting at numerous different jurisdictions here in the county. Um and we also will be participating in Stan RTA's open house that will be going on on th on Wednesday from 4 to 6:00 p.m. at the Modesto Transit Center. We are required to hold at least one public hearing and that will be on January 21st at the Stanco

Policy Board meeting. And once we get all the input and public comments and up until January 22nd, we will review all the comments that come in and write an analysis report and we will categorize those comments into three different categories which I will go into detail later. And once we write that, we will complete the report and provide that to our policy board for their approval. And from there, once we gain their approval, we can submit that to CALR. Next slide. So some of the our outreach efforts, the way they look is we are on social media. We're promoting it on our Instagram, Facebook. We also launched a survey on survey monkey for people to answer and respond to. We're also doing and working alongside the transit agency such as Stan RTA, Turlock Transit and Move Standis Law to spread the word to their writers and people who use their services. And you know, we're also presenting to different jurisdictions to spread the awareness and educate you guys. And hopefully you guys can also spread the word. Next slide, please. So, this is just an infographic that some of you received today to really understand and it helps define what a transit need is. You know, it's not just to get you to do your work. It's also to provide you service to get to your medical appointments, to recreational services, to go to your school, college, and things of that sort. And then we have the QR code that links you straight to the survey. Um, but you could also give us an email with your comment that you may have. Next slide, please. So, here is a list of all the different uh locations that we will be presenting at. We officially launched the comment period on November

12th at the Stanco Social Service Transportation Advisory Council. We're presenting at uh the series and Oakdale City Council meetings and then we will have our public hearing on January 21st at the Stanco Policy Board meeting. Next slide, please. So, as defined, we will have that annual report that we will be writing once we conclude the public comment period. And it's really to identify the transit needs in the jurisdictions that may be reasonable to meet by either establishing or contracting for a new public transportation or a specialized transportation service or by expanding the existing services. So the three definitions that we will categorize the comments into are one there are no unmet transit needs, two there are no unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet and three there are unmet transit needs including needs that are reasonable to meet. Next slide please. So finally this is the last slide. It's really just to emphasize where you're able to send your comments to. You can email them to us at unmetransit needs@stanco.org. You could always call in the listed number 209-525-4600. Um, you can also send us mail or visit our website that has more information about what the unmet transit needs process is. Uh, also has links to the survey that are both in English and Spanish as well. And that concludes my presentation um for the unmet transit needs process. Thank you.

Thank you very much. We'll now have a presentation by our deputy finance director, Sonia. She will be introducing the HDL presentation. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh online today we have uh Jeron Saming the operations manager and Ian Davis the senior compliance manager with HDL. Thank you. So who will be doing the presentation? That person you just mentioned. Yes. Okay. Thank you.

Good evening. Just just checking to make sure you guys can hear me. Yes, we can hear you. Awesome. Awesome. Let's see. Are you guys able to slides? Perfect. Perfect.

Awesome. Awesome. Good evening, Council Mayor. My name is Jeron. I am an operations manager here with HDL and I oversee the business license administration that the city has recently contracted us to provide for the city. And then I also have my colleague Ian Davis who oversees the compliance division.

Next slide. Slide. So today I I just go over the scope of our registration what we do what the services that we provide for the CR are and then then we'll say the same for compliance and then we'll open it up for questions. So HDL in in standard we part with the city which we went live with in August um of 25th and essentially we are providing administration services and providing support to the business community. So we handle all things business licensing which which includes the applications processing uh renewal notifications for the taxpayers business community process all all of the payments all of the renewals we provide support Friday for the business community and then also via email as well and then as far as payment for for business community we're procing those as and then then re those funds over over to the city um after processing them each month. Next slide.

So, so with our service we do provide the business unit with an online portal. This is where business are able to come online and submit an application. they can renew efficiently online as well. Pay balance or if they are those in the city able to close this as well. So it's a userfriendly um all of our communication our website so business can go online to renew but in addition to that if they prefer to send a payment via mail or or if they want to call and make a payment over the phone by those services well time and then I'll pass it over to Ian Davis on on the compliance. Hello mayor and city council. This is Davisen senior compliance manager for HDL companies. Um if we can move on to the next slide.

So so far so far with the city HDL has started collection services. This is basically the action of HDL collecting any delinquent balance balances that were basically accumulated over time. the businesses who meant to renew their business license on a quarterly basis and have failed to do so. The the second part of our contract is our discovery and audit services. This

this is basically when we're finding things like like unlicensed businesses, under reported businesses such as such as not reporting those gross receipts correctly and mainly just trying to find the city as much revenue as possible as as possible and Our main goal is to try to get as much equity as possible and try to ensure that businesses feel like they're playing on an even even playing field. So So with that being said, the current process of the collection services is what we are currently doing. We are currently in talks with the finance department to do the discovery services and the audit services.

However, however, at the moment um that just has not got off the ground. We are currently working on getting that done within within the next week or so. Next slide, please.

And so here is just a little bit of a breakdown of how the services kind of lay out. So we have so we have audit, collections, and discovery. Audit. Audit. The purpose of it is to identify verify and collect collect and also monitor the the regular reportings. What we're basically trying to do with the audit is trying to verify records that are um um under reporting or and make sure that there's consistent reporting collections is to prepare research email and escalate. The idea the idea of this is just to try to overcommunicate with the taxpayers

so that they feel like we have done our job to try to get them into compiance. The discovery aspect is is trying to identify as many businesses as possible to to again ensure that equity in the community. Next slide please. So, so, so far we've identified with with the information that we received from the city that there's approximately $104,000 in collections to be collected

and about $98,000 in undiscovered revenue once once we start the discovery program. So, obviously that is a good chunk of money that's being left on the table by the city and we're actively working to try to collect amounts Next slide, please. Awesome. Presentation and we'll set up our questions.

Thank you very much. We now move on to citizens communications. The city council welcomes and encourages participation in city council meetings. Adopt rules allow no more than 5 minutes. Resolution number 2007106 for expression of non-aggenda items. Matters under the jurisdiction of the city council and not to the posted agenda may be addressed by the general public. However, California law prohibits city council from taking any action on any matter which is not posted on the agenda unless it is it is determined to be an emergency by the city council. Citizens are entitled to address city council on any agenda item subject to the five-minute provision. Anyone wishing to address the city council must adhere to the rules of decorum which are posted outside. Any representatives here today? Okay. No yellow cards. We'll begin with in-person comments. Anybody from in the chambers that would like to make a comment? Go ahead. turn on that button on that microphone. There you go.

Now, can you hear me? Yes.

Um, if HDL is still on the call, I actually have a question about business license. I don't know if it's the city or if they could even answer at this point because it's not on the agenda, but um, we filed for our business license back in July or August, July 25th, and I just want to know who do I notify to get a copy of our business license? I have my receipt. I have my application, but I still haven't received it. I've called multiple times, and every time I call to get a copy of my business license, because from my understanding, it's supposed to be posted at the business. Um, they keep asking me to pay my taxes. We've only been in business for 3 months. So, when I started calling after two months, they told me I had to pay my t my quarterly taxes, but we hadn't even been open for a quarter. So, I went online and I looked and it said that I'm out of compliance. because I haven't paid my taxes. But we're a brand new business. We just opened. I haven't received any invoices, any paperwork, or any information on to pay my taxes. I'd love to pay my taxes, but I need to know where to send it and what to do and how can I get a copy of my business license. Julian, can you please work with her directly because that sounds like HDL should be checking their site and there's no need for her to be receiving those types of notifications, especially if she just opened. So, if you can just please work with her and is that okay, Brandy?

Yeah, I just need to make sure we get your answer and then please report back. And I mean those kind of discrepancies are important for the council to be notified about. We'll do. Thank you very much. Thank you. And then since I still have three minutes, I'm going to do my Oh, don't worry about it. Keep going.

Okay. All right. Now, I'm going to put my other hat on. As chamber president, um, we do have some events coming up. We have our possum ribbon cutting on December 10th at 3M. It's a brand new business here in series for pet grooming. So, if everybody can come, that would be awesome to support a new business. On December 18th, we have our multi-chamber mixer, holiday mixer. It'll be at the Double Tree from 5:30 to 7:30. This is the countywide chamber multi-mixer. Lots of people. It's amazing. It's a lot of fun. Great networking. So, if you get an opportunity to come, I highly recommend it. Um we are currently working and partnering with the workforce development to um to meet with underserved businesses to help match them up with professionals that have experience that can help them. Um we are scheduling a meeting currently to um bring in at least 25 businesses. So, if you know any businesses in series that are considered underserved or need help, um we are planning on having a a professional panel with information such as insurance, finances, marketing, um mental um support, things like that, let us know so that we can reach out to those businesses and invite them to our meeting. And last, but definitely not least, January 23rd of 2026 is our annual installation and awards dinner. nominations are closed. They were closed November 30th. However, we will be announcing the nominees here pretty soon. And starting December 15th through December 31st, um we will ask the community to vote. So, make sure you get on to our website, make sure that you vote, and um if you have any questions, give us a call. It's on our website. You can go on to our website to vote. And the winners will be announced at our dinner on January 23rd. Okay. Any questions? One minute left.

All right. Thank you. Anyone else in person?

Hello everyone. Uh it's Gala Guzman, city resident. Uh so the first thing that I wanted to talk about well I kind of on my way here I was uh on Zoom so I didn't get to um say a comment but regarding transportation uh I'm a runner and I run around the city and I've noticed that on uh multiple bus stops there isn't a place where people could sit. So that's one thing. First off, not only is it important to like have a place where people could sit, you know, uh I think it would be important to look at the data to see how like the age dem the demographics, the people that actually use public transportation. I personally uh don't. I uh but you know, I'm privileged enough to have a car for transportation. Um but it would be wise to to look at the data and see how much um you know what what kinds the the demographics of those who use public transportation cuz if it's in the old uh you know older you know um in older adults using transportation you know most folks have mobility issues and like arthritis. Uh so I think it's important to have at least benches for people to sit at, you know, while waiting for these um for uh the bus. Uh secondly, uh they don't have any shade. Uh so being the weather uh that we have here in the valley, whether it's in the summer where it's like 110° sometimes, you know, we got to look at that. And also when it's freezing cold and we have uh rain, you know, it's important to have something over the roof of our heads. Um you know, so that's that. And then secondly, on my way here, um you know, I I see that the there's a passenger uh loading zone here

right outside, and there's two police cars uh parked there. Um, I'm not sure if it belongs to anyone here, but it's past u, you know, I'm assuming that they got here at 6, so it's 6:26, so it's past the 15 minute, um, you know, time. So, um, just want to be mindful that, you know, again, people with mobility issues, you know, if they have to park far away, that's taking up a space for someone that actually needs, you know, closer access, you know. Um, so just wanted to say that as well. Um, I live near uh service and Morgan and the other day, you know, I had my window cracked open like this much and I was awoken by gunshots and not, you know, um not necessarily like around the neighborhood, you know, uh typically where I live, it's a pretty safe neighborhood, but uh I think where uh they were coming from was from the training center. Um, so I don't appreciate that nuisance. Um, and to be like woken up by gunfire. Um, and I did record and I have a recording here and uh, it was like minutes apart, like a couple minutes apart and it was like 10 rounds and that's something I don't want to be woken up to. Um, I live in district 2, so yeah. Um, that's, you know, if people, if you know, uh, other police departments are going to use our facilities, $125 per day is not worth my, you know, it's my sanity is worth more than that. Thanks.

Thank you very much. Anybody else in person? Okay, we'll go ahead and go to Zoom. Let's see what hand raised. Jean, you can go ahead and unmute your mic.

Hello. Hello. We can hear you. Uh, I got I got a couple tonight. I'm getting some back here. Uh, I want I want to thank my for I hear what you have been going through just to start a business series. Uh, what a mess. I hope things get better for you.

Uh, thanks thanksgiving. I hope I hope hope everyone council had had a good Thanksgiving and I want to thank Shane and partners for putting on a good good Thanksg again uh really good at how people come come in. Uh there's there seems to be some sometimes people are in what's supposed to what isn't supposed uh in the community. If if you're not sure about what by all means he's on he knows what to do who's supposed to all what they're allowed to do. So, so

or or you could ask ask the city man on another I I want to thank for taking Mr. uh uh Mr. Mr. Eekley, I'm sorry to interrupt, but can you um speak directly into your mic? We're having some difficulty hearing you on our end. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's got feedback. Most of the people that I've listened can you still hear me?

Yeah, we can hear you. Do you still have feedback? I haven't said anything.

Yeah. Yeah, it is. So, so on the third thing I want to say I I you know from the passing of Freddy Freddy Mor lets the Americ like like to to come up with uh the He's done so much for the veterans here more than done and good for all all the veterans all the time helping people veterans it's mind and I think be recognized I'm not not one put put names on things but I I think is probably public and there's not not a name on that on that Freddy could call the Freddy Freddy and then everybody know where it's at.

Thank Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there any additional hands raised?

There are no additional hands raised. We do have a public comment that was emailed in from Alvaro Franco. I do see that he's on Zoom. Alvaro, I'm not sure if you were going to pull the items or if you wanted to read your public comment or if you wanted me to read it into the record, if you could let us know. Um I will go ahead and read his email into the record. All right. So the email from Alvaro Franco uh says, "Hi all. I wanted these items pulled which are agenda items 9A, 9B, 10, and 11 because trees will be crucial in combating the heat island effect that plagues this city in the summer. So I had several questions and comments I wanted to share. My questions are regarding the location of where trees will be planted. Have those locations been determined already? If not, will there be an opportunity for public input? When can we expect to sit under the the shade tree of these new trees? I skimmed through the contracts to see if that information was available and was not able to find it. However, it became clear to me that perhaps these contracts did not receive the attention they deserve. The first glaring giveaway is in the multiple misspellings of scope of work or scope of supply/work within the contract page 205. For example, I also noticed that the tree planting services contract said accounts for approximately 1,000 trees, but the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection grant called for300 trees. What's going to happen with the other 300? Does the city attorney agree that's good language to use in this contract?

Lastly, I just want my request to be on record to plant trees on the south side of the street on Whitmore Avenue between Moore Road and Faith Home Road. There is a Tree City USA sign located on this street. Yet, there are hardly any trees there and hundreds of kids walk home through this street from Lar Roa and Caesar Chavez. It would be a benefit to them all to walk under the shade. P.S., Thank you all for the wonderful Christmas event this past weekend. My family and I had a wonderful time walking around in that safe event. Also, special thank you to Miss Otero for giving my little girls candy. Thank you every Thank you for everything you do for our city. Sincerely, Alvaro Franco.

That's it. Any more emails? No, that was the only email. And we will now close citizens communications. Before we move on to consent calendar, I would like to take a quick five minute break.

Welcome back everyone. Please take your seat. Moving on to consent calendar. All matters. Uh before we move on, I just wanted to answer Avaro Franco's question about the 1300 trees. Go ahead, sir.

1300 trees were ordered. The thousand is going to be planted throughout the city. 300 are being donated to the school district to distribute to the schools in the city. Thank you very much, Vice Mayor. All matters listed on the consent calendar considered routine in nature. It will be acted by a single motion unless otherwise requested by the individual council member or public for special consideration. Otherwise, a recommendation of staff will be acted by upon by roll call vote. Is there anyone on the council would like to pull an item on the consent calendar? Item number 10, please. Number 10, Council Woman Vieira.

15.

15. Anybody else? Members of the public, Mr. Pratt. Oh, somebody turned it off. I'm sorry. Uh, Dave P series 9A through 12. Basically, they're all on the same subject. I just want to talk once for at that time.

Okay. And that le that letter should have been read during that those. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Pratt. Anybody else? I make a motion to approve items 1 through 8 and 14 and 16 of the consent calendar. I'll second. Roll call. I'm sorry. Did you say 14 through 16? 14 and 16. Don't forget. Oh, item item 15 was pulled. So, I said 14 and 16 and 13. 13 also. Oh, I apologize. 13 as well. Roll call. Who seconded? I'm sorry. I'll second.

Council me Council Member Casey. I. Council member Vieiraa. Yes. Council member Otto. Yes. Vice Mayor Martinez. Hi. Mayor Lopez. Yes.

Motion carries 5-0. Mr. Pratt. I know uh day predator series I know this planting is a good thing but and you're sure really don't have a lot of people u but these trees when you plant them need to be more monitored. He planted a whole bunch of trees in Neil Park and a bunch of them have been ripped out and some of the other ones that haven't that the post that holds them try to keep them straight. They've knocked the poles and so and but not only that I some of the the older trees they they want to destroy them for some reason. I guess they they get their jollies off on that. So, I don't know how you're going to be able to do that, but I tried one. I think I report I I kind of reported when those trees were damaged and probably and haven't been replaced. And some of the bushes, it looks like they b decided they needed a couple of the bushes, too, that was planted over there. Uh, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pratt. Anybody else have any comments on this item?

John Warren, city of Sirius. Along the same line that Mr. Pratt's comment, location of planting these trees. Sometimes they plant them right in front of a stop sign. Now, the young tree probably is not going to make a big difference, but 10 or 15 years down the road, it'll be like the one at uh northbound 9inth Street at Magnolia. It's right in front of the stop sign there, and you cannot see that stop sign when you're approaching from that direction. Occasionally someone will trim all the bushes and all the growth that comes out from that tree that covers that stop sign and then you can see it but it grows back and no one pays attention to it. So a little forethought when someone plants something today as to what it's going to look like in the future in the location that it's planted in will go a long way to help the city take care of things in the future. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Anybody else online?

There are no hands raised online. And this is for items 9A, 9B, 10, 11, and 12. Correct. That is correct. Now I bring this item back to the council. I know Councilwoman Vieira Mr. Button. Sure. Let's go ahead and go to 10. Okay. Um just really quick I wanted to get some clarification on how it's determined where the trees will be plant will the trees will be planted. I don't know from city manager from um public works.

Um thank you for your question. We we um once we award the contract with the with Westside, uh we'll begin with um our arborist um Kenny Vaughn who's a supervisor for parks and we'll be going around the um the city to see what to find the locations for the trees. Okay. Is there going to be any community involvement when that is determined? I think we are going to post online um for any residents that um need a tree replacement in front of the yard that's in the city right away that we can take care of that there would be nothing planted like behind like in their backyards because they would have to be labeled.

Okay, that answers my second question. Then I just want to make sure that we are addressing the trees that are dead in some of the residents yards when they are city trees. There's been concerns about that. So, thank you. Go ahead. Thank you. I just want to confirm when I read the contract, I believe it said that there was going to be community meetings as well. I believe it said within 90 days once the contract is awarded and I just wanted to confirm that that was still going to be happening and there were community participation that was required with the contracts.

Um, are you consider are you considering the the tree planting one or the urban master plan? uh the original contract I thought there was something about community meetings and community involvement as well as uh quarterly updates to the council council yeah uh this I think you're referring to the urban forestry master plan uh yes we will get definitely we'll have the uh um residents involved in that decision but that's related to this isn't it isn't it still dealing with the trees or is that separate

yes Okay. I thought they were kind of joined together that it was kind of one of the same. Okay. I just want to make sure. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm excited for this project. 1,000 trees uh distributed throughout the city, uh 300 being spread out through our school district as well. And I know that a a local series company is going to be one of the companies we'll be purchasing through. So, uh very excited for this project. And with that, I'll make a motion. Would we do them individually or since they were pulled as a group, would you like me to motion them as a group? As a group. Then I'll motion items 9A through 11. Second.

It's actually 98. 98 through 12. And I'll motion 98 through 12. I'll second. Let me let me let's go back a quick second because I believe that member Oro had specific questions about item 10. Yeah, I um Joey was able to answer the questions. Thank you. That's fine. We have a first and a second. Roll call. Council member Casey. Hi. Council member Vieira. Yes. Council member Otto. Yes. Vice Mayor Martinez. Hi. Mayor Lopez. Yes. Motion carries 5-0.

Item number 15. Thank you. Um I know I sent in some emails. I've had some concerns. Um I've actually um recalled in and reported some of these and so I just kind of wanted to say I guess my concern about this ordinance is regarding enforcement. Um, I don't want to give the impression that something every time they call in someone's going to respond because I've actually been hit by someone on a actually was a skateboard out on Bler where they t-boned into the side of my car and I remember seeing the young man on the road not sure if he was even alive. That fear still comes through me two decades later as I look at this and just last week when I called in because I had two kids play chicken with me coming on oncoming traffic. They came into my lane and popped their wheelie trying to come directly to me. One of them I was positive was going to hit my car. Now these calls continued on for several hours and no one even seemed to respond. I kept hearing them on the radio. No one bothered to even respond to me to let me know that something was going to be done. I said I continued to encounter them multiple times as I was going through the city, not just directly in front of my house. Continue to see them as they blocked McDonald's again down Service Road and when they blocked Pine Street while I was coming down trying to head home. So my concern here is a couple things. One, I know we're not trying to make criminals out of small children. It's definitely not the case. But I also understand that what is our game plan when it comes to responding to groups of 30, when they block traffic, when they become a safety hazard. What are we going to do? Because I don't want to live through that situation again. I don't want to see another individual on the road and trying to figure out how to deal with that situation. And I think I know we

have some amazing officers on there, but I also know a group of 30 is really hard to address as well. So, I just want to make sure we have some kind of plan um moving forward. And I think those are my main concerns when it comes to this ordinance is just kind of understanding what is our enforcement strategy and who's going to be responsible for it.

Thank you for the uh question. So, I can do the long answer or the short answer. The uh short answer is that we are working with our other uh law enforcement agencies. So if we do have large groups that they will assist including air support, uh we will target the main instigators uh that are committing these uh violations and um we'll go after them first. It's not practical for any jurisdiction to uh target a group of 70 or 100 and to enforce um every law and every writer. So that's kind of our strategy moving forward. Um one of the complications right now that we have is that most of the offenders are juveniles and so uh really our officers can go out there and they can they can uh chase them. They can flee on a bike. they can jump backyards and we can spend our resources to catch these guys. Um, once we do that, we call their parents, we write them a ticket and the parents can literally turn around and give the bike right back to their kid and say, "Go ahead and ride that bike home." What the ordinance does is it will prevent that because then we can take their bike for 30 days, give them the citation. So, um, they don't have the ability to just write off and and reaffend, right? Then, so I think that's the strong point of our ordinance and the changes to it.

Perfect. And that just makes it easier for the police when it comes to like we've had one over the weekend and I know we had one the week before. It seems like a weekly thing right now. Um, and I think the biggest thing is making sure that we're being consistent. um if we have the resources of this officers available um because it just doesn't seem very consistent a lot of times and I just want to make sure we're taking the steps needed. Yeah, I'll make sure the uh the consistency part of that is held in our department. Thank you. That's all I needed. I appreciate it. Councilwoman Terrell,

I just want to say thank you the chief and the police department for taking this step in pushing this ordinance. um it is going to be good for our community safety and also it's going to provide some education to kids and parents. So I am grateful for this and uh the effort that's going to be put into this. Okay. Just want to make sure we also have an opportunity for the public to weigh in on this. Anybody in the public?

John Warren, City of Series. I just have a question for the chief. Um, with all this activity with the bicycles and I've seen it myself, Ninth Street, Moffett and that area, are any of our city cameras able to capture these things taking place? Usually, uh, we don't have cameras uh, watching the streets. We have the cameras in the park. So, if they were um offending within the range of a park that that camera might be, we could, but we don't have cameras on uh every street light like Modesto does. We I know the city does have some portable cameras. So, my thought might be because this does take place on that corridor where Virginia Park Schools is and I'm sure some of the other uh city streets, quite possibly putting a camera in one of those locations to capture these young people and hopefully maybe through social media and the school resource officers because all these youngsters attend school at least part-time that maybe we'll be able to identify some of them after the back. Thank you. Dave Pa series and putting a camera in every corner is like trying to put an officer on every corner and you just can't keep up with it. I've been almost run up over over several times. They come up behind you, they don't let you know that they're they are. And one time I had a father and son um pass me. I told them they weren't supposed to be riding the sidewalk. And the father told me I need to get off the sidewalk.

So is any other further comment? I'll bring this item back. Make a motion to approve item 15 of the consent calendar. Definitely second it. Roll call. Council member Casey, yes. Council member Vieiraa, yes. Council member Otero, yes. Vice Mayor Martinez, hi. Mayor Lopez, yes. Motion carries 5-0.

Moving on to new business, resolution 2025, ratifying the appointment of Vanessa Portillo to the position of finance director, approving an employment agreement, and authorizing city manager to execute this. City manager. Mr. Mayor and council member, staff recommends the city council adopt the resolution ratifying the appointment of Vanessa Portillo to the position of finance director and approving the employment agreement. The finance director position has been vacant since November 7th of 2025 and the recruitment process to fill the position was concluded and Miss Portillo has been selected to fill that position. She was selected from a pool of highly qualified applicants and undergone an interview process with interview panel and follow-up interview with the city manager and checking references. Miss Portillo has been offered the position pending ratification of the appointment and approval of the employment agreement by the city council. Miss Portillo comes to the city of series with extensive experience in finance and is currently the chief of financial operations for BSR HR in Stlos County. Miss Portill is currently responsible for overseeing approximately 11 employees with a budget of $253 million. Based on Miss Portill's professional work experience and educational background, staff has recommended the appointment of Miss Portill as finance director for the city of Sirius. The services provided by Mr. Portill will assist the city accomplishing its goals. Enhance government operations to provide quality services to meet community needs. This item was included in the agenda posting the public had the opportunity to comment on the item at this council meeting and I am open to any questions you may have and Miss Portill is here for you tonight if you have any questions for her. We'll now open the public comment. Is there anybody in the chambers that would like to make a comment on this item?

Anybody online? There are no hands raised on Zoom. Okay. Now we'll close the public period and bring this item back for council for discussion, questions, and or action. Any comments and or questions? Councilwoman Do, go ahead. Just a comment. Um, I want to welcome Miss Portillo to the city of Series and I look forward to working with you. Any additional comments or questions?

Uh, just like to sort of piggyback on what Council Member Otto said and say welcome. I look forward to working with you. You've got a a busy road ahead. I hope you enjoy your Christmas and you get ready to go in January. But with that, I'll make a motion to approve item 17. I'll second. Mr. Casey had just pressed this button. Go ahead, sir. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I had an opportunity to meet the candidate this morning, but unfortunately wasn't able to make it because they had a family emergency. So, unfortun Unfortunately, I've not had the opportunity to uh meet and discuss things with this candidate. So, uh I I will withhold my vote. Thank you.

Okay. And uh there was a first and a second. Roll call. Council member Casey. Abstain. Council member Vieiraa. Yes. Council member Otto. Yes. Vice Mayor Martinez. Hi. Mayor Lopez. Yes. Motion carries 4 with one abstension.

Welcome to the team, Vanessa. Give a round of applause. Moving on to number 18. This is the accepting of the appointment of council member Serena Otero to the League of Cities Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Policy Committee and providing direction on a related policy. This is city attorney Nubio's Goldstein presentation.

Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor and Council members. Uh this item uh was placed on the agenda just a few days um after the original agenda had been posted and so we wanted to make sure that we had an opportunity to bring this to the council's direction and and for action um before the end of the year as it's a little time-sensitive in terms of the accepting of these types of appointments. Um the information before you tonight is that council member Otero has received um an invitation to participate on this league committee uh for governance, transparency and labor relations as part of the policy committee and member of um of the league. And um in looking at the city's rules and procedures, we don't have a specific policy as to these type of external appointments for committee. So, we do have a a procedure for participation um on the city's direct behalf, but for what I'll say are regional committees, but not necessarily one of this nature. And so, uh the item before you is twofold. One is to request that the council accept the appointment and then subsequently provide staff with some direction if you would like to see some type of formal policy included in in the rules and procedures in the future. Alternatively, we we would just continue this practice and and bring it for uh the council's consideration. And the only reason this was was specifically brought up in in my conversations with council member Otto um is she pointed out that and and she can provide additional information as part of her um selection and appointment process from the the president of of the league. Um they want to always make sure that the accepting of appointments are um in in line with individual cities policies and procedures. And the the secondary

question for you tonight. And typically the way that these committees work is that as an elected official, you are um you sit on a panel on a committee, but you're not necessarily representing and advocating specifically for your city. It is more statewide. Um and your expertise, experience, and knowledge will be useful and valuable to the committee for things that apply to all cities. Um, on that note, I can um if council member Otero has any additional information that she received from the league that the council may seem deem important.

Thank you, Nubia. Um, Nubia pretty much covered it. I saw the the advertisement. They're looking for committees for next year or committee member committee members for next year. So, I did take the opportunity to put in for it. Um, it worked with my schedule and everything. I also uh when I reached out to Nubia to just make sure that I was not missing anything in our local ordinance or city uh council rules, um I did share with her too that there really isn't cities that have a rule in place to appoint council members because like our city attorney mentioned, they're just external committees, not necessarily representing the city itself. So, um she pretty much covered it. I I personally don't think we need to create another rule or policy regarding this. I think it will um kind of delay some processes. I know League of Cities wanted me to let them know as soon as possible. I let them know that I had the meeting tonight. But thank you.

Okay, we'll start off with opening this up to the public. Is there anybody in the chambers that would like to make a comment on this item? So you know hands raised and bringing this item back close public comment. Uh yeah I I agree with both of you that there's plenty of opportunities through the League of Cities and you know another example of Stanco they also different they also have different committees. So yeah there's nothing necessarily that we need to do moving forward but I just want to say congratulations that you've received the appointment. Um with that is there anything else? I know Mr. Vice Mayor you had no comment. I just wanted to say congratulations to Councilwoman Ortero. Uh I think it's a fantastic opportunity for her. It's great for the League of Cities to have her out there as well to have uh our city represented. So I definitely support that. I like both of you don't feel the need to create an additional policy or requirement. I think if the League of Cities wants the council to okay it having it brought back like tonight just to be voted on would be fine with me. But creating an additional policy doesn't seem necessary.

Okay. Any additional comments? Congratulations. I think it's awesome that you're part of it. And I agree. I don't think we need a policy. I think if all of us want to get involved, I definitely am fully supportive of all of us being involved in any kind of level of um outside organizations and supporting the community, especially at a state level. That's tremendous. Congratulations, Mr. Casey. Congratulations, and I know you'll do a good job representing our city. Okay. With that, I'd like to make a motion to accept item number 18. Second. Roll call. Council member Casey. Yes. Council member Vieiraa.

Yes. Council member Otto. Yes. Vice Mayor Martinez. I. Mayor Lopez. Yes. Motion carries. 5-0. Congratulations. Is there any referrals?

Actually, I do have a referral. Um, I wanted to make a referral to have a presentation done whenever we have any large events. If we can get a presentation uh to the council before the event, I think it would be helpful so we're kind of on the same page of what exactly is happening. And then maybe after the um event, we can do a review presentation just to talk about some, you know, all the positives, but also sometimes there's room for improvement. Um, one more referral. I'd like to recommend a ad hoc committee be created for the Christmas tree lane parade um, each year. Thank you. We have one already. We have a committee for Christmas. Is it officially? Uh,

it's in our It's in the mayor's appointments. I'm sorry, not just here, but for the residents to put in for it so they can be on a committee officially. That's what my referral is uh going to be. Okay. Thank you. Any more referrals? Okay, moving on to reports. Uh, only report I will say is I just want to wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy New Year's. I know Vice Mayor wanted me to let him go first on reports, so it's all yours, sir.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I wanted to start uh thanking Joey, but but first, I want to thank Doug. Um the last few years the parade has grown a lot and I know that that's through uh the city manager and his ability to let his staff uh run with the projects that they have and doing what they want to do. So Doug uh thank you. I remember a few years ago when the parade was maybe four or five floats and there was no plan on it growing. Uh it was quite outstanding to see how many people participated this weekend and uh how much community involvement we had. Um so I've got a long one here. I want to thank Joey and Jessica, your entire staff, myself and council member Vieira Ottero as well were here uh during the event here at the community center. It was a wonderful turnout. Uh great showing. I know you guys closed early so your staff could be involved at the parade for the first time. So that was fantastic. I want to thank uh Lieutenant Hudson for being able to drive the SWAT truck and and take me and my family uh this year in the event as well. And then I just want to run through real quick. Thank you to Series Blaze uh all levels that participated. series, Quick Crack, The Chamber, Brandy Myers was out here, Series and Modesto Fire, Shane's Parsons, uh, Black Diamond Junk Removal, Series Squeries School Board members, Civic Mobile Structures, Series Junior Bulldogs had their entire organization in the parade. So, that was awesome. Series cheer, multiple marching bands and churches. Um, Council Member Otero had a float, council member Casey had a float, council member Vieiera had a float. um all the car clubs that participated, MFH tattoos and Jose Martinez dresses up as the Grinch every year and does a wonderful job doing that. It was an amazing show out. Uh I just want to say to everybody involved, the streets department for setting up ahead of time and for taking everything down once the parade was done, uh all the planning that went into it, thank you all. Seriously, it was an amazing event. Okay, next person, Councilwoman Vieira.

Thank you. Um, I know you kind of touched on the Christmas Tree Lane Festival. Um, it's always a pleasure to be out there with you, Martinez. Um, I know we hand candies and you take a whole lot of pictures of a lot of children. Um, and we were there early. We stayed till the very end, even helped clean up and start tearing things down, getting it set up so that way staff could get over to the parade route. And that's something I look forward to every year. Um, it kind of runs side by side with those padas. So, we had that a few days before. We dressed up in the same kind of costume. Over a thousand kids, I think it was well over a thousand, all received a gift. And again, we were there before setup and we were there till clean up till the very end where everything was put away. Um, everyone that did show up, including the kids, received a gift. Um, they received dinner, which was a tamale as well as a koncho or, you know, sweet bread as well as a bag of groceries, which were donated from Save Mart. So, they all got some kind of frozen, most of them got a frozen tur uh, chicken. Um, this week I also was able to go to Caswell Kermy's, which is their holiday festival. This is the first time their third grade floial dancers actually performed. So, this was a new program that was set up this year um through a donation from the community in order to get them um to get the program started at Caswell. So, it was a great um opportunity to support our youth that are participating in this. St. Clair, which is in my district, will be having their winter festival this Thursday. Um, I also want to thank everyone including the community center who was part of the community Thanksgiving and Shane Parsons who was a big part of it as well as the series um family um that was part of it as well in order to make I think it was 20 turkeys as well as all the sides. I I know the police department were also fed cuz I took as many of the leftovers as I could cuz we did actually have quite a bit of leftovers. Um so I'm like you know who wants to eat this? I know the police department. I so glad they were hungry

that night cuz we had a lot of leftovers. Um this year I was able to also go to the Turlock SWAT um or Turlock parade um as well as the series parade as well. Now Turlock SWAT and I already kind of warned them. They already got emails from me. Trellock Swat is challenging Series SWAT for the best decorations next year in the parades. And they've invited Series SWAT to come over to their parade. And they're willing to come to us and go side by side to see who has the best um holiday festival when it comes to SWAT trucks. And I don't know how you decorate and make those festive, but they're very large box trucks. So, I thought that was kind of cool. Um with the Turlock, it was a 2.67 mile route. They had over 20,000 people there. It was very cold, but it was a lot of fun. Um, we definitely had a blast there. Um, which kind of goes with the series, which I appreciate everyone that did come out. The new route was longer. We were able to get a lot more people in the area and, um, it seemed to flow very well, a lot less congestion and a lot less children that were in the streets. So, I was kind of glad to see that. Um, but I appreciate everyone. Um, I don't have a um, Stellos Homeless Alliance meeting again this month, so I should have updates in January. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman Lo. Thank you, mayor. Uh, I think Vice Mayor pretty much said it all. So, I just want to say generally thank you to all the city staff that was involved at the Christmas tree lane parade, the festival. It was great. Um, all the participation for the Thanksgiving dinner. Uh, thank you to Shane Parsons and I hope that our community has a wonderful Christmas. Everybody be safe and to city staff, merry Christmas as well. Mr. Casey.

Can't add much to what everyone else has already said except from the Casey's, merry Christmas to all and a happy new year. City Manager, just to remind you, this Friday we put out a traffic advisory. Uh the St. Jude's Church is having a procession. It starts in Sarina Park and ends up in St. Jude. It'll be uh escorted and uh followed up with our police department. Thank you. City attorney. Nothing tonight.

Thank you. Department heads left side. None department head is on the right side. Okay. With that being said, we will now adjourn this meeting and go to close session for correspondence on real property negotiations. California government code 549568. Property APN 127016014. Agency negotiators are city manager Douglas D. Dunford, city attorney, Nubia Goldstein. Negotiation parties are the judicial council of California. Under negotiations, price and terms of payment. Is there anyone from the public that would like to speak regarding to this close session item? Thank you very much. After the close session, I will return to report out. God bless.

Welcome back everyone. Direction has been given. Thank you.