City Council - Regular Meeting

Because we should figure that out. Oh, it is time. All right. It having reached the hour of 530, I am calling the July 14th, 2026 Modesto City Council meeting to order and ask the city clerk to call the roll.

Here. And due to my participation in the city-related conference, I am participating remotely under the just cause provision of SB 707. And there are no other individuals with me here. Council Member Alvarez. We're in the process of trying to...

Here. In accordance with Senate Bill 707, effective July 1st, 2026, public comment may be submitted remotely via Zoom. For live written translation in up to 25 languages, please use the wordly QR code on the agenda. Will everyone please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the invocation from Pastor Darrell Cummings, Christ Community Church.

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.

President, apologies for the technical difficulties. I'm participating remotely under the just cause provisions of SB 707 due to a city-related conference. There are no other adults present in the room with me.

Thank you. Do any of the council members have any conflicts of interest? All right, I see Council Member Ascudia Brayton shaking her head. She does not. How about Council Member Alvarez? No. Thank you. Will the City Attorney report out on closed session, please? Yes, Mayor.

Thank you. Next is Item 1, a presentation by Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority, Stan RTA, regarding route changes. Welcome.

All right. Thank you very much. Are there any comments or questions from council? Council member, excuse me, Vice Mayor Williams.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Adam, for your presentation. And then also I have noticed that there is a lot of more ridership this month in the month of July, which is different funding mechanisms that allow there to be free rides all through July, which is a really good thing. And then also thank you for assisting with those rides going to Turlock to the Status-Loss County Fair. which is still open till Sunday, and it's free on Saturday from 12 to 3, so just want to let you all know that if you want to go to Stanislaus County Fair. And I also noticed that there were more people riding the bus

One thought that I have, and maybe it can be addressed, is for people with mobility issues, that have to maybe go an extra two, three, four blocks now where some of those went away, those spots. Are there extra services available for them or some way that they can have assistance with those needs?

Thank you. Thank you for highlighting that. And this evening we do have Jorge that I understand wanted to make a comment regarding public transit.

Thank you. Thank you for your comments. And I would recommend that when you take your seat, it's great that we have Adam Barth here, who's the executive director for the entire organization, that he can connect with you and give his information so that you can have your very specific questions addressed and answered.

Thank you very much for your comments. So Adam, would you be able to connect with him about the specifics? It's really helpful to hear these comments and to understand where it can be very difficult for patients people to navigate the city, and it's great that you're here tonight, so we appreciate you with your comments. Thank you very much, Adam, for your presentation. Thank you for being here this evening, and that concludes item one. Next on to item two, and feel free to share contact information or whatever. Next on to item two, a proclamation declaring August 2nd through the 8th, 2026, as

Thank you. Any comments from council members at this time?

Vice Mayor Williams. Thank you, Mayor. I think it's wonderful to have health care in our community, particularly four of them. When you think of Kaiser, Tenet, Sutter, and then, of course, Golden Valley, you can't get any better than that. And that's probably why they said water, wealth, contentment, health. Thank you for doing what you do.

All right. Thank you. Thank you for being here this evening, and I will now bring the proclamation down and present it.

All right. Next is item three, a proclamation declaring August 4th, 2026 as National Night Out. And I will read the proclamation. For over four decades, National Night Out has served as an annual event that promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood fellowship to make our city a safer place to live. Modesto is a strongly connected community and recognizes the efforts of its residents, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations who work tirelessly to improve our community. In 2025, Modesto ranked fifth in the United States and first in California amongst similar sized ci

Thank you very much for your presentation. And accepting this, which I will bring down soon, we have a comment from Teresa Gamboa regarding this item.

Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Comments from council members. Vice Mayor Williams.

Thank you, Mayor. And I want to thank Lieutenant Shuler for driving me around last year. And we had about, I don't know, 18 stops. And I think we did, what, 14? Did we get 14 or did we get 13? It was close.

Oh, okay. But it was great to be able to go into the neighborhood and talk with the residents that live there. Please forgive me for those who we didn't get a chance to get to. Maybe we'll go the opposite way next time and get to them first. But it is truly a good thing. It's a healthy thing for our community for neighbors to get to know other neighbors. I know people are busy with soccer and school and all kinds of things, but when they come out, It really makes a difference for our community to be a wonderful place to celebrate life. And thank you for your, and Chief, he didn't drive out of

Thank you, Mayor. I think one of the best things I like about national life, that was the food. So, you know, District 6, we have some great barbecuers out there, and I just wish that we would maybe do it three or four times a year and give me a chance to eat all the food at all the different stops. But anyway, looking forward to it, and I thank you to thank staff and police department and crime stoppers and everyone that participates that makes this really a great event.

Thank you, Mayor. I also enjoy this one evening. It allows me the opportunity to meet and listen to many of my constituents in District 4 who, under normal circumstances, probably wouldn't have a chance to talk to them and listen to their concerns. And it just gives me more of a... a full perspective of what my district's about. And it's a night that I do enjoy. I think I did cover 23 last year. Yeah, you know that. So I outdid Jeremiah last year, first time. So let that be noted.

How late were you out? I think we stayed out until about 9. How did you do that? All right. We won't go there. All right. Any other comments from council members? Sorry. See what happens when I make one comment. Forget it. Any other comments from council members? Council Member Rickey.

Thank you, and thank you for being here this evening, and I'll now bring the proclamation down to present it.

Thanks, you guys. Thank you. I appreciate it.

All right, next is item four. Consider accepting the resignation of Jamie Reed from the Entertainment Commission. Does council have any questions of staff? Seeing none, I will open this up to the public. Members of the public can come forward as I read your names, which I do not have any blue cards regarding this item. Or if you are participating remotely, please use the raise hand feature now or dial star nine on a telephone to indicate you wish to speak on this item. Would anyone like to speak on this item? No one in person. Is there anyone online? Seeing none, I will close public comments.

Motion from Vice Mayor Williams. Second from Council Member Scudia Brayton. Will the clerk please call the roll?

And Mayor Zwollin. Aye. Carries unanimously. Item five is consider appointing Sarah Lytle-Pinney and John Griswold to fill two vacancies to the City of Modesto Entertainment Commission as a non-permit holder with a partial term ending December 31st, 2028 and appointing William Patterson to fill one vacancy of a non-profit Special event permit holder for a partial term ending December 31st 2028. Does council have any questions of staff? Seeing none, I will open this up to the public. Any members of the public that would like to come forward on this item? Seeing none, if you're participating rem

Council Member Rickey. Aye. And Mayor Zwolle. Aye. Carries unanimously. Next on the agenda is public comment. Public comment tonight is available both in person and through Zoom. Thank you for joining us. The city council meetings are a place where everyone is encouraged to share insights, listen, and participate in the decision-making process that benefits our community. To ensure a fair and respectful environment, the mayor is responsible for maintaining order and decorum, as outlined in the city charter and the rules of decorum posted at the entrance of the chamber. I ask that we are all re

Thank you. Online, I see one hand raised, Ann Marie.

All right. My town, I live in it. All right. Online. Online. Anthony? Anthony? Sorry, excuse me. Excuse me.

But there were people wearing masks. I'm looking at my time.

You've exceeded your time. Can you finish your comments?

You're welcome. I do not see anyone here in person for public comments, so I will go to... Oh, please. Yes. Yes.

Thank you. I'm just curious with my city attorney if we're required to remain silent.

For public comment, if you have more comments.

Thank you. Is there anyone in person that wants to speak under public comment? This is for items not on the agenda.

Thank you. Is there anyone else in person for public comment for items not on tonight's agenda? Seeing none, is there anyone online? All right. Next on the agenda is consent items. An item may be removed from consent and discussed at the request of a member of the public or council member. Is there anyone in the council that would like a consent item removed for further discussion? Seeing none, is there anyone in the public that would like an item removed from consent for further discussion or comment?

All right, thank you. If you are participating remotely, please use the raise hand feature now or dial star 9 on a telephone to indicate you wish to remove an item from consent. Do we have any online requests? Seeing none, will the city clerk please read the consent items.

All right, may I have a motion to approve the consent calendar as read?

Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. Excited to approve them with the exception of those requested, which were the two. 21 and 22 as read, yeah. Okay, thank you.

All right. I have a motion by Councilmember Scootia Brayton, second by Councilmember Alvarez. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Aye. Those carry unanimously. Now we will go back to item 21. Consider approving a First Amendment to the agreement with Assurance Polygraph, LLC, Castro Valley, California, for polygraph examination services, and adding two additional agreements with Matthew W. Lampo, DBA, Lampo Investigations Polygraph, San Ramon, California, and Pacific... Is that coast or cost? Polygraph and investigations. Alameda, California, under the existing not to exceed amount of $538,260 between all agreements. And we will have a report. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. Any questions from council regarding item 21? Seeing none, I will open this item up to the public. Any members of the public can come forward. Or if you are participating remotely, please use the raise hand feature now or dial star nine on a telephone to indicate you wish to speak on this item. So please.

You're welcome. I'd like to explain. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other comments on item 21 from the public? In person? Seeing none. I cannot see the... Oh, there we go. Thank you. I don't see any online either. All right. So I... Any comments from council members? Council member Bavaro.

Yes, thank you, Mayor. Just for clarification, Kevin, this is internal. It's whenever we're hiring potential or future police officers. Polygraph is going on those individuals, not people who are arrested. And it's taking more than two weeks to get this done. The one we have right now only does 15 a month. And So we're losing qualified candidates who are going to other departments because of the time lapse. And so we need to get this done quickly. So it's police officers, not those who they arrest.

Any other comments from council members? Seeing none, I have a resolution approving a First Amendment to the agreement with Assurance Polygraph, LLC, Castro Valley, California, for polygraph examination services, and adding two additional agreements with Matthew W. Lampo, DBA Lampo Investigations Polygraph, San Ramon, California, and Pacific Coast Polygraph and Investigations Alameda, California, under the existing... not to exceed amount of $538,260 between all agreements and authorizing the director of finance to adjust agreement totals between vendors based on availability and department ne

Moved by Council Member Wright, seconded by Council Member Rickey. Will the clerk please call the roll?

All right, Councilmember Alvarez, can you hear us? What next?

No, I can hear you now. The cell cut out. All right. Pardon me? I can hear you now. The sound cut out for like 15 seconds. Okay.

Council Member Alvarez. So this is voting on item 21?

Aye. So it carries unanimously. Next is item 22. Consider approving the award of bid and agreement for on-call airport planning services to Kinley, Horn & Associates Incorporated, San Jose, California for a total amount not to exceed $4,350,000 over five years. And we will have a staff report.

Okay. Thank you. Does Council have any questions of staff regarding item 22? Seeing none, I will open this up to the public. Are there any members of the public that would like to come forward on this item or if you are participating remotely, please use the raise hand feature now or dial star nine on a telephone to indicate you wish to speak on this item. So in person, we have Kevin.

All right. If you'd like to respond, please.

All right, anyone else in person regarding item 22? I do not see anyone else in person or online. So I have a resolution approving the award of proposal and agreement for on-call airport planning services to Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc., San Jose, California, for a two-year agreement with three one-year extension options for an estimated annual amount of $870,000 and a total amount not to exceed $4,350,000 over five years and authorizing the city manager or his designee to execute the agreement. Do I have a motion?

We did not have comment time. I think, yes. Let's make the comments now. I apologize. I got messed up on my notes. Please go ahead.

All right, thank you for your comments. Any other comments from council members? Seeing none, as I have read the resolution, do I have a motion? Motion by Council Member Alvarez, second by Council Member Rickey. Will the clerk please call the roll for item 22? Council Member Bavaro?

Aye. Carries unanimously. Next on the agenda is council comments and reports. Do any members have comments or reports at this time?

Vice Mayor Williams. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to thank all of those who came to the Fourth of July parade for the city's 250th celebration of the country on July 4th. There were about 127, 128 entries. The Grand Marshals were the Sutter Health, JS West, and the Farm Bureau, followed with the Champions of the 4th, Evan Porges and Brad Hahn. It was well attended. It was a lot longer than normal. Usually it's about an hour and 45 minutes. This was about two and a half hours. And those who stayed to the end The Modesto Kiwanis Club would like to thank you for that. Also, the Stennis Falls County

All right. Thank you. Council Member Rickey.

Any other comments from council members? I have a few. Mid Valley Engineering had an all-American celebration celebrating America's 250th birthday, and it was a wonderful community event close by, and I was grateful to be invited. And Oat Crafts by Jeremiah. Our own council member, Jeremiah Williams, had his 40th anniversary ribbon cutting on June 25th, which was delightful to attend. A really great celebration and congratulations once again for your dedicated work for our community. June 26, there was a Gold Runner passenger appreciation event at the Amtrak station. And we really surprised ou

Thank you, Mayor. And also at the MoBan concert, the last MoBan concert, our very own Mayor did a narration for about 15 minutes with the music in the background. She was on beat and it was eloquent and everyone was at attention listening to that. So great job.

Thank you. That was to honor our veterans, I might add. And with a special note for World War II veterans, but all of our veterans were honored that evening. Thank you, everyone, for your comments. Does our city manager have any comments or report?

Thank you. Next on the agenda is hearings. Item 25, a hearing to consider applying for and participating in the pro-housing designation program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. And we will have a staff report. Welcome.

Thank you for your presentation. Does council have any questions of staff? Vice Mayor Williams.

Thank you, Jessica, for that presentation. Did you say how long it would take after being submitted when we would get the information back?

All right. I'll now open the public hearing. Any members of the public that would like to come forward or if you are participating remotely, please use the raise hand feature now or dial star nine on a telephone to indicate you wish to speak on this item. This is item 25. I do. All right. Please come to the podium.

You're welcome. Anyone else that would like to speak on this item? I do not see anyone in person, and I do not see anyone online. So I will close public comments. Are there any comments from council members? Council Member Rickey.

All right. Any other comments? This is a very serious issue and I'm glad that we're doing everything possible to move forward with all housing options. I have a resolution of the City Council of the City of Modesto authorizing application to and participation in the Pro Housing Designation Program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and authorizing the city manager or designee to execute all documents necessary to submit and complete the applications. Do I have a motion? Motion by Vice Mayor Williams, second by Councilmember Scudia-Brayton. Will the c

Aye. Carries unanimously. Next is item 26, a hearing to consider approving the application and issuance of a permit to operate as a non-emergency medical transport company to Conn Healthcare in the City of Modesto. We will have a staff report. Welcome.

All right. Any questions from council? Seeing none, I'll now open the public hearing. Are there any members of the public that would like to come forward regarding this item? Or if you are participating remotely, please use the raise hand feature now or dial star nine on a telephone to indicate you wish to speak on this item. I do not see anyone in person. I do not see anyone online. So I will close public comments. Any comments from council members? Seeing none, I need a motion for a resolution approving the application and issuance of a permit to operate as a non-emergency medical transport

Motion by Councilmember Wright. I'll second it. And will the clerk please call the roll for this item? Councilmember Bavaro?

Council Member Rickey? Aye. And Mayor Zwolle? Aye. Carries unanimously. Item 27, a hearing to consider approving the application and issuance of a permit to operate as a non-emergency medical transport company to Heartway Transport LLC in the City of Modesto. We will have a report.

All right. Questions from council members? Seeing none, I'll now open the public hearing. Any members of the public that would like to come forward regarding this item, or if you are participating remotely, please use the raise hand to feature now for this item, or dial star nine on a telephone to indicate you wish to speak. Seeing no one in person or online, I will close public comments. I need a motion for resolution approving the application and issuance of a permit to operate as a non-emergency medical transport company to Heartway Transport LLC in the city of Modesto. Do I have a motion?

And Mayor Zwollin? Aye. Carries unanimously. Are there any matters too late for the agenda? Seeing none, I am calling this meeting of the City Council to be adjourned.