City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority - Regular Meeting

All right, ladies and gentlemen, welcome. Call our meeting to order. Again, want to welcome everybody tonight to the meeting of the Merced City Council. We're beginning with an invocation from Pastor Joel Dorman, the Summit Church here in Merced. And pastor Dorman, if you'd also be so kind, sir, to leave us in the pledge when you conclude the prayer. Would

you stand and bow your heads? Our father, we thank you for this day that you have made. We thank you for the rain because you know how much we need it. We simultaneously pray for those who are negatively affected by this rain and thank you that you give us the chance to be merciful and gracious to our neighbors who might not be doing so well with it. We thank you for our form of government where we can elect people to represent us to carry on the business of our city and our state and our country.

We pray your wisdom for them. We pray that while we may air our grievances and may do so even passionately, that we would do so with great respect, recognizing that the people we're addressing are those made in your image as well as we are. We thank you for tonight. We thank you for the chance to be able to engage in this format. And I pray this in the name of my savior Jesus. Amen. 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.

Okay. Agenda item d, roll call. Councilmember DuPont? Present. Tao? Present. Harris? Present. Smith? Present. Zhang.

Here.

Mayor Pro Temboil. Here. And Mayor Serato. Here. Mayor, I'd like to remind the audience that if they wish to address the city council, they must submit a green request of speak form located at the podium in the back of the chamber.

Additionally, citizens can submit public comment to the city council electronically no later than 1PM on the day of the meeting. Comments received before the deadline will be sent to the city council and will be part of the record and will be mentioned as part of the written petitions and communications portion of the agenda and will be posted on the city's website. Material may be emailed to cityclerk@cityofMerced.gov and any correspondence received after 1PM will be distributed to the city council and retained for the official record. Also for those audience members who wish to hear the council meeting translated into Spanish or Hmong, please let our interpreters know. In accordance with government code 54,952.3, it is hereby announced that the city council sits either simultaneously or serially as a public financing and economic development authority, parking authority, and or successor agency to the redevelopment agency.

City council members receive a monthly stipend of $500 $500 by charter for sitting as the city council, and the mayor receives an additional $100 each month as part of the adopted budget and resolution twenty twenty four dash 78. The Public Financing and Economic Development Authority, Parking Authority, and successor agency to the redevelopment agency receive no compensation. Agenda item E, report out of closed session.

There is no report out of closed session.

Okay. Agenda item F, ceremonial matters. F1, proclamation, Ramadan recognition.

Thank you, Jennifer. Two ceremonial items tonight, the first of which is honoring the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. We have members Shahid Sohail from our local Islamic community. Invite you up, sir. And we also have folks from the Central Valley Council of American Islamic Relations. We invite you guys all up, too. And give a big round of applause. You guys come on. All right. I want to welcome all you tonight to our council.

Come on.

Good evening, everybody. I want to welcome everybody. We're here tonight to recognize the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Have, Shahid has been a huge part of it for a long time, a small but really strong and really productive Muslim community here in Merced. So when Shahid comes and gives the invocation occasionally as well. So sir, I wanted to bring you and then I want to thank you all for being here as well and just give you a chance really quickly to tell us what Ramadan means to you and what it's all about. Sure. Go ahead.

Peace and blessings of god almighty be on you. I will for Ramadan, I will just use one verse of a holy Quran, which says what all about Amazon. That you may guard against evil.

Thank you. So

I just wanted to quickly, on behalf of our community, thank the mayor of Merced, Mr. Matthew Serrato, and the city council for this passage of the Ramadan recognition resolution. This thoughtful and meaningful act reflects the city of Merced's commitment to honoring diversity, promoting understanding, and uplifting the values that unite us as a community. Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam. It's observed by Muslims worldwide, and it's through fasting from dawn to sunset.

It's a sacred time centered on compassion, humility, gratitude, and service to others, values that resonate far beyond any single faith. By formally recognizing Ramadan, the city of Merced affirms the dignity of the Muslim residents and celebrates the shared principles of respect, gratitude, and a community that strengthens our city. We are grateful for the recognition and for the city's continued commitment to inclusion and mutual respect. This resolution stands as a symbol of solidarity and goodwill, reminding us that when we honor one another's faiths and traditions, we strengthen the fabric of our entire community. May this recognition inspire continued dialogue, understanding, and unity in Merced during this month and throughout the rest of the year.

Thank you again. Thank you. I

think you said it perfectly, too. Alright. Here's our proclamation, ladies and gentlemen. Whereas Islam is one of the world's major religions with over 2,000,000,000 Muslims across the globe and is an integral part of our shared human heritage. And whereas the Muslim community in Merced reflects the city's culture, ethnic, and religious diversity, with with Muslim residents, families, students, and workers contributing meaningfully to Merced's social, educational, civic, agricultural, and economic life.

And whereas the city of Merced is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment for residents of all faiths by recognizing religious observances and promoting civic engagement, mutual understanding, and community unity. And whereas Muslim Americans have played a vital role in the history and development of The United States, making significant contributions in agriculture, education, medicine, science, business, public service, and civic leadership. And whereas Ramadan, the holiest holiest month in the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, self reflection, and increased acts of charity, reinforcing values of compassion, generosity, self discipline, and service to others. Whereas And the observance of Ramadan in 2026 is expected to begin at sunset on 02/18/2026, and to continue for one lunar month, during which Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset. And whereas Merced's Muslim community actively contributes to the well-being of the broader community through charitable efforts, volunteer service, interfaith engagement, food distribution, and community building initiatives that strengthen social cohesion and collective care.

Now, therefore, I, Matthew Serrato, mayor of the City Of Merced, on behalf of the Merced City Council, do hereby recognize the observance of the holy month of Ramadan. The City Of Merced formally recognizes the sacred time and extends its respect and best wishes to Muslims in Merced and all around the world. Thank you.

Okay, agenda item f two, proclamation honoring the history and contributions of Riggs Ambulance Service and the Riggs family.

Alright, thank you Jennifer. I'll turn this one over to councilmember Mike Harris.

Thank you mayor. Tonight, we honor the legacy of a very important family in Merced, to have them all come down.

This is the

Riggs family from Riggs Ambulance Service. We have a proclamation here from the city, which I'll read to you.

It's a great picture.

Whereas in 1948, Ken Riggs founded an ambulance service, and no, I was not in high school then, so

Junior

that would become a cornerstone of emergency medical care including being the first ambulance service in California to stock oxygen on board significantly advancing pre hospital treatment and whereas in 1949 the service further elevated standards of care by requiring advanced first aid training, demonstrating an early and lasting commitment to professional medical education. And whereas in 1955, Ken Riggs was appointed county coroner, a position he held longer than any other individual California history, reflecting exceptional dedication to public service. And whereas in 1968, Ken Riggs was appointed by president Lyndon B. Johnson to the National Highway Traffic Safety Advisory Board, where he contributed to the national advancement of emergency medical systems. And whereas in 1974, emergency medical medical technician, EMT certification became a requirement, and Ken Riggs was appointed by president Gerald Ford to the committee of emergency medical services, which played a critical role in implementing medical network radio frequencies that remain in use today.

And whereas in 1980, leadership of the company transitioned to Craig Riggs, who guided the organization for the next thirty four years, continuing its legacy of innovation and excellence. And whereas in 1985, Craig Riggs required mobile intensive care paramedic certification for pre hospital providers, transitioning Riggs ambulance service into an advanced life support service, further strengthening emergency medical care for our community. Now therefore, he, Matthew Serrato, mayor of the city of Merced on behalf of the city council, hereby recognizes and honors Riggs Ambulance Service, Ken Riggs and Craig Riggs, for their pioneering leadership, unwavering commitment to emergency medical services, and lasting contributions to public health, safety, and the advancement of prehospital medicine. Signed the February 2026, Matthew Serrato, mayor of Merced. Congratulations.

Well done, Councilmember Harris. Thank you. And thank you to the Riggs family for all your incredible work over the years. I mean, name is synonymous with Merced in so many ways. Thank you all.

Agenda item g, written petitions and communications. Mayor of the clerk's office received emails from Jerry Perez Chica and Strong Towns Merced, regarding public comment. The emails were received by the 1PM deadline. They were sent to council and posted on the city's website. Any emails received after the 1PM deadline will be sent to council.

Agenda item h, public comments. Members of the public who wish to speak on any matter not listed on the agenda may speak during this portion of the meeting and will be allotted three minutes. The mayor may propose a further limit to the time available for all speakers at the discretion of the city council in order to accommodate as many speakers as possible. State law prohibits the city council from acting at this meeting on any matter raised during the public comment period. Members of the public who wish to speak on a matter that is listed on the agenda will be called upon to speak during the discussion of that item. And mayor, I currently have four requests to speak forms.

All right. Thank you, Jennifer. Three minutes each and call the speakers. Okay.

If I can get the speakers to the podium to my left. Jeremy Jenkins, Francesca Lopez, Karthik Prasad, Israel Salgado.

Good evening, mayor and council. I haven't been up here in a long time.

Ride a bike.

My name is Jeremy Jenkins. I am here representing a newly committee, Merced Community Intercessors. We are a group of residents who love this city deeply, we're committed to praying, supporting, and uplifting our community. Like many sorry. Like many of you know, we felt the weight of the recent shootings, violence. A lot of families are grieving. Young people are hurting. Our city feels the tension. But tonight, we're not here to pour your fingers. We're here to extend the hand.

Public safety is important. Law enforcement plays a vital role. City leadership plays a vital role. But restoring our city is not just on the council and not just on the police department. It's on all of us. We believe unity is missing. And as the community, the community intercessors, we've been gathering, praying, encouraging, bringing peace, standing in the gap for our neighborhoods. We've been not coming with criticism. We're coming with collaboration. We want to partner with city leaders, schools, churches, nonprofits, and law enforcement to help rebuild and trust and strengthen our community from the inside out. Thank you.

Hi, good evening everybody. Thank you. I apologize. I'm a little bit nervous. First time I've ever done this.

If you want, can pull the microphone down. You don't have to, but you can if you want.

Is that better?

Yeah. It's up to you.

Good evening. My name is Francesca Maris Lopez and I'm also with MCI with Merced, Merced Community Intercessors. I also deeply believe that violence doesn't start overnight and healing won't happen overnight either. When leadership and communities stand together, visible, unified, and consistent, something shifts. We're asking for open communication opportunities to collaborate. So let's host positive community gatherings. Let's create safe spaces for dialogue. Let's support youth programs and mentorships efforts together. Let's uplift our community together. Merced belongs to all of us, to every one of us in here.

And if we work together, not divided, not defensive, but united, we can bring positivity back. We can restore hope and we can take our city back in the right way. So thank you for your time and we look forward to working together.

Can I see a question real quick? Do guys have any upcoming events?

We do. So it'll be for this Saturday, the twenty first from 10AM to 12PM. Bob Hart and we are praying that God holds the rain back and if not, that we have a pumby.

What's gonna happen on Saturday?

So Saturday will be the community prayer event and we are asking the we're asking all churches to come together as one. We will be out there praying, praying for our city.

I love what you guys are doing. We'll see you Saturday.

Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Mr. Prasad, the update from our nation's capital.

Well, you're completely right about that mayor, council, city of Merced. My name is Karthik Prasad here on behalf of Congressman Adam Gray. And it is with absolute great, great pleasure that, I get to share that earlier this month, congressman Gray has secured over $16,000,000 in direct funding for projects in our district through the recently passed appropriations package, which includes funding for 15 projects after a very competitive application process. Information on the projects funded and the amount appropriated for each can be found at our website gray.house.gov and we're very pleased to share that in Merced we secured $850,000 for Childs And Canal Roadway construction and 3,000,000 for Bear Creek Infrastructure and Flood Protection Initiative. It's just an absolute I mean, just in a time like today where the federal government's a little tight around the purse strings, it is incredible that we were able to secure funding for all 15 projects that were submitted to us.

And we're very proud to have partnered with the city to make this happen, and we're looking forward to the next opportunity to apply for a community project fundings this spring. Our office will begin accepting applications once the appropriations committee issues guidance on this year's process which usually happens around this time February but can be as late as March. I would be happy to assist the city of Merced, secure funding for community projects as, we were able to secure funding for every single project that was submitted to us. So it's just it's really great to hear and to see. In addition to all that, representative Gray signed on to a letter with represent Costa, Valadeo, and Fong asking governor Newsom to modernize operations California's water systems.

Congressman Gray also co led the Feed Our Veterans Act, which ensures veterans would again be exempt from having to meet SNAP work requirements to receive benefits. Congressman also co led the snap online access act direct USDA to make snap online purchasing program permanent and co led the precise act a bill that makes loans more available for precision agriculture technologies The congressman also co sponsored H. R. Two thousand five ninety eight, the idea of full funding act, is a bicameral bill that enforces the full funding of the individuals with disabilities act, and is also co sponsoring the Farm and Family Relief Act. As always, we've it's been a super, super busy start of the year for us.

It's only gonna get busier. And if any members of the council or members of the public present know anyone who's got some issues with the federal government, of which I'm sure there are many, don't hesitate to send them our way. We're more than happy to help them out. 602 West 20th Street, just around the corner. Thank you.

Alright. I'm gonna regret saying that.

Finance director Rodriguez can take that $16,000,000 check from you now.

Thank you. Welcome.

Thank you. Good evening, City Council. My name is Israel Salgado. I'm a resident here of Merced, and I'm here to continue to bring awareness plus an update about Merced Scholars Charter School. Again, this school is here in Merced and it's a public school. And approximately three weeks ago, just to give you a little bit of a background, we had been told by MCOE that the school was going to be closing down at the end of the school year. When we found that out, the parents, we decided that we were gonna not gonna just take that information and just go with it. We decided that we were gonna continue to advocate for our students, and we came here to city council. We reached out to parents. We reached out to MCOE and let them know that, we were really, proud and wanted to do this program to continue.

And we believe that there was gonna be a lot of potential enrollees. And we kept advocating for our students. And thankfully this past Friday they've went ahead and changed their mind and they're gonna go ahead and continue this school for the upcoming twenty twenty six, twenty twenty seven school year. So they've now opened registration for students. Of course, we still want more students to register for the school.

To give you more further background, this program is a dual language academy. It offers instruction in both English and Spanish, 5050%. And it could also offer for Hmongs fiftyfifty Hmong English. So what I want to do is potentially continue to advocate for this program continue to bring awareness to it and hopefully we can get more parents and families knowledgeable about this program and enroll their children just to give you some some registration dates so from tomorrow Wednesday until March 6 they're going to be doing enrollment at 1850 Wardrobe Avenue P Building here in Merced from 08:30 a. M.

Through four 02:30 p. M. For people that have to will be registering for the first time so again, if you or anybody that is may be interested in this program, if you want to raise awareness of this. Again, I also want to thank everybody. We heard from MCOE directly that they had been getting told by other council members, the members of the community.

So we really appreciate you advocating for us and we are really excited to keep this program going. Again, I just want to make sure that this program can be successful not just for this next year but for the long run because we believe that it's very important for our children they do have a dual language education because we believe that that'll make them successful for their long term career. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Appreciate your advocacy. All right, Jennifer. Anyone else for public comment?

I believe that's all we have, mayor.

All right. Thank you. Takes us to consent.

Okay. Agenda item I, consent calendar.

Are there any items on the consent agenda that any members of the council would like to see pulled for separate consideration? Jennifer, anything from the public?

I don't have anything, mayor.

All right. I don't want jinx it, but is there a motion or any discussion with respect consent agenda?

Motion.

Second. Call for the question quick.

Okay. I have a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Boyle and a second by Councilmember Harris. The motion will include agenda item I8, the introduction of ordinance 2,588, an ordinance of the City Council of the City Of Merced, California, amending chapter ten point fifty point zero ten establishment, and agenda item I9, the introduction of ordinance twenty five eighty nine, an ordinance of the City Council of the City Of Merced, California, amending chapter ten point twenty point one ninety warrants stop signs and agenda item I 10, the adoption of resolution twenty twenty six dash zero nine, a resolution establishing the administrative remedies procedure for challenges to fees, charges, and assessments. Mayor and council, please cast your votes. Okay, and the motion passes unanimously.

Thank you, Jennifer. Under our action items.

Agenda item J, action items J one, approval of a resolution affirming city council committee assignments and appointments to regional organizations and joint powers authorities.

All right. Thank you, Jennifer. All right. So to J1, this is the city council committee assignments reorganization. Turn it over to customer Smith, unless there's another staff presentation.

I'm happy to speak to it but maybe I should defer to the city attorney first to make sure he didn't want to make any preamble comments. No

preamble comments. Thank you.

All right. Thank you.

Doctor. Smith.

First of all, appreciate the chance to address the council with one of the items I brought forward early in the meeting. Usually I'm doing this at 10:30 when I start losing it. So team, this is we spoke the last three or four meetings about creating a new system of standing committees where meetings will happen in accordance with Brown Act procedures, but also continuing the informal ad hoc committees which are merely advisory and are staffed by a less of a quorum of the seven of us. So this is the resolution we discussed that does basically four things. First, it will set the standing committee roster.

Second, it will dissolve a number of the former subcommittees that are either have been condensed into the standing committees or are obsolete in light of our earlier discussions. And then on the ad hoc committee side, we'll be affirming the continuing operation of a few committees. And I've got one here, a subcommittee that I think is an ad hoc subcommittee that's ready to be dissolved. Also on this the final page confirming the appointments of our representation on various JPAs and other regional organizations. I will tell you that that I drafted the resolution with input from the city attorney's office.

The committee and representative assignments was initially my attempt to take the existing rosters and slaughtered into the new seats that we all created. Mr. McBride and Ms. Parsley provided some input to double check me. And so this is sort of where where we are for discussion by this group.

I will say that for the most part, the prior committee roster slaughtered over pretty directly into the new proposed standing committee membership with one exception. The new Finance and Economic Development Committee is at least in my view perhaps an amalgam of the Finance and Budget Committee and also the Economic Development Committee, which in that particular case would have five council members potentially eligible to fill three seats. So we can maybe have a discussion about that. Also, council member Tau is now with us and our former colleague Mr. De Anda had sort of not wanted to be a full participant in a lot of committees.

So I think we might want to listen to Councilmember Tao as to whether or not he would like to join in a slot that currently is not held by the District two representative. So that's my my preamble comments open to your thoughts on the drafter wherever else you guys would like to go.

Okay. Jennifer, anything from the public on this?

We don't have anything, mayor.

Alright. Any initial thoughts, questions? Think that Cousin Smith tonight is just to set the it seems like the big point will be to set the composition of the standing committees.

That and dissolve committees that are not being carried forward and also reaffirm the ad hoc committees pursuant to our new policy C8. Okay.

All right. So again, looking at the standing committees and again, this will be the composition through the end of the year. And then for next council term twenty seven-twenty eight, they'll be readdressed. But public safety, currently Boyle Smith Harris Public Works Roads Infrastructure, currently Serato, Boyle, Smith. Ethics and Governments, currently Serato, Harris, DuPont, South Merced, Jean DuPont, Tau.

And then finance, as you note, potentially putting together the current budget subcommittee and the current economic development subcommittee up to five on that, myself, Mayor Brotem Boyle, Jean Smith, and Councilmember DuPont. Just doing the math, there are being five committees, three members on each. That's fifteen, seven of us. So I think each of us should be on two, and then one person would have to be on three. So I think the kind of the preliminary thing is everybody if everybody's Okay with the four that already have three, as Councilmember Smith notes.

I think that also potentially sets up the math pretty good to have everybody on two if they so desire, and then one person will be on three. If we

Yeah, so I mean, I'll just volunteer. So would be willing to step down voluntarily from the new Finance and Economic Development Committee for a couple of reasons. I'm on a few of the ad hocs already. I'm already on public safety and public works. I would like to stay on those. And then just candidly, you guys have watched my firm has taken on another client who's involved in development in Southeast Percent. So I think from that perspective would make sense if I stepped away from the committee and maybe make the math as the mayor said a little bit easier. Okay.

So that takes us down to one, two, three.

All right.

I can step back from that, If we have Boyle, Zhang, DuPont on that, then that leaves I think, Darren, is that three for you then and three for Sarah?

Yeah.

Okay. Maybe you're from Councilmember Tau where he might be interested in jumping in.

Yep. So we need a second for council member Tau. Customer Tau is you're interested in finance and economic development, or is there another one that interests you more? Yeah. Maybe

I'll be online to be in the committee. So Okay. Yeah.

Alright. So councilor Tao is interested in finance economic development. That makes there. Councilmember Zhang, are you interested in in finance economic development or is there another one you'd be more interested in? I would love to stay on that.

Okay. That puts you at two. So if we have Zhang Tao, and then either Council Member DuPont or Mayor Pro Tem Boyle, which I guess currently both of you would have three, including finance and economic development. Is there one of you who are particularly interested in that or willing to step aside through the end of the year till we redo everything?

I personally would like to stay on the act of in finance.

Okay.

I'll defer to the mayor pro tem. Okay.

All right. I think that makes it easy. They give Sarah three, and then everybody else has two, if I'm not mistaken? Correct. All right. So public safety, Boyle, Smith, Harris. Public works, Serato, Boyle, Smith. Finance, economic development, Boyle, Zhang, Tao. South Merced, Zhang, DuPont, Tao, Ethics, Serato Ethics and Governance, Serato, Harris, DuPont. Okay. Any quibbles over that? Anybody have any alternative suggestions? Is everybody okay with that for the remainder of 2026?

Sounds like the solution.

All right. Okay. So incorporating, with that and then the other requests as well. Anybody have any issues with the other request? That's to dissolve the other subcommittees that are listed and then also to affirm the ad hocs and then to dissolve the ad hoc related to Riley Park, which, yeah, that's been inactive for a while. Or any discussion with respect to those items? Hearing none unless there's anybody who has any other issues, any desires for different assignments, we entertain a motion to approve this in its entirety.

Well, I wrote the resolution, but I'll make the motion. I'll move to approve the resolution with changes that we discussed to the Finance and Economic Development Committee, that composition being Mayor Pro Tem Boyle and council members Zhang and Tao.

Is there a second?

Second.

Okay. Have a motion by council member Smith and a second by mayor pro tem Boyle. The motion will include the adoption of resolution twenty twenty six-twelve, a resolution of the city council of the city of Merced, California affirming assignments to city council committees and appointments to regional organizations and joint powers authorities. Merit and council, please cast your votes. And the motion passes unanimously.

Alright. Thank you, Jennifer. Thank you, Councilor Smith. Thank you, Councilor. J two. Okay. General General Silverados.

General General General General General Chevy Silverado's 2,500 HD four wheel drive crew cab work trucks for $63,167.50 each from National Auto Fleet Group for a $126,334.99 plus a 10% contingency of twelve thousand six hundred and thirty three dollars and fifty cents for a total not to exceed amount of a $138,968.49 for the fire department to replace vehicles F946 and F979.

Thank you, Jennifer. All right, gentlemen. What say you want the purchase of these two pickup trucks?

Mayor, I think you may be familiar with Italian Chief Jeremy Franklin, but I don't know that you see Cosmo here very often. So I know Cosmo's here this evening. He comes periodically. He's a great guy to have before us. He's our fleet manager. So I just want to acknowledge his hard work for this and other items. So thank you for being here, sir. I know we've got Juan here, but Caso's handling this item tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Brett.

Thank you. Yeah, so these two trucks are replacing two vehicles that are past their fifteen year expected life. They're over 20 years old. A lot of high they're high mileage vehicles or diesel engines that are starting to become a problem maintenance wise. It's leaving the fire department kind of at the mercy of if they're reliable vehicles or not. So we would like to get those replaced with reliable vehicles that are going to make sure that they make it out to the calls on time and without any issues.

How many miles are on these trucks?

Over 100,000

for each of them.

Anybody have any questions? Jennifer, anything from the public on the side?

We don't have anything, mayor.

Back to council for discussion and or action.

Move to approve.

Second. Okay, the motion by council member DuPont and a second by mayor pro tem Boyle. The motion will include oh, I'm sorry. Mayor and Council, please cast your votes.

And a five vote item for the record.

Correct. And the motion passes unanimously.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Agenda item J3, approval of a services agreement with Social Policy Research Associates in the amount of $49,075 to perform a local evaluation report for the city's California Violence Intervention and Prevention cohort for grant program.

Welcome, Sarah.

Good evening. My name is Sarah Knoester, management analyst, I'm going give you a brief background on the grant program. We're going start with some acronyms that we use frequently with this grant program. We have the BSCC, which stands for Board of State and Community Corrections. CALBIP is short for California Violence Intervention and Prevention.

ONS, Office of Neighborhood Safety LEP, Local Evaluation Plan LER, Local Evaluation Report and PSS, Peer Support Specialists. Back in July 2022, Calvert put out our request for proposals for their Cohort four program. Proposals were required to demonstrate how our program would meet BSCC requirements. This was a supportive wraparound grant program aimed at helping youth who were either justice involved or at risk. Five cities and 22 community based organizations received the grant funding.

The CALVIC grant required 50% of the grant award be passed through a non law enforcement agency. This was met by creating the Office of Neighborhood Safety Division within the City Manager's Office, thus the ONS. Staff received approval from BSAC on 07/14/2022 to allow us to create this division within the City Manager's Office to meet that requirement. Our program is called Pathways to Success. It would provide mentorship for at risk or probation involved youth through weekly one on one meetings and monthly group sessions.

We have an MOU with Morced County Probation Department. They would refer the youth to our peer supports. So they provided the mentorship and the interactive journaling, critical thinking, and assisted with employments. Mentorship and the interactive journaling kind of helped them, the youth, understand what got them into the situation and how they can get out and make better life decisions. The grant also allowed us to provide financial assistance by way of gift cards for food, clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, and transportation.

When we first started the program, we had originally asked for four peer supports. We were not able to hire that fourth peer support, so we had salary savings. We decided to incorporate the outdoor recreation program that Parks and Community Services had started under Prop 64. We incorporated that program into our program and a recreation coordinator from Parks and Community Services came on board for the CALVIT program and provided outdoor recreation programs. These are some of the areas that our youth went with the peer supports and the rec coordinator.

The youth definitely enjoyed the Quarry Park Adventure, which is a rock climbing place. Youth loved that! This is a reimbursement based grant, so quarterly invoices are submitted to BCC. Once they're reviewed and approved, then we received reimbursement. The city did not receive any money upfront.

At the beginning of our grant program, we had to submit a local evaluation plan describing our outputs, outcomes, and impacts. We focused on social and emotional learning skills, prevention and intervention resources, mentorship meetings, and providing employment assistance. Outcomes we wanted to improve the social emotional learning so they could have better moral reasoning, manage their anger, reduce aggression, improve self esteem, have better relationship with their peers, and better relationship with their family members, and then allow them to be able to learn vocational skills to have employment. And then the impacts were their lower rates of recidivism, reduced youth crime involvement, and overall community well-being. So the local evaluation report needs to evaluate how well our program did, and they're going to be evaluating on our LEP the outcomes and outputs and the impacts.

And then we have several different stats that they're going to use to determine the effectiveness of that. For the request for proposal for the consultants, we advertised on December 11. It closed on January 8. We received seven proposals, and they were reviewed and scored based on six criteria. I have these criteria here. Did a consultant provide good understanding of the project? We were looking to make sure that the consultant basically reiterated what we were asking for in their own words showing and that they completely understood what we were asking for. Was it reasonable and feasible? Did they have the necessary capacity? Did they have enough staff to do work?

Did they have the experience? We were looking specifically for someone who worked with BSCC so they understood the criteria that BSCC requires. And then we're also hoping to find someone who has worked in Merced County so they're familiar with our demographics. Of course necessary qualifications, you know, what kind of data analysis are they used to having to do in their programs, what kind of report writing have they done in the past with other companies nearby. And of course the fee proposal is when they allocated budget.

Our allocated budget is a little over 5% of the total grant, So we did $49,000 think $478 was grant budget. The proposal came just under our grant requirement or our grant budget. Here is the summary sheet and how we scored them. Based on the criteria, we weren't necessarily looking for the lowest proposal. We were looking for their expertise, their qualifications, and that they didn't go over the budget. So as you can see by our scoring, Social Policy Research Associates scored the highest. And that's it. Questions?

Questions for Ms. Knutson? Jen Franking from the public.

We don't have anything, Mayor.

Okay, back to counsel for discussion and a motion. Motion. Is there a second? Second. Want for discussion? Just want to make one comment. Saw this mentioned on the what we did with this money was mentioned on the street news. So I just want to street news, if you're watching right now. Please keep a close eye on this because this is the transparency document that talks about all the good work that was accomplished through this grant. All right. Call for the question.

Okay. Have a motion by councilmember Harris and a second by Mayor Pro Tem Boyle, Mayor Anne Council. Please cast your votes. Do I need to reset it? Okay. Give me one second. Okay, mayor and council, please cast your votes. Okay, the motion passes unanimously. Thank you.

All right, thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Jennifer.

Okay, agenda item J4, approval of a professional services agreement with J. B. Anderson Land Use Planning and a deposit and reimbursement agreement with Lions Investments, a California limited partnership for preparation of an environmental document for the University Industrial Park to change the general plan land use designation and zoning classification of approximately 376 acres at the Southeast Corner of Campus Park and State Highway 140 in the amount of $210,486

Thank you, Jeff. Mr. Mendoza.

Good evening council members of the audience. Francisco Mendoza, senior planner. So the item that you have before you right now is in regards to agreements for environmental services for specific projects. So the project is the University Industrial Park. You won't be looking at the project.

You'll be looking at the agreements for the environmental services, but I am gonna talk about the the project just because it relates to the scope of work with the agreement. The project will come back to the council, later on. It'll go through the proper natural process, which includes going to planning commission, city council final action, public hearing, and doing the environmental analysis. So the project that's shown here on the bottom right is located in Southeast Merced as shown through the star. Here's a closer look at the project site.

So it's not everything that's outlined in red. It's a portion of it. So it would be the the western and southern portion. And this is located East of Campus Parkway between Highway 140 and Mission Avenue. This area of image just provides a little bit more context as to what's around the site.

So that includes some existing subdivisions to the West, a recently approved subdivision to the Southwest for five fifty plus units, and then two shopping centers a little bit closer to Highway 99. So that includes Campus Parkway Plaza which has the Hilton and then also the Gateway Shopping Center where Tractor Supply and Chipotle is located. This slide here just kind of quick glance of the land use as it exists. So as you can see the general project area all in blue that indicates that the property is zoned for industrial. And here's a closer look at the specific parcels that are involved with the University Industrial Park.

So again, that's everything East of Campus Parkway between Highway 140 and Mission Avenue. So there's about eighteen, nineteen parcels involved, those that are outlined in red, and for a total of about three seventy five acres. Again, existing land uses blue indicates industrial, and this here is the proposed land use. So as you can see, there's quite a bit of changes, a lot more colorful. It's a more dynamic land use plan.

It's comprehensive in the sense that typically we just see a request to change one site or two sites. This is a much greater change over a much greater area, three seventy five acres. But to kind of give you an idea of how the land use is coordinated, so purple which working away from the top to the bottom is Business Park and that's typically you'll see those in communities that have universities, allows for research and development facilities. It's kind of like a hybrid of light industrial and office commercial. At the corner of Campus Parkway and Girard, you see two red parcels.

That would be general commercial, so allows for a broad range of commercial uses. And then everything else essentially residential. So that would be the parcels shown in brown, in orange, and yellow, and so at different densities. So the parcel shown in brown parcel number five at the center would allow 12 to 24 units per acre. The parcels shown in orange, six to 12 units per acre, and in yellow, two to six.

So residential wise, quite a bit of housing could come online. You'd be looking at somewhere between a 2,300 residential units. Because it's more than 500 units, that triggers what's called a water supply assessment, and that's included in the scope of work for the environmental studies. So that's just a quick glance at the project University Industrial Park. And again, it's currently in the early stages. It'll come back to the city council in the near future. Right now, we just want you to focus on the agreements. So there's two agreements that you'd be taking action on. The first, the design and professional service agreement. That would be with JB Anderson.

So JB Anderson currently has several projects with the city. They had they're currently working on three annexations in North Merced that includes Artisan, Baxter, M Street. There's an annexation in South Merced, which would be CP 42 North, and they've done other projects such as the Bellevue Ranch master plan update. So they have a lot of institutional knowledge with the community. They understand our process, our personnel. And then the other agreement would be the deposit and reimbursement agreement. So that would be between the city and the property owner, which is Lions Investments. And so that would be for a little over $230,000 and that would cover two things. That would cover the services for J. B.

Anderson and it would also cover staff time which is called a contract management fee which is 10% of the cost of the professional service agreement. So that concludes the presentation. It's kind of brief. Just a reminder because it's a budget related item, it requires five votes for approval. I'm available for any questions you may have and then the applicant's consultant is also on the line virtually for any questions you may have of them.

Okay. Thank you, sir. Appreciate the very good presentation. Questions? Jennifer, anything from the public?

We don't have anything, mayor.

Okay. Back to council for questions, comments, discussion, or motion. Councilor Smith.

Make a motion to approve.

Is there a second? Second. Smith and DuPont, is there any discussion, any questions, comments, any discussion on the motion? Okay, hearing none. Jennifer will call for the question.

We have a motion by council member Smith and a second by council member DuPont, mayor and council. Please cast your votes. Okay, the motion passes unanimously.

Thank you.

Next item.

Okay. Agenda item J5, approval of additional contingency in the amount of $53,190.8 for additional work which is reflected in change orders three with Midcal Pipeline and Utilities Inc. The Craig Drive Sewer main project number C P 250064.

Thank you, John. Jordan, the Craig Drive Sewer.

Good evening, mayor, council members. If you recall in 2024, the staff was notified of failing septic tanks on Craig Drive by the residents. Develop let's see. Developing situation, the engineering department designed the installation of a new sewer line and determined that the existing water main needed to be upgraded as well. On 04/07/2025, council approved the construction contract with Mid Cal Pipelines and Utilities.

The work performed included installing a new six inch sewer main, sewer manholes, abandoning existing four inch and six inch water mains, installing a new eight inch water main, fire hydrants, and six inch ductile iron pipe, some curb and gutter, and sidewalk included. During the construction months, it was discovered that the road was failing due to weather and poor structural sections of the road. Unfortunately, the road became unsafe and needed to be repaired. Staff secured a quote from Mid Cal Pipeline to patch the roadway to bring it to a drivable condition. Change order three before you tonight reflects that additional work associated with paving of Craig Drive.

Staff is recommending the council's approval to increase the contingency for this contract with change order number three to close out this project. I'm here to answer any questions you might have.

Okay. Thank you, sir. Questions for our city engineer? Anything for the public?

Don't have anything, Mayor.

All right, ladies and gentlemen, this is your chance to speak on the Craig Drive sewer project if anybody's interested. Okay, seeing no takers, back to counsel for discussion or motion. Councillor Smith.

Thank you. I know nobody really likes to hear change order and it's only $53,000 but ask my colleagues for support for a pocket of District 4 that was not brought into the city at the standard that we would expect of a city neighborhood these days. You know, some real horror stories about sewers that I will spare everybody, but I appreciate your support for this item. Move to approve.

Second.

I have a motion by councilmember DuPont and a second by councilmember Harris, mayor and council, please cast your votes. And the motion passes unanimously.

Thank you, council. Thank you, chair.

Okay, agenda item J6, approval directing staff to draft for city council consideration an ordinance amending chapter 9.08 gaming to align with current business and professions code sections nineteen thousand nine hundred sixty one point zero seven and nineteen thousand and sixty.

Thank you, Jen.

Good evening. Oh.

Mr. Cornwall.

Mayor and counsel, I am excited to not be bringing you an item from the city attorney's office. Our chief deputy will be speaking to you, Rhonda Lucas. And she has come on board since last September, I believe, and has done an excellent job. So looking forward to the presentation. Thank

you. Welcome,

Rhonda.

Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, City Council members, Mr. City Manager, and Mr. City Attorney.

We currently have in Merced City ordinance allowing for 12 total card tables at two card rooms. In 2024, the state legislature amended state law and allowed for a new structure to increase the number of card rooms available within our city's limit. The representative of the sole operating currently open card room proprietor reached out to the city and requested that we consider aligning, amending our ordinance to conform with the new state law. And that is what brings us here tonight. And we are seeking direction from you as to whether you want us to explore ways in which we would ultimately, with your approval and direction tonight, bring forth an ordinance for adoption that would align our existing ordinance to the current state law.

So our existing ordinance in relevant part is found at chapter 9.0802 e. It's sub e that we talk about and would be focused on. As you can see, we currently have 12 card tables that can be allowed within our jurisdiction. Presently, those card tables are divided evenly amongst the two card rooms. And as I said, while we do have two card rooms that are permitted, only one is open.

And so really we have six card tables right now that are open and available for use. Effective January 2024, California adopted a law that provides a framework that will allow for a gradual expansion of card tables if we so choose to have our ordinance amended to reflect state law in the following manner. This is how it would work in Merced. Again, if you direct city staff to, pursue, change the ordinance. Once the ordinance takes effect at some point, probably in 2026, I'm assuming, you could increase two additional tables within the first year.

You would then increase two additional tables every four years thereafter. So that by 2042, within the city of Merced, we would have a grand total of 22 card tables being allowed to be operated. Importantly, whether those tables actually come into operation will depend on the proprietor of the card room establishments seeking to bring them online. And we will have full discretion and our normal due process at the conditional use permit level going up through planning and amending their business license. Right now, they can't even ask or request for an additional card table because we're at our limit.

So if you direct staff to pursue this, the ordinance would, in all likelihood, look something very similar to this. But it doesn't mean that the card tables would come online right away. That is still up to the owner of the card rooms. And again, the city would have full discretion through its normal permitting and use requirements to ensure they're in full compliance with other provisions. As noted, and this is pulled pretty much from existing state law, it cannot exceed 10 tables above what is in operation right now, so it would never exceed 22 card tables.

As I just addressed, anytime a card room initially increases the number of card tables, in order to even be able to ask us, they have to prove to us that they, are in full compliance. They're fully up to date on all of their taxes and feeds and everything that we require within their conditional use permit. And they have to document that to us. And then in addition to that, as I've mentioned before, probably beginning with planning department, we would begin the process of conditional use permit amendment and go up through that normal process if they made such a request. Importantly, you guys still have all of your other authority should you direct us to change the ordinance.

We also get to work in tandem with the Department of Justice. And prior to the ordinance coming to you guys for first reading and consideration of adoption, The state of California would get a copy of it, and they would comment on it. And we would have they, in essence, have to approve what we would then put in front of you, the city council, for consideration and adoption. So this is just the very first step in a long process and a lot of back and forth with the state in all likelihood. Again, once we receive comments and approval from the Department of Justice, we would then formally introduce it to city council for your consideration and first reading and ultimately adoption.

Are there any questions?

Questions for Chief Deputy City Attorney Lucas. Councilor Smith.

Thank you, Ms. Lucas, for the presentation. This is one of those, like, legal problems I just love to talk about. Can you go back to your slide that showed the existing City Of Merced ordinance? Is towards the beginning. Yep. Thank you. So this is this is a bit of a epistemological question. But if the council gave direction to revise the ordinance to increase the number of card rooms, would we not be out of compliance with our own ordinance that requires a majority vote of the city voters increase And the number of card why is that?

Because you when you made amendments to existing code, you put that requirement on yourselves, via ordinance when you adopted the ordinance as a requirement of then state law business and professions code that they've since amended. So because you put it on the city as part of your ordinance process, you can remove it as part of your ordinance process in compliance with the new and amended state law.

Okay. Good. No. Fair point. Just wanna make sure nobody's gonna be able to accuse us of doing an end around our own ordinance. I never like that.

I struggled with that before. I I thoroughly researched that before I came before you. Okay.

What can you tell us? I mean, we're down to just Casino Merced in operation.

Yes, sir. Is that right?

What can you tell us about? And I really don't know, but what is Casino Merced's? How is their compliance with our other regulations, you know, operating in accordance with their own conditional use permit? Know, are there is there a structure up to code? You know, those sorts of things.

It's my understanding based on preliminary research and talking to their representative who made this request that they have been an excellent partner. I could not come across any outstanding issues either with city police department or the planning department, and they are current with all of their fees and taxes. And I found nothing in the record indicating that they were anything but a good proprietor.

Okay, that's fair. I'll put him on the spot, but I think I saw Chief Stanfield shaking his head in agreement as far as he knows.

Yes, Council Member Smith. We were trying to recall the last time we even had a call for service error. So this establishment is really never on our radar. We were kind of saying it requires less police response than like a bar, you know, just putting that into context. We're trying to think of how we could quantify that for you, but very limited calls for service.

I mean, do have an occasional call for service there, but we have occasional calls for service at a lot of places. It's nothing of concern for us at all with the establishment, the business. They've been good partners. As far as we know, they operate within compliance with us, and they've been a good partner to the police department and we really we really don't have any issues at the card room at all.

Okay, thank you. So that we have a we have a non operating card room that is soaking up half of the available card rooms in Merced.

Yes, sir.

Is that still I mean, is that business no longer in existence and nobody's expunged the permit? I mean, do we end up with that situation?

Well, my understanding based on comments made by the entity that reached out and asked us to consider bringing this item before you, that firm represents both of our proprietors. And my understanding again, I did not independently verify, but based on what I was told is that that proprietor who is not in operation uses it as a business strategy. They obtain the conditional use permit and license. And they have another card room in a different jurisdiction. And so as a way to ensure and drive business where they want it, They have no immediate plans of opening the room in Merced because their other operation is doing well and it's outside of Merced's jurisdiction.

I don't know where it's located.

Well, maybe that's something else we want to look at it some other time. That seems to be a bit of a waste from the city of Merced's perspective. But I understand this isn't, Ms. Lucas, something that you look at. But I mean, to me, you know, if half of the card room allotment is sitting vacant, there's a business solution that Casino Merced could pursue to get that capacity, right?

It's my understanding looking through the files researching this that back in please don't quote me for sure but I believe it was 2017 or 2018, the card room casino Merced did attempt to increase their number of tables. And at that point in time, the State of California, again Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control, shut them down because the way our ordinance was written, it didn't make a distinction between operating card tables and an operating card tables. And they said since it was a hard cap at twelve, there was no room to even consider giving Merced card room additional tables. And at that time, state law required voter approval, so they just had to withdraw their application. And I don't know if Merced considered amending.

I don't know. But they did try and get a work around that in either 2017 or 2018 and were shut down by the state of California.

Yeah. No. Fair. And I wanna stay focused on the issue presented to us, is whether or not we should agree to extend, expand the number of tables consistent with state law. But it sounds like I don't know if Casino Merced is here, but it sounds like they feel like they've got the demand for two or three more card tables over the near term. Okay, well, are all the questions I have right now. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Ron, if we do if we increase two, do they specifically go to, say, for example, Casino Merced? Or are they just in kind of a general know amount that could be used by both?

I would love direction from you as to how you would like me to draft the potential ordinance. They don't have to specifically go. We could contemplate inserting language operating card tables to make it clear. I could research that. Really, that is at the discretion of us with the caveat that the State of California Department of Justice will be weighing in on whatever we draft. So at this point in time, I didn't find anything that would indicate it had to go evenly between the operating tables like we have in the past. But

Yeah, they can all go to one instead

of They could all go to one. We could say in operation, perhaps, you know.

Jennifer, anything from the public to ask that already?

We don't have anything, mayor. Thank you.

All right, back to counsel. Further discussion or motion or questions? Councilor Smith.

Thank you. I mean, it seems to me this is worth pursuing with the caveat that I like to reserve final judgment. But we've got a we've got a local business that is not in trouble with code enforcement that's asked for our help to expand their business. Sitting here, I don't have any reason to be against an operating card room. So I think it's worth seeing if there's a way that we can, consistent with state law, expand the number of tables. I would I think I'd take where the mayor may or may not have been going, but I'd like to see it go to operating card rooms and not have it be a benefit that doesn't really help anybody. He kind of likes a lot of our cannabis program. So take a lesson learned from there. That's right. That's right. My thinking is.

But you have similar thoughts or different thoughts? Air Pro Temboil.

Yeah. I would say similar thoughts in operating versus non operating. I would feel horrible if the non operating were able to snag two extra tables and then the one that's operating doesn't get it. So I do agree with that.

Councilor Harris.

Thank you, Mayor. I'll make a motion to expand in accordance with state law and specify operational tables. Second.

Motion second. Any discussion? Okay. Seeing none, Jennifer.

We have a motion by council member Harris and a second by mayor pro tem Boyle. Mayor and council, please cast your votes. The motion passes unanimously.

Thank you.

Thank you. Well done.

Agenda item K business K one request to add item to future agenda.

Okay, so my left council member Tao anything for a future agenda sir?

No.

Councilor Smith.

Nothing today. Thank you.

Councilor Harris.

Nothing. Thank you.

Councilor Zhang, future agenda? Nothing tonight. Councilor Dupont? Nothing tonight. Mayor Pro Tempoi?

Nothing this evening.

Okay. Nothing for me either.

Okay. Gen item k two, city council comments.

Okay. Starting again on my left, council member Tau. No comment. Councilor Smith?

Nothing today. Thank you.

Councilor Harris.

It was a pleasure to attend several openings today and this week. You were at most of them. Most of them on time. Most. But it's a pleasure to see new businesses opening. I have no doubt that with the support of Mayor Pro Tem Boyle, Ulta Beauty will do well. And Canela's food truck, with the support of all of us, will do very well.

Thank you, sir. Council Member Zhang? No comment. Council Member DuPont? Nothing tonight. Mayor Pro Tem Boyle?

Yeah, have similar comments as my colleague, Council Member Harris. Very exciting things happening in District 5 with some grand openings of Five Below and Ulta, and we're seeing a lot of life over in the mall area. So it's very exciting. Definitely took advantage of the 20% off of the opening weekend at Ulta and also Five Below. Councilmember Harris got some Oreos and Mayor Serrato got a travel pillow with strawberries on it. Yeah.

Strawberry shortcake.

Strawberry shortcake. Thank you. And, so it's very exciting just driving by, just seeing that parking lot full. It was something that I campaigned about in 2020. I was very, very, very, very passionate about. So very excited about that.

Mayor Serrato gave that travel thing to a young child, which was very impressive.

You're so sweet.

Be related.

All right. I got a gift certificate for my girlfriend. We yeah, no, thank everybody for, again, all the hard work. Everybody's put all the work in to the mall over the years. It's really starting to come to fruition. So I think it's really exciting for the community to see everybody out there just excited about it too. It's a huge uplift for our community. So again, thank you everybody who's been working on this for a long time. I just wanted to also uplift what's going on Saturday. The group, Mr.

Jenkins and all them, they've got a group that's coming together. They're using it as a community prayer, but that's kind of the backbone of it. Really as a way to address some of the unfortunate violence that's been going on, especially in January in our community, and really trying to raise community awareness and bringing people together as a way. So if anybody has a chance to get out there Saturday ten to twelve at Bob Hart Square and hoping you'll see but maybe we need some change. There needs to be some cultural change in the way we especially young people in this town respect each other and respect our community. Hoping for some progress

through that. Yeah,

I'm not sure if they're gonna it's weather permitting or not but the Bear Creek Yacht Club has their cleanup on Saturday as well too.

Agenda item L adjournment.

Mayor if I may. Yes. I'd like to adjourn tonight's meeting in memory of Joel Knox. Joel Knox is a was a long term, term resident of District 1 and a great advocate and supporter for, District 1 in the Golden Valley area, so would like to adjourn in his memory tonight.

Second. K.

Have a motion by council member DuPont and a second by mayor pro tem Boyle, mayor and council. Please cast your votes. And the motion passes unanimously.