City Council - Regular Meeting

It having reached the hour of 05:30PM, I am calling the 05/05/2026 joint Modesto City Council and Public Financing Authority meeting to order and ask the city clerk to please call

the roll. Council and Financing Authority member Ricky? Here. Council and Financing Authority member Bavaro? Here. Vice mayor and vice chair Williams?

Here.

Council and Financing Authority member Wright? Here. Council and financing authority member Scoutia Brayton is absent. Council and financing authority member Alvarez.

Here.

Mayor and chairpersons Welland. Here. Will everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance followed by the invocation from Lance Lowell Neighborhood Church. Oops. Sorry.

If you're willing to join me in prayer, join me tonight. Dear heavenly father, we come before you today with thankful hearts for a wonderful community that we get to enjoy and contribute to. Thank you for the positive report from the mayor's recent state of the city address. Thank you for fourteen months of no homicides in the city limits. We see this as a blessing from you. Lord, we pray that you'd do it again. Continue to establish Modesto as a city of life. Lord, we pray for your wisdom tonight. You said in your word, if we need wisdom, we should ask, so we ask. Lord, give it to each council member and to all who participate tonight.

Lord, and although we may not have agreement on everything, we can't have unity on everything. So, Lord, help us to work in unity to better this community. Bless each council member for their sacrifice to serve our city. Bless their families as well. Give them everything they need to lead in critical decisions that affect our city and the people who call Modesto home. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Amen. Thank you. Does the city clerk have any announcements?

Yes, mayor. Item 16, the item pertaining to the car wash at 161604 Kansas Avenue has been removed from the tonight's agenda and will not be heard or discussed at this meeting. Any future consideration will be separately noticed. In addition, just a reminder, public comment is three minutes and there's speaker cards at the entrance of the chambers. Thank you.

Thank you. Do any of the council members have any conflicts of interest? I do not see any conflicts of interest. Will the city attorney report out on closed session please?

Yes, Mayor. The council met into closed session to discuss an item related to existing litigation. No reportable action was taken.

Alright, thank you. Next on the agenda is acknowledgments and presentations. Item one. A proclamation declaring May 2026 is National Public Service Recognition Week. I will read the proclamation.

The city of Modesto has deeply benefited from the diligent work of its public servants who give back to our community with the highest regard of stewardship and integrity. Our public servants across, span across all three branches of government, executive, legislative, and judicial. While our police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, medical professionals, and countless others selflessly serve the residents of Modesto. They remain dedicated even when it risks their own safety and well-being so that others are protected and cared for. Departments such as community and economic development, engineering, finance, human resources, information technology, parks and recreation, public works, utilities, police department, and fire department, as well as the offices of the city manager, city clerk, city attorney, city auditor, and city council provide essential services vital to the functioning and prosperity of our city.

Our community is sustained by the spirit and tenacity of these public servants. The impact of their work ensures effective local government and vital services are delivered to residents. Now, I, Sue Zwolland, Mayor, do hereby proclaim May 3 through 05/09/2026 as National Public Service Recognition Week in the city of Modesto and urge residents to join me in expressing gratitude for the outstanding contributions of our public servants and their significant role in shaping the future of our city dated this May 2026. Accepting the proclamation will be Cal Metiscalco, are you here? From our, I wanna get this right.

I want to say it right and where's my notes? Modesto Confidential Management Association. Got to get that right. And then Kyle, also Kyle Johnson with the Modesto Police Officers Association and James Woodmancy, the Modesto City Firefighters Association. Is that right? Modesto? Okay. Please step forward and we'll have some remarks.

Good evening, mayor, council members, and community members. On behalf of all staff across the city of Modesto, from public safety departments, operations teams, and administrative staff, we are honored to receive this proclamation highlighting National Public Service Recognition Week. Whether it's keeping Modesto safe, maintaining the roads people travel on, ensuring clean and reliable water, responding to infrastructure challenges, or supporting every department behind the scenes, our teams take pride in serving our community with integrity and commitment. Public service isn't always glamorous or visible to others, but it is deeply meaningful. This recognition reminds us that the long nights, early mornings, emergency callouts and constant problem solving do matter.

It reminds us that our work makes a difference in the daily lives of our neighbors. We're grateful for your partnership, your support and your trust, and we remain committed to delivering the reliable, high quality service our residents deserve. Thank you for this honor and for recognizing the people who make Modesto the place to be.

Thank you. Do we have other comments? Either No. Don't fight over it. Alright. Thank you very much. Are there any comments from council members at this time? Vice mayor Jeremiah Williams.

Thank you, mayor. And thank you, fire department, police department, and then also the mayor of our city and our my colleagues, the city council, and all of those that fit into that category for all the hard work and the good work. Sometimes you do things that people don't understand, but time tells all stories. So keep up the good work. Thank you very much.

All right. I will now bring the proclamation down and present it.

You.

You so much.

Kyle, thank

you. Mr. Wright, thank you.

We're good? Yes. Just give one second. Alright. Thanks, Sonia. Alright.

You're fantastic.

Thanks for being here. Hey. Thank you. Appreciate you. Appreciate you.

Thanks so much. Alright. Item two, proclamation declaring May 2026 is National Older Americans Month. I will read the proclamation. The city of Modesto is home to a growing number of older Americans who strengthen our community.

I'll just raise my hand for that one. Thank you very much, including me. Older Americans. They mentor young generations, pass on valuable heritage, and hold life experiences that cultivate resilience in families. Today we celebrate the years of dedication they've invested in Modesto.

In '20 the 2026 theme, Champion Your Health, emphasizes prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It encourages taking an active role in managing one's health, advocating for oneself, accessing preventative care, and making informed decisions. Older Americans inspire individuals of all ages to strive for excellence. Our expanding elderly populations continues to influence the various facets of our lives, such as our ideas of work, retirement, and leisure, supplying our economy, and advocating for inclusive social policies. The city of Modesto honors and respects older Americans.

Ensuring that they have access to resources, opportunities, and support systems that promote their well-being, independence, and inclusion. Now therefore, I, Sue Zwolland, Mayor, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as National Older Americans Month in the city of Modesto. I encourage all residents to join me in honoring and celebrating the contributions of older Americans to our city, and in recognizing the power of connection to enhance the health and well-being of older adults dated this May 2026, signed by me, Sue Zwolin Mayer. Accepting will be Nancy Cook, outstanding senior in Stanseless County award winner, and Carol Wagner, Outstanding Senior in Stanseless County Award Winner and whoever else is accompanying you that would like to make some remarks.

Hi there, I'm Joyce Gamlin. I am the current president of the Stanislaus County Commission on Aging. And behalf of the Commission on Aging, we wanted to congratulate Carol Wagner of District 3, and Nancy Cook from District 4 for becoming two of our five outstanding seniors or older adults of the year. And I appreciate that the council is making this the giving us the proclamation. I used to when I used to give speeches, I used to talk about how invisible older adults were as we age.

People see us less and less, but since we're the fastest growing population, I we're still we're not invisible as we used to be. If you go to a rock concert, if you go to a gallows center, no matter where you go, everyone that's there has got white or gray hair unless they dye it like I do. So so we're not we're not going away. We're gonna be here for a long long time as the baby boomers keep growing. So we appreciate what you the city council has done for us.

Thank you very much. And I also want to introduce Shannon Parker who's the coordinator for the Modesto Senior Center. And back here, Diana Olson, who is the Director, Retired Director of Healthy Aging. So thank you all for And showing I don't know your name, sir.

I'm Brian.

Brian. Nice to meet Brian. Thank you.

Can I say something about seniors? A lot of that?

Yes. Briefly.

The older they get, alright, and all of us get, right, we have to have protections of our properties and everything. And we shouldn't be judged as just, oh, because if somebody breaks into your house and you sit there and you try to say, hey, get out of here, you know, or I'll shoot you or I'll I'll beat you out and get away from my house. Don't break in. As older adults, we shouldn't be arrested for saying that stuff, you know, because this is what our cops do to us. Because we said that to a burglar, and then we said, we're gonna arrest you.

Alright. I think we're gonna wrap it

up. Thank you for that, sir. We're we're celebrating tonight.

Okay. Right. Do this. Okay. Joyce Joyce can speak for herself.

We'll just

leave it at that.

Thank you.

And the way the proclamation is, it's for all.

Okay, all right. Thank you very much. Do we have any comments from council members? Council Member Wright.

Thank you, Mayor. We are older than somebody else, so that could be everybody in this room. So as a senior citizen, I don't like to say older, I think senior is better. Anyway, as a senior citizen

Older adult.

We are living longer and enjoying life longer. And I'm thankful for that. And thank you for being here tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right. Vice Mayor Williams.

Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to say congratulations to to Nancy and also Carol for the distinguished award. You all are looking no greater than 45 years old. So you're doing really really well with that. And of course, you know, the team that is there with you, Shannon and Joyce, and and I forget her name.

Diane.

But Diane, you all are your advocates for the seniors. You have been for many, many years. We appreciate that. The seniors appreciate that. It's a wonderful thing to know that the senior center in Modesto off of Bolden is is doing really well with with a lot of exercise. They do dance steps. What is it? Latin dance. You wanna Zumba. Zumba, Latin dance. It it's it's great. We have a lot of things for our seniors in this community. So go to the modestogov.com, and you'll find out all of these things. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you, and congratulations one more time. Alright.

Thank you.

I'll just make one brief comment in that this item too, the proclamation declaring May 2026 is National Older Americans Month regarding the quality of life that we leave live as seniors has very much to do with the next proclamation. So you might want to listen to a little bit about that because it's about stroke awareness month and we'll talk a little bit about that.

Thank

you. When that comes up, so stay tuned for item three. Now, I

will bring

the certificate down.

I think that they need to know about healthy aging. Why?

They do. They do.

Thank you so much for being here. I truly appreciate it. Would you tell him

that healthy aging also has a

lot of glasses?

Hey, Joyce.

Oh, yes. Sure. Yes.

Long time

no see.

How's it going? No.

I see. Get you.

Thanks very much. Diane.

Thanks so

much, Joyce, for everything that you do. Oh, thank you.

Great. Thank you. Merry Christmas.

Alright. So I will maybe stand right here, and I'll give this to you. Just right here. There. Here I am. All

of you.

You're getting me. Alright, guys. Smile for the picture. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

I'm just doing a little thank you.

You're welcome.

I have five sons as I've mentioned, so I'm kind of used to this, but to keep everything calm down a little bit. Alright. Next item three, a proclamation declaring May 2026 as National Stroke Awareness Month. And I will read the proclamation. Every forty seconds someone in The United States has a stroke.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of serious long term disability and are the fourth leading cause of death in The United States. The impact of strokes extends far beyond the affected individual. It places significant emotional and financial strain on families as well. Recognizing stroke symptoms and acting swiftly is crucial for saving lives. Time may be the difference between life and death or even partial and full recovery.

Remember the acronym BE FAST. Balance Balance is off. Eyes, vision is blurry. Face, the face is drooping. Arm, arm weakness.

Speech, slurred speech. Time, time to call 911. Approximately eighty percent of strokes may be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle and taking advantage of preventative services. Innovation and effective treatments in the field of stroke care provides hope for reducing the severity and long term impacts of a stroke. Now therefore I, Sue Zwolland, hereby proclaim May 2026 as National Stroke Awareness Month in the city of Modesto and urge all residents to learn the BE FAST acronym and join in stroke awareness and prevention activities.

Dated this fifth day of May twenty twenty six and signed by me, Sue Swalen. Accepting will be Dorothy Trevetti, stroke and trauma research coordinator at Doctors Medical Center, and Doctor. Phil Guan, neurointerventional radiologist. Please step forward and make your remarks. Thank you for being here.

On behalf of the stroke program at DMC, we're really honored to receive this proclamation. We're proud to be leading providers of stroke care in the Central Valley and it really means a lot to be recognized by you.

Thank you.

Thank you, mayor and all the city council members. What I want to just basically, say is what, the mayor said, please look out for the signs and symptoms of stroke. It is very common in our community. There is help if anybody needs support there are support groups. We have one at Doctors. It's free to the community members and caregivers because caregivers do get affected when somebody, when their loved one has a stroke. So please always look out for the signs and symptoms of stroke and which is be fast. And thank you again.

You're very welcome. Any comments from council members at this time? Alright. I just very recently, within a week ago, had a personal experience with a family member. I was at a baseball game with my watching my granddaughter and I got a call that someone that was babysitting my grandchildren had slurred speech and had fallen off where they were sitting and had a droop droop to their face.

And so they asked that we go there immediately and help. I'm an I was an emergency room nurse for forty two years and and still a registered nurse. So I went to the home. I immediately did exactly what was stated on here with the stroke assessment. The person that was with her had called 911.

The dispatcher kept her on the phone, told her exactly what to do with our family member. The firefighters arrived. Our firefighters arrived approximately one minute after I arrived. I had done a stroke assessment. They came and immediately our firefighters did a complete stroke assessment, called in to the hospital, doctor's medical center.

She was taken to the emergency room. I was not allowed in at that point because you know how that goes, waiting for the family the closer family member. But she told me that she went straight from the the gurney straight to the CT scan. So I knew I had worked in that emergency room long enough. I knew exactly what happened. The process works. Our system is incredible. And most of her symptoms had resolved by that time, but I know that you, doctor, and you have a standard protocol that you follow. She had a stroke. She has clots that are there.

They were found within moments of her arriving. So I just wanted to reemphasize how this system works. It's so important to follow these guidelines. And she's back to work. It's very remarkable. The the treatment that we have right here in the city of Modesto. And this goes to our dispatchers when we call 911. This speaks to our firefighters who were extremely knowledgeable. They knew exactly what to do. They were professional.

The information that they gave them to the paramedics that came that transported her to the hospital, obviously the word they were everybody was ready at the hospital for her anticipating her arrival. This it's really remarkable. And so thank you so much for the care that you give to our community. It's hugely impactful. And I know that you follow all the latest research and it takes a lot of brainpower to do that, a lot of education, and we really appreciate your expertise. Uh-huh.

I didn't

press the button

quick enough.

Yeah, that's okay.

I also would like to just make a comment that this council made sure that all of our fire rigs are advanced life support equipment are equipped. And we have two stations that I'm aware of, station one and station five that have paramedics on their rigs on each shift. We've increased the paramedics up to over 30 and this year's budget, the city manager made sure that we are going to have six six firefighters going to paramedic school. So this council is very forward thinking in making sure our community is safe and if and when somebody does have a stroke and a paramedic is at that station called to you, it's seconds can make a difference. And this city council is making sure that we're providing that service to our city.

Thank you, Mayor.

All right. Your name shows up on my screen. Joe, did you have a comment that you wanted to make? Okay.

I was pulling the All right.

Any others? Not at this time. All right. I will bring the proclamation down. Thank you.

Thank you very much. You. You. Thank you for

being here. Thank you for being here. Congratulations.

Alright. Thanks. Really truly appreciate your time. Next on the agenda is public comment. Public comment tonight is in person only.

Zoom remains available for viewing and for wordly translation. 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 is outlined in the city charter and the rules of decorum posted at the entrance of the chamber. I ask that we are all respectful of all members of the public, presenters and council members.

Anyone who disrupts the meeting may be asked to leave. I appreciate your cooperation as we discuss key issues and make decisions that affect our city. We will now open public comment for items not on the council agenda, and each person has three minutes to speak. And I will read the names in the order that I received the cards. So Todd Aronson, welcome.

Good evening. Todd Aronson, CEO, Visit Modesto. I'm here to share and celebrate that May is California Tourism Month and the results from 2025 show that travel is not just a luxury but it's a vital economic pillar in our state as well as our city. According to Visit California and DRA reports, statewide impact last year had travel spending reaching nearly a $159,000,000,000 in California. There's a household benefit to that.

Tourism generated almost 13,600,000,000 in state and local tax revenue last year representing a tax savings in every household of over $1,000 These reports also display the local impact, specifically since 2019 when Visit Modesto relaunched here locally. Overall local spending in that time period is up by over $17,000,000. Business earnings in the tourism industry are up 31% to $244,000,000 in 2025, and it does not include ag tourism. Local jobs are up 5.3% to over 6,700 workers. Youth employment notably where in the hospitality industry that sector represents more people 21 who work in the industry than any other industry and that makes tourism locally a primary engine for local youth employment.

Taxes are the real story. Local taxes in our region attributed to visitors are up 26.7% in that time period, totaling now over $20,400,000. These taxes go into general funds. They pay for first responders, street repairs, parks, and essential public services. Beyond the math, this activity has generated hundreds of positive media mentions from Great Britain to the Central Valley to Japan, all celebrating the best in Modesto.

Plus Modesto is now on many good lists for the world to see us, not the bad lists as in years past. If we look at the revenue generated per visit, the impact locally is undeniable. Undeniable. The average California traveler spends almost $489 per trip. Locally, that generates over $43 in lodging, state sales, and local tax revenue to general funds.

The bottom line. Modesto spends only 32¢ of that $43 less than 1% to support Bizz and Modesto's efforts. That's about a 13000% ROI, an incredible return on investment for our region. With this being California Tourism Month, I want to thank the almost 7,000 workers, their families, and the businesses that support tourism and make our area a destination. They provide tremendous difference in our economy and support what makes this city great.

Thank you. Thank you. Next is Brian Evette.

Good evening, guys. Anyway, yes, I'm 67 years old, if anyone wants to know. And anyway, I just really wanted to point out one thing. We're going to be developing that $128,000,000 overpass by the mall. And I was just wondering if we can keep in line that Brink and North, the end of North, if we can just get that road to go all the way through when we do that development.

And I think it should be looked on. Was planned years ago when Han first built, but it never acted over the last fifty years. So maybe we can do that because that'll relieve some of the pressure of the traffic that's on Dakota. And I know it's the Dakota Triangle that Modesto wants to take over for the commercial businesses and everything. Kind So of if you would slow it down and first put the side road on from Brink to the slide of Boulevard or Pellendale, crisscross over that track and run alongside.

So maybe you should look at that when you're designing that bridge and make sure that there's a bypass going underneath it. Second of all, yes, heart attacks do happen. It happened to my dad in the hospital. I was there that morning at doctor's hospital. He wanted me to come in. They wouldn't let me. They escorted me out. This is how they care about the citizens. We got to change this. They told me that I couldn't go in.

They escorted me out. And as soon as I could get to Dakota Avenue, they call me and say he's having a heart attack because they turned around and gave him too much sedative and broke his rib and punctured his heart. And here I am stuck in Modesto now to deal with it because we don't have senior advocates that'll help people through probate even though we have AI and we're supposed to be advancing. Then let's give that to the seniors. Let them protect the property that they finally own and let the families be protected to that.

And let's give them the hand that they need instead of just forcing them in there. We're not doing that. Then they wind up losing their houses or their families lose their houses because five years go by and the way the kids are these days, they're not going to keep up on it. So we wind up doing it. Then we wind up building little sheds for them because they're homeless now at $13.58 dollars a square foot.

And then we rent it back to the taxpayers at $170 a square foot. So that little units drawing in $9,000 nearly a month that has cost us to put a homeless in there. And we're spending a $100,000 why don't we just make little credit cards for the homeless that they can use for necessities they need. Instead of spending a $100,000 we spend $30,000 It gets them a room. We put all these places in for 3,000,000, 3,000,000, 3 and a half billion and with it keeps drawing office but we don't seem to do anything put the people in there.

The cops don't come by and say you need to be protected. Do you have any money? Do you have any food? If they don't then bring them to one of the places we invested our money because there was only six people in the motel and the sheriffs are telling me they couldn't take them. They can't take them down there and they want help. I've talked to a few. We need to do that. Spend the money to protect this. Let's do the protection that the people need. All of us need a place and a place to get food and an elderly family around them.

Okay. Thank you. Next is Edson Mesquita.

Hi. Hi there. I hope everyone's doing well. So I wanted to come speak about the Dry Creek Trail. It's a few things. To begin with, I exercise there a lot. I've been exercising there since I was probably in high school. I grew up here. And recently, with e bikes coming out, there's a lot of them there, and they're going really fast. And they come up behind you.

They're quiet. And I think even recently, not too long ago, a few months ago on Virginia Trail, someone was hit. Another thing that's going on there is there's graffiti on a lot of things. I have pictures. I can pass it around if anybody wants to see at the very end.

I called the it is the Parks and Recreation Department as well the Parks Organization Department. I reported that on April. Nothing has been done. There's also trees being cut down that woodpeckers use. I understand that maybe they're damaged, but if a tree is being cut down, I don't think that the stump should be left and a new tree should be planted there.

And another thing is that there's a park nearby where I live. In the recent rainstorm, a tree fell over, same thing. The tree was cut, stump is left, and it's a tree that provides a lot of shade for the park. It's I believe the name of the park is

Creekwood Park.

So I think that the stump should be removed. It would be nice, and a new tree be planted instead. And is it possible to pass around this so the photos can be seen of the graffiti that I reported? What

would be best is if when you're finished with your remarks

I'm finished.

Our deputy city manager, Alison Van Gilder, will give her card, and then you can Email it? Yes. Have a direct way to contact us so that this information can be tabulated and addressed. Okay.

I'm finished.

Thank you. Alright. The next is Milt Treeweiler. Good evening.

Good evening. Milt Treeweiler. I'm a lifetime Stanislaus County resident. We're living in a changing world in many ways, and it's challenging our minds and our reasoning. The logical bedroom communities for Bay Area employees are Pleasanton, Livermore, Mountain House, and Tracy.

The soils around these cities are poor and lack water. Also, large landmass area East Of Fairfield along Highway 12 to Rio Vista. Again, the soils are poor and lack water here for farming. Yet, this council by a five one vote made the choice to destroy some of the best farmland on earth. Please remember that only 2% of the land on earth is good farmland and has the water, the soil, and the climate to grow fruit and nut trees.

Please be aware that this growth will not make Modesto a better place because residential growth never pays for itself. It will be the current residents of Modesto who pay for this. Your vote was not a vote for your children and descendants or for your current residents of Modesto. This vote is all about the Building Industry Association of the Greater Valley and their influence on the council and staff of the city of Modesto. This would not be a problem if this were the state of Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, or New Mexico.

You can build houses all over you want there and not destroy farmland. How are you going to provide food for your children and descendants when you create a food desert by building on land north and West of Modesto? This growth will benefit very few families and all the other Modesto families, rich and poor, will suffer from the pollution, the congestion, and the headaches of sprawl. The Building Industry Association will tell you all kinds of tales to try to rationalize their motives. They will say that farmland loss will be mitigated by placing farmland in a trust even when they fully know this does not work in Stanislaus County.

They will try to tell you that there's farmland like this all over the world, but they can never show it to you because no farmland like this exists in the world. Do you think their motive might be money? When we when you evaluate your actions with an open mind and reasons based on facts and reality, you will realize and see the mistake you have made. Here is what you should do. I want you to talk to your children and grandchildren and explain to them why you voted this way with all the knowledge you have here at hand.

Our primary responsibility is to provide for our children, our grandchildren, and our descendants. That's why we're here. We're the adults. We must take care of our children and our descendants. Thank you very much.

You're welcome. Is there anyone else wishing to come forward to speak under public comment at this time? Alright. Please come forward.

I don't come here because of myself. I come here because my Lord Father in heaven has told me to come tell you all to change your ways. If you don't change your ways, there will be consequences. For me being stalked for fourteen years here and nobody doing a damn thing about it is unacceptable. Everybody in this room should know what I've been through.

You to speak to

Well, I'm just saying everybody in this room, I'm talking to everybody, so they see me. Mhmm. Now I've been stopped for fourteen years. I am a victim survivor right here from a pedophile. I never got no justice. And everybody turned their heads towards me and wanted me to to get off me. I've been hit twice by two cars within three weeks here. I got two lawsuits going against these people, and I'm tired of people narrated about me. You understand? That's all I got to say.

Thank you. Yes. If you'd like to come forward.

Speak in the mic.

Yes.

Good afternoon. My name is Patrick Janaca. I come as a student from Good afternoon.

You. Better

now? Thank you. That's better. Yeah.

My name is Patrick Janaca. I come as a student from San Jose University. I mainly came for credit for a course. But my question is, I'm a college student and we have two colleges, one junior, MJC, and one regular college, San State. I was wondering how can the cities of Modesto and surrounding cities be a more accommodating for students like myself? Because to be frank, we're kind of just bored in general. There's nothing for us to do compared to like students in the past. Usually students either just leave as soon as they come here after they graduate or during their breaks to go back home. How can you guys just be more forthcoming for our students? Because I feel like this is more of a retirement county or just people that's more established.

When we come for our education, there's very small percentage of us that stays here for after post grad. So that's my comment. Have a great day.

All right. Thank you very much. Anyone else that would like to speak under public comment?

Hi. Kevin McCloudy, District one. So while I do not yet know all of the facts pertaining to the decision that was made the other day with respect to the Wood Colony situation. My initial reaction to it is that the council nevertheless took the first step toward annexation of Wood Colony. Whether you want to say that it was just allowing the owners of the property to have the right in the future to sell their property or it's allowing us to have our options open in the future, whether you want to say it's this or whether you want to say it's that.

The fact still remains that basically what happened was that the council took the first step towards the annexation of properties of Wood Colony or that annexation of Wood Colony itself. Now, it also is my understanding that some parcels were added to this. They mainly were parcels that are owned by people who had bought them for investments. They were not farming those properties, they bought them basically for a quick turnover. They wanted to make money on them, so they bought them for quick investments.

That is not the spirit of what colony is about. The people who farm those ranchettes and so forth for a hundred years have not done so with the attitude of a quick sell, a quick turnover. That is not what it's about. That may be what happened in those cases with those people who somehow managed to purchase those properties, but that is not what Wood Colony is about. Wood Colony remains really the only jewel of Modesto, the only one remaining jewel that Modesto can claim, and now it's being destroyed.

Whether it's being destroyed now or whether it's being destroyed in the future, the fact remains that the first step toward destruction of Wood Colony has been taken. And from this point forward, every step thereafter will become easier and easier to take. The next step will be easier, the step after that will be easier, and then it'll finally get to the point that Wood Colony is annexed, and we will have subdivisions and strip malls in what used to be Wood Colony. Now let me just put this into perspective.

Alright, Kevin, your time is

expired. Okay.

Okay. Thank you.

You're welcome. Anyone else that would like to All right.

Mayor, City Council, Jerry Thompson. I'd like to give you an update on the Lowrider Police Car Project with Modesto High students. It's been painted, so the kids are now in the process of reassembling the car and learning how to do cutting and buffing, which allows the paint to shine even more. So we'll be wrapping up with this project this month, and hopefully, we'll return the car back to Modesto Police Department before June. So the kids have done a great job.

They've worked in collaboration with MJC students also on this project, and they've learned a valuable skill that some of the three of the kids are seniors and two of them are talking about wanting to continue more education at MJC. So we think this program has been somewhat of a positive thing for these students to learn that if you can't afford to go to college, you can still go to MJC and learn other other skills and further your education in other ways. So, just wanna give you guys an update where things are at, and you'll be seeing that car here pretty soon. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else at this time? Alright. I would like to mention that council member Ricky excused himself from the meeting earlier this evening. 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 on 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? Seeing none, will the Oh, me. Yes.

Items thirteen and twenty for questions.

20 will be done publicly. That's not a consent item, but 13, alright, we will pull item 13.

Okay.

You. Will the clerk please read the consent items? Yes, mayor. Item four, consider approving the minutes for the April. Item five, consider approving the plans and specs for the Coffee Road Pavement Rehabilitation Phase two project, accepting the bid and awarding a contract to United Pavement Maintenance Incorporated of Houston, California for an amount not to exceed $3,057,484.

Item six, consider accepting the Tuolumne River Regional Park Picnic Area b renovation project as complete, releasing securities, releasing payments totaling $373,173 to Sinclair General Engineering Construction Incorporated of Oakdale, California and authorizing the city clerk to file a notice of completion. Item seven, consider accepting the Bret Hart neighborhood straighten and replace water mains phase one b project as complete, releasing securities, releasing payments totaling $1,966,083 to Mid Cal Pipeline and Utilities Incorporated of Merced and California and authorizing the city clerk to file a notice of completion. Item eight, consider accepting the JM Pike Park stormwater to sanitary sewer cross connection removal and water main project as complete, releasing securities, releasing payments totaling $33,768,501 to Mozingo Construction Incorporated of Oakdale, California, and authorizing the city clerk to file a notice of completion. Item nine, consider approving three on call consultant agreements for materials and testing and special inspection services with Crazon and Associates of Fresno, California, BSK Associates of Fresno, California, and Terracon Consultants Incorporated of Sacramento, California for a total amount not to exceed $497,500 over five years per consultant. Item 10, consider accepting a monthly investment report for February 2026.

Item 11, consider accepting an informational report for the March 2026 accounts payable payment register and void report. Item 12, consider approving the agreements for on call board up and cleanup of unsafe properties to LS Construction and Design Incorporated of Los Banos, California and Garcia Septic and Construction Incorporated Modesto, California for a total combined amount not to exceed a $180,000 over three years. Item 13 was removed from consent. Item 14, consider approving plans and specs for the septic to sewer construction project excuse me. Country Area 7, Spencer Marshall neighborhood accepting the bid and awarding a construction contract to Frontline General Engineering Construction Incorporated with Tracy, California in the amount of $1,739,773 and authorizing a 15% in contingency if needed for a total payment amount not to exceed $2,000,739.

Item 15, consider approving an agreement for the purchase and installation of granular activated carbon to Calgon Carbon Corporation, Moon Township, Pennsylvania for a total amount not to exceed $3,205,360 over five years.

Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the consent calendar as Second. Moved by Council Member sorry, I missed that. Alvarez, seconded by Council Member Wright. Will the clerk please call the roll for this item?

Yes. Council and financing authority, Member Bavaro.

Aye.

Vice Mayor and Vice Chair Williams. Aye. Council and Financing Authority Member Wright? Aye. Council and Financing Authority Member Alvarez?

Aye.

Mayor and Chairperson Zwala?

Aye. Carries, five zero. All right. We will now go to consent item 13. Consider accepting the Modesto Police Department's annual military equipment report, approving an ordinance reauthorizing the department's military equipment use policy, policy seven ten, and authorizing purchasing additional equipment that qualifies as military equipment in fiscal year twenty twenty six twenty seven, and we will have a staff report. Welcome.

Good evening, council. Lieutenant Joe Bottoms, Modesto Police Department. It's that time of year again where we asked the city council to approve assembly bill four eighty one. Just for some background, back in 2021, state of California determined that several items that police departments have would now be considered military equipment. So every year, we're required to review that in front of counsel and then ask for permission to purchase said items in a annual report.

So out of the 15 categories the state of California determines to be military equipment, Minnesota Police Department only has six of those categories. Anything from our SWAT truck to bean bag shotguns to tear gas to drones or UAVs. So there's a variety of items that we purchase with counsel's permission every year to resupply or restock and just buy new items when they wear out or break. Are there any specific questions?

All right. Does counsel have any questions of staff at this time? Seeing none, thank you very much for that report. I will open this item up to the public. Are there any members of the public that would like to come forward regarding consent item 13? Please step forward. If you could direct your questions to me and then we'll address them.

So basically what I would like to know is for what usage do they anticipate? What do they anticipate using these military items for basically? Again, basically what do they intend on using them for and against whom? Thank you.

You. Alright. If you'd like to address that, thank you.

Thank you for that question. So it may surprise the council and whoever's listening what they consider to be military items. These are items that the police department has purchased for long as I've been a police police officer for over twenty one years. So it's it's just after 2021 that the state determined that they would now consider these to be military items. So some a lot of these items are used in what we call de escalation or when we're protecting the public, whether it's during a high risk situation like a search warrant or a protest, these items are used to not escalate to the point of lethal force and to either take someone into custody or to bring down a situation.

For instance, the SWAT truck which we've seen around all over town is often used during active shooter situations or search warrant situations to protect officers from any incoming fire. A bean bag shotgun could be possibly used to de escalate a situation where lethal force is obviously not preferred. Tear gas could be used to to put inside of a house where we can get a wanted subject or a violent subject to come out without having to use lethal force. UAVs or drones as as sometimes you you they're called gives us an opportunity to look into places without putting an officer in harm's way. You know, we can put that into on top of a roof or in a house or in a car or something that allows us to get eyes on and see without putting an officer in a potential situation that could escalate or or in a dangerous situation.

Alright. Thank you very much for your responses. At this time, I will close public comments and ask council members for comments, if you have any comments. Alright. Thank you for that extensive report. It's very helpful to make our decisions. I'm going to ask clarification from the city attorney. We have two motions. Do I do them separately or together? Together.

Together. Alright. So I have a motion introducing and waiving the first reading of an ordinance approving the Modesto Police Department's military equipment use policy. Policy seven ten in accordance with California Assembly Bill four eighty one, and approving the purchase of additional equipment that qualifies as military equipment in fiscal year twenty twenty six twenty twenty seven, and rescinding ordinance number three seven nine four dash c dot s. And a motion accepting the Modesto Police Department's annual military equipment report. Do I have a motion?

So moved. Second.

Moved by Council Member Wright, seconded by Council Member Alvarez.

Will the clerk please call the roll for this item? Council and financing authority, Member Bavaro. Vice mayor, Vice chair Williams. Aye. Council and financing authority, Member Wright. Aye. Council and Financing Authority member Alvarez?

Aye.

Mayor and Chairperson Zwolland?

Aye. Carries five zero. Thank you very much. Next, on the agenda is council comments and reports. Do any council members have any comments and reports at this time? Council member Wright.

Thank you, mayor. Is it on? Yeah. It was my pleasure and also the mayor's pleasure to be at Sylvan Post Office on Saturday morning. It was dedicated to a gentleman that lost his life on 12/14/2004 in the Iraqi war.

We heard from his commanding officer his braid bradeness, how he was the first one into the battle. And then we heard how other of his comrades went in to take him out knowing that he had passed away. This was something that was passed by the city council, the county board of supervisors, our congressional in Washington and also signed by the president of The United States, naming this corporal Michael Anderson's junior post office here in Modesto. It was a solemn time to hear from his commanding officer for about forty minutes on what happened that day and how his company came to his rescue. And unfortunately, he lost his life.

And he was the first Modesto person to die in the Iraqi war back in 2004, and it was a great honor to be there. Thank you, mayor.

You're welcome. Vice mayor Williams.

Thank you, mayor. I I would have liked to have attended that. I spoke to Michael Anderson, the father, and he had indicated to me that he was very proud and thankful for the it took about six to seven years to get that to happen for the post office over office in Sylvan in Councilman Of Rights District. And I I am really happy for him, with them. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it for another engagement, but my hats off to them.

Now also, mayor, I have a few other things that I left out in the last few weeks. One of them was the garden tour. I was able they were had five locations. One was the house, their office, but I went to the other four. I wanna thank the garden club for everything they do in the community in the city of Modesto.

All downtown, the pots and the beautification. They do that all from out of the goodness of their heart. There is a small stipend that they get help with, and so I'm very proud of them, and I'm thankful for them. Also, the last thirty days or so or two weeks, was able to go to Earth Day, spent about three hours there, and thanking all of the vendors. And then, of course, the city of Modesto and Parks Direct were a part of that and put that together.

And so thank you for continuing celebrating our Earth and having Earth Day. Love Modesto was just last week or so. We had 85 participants. And the 85 participants from my location came from Sutter Health. So I want to thank Sutter Health for having their team come out and we beautified McHenry.

Just recently as well NAACP did a black graduation for the minority students in the in the county, the area at Gregori High School. That was well attended. Congratulations to those individuals and any and all who have graduated from high school or higher learning. And then also the Cinco de Mayo parade, I know my colleague is gonna bring that up, but the one thing that I do wanna say that I had the privilege and we had a great time in my car with me, that '72 Triumph convertible, which stands about three inches off the ground. Our new chief, Shannon Evans, was with me on that, and, we did not get a ticket or anything of that nature.

But it was a great time, and it was a great time to have you with me that day as well as I with you and you with me, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, and I'm sure my colleague's gonna talk more about those things. I do wanna say, the South Modesto Business United, I wanna thank them every year. It was a wonderful parade. It was the best ever in my opinion. Lastly, mayor, two two sad notes, I guess you could say.

On April 21, Odessa Johnson, who was a a pillar in this community, first African American teacher in 1963, passed away on the April 21. There will be a service for her at MJC on the thirtieth, May 30. And then, unfortunately, he was a very, very, very well-to-do individual who did so much, was on so many different boards, particularly MID board, but Tom Van Groningen passed away just a few days ago. So I definitely those are pillars in our community. So mayor, if you don't mind, I definitely would like to have a moment of silence for those two individuals.

Thank you very much, Mayor.

You're welcome. Next, Councilmember Alvarez.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. I also want to honor Corporal Michael Anderson Junior and acknowledge the post office being named after him. I served with Michael Anderson Junior's father, Michael Anderson Senior, when I worked as a congressional aide in 2018. Michael Anderson Senior was my district director, and I have a really strong relationship with with Senior, and I tip my hat to him and his family who are a Gold Star family and all the other fallen service members from Stanislaus County in the Modesto area.

I wasn't able to attend that. We had the Cinco de Mayo parade same time on Saturday, so that was a great event. We had thousands of people line the streets of Crow's Landing for South Modesto Businesses United annual Cinco de Mayo parade. I was there with my family and my fiancee, and we it was just nice to be able to have a nice, beautiful, sunny morning. And Vice Mayor Williams was at attendance as well as Chris Rickey, Councilmember Rickey, along with Supervisor Condit and a variety of other Santa Claus County local elected officials.

So it was really nice to see a region wide draw for that event. And again, I tip my hat to South Minnesota Businesses United's Parade Committee for their tireless work in organizing that parade every year. That's it, Mayor. Thank you.

You're welcome. I was I'm an ex officio member for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, and we had our meeting last Thursday, April 30. One item of note was the increase in ACE fares, 10%. And it was noted there has not been an increase in fares since 2019. There was no public comment at the meeting opposing it.

There was a lot of public outreach regarding those fares, and looking forward to the day when it will reach Modesto. Thursday, I also attended the Stanislaus Disaster Council meeting where we received updates from all of our local first responder agencies, and it's always an informative meeting and to the point. So I was appreciative to be able to attend there. To honor Michael Anderson Junior, it was riveting to hear his commanding officer describe that day. It's different when you hear it from someone that was actually there in person as part of the rescue.

And at that point to assure that his body would be returned home. So I'm so I was so honored to be there, and I'm grateful that that was able to come to fruition. Alright. That's all I see for council member reports. Does the City Manager have any comments or reports? Alright. Next on the agenda is hearings. Item 16 has been removed as was stated from tonight's agenda and will not be heard or discussed. Next on the agenda is new business. Item seventeen, eighteen and nineteen will be presented under one presentation.

Items eighteen and nineteen are items for the public financing authority. I will now read items seventeen, eighteen and nineteen. Item 17, consider approving the award of proposal and agreement for banking services to BMO Bank NA, Sacramento, California for a total amount not to exceed $282,220 over six years approving a three year extension for the irrevocable direct pay letter of credit issued by BMO Bank NA supporting the lease revenue refunding bonds series 2,008, approving a three year extension for the standby certificate purchase agreement with BMO Bank NA supporting the water refunding revenue certificate of participation '2 thousand and eight series A. Item 18, consider approving the extension of a credit facility with BMO Bank NA relating to the Modesto Public Financing Authority lease revenue refunding bonds series 2,008. And item 19, consider approving the extension of a credit facility with BMO Bank NA relating to the water refunding revenue certificates of participation 2008 Series A.

So we will now have a report from Deanna Christensen, director of finance. She will present items seventeen, eighteen and nineteen together. Welcome.

Thank you, mayor. Good evening, mayor, council member Deanna Christiansen, director of finance. So just to give some background related to this item. So the finance department did solicit a request for proposal. There were two components related to the solicitation.

One of them was related to the banking services that we need to maintain for the City Of Modesto's treasury services. And the second part is related to our liquidity services where the city has two variable debt bonds that are currently outstanding and because they're variable debt, we are required to maintain a letter of credit through the maturity date of these bonds. So to just give the background of the letter of credit that we currently have for the 2008 lease revenue refunding bonds, which are the bonds that actually financed our portion of the city hall. So the letter of credit again provides the liquidity support if there was any scenario where we could not make our current debt payments. We currently for this specific bond, we again had modified and did a refunding back in 2008 where we again saw that there was a significant savings from changing from a fixed rate to variable rate debt bonds.

So the current lease revenue obligation bonds currently has a maturity outstanding balance of 32,800,000 and the last maturity date for the payment that we will be made will end in September 2033. For our 'eight water certificate of participation bonds, the letter of credit is referred to as a standby certificate purchase agreement. It's very similar in nature. Again, we are required to maintain this if there was ever any impact of defaulting on the current bonds. So again, the current structure that we have is again similar of nature.

We did do a refunding back in 2008 based again on changing the fixed rate to a variable debt rate structure. Currently, the outstanding balance on these bonds are 35,200,000 with this one ending with a maturity date of October 2036. So on the banking services agreement, we are required to maintain treasury services for our day to day cash deposits and disbursements that we do for city business activity. It's very important with our banking services that we ensure that we maintain a banking institution that has very strong security controls, fraud controls as well as cyber security controls just based on the nature of the banking activity that runs through our current bank accounts. In addition, we do incorporate services for our commercial card programs that we would need to maintain with a banking institution as well as there's a option with us being able to pay our vendors virtually versus through check.

And again, there are opportunities where we get rebates through both of these programs. And again, that was all incorporated into the request for proposals. And as I mentioned, we are required to incorporate the letter of credit just because again, we just maximize on savings with a reduced cost with packaging them both into one request for proposal. The current agreement that we have in place, which our current bank provider is BMO, it currently expires in May 7 month. But again, we will be initiating the first amendment to extend the agreement through the May just to again move this new agreement forward.

So just to give some background on the request for proposal, it was initiated in December 2025. We did communicate the bid to about eight seventeen prospective bidders. We did have 33 bidders that actually downloaded the request for proposal, which did include one local bank. On January 27, we did receive six proposals that were submitted with the clerk's office. We did deem two non responsive because they did not meet the requirements that were defined in the request for proposal.

So based on the four proposals that were reviewed, we did bring back the top two banks to do a presentation to capture again key components that we were looking for based on the needs for the city. And based on those results BMO was identified as the top bank to move forward for this agreement. To capture some fiscal impacts that was again captured in BMO's proposal. They did capture a 25,000 renewable bonus that we would get immediately once we executed the agreement. They also incorporated $19,500 in tentative incentives that we would have that would cover a variety of our banking fees as well as other cash sharing type of activities that would be covered under that incentive.

The other big component as well as part of the fiscal impact is the letter of credit. So again, as you can see with the comparable pricing both for the letter of credit and the standby certificate agreement, BMO is clearly the lowest of all the four banks. Part of looking at the other banks, it would require a significant amount of write up of updating our bond documents as as other legal services. So you'll see under the additional fees, there are significant higher fees with us changing to a banking new institution. So again, just looking overall, there's close to almost a $300,000 savings by keeping BMO.

So I won't read through the recommendations, but again as part of the items for seventeen, eighteen and nineteen, again because there are two banking transactions, we do require both a vote for city council as well as the vote for Modesto Public Finance Authority based on again the two letter of credits that are captured as part of this item. And I'm more than happy to answer any questions.

All right, thank you very much for your presentation. Any questions from council members regarding item seventeen, eighteen or 19? Seeing none, I'll open this up to the public. Any members of the public that would like to come forward to speak on these items? Seeing none, will close public comments. Any comments from council members? Vice Mayor Williams.

Thank you, Mayor. I want to thank you, Diana Diana. Thank you for your presentation and thank you for going above and beyond and making sure that we did reach out to some local banks, things of that nature, which is really important. But technically, it boils down to the dollars and cents. And so you did your due diligence and well, it's a wonderful report. So thank you very much.

Thank you.

Alright. Thank you. This will require multiple votes, so I will read them each individually. Item 17, I have a resolution approving the award of proposal and agreement for banking services to, I guess it's called BMO, BMO Bank National Association, Sacramento, California for a two year agreement with four one year extension options for an estimated annual amount of $47,037 and a total amount not to exceed $282,220 over six years and authorizing the city manager or his designee to execute the agreement. Do I have a motion?

Motion.

Alright. Do I have a second? Second. Motion by vice mayor Williams, second by council member Bavaro. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Council. Council and financing authority member Bavaro? Aye. Vice mayor and vice chair Williams. Aye. Council and financing authority member Wright. Aye. Council and financing authority member Alvarez.

Aye.

Mayor and chairperson Zwolin.

Aye. Carries five zero. Thank you. Next, I have a resolution of the City Council of the City of Modesto relating to Modesto Public Financing Authority lease revenue refunding bond series 2008, approving amendment number two to reimbursement agreement among BMO Bank NA, City of Modesto, and Modesto Public Financing Authority, amendment number two to fee letter agreement, and a supplement to official statement and authorizing certain other related actions. Do I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Council Member Wright.

Second.

Seconded by Council Member Bavaro. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Council and financing authority, Member Bavaro. Aye. Vice Mayor, Vice Chair Williams. Aye. Council and financing authority, Member Wright. Aye. Council and financing authority, Member Alvarez.

Aye. Mayor and Chairperson Zwolland. Aye. Carries five zero. I have a resolution of the City Council of the City of Modesto relating to water refunding, revenue certificates of participation, 2,008 series A, approving amendment number one to stand by certificate purchase agreement among BMO Bank NA, City of Modesto and Modesto Public Financing Authority amended and restated fee letter agreement and a supplement to remarketing memorandum and authorizing certain other related actions. Do I have a motion?

Motion.

Motion by vice mayor Williams. Second. Second by council member Wright. Will the clerk please call the roll for this item?

Council and financing authority member Bavaro.

Aye.

Vice mayor, vice chair Williams. Aye. Council and financing authority member Wright. Aye. Council and financing authority member Alvarez.

Aye.

Mayor and chairperson Zwolland.

Aye. Carries five zero. Next is item 18. I have a resolution of the Modesto Public Financing Authority relating to Modesto Public Financing Authority lease revenue refunding bonds series 2008, approving the extension of a credit facility and approving the form of and authorizing the execution and delivery of an amendment number two to reimbursement agreement and an amendment number two to fee letter agreement with BMO Bank NA and a supplement to official statement and authorizing certain other related actions. Do I have a motion?

So moved.

Moved by council member Wright. Second? Second. Second by council member Bavaro. Will the clerk please call the roll for this item?

Council and financing authority member Bavaro.

Aye.

Vice mayor, vice chair Williams.

Aye.

Council and financing authority member Wright. Aye. Council and financing authority member Alvarez. Aye. Mayor and chairperson Zwolland.

Carries, five zero, thank you. Next is item 19, consider approving the extension of a credit facility with BMO Bank NA relating to the water refunding revenues certificates of participation 2008 series A. Oh, sorry, that was the title of the agenda item. The resolution is a resolution of the Modesto Public Financing Authority relating to water refunding revenue certificates participation, 2008 series a, approving amendment number one to standby certificate purchase agreement among BMO Bank NA, City of Modesto and Modesto Public Financing Authority approving amended and restated fee letter agreement and a supplement to remarketing memorandum and authorizing certain other related actions. Do I have a motion?

So moved.

Moved by council member Wright. Second.

Second.

Second by vice mayor Williams. And will the clerk please call the roll for this item?

Council and financing authority member Bavaro. Aye. Vice mayor vice chair Williams.

Aye.

Council and financing authority member Wright. Aye. Council and Financing Authority member Alvarez.

Aye. Mayor and Chairperson Zwolland. Aye. Carries five zero. Thank you. Next, thank you very much, Deanna. Appreciate that. Next is item 20. Consider receiving mayor Sue's Wallin's fiscal year twenty twenty six, twenty seven final budget modifications message per charter section thirteen oh three for the fiscal year twenty twenty six, twenty seven budget year. And welcome. We will have a staff report.

Yep. Good evening. Steve Christensen, office of performance management and budget director. So this is kind of the next step in the budget process. So in April, we had the finance committee budget workshops. The finance committee recommended moving forward with the draft budget. So the next part of that is the mayor's final budget modifications message. So again, according to that section in the charter 13 o three, the mayor is to provide her final budget modifications message to the council and the public forty five days prior to the start of the new fiscal year. So mayor, I will turn it over to you to read your message.

Thank you. To the residents of Modesto and the members of the city council, it is with great honor and respect that I present for your consideration the proposed fiscal year twenty twenty six, twenty seven operating capital improvement and multi year project budget for the city of Modesto. The budget represents a collaborative effort between the city council, city manager, and staff, and is guided by the strategy set forth in the two year strategic plan. The budget reflects the refinement of the second year of the two year budget process and carries out our commitment to financial transparency and fiscal responsibility. Included in the proposed budget are critical funds from the voter approved Measure H sales tax.

These funds continue to improve the quality of life throughout Modesto. The proposed Measure H spending plan for fiscal year twenty twenty six-twenty seven includes funding in the amount of $7,640,000 on new programs as well as $28,130,000 in spending for previously approved Measure H programs. Highlights of the new funding and the spending plan include the following. Phase one completion of the Awesome Spot Playground, 3,000,000. Parks deferred maintenance, 1,600,000.

Buyout of lease for five fire engines and two fire trucks, 954,000. Operation funding for the new aquatics park, dollars 450,000. Fire department paramedic training program, 410,000. Safe sleeping program at Modesto Gospel Mission, 100,000. The items listed above will add to the extensive list of enhancements that the city of Modesto has been able to make as we continue to improve the quality of life for all residents now and into the future.

The proposed budget continues to address infrastructure improvements around the city. Curb, gutter and sidewalk work will continue for the backlog of repairs as well as the completion of major parks improvements throughout Modesto. I'm excited to see everything come to fruition including the Doctor. Martin Luther King Junior Park renovation and the awesome spot, which will bring a new all inclusive recreational space for residents and beyond to enjoy. I am so appreciative of the opportunities that Measure H has given us, allowing us to provide better infrastructure improvements that have been meaningful and impactful.

While Measure H continues to allow these investments, the city's general fund remains impacted by the external pressures of the economy and prolonged inflation. Our general fund expenditures, which provide funding for critical city services such as public safety, parks and recreation, and community and economic development continue to outpace the growth in our revenues. The general fund continues to have a structural budget deficit in the amount of $15,100,000 Measure H continues to help ease the burden of the ongoing budget deficit, but we know that this is not sustainable long term. Staff continues to analyze the general fund operating budget to minimize the impact of the ongoing structural budget deficit. As we move forward, we will continue to make decisions together to better our community for all residents in Modesto.

It is our duty and responsibility to address the needs that arise. We will continue to be innovative in our approach to any problems the community faces. As mayor, the charter dictates that I prepare and deliver to the council any final budget modifications to the draft budget. At this time, I have no modifications and recommend that the draft budget be moved forward for approval by the council in June as the proposed budget. I would like to thank our council, staff, and members of the community for their continued support.

Momentum is building for Modesto. I am grateful to be a part of it with all of you. This is our city, our future. At this time, are there any questions from staff regarding this item? Seeing none, I will open this up to the public. If there's any members of the public that would like to speak regarding this item. Alright, welcome.

Thank you, Mayor.

Mhmm.

So what I would like to know is the $250,000 that was set aside to pay for the attorney for the mask or the lawsuit from the ACLU, is that being funded from the deficit? I mean, it's not apparently, it's not in the excuse me. It's not in the budget. So I'm wondering where is the funding source for that? And also as the cost of this lawsuit increases, you know, the attorney cost increase, where will the money come from?

Thank you.

You're welcome. Would you like to address that? Okay, Steven. There we go. That's the person. Yep.

So I'll I'll probably have city attorney help me a little bit. But for again, outstanding litigation and lawsuits like that. I mean, we have general operating budgets that pay for attorney time and things like that. So as this goes on or any kind of, litigation that's outstanding, those kind of things will be paid for. But in terms of outstanding settlements or things like that that might come out of that, that's still to be determined. So but the acts the actual attorney costs and things like that, those are budgeted for in terms of attorney costs.

Alright. Thank you very much for that. And I just, I'm gonna make one comment that I know it's awkward when there's public comment time and members of the public ask questions, and then staff, it seems awkward to not speak to the person that asked the question. But that's why I asked that the questions be given to us because we're the ones that are gonna be making the decision. So we need to hear what the questions are.

And then the responses come to us so that we know, so that we can make better decisions going forward from the public comments. So hopefully at some point that awkwardness. But I know it seems rude to not speak directly to the person that asked the question, but it really the information all needs to come to the seven of us council members because we ultimately are the ones that are gonna be deciding. So that that's the reason why I remind members of the public to please ask all the questions to to me and to us, and then we'll direct from there. But thank you very much everyone for participating.

So at this point, any other members of the public that would like to speak regarding item 20? Seeing none, I will close public comments. Any comments from council members? Council member Bavaro.

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to confirm that those funds are allocated, but as as they're needed to be to pay those bills, we're not just setting that into an account and paying I guess what I'm trying to say is monies are not going to be spent all at one time. It's there as we need it. And if it gets over that amount, it comes back to the council.

All right, thank That's

what I was

trying to say.

Okay, Council Member Wright.

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to thank you for your budget this year and then also we talked about the parks. I know I've got a few comments about some of the parks that really need some work. Don't worry, all the parks are on the list. It does take time for us to go through every park and update that needs to be updated on those parks. But that's one of the priorities for Measure H is making sure that we have great parks. Mary's Golden Park was just open. It's a fantastic park. If you haven't been out there, need to go out there. A lot of climbing areas for kids.

I wish I had them when we were young. The only way we could climb, we just got to climb a tree. That was about the highest we could get. But anyway, we are looking at all of our parks and all of our parks will be updated. Thank

you. Alright. Vice Mayor Williams?

Yes, ma'am. Mhmm. Thank you, mayor. Mhmm. Thank you, mayor, for your getting that together with our staff and presenting that and making that possible with the finance committee. I think it was outstanding. The individual who just came up, Steven, I didn't recognize him because he didn't have any hair on his face this time. It's the first time I think I've seen you that way. So first, I thought we had a new employee. But for the most part, great job. I know it's grueling. I know it's taxing. I know it's sometimes probably even sleepless nights for you and your staff. So thank you very much, and and thank you, mayor, for always presenting it in a eloquent way.

You're welcome. Council Member Alvarez.

Thank you, mayor. I just want to echo the sentiments of my all my council colleagues, and thank you for your thoughtful budget this year. In District 2, specifically, I want to highlight we've seen historic investments, and I'm proud to be able to be a part of this administration and fight for those dollars. Every dollar counts when we're talking about District 2, an underserved, historically underserved district. But this term that I've been in, this first term, we've seen historic investments in parks.

We've seen biggest park renovation in the city's history. We've seen historic investments in transportation infrastructure, water utility infrastructure. The list goes on. So I'm just very proud and honored to be serving alongside this council and you, mayor. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other council comments at this time? Seeing none, I need a motion receiving mayor Sue's Wallin's fiscal year twenty twenty six twenty seven final budget modifications message per charter section 13 o three for the fiscal year twenty twenty six twenty seven budget year.

So moved. Second.

Moved by council member Alvarez. Second. Second by council member Wright. And will the clerk please call

the roll? Council and financing authority member Bavaro. Aye. Vice mayor, vice chair Williams. Aye. Council and financing authority member Wright. Aye. Council and Financing Authority, Member Alvarez. Aye. Mayor and Chairperson Zwolland.

Aye. Carries five zero. Thank you very much. Are there any matters too late for the agenda? Seeing none, I am calling this meeting of the City Council to be adjourned.