Merced City Council/Public Financing and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority/Successor Agency Meeting – July 7, 2025

The Merced City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM (after a closed session at 5:00 PM) in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included two public hearings, action on consent calendar items, and numerous appointments to city commissions and boards. The meeting adjourned at 11:13 PM.

Consent Calendar

• H.1–H.4, H.6, H.8–H.12, H.14–H.16, H.18–H.23 were approved on a single motion (7-0). Notable items include: approval of meeting minutes, a resolution declaring infeasibility of public bidding for vehicle purchases (Resolution 2025-46), street closures for the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s El Mercado events (July 10, September 4, November 6, 2025, 3:00–10:00 PM) with city co-sponsorship at $2,085.60 per event, an agreement with the Merced Tourism Business Improvement District to administer assessment tax, a contract for groundwater monitoring and well sampling services with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc. ($92,000), a consulting services contract with ControlPoint Engineering, Inc., for SCADA software maintenance (up to $300,000 initial term, $100,000 optional extension), and the second reading and final adoption of Ordinance 2578 adding Section 17.32.105 (Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map) to the Municipal Code.
• H.5 (California Public Policy Group contracts for legislative advocacy and grant writing) was pulled for discussion; after staff presentation and Council questions, it was approved 7-0. The total amount not to exceed $267,500.
• H.7 (Youth center service agreements for Restorative Justice League, Challenged Family Resource Center, and Lifeline CDC) was pulled. Monika Grasley of Lifeline CDC presented on services provided at McNamara Youth Center. Council Member Dupont recused himself. Approved 6-0 (Dupont recused).
• H.13 (Approval to waive competitive bidding and approve purchases of parts, equipment, and supplies for Public Works maintenance through June 30, 2026) was pulled. Council Members Harris and Dupont recused themselves from certain vendors (AH and AJ). The consent item was approved 7-0 with some vendor-specific votes separated.
• H.17 (Purchase of an Asphalt Zipper 480Xi Gen 8 for $296,577.94) was pulled at staff request and continued to the July 21, 2025 meeting by a 6-0 vote (Council Member Xiong absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aggie Freeman (Merced Sunrise Rotary Club) spoke about the Clothes for Kids event providing $175 worth of new school clothes to 75 Merced children.
• George Garcia (Garcia and Sons Construction) promoted his company’s emergency board-up services and urged renters to obtain renters insurance, noting that out of 57 fire-destroyed rental homes last year, only 4 of 28 renter households had insurance.
• James Reese spoke about upcoming Neighbor Unidos Community Cookouts and weekly free food events at the 18th Street People’s Garden.
• Cindy Kelly (Merced SPCA) reported on an ASPCA grant for emergency preparedness equipment to save colony cats during floods, and on the ongoing kitten season.
• Jean Okuye questioned why housing is built far from public transportation, advocating for better integration of walking, biking, and transit.
• Sharon Lohman (New Beginnings) announced plans to open a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Merced County by early 2027, and described transporting animals to other states via private plane.
• Curtis Thomas expressed excitement about the General Plan Update and Downtown Station Area Plan, and urged the city to conduct a value-per-acre analysis.
• Merced County Supervisor Josh Pedrozo introduced intern Denorah Mesquita and noted upcoming county grants for behavioral health.
• Necola Adams promoted the Merced County Nut Festival on October 18, 2025, at the county fairgrounds.
• Monika Grasley (Lifeline CDC) spoke in support of H.7, detailing youth programs, ESL classes, food pantries, and tax assistance at McNamara Youth Center.
• During the second public hearing (I.2), 11 residents spoke in opposition, including Tom Clendenin (spokesperson for opposition), Steve Stout, Carol and Robert Dinuzzo, Dr. Lee Boese, Kathy Miller, Marilyn Sobel, and others. Arguments included incompatibility with the neighborhood, insufficient community outreach, loss of privacy, property value impacts, unsuitability of self-storage on Yosemite Avenue, and inconsistency with the General Plan. The applicant’s representatives (Todd Bender and Amanda Gallegos) spoke in support, presenting architectural renderings and proposing changes including reduced hours for storage, reduced density (from 41 to 35 lots), and single-story homes along the adjacent property line.

Discussion Items

• I.1 – Paulson Ranch General Plan Amendment (GPA #24-01): Acting Principal Planner Francisco Mendoza presented. The amendment eliminates a portion of Destiny Drive due to biological constraints. The Planning Commission approved the subdivision map in May 2025. Council Member Smith recused himself. Council Member Xiong expressed concerns about affordable housing and walkability. Approved 5-1 (Xiong no, Smith recused).
• I.2 – Yosemite 1380 LLC General Plan Amendment, Site Utilization Plan Revision, and Appeal of Planning Commission Denial: Associate Planner Valeria Renteria presented. The applicant, Todd Bender, proposed a self-storage facility (approx. 500 units) and a 41-lot residential subdivision on 8.05 acres. Extensive public testimony, council questions, and legal discussion ensued. Council Member Dupont recused himself. Council agreed to grant the appeal solely to remand to the Planning Commission, directing staff to organize a community meeting within 20 days and considering the applicant’s proposed concessions. Approved 4-2 (Smith, Harris, Boyle, Serratto aye; DeAnda, Xiong no; Dupont recused).
• J.1 – Logo Selection for General Plan Update and Downtown Station Area Plan: Management Analyst Leah Brown presented two logo options. Council criticized the designs as uninspired and requested input from the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission. A motion to refer to the commission passed 7-0.
• J.2 – TBID Board of Directors: Council approved the slate (Robin Donovan, Chair; Sean Williams, Vice Chair; Tiffany Gomes, Secretary; Nitin Kumar, Treasurer) and appointed Airport Manager Rhett Williams as the city’s representative, with city manager authority if Williams is unable. The main motion passed 7-0; the motion to approve Recommendations A and C passed 6-1 (Xiong no).
• J.3 – Environmental Enhancement & Mitigation Grant: Director Chris Jensen presented. Council approved Resolution 2025-45 to apply for up to $750,000 for an urban forest at General Vang Pao Park. Unanimous.
• J.4 – Boys and Girls Club Lease Amendment: Approved a five-year lease (with five-year renewal option) for McCombs Youth Center with zero annual city reimbursement. Unanimous.
• J.5 – Professional Services Agreements with Merced City School District: Approved $197,474 to scholarship up to 540 students in youth basketball (340 students, $118,659) and youth flag football (200 students, $78,815). Unanimous.
• J.6 – First 5 Grant Application: Approved application for up to $10,000 for children’s special events. Unanimous.
• K.1 – Ceremonial Items Policy: Council Member Smith requested a review. Council directed the Ethics Subcommittee to discuss and bring back a redlined policy, with a commitment to provide council with copies of letters of support sent on behalf of the city. No formal vote needed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Items H.5, H.7, H.13, H.17: Approved (or continued) as described above.
• Paulson Ranch (I.1): General Plan Amendment #24-01 and Northeast Yosemite Specific Plan Amendment #6 approved via Resolution 2025-47 (5-1, one recusal).
• Yosemite 1380 LLC (I.2): Appeal granted and remanded to the Planning Commission for further consideration, with a community meeting to be held within 20 days. Motion passed 4-2.
• Logo Selection (J.1): Referred to the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission.
• TBID Board (J.2): Board appointed; Airport Manager named city representative.
• Grants (J.3, J.5, J.6): Applications approved; funds accepted if awarded.
• Boys and Girls Club Lease (J.4): Five-year lease approved.
• Ceremonial Items (K.1): Referred to Ethics Subcommittee for policy revision.
• Commission Appointments (K.2–K.9):
  • Arts and Culture Advisory Commission: Brie Wolf (Ex-Officio, partial term to July 1, 2026).
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission: Dwight Ewing (D1, full term), Caroline Meraz (D3, partial term), Mylia Chambers (D4, full term), Peggy Hsu (At-Large, full term), William Watkins (Ex-Officio, full term). D2 and D6 seats continued for further recruitment.
  • Personnel Board: Phyllis Krego (Board Nominated, full term), Melissa Rosales (Council Appointed, full term).
  • Planning Commission: Conchita Swiggart (D4, full term), Jerry Vue (D6, full term).
  • Recreation and Parks Commission: D2 seat continued; April Holloway (D5, full term).
  • Regional Airport Authority: Shahid Sohail (full term), Cheryl Hirsch (full term), Delvina Johnson (partial term).
  • Tax Transparency Commission: D2 continued; D6 continued.
  • Citizen Advisory Focus Group for General Plan Update: 12 members appointed (by district: Jeremiah Greggains D1, Cynthia Kelly D3, Tammy Johnson D4, April Holloway D5, Humberto Sandoval D6; D2 continued; commission representatives: Joe Bauer (Parks & Recreation), Cheryl Hirsch (Airport Authority), Curtis Thomas (Bicycle & Pedestrian), Anthony Gonzalez (Planning Commission), Colton Dennis (Arts & Culture), Alberto Escobedo (Building & Housing Board of Appeals); At-Large: Steve Maxey).