Merced City Council Regular Meeting - August 4, 2025

The Merced City Council met on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 6:01 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included special presentations, ceremonial matters, public comments, consent calendar items, action items, and business discussions. The meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM. All seven council members were present, with Council Member Smith arriving at 6:21 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The Consent Calendar was approved with a 7-0 vote, except for items G.8, G.9, and G.11 which were pulled for separate consideration.
• Items approved on consent included: reading of ordinances (G.1), information-only contracts (G.2), approval of April 7, 2025 meeting minutes (G.3), purchase of an Asphalt Zipper for $237,955.15 (G.4), additional contingency of $185,910 for streetlight retrofit (G.5), subscription-based software agreement with DebtBook for $49,500 over three years (G.6), legal service agreement for bond counsel with Jones Hall LLP (G.7), and first reading of an ordinance extending refund time for water and sewer lines to UC Merced (G.10).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Necola Adams, Merced resident, presented the Merced County Nut Festival (October 18, 2025, free event) and highlighted its community and economic benefits.
• Karthik Prasad, representative of Congressman Adam Gray, provided updates from Washington D.C., including the Congressman's bill to restore Medicaid funding and the STRIVE Act for veterans. He announced the new district office at 602 West 20th Street, Merced.
• Curtis Thomas, Merced resident, presented a slideshow on the city’s budget, arguing that a value-per-acre analysis shows some properties (e.g., storage units and the mall) generate net losses for the city, while certain mixed-use developments yield net positives. He expressed concern about urban sprawl.
• Chief of Police Steven Stanfield announced the recovery of the stolen Applegate Zoo bear sign through detective work and presented coins to the detectives. He also mentioned that a “Welcome to Merced” sign may also have been recovered.
• Patricia Pratt, Merced resident, spoke during the logo selection item (H.4), criticizing the process for undervaluing local artists and noting that photographs in logos become dated. She opposed the presented options, arguing they did not reflect council’s previous direction.
• Ashley Suarez, Merced resident, spoke during the food vendor ordinance discussion (I.1), supporting accessible permitting and expressing concern that restrictions could target certain communities. During the budget discussion (I.2), she emphasized the need for transparency and community input, opposing a biennial cycle due to reduced oversight.
• Curtis Thomas also spoke during I.1, supporting street vendors for providing accessible food options in car-dependent neighborhoods. During I.2, he opposed moving to a two-year budget cycle, arguing it would weaken accountability and exclude unforeseen community needs.

Discussion Items

• Fire Department Presentation (C.1): Fire Chief Casey Wilson reported on Independence Day enforcement. From June 1 to July 5, the Merced Police Department received 463 fireworks-related calls. A total of 31 administrative citations were issued; police wrote 14. On July 4, the Fire Department responded to 61 calls, including 26 fires (up from 14 in 2024) and one non-fireworks-related structure fire. There was a 100% drawdown of resources multiple times, but no major injuries. The department used a dedicated phone line and GIS data to focus enforcement.
• Police Service MOUs (G.8, G.9): Council Member Xiong opposed the MOUs with Merced City School District and Merced Community College District, arguing police should focus on city work and schools should provide their own security. The motions were approved 6-1 (Xiong voting no) for both.
• Rezone 5 Acres (G.11): Council Member Smith recused himself (applicant was a client). Council Member Xiong requested separate consideration and voted no. The ordinance rezoning approximately 5.0 acres from Neighborhood Commercial to Low Density Residential was approved 5-1 (Xiong no), with Smith recused.
• Helicopter Helmets Grant (H.1): Police Lieutenant Kalvin Haygood presented a request to accept $14,344 from the FY2023 State Homeland Security Grant Program to purchase three helicopter helmets for tactical flight officers supporting the county helicopter. The motion approved 6-1 (Xiong no).
• Santa Fe Strip Park Sidewalk (H.2): Senior Engineer Richard Maddox described the project (replace a 5-foot sidewalk with an 8-foot path, add a speed table) for $519,879.33. The contract was awarded to Juarez Brothers General Engineering, Inc. The motion passed 7-0.
• T-Ball Clinic Grant (H.3): Director Chris Jensen presented a $1,000 grant from First 5 Merced County for free baseball clinics. The motion passed 7-0.
• General Plan Logo Selection (H.4): Acting Planning Manager Jonnie Lan presented six logo options developed by the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission (subcommittee member Glenn Camarda donated his time). Council approved Options 2 (colorized with photos) and 3 (small icon) in a 6-1 vote (Xiong no). Council also directed staff to contract with Camarda for ownership of the images.
• Food Vendor Ordinance (I.1): Mayor Serratto introduced the item, noting the current ordinance (2021) needs updating to address health/safety, use of public property, and fairness to brick-and-mortar businesses. City Attorney Craig Cornwell will draft an ordinance within 60 days, focusing on time, place, and manner restrictions, impoundment procedures, sidewalk clearance, and permitting. Council members emphasized health/safety and accessibility. Chief Stanfield cited frequent health-related complaints, including improper food storage and cooking on dirt lots.
• Budget Cycle and Town Halls (I.2): Council Member Smith proposed exploring a two-year planning cycle within the annual budget adoption required by charter. Finance Officer Venus Rodriguez explained this could ease staff workload. Council consensus: do not move to a biennial budget, but allow staff flexibility for long-range planning. Rodriguez will present a proposal at the September 15 Council meeting. For town halls and Goals & Priorities: Council agreed to keep town halls in January/February (with earlier date-setting) and to have the City Manager present a draft of priorities in January, followed by town halls, then a strategic planning session focused on budget. Council also requested that prior year Goals & Priorities progress be reported alongside the new draft.

Key Outcomes

• Police Service MOUs (G.8, G.9): Approved 6-1 (Xiong no).
• Rezone Ordinance (G.11): Approved 5-1 (Xiong no), Smith recused.
• Helicopter Helmets Grant (H.1): Approved 6-1 (Xiong no).
• Santa Fe Strip Park Contract (H.2): Approved 7-0.
• T-Ball Grant (H.3): Approved 7-0.
• General Plan Logo (H.4): Options 2 and 3 approved 6-1 (Xiong no).
• Food Vendor Ordinance: City Attorney to present a draft within 60 days (by early October 2025).
• Budget Process: Council directed Finance Officer Venus Rodriguez to present a proposal for a two-year planning cycle at the September 15, 2025 Council meeting. Town halls will remain in January/February, with dates set earlier. Goals & Priorities process: City Manager to provide a draft in January, followed by town halls, then a budget-focused strategic planning session.