Merced City Council Meeting Summary – October 20, 2025

The Merced City Council met on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber, following a closed session that began at 5:02 PM. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM. The agenda included ceremonial proclamations, public comments, consent calendar approval, informational reports, an action item on Measure V funding, and a future agenda request. Notably, Council Member Ronnie DeAnda announced his resignation during council comments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (6-0) the consent calendar, which included the reading of ordinances and resolutions by title, approval of meeting minutes from May 19, 2025 and June 2, 2025, a contract amendment with Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc. for Community Facilities Districts administration, professional services agreements with seven firms (up to $500,000 each) for engineering and design services, a consulting agreement with ControlPoint Engineering, Inc. ($2,578,640) for wastewater SCADA system replacement, and a three-year agreement with Merced County Times for legal advertising services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sierra Kelley proposed a pedestrian-only street on West Main Street to create a safe, economically vibrant public space.
• Cindy Kelly (Merced SPCA) reported on the Spooky Community Cat Walk event and the spay/neuter program, noting 143 applications received, 74 eligible, with appointments booked through mid-January.
• Fortunato Acosta requested a transparent process for integrating the High-Speed Rail project in Merced.
• Christina Valenti-Felix (Robert Rojas Foundation) urged supplying Narcan to Merced County Jail cells after two recent fentanyl overdoses, and raised concerns about black mold in the jail.
• Jerry Borilla proposed creating a tent community to address homelessness, citing a managed model in Los Baños.
• Merced County Supervisor Josh Pedrozo thanked the Merced Police Department for attending a school event, and outlined county efforts to address illegal food vendors, including coordinated sweeps and enforcement.
• Rhonda Batson discussed a controversial incident at a Playhouse Merced board meeting, urging the council not to honor individuals involved.
• Karthik Prasad (representing Congressman Adam Gray) requested the council’s support for the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act, warning that 4 million Californians could lose coverage and 1.7 million face 66% premium increases.

Discussion Items

• Merced Fire Department ALS Program Update (Information Only): Fire Chief Casey Wilson and EMS Chief Mickey Brunelli reported that since January 2025, 11 paramedics are licensed, with 7 in training. Engine 53 responded to 992 medical calls (261 ALS) from January to August. The squad handled 735 responses (205 ALS). Planned expansion: Engine 51 becomes full-time ALS on November 1, 2025, and a fourth ALS unit is targeted for Q1 2026, covering 73% of EMS responses. Council discussed dispatch efficiency, the need for 5 ALS resources for full coverage, and the impact of UC Merced annexation. No vote taken.
• AB 481 Military Equipment Report (Information Only): Police Chief Steven Stanfield presented the annual report detailing equipment such as drones, robots, armored vehicles, and less-lethal weapons. He highlighted an open house on October 25, 2025 (Cops and Critters event) to meet the public viewing requirement. No council discussion or vote.
• Measure V Regional Funding Resolution (Action Item): The council considered Resolution 2025-61 to authorize an application to MCAG for the Measure V Regional 2025 Implementation Plan. City Engineer Daryl Jordan explained the proposed reprogramming of $4 million from the Highway 59 widening project to the Black Rascal Creek Bridge project, plus an additional $4 million for bridge construction, and phasing the Mission Avenue widening project. Council Member Smith opposed the shift, citing the risk of losing a $2 million state grant tied to the widening project; he advocated focusing on widening to leverage the grant. Mayor Pro Tempore Boyle and Mayor Serratto supported focusing on the bridge due to safety and project readiness. The motion carried 5-1, with Council Member Smith voting no. Council Member Dupont emphasized the importance of the Mission Avenue widening for South Merced.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved unanimously (6-0).
• Measure V Resolution adopted (5-1), authorizing application to MCAG for reallocated funding.
• Future Agenda Item: Council Member Smith requested, and received a second, to discuss a more robust subcommittee system at the December 1, 2025 meeting.
• Council Member DeAnda Resignation: Council Member Ronnie DeAnda announced his resignation, citing health issues and the need to care for his wife. Council members offered tributes to his service, and the meeting was adjourned in his honor by a unanimous vote (6-0).