Merced City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority/Successor Agency Regular Meeting - November 3, 2025
Merced City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority/Successor Agency Regular Meeting - November 3, 2025
The agenda listed the regular meeting at 6:00 PM; the Mayor called it to order at 6:03 PM on Monday, November 3, 2025, after a closed session that began at 5:03 PM. All six Council members were present, and there was no reportable closed-session action. The meeting opened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a proclamation recognizing School Psychologist Week, then proceeded through a consent calendar, action items, and business items. It adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Written Petitions and Communications
- Emails received by the 1:00 PM deadline for agenda items K.1 and K.2 were from LaTanya Ri'chard and Sebastian Cervantes and were forwarded to the Council.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar, excluding pulled items, was approved 6-0. It approved the waiver of reading of ordinances and resolutions; information-only October 2025 contracts; minutes from June 16, June 25, and July 7, 2025; renewal of the Merced Community College District instructional services agreement (about $66,667 annually, not to exceed $200,000 over three years); Resolution 2025-67 for the 2025 CMAQ application; purchase of two 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 work trucks for $116,146.79; Veterans Day Parade street closures for November 11, 2025; and Central California Band Review street closures for November 8, 2025.
- I.7, I.8, and I.11 were pulled for separate votes:
- I.7 (Dana Safety Supply police vehicle equipment, not to exceed $110,000) passed 5-1, with Council Member Xiong opposed.
- I.8 (deleting two Crime Analyst positions and adding Crime Analyst I/II positions) passed 6-0. Xiong expressed support for more non-sworn staff; Police Chief Steve Stanfield said the two-level classification supports non-sworn advancement. The minutes' wording differs slightly from the agenda on the number of positions added, but staffing remained at two positions.
- I.11 (Ordinance 2581, Zone Change #435/RP-D #83, changing Business Park to Residential for 61.7 acres of an approximate 73.7-acre parcel at East Gerard Avenue and Campus Parkway) passed 5-0; Council Member Smith recused.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Marcus Arellano described Tree House Tutoring's free college-application workshops on November 15 at Atwater High School and November 22 at Merced High School, including essay support, application-fee raffles, and trade-pathway information.
- Police Chief Steve Stanfield reported more than 1,000 children attended Cops and Critters, announced the police-fire holiday toy drive with a December 5 donation deadline, and noted a $250 Tractor Supply donation.
- Darrell Cherf, past president of Merced Sunrise Rotary, described the 13th annual Field of Honor at Merced College and Run for the Fallen; more than 550 flags had already been sold and organizers were aiming for 2,025 flags.
- Agnes Freeman, representing Rotary District 5220, presented Chief Stanfield with a certificate recognizing his service anniversary and leadership.
- Joe Hypes of the Merced County Food Bank stressed the need for food donations because of EBT/SNAP hardship, noted that $1 can become 2-3 meals, and invited donations at the Saturday event from 10 AM to 2 PM.
- Jennifer Flachman, public information officer, pointed to engage.cityofmerced.org for food-bin locations, the Downtown Station Area Plan survey open through November 9, and the November 20 Brown Bag Concert Series at Bob Hart Square.
- On the District 2 vacancy, Ashley Marie Suarez urged public engagement before decisions, and Jesse Ornelas urged public participation and democratic process, stating that young people wanted a special election and that District 2 needed leadership.
- On the town-hall item, Suarez asked for more budget-input opportunities and invited Council members to a November 18 community meeting at Golden Valley Health Clinic.
Discussion Items
- J.1 - Arts in California Parks Grant: Parks and Community Services Director Chris Jensen presented Resolution 2025-66 and the $77,000 grant for the General Vang Pao Memorial Statue and Mural Project. The grant required no match and would help complete phase one, including monument panels and an interactive art display; construction was expected from late winter through late summer. Passed 6-0.
- J.2 - Bell Station Supplemental Appropriation: Economic Development Associate Amanda Williams explained that the MCOE/GSA transfer timeline slipped because of appraisals and the federal government shutdown. Council approved $51,000 from Fund 3002, with $45,000 for utilities and $6,000 for operating materials and services. Passed 5-1, with Xiong opposed.
- J.3 - Maintenance District Assessments: Staff presented a ballot proceeding for twelve underfunded maintenance districts at risk of reduced landscape or storm-pump services. Council authorized Resolution 2025-64, set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, and approved up to $16,546 from the General Fund for balloting notice costs covering 1,939 parcels. Proposed per-parcel assessment increases varied by district. Informational meetings will be held before the public hearing. Passed 6-0.
- J.4 - Speed Zone Study: City Engineer Daryl Jordan requested setting a public hearing for November 17, 2025, to consider amending Merced Municipal Code Section 10.16.010; the full speed study and consultant presentation would be provided at that meeting. Passed 6-0.
- J.5 - Yosemite Crossing Impact Fee Reimbursement: Staff requested an appropriation of up to $241,696 to Fund 5005 for a Public Facilities Impact Fee credit/reimbursement to the Yosemite Crossing Shopping Center developer for off-site improvements. City Manager Scott McBride and Deputy City Manager Frank Quintero said the city was already contractually obligated; Council members expressed policy concerns but approved the appropriation. Passed 6-0.
- K.1 - District 2 Vacancy: City Attorney Craig Cornwell reported Council Member Deanda's resignation effective October 31, 2025. The Council debated appointment versus a special election. Council Member Xiong favored a special election, arguing cost should not override public voice; the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Boyle, and Council Members Smith, Dupont, and Harris favored appointment because of cost, timing, representation, and the upcoming November 2026 regular election. Assistant City Clerk Jennifer Parsley noted a registrar's rough estimate of $50,000-$60,000 for a mail-only special election. The Council declared the seat vacant by Resolution 2025-65 and approved an appointment process.
- K.2 - 2026 Town Halls and Strategic Planning: Staff recommended town-hall dates and locations and noted department budgets are due to finance on February 9, 2026. Council chose January 8, 2026 at Stephen Leonard Park, January 13, 2026 at Burbank Elementary School, and January 14, 2026 at El Capitan High School, plus a Strategic Planning Session on January 31, 2026, 9 AM to noon. Council discussed having department goals and priorities circulated in advance and using town-hall input for the FY 2026/27 budget.
- K.3 - Future Agenda: Council Member Harris requested that the Council Code of Conduct and Ethics resolution be revisited to add violation procedures such as warnings, admonishment, and censure; Council voted 6-0 to place it on the November 17, 2025 agenda.
- K.4 - Council Comments: Council Member Harris objected to a social media post by Council Member Xiong that Harris said suggested the Council supports the KKK. Xiong said the post referred to the Christian flag vote and its use as a symbol that can hide white supremacy. Council Member Dupont emphasized Merced's positive growth; Mayor Pro Tem Boyle and Mayor Serratto also highlighted recent community events, grand openings, and the California Arts Commission tour.
Key Outcomes
- Approved all consent calendar items and pulled consent items as noted above.
- Approved Resolution 2025-66 for the $77,000 Vang Pao memorial grant; approved the $51,000 Bell Station supplemental appropriation; authorized the maintenance-district ballot proceeding; set the speed-zone public hearing for November 17, 2025; and authorized up to $241,696 for the Yosemite Crossing impact fee reimbursement.
- Declared District 2 vacant by Resolution 2025-65 and directed the City Clerk to open an appointment application period ending November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM; a special meeting will be held December 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM for interviews and appointment; interview questions and process will be determined at the November 17, 2025 meeting.
- Selected 2026 town-hall dates and locations and the January 31 Strategic Planning Session.
- Voted to expedite the Code of Conduct and Ethics review to November 17, 2025.
- Adjourned at 8:55 PM in memory of retired Merced Fire Department Division Chief Bryan Donnelly.
Meeting Transcript
All right, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. We're gonna call to order the November 3rd, 2025 meeting of the Merced City Council. We're gonna be beginning with an invocation from Pastor Joel Dorman of the Summit Church of Mercedes. Then after that, we're gonna have uh veterans from both our Army, Navy, and Air Force, Aggie Freeman, Maria Lopez, and Darrell Turfer gonna lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Dorman, would you stand? Let's pray. Father, thank you for this beautiful day that you have made. We thank you for the state we live in, the country we live in, the city we live in. We thank you that you have surrounded us with more than just geographical beauty, but you have surrounded us with the beauty of the people around us, the souls made in your image. We do thank you for the nation we live in, that we have the freedoms we can enjoy, the freedom to move about, the freedom to come and go as we please, the freedom to assemble, and yes, the freedom to even protest and even tell our leaders what we like and don't like. We thank you for that. Forgive us when we take that for granted. We pray, especially for those on the front lines of defense for us as a nation, for us as a city. May you watch over them and care for them and their families. We pray your guidance for our city council, our mayor, the staff, as they seek to govern the affairs of our great city, that we can continue to pursue being the city of mercy. Thank you again for this opportunity, and I thank you for the opportunity to be here with fellow citizens. In the name of my Savior Jesus, I pray. Amen. Ready? So I pledge allegiance of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation. You may be seat. Thank you, Pastor Dorm. Thank you. Jennifer. Okay, agenda item D, roll call. Councilmember DuPont. Present. Harris. Present. Smith. Present. Zhang. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Boyle. Here. And Mayor Serrado. Present. Mayor, I'd like to remind the audience that if they wish to address the City Council, they must submit a green request to speak form located at the podium in the back of the chamber. Additionally, citizens can submit public comment to the City Council electronically no later than 1 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Comments received before the deadline will be sent to the city council and will be part of the record and will be mentioned as part of the written petitions and communications portion of the agenda. And they will also be posted on the city's website. Material may be emailed to City Clerk at City of Merced.gov, and any correspondence received after 1 p.m. will be distributed to the city council and retained for the official record. Also, for those audience members who wish to hear the council meeting translated into Spanish Hamong, please let our interpreters know. Hello. I mean, hi, good evening, everyone. Um, muchas gracias. In accordance with government code 54952.3, it is hereby announced that the city council sits either simultaneously or serially as a public financing and economic development authority, parking authority, and or successor agency to the redevelopment agency.
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