OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Merced City Council Meeting - December 1, 2025: Building Codes, Grants, and District 2 Vacancy

City Council & Commissions — Monday, December 1, 2025
BodyMerced, California
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateMonday, December 1, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:18:47

Transcript — Verbatim
1:14

Start in one minute, ladies and gentlemen, one minute.

1:58

Good evening, everyone.

1:59

Welcome, welcome to the December first, two thousand twenty five meeting of the Merced City Council.

2:04

We hope everybody had a great uh Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

2:07

We're going to begin our meeting today with an invitation from Pastor Maggie from the United Methodist Church of Merced.

2:14

And then after that, uh Councilmember DuPont will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:27

Greetings, members of the City Council of Merced of the City of Merced, greetings, presenters and attendees of the meeting.

2:39

My name is Madeline Maggie Gagazgan, and I serve as the pastor of the United Methodist Church of Merced.

2:45

I regard it as a privilege to open this meeting with a prayer in the Christian tradition.

2:50

So whether you consider yourself to be someone who finds spiritual home in the Christian faith or who finds spiritual home elsewhere, I invite you to join me in an attitude of prayer and contemplation.

3:16

May your grace and mercy in its wideness and transcendence of human divisions enter into the hearts of the policymakers and presenter gather presenters gathered here, that they may perceive the needs of the common people of the city of Merced.

4:07

The one which feels especially present for followers of Jesus in the advent season.

4:55

Present.

4:56

Harris.

5:00

Mayor Pro Tem Boyle?

5:01

Here.

5:01

And Mayor Serato.

5:02

Present.

5:03

And Mayor, I'd like to remind the audience that if they wish to address the City Council, they must submit a green request of speak form located at the podium in the back of the chamber.

5:11

Additionally, citizens can submit public comment to the count to the city council electronically no later than 1 p.m.

5:17

on the day of the meeting.

5:18

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.

5:29

Material may be emailed to City Clerk at City of Merced.gov and any correspondence received after 1 p.m.

5:35

will be distributed to the city council and retained for the official record.

5:39

Also, for those audience members who wish to hear the council meeting translated into Spanish Hamong, please let our interpreters know.

5:45

Hello.

5:46

Good evening.

6:09

In accordance with government code 54952.3, it is hereby announced that the city council sits either simultaneously or serially as the public financing and economic development authority, parking authority, and or successor agency to the redevelopment agency.

6:24

City Council members receive a monthly stipend of $500 by charter for sitting as a city council, and the mayor receives an additional $100 each month as part of the adopted budget and resolution 2024-78.

6:36

The public financing and economic development authority, parking authority, and successor agency to the redevelopment agency receive no compensation.

6:43

Agenda item E report out of closed session.

6:46

There is no report out of closed session.

6:47

Agenda item F special presentations.

6:49

F1 presentation on the youth jobs training program.

6:53

Thank you, Jennifer.

6:54

All right, we'll invite uh Mr.

6:56

Eric Serrado and his team.

6:58

Be so kind to uh give us the update on our youth jobs training program.

7:05

Good evening, Mr.

7:06

Mayor, City Manager, and City Council members.

7:09

My name is Valente withdrawal from the WorkNet Department of Workforce Investment.

7:14

Uh today we'll report on Merced Youth Jobs, and to keep with the spirit of this program being youth advocated, youth developed, and youth run.

7:24

We have Leonardo Gaona Vasquez, who is was a Merced Youth Jobs participant.

7:32

He'll speak on behalf of WorkNet and then the Workforce Development Board.

7:36

After his presentation, if you do have some questions, I'll make myself available along with uh Director Serratto and members of the board.

7:46

Thanks, sir.

7:48

Welcome.

7:49

Good evening.

7:50

Uh my name is Leonardo Gauna Vasquez.

7:52

I'm a first generation student at Merced College, and as Valente mentioned, I'm a former participant of MYJ.

7:59

I completed my work experience at Panaderia Guadalajara.

8:02

And before I begin, I'd like to thank you guys for the opportunity to share this report with you tonight.

8:08

The goal of this program is to provide the City of Merced youth with a structured work readiness program and employment activities.

8:14

Not these are not just random jobs.

8:16

We provide training, workshops, and on-the-job experiences that teach punctuality, communication, teamwork, and professionalism.

8:24

We highlight a career development focus by exposing youth to different industries, pairing work experience with career and education, and showing how today's job connects to tomorrow's career.

8:35

We also provide a path to meaningful employment beyond work experience.

8:39

We help youth build resumes, earn references, and connect with employers to establish career equity for their future.

8:49

Coming out of the height of the COVID 19 pandemic, Merced youth were hit hard.

8:53

Entry-level jobs disappeared, hiring slowed, and many people who wanted to work simply couldn't find opportunities.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement██████████████████████22%
Public Safety█████████████████████21%
Procedural███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Youth Programs█████5%
Public Works█████5%
Land Use Authority███3%
Planning Commission Operations███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Merced City Council Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Merced City Council met on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included a closed session at 5:00 PM on labor negotiations and city manager performance evaluation, with no report out. The regular session covered special presentations, consent calendar items, public hearings, action items, and business discussions. Key outcomes included approval of building and fire code updates, granting of private patrol certificates, authorization for Fire Station 56 planning, acceptance of state homeland security grants, and direction on a special meeting to fill a council vacancy.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (6-0): Reading of ordinances and resolutions waived; contracts for November 2025; Traffic Committee minutes of September 9, 2025; Tax Transparency Commission minutes of May and August 2025; Planning Commission minutes (March–September 2025); City Council minutes of September 15, 2025; street closure for "Cheerful Giving" event on December 14, 2025, with $777.93 co-sponsorship; five-year audit agreement with Vasquez & Company LLP ($300,000 not-to-exceed); additional litigation costs of $175,000 for 2023 flood lawsuit (trial set for January 27, 2026); change order for Stephen Leonard Building rehab ($184,376); and setting public hearing for Speed Zone Ordinance on December 15, 2025.
  • Item I.10 (MOU for Community Park #42) – Approved 5-0 (Dupont recused): Extended MOU term to June 30, 2026, among City, County, School District, and Office of Education.
  • Item I.13 (Land Use Ordinance 2585) – Approved 4-1 (Xiong no, Dupont recused): Changed 3.19 acres from “Commercial Office” to “Self-Storage” at 1380 E. Yosemite Ave and 4.86 acres from “Commercial Office” to “Residential” at 3595 Parsons Ave. Public commenter Tom Clendenin requested neighborhood involvement.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jennifer Flachman (City Staff): Announced brown bag concert December 11 at Bob Hart Square, maintenance district assessment ballot meetings (Dec 9, 11, Jan 7), and City Council town halls in January 2026.
  • Karthik Prasad (Congressman Adam Gray’s office): Provided legislative update—VA relieved $272M in veteran medical copays due to technical errors; SPEED Act passed Natural Resources Committee for permit streamlining; PRECISE Act introduced to increase precision farming loans; co-sponsored Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act.
  • Robert Davenport (Merced resident): Criticized roadway quality, suggested cobblestone bases with recycled materials; advocated transferring Yosemite Lake to citizens; called for community fellowships to solve issues.

Discussion Items

  • Youth Jobs Training Program (F.1): Valente Huitron and participant Leonardo Vasquez presented. Program served 500 youth since 2022 (over 1,793 applicants), 450 placed in paid work experience, 75 secured employment. Demographics: 60% female, 63% aged 16–17, 79% low-income. Funded by $1.025M (initial) and $1.175M (extension). Business partners included 55 new businesses. Council discussed follow-up and program impact.
  • Public Hearings:
    • Building and Fire Code (J.1): Introduced Ordinances 2582 and 2583 adopting 2025 California Building Standards and Fire Code with local amendments. Approved unanimously (6-0).
    • Trust Point Protection Group (J.2): Granted certificate for private patrol services (Resolution 2025-71). Approved 5-1 (Xiong no).
    • Boosted Knight Patrol (J.3): Granted certificate (Resolution 2025-72). Approved 5-1 (Xiong no). Xiong expressed opposition to both, stating no public convenience/necessity.
  • Parks Fee Schedule (K.1): Set public hearing for December 15, 2025, to consider new fee schedule for Bob Hart Square and simplified fee model. Council discussed revenue shortfall, nonprofit discounts, co-sponsorship waivers, and police services costs. Approved unanimously (6-0).
  • Fire Station 56 & EOC (K.2): Authorized staff to proceed with site selection at M Circle and Bellevue for new fire station and emergency operations center. Estimated cost $14M (currently $8.7M available, shortfall $5.4M). Potential phasing of EOC ($2M) discussed. Approved unanimously (6-0).
  • Police Grants:
    • Portable X-Ray Machine (K.3): Accepted $69,252 grant (SHSGP) and waived competitive bidding for purchase from Novo Dr Inc ($69,200.98). Approved 5-1 (Xiong no).
    • Bomb Suit (K.4): Accepted $45,018 grant plus $1,300 from bomb budget for Med-Eng suit ($46,408.36). Approved 5-1 (Xiong no).
  • District 2 Vacancy (L.1): Council discussed format for December 2 special meeting to interview 13 applicants. Decided 3-minute opening, 2 minutes per question (4 questions), 90-second closing. Names of applicants to be determined; public comment before interviews (1–2 minutes per speaker). Questions: why candidate, standards to use, vision for district, infrastructure needs, favorite thing about district. No formal vote; directions given.
  • Council Subcommittees (L.2): Councilmember Smith proposed transitioning to formal standing committees (public safety, public works, finance, South Merced) subject to Brown Act. Council supported concept with implementation in 2026; directed staff to return with formal policy (C-8) and reaffirmation of advisory committees. Approved motion unanimously (6-0).
  • Appointment to Citizen Advisory Focus Group (L.3): Appointed Marisa Lewis (Recreation and Parks Commission) to serve as representative. Approved unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

  • All consent calendar items approved with specific votes as noted.
  • Building and Fire Code ordinances introduced (first reading) – unanimous.
  • Two private patrol certificates granted – both 5-1, with Councilmember Xiong voting no.
  • Parks fee schedule public hearing set for December 15, 2025 – unanimous.
  • Fire Station 56 and EOC site selection authorized – unanimous.
  • Two homeland security grants accepted (police equipment) – both 5-1, Xiong no.
  • Special meeting format for District 2 appointment established for December 2, 2025; no official vote.
  • Subcommittee structure to transition to standing committees; staff to return January 5, 2026 – unanimous.
  • Marisa Lewis appointed to Citizen Advisory Focus Group – unanimous.
  • Future agenda items: None requested.
  • Council comments: Highlights from Christmas tree lighting, community generosity, high school sports championships (special meeting December 16 at 5:30 PM).
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:17 PM after a recess (7:49–8:02 PM).

Meeting Transcript

Start in one minute, ladies and gentlemen, one minute. Good evening, everyone. Welcome, welcome to the December first, two thousand twenty five meeting of the Merced City Council. We hope everybody had a great uh Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We're going to begin our meeting today with an invitation from Pastor Maggie from the United Methodist Church of Merced. And then after that, uh Councilmember DuPont will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Greetings, members of the City Council of Merced of the City of Merced, greetings, presenters and attendees of the meeting. My name is Madeline Maggie Gagazgan, and I serve as the pastor of the United Methodist Church of Merced. I regard it as a privilege to open this meeting with a prayer in the Christian tradition. So whether you consider yourself to be someone who finds spiritual home in the Christian faith or who finds spiritual home elsewhere, I invite you to join me in an attitude of prayer and contemplation. May your grace and mercy in its wideness and transcendence of human divisions enter into the hearts of the policymakers and presenter gather presenters gathered here, that they may perceive the needs of the common people of the city of Merced. The one which feels especially present for followers of Jesus in the advent season. Present. Harris. Mayor Pro Tem Boyle? Here. And Mayor Serato. Present. And Mayor, I'd like to remind the audience that if they wish to address the City Council, they must submit a green request of speak form located at the podium in the back of the chamber. Additionally, citizens can submit public comment to the count 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. Good evening. In accordance with government code 54952.3, it is hereby announced that the city council sits either simultaneously or serially as the public financing and economic development authority, parking authority, and or successor agency to the redevelopment agency. City Council members receive a monthly stipend of $500 by charter for sitting as a city council, and the mayor receives an additional $100 each month as part of the adopted budget and resolution 2024-78. The public financing and economic development authority, parking authority, and successor agency to the redevelopment agency receive no compensation. Agenda item E report out of closed session. There is no report out of closed session. Agenda item F special presentations. F1 presentation on the youth jobs training program. Thank you, Jennifer. All right, we'll invite uh Mr. Eric Serrado and his team. Be so kind to uh give us the update on our youth jobs training program. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, City Manager, and City Council members. My name is Valente withdrawal from the WorkNet Department of Workforce Investment. Uh today we'll report on Merced Youth Jobs, and to keep with the spirit of this program being youth advocated, youth developed, and youth run. We have Leonardo Gaona Vasquez, who is was a Merced Youth Jobs participant. He'll speak on behalf of WorkNet and then the Workforce Development Board. After his presentation, if you do have some questions, I'll make myself available along with uh Director Serratto and members of the board. Thanks, sir. Welcome. Good evening. Uh my name is Leonardo Gauna Vasquez. I'm a first generation student at Merced College, and as Valente mentioned, I'm a former participant of MYJ.

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