The Merced City Council met on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, public comments, a consent calendar, a public hearing on federal housing funds, action items on police grants and inspections, reports on federal earmarks and housing successor activity, and a discussion of a new repeat housing code violator ordinance. The council also made appointments to the Citizens' Stipend Setting Commission.
Oh, yeah. Maybe for Temboy, here and there's Russell going to close session to discuss item B one. There is one person in the audience, but he does not look like he wants to leave a public comment. All right, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Want to welcome everybody to the March sixteenth, two thousand twenty-six meeting of the Mercedes City Council. Thank you all for being here tonight. Uh, we're going to begin with an invitation from Pastor Caesar Johnson from Christian Life Center here in Mercedes, and then after that, Councillor Tower leads in the Pledge of Allegiance. You care for us. You have all authority, and you are all powerful. And we don't take that responsibility lightly. So, God, we pray for your blessing and direction over this meeting. Bless our council members, bless our city staff, volunteers, and families. God, we may not understand your ways, we may not understand your thoughts, but you are the ultimate strategist. Our families need you, those that are broken, that have lost loved ones or youth or poor, needy, those experiencing homelessness, mentally and physically ill, struggling parents, elderly, immigrants, business owners, farmers, ranchers, our staff in this community, Lord, we need you. Lord, we think of St. Patrick, Lord, and I pray, Lord, that before anybody today or this week, Lord, eats corn beef and cabbage. God, I pray, Lord, they look up St. Patrick and they look up what he stood for and how he sacrificed his life to help those around him. May we do the same in this community, Lord. We think of your word, and you said in Isaiah 43, 19 that you will make a path through the wilderness and water in the dry ground. That is a sign of your provision and your direction. So we ask that you provide for us today as we seek your direction and where to go. In Jesus' name. Amen. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation. Under God. Liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Council Tow. Thank you, Pastor Johnson. Some of your best work, sir. Okay, agenda item D roll call. Councilmember DuPont. Present. Tao. Present. Harris. Present. Smith. Present. Sean? Here. Mayor Pro Tim Boyle. Here. And Mayor Serato. Here. 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 of 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.