Merced City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

Note on meeting date: The agenda and transcript identify this meeting as occurring on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM. However, a system instruction specifies the date as 2026-04-07 19:45:00+00:00. This summary uses the provided date of April 7, 2026, to comply with the instruction, but acknowledges the discrepancy.

The Merced City Council met in regular session on April 7, 2026, to address a range of items including updates to development services fees, approval of an environmental report contract for a large annexation, a presentation on SB 707's overhaul of the Brown Act, an update on Essential Air Service at the airport, and a detailed 2025 crime statistics report from the Police Department. The meeting began with ceremonial proclamations and public comments, and concluded with several unanimous votes and an adjournment in honor of two deceased community members.

Consent Calendar

• Items I.1 through I.5 were approved unanimously in a single motion. These included: reading of ordinances by title; notification of March 2026 contracts; a service agreement with ABS Direct, Inc. for printing and mailing not to exceed $605,000; a first amendment with Phase II Systems for pension benefit trust administration; and a resolution setting a public meeting (June 1, 2026) and public hearing (June 15, 2026) for Maintenance District assessments.
• Item I.6 was pulled for separate discussion (see Discussion Items).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lavon Phillips raised concerns about streetlights, sidewalks, and speeding on Northwood Drive and Matha Road, stating the city has not followed through on promises and that conditions are dangerous.
• Cindy Kelly described near-accidents caused by motorized bikes on sidewalks and bike paths, urging the council to consider an ordinance limiting speeds or restricting such vehicles.
• Fletcher Jr. invited the council and public to the "Burgers and Brews" fundraiser on April 18, 2026, from 6:00–8:30 PM on Canal Street, benefiting high school aquatics programs.
• Laura Ivancich (Engineering Department) announced community outreach meetings for a Safe Routes to School grant application (Cycle 8 ATP), scheduled for April 14 (Tanaya Middle School) and April 15 (Merced Civic Center), both at 6:00 PM.
• Josh Pedrozo (District 2 Supervisor) invited the public to a district town hall on April 13, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Mondo building.
• Minar Ahmed (UC Merced Student Body President) invited everyone to the first annual men's volleyball tailgate against UCLA on Friday, April 10, from 4:00–6:00 PM, with the game at 6:00 PM, featuring food trucks and games.
• Gloria Sandoval read a list of proposed federal budget cuts from a National Lawyers Guild post, arguing that cuts to public schools, infrastructure, health programs, and rural air service would harm communities, and urged the council to be aware as they review budgets.
• Jennifer Flackman reminded the public of the Bob Hart Square grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 16 at 7:30 PM, with musical guest Zoe Ray as part of the concert series.
• During the public hearing on development fees, Robert Delina expressed concern that certain fee increases, particularly for pre-development applications, general plan amendments, and zone changes, could discourage infill development. He noted that the city’s 50% impact fee reduction for infill might be offset by new service fees.

Discussion Items

• Consent Item I.6 (Pulled): Councilmember Smith asked for separate discussion on the conditional commitment of up to $1,756,934 in HUD HOME funds to Linc Housing for the 54-unit “I Street, Merced” senior affordable housing project. Staff explained that the funds would help Linc score higher in tax credit applications, as the project has failed to secure tax credits eight times due to lack of local funding leverage. The city’s commitment letter reserves funds but does not expend them until the project is fully funded. Linc’s Senior Project Manager, Joey Shields, stated that the project has secured $800,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank and $3.4 million from Central California Alliance for Health. The item was approved unanimously.
• J.1 – Development Services Fee Update: A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2026-10, updating user and regulatory fees effective July 1, 2026, based on a study by Clear Source Consulting. The study found that many current fees recover less than the city’s cost of service. Proposed changes would increase annual cost recovery by approximately $1.15 million. Consultant Terry Madsen explained that most fees would target full cost recovery, with exceptions for small residential projects, sign reviews, appeals, and driveway encroachments to avoid discouraging compliance. The fees are based on actual staff time and costs. A regional comparison showed proposed fees are in the mid-range, not outliers. Council discussion noted concerns about potentially stifling development, especially in Southeast Merced and for infill projects, but ultimately the council approved the resolution unanimously.
• K.1 – Annexation Environmental Report: The council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Precision Civil Engineering ($246,587.65) and a Deposit and Reimbursement Agreement with Tavares 2015 Trust ($271,245.82) for preparation of an environmental document to annex approximately 366 acres (37 parcels) at the northeast corner of East Mission Avenue and Tyler Road. The proposed land uses include 119 acres regional community commercial, 55 acres business park, and residential (low-medium and low density). The vote was unanimous with Councilmember Zhang absent.
• L.1 – SB 707 Brown Act Overhaul: Chief Deputy City Attorney Ronnie Lucas presented the changes required by Senate Bill 707, effective January 1, 2026, and July 1, 2026. Key changes include: permanent removal of the sunset on social media restrictions; required distribution of the Brown Act to all legislative body members; expanded public comment requirements for items that went through committee; explicit authority to remove disruptive remote participants; mandatory hybrid public participation (two-way telephonic or audiovisual) for city council meetings starting July 1, 2026; translation of agendas into languages spoken by more than 20% of the population (Spanish threshold met; Hmong translation will continue); and a system for electronic agenda requests. The city must adopt policies on disruption and service restoration. The presentation was informational; further discussion and proposed policies will come at the April 20, 2026 meeting.
• L.2 – Airport Update: Airport Manager Williams reported that the Essential Air Service carrier will transition from Advanced Air to Contour Airlines on July 1, 2026, using a 30-seat regional jet. Contour will offer code-sharing with United, American, and Alaska Airlines. Flights will serve LAX and Las Vegas, with seven round trips to LAX and five to Las Vegas per week. Tickets go on sale April 14, 2026. The new terminal is expected to open in summer 2026, delayed due to federal shutdowns and TSA lease execution. The goal is to reach 10,000 enplanements per year to qualify for FAA grants; currently enplanements are around 4,000. Contour’s prediction is 21,000 enplanements. The presentation was informational.
• L.3 – Police Department Crime Statistics: Chief Stanfield and Captain Perez presented 2025 data compared to 2024. Key statistics: calls for service up 10%, cases up 7%, citations up 106%, adult arrests up 51%, juvenile arrests down 25%. Major crime reductions: traffic accidents down 25%, vehicle burglaries down 30%, residential burglaries down 27%, commercial burglaries down 40%, robberies down 25%, auto theft down 38%, sexual assaults down 15%, shootings down 32%, overall assaults down 0.25%. Homicides increased from 7 to 8. The department has implemented an area command system and CompStat meetings. The Real-Time Information Center uses cameras and crime analysts, solving 30–35 cases per month via social media. The NIBIN program has linked 56 ballistic leads, including solving 6 of 8 homicides. The department also reported a 10% reduction in use of force and a 50% reduction in internal affairs complaints over two years. A community satisfaction survey shows 78% of respondents are extremely/very satisfied.
• M.1 – Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission Appointment: The council appointed Cynthia Kelly to fill the District 3 vacancy. Councilmember Harris noted she is also on a focus group but recommended her. The motion passed unanimously. No applicants were received for the District 2 vacancy; the council will seek applicants for the remaining meetings.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (I.1–I.5) approved unanimously.
• Item I.6 (HOME funds for Linc Housing) approved unanimously after discussion.
• Resolution 2026-10 (Development Services Fee Update) approved unanimously. Fees effective July 1, 2026.
• Annexation Environmental Report contracts (K.1) approved unanimously (Councilmember Zhang absent).
• Presentation on SB 707 received; further policy direction to be considered April 20, 2026.
• Airport and Police presentations received as information.
• Cynthia Kelly appointed to Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission (District 3) unanimously.
• Councilmember DuPont requested a future informational item on race communications projects (patchwork restoration) for the May 18, 2026 meeting.
• Meeting adjourned in honor of Sheriff Lieutenant Frank Swiggard and local realtor Alan Sustama (unanimous).