Merced City Council Meeting - August 3, 2026
Merced City Council Meeting - August 3, 2026
The Mered City Council met on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included a closed session, a special presentation from the Fire Department on independence Day response, ceremonial matters, a consent calendar, multiple action items on a proposed sales tax measure, property tax sharing, grants, highway projects, traffic signals, and public art, as well as business items on board appointments. The council heard extensive public comments on high-speed rail, the proposed sales tax, and bike safety, among other topics. A brief technical disruption caused a recess from 8:01 PM to 8:17 PM, after which online access was restored and the meeting resumed.
Consent Calendar
- Most consent items were approved unanimously, except item J.11 (Second Reading and Final Adoption of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment for RHNA compliance) was pulled for separate consideration. After public comment from Ashley Marie Suarez, the council voted 6-1 (Councilmember Zhang dissenting) to adopt Ordinance 2594.
Public Comments & Testimony
- High-speed Rail: Multiple speakers (Linda Griffin of the Greater Merced Black Chamber of Commerce, Blace Ojeda, Angel Matthews, Joyce Dale) urged the council to uphold SB 198 and keep the high-speed rail station downtown, arguing for equitable investment and transparency from the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
- Sales Tax Measure (K.1): Six speakers opposed placing the 1¢ general sales tax on the November ballot in its current form. Daisy Ramos and Renee Gutierrez (District 6) criticized the lack of a sunset date, broad language, and insufficient community input. Norma Cardona proposed a 10-year sunset, an independent oversight commission, and a youth advisory committee. Ashley Suarez argued the process was inequitable and urged a special tax instead. Latanya Richard called the tax regressive and demanded a half-cent rate, sunset, and ring-fenced funding. Adam Shane supported the tax but asked that revenue go to youth programs, citing Richmond's Kid First initiative.
- General Public Comments: Cheryl Elgin complained about speeding, potholes, and lack of cooling centers. LeVon Phillips praised the traffic trailer on East 21st Street. Vincent Tremmel proposed integrating stagecoach services to connect high-speed rail to neighborhoods. Lisa Kaiser Grant of the Merced Bicycle Coalition urged the council to focus on infrastructure and education rather than punitive measures for cyclists. Aggie Freeman invited the community to National Night Out and promoted a canine program fundraiser.
Discussion Items
- Fire Department Independence Day Response: Chief Casey Wilson reported a decrease in call volume (44 calls in 2026 vs. 61 in 2025) but a disproportionate number of fires (16, including one structure fire). He highlighted a rescue on Baxter Court and a serious MVA. The department plans to use drones for future enforcement.
- Sales Tax Measure (K.1): City Manager McBride presented the need for a 1¢ general sales tax to address structural deficits, public safety, roads, and park maintenance. Council debated the rate (half vs full cent), sunset provisions, and the distinction between general and special taxes. Councilmembers Smith, Harris, and DuPont supported putting the measure on the ballot, with Smith adding youth services to the ballot language. Councilmember Zhang opposed, arguing the money would disproportionately go to police and fire without addressing other needs. The motion passed 6-1.
- Property Tax Sharing Agreement (K.2): Approved unanimously to extend the agreement with Merced County for three years.
- Police Mental Health Grant (K.3): Approved 6-1 (Zhang dissenting) to apply for and accept up to $250,000 for officer wellness programs.
- Highway 59 Projects (K.4): Approved unanimously to amend Measure V agreements, redirecting $4 million from the Highway 59 widening tothe Black Rascal Bridge project and allowing right-of-way acquisition.
- Traffic Signal Synchronization (K.5): Approved unanimously to accept $246,000 in CMAQ carryover funds for signal timing on major corridors.
- 250th Commemorative Mural (K.6): Initially approved 4-2 (Councilmembers DuPont and Mayor Serrato dissenting) for $15,000 at the Public Works Corp Yard. Later, after a motion for reconsideration, the council approved $20,000 to fund murals at both the Corp Yard and the M Street Bridge (unanimous).
- Public Art Projects (K.7): Approved 5-1 (Zhang dissenting) with an amended allocation: $13,000 for Bob Hart Square programming, $10,000 for a splash pad mural at Stephen Leonard Park, $15,000 for utility box wrap refresh, and $5,000 redirected to the 250th mural project.
- Personnel Board Removal/Appointment (L.1): Approved unanimously to remove Jessica Fernandez for non-attendance and appoint Pamela Toconis.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (L.2): Motion to keep District 5, District 6, and the ex-officio position open passed 5-1 (Councilmember Smith dissenting).
- Reappointment (L.3): Robert Tyler unanimously reappointed as the city's representative on the Measure V Citizens Oversight Committee.
- Future Agenda: Councilmember Smith requested a discussion on improving the council's working relationship with the Planning Commission, set for September 8, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Sales Tax Measure: Resolution 2026-52 adopted (6-1) to place a 1¢ general sales tax on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the ballot question will include mention of youth services.
- Property Tax Sharing: First Amendment approved unanimously, extending the agreement for three years.
- Police Wellness Grant: Resolution 2026-47 adopted (6-1) to apply for up to $250,000 from USDOJ COPS.
- Highway 59 Funds: Amendments approved unanimously to redirect $4 million to the Black Rascal Bridge and keep $2.5 million for right-of-way on widening.
- Traffic Signal Grant: Resolution 2026-49 adopted unanimously to accept $246,000 CMAQ funds.
- Public Art - Mural: Final approval (unanimous) for two murals at $10,000 each (Corp Yard and M Street Bridge).
- Public Art - Other: Approved (5-1) with $13,000 for Bob Hart Square, $10,000 for splash pad, $15,000 for utility box wraps, and $5,000 transferred to mural project.
- Personnel Board: Removal and appointment approved unanimously.
- Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission: All three positions left open (5-1).
- Measure V Committee: Robert Tyler reappointed unanimously.
- Future Agenda: Discussion on Planning Commission relations scheduled for September 8, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
And just for the record, there's no one in the audience, nor registered to speak on these items. We're going to begin today with an invitation from Debbie Croft from Alpha Pregnancy Center, Merced, and after that, uh Councilmember Harris will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Croft. Good evening. Would you bow with me on prayer, please? Dear Lord God, we thank you for your great love, your wisdom, your grace, and for life and breath. We ask that you meet with us this evening to give guidance in the discussions that take place and in the decisions that are made. I thank you for the people of Merced who care and who serve who want to bring meaningful change to our city. And I ask for your help and direction as we work for good for our community, for the people of the city of Mercy. Father, thank you that you care about us and everything we do. Go before us now. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Please join me in the pledge. Ready, begin the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Underground, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, agenda item D roll call. Councilmember DuPont. Present. Tao. Present. Harris. Present. Smith? Present. Zhang. Here. Mayor Pro Tim Boyle. Here. And Mayor Serato. Present. Mayor, I'd like to remind the audience that if they wish to address the city council, they may submit a green request of speak form and request to speak in one of the following ways. Complete a green request to speak card available at the back of the council chamber and submit it to the deputy city clerk before the item is called, preferably before the meeting begins. Scan the QR code corresponding to your preferred language, English, Hmong, or Spanish, located behind the seats in the council chamber, and follow the instructions.gov. And individuals participating virtually by phone must provide a valid phone number so staff can identify the caller during the meeting. Please be patient as this is a new process and there may be some disruptions or issues. Staff will do their best to ensure everyone gets an opportunity to speak. Comments received before the deadline will be sent to 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 one PM will be distributed to the City Council and retained for the official record. Also for those audience members who wish to have Spanish among translation services, please let our interpreters know. If you are participating virtually by phone, please indicate that as you register to speak. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Casey Wilson, Fire Chief. Thank you for the opportunity to present about our Independence Day response and enforcement efforts. So we have a short presentation for you to outline how our day went. So coming up to the 4th of July, we did some education outreach efforts. We focused on social media posts via Facebook and Instagram. Most of those were static posts.
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