Public Meetings - Merced, California

The Merced City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, extensive public comment, approval of consent and action items, and discussion of flood control, parking structures, planning commission support, and art funding. Several votes had dissenting or recused members. Consent Calendar - All items approved unanimously except those pulled for separate vote. - I.6 (Investment Policy Update) and I.12 (Police vehicle purchase) were pulled by Councilmember Zhang: approved with Zhang voting no. - I.11 (Kubota excavator purchase) was pulled by Councilmember Smith (recused): approved unanimously. - Other consent items (I.1–I.5, I.7–I.10, I.13–I.15) passed without objection. Public Comments & Testimony - Adam Shane urged shifting city investments from large Wall Street banks to community banks to boost local economic multiplier effects. Requested contact with Finance Officer Venus Rodriguez. - Steve Graham requested traffic safety improvements (red curb painting) near Farmdale Elementary School on Rancho Camino to improve sight lines for drivers. - Lee Barney raised concerns about the animal cruelty case involving “Sweetie” the husky, questioning why removal took over a year and urging better cross-checking of prior abuse history. - Jazz, Eddie Rodriguez, Patricia Pratt, Glenn Camarada (artists and commissioner) argued that the City’s two RFP mural projects (total $20,000) are funded far below industry standards (over 60% less) and risk devaluing artists’ labor. Requested a freeze on the RFPs and a review of compensation. - Aggie Freeman (veterans advocate) publicly asked Councilmember Zhang to explain why he remained seated during the Pledge of Allegiance at council meetings, stating constituents deserve an answer. - Marilyn Sobel defended the right to sit during the pledge as an act of conscience, noting she also sits. - Chief Steve Stanfield invited the community to a “Stuff the Truck” school supply drive on September 11, 2026, in partnership with the Restorative Justice League. Discussion Items - K1 – Flood Control Efforts (Mayor Serratto): Staff (City Manager McBride, Darrell Jordan, Ken Elwyn) updated on the Bear Creek Restoration Project (100% design, permits in process, construction expected May 2027) and vegetation management hampered by new, onerous streambed alteration permits. Council discussed lessons learned from 2023 flooding, reinforcing flood walls with heavy blocks, and potential emergency declarations to expedite work. No formal action taken. - K2 – Parking Structures/Carports (Councilmember Harris): Discussion of code enforcement issues regarding carports in setbacks, lack of standards, and permitting thresholds. Council consensus to refer to the Public Safety Committee for further development of standards and possible setback exceptions. Motion passed (Zhang voting no). - K3 – Facilitating the Planning Commission’s Success (Councilmember Smith): Proposed three areas: (1) Clarify issues and legal standards in staff reports; (2) Establish a formal referral process for the Commission to pose policy questions to the Council; (3) Invest in commissioners through orientation, city email/business cards, in‑house training, and a per‑meeting stipend. After discussion, the item was referred to the Ethics and Governance Committee (unanimous). - K4 – Dissolution of Ballot Referendum Exploration Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Approved unanimously, as its work (placing a ballot question on the November 2026 general election) is complete. - K5 – Future Agenda Requests: Councilmember Zhang requested a report on city spending on public art since 2022 (staff to provide by October 19). His request to pause the mural RFP lacked support; Council opted to let the RFP process conclude and review proposals. Key Outcomes - Votes: - Consent Calendar (I.6 & I.12) approved 6‑1 (Zhang no). - I.11 (excavator) approved 6‑0 (Smith recused). - J1 (community funding recipients) approved unanimously. - J2 (cannabis tax grant $238,199.99) approved 6‑1 (Zhang no). - J3 (traffic safety grant $98,900) approved 6‑1 (Zhang no). - J4 (playground insurance reimbursement) approved unanimously. - J5 (wastewater loan up to $50 million) approved unanimously. - K2 (carports referral) approved 6‑1 (Zhang no). - K3 (planning commission referral) approved unanimously. - K4 (subcommittee dissolution) approved unanimously. - Next Steps: Flood control work to continue with permit coordination; carport standards to be developed by Public Safety Committee; planning commission proposals to be refined by Ethics and Governance Committee; art spending report due October 19, 2026.

The Finance and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Merced City Council met on September 2, 2026, at 2:30 PM in the City Council Chamber. The subcommittee discussed its roles and duties, established a recurring meeting schedule (quarterly in April, August, and December at 5:30 PM), and selected a development proposal to recommend to the full City Council for the sale of city-owned property at 626 West Main Street. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public registered to speak, and no emails were received before the 10:00 AM deadline. The subcommittee closed the public comment period without any testimony. Discussion Items - Item D1 – Roles, Duties, and Recurring Meeting Schedule: The subcommittee discussed the scope of its responsibilities, including city budget review, retail and commercial business outreach, job creation and retention, community development, parking, and airport industrial park matters. After deliberation, the subcommittee agreed to meet three times per year (quarterly) on standing dates in April, August, and December at 5:30 PM. Meetings may be canceled if no items require discussion. - Item D2 – Proposal Selection for 626 West Main Street: Staff presented three proposals received in response to the City's Request for Proposals (RFP) for the approximately 2,500-square-foot, city-owned parcel (APN 031-134-025, appraised at $55,000): - Porch on Main (Hopeton Properties LLC) – Purchase price $25,000; proposed a family-friendly community plaza with flexible seating, a stage, mobile vendor zone for 8–10 vendors, recreation area (bocce ball, fire pits), and capacity for 1,000–1,500 people. Estimated capital investment $450,000–$550,000; 23–55 jobs; developer has local experience. - Merced Commons Plaza (626 West Main St LLC) – Purchase price $65,000; proposed a landscaped open space with stage, pergola, and shaded areas. No capital or job estimates provided; developer has local experience (El Capitan Hotel, Main Street Theater, Tioga Apartments). - Main Street Valet Lane and Parking Improvement Project (ERE Construction) – Purchase price $25,000; proposed a utilitarian parking lot for El Capitan Hotel (7–10 spaces). Estimated capital $175,000–$250,000; 5–9 jobs; no references or site plan submitted. Staff recommended Porch on Main for its comprehensive activation, job creation, business incubation opportunities, and family-friendly design. The subcommittee discussed the proposals and moved to recommend Porch on Main to the City Council. Key Outcomes - Recommendation to City Council: The subcommittee unanimously agreed to recommend selecting the Porch on Main proposal submitted by Hopeton Properties LLC for the purchase and development of 626 West Main Street. - Meeting Schedule: The subcommittee will meet quarterly on standing dates in April, August, and December at 5:30 PM, with the next meeting anticipated in early December 2026. - Roles and Duties: The subcommittee affirmed its focus areas as outlined in city policy, including budget review, economic development (retail, job creation, parking, airport industrial park), and coordination with other commissions. A formal resolution will be prepared for City Council approval.

The Recreation & Parks Commission of Merced, California, met on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 5:39 PM (called to order at 5:30 PM per agenda) in the City Council Chamber. The sole action item was a detailed review of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan, a five-to-ten-year framework for capital improvements, programming, and standards. After staff presented each of the plan’s four pillars (Infrastructure & Maintenance, Community Connection, Safety & Inclusivity, Resources & Stewardship) and the revisions made following a previous four-hour meeting on August 20, 2026, the commission unanimously approved the plan and recommended City Council adoption. No members of the public submitted comments. Discussion Items - Staff Presentation of the PROS Master Plan – Director Jensen walked through each pillar and its objectives, highlighting adjustments made at the previous commission meeting. Key points included: - Infrastructure & Maintenance: Enhanced trail maintenance, off-road bike/walkable trails, dog park in South Merced (south of State Route 99), feasibility of an indoor multi-generational recreation facility at the Merced Regional Sports Complex, and positioning the sports complex as a revenue-generating regional asset. - Community Connection: QR codes at parks with multilingual information (a commissioner requested adding language accessibility to the QR code feature), public-private partnerships for indoor recreation, evaluation of partner agreements, expansion of youth center programming, adoption of a “Friends of the Park” program, and adding a new objective (2.11) to leverage partnerships for free community events to increase belonging. - Safety & Inclusivity: Sustainable design for safety and accessibility; improved security (blue-light cameras); strengthened partnership (word change from “coordination”) with Merced County to address impacts of unhoused individuals and behavioral health; reducing cultural/language barriers (e.g., Hmong language panels, braille boards at playgrounds). - Resources & Stewardship: Biannual financial sustainability updates (instead of annual, to avoid one-year anomalies); annual cost-of-service analysis; long-term options for Applegate Park Zoo (pseudo-enterprise operation); updating developer impact fees; establishing clear parkland dedication standards; professional development plans; and enhanced recreation management software (Rec Track). - Commissioner Clarifications – Commissioner John R. Carlos asked whether in-kind maintenance from partners would conflict with Public Works responsibilities. Staff clarified that service agreements do not allow tenants to perform maintenance; lease agreements (five-year minimum) allow improvements with approval. Commissioner April P. Halloway suggested ensuring QR code services are provided in multiple languages; staff noted existing website translation options and agreed to include that under objective 3.4. Other Business - Request to Add Items to Future Agenda (F.1) – Commissioners expressed interest in touring the Merced College facility at Stephen Leonard Youth Center. Staff indicated a grand opening event for the college facility and a ribbon cutting for General Vang Pao Park are both expected on September 26, 2026. The chair cautioned against discussing any evaluation of the facility to avoid a Brown Act violation; future tours could be arranged. - Commission Comments (F.2) – Chair asked about the timing of the plan’s presentation to City Council. Director Jensen stated a study session with council would occur in mid-September, with formal adoption likely at the first council meeting in October 2026. A commissioner noted he would be out of the country September 6–13. Key Outcomes - Unanimous Vote (5-0) – The commission adopted a motion to approve the PROS Master Plan as presented and to recommend City Council consideration of adoption. All present commissioners (Dina Gonzalez, John R. Carlos, Marcus S. Ariano, April P. Halloway) voted in favor. Commissioner at Large Marissa K. Lewis was absent. - Next Steps – Staff will present the plan to City Council in a study session mid-September 2026, with formal adoption anticipated at the October 5, 2026 council meeting. - Future Agenda Items – The commission agreed to consider adding site visits or tours of recently renovated facilities to a future agenda. - Adjournment – The meeting adjourned after a motion and unanimous vote; no specific time was recorded.

The Recreation & Parks Commission of the City of Merced convened on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Sam Pipes Room (1st Floor) of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340. The primary action item was a review of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan and consideration of a recommendation to the City Council. Note: This summary is based solely on the posted agenda; the meeting minutes were not available and the raw transcript was empty, so deliberation, public testimony, and vote outcomes could not be independently confirmed. Agenda Items - A. Call to Order - B. Pledge of Allegiance - C. Roll Call - D. Public Comment — 3 minutes allotted per speaker for matters not listed on the agenda; speakers on agenda items were to be called during discussion of that item. - E.1. Action Item 26-715: Review of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan and consideration of recommendation to City Council. - F.1. Request to Add Items to Future Agenda - F.2. Commission Comments - G. Adjournment Discussion Items - Action Item E.1 (Item 26-715): The Commission was asked to review the PROS Master Plan, including the plan's findings, recommendations, priorities, and implementation strategies, and to provide feedback and direction to staff in advance of City Council consideration. The staff recommendation offered two motion options: (1) approve the PROS Master Plan as presented and recommend Council adoption, or (3) recommend consideration of revisions to the plan. No transcript or minutes were available to report actual deliberation by the Commission. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments are documented in the available record. The agenda established a 3-minute public comment period for items not on the agenda and required speaker cards to be submitted to the Recreation and Parks Commission Clerk before the item was called. Key Outcomes - No decisions, votes, motions, directives, or referrals are documented in the available materials. Because the minutes were unavailable and the transcript contained no content, the outcome of the Commission's review of the PROS Master Plan and any recommendation forwarded to the City Council cannot be confirmed from this record.

The meeting of the Merced Regional Airport Authority on August 18, 2026, focused on the approval of a new advertising fee schedule for the terminal, updates on the new terminal and jet service, and performance reports from Contour Airlines. The board also welcomed new member Amos Montford. Consent Calendar - No consent calendar items were presented; the meeting proceeded directly to the discussion of Item F regarding the advertising fee schedule. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were received; no speaker cards were submitted. Discussion Items - Advertising Fee Schedule: Staff presented a proposed four-tier advertising fee schedule for the new terminal, designed to generate revenue and reduce dependence on the general fund. The schedule includes a 48-month program with 5% annual escalation, 24-month minimum terms, and advertiser-paid production. Tiers range from institutional anchors (e.g., UC Merced, Merced College) to short-term events. The board discussed the benefits of in-house advertising versus third-party, and the need to maintain aesthetic standards. A motion to recommend approval to the City Council as recommended by staff was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. - Airport Manager's Report: Rhett reported on major milestones: the new terminal opening, TSA checkpoint relocation, transition to 30-seat jet service by Contour Airlines, and the launch of the FlyMerced.com website. He highlighted early performance: July load factor of 58%, 100% completion factor, 88% on-time departures, and 94% A14 reliability. Total passengers for July were 1,626 (852 enplanements, 774 deplanements). Projected annual enplanements exceed 10,200. The new Airport Security Program (ASP) was approved by TSA. - Landing Report: The landing report for May, June, and July showed a significant increase in passenger numbers due to the upgraded aircraft. July saw 1,626 total passengers, up from previous months. Cargo service from Reading Air (UPS) has ended, but the loss is minimal for the airport's growth. - Quarterly Marketing Report (Contour Airlines): Andrew, Vice President of Contour Airlines, presented via video. He reported 636,000 impressions across Meta and Google, with 11,000 clicks. Meta ads (Facebook/Instagram) outperformed Google. He noted the success of the low-fare $79 one-way ad. Load factor for July was 58%, with weekend routes performing well (87% to LAX, 93% to Las Vegas). The board suggested using local radio stations (e.g., Hot 104.7, 95.1, 97.9) and the Merced County Times, as well as influencer partnerships. Andrew will bring the marketing director to the next meeting. Key Outcomes - Motion to Approve Advertising Fee Schedule: The board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed advertising fee schedule to the Merced City Council as recommended by staff. (Motion by Delvina Johnson, seconded, passed.) - Reports Received: The airport manager’s report, landing report, and Contour Airlines marketing report were accepted as information. - Next Steps: Staff will continue marketing the advertising space; Contour Airlines will explore additional advertising channels and address the website listing issue (Merced not appearing in the drop-down list of airports). The next meeting is expected to include a deeper marketing presentation from Contour.

On Monday, August 17, 2026, the Merced City Council held a regular meeting beginning at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, extensive public comments on animal cruelty and high-speed rail, approval of a $5 million grant application, adoption of updated inspection procedures for multi-unit buildings, and a discussion on tenant protections that resulted in no action. The council also made commission appointments and designated a voting delegate for the League of California Cities conference. Consent Calendar - Approved by unanimous vote: (I.1) reading of ordinances waived; (I.2) Planning Commission minutes accepted; (I.3) cooperative purchase with AMS.NET not to exceed $160,000 for FY 2026-2027; (I.4) professional services agreement with Black Water Consulting Engineers, Inc. for up to $97,268 through July 31, 2030 for Urban Water Use Objective reporting; (I.5) early site access agreement with Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority for $51,000 through June 30, 2027. Public Comments & Testimony - Animal Cruelty (Sweetie): Over a dozen speakers, including Tammy Lyons, Cindy Kelly (Merced SPCA), Desiree Sullivan (retired animal control officer), and others, expressed deep concern over the case of a husky named Sweetie. They demanded transparency, accountability, and faster response from law enforcement. Several speakers noted that they had repeatedly called police without callback, and urged the council to improve protocols. Lee Barney reported calling since April 2025 and described witnessing the dog being dragged behind a bicycle on July 11 in 98°F heat. - High-Speed Rail Station Location: Multiple speakers (Blanca Ojeda, Chelsea Ramirez, Trinidad Argeniga Lopez, Eric Ham from Downtown Merced Partnership, Vic Sarabia, Latonia Richard, and others) strongly opposed moving the planned downtown Merced station to a reduced site in Southeast Merced. They cited SB 198, which specifies a downtown station, and argued the relocation would undermine economic opportunity, accessibility, and prior community engagement. Eric Ham requested a joint public meeting of City Council and County Board of Supervisors before any changes to the law. One speaker also requested the recusal of Councilmember Sarah Boyle due to her employment with the Building Industry Association. - Other Topics: Anissa Fergoso (downtown business owner) asked for public bathrooms for homeless individuals. Tamara Cooksie raised bullying of special needs students after a recent attack. Michael and Christy Locke complained about a trailer placed by the Merced County Office of Education that reduced their privacy. Patricia Pratt (artist) argued that public art RFPs are underfunded ($7.90/sq ft vs. standard $50/sq ft). Supervisor Josh Pedroza thanked the council for city-county collaboration. Discussion Items - J1 - Urban Greening Grant (Merced Regional Sports Complex): Senior Management Analyst Jennifer Flackman presented a resolution to apply for up to $5 million from the California Natural Resources Agency's Urban Greening Grant Program. She noted that 400 applicants applied, 40 were selected to move forward, and the grant would fund pedestrian pathways, landscaping, shade trees, an additional sports field, and other amenities to improve climate resilience. The council approved the resolution unanimously. - J2 - Multi-Unit Substandard Buildings Policy: City Attorney Craig Cornwell presented Resolution 2026-53, which updates the inspection policy required by AB 548. Key amendments change the word 'may' to 'shall' in several sections, making consideration of factors and inclusion of notice items mandatory. Public speakers Ashley Suarez (Leadership Council on Faith in the Valley) and Latonia Richard requested stronger criteria, specific notice timelines (within 3-10 business days), and broader tenant notification. Chief Stanfield noted that code enforcement received 505 complaints in July and 2,388 since August 2025, and stated the department could aim for a 14-day turnaround for notices of violation but preferred flexible language. After discussion, the council approved the policy as presented, with a commitment from the chief to report back in six months on compliance with a 14-day target. - K1 - Tenant Protection Discussion: Councilmember Zhang presented a proposal to expand local tenant protections beyond state law, listing potential ordinances such as a rental registry, rent stabilization, relocation assistance, right of first refusal, and others. He clarified he was not asking for the large programs but for incremental provisions like anti-retaliation expansion and relocation payments. Multiple public speakers opposed the proposal, including small landlords who argued it would increase costs, reduce housing supply, and duplicate existing state laws (AB 1482, Costa-Hawkins). Speakers John Bliss, Douglas Reed, Patrick Ross, Ernie Ochoa, Aaron Hamm, and Aggie Freeman urged the council to reject the proposal. Supporters like Blanca Ojeda and Ashley Suarez argued that nearly 53% of renter households are cost-burdened and stronger protections are needed. Councilmembers Harris, DuPont, Smith, and Boyle expressed concerns about overreach, lack of data, and the need to first evaluate the recently adopted repeat housing code violators program. Councilmember Zhang's motion to direct staff to research tenant protections failed for lack of a second. - K2 & K3 - Commission Appointments: Lynn Staff was appointed to the Tax Transparency Commission (District 4) on a motion by Councilmember Smith. Patricia Lewis was appointed to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (District 6) on a motion by Councilmember Zhang. Both appointments passed unanimously. - K4 - Voting Delegate: Councilmember Mike Harris was designated as the city's voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference (September 23-25, 2026, Anaheim) by unanimous vote. Key Outcomes - Resolution 2026-54 adopted, authorizing application for up to $5 million from the California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Grant Program for the Merced Regional Sports Complex (CP-42) project. - Resolution 2026-53 adopted, establishing inspection procedures for multi-unit substandard buildings with mandatory language ('shall') for consideration of factors, notice content, and reinspection timeline. The council will receive a six-month review of compliance with a 14-day target for notices of violation. - Tenant Protection Expansion: Motion to direct staff to research additional tenant protections failed for lack of a second; no further action. - Appointments: Lynn Staff (Tax Transparency Commission) and Patricia Lewis (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission) appointed unanimously. - Voting Delegate: Mike Harris designated as the city's voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference. - The consent calendar was approved unanimously.

The Merced Tax Transparency Commission convened on August 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The agenda included the approval of previous meeting minutes, review of Measure C and Measure Y revenue and expense reports as of June 30, 2026, a request to add an item to a future agenda, and commission comments. No transcript or minutes of the meeting are available, so specific discussions, public comments, and decisions are not recorded. Consent Calendar - 26-672: Tax Transparency Commission Minutes of May 12, 2026 – recommended for approval and filing. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments are recorded; the agenda provided an opportunity for public comment on matters not listed and on agenda items. Discussion Items - 26-673: Measure C Revenue and Expense Reports - June 30, 2026 – the commission was to adopt a motion accepting the reports as information only and/or provide direction to staff. - 26-674: Measure Y Revenue and Expense Reports - June 30, 2026 – similar action item. - 26-676: Request to Add Item to Future Agenda – allowed members to request items for future consideration. - 26-677: Commission Comments – allowed brief announcements without discussion or action. Key Outcomes - No specific outcomes are recorded due to the absence of a transcript or minutes. The adoption of recommended motions or any directives to staff cannot be confirmed.

This meeting of the Merced Personnel Board was held on Monday, August 10, 2026 (agenda listed 4:00 PM local time; source metadata indicates 12:15 UTC). The board reviewed consent calendar items, discussed proposed job description changes, received the monthly personnel report, and began scheduling an appeal hearing for a terminated employee. No public comments were made. Consent Calendar - Item E.1: Informational report on employment opportunities that closed in July 2026 – approved. - Item E.2: Proposed new job description for Lead Recreation and Field Facility Worker and revised descriptions for Water Distribution Operator I-II-III and Water Systems Operator – pulled for separate discussion (see Discussion Items). - Item E.3: Minutes of the June 8, 2026 meeting (noted that the meeting did not occur due to lack of quorum) – approved. - Motion to adopt consent calendar for E.1 and E.3 (omitting E.2) passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public provided oral comments. Discussion Items Item E.2 – Job Description Revisions - Board member Phyllis questioned why the job description for the proposed Lead Recreation and Field Facility Worker did not include the word "lead" in the title or any supervisory language. Staff (Christopher) explained that the Parks and Recreation Department had submitted the description based on an existing lead park worker classification; the role will supervise temporary (not full-time) staff, and there will be only one such position. - Board members expressed concern that without "lead" in the title, candidates would not distinguish it from a regular field facility worker. They directed that the word "lead" be added to both the title and description. - Regarding the Water Distribution Operator I-II-III and Water Systems Operator descriptions, board member Melissa noted that the governing authority for certifications had changed from the California Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board for all levels (not just Grade 3). Staff acknowledged the change but said the department’s intent was only to update the wastewater operator requirements; they agreed to clarify the governing body across all levels. - The board voted (unanimously) to not approve the job descriptions as presented and requested revised versions with the corrections before being brought back for future approval. Item G.1 – Personnel Department Monthly Report for July 2026 - Staff reported: - 5 recruitments: Container Maintenance Worker, Development Services Technician, Firefighter, Police Officer Trainee, Senior Planner. - 7 new full-time hires: 3 maintenance workers, a street sweeper operator, 2 dispatchers, an accounting technician. - 5 temporary hires: 2 temp maintenance workers, a temp recreation supervisor, a temp recreation leader, a temporary police officer. - 6 full-time separations: 5 resignations (senior planner, two sewer/storm drain workers, a dispatcher, a water meter/backflow technician) and 1 retirement (police officer). - 18 temporary separations (seasonal recreation leaders). - Total city workforce: 591 employees – 509 full-time and 82 temporary. - Board member Alberto requested that future monthly reports include a vacancy percentage relative to approved positions. Staff agreed to generate that data. - Motion to accept the report passed unanimously. Item H.1 – Setting Dates for Personnel Board Hearing 2026-1 (Appeal Hearing) - The board discussed scheduling a 4-day appeal hearing for a terminated employee, tentatively planning 6-hour sessions (e.g., 2–8 or 3–9 p.m.) in September or October. - Board members provided their availability: - Phyllis: unavailable September 15–24. - Melissa: available last week of September (21st–25th, 28th–30th) and after October 10th. - Dorothea: unavailable September 25–28; available October except 22nd–26th. - Pamela: unavailable October 28–30. - Staff will coordinate with attorneys to finalize dates and notify board members. Key Outcomes - E.2: Job descriptions sent back for revision (add “lead” to recreation title; clarify governing authority for water certification levels). - G.1: Monthly report approved; vacancy percentage to be added in future reports. - H.1: Board provided availability; staff to confirm hearing dates with attorneys. - Meeting adjourned without further business. Note on Date/Time Discrepancy - The agenda lists the meeting as starting at 4:00 PM on August 10, 2026 (local time). The metadata provided by the user indicates 12:15 UTC on the same date, which likely reflects a time zone conversion or recording timestamp; the board convened at 4:00 PM local time.

The Merced Planning Commission met on August 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included approval of consent calendar items, a public hearing on a minor modification for a subdivision, and a study session on the draft vision statement for the Comprehensive General Plan Update. The Commission unanimously approved the minor modification and provided feedback on the vision statement. Consent Calendar - Approved Minutes: The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the June 17, 2026, July 8, 2026, and July 22, 2026 Planning Commission meetings. No items were removed for separate consideration. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the general public comment period. For the public hearing, no opposition speakers were present. The applicant provided a presentation and answered questions. Discussion Items Public Hearing: Minor Modification 26-0008 and Environmental Review 26-0061 - Proposal: The applicant requested approval of a minor modification to revise a previously approved 146-lot single-family subdivision (Plan Development No. 50) to 161 lots. The changes included realigning R Street eastward, adjusting lot sizes, and revising conditions of approval related to off-site improvements on R Street, Cardella, Monaco, and Lehigh Drive. The modification was needed to offset the cost of required off-site frontage improvements and right-of-way dedications. - Staff Presentation: Project planner Kayla presented the background, noting that the modification was categorical exempt under CEQA Section 15183. Public notices were sent. - Applicant Testimony: The applicant's representative explained that the additional 15 lots (from 146 to 161) came from realigning R Street to maximize usable space and reducing some lot sizes. The engineer, David Jacobi, confirmed that internal streets remained unchanged and that the off-site improvements were the primary driver. - Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Ochoa asked about road development responsibilities; city engineer Daryl Jordan confirmed that the roads meet safety and access standards for fire trucks. Commissioner Gregins thanked the applicant for working with the city on development costs. - Vote: The Commission unanimously approved Resolution 4182, approving Minor Modification 26-0008 and adopting Environmental Review 26-0061 (Categorical Exemption). Motion by Commissioner Gregins, second by Commissioner Vu. Study Session: Draft Vision Statement of the Comprehensive General Plan Update - Presentation: Michael Gibbons (project manager) and Hannah Woolsey (project planner) from Mid-tier Harnish presented the draft vision statement. They outlined the six-phase project, noting that the visioning phase (Phase 3) is near completion. Community outreach included a second open house (January 28, 2026), an online survey (closed March 16, 2026, available in English, Spanish, and Hmong), and two meetings with the Community Advisory Focus Group (CAFG) on February 25 and May 27, 2026. The draft vision statement was released for public comment on July 1, 2026. - Public Comments Received: The consultant summarized public comments requesting greater emphasis on: downtown as a cultural and economic heart; UC Merced and Merced College as educational anchors; active transportation and street design; residents as stakeholders; and condensing the four-paragraph statement. - Commissioner Feedback: - Commissioner Gregins appreciated the length and substance, but suggested adding a reference to K-12 education and CTE (Career Technical Education) to complement the focus on higher education. - Commissioner Ochoa noted a grammatical issue in the second paragraph (double "and") and requested adding mention of the tech industry (e.g., ag tech, health tech). - Chairperson Gonzalez and others expressed general support, noting the vision statement is ambitious and aligns with the city's growth. - Next Steps: The consultant will incorporate the feedback and present the draft vision statement to the City Council on September 21, 2026. Following adoption, the policy document update (Phase 4) will begin in early October 2026 and continue through most of 2027. Business: Upcoming Agenda Items - Planning Manager reported that the next Planning Commission meeting on August 19, 2026, will include election of Chair and Vice Chair. New planner Cody Whitney was introduced. Key Outcomes - Approved Consent Calendar: Minutes of June 17, July 8, and July 22, 2026, approved unanimously. - Approved Minor Modification: Resolution 4182 passed unanimously, approving the lot increase from 146 to 161 and adopting the categorical exemption. - Vision Statement Feedback: The Commission provided specific edits (add K-12 education, fix grammar, include tech industry) to be incorporated before the City Council presentation on September 21, 2026. - Next Meeting: August 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM for chair/vice chair election.