[11:10] Hey, thank you for joining us this evening. We appreciate everyone being

[11:13] here. Uh before we start our meeting, if I could ask you to stand for community

[11:18] blessing and Mayor Prom, if you could do the honors.

[11:25] Father in heaven, we come to you giving you praise, honor, and glory, and

[11:30] thanking you for life, health, and strength. We thank you for your many

[11:34] blessings that you bestowed upon not only this city, but our country, Father.

[11:39] We ask your continual blessings, Father. And we ask that you oversee everything

[11:44] that we do. Give us a right mind to make sound decisions here in Los Banos. Lord,

[11:50] bless our staff as they work so hard and diligently for the various projects that

[11:56] we have in our city. And we just give you praise, honor, and glory. And thank

[12:00] you for everything in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. Like to call this meeting to order

[12:06] for September 2nd, 2026. Chief, if we have the pledge. I pledge

[12:11] algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[12:16] for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[12:22] justice for all.

[12:26] [clears throat]

[12:33] » Okay, if we uh Lucy, if we go ahead and have roll call, please.

[12:38] » Yamis. Chavez

[12:40] » here. >> Lewis

[12:42] » here. >> Amil

[12:43] » I am here. And the first item is uhformational and presentation agenda

[12:48] items. And that's for me to

[13:04] lock us in here.

[13:09] » Yeah. I can come to you. Okay.

[13:16] » Let's go over here. >> Our logo.

[13:22] » Well, this is definitely Come a little closer. Yeah. This is definitely uh

[13:28] [snorts] a long time making and we've waited too long to honor this gentleman

[13:33] that has done so much for our city and our community. Not only did he he serve

[13:39] on the city council, but he also uh served many years as our our director

[13:45] for the city. Did an excellent job. I had the honor of being mayor when my

[13:50] first time around and you were director of parks and wreck. And uh

[13:57] so we're proud, Joe, to be able to give you this proclamation recognizing you.

[14:02] And there's more to come to I'll talk about in just a second. So this

[14:05] proclamation recognizing Joe Souza. And I also want to just say Donalda, it

[14:10] takes a good woman to to to be with a good man and both of you together has

[14:16] made this community better. So thank you so much. Whereas Joe Souza faithfully

[14:20] served the city of Lasanis for 26 years beginning in 1980 and ultimately serving

[14:26] as public service director. And whereas following his retirement from city

[14:32] service, Joe Souza continued the commitment to the community as a member

[14:37] of the Las City Council from 2006 through 2012. And whereas throughout his

[14:44] career and public service, Joe Souza demonstrated dedication, leadership, and

[14:50] commitment to improving parks, recreation facilities, trails, trees,

[14:55] and public spaces for the residents of Los Banis. And whereas Joe Suza played

[15:00] an important role in the vision, planning, and development of Losanis

[15:04] Community Center, helping create a lasting community facility that

[15:09] continues to serve residents of all ages. And whereas the city of Lasanis

[15:14] wishes to recognize Joe Souza for his years of service and lasting

[15:18] contributions in the in our community with a plaque outside the Laspanis

[15:23] Community Center that's coming in a couple of weeks. Now therefore, be it

[15:27] proclaimed that I, Michael S. Samville mayor and the city council of the city

[15:31] of Lasanis do hereby honor and recognize this great man Joe Souza for his

[15:36] outstanding public service and dedication to our community. Joe, thank

[15:42] you so much. [applause] Thank you. You want to

[15:50] [applause]

[15:59] Thank you. >> Thank you.

[16:04] [applause] >> And like I said, in a in a couple of

[16:07] weeks, oh, Joe has >> Yeah. From Park and Recre.

[16:17] » Do a little something. You can you can munch on when you get home.

[16:21] » Thank you. It's good to see you. And in a couple of weeks, we're going to be

[16:24] putting a plaque on the Quinny Center. [applause]

[16:47] And now we come to our public forum. And this time reserved for the members of

[16:51] the public who wish to address this city council and any item that is not on our

[16:56] agenda this evening. If you'd like to speak on an agenda item, u we'll give

[17:01] you that opportunity when we reach that item. And u this is within the subject

[17:07] of matter jurisdiction of our city. So if you'd like to speak to us about

[17:11] something that's going on in our community you'd like us to know about,

[17:15] please come forward. You have three minutes to speak.

[17:21] Welcome. [sighs] >> It's a pleasure to be here um on the day

[17:26] that the city council honors Joe Souza. I want to thank the mayor and the

[17:31] council for the proclamation today. I've known Joe probably almost since the day

[17:37] I moved to Laspanis over a half century ago. A remarkable man who's done so much

[17:43] for the city. I'm really glad that he's being honored. Uh, you know, every time

[17:49] I walk down the canal trail, for example, I think of all the work that

[17:54] Joe has put in along with Rick Dalgood and other people uh who were related to

[17:59] me to make that canal trail so good. And I served on the parks and recreation

[18:05] commission and tree commission for a quarter century. And it I'm just so

[18:10] proud of the parks that we have, the recreation that we have, the trees that

[18:17] we have, and that didn't happen by accident. A lot of people did a lot of

[18:21] work, and Joe Souza was among the very best and the most hardworking. Uh I

[18:28] remember when I was uh jogging along the uh along by the airport there along the

[18:34] little canal trail. I would see a light on like late in the evening, you know,

[18:38] near sunset. And what was what was this? This was Joe finding time at the airport

[18:45] lounge to do city work, which he couldn't do during the day because he

[18:48] was always busy or helping people and so forth. So again, I want to thank you for

[18:54] making sure that Joe Souza has been honored. Uh couldn't be more deserving.

[18:59] Thank you again. >> Thank you very much.

[19:04] » Anyone else would like to speak? Please come forward. You're welcome to speak.

[19:09] Please uh introduce yourself for the record.

[19:13] » Yes. My name is Blanch George and I live in the downtown area. I've missed you

[19:18] guys. [laughter] But um the kitten season ended um but we

[19:24] have a resurgent of that and a lots of puppies coming through.

[19:28] But I didn't want this evening to be missed um because after this evening uh

[19:35] we are going to be uh thinking about September 11th.

[19:40] Um September 11th was a very

[19:46] we all remember where we were at. I just happened to be um having an early

[19:52] morning meeting with the fire chief and the police chief. We were going over

[19:57] some details um city details

[20:03] and um you know Chad was there, Mark was there

[20:10] and to experience what they were experiencing. Um I was a fly on the wall

[20:16] and then moved myself out. Um, and I'll never talk about what

[20:22] they were. They seemed to be so close to everything that was going on even though

[20:27] they were across the United States.

[20:33] That comes to the fact that um I'd like to

[20:38] a lot of stories are told about September 11th. Um, what I do want to

[20:43] mention is the the dogs that are part of September 11th.

[20:49] And we do have working dogs. Um we do have our shelter that's hardworking

[20:54] individuals. But there was over 300 dogs that were

[20:58] helping at September 11th. Um they were search and rescue dogs.

[21:04] They were uh police canines. Um, they were also bomb detecting canines

[21:11] as well as the therapy and comfort dogs to those uh first responders that were

[21:18] being affected. And then eventually they had to be the

[21:24] cadaavver and recovering uh dogs that had to recover.

[21:30] The last person pulled out that was alive from September 11th was pulled out

[21:36] because of a dog, one of the rescue dogs. And thank goodness for that. Um

[21:43] along with them, they did perish um as much as the firefighters and police

[21:48] officers from terrible cancers. But actually, Losanos, I want to pull it

[21:55] over to Los Banos. We actually have a rescue dog that was discovered from our

[22:02] shelter people that discovered this dog and um put the right pieces together and

[22:10] we did produce a rescue dog from our shelter. So, thank goodness for our

[22:14] shelter. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments.

[22:18] [clears throat]

[22:21] » Yes, please come forward. Introduce yourself for the audio record.

[22:26] appreciate it. >> Welcome.

[22:28] » Good afternoon. Um, my name is Mariana Neves.

[22:32] » Good afternoon. Thank you. Um, I wrote a little something. Maybe I'm just gonna

[22:36] read it. Um, I am the owner of my hippie soul

[22:40] store here, a business in downtown Losanos.

[22:44] And I've been an owner for six years. Um, I'm also the founder of the artisan

[22:50] market which happens every Sunday um on J Street as well.

[22:56] and thank you for giving me the chance to speak today. Um,

[23:02] this past six years has been up and downs having a business, but uh, the

[23:08] most important thing for me is that I started as a pop-up vendor. Um, the same

[23:14] thing the market does basically. And for these five five years, I know what is

[23:21] preparing for one market and having one good market to c covert groceries or

[23:28] paying a mortgage or paying a bill, right? Um, so I've been there. I know

[23:34] what it's like. and the artisan market. I created it because I I thought I will

[23:40] create opportunities for other small businesses as myself that we don't have

[23:46] at the time. I we didn't have um to open a store, a brick and mortar store.

[23:53] And for some of the vendors, this isn't a hobby. It starts as a hobby sometimes,

[23:57] but it's not a hobby. It becomes a business. Um, just this past week I um I

[24:04] got around 10 businesses to get their

[24:08] business license with the city of Los Vanos. We I have been um committed to go

[24:14] to other markets with my five years of experience doing pop-ups. I know a lot

[24:19] of vendors, a lot of vendors. And I've been getting vendors from Modesto, Turlo

[24:26] Cities, Fresno, Madera, and those Palos. I got one from those palace as well. Um

[24:31] I encourage my vendors to obtain their proper permits, business license and

[24:36] paperwork to accord to operate accordance with the city um and the

[24:42] county requirements and we want this market to be something

[24:46] our community can be proud of. I feel like the impact it goes beyond

[24:53] vendors. Every Sundays hundreds of families goes and shop with us and it

[24:59] becomes as a a family not only just a market. Um it's my idea

[25:06] is for every Sunday families to come downtown. Everybody lies downtown for I

[25:12] think for every dollar spent in the market they also have to go to um other

[25:17] businesses. They have to go to um they have to go eat as well. We do

[25:23] provide food, but they have to go somewhere as well. So, I'm just um here

[25:29] to present myself that that's me. >> Thank you very much. We really

[25:32] appreciate the work you're doing. >> Thank you.

[25:40] » Please introduce yourself for the record.

[25:42] » Carlos Flores, District 1. Um the first thing of topic of what I

[25:47] want to talk about is the Mitsy Perez resignation. Okay.

[25:52] Um, I know there were some issues going on during the election, right? I know

[25:57] there was, uh, pap fi filed at the county for possible election fraud,

[26:03] right? And so, um, the thing is is that you can't trust the county when the

[26:10] whole county is involved in the politics, especially who has been

[26:14] running the valley for I don't know how many years, right? But they always blame

[26:17] the Democrats for everything that happens. But they don't rule here. you

[26:21] guys. Okay, that's the first thing. And the thing what I want to know is what

[26:26] happened to her? Why did she resign so early? From what I heard, she wasn't

[26:31] even from here. It's like another that scandal is happening what's happening in

[26:34] Stockton with that lady. So, is that happening in the whole valley or is it

[26:38] happening at the federal city county level um federal? We know what's

[26:43] happening at the federal level because the guys that you guys that the guy that

[26:46] you worship, Donald Trump, you can see in the state of array of what this uh

[26:51] government and this country is about, right? We're tired of it. We're not

[26:56] believing you guys' lies anymore. We're just not. Right? We're finding out the

[27:00] truth. And now I know why you guys try to cover up the truth because you guys

[27:04] are the ones that have caused the most damage.

[27:07] You guys want will say, "No, no, no. Read the textbooks." But those textbooks

[27:12] are wrote written by you guys in Texas, right? So I'm trying to find out and you

[27:17] can laugh all you want. But it's truth. I'm not laughing. Anyways, are we going

[27:23] to find out what happens to that with that investigation so we know what

[27:26] really happened? Cuz we want to know what's really going on here. All I know

[27:31] is in these small towns, old money and the oligarchs in these cities run you

[27:37] guys. They do.

[27:40] So the thing was the saddest thing about that is the whole city knows. You should

[27:46] hear the conversations when you go out to this into the public here guys. You

[27:50] guys are not famous. You guys are not. I just want to throw it out there. Until

[27:55] you guys start doing the things you say you do, right? Why is Merced County the

[28:00] lowest paying jobs? Why isn't there any jobs?

[28:05] I know who has the money. I know who's living well.

[28:09] Right. Another thing I want to talk about is uh what was what was the last

[28:15] thing? Oh, I heard you guys hired another lawyer. Is that true,

[28:22] man? At what price? At what taxpayer money did you guys hire

[28:26] that lawyer at? 250,000? Why do you guys need another lawyer?

[28:30] What are you guys trying to cover up? What's what's the situation here?

[28:35] You guys might look at me like, "Gee, what's wrong with this dude?" But we're

[28:38] tired of it. We're not asking anymore. We're demanding

[28:42] because we've been as a Native American, as Mexican, we've been dealing with you

[28:45] guys stuff for 530 years and we're done. Thank you.

[28:50] » Thank you for your comments. Anyone else, please come forward. We

[28:54] welcome your comments.

[29:04] » Good evening. >> Welcome. Please introduce

[29:06] » man district one. Um, I've been a resident of Los Banos for the last 11

[29:11] years and I really appreciate um I can't remember your name

[29:17] » uh for starting a very cool idea of of this artisan market. I have been to it

[29:22] and I think it's amazing. It's a good way to really promote small businesses.

[29:25] It's a good way to get the community out. Um, as a mom of three teenage uh

[29:31] kids, I'm concerned about the activities that we have in our city for our youth.

[29:36] Um, you know, I know that you all are in plans of an aquatic center, but I think

[29:41] that's been for many, many years a lot of movement. Uh, the last I saw is

[29:47] there's some architectural plans that are in the works, but there's no dates

[29:50] of when that's going to be completed. Uh, we don't have much for our youth

[29:55] here and it's concerning because the violence in this city has gone up a lot.

[29:59] Um, every day it's reading one thing after another, a shooting, a this, a

[30:03] that, and I'm afraid for my children. There's not a lot that they can get

[30:08] involved in unless they're in some sort of uh sport at school. Um, the community

[30:13] center is awesome, but there's again not a lot of activities that are happening

[30:17] there for the youth in the age range of like 15 to 17. Um I know that there have

[30:25] been uh you know lots of events that have been trying to be put on for the

[30:31] community and those uh permits are not um being uh approved for those events.

[30:38] And so a lot of this is to get the community out and just like having an

[30:43] artisan market or having the flea market on Fridays um is great farmers market,

[30:49] but that's still not meeting the needs of our children that are growing up in

[30:53] this city. Um I see tons and tons of houses being built, but I'm not seeing

[30:59] jobs. I'm not seeing youth centers. I'm not seeing community events that are

[31:04] beneficial for our children who are growing up here. It makes me sad because

[31:10] my children are now withdrawing from school because there's bullying, there's

[31:14] violence, and I'm now having to deal with homeschooling. None of that is

[31:19] being addressed. If we can't get um the right types of events and the right

[31:24] community for our youth, we're going to go down this very negative path. And I

[31:28] would hate to see that. I moved here because it's a small town. I come from

[31:32] Gilroy. I'm a small town girl. I love Gilroy. It got too big and it got too

[31:36] expensive. I'm now here and I want to invest time and effort into making this

[31:41] city something that I want to be um proud of. And right now I'm not feeling

[31:46] that. I want to be able to say like I want to bring something here. I would

[31:50] love to be more involved but I just don't know what the plan is for a lot of

[31:55] these projects that you all have been working on for many many years and it's

[31:59] concerning. Um, my last thought is, um, we got to do something about these

[32:05] streets and them potholes. Thank you.

[32:08] » Thank you for your comments. We appreciate it.

[32:12] » Anyone else? You're welcome to come forward.

[32:23] Okay. I do not see or hear anyone coming up. So I think we have some

[32:30] we have a letter right Lucy there >> anyone on

[32:34] » Yeah. And so uh and then also before you do the letter is there anyone on Zoom

[32:39] right now? >> Okay. And I just want to remind

[32:42] everybody if you're on Zoom, uh, if you hit the raise your hand icon, that tells

[32:48] us you want to speak. And if you've called in,

[32:52] um, to raise your hand is to press number nine and to unmute is to press

[32:57] number six. So with that, Lucy, go ahead with that letter, please.

[33:03] » First letter, good evening. Las Vegas are facing yet another 65,000

[33:10] plus special election because the District 1 seat has been vacated by

[33:15] resignation twice in a single term. The residents of District 1 deserve to have

[33:21] this seat decided by local voters, not by developers, special interest groups,

[33:27] or sitting council members attempting to sway the outcome. Conducting media

[33:32] interviews for candidates at a council member's private business was an obvious

[33:37] conflict of interest that should have never happened again.

[33:42] Obvious conflict of interest that should never happen again. District 1 voters

[33:47] are thoroughly fatigued by the constant tactics and smear campaigns used to

[33:52] undermine candidates who refuse to answer to special interests. It's time

[33:57] to step back and let the voters choose their own qualified representative.

[34:03] Thank you, Julie Kraton, resident of Laspanis.

[34:09] The second letter, um, dear mayor and members of the

[34:14] Laspanis City Council, I am a Lasis resident asking the city to provide more

[34:20] information about its plan to help people experiencing homelessness.

[34:26] I support helping people find safe, permanent housing. Permanent, supportive

[34:30] housing is especially important for people who have experienced long-term

[34:36] homelessness or need ongoing services. However, permanent housing is only one

[34:42] part of the solution. The city also needs a plan for people currently living

[34:47] in encampments who cannot immediately move into permanent housing. According

[34:52] to the city's March 2025 announcement, the One Tree project is receiving

[34:58] approximately 143 million in public and grant funding.

[35:05] The project is expected to provide up to 58 housing units, supportive services,

[35:10] and temporary operating assistance. The city's May 2024 city council report

[35:16] showed that Laspanis had only 20 emergency shelter beds, while the 2024

[35:22] point in time count identified 121 people living outside without shelter.

[35:28] The report also stated that bridge homes have been full since May 2023 and

[35:35] acknowledged that permanent supportive housing would not resolve the shortage

[35:39] of emergency shelter beds. Los Bannis therefore needs a complete system

[35:45] encampment, emergency shelter or navigation center, services and

[35:50] stabilization, permanent housing.

[35:56] One tree may address the permanent housing stage, but the city also needs

[36:01] emergency shelter services and short-term support for people who are

[36:06] not yet ready or able to move into permanent housing. I respectfully ask

[36:11] the city council to direct the following actions.

[36:15] Um, number one, provide a complete review of the one tree project.

[36:22] Um, explain the number of units eligibility

[36:27] requirements. How many units are expected to serve people currently

[36:32] living in Losanis encampments? Total project cost, cost per unit, operating

[36:38] fund, funding expiration dates, expected opening date, and projected reduction

[36:45] and unsheltered homelessness and encampments within 60 days. Assess

[36:51] lobis's emergency shelter needs. Identify the current unsheltered

[36:56] population, available shelter beds, additional beds needed, necessary

[37:01] services, staffing needs, and realistic operating models within 90 days.

[37:08] Evaluate a centralized navigation center. Compare permanent construction,

[37:14] sprung structures, modular shelters, tiny shelters.

[37:18] » Sorry to interrupt, but time has expired, Lucy.

[37:20] » Okay. Um, that letter was from Angelina Mendoza, a Las Spanish

[37:26] resident. >> Okay. So, we'll have those those two

[37:29] letters online, correct? So, since we didn't finish that one, you could read

[37:32] them online. >> Yeah, with the agenda packet.

[37:35] » With the agenda packet. Okay. So, is there anyone else now on Zoom or on a

[37:40] call that No. >> Did you see anybody?

[37:44] » Okay. Thank you, Lucy. We appreciate that. We appreciate the letters

[37:49] and we will move on. Let's see. Uh, we're going to

[37:55] consideration of approval of the consent agenda.

[37:58] And Lucy, for that, I'm going to ask you to read off the consent agenda.

[38:04] » Items on the consent agenda are as follows. Warrant numbers 259737

[38:10] through26006 in the amount of 3,28,1146.

[38:19] Minutes for the August 19th, 2026 city council meeting. City council resolution

[38:25] number 7151 accepting the downtown gateway sign

[38:29] project as complete and authorizing the filing of the notice of completion with

[38:34] the Merced County Recorder PNF Metals. City Council resolution number 7152

[38:42] authorizing award of construction contract to Hensley's Paving and General

[38:46] Engineering Inc. in the amount of $419,580.3

[38:53] with a 15% contingency in the amount of $62,937

[39:00] for the downtown alley overlay improvements project. City council

[39:04] resolution number 7153 authorizing award of construction

[39:10] contract to Catch Environmental Inc. in the amount of 1,574,16

[39:18] with a 15% contingency in the amount of $236,12

[39:25] for Mercy Springs waterline improvements project authorizing the city manager to

[39:31] execute the agreement and amending the fiscal year 2026 27 2027 budget city

[39:39] council resolution number 7154 Four, reject rejecting the bids for the a

[39:45] sports complex pickle ball lights project. City Council resolution number

[39:50] 7155 approving the purchase agreement for

[39:54] three fire command vehicles in the total amount of $191,828.3

[40:03] from Winter Chevrolet Elkrove Auto Group through the state of California contract

[40:09] number 1-22-23-23D

[40:14] and authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement.

[40:18] City Council resolution number 7156 approving the purchase of one BMW police

[40:25] motorcycle in the amount of $44,31.91

[40:31] from Long Beach BMW motorcycles through the state of California contract number

[40:37] 1-22-23-30

[40:40] motorcycles ordinance number 1217 renewing title 4 chapter 12 of the

[40:48] Losanis Municipal Code authorizing the funding, acquisition, and use of

[40:52] military equipment pursuant to California Government Code section

[40:57] 7071E.

[41:01] And the items are to be approved as submitted.

[41:06] Okay. Thank you, Lucy. So with that, is there any

[41:10] comments from the public um on any of those items that you would like

[41:18] to make a statement about?

[41:22] Is there anyone online? >> I don't see anybody.

[41:24] » Okay. Now going to the city council. City council, is there any items A

[41:29] through I that you would like to discuss further?

[41:35] » Yes, Mr. Mayor. Okay. >> Like to uh just have a little discussion

[41:39] on item H if I could please. >> Item H.

[41:45] Okay. Anyone else? Um I'm going to ask to I'd like staff to

[41:54] talk a little bit about the a sports complex just the steps

[42:00] we're taking basically. So, uh, since there's no one else, if I could have a

[42:05] motion for approval A, B, C, D, E, G, and I of item six from the city council

[42:12] if I have that motion. Appreciate it. >> Okay. Second.

[42:16] » Second. Okay. We have a motion by Yamis, second by Chavez to approve item six, A,

[42:21] B, C, D, E, G, and I on the consent agenda. Any further questions or

[42:26] comments? Not hearing any. All in favor signify by saying I.

[42:29] » I. >> I. I opposed. eyes have it. Uh, okay.

[42:33] The first item is F. And my question basically, Joe, just uh or William,

[42:41] whoever wants to talk about it, just tell me what's I think the public wants

[42:44] to know what's going on. >> So, uh, we did we did go out to bid for

[42:48] pickle ball lights. Um, we received six bids. There were some irregularities

[42:55] with the three lowest biders. Um, some of them didn't sign some documents. they

[43:00] didn't acknowledge some addendums and then by the time we got to the fourth

[43:04] lowest bidder, it was way beyond what we had budgeted for this project. So, we

[43:09] decided it would be in the best interest of the city to reject the bids, go back

[43:13] out to bid, and hopefully we can get some compliant bids, um, some responsive

[43:18] bids within our budget. >> Okay, that sounds good. And with that,

[43:24] um, I'll entertain a motion to accept 6F unless there's no questions for the

[43:29] council. Can I have that motion, please?

[43:32] » So moved. >> Second.

[43:35] » Okay. Motion by Lewis, second by Chavez to approve item 6F as stated. Any

[43:40] further questions or comments? Not hearing any. All in favor signify by

[43:44] saying I. I. Opposed. Eyes have it. Now we move on to item 6H. Yamas.

[43:52] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, yes. Item H, uh, dealing with the purchase of the BMW

[43:57] police motorcycle. Uh, I just wanted to have a discussion with more information,

[44:02] let the public know what the motorcycles being used, their effect on public

[44:06] safety, and um, I think the the benefits of this purchase.

[44:13] » Absolutely. Uh, council, thank you for those questions. Uh so as you all know

[44:17] the city of Los Banos approved um the startup of a traffic division um this uh

[44:25] last fiscal year. Um so going back in time probably about 2000

[44:30] » Chief I'm sorry. Can you get closer to the mic a little bit? It's why it's get

[44:33] feedback. You get a little closer. >> Okay.

[44:37] Um sorry new setup. So probably going back about 2007.

[44:42] um the police department. That was probably the last time that we had a

[44:45] full-time uh traffic division and then um many things happened since that time

[44:52] and I want to say during that time we were also the recipient of quite a large

[44:56] traffic grant. So a lot of things happened from that time. Um moving

[45:01] forward now uh the city of Losanos um we have seen the benefits of having a

[45:05] full-time traffic division just like other communities. Uh traffic remains

[45:10] probably probably one of our biggest complaints in in our community and in

[45:14] many other communities as well. Um oftent [clears throat] times um

[45:19] communities that don't have a full-time traffic motor unit. traffic enforcement

[45:24] falls upon the patrol officers. And as you know, we can all walk outside and um

[45:31] we can look around and as we see a police car approaching, we're going to

[45:34] see that police car probably before the officer inside sees us because they're

[45:39] very distinctive. Motorcycles are different. Um they get they can get into

[45:43] tight spaces. They can maneuver around traffic. Um they can squeeze places that

[45:50] you can't get a car. They can monitor traffic. They can carry large amounts of

[45:53] equipment. They can do everything uh that a patrol car can do um outside

[45:59] transporting a prisoner and things like that. And so, um we have been able to

[46:04] successfully deploy our three traffic officers in a variety of areas. Uh as

[46:09] you know the police department reports quite routinely on the reduction of

[46:14] traffic collisions that um we are now seeing because of um our enforcement and

[46:20] our education. Um most recently we are using the motors to address some of the

[46:25] traffic concerns around schools. Um and I think there was a thought that perhaps

[46:30] that we just went out there and we just did this. Um, we had some of our motor

[46:35] officers at some of the schools on the PA systems, public address systems

[46:39] notifying uh parents, you can't park there, move along. And we did that um

[46:44] before we started issuing citations at many of the uh sites. And so we just see

[46:49] a a a benefit to having motorcycles. And then lastly, um you know, it's it's it's

[46:55] easy. you look online and you see the comments and the public is starting to

[47:00] notice this and ultimately what we want is we want the public on their own to

[47:06] change their their driving behavior and the outcome that we're looking for is a

[47:12] safer community where we reduce accidents and as I've reported here

[47:16] before um every accident is a life-changing event and so uh our goal

[47:22] is to make the community safe and we use these motorcycles for for that reason.

[47:26] So, two of the motorcycles that we currently have are newer, 24, 25, and

[47:31] one of them is a 2007, so it's quite old. And so, our plan is to uh bring

[47:37] this new motorcycle to replace that one and then move that motorcycle down to

[47:41] either training or in the event one of the bikes is down for maintenance, we

[47:46] have it, we have a spare bike so we can continue operations.

[47:50] Thank you very much to understand the purchases, the intent,

[47:56] and the overall effect it's going to have on our city, our safety,

[47:59] particularly for our children during drop off and pickup. So, I appreciate

[48:03] what you're doing. I appreciate your direction. Uh, and I appreciate the city

[48:06] manager's leadership on this. Um, that's all I have, Mr. Mayor. Thank you.

[48:10] » Thank you. Then, if if there's no more questions, I'll entertain a motion.

[48:15] [clears throat]

[48:18] Move to adopt measure H as read. Yeah. >> A second.

[48:22] » Okay. Motion by Yamis, second by Chavez to approve item 6H.

[48:28] Uh any questions or comments? All in favor signify by saying I.

[48:33] » I. >> Opposed. Eyes have it. Motion carried.

[48:37] Okay. We'll move on to our regular agenda items. And on our regular agenda,

[48:43] the first item is item seven is a discussion and direction of chromium 6

[48:47] treatment engineering report. And with this, we'll go to our public works

[48:51] director, William V. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, city council

[48:55] members, uh, this item tonight is, uh, anformational item and, uh, we're

[49:00] seeking direction on on how to move forward, uh, with the treatment of the

[49:05] chromium 6. I have a ra rather lengthy staff report here. Um we do have our

[49:12] consultant um from Provos and Pritchard Engineering, Kevin Barry Hill, who has a

[49:17] presentation for us tonight that's going to cover most of everything that's in

[49:21] this report. And he's more of an expert on this subject. So if there's any

[49:24] questions, he'd probably be better to answer it than me.

[49:31] » Good evening. Thank you. Yeah, my name is Kevin Barry Hill. I'm a consulting

[49:34] engineer with Provo and Pritchard. uh we recently completed the engineering

[49:38] report looking at different alternatives for the city to mitigate the hexavalent

[49:42] chromium and drinking water and I want to give a brief summary of that report.

[49:47] I'm going to try to present my slides now. See

[49:52] one second

[50:13] Okay. Are you seeing the slides? >> Yes.

[50:16] » Okay. Very good. Um so the the um report addresses the city uh

[50:25] hexavalent chromium drinking water issues. Uh provides a brief description

[50:29] of alternatives that have been covered over the years. It's been many years

[50:32] that this has been uh going on. Uh presents the results of some recent

[50:37] pilot testing that was conducted and then updated costs that are based on

[50:41] those pilot test results. So uh we're able to get a lot closer or more

[50:45] accurate cost estimates put together based on the testing. And before I do

[50:49] that though, I would like to just briefly cover some of the background,

[50:53] provide some context. So, I'll talk just briefly about the chromium 6 regulation,

[50:57] how we got here, uh the source of the contamination to the city, the

[51:02] compliance timeline that you have to look forward to, uh alternatives that

[51:06] have been considered, and then we'll talk about reduction coagulation

[51:08] filtration, which was the treatment process that you're most likely to use

[51:12] at your wells. U with that go and I'll describe some cost estimates and uh some

[51:18] of the next steps that we would take. So the regulation goes back to before

[51:24] 2014. Uh it was first enacted in 2014 with a

[51:28] limit of 10 parts per billion. Uh a judge rescended that in 2017

[51:34] based primarily on the inadequate economic evaluation that was completed

[51:38] by the state and that started a roughly 7-year period of uh limbo where nobody

[51:45] was quite sure what to do where the regulation was going to land. In 2024,

[51:50] the state re again reenacted the same MCL of 10 parts per billion. That's been

[51:54] challenged in the courts since then. Uh but the judge ruled in favor in the

[51:58] state. Uh I believe that it's being appealed, but at this point it looks

[52:01] like it's going to stand. The source of the contamination at the

[52:06] city appears to be entirely naturally occurring. Uh the contamination extends

[52:10] all the way from Los Banos to at least Patterson in Crow's Landing uh with no

[52:15] indications of any kind of man-made source.

[52:17] All 13 of the city's wells are contaminated above the MCL and have to

[52:21] be treated or replaced. Um, this regulation gives the city until

[52:27] October 1st, 2026. That's what's officially written into the regulation.

[52:32] The city based on the severity of the impacts with all 13 of the wells uh over

[52:36] the MCL requested an extension to 2030 which was granted by the state.

[52:43] alternatives that have been looked at over the years have been drilling

[52:46] replacement wells. Um, most of the investigations to date have shown

[52:51] hexavalent chromium contamination extensively throughout the aquifer. Uh,

[52:55] I know the city staff is continuing to look for opportunities to try to find

[52:59] wells without hexavalent chromium and we'll probably continue to do so for

[53:02] some time. Uh, we looked at blending. Uh blending

[53:07] is a a process where you take higher uh wells with higher levels of

[53:12] contamination and you would blend them down with wells with lower levels of

[53:14] contamination. In the city's case, all the wells are over in the MCL, so that

[53:19] really isn't a viable option. Uh consolidation, this this is kind of a

[53:24] check the box item to be eligible for state funding. Uh consolidation has to

[53:28] be considered as an option. And in the case of the city, you know, the closest

[53:33] water system in comparable size would be Merced. Clearly that's not feasible. Uh

[53:37] but like like I said that has to be done in order for the state to be uh

[53:42] potential for state funding to be provided.

[53:44] Uh surface water treatment was considered and you know long term it

[53:49] probably is something that the city's eventually going to have to look forward

[53:51] to uh as you grow. Uh but in the short term uh there are a lot of technological

[53:57] and other challenges associated with it. Uh the city doesn't currently have water

[54:01] rights. uh it would be extremely expensive to

[54:05] implement even in in the context of the groundwater treatment. Uh and it would

[54:09] undoubtedly take beyond the 2030 extended timeline to complete that

[54:13] project. Uh we looked at several types of ion

[54:17] exchange. There's multiple types that are considered for Xavailent chromium.

[54:20] Ion exchanges similar to what you would have in a home water softener.

[54:24] Um reverse osmosis, which is kind of the nuclear option of water treatment. It

[54:29] would definitely take the hexane and the chromium out as well as a lot of other

[54:31] stuff out of the water. Unfortunately, it generates very large volumes of waste

[54:36] on the order of 15 to 20% of the water that's being treated.

[54:40] Uh, zero veilent iron is a very proprietary and innovative technology

[54:44] that was developed. I mention it only because the city hosted a one-year pilot

[54:49] study of this technology at well 14 that was at no cost to the city. It worked,

[54:54] but it was complicated and messy. and the company that uh marketed that has

[54:58] since gone out of business. So all that leads us to reduction coagulation

[55:03] filtration which is the last best option available to the city to get the wells

[55:08] in compliance. Um it's actually a relatively simple

[55:12] process. Hexavalent chromium is completely soluble meaning it's totally

[55:16] dissolved in the water and it can't be filtered out. If we add a chemical to

[55:20] the water called ferrris chloride, we convert that hexavalent chromium into

[55:24] trilent chromium which is insoluble and can be filtered. Um so it's filtered out

[55:31] using either conventional or specialized filters everything from uh you know

[55:35] agriculture irrigation disc system uh sand filter up to membrane filtration.

[55:41] Uh what this diagram shows is after the ferrris chloride is added you have to

[55:45] provide some contact time. So there's generally an empty tank where the water

[55:48] flows through just to provide time for the reaction to take place. You add a

[55:52] little chlorine before it hits the filters. Filters are backwashed

[55:55] periodically and that's really the biggest issue with the process is it

[55:59] does generate backwash waste that then has to be disposed of in some way. In

[56:04] this case, we are recommending that the backwash water be directed to the sewer

[56:08] system.

[56:11] So we recently completed some testing at two of the city's wells using a

[56:15] basically a smallcale version of the uh reduction coordation filtration process.

[56:21] Um it's a relatively new process. There was a lot of progress being made

[56:26] research and utilities looking into this very closely until 2017 when the

[56:31] regulation was rescended. And there really hasn't been a lot of progress

[56:34] since then until now it's starting to ramp up again with more interest in it

[56:39] now that the uh the MCL has come back. So being a new process we really need to

[56:44] do pilot testing make sure it's one it's going to work with the city's wells and

[56:48] then to get a better understanding of uh what a full-scale treatment plant would

[56:52] look like and how much it would cost to operate it.

[56:56] The study was conducted in two phases during October of 2025 and February

[57:00] 2026. uh it was effective. It reduced the

[57:04] chromium 6 to well below the state's limit. Um it did that for several hours

[57:08] before needing to be backwashed, but uh several challenges remain that need to

[57:13] be evaluated and mitigated. There was relatively frequent backwashing of the

[57:18] filters, which translates into additional waste that could probably be

[57:22] optimized. Um we determined that the backwash water

[57:26] was very difficult to handle on site. uh for lack of better terms, I'll call it

[57:30] it was fluffy or bulky, meaning they would have to be pumped out of the tanks

[57:33] frequently. Uh discharge directly in the sewer is recommended.

[57:38] And the chromium levels in the treated water rose when the filters were let

[57:42] they were allowed to rest. They were backwashed and allowed to rest for about

[57:45] 16 hours. When they were started back up, the hex chromium levels rose above

[57:50] what was coming in from the wellwater. Um that is mitigatable. uh they were

[57:54] able to get get by that with a certain amount of flushing during the pilot

[57:58] testing, but the exact amount of flushing in the wasted water that would

[58:01] result still needs to be determined based on the test results. Uh estimating

[58:08] that the cost to treat a well would be between 2.7 and 4.8 million. That's

[58:13] really a function of how large a well we're looking at. Some of the city's

[58:16] wells are smaller, which would be in the 2.7 million range. Some of them are

[58:20] larger, which would land in the 4.8 million range. But the total treat all

[58:24] 13 wells would be around $42 million is the best estimate at this point.

[58:29] Annual operating costs. So this would be kind of in perpetuity. Uh the city would

[58:33] be looking at about one and a4 million for operating costs. That's primarily

[58:38] chemical, but it also includes labor, maintenance, power, and laboratory

[58:42] costs.

[58:46] The proposed next step uh it's proposed that the city construct one treatment

[58:50] plant at this time at well number nine. Well number nine was selected due to

[58:54] logistical uh characteristics. It's located near large sewer and storm drain

[58:59] pipelines. There's plenty of room on the site for the treatment plant. This would

[59:04] kind of be a pilot project. So using that plant, we'd work through the

[59:07] remaining issues identified in the pilot study. uh determine what operational

[59:11] features are required at the remaining treatment plants. So I I guess where I'm

[59:15] going with that is instead of constructing constructing 13 treatment

[59:19] plants without any lessons learned, I think it's in the city's best interest

[59:22] to start out with one. Um and then modifications can be made to the other

[59:26] 12 based on what was learned during the first plant. Um it would establish

[59:31] actual capital and operating costs. These would no longer be estimates but

[59:34] more facts on the ground. And I believe that there's there's a chance that they

[59:39] be improved chances of getting funding from the city when we can go to the city

[59:43] and say this is how much the project's going to cost as opposed to presenting

[59:46] them with, you know, a kind of a vague estimate where we're uncertain about

[59:50] what the project's going to cost. Uh these are just a couple exhibits

[59:55] showing what a couple different treatment plants would look like on the

[59:58] site. They're just different types of filters, well nine. [clears throat]

[1:00:02] Uh, but what it does show is that there's ample space on the site and

[1:00:05] roughly how much of the site would be needed for the treatment plant.

[1:00:10] As I mentioned earlier, there's an 18inch storm drain and a large sanitary

[1:00:14] sewer in front of the site which makes it ideal.

[1:00:18] And with that, I'll answer any questions.

[1:00:24] Council, if I may add a couple thing on there. Uh, Kevin, thank you very much

[1:00:27] for that detailed reports. I mean this is go to shows the complexities of the

[1:00:32] chromiums level within the city. Um this is not something that you know we can go

[1:00:37] to Home Depot and get a filter and put it under our sink right. Um as a public

[1:00:42] agency the responsibility is to provide high quality water but we also have to

[1:00:47] be conscious on the cost impact as well as available resources to be able to

[1:00:50] maintain the system and that's why all of those different testings has to have

[1:00:56] been completed first. Um as Kevin mentioned this process started many many

[1:00:59] many years uh um you know some of the testing required almost a full years of

[1:01:04] of a small scale testing before we can get definite result. This new

[1:01:09] regulations on a chromium six part per billion is not as easy to implement as

[1:01:14] some has making it out to be. I mean just for example the testing of chromium

[1:01:18] alone this is not something that we can just go to a well site and just put a

[1:01:21] dipstick in and say hey there's chromium in the water. No these things actually

[1:01:25] have to be sent to lab. it take 24 hours um for those result to then be returned

[1:01:29] back. So that's why you know it is a very complex because the systems and the

[1:01:33] effluence that produced by these filter systems has to work in the event that it

[1:01:38] doesn't now we now have to consider other things like mixing tank blendings

[1:01:42] and all these other complex mechanisms that now have to be put into our water

[1:01:46] systems. In addition to that like Kevin mentions you know it's a million and a

[1:01:50] quarters in operational cost is massive. um that is a lot uh um for our residents

[1:01:57] and and things to consider. So when we looking at different treatment method

[1:02:01] that is definitely one of the main component because we're not in the

[1:02:04] business of building a capital project and forget about it, right? We we build

[1:02:07] a capital project and it has to be in place for the next 20 30 years. So we

[1:02:11] want to best return on the investments, easy to maintain and that if we do have

[1:02:16] to replace them, it doesn't interrupt the the the current existing system. So

[1:02:20] there's a lot that is worked into this component. Um, concurrently, um, we

[1:02:24] understand that we also have to go after additional funding, right? That that the

[1:02:28] city can't afford to do this all by oursel at $42.5 million. That the

[1:02:32] additional funding has to be in place. Therefore, it's triggers additional

[1:02:36] considerations like surface water consolidations and all these other

[1:02:39] method that we have to be done. So, that's what's really add on to a little

[1:02:43] bit of this timeline. But the nice thing about it is is that we are now at a

[1:02:46] point to where we can make physical improvements at least to have a

[1:02:50] fullscale testing of one of our well site uh well 9ines I believe William

[1:02:54] that's about 1,200500 gallon per minute that's one of 13 that we can use it is

[1:02:59] important for us to do these pilots full scale testing first like Kevin mentioned

[1:03:04] because what's the backwash quality going to look like what happen if the

[1:03:08] system sit overnight over 24 hours what's that water quality going to look

[1:03:11] like when we first prime up the pump or prime

[1:03:14] um the filtration system, will we need a blending systems, right? Will we need a

[1:03:18] storage tank to store some of those effluent before it get distributed to

[1:03:22] the um the main distribution line. So there's a lot of questions and uh um

[1:03:25] that we still want to make sure we are uh um tested um and also understanding

[1:03:30] that that those systems are reliable for the long term.

[1:03:34] One thing that that Kevin kind of mentions, there are technologies out

[1:03:37] there and there there's vendors that contact us on a regular basis about new

[1:03:40] technology, but as a public agency, we can't relize on proprietary technologies

[1:03:45] to where, hey, if I go with one this technology, what happen if I can't buy

[1:03:49] the filtrations anymore? Then now we got 13 wells that are are not operational,

[1:03:54] right? So that's why uh um this systems and this approach is taking some time.

[1:03:59] We appreciate the patience and and more than anything I want to let our resident

[1:04:02] know that that as it stands our water is safe to drink. We do have a compli

[1:04:07] approved compliant plan that is in place with the state water board that allowed

[1:04:11] us a time to actually implement this safely. We're not the only jurisdiction

[1:04:15] that dealing with this problem. In fact, I think we're quite a bit of a pioneer

[1:04:18] in in this systems. There's a lot of different cities that's actually reach

[1:04:22] out to us, how do we solve this problem? Uh um so we're proud to collaborate with

[1:04:26] them. Um but but we are at the front of the pack in term of trying to find the

[1:04:30] best technology available uh um for our water quality. So that's it. Mayor,

[1:04:35] » I I have a question. So when you're back flushing the filters, then the pump goes

[1:04:41] offline. >> Kevin, you want to take that?

[1:04:45] » Yeah, with the filtrous design that we're looking at, which are multiple

[1:04:48] smaller filters. Um they do have the opportunity to continue produce some

[1:04:53] water while you're backwashing one filter. Um, so you we're looking at

[1:04:57] there as many as, you know, four to it could be a couple dozen filter elements.

[1:05:02] Um, the more filters you have, the less water it takes to backwash any one of

[1:05:06] them. And in some cases, if you have enough filters, you can continue pumping

[1:05:10] water out into the distribution system at a slightly reduced rate while you're

[1:05:13] backwashing. >> Oh, I see. Okay. And that's another way

[1:05:17] is to have the tanks also a tank >> to pull from.

[1:05:23] » Okay. Questions from the council? Mayor Pertim.

[1:05:27] » Thank you, Mayor. So, um the presentation tonight gives us an

[1:05:32] estimate cost of all 13 wells and we're looking at uh using well 9ine as a test

[1:05:40] site. What are we looking at it cost uh for

[1:05:44] just that particular well right now? >> Yeah. And I think our current estimate

[1:05:49] is about 4.5 million um for that well because it is a larger well but it also

[1:05:53] one that is most representative because it's pretty much running on the average

[1:05:57] when it comes to the level of chromium 6 and and arsenic in the water.

[1:06:01] » Okay. Thank you >> Mr. Yamus.

[1:06:05] » Yes sir. Thank you Mr. Mayor. I had a question. So there are no other similar

[1:06:10] plants in operation or planned. This would be the first or are there other

[1:06:15] plants like this? operating systems

[1:06:19] » in the city. This would be the first one that would test but but other cities

[1:06:23] unfortunately it's not quite appletoapple when you're looking at

[1:06:27] other city because some city would use what's called a hybrid or a blend

[1:06:31] system. So they would have a centralized system that are are completely different

[1:06:34] than how all waters are set up. So that's not really a good example of it

[1:06:38] and that's why we have to test it on a small scale and now bring it into the uh

[1:06:42] uh um the full scale testing. And even then, kind of like uh uh Kevin alluded

[1:06:46] to, even with this system, with the same technology, reduction um reduction

[1:06:50] coacilations uh uh method, there's different vessel setup. There's a single

[1:06:54] tank uh uh treatment system or it's a multiple dozen smaller vessels set up.

[1:07:00] So, all of those need to be uh um test out first to see what's worked best for

[1:07:04] us. >> Thank you. Now, with the flushing of the

[1:07:11] water into the um public runoff system, will that create additional issues or

[1:07:18] secondary effects that the city's going to have to prepare for?

[1:07:21] » Yes, it does. Um it would be going into our sanitary sewer systems. Um the back

[1:07:25] wall, which will contains heavy metal, chromium 6, because it's getting

[1:07:29] filtered out. Um as well as we introducing ferrroschloride. So, now

[1:07:32] we're introducing irons into the wastewater system as well. So that's why

[1:07:36] it's important for us to do this test because we want to see when we back wash

[1:07:41] the systems testing it at the wastewater treatment plant and see what actually uh

[1:07:45] influence is coming in and how much can then be treated with our current uh

[1:07:49] wastewater treatment system because right now our systems is fairly uh

[1:07:53] primary um it's it's a flocked uh tank. >> Thank you very much. Thank you Mr. Mayor

[1:07:59] » Chavez. >> Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um, so there's an

[1:08:03] appeal you had talked about, but it sounds like it's not they don't think

[1:08:07] it's going to hold up and get overturned. Is there any way or any

[1:08:11] chance in the future that um this gets another extension? I just hate to see us

[1:08:15] spend over $4 million to do this and then it's still not quite proven yet. At

[1:08:20] 1.25 million to maintain, it seems quite expensive, but there's no chance that we

[1:08:25] can hold it off longer to find a proven method. Um from our discussions with the

[1:08:30] state water board they are amendable to an extensions. However they they want to

[1:08:34] make sure that hey all those schedule that we submitted as part of our

[1:08:37] compliant plans get met first which so far we have been meeting those

[1:08:41] compliance plan but understanding that when you do roll up into a full-scale

[1:08:45] testings if there is some unforeseen thing that pops up let's say hey you

[1:08:48] know now we have to deal with uh um an overnight priming situation and need to

[1:08:53] put in holding tank that's going to throw a little wrench in there to where

[1:08:56] additional time is needed. We've been working with the waterboard very closely

[1:09:00] and making sure that they're aware of that.

[1:09:04] » Okay. Thank you. >> So, I think uh we're I think we're on

[1:09:08] the right direction. Uh it's a little bit unknown out there, but we we can

[1:09:14] find our answers. I know it's this city council wants to be able to do this the

[1:09:19] least amount of expense to our residents and to the city. And um so we'll keep on

[1:09:25] doing our pilot program and move forward. Uh is there do you need a

[1:09:30] direction from the city council with this or just move forward or?

[1:09:33] » Yeah, overall if council's okay, we would like to go ahead and proceed with

[1:09:36] this. Ultimately, the construction of this would start sometime in the spring

[1:09:39] uh um of 2027. So we will have our first treatment systems up and live next

[1:09:45] calendar year. >> Okay. Everybody okay with that? Yeah.

[1:09:50] Yeah. Okay. Hey, it sounds like we are going forward and Kevin, thank you for

[1:09:53] the presentation. We appreciate it. >> Thank you for the opportunity.

[1:09:57] » And as if Yes. And anybody from the public would like to speak on this?

[1:10:03] » Yep. Please come forward. We appreciate it.

[1:10:12] » Good evening, Anna McCaulay, local resident. Um, we've had a conditioning

[1:10:18] system from the first time from the first day we got our keys. We didn't

[1:10:21] have the furniture yet, but we we knew that with hard water we needed that and

[1:10:25] we're really fidious about how it's maintained uh [snorts] including filter

[1:10:29] changes every year. Um, we've got a reverse osmosis and we've

[1:10:35] also we always get the water tested at the tank um at the bigger tank. Um, now

[1:10:42] you're saying the water right now is safe to drink, but we still have some

[1:10:46] issues we have to address. So, how much does our conditioning system in the

[1:10:51] house and reverse osmosis help to protect us? I know that, you

[1:10:56] know, you can't go out and and just go to Home Depot and buy the unit and

[1:11:00] expect it's going to take care of the city because the city's going to have

[1:11:04] has deeper issues. So I'm just going on a residential level,

[1:11:09] how does that affect us if we have these systems in our house?

[1:11:14] » I can answer that once you sit down. Thank you, Ann. Uh so

[1:11:20] it's okay to me. Okay. And so reverse osmosis completely eliminates

[1:11:25] uh the chromium 6 and other things out of your water. Uh, one of the things I

[1:11:30] threw around is maybe we could put a reverse osmosis in every home and

[1:11:36] maintain the filters. How would that work? But that is not allowed by the

[1:11:39] state. I uh to me it seems like that would be a better fix because now

[1:11:45] everybody has even better water. But the state doesn't like that. So uh keep

[1:11:50] doing what you're doing is the best thing.

[1:11:54] » You have anything to add? and mayor and as as it relates to water quality, I

[1:11:58] just want to make this clear. The state of California water quality is recently

[1:12:01] changed from 50 part per billion to 10. The rest of the nations US EPA water

[1:12:08] drinking water quality standards is actually a 100 part per billion. So the

[1:12:11] rest of the nations are drinking the waters as actually our water would would

[1:12:14] consider much cleaner than the rest of the nation. So, and that's why you know

[1:12:19] some of these research that is based um that this regulation is based on um are

[1:12:24] fairly old. Um we are um supposedly the office of OEHA are looking at um a new

[1:12:30] study on on on how chromium 6 are affecting uh uh people. Um unfortunately

[1:12:34] when the the water boards um make the decisions for this MCL it was based on

[1:12:39] those older study. >> Okay. Thank you for that. Anyone else

[1:12:44] from the public would like to make a comment?

[1:12:49] Okay, thank you. Thank you for the comments and

[1:12:54] » and uh on Zoom. Is there anybody on Zoom or on the call? Okay, thank you very

[1:12:58] much and uh we will move on. I think you have direction.

[1:13:04] » Is go forward as as recommended in uh in the presentation.

[1:13:11] » Yeah.

[1:13:16] Okay. So, let's see. Item eight is consideration adoption city council

[1:13:20] resolution number 7157 calling and giving notice of the holding of a

[1:13:25] special election on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2027 to fill a vacancy created by the

[1:13:31] resignation of council member Mity Perez as required by the provisions of the

[1:13:37] laws of the state of California relating to general law city and Lasanis is a

[1:13:44] general law city. So with that, we'll turn to our city man city lawyer, Mary

[1:13:51] Kleiner. >> Thank you, mayor and council. Before you

[1:13:54] is a resolution calling a special election to place the district 1 city

[1:13:58] council vacancy on the March 2nd, 2027 general election ballot and

[1:14:03] consolidating the election with the county of Merrced general election for

[1:14:07] that same date. Former District 1 council member Mity Perez, she resigned

[1:14:12] from her council seat effective August 31, 2026. And as a result, a midterm

[1:14:17] vacancy has occurred for the district 1 city council seat. Pursuant to the

[1:14:22] government code, if a city council member vacancy occurs, the city council

[1:14:27] must within 60 days from the date of the vacancy. So here, a decision has to be

[1:14:31] made by October 30, 2026, either fill the vacancy by appointment or by calling

[1:14:36] a special election. which can run concurrent with the

[1:14:39] general election or be subs subsumed by the general election to fill the

[1:14:43] vacancy. However, there are limits to the appointment power. The city council

[1:14:48] cannot fill a vacant seat by appointment if that appointment would result in a

[1:14:51] majority of the city council having been appointed, not elected. In that case,

[1:14:55] the vacancy seat must be filled by election pursuant to law. Currently, we

[1:15:01] have two council members who hold seats by appointment rather than being elected

[1:15:05] to the city council. Since govern the government code

[1:15:09] provides that a majority of council members cannot be appointed, the only

[1:15:13] option currently available to the city council is to fill the vacant one

[1:15:16] district one seat by special election. There are specific legal timing rules

[1:15:21] related to the calling of that election. That election will be held on the next

[1:15:26] regularly established election date not less than 114 days from the call of the

[1:15:31] special election. Based upon the 114day requirement, the next eligible regular

[1:15:36] election date is March 2nd, 2027. Pursuant to the elections code, it

[1:15:41] states the established election dates are as follows. The first Tuesday after

[1:15:45] the first Monday in March of each odd number year. Since the election date is

[1:15:50] March 2nd, 2027, the county registar of voters has indicated that the candidate

[1:15:55] filing period is from November 7, 2026 until December 2nd, 2026.

[1:16:01] A person elected to fill that vacancy would hold office until the general

[1:16:05] election on November 7, 2028. That's the time period between the special election

[1:16:10] and the general election on November 7, 2028. As the unexpired term of the

[1:16:15] former incumbent, the city would be responsible for the cost of that special

[1:16:19] election, which is estimated by the county elections office to be about

[1:16:23] $65,590 plus or minus 10%. And I'm available for

[1:16:28] any questions.

[1:16:32] Okay, before I turn it to the city council, is there anyone from the public

[1:16:37] that would like to speak on this item? Please come forward.

[1:16:45] And I do see anyone anyone online that would like to speak. Okay, no one's

[1:16:49] online. Okay, I'll turn it over to the city council for discussion.

[1:16:55] Anyone like to ask any questions or >> I'd just like to add that, you know,

[1:17:02] it's unfortunate that the situation is this present is not

[1:17:07] anyone's fault. It's just what happened. The individual had to make a decision.

[1:17:11] They made a decision and now we're faced with making our decision. So that's all

[1:17:16] I wanted to state. Thank you. >> I agree with that. Uh our hands are tied

[1:17:22] by state law. This costs a lot. This is gonna cost a

[1:17:26] lot of money. And I just we we need to really encourage

[1:17:32] people to get out and vote. That's we need to do that. And hopefully we have

[1:17:37] quite a few people wanting the seat and but but the big thing is to getting out

[1:17:43] getting out and voting is the main thing cuz the last ele time that district one

[1:17:48] election there wasn't a a big turnout and uh we just can't see that again. I

[1:17:55] know it's not at this city council except to encourage we we're not

[1:17:59] spending any money. We're not we just come back and watch what happens. But we

[1:18:05] can encourage people to vote. Any other comments from the council?

[1:18:10] Okay. So before us, we have resolution number 7157.

[1:18:14] What I'd entertain a motion. >> Yeah. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion

[1:18:19] to approve resolution 7157 as read by title.

[1:18:24] » Second. >> Okay. A motion by Chavez, second by

[1:18:27] Yamis as stated. Any further questions or comments? Mary, anything?

[1:18:32] » No. Okay. All in favor signify by saying I.

[1:18:36] I. Opposed. Eyes have it. Motion carried.

[1:18:39] » Okay. Item nine is consideration adoption of city council resolution

[1:18:43] number 7158 approving purchase agreement with

[1:18:48] Burton's fire apparatus for the purchase of two Rosenbower type 1 fire engines

[1:18:54] and the total amount of $1,839,615.39.

[1:19:00] authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement and approving budget

[1:19:04] amendments in the amount of 1,246,615.39

[1:19:11] in measure P fire funds. And with this, we'll go to our fire chief, Brandon

[1:19:18] Doran Bush. Brandon, >> thank you, Mayor and Council. Yes. Uh,

[1:19:22] tonight we're going to discuss a little bit about two Rosenbower engines that

[1:19:26] have um come up for purchase. As you well know, oops, excuse me. Is our is

[1:19:32] the presentation up?

[1:19:43] » Okay. Is it up there or how do I

[1:19:50] » Is that what it's going to do?

[1:19:55] » Okay.

[1:20:02] While we're at it, mayor, as you can tell, um the new system does take a

[1:20:06] village to run. Um that control panels actually has like four different virtual

[1:20:10] machine that it controls. Um so we're still working on it.

[1:20:16] » Actually, I think we're doing pretty good for the

[1:20:20] » for a new system. [clears throat] >> We're up now.

[1:20:24] » Okay. Okay. So,

[1:20:39] okay. So, the purchase of two new fire engines. Um, as you well know, over the

[1:20:44] last um 15 years or so, our fleet's been aging significantly. And so we had an

[1:20:51] opportunity recently to uh purchase a couple of fire engines at a reduced

[1:20:57] cost. So some of the concerns that we have moving forward were um because of

[1:21:01] our aging apparatus for the increasing repair cost, reduce of liability and

[1:21:07] greater downtime. Let me

[1:21:14] Okay, >> that's okay. No worries. Thank you. So

[1:21:17] some of the challenges that we faced dur uh for aging apparatus were increasing

[1:21:22] um repair costs, reduced reliability, and greater downtimes. And we've been

[1:21:27] noticing this significantly over the last several years since we've been

[1:21:30] running more and more calls. We're upwards around 4,000 calls now uh out of

[1:21:35] two stations. So that's concerning. And just knowing that our apparatus, some of

[1:21:40] our apparatus range from 2004 to 2008 to 2015. And they say on an average you

[1:21:46] should replace your apparatus anywhere from uh 12 to 15 years. Um you can get

[1:21:52] an app you can use an apparatus up to 20 years. It really depends on the usage

[1:21:56] and the stress on that apparatus. Um but most of the time where we're sitting

[1:22:01] currently it's going to be right around 15 to 20 years uh depending on call

[1:22:06] volume. Um go ahead and change it.

[1:22:13] Okay. So the opportunity to p purchase two um type one fire apparatus came

[1:22:18] available about a month ago. We were researching um the opportunity to

[1:22:23] purchase another mini pumper. The 2026 27 budget um allowed us to to um secure

[1:22:31] $510,000 and in the process of researching our

[1:22:36] opportunities to purchase an apparatus currently and for and for us moving

[1:22:41] forward. Um we were presented with um the

[1:22:47] opportunity to purchase two Rosenbower engines, type one engines and delivery

[1:22:51] date would be before November. uh this would avoid long build times and it was

[1:22:56] immediately available. And these are rare opportunities and because they're

[1:23:00] rare opportunities in this case um the dealer was challenged with uh getting

[1:23:07] those in those apparatus um across the border due to tariffs and so they were

[1:23:12] able to u reduce that cost and were able to purchase them at a significant uh

[1:23:18] significantly reduced cost. So

[1:23:23] here's a here's a picture of the Rosenbower. We just went back and we uh

[1:23:27] inspected the Rosenbower engine. Um they are nice. They're a type one engine.

[1:23:31] It's uh 750 gallons. It seats six. This particular engine itself is again ready

[1:23:39] and available and and this is a rare opportunity for us to purchase this

[1:23:44] vehicle at such a significant savings. They're typically run anywhere from

[1:23:48] about 1.2 2 to 1.3 million. This one's just under a million, which saves us

[1:23:54] significant cost in the long run. Um, again, our fleet is aging and the oldest

[1:23:59] one that we have currently is a 2004. And so, this would be our new frontline

[1:24:03] apparatus and we would put our current frontline apparatus in reserve. Okay,

[1:24:11] our investment summary, uh, total project cost is 1.84 million. How do we

[1:24:16] get there? Well, we budgeted funds this year for $510,000.

[1:24:20] We're going to trade in two command vehicles and two engines.

[1:24:24] And then we're going to use measure P fund funding of 1.2 million. So, we get

[1:24:30] to a 1.884 million project cost.

[1:24:37] Investment benefits. Well, improves reliability to ensure that we get to the

[1:24:41] fire scene and we're able to function adequately on the fire scene. uh

[1:24:45] enhances firefighter safety, reduces maintenance cost, and they'll reduce the

[1:24:49] maintenance cost immediately, and supports fleet replacement program. Our

[1:24:54] replacement program uh has been lacking recently, and so I think that these two

[1:24:59] uh fire apparatus are a significant improvement in our fleet uh replacement

[1:25:04] program. It also um solves a couple of problems. We're building a new fire

[1:25:08] station as well. And so for us to be able to place another apparatus in that

[1:25:13] station or its first apparatus in that station, this would be one of them.

[1:25:17] Community benefits, reliable fire protection, reduced apparatus downtimes,

[1:25:21] and improved emergency response. Okay. What we're requesting tonight is

[1:25:26] the approval of purchase agreement, budget amendments, and trade and

[1:25:29] recognition and city managers authorization to purchase. Questions?

[1:25:36] » Okay. Before we open up questions of the city council, I'll ask anyone from the

[1:25:40] public that would like to make a comment on this proposal.

[1:25:49] I do not see anyone. Anyone online?

[1:25:54] Do not see anyone online. >> Okay. No one's on Zoom.

[1:26:00] » So, we'll go back to uh Yeah. So, we'll we'll go Let's see. We'll start with

[1:26:07] top one or the bottom. I >> got the top one.

[1:26:09] » Okay, we'll start with Mayor Prom. >> Thank you, Mayor. Well, I don't have

[1:26:13] questions. Um, it's more of a congratulations comment to our fire

[1:26:18] chief and to our city uh to be able to have this opportunity

[1:26:22] um to purchase these apparatuses at such a discount so that our fire department

[1:26:29] can continue its operations. And I know for a fact that um at least station two

[1:26:35] is on the road practically every day. I I can hear that that uh engine going

[1:26:41] down the highway down the streets. And um when when your product is getting

[1:26:46] older and you may or may not be able to count on it, it it affects our community

[1:26:52] to the safety of our residents. So um congratulations. I'm glad that uh this

[1:26:58] opportunity came up for us and that uh we had the funds available to make these

[1:27:04] purchases for our fire department. Thank you, Mayor.

[1:27:08] » Thank you, Marco Chavez. >> Yeah, congrats. Um station 4, the new

[1:27:14] one, one of these apparatus is going in that one, right?

[1:27:16] » Yes. >> Okay, good. Um my other I guess my other

[1:27:20] comment I should say is hopefully William get the roads fixed so you those

[1:27:23] apparatus will last longer so you won't get premature wear and tear.

[1:27:27] Pressure is on you, Mr. Vai. Hey. Yeah. And uh I just got an oddball question.

[1:27:31] Why is the bumper so big or long in the front?

[1:27:35] » Uh I think that Well, it's really dependent on the uh the department that

[1:27:40] purchases that apparatus. Um this was actually designated to go somewhere

[1:27:45] else. And so this spec was a little bit different than most. It's a 24-in bumper

[1:27:50] when we're typically running an 18inch bumper. So, uh I think it's just

[1:27:54] personal preference. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome.

[1:27:58] » It's probably for the city council right on the bumper in the parades. [laughter]

[1:28:03] » Yus. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, yeah, I think

[1:28:07] that this is very good. It positions the city uh to be able to provide greater uh

[1:28:13] public service uh response, especially as our city is growing. It's there's

[1:28:17] going to be a greater demand on uh your services, fire department services. So

[1:28:21] this positions our city into the future. Uh instead of being uh reactive, we're

[1:28:26] being proactive. So I I think this is a very good step. Thank you very much.

[1:28:29] Chief, >> mayor, real quick, I forget to to we're

[1:28:34] not remiss as well is to also thank Measure P uh uh not measure P oversight

[1:28:39] committee member when this item came to us, they were able to call in a special

[1:28:43] meeting and within a couple day would be available to come in and provide us

[1:28:47] comment and feedback on this right away. Uh, as you can imagine, measure P

[1:28:51] requirement was that the oversight committee need to be able to see this

[1:28:53] first and recommend to you guys. So, they came together on Friday, last week,

[1:28:57] um, review this item, provide some great comment to us, uh, um, and recommending

[1:29:02] to you guys for, uh, for an adoption of, uh, appropriation of of the budget.

[1:29:06] » We definitely appreciate measure P oversight committee commission. Uh

[1:29:11] chief, how much time did we save if you had to order this this uh fire engine?

[1:29:18] » Anywhere from 18 to 24 months. It really depended upon how customized the

[1:29:23] apparatus is and what the demand is for. >> Yeah, that's a lot of time.

[1:29:27] » And for a better price, you never see that either. So that that's really good.

[1:29:31] » Uh and you're you're running a a fire engine that I I did my last time. So

[1:29:37] that tells you you need a new one, [laughter] I tell you. So, okay, that's

[1:29:41] great. So, with that, I'll entertain a motion for the council.

[1:29:45] » Yes, mayor. I'd like to make a motion to adopt um city council resolution 7. Am I

[1:29:52] on the right one? I'm sorry. 7158 as read by title.

[1:29:56] » Second. >> Okay. We have a motion by Lewis, second

[1:29:59] by Yamis for [snorts] resolution number 7158

[1:30:05] as stated. Any further questions or comments? Not hearing any. All in favor

[1:30:10] signify by saying I. >> I.

[1:30:11] » I. >> Opposed? Eyes have it. Thank you. Move

[1:30:15] on. Item 10. Designation of a voting delegate and alternative alternate for

[1:30:20] the 2026 League of California Cities annual conference and expo being held

[1:30:27] September 23 through 25, 2026 in Anaheim, California. And with this uh

[1:30:35] who's going to talk about this? I guess it's you.

[1:30:40] » Lucy, you want to do it? You want me to? [laughter]

[1:30:43] » Okay. Well, council, we do have an annual conference coming up in Anaheims.

[1:30:47] As part of League of California City, it is a great opportunity for council um to

[1:30:52] have a voice over at the conference because at the conference, they do vote

[1:30:56] on visions and policy platform of what the League of California is going to

[1:30:59] lobby in Sacramento for. Um and many times um major uh some of the central

[1:31:05] valley cities are not being represented. Um some of those ideology as well as

[1:31:10] needs for our community need to be heard. Um so having a member from our

[1:31:14] cities representing um the greater central valley would be really

[1:31:17] beneficial for us and on an annual basis we have been I think mayor prom has been

[1:31:21] there many time representing the city as well. Uh um so those are are a great

[1:31:26] benefit to us. Um, as you can imagine, some of those legislative um, directly

[1:31:30] impact Las Vegas, such as, you know, some of the protection that Senator

[1:31:34] Cabierro was able to to to do for us. Some of the direct fundings and earmark

[1:31:37] fund that came from Sacramento. A lot of those are coming from from these

[1:31:41] conference and these sessions. So, with that, I'd like to request for council to

[1:31:44] designate a member um to be a delegate for the city of Laspanis.

[1:31:49] » So, my my first question is who is going to attend?

[1:31:54] Um currently for the two council member would be council member Yamis and mayor

[1:31:58] proemp. Um and then you have a handful of staff. Um but we would highly

[1:32:02] recommend elected official for for this um nominations.

[1:32:08] » Okay. Uh let's see. Mayor Protown, you have a comment or question?

[1:32:13] » No comment. Mayor, I'd like to uh nominate uh council member Giannis to be

[1:32:18] the sorry Yamis, [laughter] wrong name. um to be the um voting

[1:32:25] delegate for the 2026 League of Cities uh conference.

[1:32:31] » Okay. And I will second that motion. Any other motions?

[1:32:37] » Accept the nomination. >> Very well. [laughter]

[1:32:43] » So, uh Okay. And so, all in favor signify by saying I

[1:32:48] » opposed. And do we have a nomination for the alternate?

[1:32:56] » Yeah, I'd like to nominate uh Miss Mayor Prom Deborah Lewis. Is there alternate?

[1:33:02] » Okay. Do we have any other nominations? Okay. Not hearing any. All in favor

[1:33:07] signify by saying I. >> Oh, I need a second on nomination.

[1:33:10] » Oh, yeah. We did get a second. >> Second. We have a second. Second to my

[1:33:14] left. Okay. Okay. So, we have a motion by

[1:33:18] Chavez, second by Yamis for to nominate Deborah Lewis as the alternate to the

[1:33:24] delegate voting delegate for the September 23 25 conference. All in favor

[1:33:31] signify by saying I. >> I.

[1:33:34] » Opposed? Eyes have it. Thank you.

[1:33:39] » Okay. Thank you both for taking those uh nominations.

[1:33:46] And now we will move on to is there let's see is there brief city

[1:33:55] departments reports and we'll we'll start with our community

[1:34:00] and economic development director Stacy Susa Elms.

[1:34:05] » Thank you Mr. Mayor and city council. Uh so today uh we officially went live

[1:34:12] with our new enterprise permitting and licensing system

[1:34:17] um through Tyler Technologies. Uh we're treating this as a soft launch while

[1:34:22] staff works through this transition um and we're refining this process. Uh

[1:34:28] the biggest benefit is that customers can now apply for permits and licenses

[1:34:32] online for the first time. We haven't had uh that capability ever and it makes

[1:34:38] servicing uh that service more convenient and accessible. So folks can

[1:34:44] uh apply online and pay online. Um and we like I said it's a soft launch. Um so

[1:34:52] we are still working through the process and entering in through uh this new

[1:34:57] enterprise and permitting licensing system uh softly. And then I do want to

[1:35:03] report to the council that the planning commission will have three items that

[1:35:07] they will be discussing um at the next planning commission meeting on September

[1:35:12] 9th at 6:00 p.m. The first item is a uh telecommunications facility. It's a 50

[1:35:20] foot tall monopine cellular tower. It'll be located at 1301 West Pico Boulevard.

[1:35:27] This would be behind Hobby Lobby um in the Stone Creek Shopping Center. Uh the

[1:35:32] second item is um a site plan review um for the development services center um

[1:35:40] at 535J Street, so right across the street. Uh this is the renovation and uh

[1:35:45] reuse of the former police annex building. And then the last item is a

[1:35:49] design review study session um for a 6345

[1:35:55] foot commercial building uh located at 1309 West Pacheo Boulevard. So in front

[1:36:01] of Harbor Freight um at the corner of Ortigalita and Pacheo uh West Pacheo

[1:36:06] Boulevard. Um, and it would consist of um either a quick service uh space or

[1:36:13] retail space next to a dental office. Um, and that quick service restaurant or

[1:36:20] retail space would have a drive-thru um capability with it. Um, again, those

[1:36:26] items will be discussed on September 9th at 6 p.m. here in the council chambers.

[1:36:30] And that concludes my report. >> I have a fast question to you. Uh for

[1:36:35] the business license, are you still going to remind the existing businesses

[1:36:40] that they can renew their license? You know, you

[1:36:44] usually send that out in December, whatever.

[1:36:46] » Yes. Um so business licenses now have a rolling expiration. So they each um are

[1:36:53] 365 days from the time that their business license was issued. And so we

[1:36:59] are um notifying businesses as they become due. Uh we send them an invoice.

[1:37:05] Now we will have the capability of sending emails if we have your email on

[1:37:10] file, but we will still be sending out mail invoices for renewals. Um it's just

[1:37:17] now it'll be more convenient. You don't have to come down to city hall or send

[1:37:20] in a check in the mail. You can pay right online.

[1:37:23] » Perfect. Thank you so much, >> Mayor.

[1:37:25] » Oh, Mayor Pim. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh I do have a question.

[1:37:29] So is this uh renewal online just going to be about the license or is there

[1:37:35] going to be other information and materials sent to the business owners um

[1:37:41] in regards to operation >> um for this launch. We want to be

[1:37:47] instructions on how to get onto the civic access portal. So we want to make

[1:37:51] it very much just about the renewal and how to access the renewal. We we will

[1:37:56] not uh we're not anticipating sending out any additional information about

[1:38:00] operations. Um really we want to keep it very simple of the renewal process and

[1:38:06] how to do it step by step. >> Okay. Thank you.

[1:38:09] » Thank you. Okay. We'll [clears throat] go to our finance director, Minnie

[1:38:13] Moreno. Minnie, you're online, I think. Hopefully.

[1:38:18] » Good evening, Mayor Council. Can you hear me?

[1:38:21] » Yes, we can. >> Yay. Okay. So, I just wanted to remind

[1:38:24] the public um and our citizens uh that our campaign is still going. Shop smart,

[1:38:31] support local. Uh keep it keep it up and keep those dollars coming back to Los

[1:38:36] Banos and let's recover some of that leakage that's going elsewhere. And so,

[1:38:41] just reminding them, especially since the shopping um period's going to be

[1:38:45] coming here shortly um towards the end of the year. So, just making sure we

[1:38:49] keep as much as those uh sales tax dollars in in Laspanos that we can. So,

[1:38:54] then we can provide additional services and we can provide more services to our

[1:38:58] community. Um, also letting the community know if they do need a payment

[1:39:04] arrangement for their water, sewer, and storm um or garbage um service that um

[1:39:10] just to contact us and and we're willing to make those arrangements with the

[1:39:14] public um especially with the little bit higher bills that are coming with the

[1:39:18] water usage in the summer with uh landscaping. So, um, we're willing to to

[1:39:24] work with our citizens and making sure that, you know, the payment arrangements

[1:39:28] are available so they can continue to have the their water service. Um, and

[1:39:33] that's it for me. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Vinnie. We'll

[1:39:36] go to parks and recreation, Joe. Joe, >> good evening. Um, so a couple updates on

[1:39:41] ticket sales, registration. Salute to seniors tickets are on sale through

[1:39:44] September 11th. Um, and youth volleyball is also registering. Both of those tend

[1:39:48] to sell out. Um, I also wanted to um let everybody know that we are targeting

[1:39:53] September 8th for a special parks and recreation uh meeting that'll be going

[1:39:57] over quite a few of our larger projects. Um, this morning I uh visited two

[1:40:01] classes um special thank you to Miss Hayworth uh with LBHS and spoke about

[1:40:06] the Pacheco um park grant that um we'll hopefully be uh pursuing. Um I'll speak

[1:40:10] to a couple more classes tomorrow um with Mr. Solace and next week with Miss

[1:40:15] Barcelos. So big thank you to them. I got a nice fat stack of um pretty

[1:40:21] thorough notes from the kids. So, appreciate them.

[1:40:23] » Yeah, they're good for that. Thanks, Joe. Go to human resources. Isabelle

[1:40:27] Carlos. Isabelle. >> Yes. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of

[1:40:30] the city council. Nothing major to report tonight, but we do look forward

[1:40:35] to introducing our new hires um and recognizing our employee of the month

[1:40:40] next meeting. >> Great.

[1:40:41] » Thank you. >> Thank you, Isabelle. Public works.

[1:40:44] William Black. William, >> uh nothing to report. Thank you.

[1:40:48] » Question. >> We have a ask question.

[1:40:51] » Sure. >> Hey, William.

[1:40:52] » Brief. Real brief. >> Brief.

[1:40:54] » Yeah. Hey, just uh the sewer odor here in the downtown area. Is there any plan

[1:40:59] what are the plans to kind of take care of that? What are the thoughts there?

[1:41:02] We're working on the reconnection of of a portion of the flow that goes through

[1:41:06] there. And we're also investigating a uh activated charcoal filter to place in

[1:41:12] the in the manhole as a temporary fix until we can make that new connection.

[1:41:18] » Thank you. >> Okay, we'll go to fire with Chief Dor

[1:41:22] Bush. Chief, >> yeah, we had two new firefighters that

[1:41:26] started this week. It's very exciting for us. I imagine that they will be

[1:41:29] introduced here in the coming weeks. I'd also like to say thank you to those uh

[1:41:34] who help with the fire engine project, especially my team, Dana RS, Captain

[1:41:38] Galikio, and Emily Coleman. Special thanks to the city manager and

[1:41:42] department heads. And I do appreciate and thank you to the measure P committee

[1:41:47] and city council for approval. Thank you. That concludes my report.

[1:41:51] » Thank you, Chief. We'll go to our police department and our chief of police, Ray

[1:41:58] Reo. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Councel. few

[1:42:01] items. Uh we're in the final stages of uh bringing on another lateral police

[1:42:05] officer. When that happens, I promise I'll bring him here to introduce him. Uh

[1:42:09] thank you again for the approval of the BMW motor that's going to go uh to great

[1:42:14] use in our community. Um the staff are working really hard night and day. We

[1:42:18] never close. So, thank you for your support. Have a good evening.

[1:42:22] » Thank you, Chief. We go to our city attorney report. Mary Ler.

[1:42:26] » Uh business as usual, nothing to report. Thank you.

[1:42:29] » Thank you, Mary. City Manager report. Nurenthan.

[1:42:32] » Thank you, Mayor. Um I'll try to keep this brief, but I was um honored and

[1:42:36] privileged to attend the Boys and Girl Clubs uh savers and or SIP and Savers

[1:42:40] over the the weekend um with council member Yamas as well um and continuing

[1:42:45] to talk about investments in our youth um and what the cities are planning to

[1:42:49] do for or some of the activity that we already are doing um and especially

[1:42:53] meeting with the presidents from Boys and Girl Club herself. Um there's a lot

[1:42:57] of great opportunity and partnership that we are looking to work um together

[1:43:00] with them. Um just a couple updates on events um especially for um our audience

[1:43:07] there on the youth side. There are junior warrior basketball starting

[1:43:10] September 14th. There's 3v3 youth basketball tournaments um start

[1:43:14] registering October 17. Uh Iikido is accepting registration as always. Uh kid

[1:43:20] yoga class turn up with Sarah. Um also plenty of volunteer opportunities. So if

[1:43:25] there's anybody youth or any um demographic background want to go and

[1:43:29] volunteer, we have September 19, the fall street fair, blood drive October

[1:43:32] 20, trunk uh trunk or treat October 25th, Halloween fest October 31st with

[1:43:37] Veteran Day parade November 7, breakfast with Santa um also December uh uh 12. Um

[1:43:42] so that's a lot of event for us to cover. Um I hope that our community can

[1:43:46] participate and maybe volunteer and come help us out.

[1:43:49] » Thank you. Thank you. We'll go to our city council members report and we'll

[1:43:54] start with district 2 council member Yamis.

[1:43:57] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. U wanted to address some of the concerns

[1:44:01] from the public. Um I guess u first of all I want to thank uh Mariel with the

[1:44:06] artisans market for your efforts out there. Uh it's always a a nice full

[1:44:09] house, a lot of variety in the vendors. So I appreciate your work and putting

[1:44:13] that together for us. And I also appreciate our uh the director alms for

[1:44:17] facilitating that, working with them to approve the uh permits and inform our uh

[1:44:22] vendors as to the process and requirements from the city. So, thank

[1:44:25] you very much for that. Um yes, I I understand that we need more

[1:44:30] activities for the teens. Um as the city manager mentioned, we attended the Boys

[1:44:34] and Girls Club uh sip and saver event and that's one of the things that they

[1:44:38] they're capitalizing on. Um, there's a lot of opportunities out there for

[1:44:43] recreation as city manager just mentioned. So, it's about getting

[1:44:47] involved and I appreciate uh Mrs. Guzman's uh willingness to come up here

[1:44:51] and talk about those. But, uh, again, it's being involved, getting

[1:44:58] being involved so that way you understand what's out here and then

[1:45:02] providing your input. That's also very important. Um, appreciate the uh reports

[1:45:07] from everyone. um uh specifically on chromium 6. It's a

[1:45:12] it's a big hurdle, a lot of money, and uh I just I'm glad that the city's

[1:45:17] taking again proactive steps to address this issue. Thank you very much.

[1:45:22] » Thank you. And we'll go to district 3, Council Member Chavez.

[1:45:25] » All right. First, I want to say thanks to uh the uh the measure P commission

[1:45:30] for moving fast to be able to, you know, help us get those fire trucks. That's

[1:45:34] much appreciated. Um, I want to also ask the question, um, Jacob, hi. How are we

[1:45:40] doing on traffic and all that stuff, Chief? Are we doing all right there? Is

[1:45:42] that improving? >> So, um,

[1:45:48] I'd say yes, unless you're stuck in that 10-minute window at every school.

[1:45:53] » Yeah. >> Uh, where just everyone is converging at

[1:45:56] one location. U, we're trying to make it as safe as possible. Um, and all of the

[1:46:00] sites, we're addressing a lot of the illegal parking

[1:46:03] » that's going on. Um, so and we're also working with the school district and um

[1:46:09] the principles and their staff. >> All right. You know, we're we're up here

[1:46:13] because the people, you know, they they want answers to things and I know it

[1:46:17] sounds like a broken record. I know trying to beat up on you, William, but I

[1:46:20] get hit up on the road. So, I just keep bringing it up the roads the roads the

[1:46:22] roads because I want people to know that yeah, they're being heard. We know they

[1:46:26] need to get fixed. Um, so yes, that's still we're still working on that. and

[1:46:31] uh the homelessness as far as the one tree uh project is there anywhere they

[1:46:36] where people can go for more information on that near do we have anywhere on the

[1:46:39] website or anything like that because I know that's besides what we got today

[1:46:42] people always ask about that project because it is a lot of a lot of money

[1:46:46] council members I think we post um updates um through our social medias and

[1:46:50] our website oftens in fact I think the last video was just going out a couple

[1:46:54] weeks ago um and I I also while you're bringing up that topic I want to let

[1:46:58] council know if you happen to drive by Gilbert Gonzalez The first unit is on

[1:47:01] site. >> Very good.

[1:47:05] » All right, that's it for me. Thank you. >> Thank you, council member. And now we'll

[1:47:09] go to District 4, Mayor Prom Lewis. >> Thank you, Mayor.

[1:47:15] » And again, I'd like to congratulate our fire chief and our chief of police on

[1:47:19] the new equipment that you're beginning for your staff. Um, safety for our

[1:47:24] community is priority. the community is growing and um we haven't grown quickly

[1:47:30] enough to provide the equipment. So, this is a start. Congratulations.

[1:47:35] Um [clears throat]

[1:47:40] I I want to kind of give a early shout out to uh outgoing Senator Cabinero

[1:47:47] um because she has been very instrumental in uh fund getting funding

[1:47:51] to our community uh for our fire department.

[1:47:56] um re you know helping us with chromium 6 and even some recent money I think

[1:48:02] that's come down from the state of California for um projects. So uh I want

[1:48:08] to thank her and I know you know at the time that um it get gets close to her

[1:48:13] retiring out of this position uh the city will be doing uh something for her.

[1:48:19] But I just kind of wanted to throw that out there because we are getting all of

[1:48:23] this new equipment and um uh she's had a hand in helping helping us here in the

[1:48:29] city uh with funding from the state of California and kind of uh keeping the um

[1:48:34] for lack of words the vultures off of our back regarding chromium 6 uh in

[1:48:40] regards to lawsuits. So congratulations to her for helping us with that uh road

[1:48:45] construction. Uh, I know we have an existing plan. I don't know if that's

[1:48:50] something that we can post on our city website. I know everything gets posted

[1:48:55] on um Facebook, our city Facebook page. Um, and I'm hoping I'm going to throw

[1:49:01] this in along with that that somewhere in the near future uh that we're going

[1:49:06] to fund um getting our new website page set up so that we're not just putting

[1:49:13] everything on social media, but also on our website for people who do not engage

[1:49:18] in social media so that they can keep up with what's going on in the city. But we

[1:49:22] do have a plan in place for all the street uh remodels and uh resurfacing I

[1:49:30] think for the next what 2 three years. Um and that was done I think it was in

[1:49:38] 2024 when we approved that. So I I know there's

[1:49:45] a lot of people that are impatient. I I hit those ragged roads myself and I'm

[1:49:50] finding myself going around through surface streets trying to avoid a lot of

[1:49:54] that, but um it it seems like most of our roads in Los Banos need to be

[1:49:59] repaired. So um I want to thank our our staff for being on top of this and

[1:50:05] moving forward with the plan um as we've set forth and it's coming. It's it's

[1:50:11] going to take a little while, but it's coming to our residents. Um,

[1:50:17] and lastly, I I know that parents are anxious for more uh recreational things

[1:50:24] for their children here in Los Banos. It takes a lot of money to do that. But

[1:50:30] this is the other side of the coin that I want to, you know, kind of put out

[1:50:33] there to parents. Know where your children are. Know where your children

[1:50:38] are and know what they're doing. That's a parental responsibility.

[1:50:43] And so, um, we as a city can't be parents to your children. That's your

[1:50:49] responsibility. But we can provide as much as we possibly can financially

[1:50:54] within budget uh to give our community and our children as um decent

[1:51:01] recreation. I I think we do a pretty good job. It may not be all of what

[1:51:06] every parent wants. And I know that we've had for quite some time when Mayor

[1:51:11] Amabil was mayor before a proposal for an aquatic center. Uh but we are working

[1:51:17] on it. It's my hope that this council will move forward and not let it fall in

[1:51:22] a hole somewhere uh as we've done in the past. We've spent a lot of money on uh

[1:51:29] bringing in designers and uh people who kind of plan out what our downtown is

[1:51:36] supposed to look like, what the rail trail was supposed to look like, and all

[1:51:39] of that kind of went to the wayside. But we're in a new phase now, and I have

[1:51:44] hope and faith in our staff that we're going to move forward. Uh we are trying

[1:51:51] to apply for grants to help us with these projects uh as as they come to us.

[1:51:56] Uh we've got a lot of things to do. We've got Colorado Park that needs to be

[1:52:01] remodeled and um I'm really looking forward to that and it's it's going to

[1:52:05] be done in a phase uh portion. So, um, yes, we're working on it. And again,

[1:52:13] it's my hope that with the administrative staff we have in the city

[1:52:18] of Los Banos, we we've kind of proven ourselves in the past year that certain

[1:52:24] things are important to us, our staff and their equipment and all that goes

[1:52:28] with that. So, the residents and their families are not left out. But again,

[1:52:33] parents, please know where your children are and know what they're doing. Thank

[1:52:38] you, mayor. >> Thank you, Mayor Prom. And let's see.

[1:52:41] Last week we had MCAG meeting, Merced County Association of Governments, and

[1:52:46] uh we talked about a couple of things. Uh I just on September 19th, they'll be

[1:52:53] holding a hazardous waste collection um at the fairgrounds and that's where

[1:53:00] you can dispose of oils and paints and batteries and that'll be from 8 to 12.

[1:53:05] Uh we also discussed uh we didn't take any action but we discussed about

[1:53:09] transportation and the bus system. Um so in the past uh transportation the way

[1:53:16] they made their model is they want to try to service every area of the city

[1:53:22] and every route that should be serviced. And I know a lot of you've seen buses go

[1:53:26] by with no one on it. And so that's so we're looking at a different approach to

[1:53:32] maybe less uh routes but more people and and trying

[1:53:38] to fit those uh those bus stops in an area where it's more convenient for

[1:53:43] people to get to. Now we're not trying to lower or make it harder for anybody

[1:53:47] to ride, but we're just looking at the whole thing. And like I said, no uh

[1:53:52] decision was made, but that's one of the alternatives we're looking at is trying

[1:53:56] to get more people on the bus to travel more often, and that will actually allow

[1:54:03] us to be uh lower costs and things like that, too. So, that's some of the things

[1:54:07] we talked about. Also just remind the city council and staff that in Atwater

[1:54:13] in October, Atwater will host the city county meeting in [snorts] Atwater. in

[1:54:19] LFCco, we had um our annexation of our storm water basin and that was approved

[1:54:28] and Stacy did a good job discussing it with the staff and with the board and um

[1:54:34] so that is now within the city limits and moving forward. Uh last week we also

[1:54:40] had uh uh a West Light Energy public meeting at

[1:54:47] the community center and council member Chavez and myself attended that and they

[1:54:52] talked about rebates available. A lot of new rebates available for people that

[1:54:57] want to try to save money on purchasing uh electrical products, new water

[1:55:02] heaters, new HVAC systems. And also they talked about how to save energy in your

[1:55:07] home and uh and how to understand your bill because that sometimes can be

[1:55:14] pretty pretty hard to understand by looking all those lines because and also

[1:55:20] to welcome everybody to introduce West Light Energy which used to be peninsula

[1:55:25] clean energy and the reason why we changed the name is because they're they

[1:55:30] you started off pretty much as the peninsula serving that area. Now, of

[1:55:35] course, they're all the way down here in Las Banis. And unfortunately, we're not

[1:55:39] on the peninsula, so so they changed the name.

[1:55:42] » Yes, >> was also there.

[1:55:45] » Oh, I was on the other side. >> Oh, okay. Mr. Yamas, thank you. And I

[1:55:49] know we also had the alleyway discussion and you were big part of that, too. Uh,

[1:55:53] that William put together. That was really good because we're paving our

[1:55:58] alleys and uh and so we wanted public input on on what

[1:56:05] was going to take place. A lot of good questions and uh what's planned.

[1:56:11] Transparency and communication is what it's all about. And that's really all I

[1:56:16] have in front of me. So, is there anything else any council member want to

[1:56:21] add? Okay. I appreciate everybody that spoke in the public uh hearing and not

[1:56:26] the hearing public forum and during the meeting. We appreciate all your comments

[1:56:31] and uh appreciate everyone being here in the council chambers this evening and

[1:56:35] online. So we will see you soon. This meeting is adjourned.

City of Los Banos California, City Council Meeting, September 2, 2026

Transcript