City Council Meeting

CITY OF LOS BANOS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2025 ACTION MINUTES – These minutes are prepared to depict action taken for agenda items presented to the City Council. For a detailed account of this meeting, refer to the video recording available on YouTube, which serves as a permanent record. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Amabile called the City Council Meeting to order at the hour of 6:02 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Police Chief Reyna led the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL – MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL PRESENT: Council Members Mitzy Perez – District 1, Evan Sanders – District 2, Marcus Chavez – District 3, Deborah Lewis – District 4, Mayor Michael Amabile STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: City Manager Than, City Attorney Vaughn, City Clerk/Human Resources Director Mallonee, City Treasurer Lawrence, Community & Economic Development Director Souza Elms, Police Chief Reyna, Public Works Director Via, Fire Chief Tualla, Finance Director Moreno CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Lewis, seconded by Chavez to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. PRESENTATION – CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION – EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER 2025 – ROSEMARIE SOUTO, ACCOUNTANT II, FINANCE DEPARTMENT. Mayor Amabile presented the certificate to Rosemarie Souto and Finance Director Moreno accepted on her behalf. PRESENTATION – PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF CITY OF LOS BANOS CITY ATTORNEY WILLIAM A. VAUGHN. Mayor Amabile and the City Council presented the proclamation to William A. Vaughn, City Attorney, who was in attendance to accept. City Attorney William A. “Bill” Vaughn was recognized for more than 22 years of dedicated service to the City of Los Banos. Mayor Amabile reflected on Mr. Vaughn’s long tenure, noting his vital role in keeping the city on track legally and operationally, and presented a proclamation honoring his service from May 21, 2003, through his upcoming retirement on December 15, 2025. Mayor Amabile commended Mr. Vaughn for his dedication and loyalty, congratulated him on his retirement, and presented him with a retirement watch on behalf of the City Council and the residents of Los Banos. Council Member Chavez expressed appreciation for Mr. Vaughn’s work and remarked on the pleasure of working with him, adding humorously that although an attempt was made to secure a Rolex for his retirement, it was not approved. Council Member Lewis shared memories of serving on the Planning Commission when Mr. Vaughn first began as City Attorney, noting the transition and thanking him for his years of service. She wished him well in retirement, encouraging him to enjoy time with his children and grandchildren. Council Member Sanders stated that although they had not been with the city long, it had been wonderful working with Mr. Vaughn. He commented that Mr. Vaughn was the best City Attorney they had ever worked with, expressing gratitude for his guidance, support, and mentorship. Mr. Vaughn thanked Mayor Amabile, Council, and staff for their kind words. He reflected on how quickly the past 23 years have gone, recalling his early days working with the Planning Commission. He shared that serving as City Attorney has been the highlight of his professional career and stated that what he will miss most is the daily interaction with staff, though he joked that he will not miss the Wednesday night meetings. He concluded by expressing hope that he has made the city proud. Mayor Amabile noted at the close of the presentation that Mr. Vaughn is retiring from his city position but will continue operating his private law practice across the street should anyone need legal services. PUBLIC FORUM: MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON ANY ITEM OF PUBLIC INTEREST THAT IS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY; INCLUDES AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO A FIVE (5) MINUTE PRESENTATION. DETAILED GUIDELINES ARE POSTED ON THE COUNCIL CHAMBER INFORMATIONAL TABLE. Mayor Amabile opened the public forum. ANIAS BROWN spoke regarding his efforts to assist people throughout the city, including the homeless. He stated he has provided clothing and food and is working with local churches to obtain grills, cables, and other items for use at the encampments. He noted he heard some grills had been removed and explained that he is working on securing generators, as many tents are too thin and tarps provide little protection from the cold. He is also working with Mid Valley Disposal to obtain mattresses for those who lack adequate bedding and stated that floodlights are needed because the area is dark at night. He said he does this work out of the kindness of his heart and has contacted the National Guard to request rations. He is working with Chief Tualla, acknowledging the department’s staffing challenges, as well as with the Merced Fire Department and their food drive. He emphasized that human life is more important than any penal code restrictions and stated that showers, restrooms, plastic bins, and tubs are needed at the encampment. JERRY GIESEL, a Los Banos resident of 44 years, spoke on behalf of the Los Banos Elks Lodge and expressed appreciation for work completed by the City’s Streets crew. He thanked Ozzy, Jason, Ron, and Israel for a job well done and for following up on a sidewalk repair near the lodge. An UNNAMED PERSON spoke about community efforts to get every shelter pet “home for Christmas.” She thanked Public Works for allowing a flyer to be posted and thanked the City Police Chief for the department’s work on an upcoming special event. She shared that she has volunteered for many years and that helping residents access spay/neuter services is very rewarding. She encouraged the Council and staff to attend the event and see the community support firsthand, noting that life can change on a dime. City Clerk Mallonee read a written statement from MIGUEL ALEJANDRE requesting that the City establish quarterly public reports on both the homeless encampment and the One Tree Project. He stated that residents want consistent updates on how the encampment is being managed, how many individuals are being served or have exited the program, plans to improve safety and well-being, and any challenges staff are facing. Regarding the One Tree Project, he requested updates on construction progress, clear communication on the placement process for unhoused individuals, and information on whether a selection or scoring system will be used to ensure fairness. He emphasized the importance of transparency, noting past concerns in other city processes and stating that residents deserve clear information on decisions and outcomes. He expressed his willingness to help inform the public and stated that quarterly reports would support community trust. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA. Motion by Chavez, seconded by Sanders to approve the consent agenda items as follows: Check Register for #254915 – #255134 in the Amount of $4,336,353,73; City Council Resolution No. 7022 – Rejecting the Bids for the Water Meter Replacement Project; City Council Resolution No. 7023 – Accepting the Meadowlands Wet Well Replacement and Bypass Project as Complete and Authorizing the Filing of a Notice of Completion with the Merced County Recorder (Rolfe Construction, Inc.); City Council Resolution No. 7024 – Authorizing a Lease Agreement Between the City of Los Banos and Fernando Escobedo dba Escobedo and Sons, for the Purpose of Leasing Agricultural Parcel APN# 454-0200-001, Amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget by Increasing Revenue in the Amount of $7,500, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Lease and All Related Documents; City Council Resolution No. 7025 – Approving and Adopting Final Tract Map No. 2021-01 Quail Meadows Villages at Stonecreek V Phase 3, Unit 4 (Anderson Homes); City Council Resolution No. 7026 – Accepting the Transportation Development Act Funds Financial Statement for the Years Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 as prepared by Price Paige & Company, Merced County Associations of Government’s (MCAG) Auditor; City Council Resolution No. 7027 – Accepting the Transportation Development Act Funds Financial Statement for the Years Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 as prepared by Price Paige & Company, Merced County Associations of Government’s (MCAG) Auditors; City Council Resolution No. 7028 – Authorizing a One-Year Facility Use Agreement Between the City of Los Banos and Los Banos American Little League for the Use of Colorado Ballpark in the Amount of $3,387 for the 2026 Little League Season. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. PUBLIC HEARING – TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT AND CONSIDERATION OF GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT #2022-02, FINAL DEVELOPMENT #2022-02, AND AN ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUSLY CERTIFIED VILLA BURANO AREA PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH #2006011135) FOR THE NORTHPOINTE AT REGENCY PARK PROJECT; CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 7029 – ADOPTING AN ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUSLY CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH #200611135) FOR THE VILLA BURANO AREA PLAN RELATED TO THE NORTHPOINTE AT REGENCY PARK PROJECT; CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 7030 – APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT #2022-02 AND ZONE CHANGE #2022-02 FOR THE NORTHPOINTE AT REGENCY PARK LOCATED ON ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBERS: 424-010-002, 005 AND 006; CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 7031 – APPROVING FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN #2022-02 FOR NORTHPOINTE AT REGENCY PARK; CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 7032 – APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUEE A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR SEWER MAIN REPLACEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LOS BANOS AND STONEFIELD HOME, INC. Community & Economic Development Director Souza Elms presented the staff report which included a PowerPoint presentation. Mayor Amabile opened the public hearing. JEFF ROBERTS, speaking on behalf of the developer, thanked staff for their excellent presentation and stated that the applicant concurs with staff’s recommendation and the Planning Commission’s unanimous approval. He referenced the EIR addendum, the rezone, the final development plan, and noted that the reimbursement agreement will allow for efficient delivery of sewer line improvements. He added that the project will allow for many homes and a fire station and said he was happy to answer any questions. An UNNAMED PERSON commented that while the project includes a large number of homes, the City should also consider offering land for future school sites. BLANCHE JORGE stated that the project is beautiful, complete, and well thought out, and encouraged the developer to push for amenities that support pets, such as catios, cat walk-arounds, running rails, and garage access features for heavy pet-food storage, noting these additions would help the subdivision stand out in Los Banos. MATTHEW ROGERS of Benchmark Engineering thanked Stacy and her staff for their hard work and said they were happy to reach this stage and hope to begin building homes soon. He described the project as a strong infill development that improves circulation and utilities and provides many amenities. He also stated that Stonefield Homes is in discussions with the school district regarding a school site in the area, and that the homes and nearby walkways are pet friendly. Another UNNAMED PERSON asked whether the proposed fire station location is in addition to or a replacement for the previously discussed station, and whether street widths will allow emergency vehicles to pass when cars are parked. With no one else coming forward and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Amabile began by addressing questions about schools, noting that building schools in the state has historically been challenging. In the early 2000s, he facilitated a voluntary agreement among local developers and the Los Banos Unified School District (LBUSD) to raise fees above state requirements to support school funding. Land for Pacheco High School and Merced College was donated by developers, and he emphasized that all new development must enhance the community rather than overburden it. He also noted that the City updates its Housing Element every eight years, and failure to comply could allow the state to control housing development. The City is currently in preliminary discussions with LBUSD regarding a new school site and planning for potential future school sites over the next 20 years. Chief Tualla confirmed that the East Side Fire Station will be located on the designated site rather than the originally proposed water tank site. Community & Economic Development Director Souza Elms added that the West Side Fire Station will house the Emergency Operations Center. Streets in the development will be four feet wider than previous standards, making them larger than streets near Target, and the land originally proposed for a fire station remains city-owned for potential future use. One acre is sufficient for Station 3, and while Station 4 on the West Side is the immediate priority, once it is completed, attention will shift to Station 3. Station 4 will also free up resources from Station 1, improving overall response times. The fire station site will be dedicated to the City prior to the first final map being recorded, though ownership will not transfer until streets and infrastructure are complete, and the City will be responsible for building the station. Council members raised questions about traffic, particularly the Dove and 165 interchange and the future Vineyard connection, which could create a default north bypass. Ms. Souza Elms noted that traffic studies indicated the level of service would remain acceptable within General Plan parameters. Ward Road was also a concern for speeding, and traffic calming measures, including bulb-outs and potential speed cushions, are planned as part of the development. The discussion then turned to housing density and lot sizes. Medium-density lots will have smaller lots and houses compared to low-density, designed for lower-cost or starter homes. House sizes on medium-density lots range from approximately 1,000 to 2,700 square feet, while larger homes up to 3,300 square feet will be on low-density lots. Council members noted the need to revisit zoning code definitions for medium-density development, particularly regarding lot spacing and parking. Recreational amenities were also discussed. Council expressed support for the trail along the Canal, and plans are being considered to extend it past Pacheco High School and connect it to the Ag Sports Complex, ultimately creating a looped system. Regarding pets, homes are designed to be pet-friendly, offering options such as no carpet, energy-efficient designs, pet doors, and the potential for catwalks. The Developer is open to working with buyers to accommodate additional pet-related amenities. Finally, infrastructure was addressed. All necessary utilities, including water, sewer, and storm drainage, are in place and capable of supporting the development. Planned improvements, such as upgraded trunk lines and new stormwater basins, ensure adequate capacity. Mayor Amabile concluded by emphasizing the importance of a growth management system, which will be reintroduced to ensure development aligns with city services, maintains community health, and attracts businesses and jobs. Overall, the project was presented as a well-planned development that balances new growth with the needs of existing residents. Motion by Sanders, seconded by Chavez to adopt City Council Resolution No. 7029 – Adopting an Addendum to the Previously Certified Environmental Impact Report (SCH#200611135) for the Villa Burano Area Plan Related to the Northpointe at Regency Park Project. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. Motion by Sanders, seconded by Perez to adopt City Council Resolution No. 7030 – Approving General Plan Amendment #2022-02 and Zone Change #2022-02 for Northpointe at Regency Park Located on Assessor’s Parcel Numbers: 424-010-002, 005 and 006. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. Motion by Sanders, seconded by Chavez to adopt City Council Resolution No. 7031 – Approving Final Development Plan #2022-02 for Northpointe at Regency Park. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. Motion by Sanders, seconded by Perez to adopt City Council Resolution No. 7032 – Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Reimbursement Agreement for Sewer Main Replacement Between the City of Los Banos and Stonefield Home, Inc. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. CONSIDERATION OF EMERGENCY SHELTER OPTIONS. Community & Economic Development Director Souza Elms presented the staff report and introduced Housing Program Manager McCammond, who provided a detailed presentation, including a PowerPoint. City Manager Than emphasized that addressing homelessness is a complex task and that the missing link in Los Banos is permanent shelter, noting that this topic will be brought back for further discussion. City Clerk Mallonee read a letter from the public, and Mayor Amabile invited community members to speak. BLANCHE JORGE, representing the downtown area and the Livingroom, expressed concerns about the concentration of shelters in the downtown area, noting that retail spaces are already difficult to fill and the area has reached maximum density. She suggested exploring alternatives, such as Tracy, California, where shelters are located near a water treatment plant with busing provided, keeping shelters away from amenities. She stressed that repeatedly impacting the downtown could harm the town and emphasized that homeless individuals with pets should also be considered in planning. Mayor Amabile invited the public to come forward and speak. KATHY BALLARD asked about long-term hotel residents and whether they would be displaced to tents if the hotel were repurposed. An UNAMED PERSON raised questions about transparency and requested data on bridge home occupancy, turnover rates, and space availability to demonstrate program effectiveness. The speaker also expressed concerns about clustering residential shelters and emphasized the need for centralized, well-managed options like a tiny shelter village or a motel. Council Member Lewis spoke about the city’s emergency interim shelter needs, noting that the tiny home shelter village is the best option. She highlighted the availability of CDBG funds to support the project and noted that rehabbing a hotel has many unknowns while HomeKey funds are unavailable. Purchasing residential homes would reduce housing stock. She suggested city-owned property near One Tree as a suitable site for consolidating services. Council Member Lewis described her visit to tiny homes at LCC, praising their fire safety and efficiency, and noted that tiny homes are more cost-effective and faster to implement than rehabbing hotels. Ms. McCammond explained that CDBG funding has been released and that the motel option is less viable due to relocation requirements. Council Member Lewis added that San Jose has successfully implemented tiny home shelters as an affordable and rapid solution. Council Member Chavez asked about occupancy per home, and Ms. McCammond confirmed approximately 10 residents per home. Finance Director Moreno addressed tax implications, noting that property taxes, CFDs for police and fire, and LLD assessments would be lost at roughly $5,000 per home. She also noted that displacing motel residents could increase homelessness and that TOT revenue would be lost if hotels were repurposed. City Manager Than noted that property availability limits location options. Council Member Sanders asked about project timelines, and Ms. McCammond explained that CDBG funding was delayed until February, with an estimated 18-month completion for the tiny shelter village. Refurbishing a motel may take longer. Interim measures and phased implementation are possible, and early work demonstrates readiness for grants, including issuing RFQs for developers. Council Member Sanders also asked about CDBG funding, and Ms. McCammond explained that the maximum application is $3.6 million, covering construction and program costs, but costs incurred before the award date cannot be reimbursed, and funds cannot supplant existing services. Council Member Chavez asked whether motels are currently used for emergency shelter, and Ms. McCammond confirmed that they are, primarily for families with minors. The tiny shelter village option provides more flexibility. Council Member Perez supported the tiny shelter village for its centralized services, easier case management, and scalability, with Ms. McCammond noting that PLHA dollars could support expansion as needed. Mayor Amabile emphasized that Phase 1 addressing encampments must move forward, stating that the tiny shelter village is the best option for CDBG reimbursement and that site selection needs to happen promptly. Council Member Sanders suggested presenting the tiny homes project with and without CDBG funding to clarify city costs. The city council reached a consensus to move forward with the tiny shelter village as the preferred emergency shelter option, with phased implementation and future site selection to be addressed in subsequent meetings. CANCELLATION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026 DUE TO THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON. Motion by Chavez, seconded by Sanders to cancel the Regular City Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2026 due to the Christmas holiday season. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS. Community & Economic Development. Director Souza Elms began her report by providing public hearing notices for upcoming Planning Commission meetings. She noted that the first meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 10th, at 6 p.m., with two items on the agenda. The first item involves the demolition and rehabilitation of an existing car wash at 1015 East Pacheco, located next to Marion Santos’ Chevron on 10th Street, across from El Grullense’s restaurant. The second item is the Villages VI subdivision, which consists of 30 units within a small pocket of the Stone Creek subdivision off Cardoza Road. Ms. Souza Elms also announced a special Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, December 11th, at 6 p.m. to consider the San Luis Estates project, which includes 96 units located just south of Los Banos Junior High, between Miller and the extension of Place Road. She highlighted that this special meeting is being held due to a conflict of interest and a commissioner recusal that prevented a quorum at the regular meeting. Ms. Souza Elms concluded her report by sharing the grand openings of two new local businesses: Ono Hawaiian Barbecue on Friday, December 5th at 11 a.m., located at 1443 West Pacheco Boulevard next to Dutch Bros in the same shopping center as Target, and Retro Rewind, a family entertainment arcade at 537 I Street downtown, opening Saturday at 10 a.m. Finance. Director Moreno had no report. Fire. Fire Chief Tualla began his report with upcoming community events. He noted that the city’s parade will take place on Saturday, and the Fire department looks forward to hosting attendees. Chief Tualla also highlighted the “Santa on the Engine” program, scheduled for December 17th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd, which will make multiple neighborhood stops, including various parks, with details available on the department’s social media and through distributed flyers. He shared that on December 15th at 10 a.m. at Fire Station 1, there will be a swearing-in and badge-pinning ceremony for new employees, promotions, and newly filled Battalion Chief positions, emphasizing that this will strengthen management and oversight of personnel. Chief Tualla also provided an update on the EMR transition with the county ambulance service, noting that coordination with police, dispatch, and city staff has been strong and that the new provider is expected to successfully take over services in the county. Human Resources. Director Mallonee reported that three new employees have joined the city: Jesse Spangler as a part-time Maintenance Worker at the Community Center, Zachary Zuspin as a Police Officer, and Carlos Pena as a part-time Maintenance Worker in the Fleet Division. She also noted that five current employees have received promotions or classification changes: Martin Defranco to Utilities Maintenance I, Gabriel Cervantes as an Environmental Control Specialist Trainee, Brian Thompson as a new Battalion Chief, Juan Ramirez promoted to Fire Captain, and Vincent Rizzo promoted to Fire Engineer. Ms. Mallonee stated that the city is in the process of hiring at least 12 more employees by the end of the month and is currently recruiting for positions including Community Services Officer, Custodian, Lateral Police Officer, Legal Assistant, Public Safety Dispatcher, and Volunteer Firefighters. She encouraged interested individuals to visit the city’s website or contact HR at City Hall for more information and reminded everyone that the Los Banos City Council will host its 29th annual Holiday Open House at the next meeting on December 17th. Parks & Recreation. Director Heim reported on upcoming events, highlighting the Breakfast with Santa scheduled for December 13th, with tickets now on sale. He reminded everyone that the Christmas parade will take place the Saturday prior, and attendees are encouraged to stay for the tree lighting ceremony at the plaza, which traditionally follows the parade. Mr. Heim also noted that two new shade structures have recently been installed, one at the Ag Complex and another at Shaunessey Park. He mentioned that Shaunessey Park will open soon once the concrete work under the shade structure is completed and the playground certification is finalized. He concluded by introducing the upcoming “Cocoa with Popo” event hosted by the fire and police departments. Police. Chief Reyna provided an update on several community programs and events. He highlighted the return of the Snip Bus, a mobile spay and neuter service, which has signed up approximately 75 low-income residents for free animal services on December 8th and 9th, with all slots already filled. He noted that the program, funded by the City Council this fiscal year, has been very successful and is planned to return in 2026. Chief Reyna also reported on collaboration with the National Child Safety Council, which raises funds to provide free educational materials for children, including child safety books and information on dialing 911. Through this partnership and local business support, approximately $2,400 was raised to purchase a new Safety Pup outfit, which will be featured at the Hot Cocoa with Popo event at Henry Miller Plaza from 5 to 9 p.m., with attendees encouraged to dress warmly. Chief Reyna also mentioned that Zachary Zuspin recently joined the department as a Lateral Police Officer and that a public swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing programs such as Shop with a Cop, which involves about 60 local children in a shopping spree coordinated with the school district, and Cops for Kids, among other community events, emphasizing the department’s commitment to public engagement and youth outreach. Public Works. Director Via provided a brief update to Mayor Amabile and Council. He announced that a new City Engineer, James Cozad, will be starting on December 16th, and he will attend the December 17th meeting to be introduced to the council. Cozad previously served as acting Public Works Director and Acting City Engineer for a consultant over the past three years. Mr. Via noted that this hire will help fill a vacancy and ease his workload. He also reported that Juan Lopez, currently an ECM trainee, has passed the test for wastewater treatment plant operator and has applied for state certification. Once certified, the plant will have two certified operators. Additionally, Gabriel, who has moved from Utilities to an ECM trainee role, will need to complete his required hours and pass his certification test. Mr. Via concluded that the department is making progress on staffing and operational capacity. CITY MANAGER REPORT. City Manager Than stated that he was asked not to give a report that evening, but he thanked the staff for their work. He gave a special shout-out to the Human Resources department, noting that although the team is small, they are very effective. He recognized the added workload from new levels of service and additional staff positions and thanked Lucy Mallonee for her efforts in managing HR. Mr. Than emphasized that the HR team’s work now allows the city to build capacity and successfully deliver many of the projects currently underway. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: MARCUS CHAVEZ – DISTRICT 3: Emphasized that people in the community need help and encouraged everyone to donate to local food banks. He noted that the city has plans to work on the roads, mentioning a recent incident with a busted tire on the highway caused by potholes. He expressed his excitement about upcoming community events, including the Christmas parade and Cocoa with the Popo. MARCOS CHAVEZ concluded by thanking MR. VAUGHN for his service and all that he has done for the community. DEBORAH LEWIS – DISTRICT 4: Emphasized the importance of community donations and thanked the Police Department for their continued efforts in supporting those in need. She requested that city staff provide Council Members with directions and details for the upcoming Christmas parade. Council Member Lewis also addressed design standards, expressing a desire to see video renderings of projects rather than just paper plans, so the community can better understand what will be coming to their neighborhoods. Additionally, she suggested that when new developments are being built, essential amenities and infrastructure should be established incrementally as homes are completed, rather than waiting until the entire project is finished, to ensure residents have necessary services in place. MITZY PEREZ – DISTRICT 1: Suggested helping people in the community by setting up neighborhood “borrow a book” style stations, but instead of books, they would provide food, diapers, and other essential supplies. She noted it would be helpful to have these accessible in local neighborhoods. Council Member Perez also thanked Mr. Vaughn for his service to the city. EVAN SANDERS – DISTRICT 2: Noted that there are lessons to be learned from the recently approved development. They emphasized the need to find ways to encourage developers to actually build high-density projects. Council Member Sanders also highlighted the city’s calendar, describing it as a really useful tool, and requested that it be kept up to date with all events. MICHAEL S. AMABILE – MAYOR: Reported that he attended an MCAG meeting following the last city council session, which included two closed sessions regarding the potential expansion of MCAG’s offices. He thanked the Downtown Association and the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce, noting that the holiday lights downtown look fantastic. Mayor Amabile expressed his excitement for the upcoming Christmas parade on Saturday and reminded the public about the city’s 29th annual Holiday Open House. He concluded by thanking Mr. Vaughn, noting that it has been a great experience working with him ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. APPROVED: __/s/ Michael S. Amabile________ Michael S. Amabile, Mayor ATTEST: __/s/ Lucille L. Mallonee___________ Lucille L. Mallonee, City Clerk