City Council Meeting

CITY OF LOS BANOS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 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 6:03 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 Lerner, City Clerk/Human Resources Director Mallonee, 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 YEAR 2025 – MARC HEGUY, FOREMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Mayor Amabile presented the certificate to Marc Heguy who was in attendance to accept. PRESENTATION – PROCLAMATIONS RECOGNIZING MEMBERS OF CITY COMMITTEE/COMMISSIONS: DENISE TARKA – AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBER, DENNIS REED – AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBER, HERMAN JACKSON – MEASURE H CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBER, DOUGLAS YOUNG – MEASURE H CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBER, RICHARD STEWART – MEASURE P COMMITTEE MEMBER, NATHAN MANCEBO – MEASURE P COMMITTEE MEMBER, GERALD GIESEL – MEASURE P COMMITTEE MEMBER, JERI BLEVINS – PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBER, JOHN SPEVAK – PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBER, ABEL MOLINA – TREE COMMISSION MEMBER, LAURENCE BYERS – TREE COMMISSION MEMBER. Mayor Amabile presented the proclamations to those that were present to accept, as follows: Denise Tarka, Dennis Reed, Herman Jackson, Richard Stewart, Gerald Giesel, Jeri Blevins, John Spevak and Laurence Byers. 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. Public Works Director Via introduced the City’s new City Engineer, James Cozad, who addressed the Mayor and City Council, expressed appreciation for the warm welcome, and stated his enthusiasm for working with City staff and Council. It was noted that this was James Cozad’s second day with the City. Public Works Director Via also announced the promotion of Jelene De Melo to the position of Engineering Operations Manager in the Public Works Department. It was noted that Ms. De Melo has approximately 22 years of service with the City. Mayor Amabile opened the public forum. INIAS BROWN addressed the City Council regarding NESARA/GESARA, describing it as a national financial and governmental reform initiative. He spoke about debt tracking by banks, a farmer-wide lawsuit dating back to the early 1900s, and stated that the implementation would affect taxation, debt forgiveness, and government financial practices. He indicated the changes would primarily affect new homes, not older homes, and stated that real estate would remain relatively healthy. He further discussed a return to constitutional law, an end to bankruptcy in the United States, retraining of judges and attorneys, and stated that the initiative would have positive economic impacts, including the reduction of poverty. He referenced Dr. Kia Pruitt and emphasized the importance of managing affairs going forward. BLANCHE JORGE, a resident of the downtown area, thanked the Mayor, City Council, City staff, Police Chief, and Animal Control for approving funding for spay and neuter services. She described the positive experience with the SNIP bus, noting that residents waited patiently, expressed gratitude, and that the program benefited both dogs and cats in the community. She also described her past efforts transporting animals to Hollister and stated that the current program significantly reduced that burden. She expressed appreciation for the program and noted that it has been helpful to families and pets in the community. No one else came forward to speak and the public forum was closed. City Clerk Mallonee read a letter into the record from Julie Creighton regarding the City Council’s prior decision to dismiss option three, the purchase and rehabilitation of a local motel, specifically the La Plaza Inn, for use as a long-term shelter for unhoused individuals. JULIE CREIGHTON stated that after speaking directly with La Plaza Inn management, information presented at the previous City Council meeting was not fully accurate. According to the letter, motel management indicated they are willing to participate in such an effort and had not been contacted by the City for over a year. The letter further stated that current occupancy is extremely low, generating minimal transient occupancy tax revenue, and that long-term stays are infrequent and inconsistent. Concerns regarding displacement of residents and loss of tax revenue were described as unsupported by current occupancy conditions. The letter requested that the City Council reconsider option three and conduct a fact-based re-evaluation, noting ongoing homelessness issues and encampment conditions within the City. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA. Motion by Chavez, seconded by Sanders to approve the consent agenda items as follows: Check Register for #255135 – #255328 in the Amount of $2,088,333.15; City Council Meeting Minutes for November 19, 2025; City Council Meeting Minutes for December 3, 2025; City Council Resolution No. 7033 – Accepting Public Improvement for Dove Hollow, The Villages V Phase 3, Unit 3. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. PUBLIC HEARING – TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT AND CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTING THE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE REPORT (AB 1600 REPORT) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2021 THROUGH 2025. Finance Director Moreno presented the staff report, which included a PowerPoint presentation. Mayor Amabile opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak and the public hearing was closed. Motion by Lewis, seconded by Sanders to accept the AB 1600 Report as submitted. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER TO THE FOLLOWING COMMISSION. Mayor Amabile, spoke regarding the process the City Council follows when selecting commissioners, noting that for district-based seats the Mayor and the respective council member jointly participate in interviews conducted by staff using standardized questions to ensure fairness and consistency among all applicants. He stated that three qualified applications were received for the District One vacancy and that the selection process can be difficult due to the quality of the candidates, and he encouraged residents to continue applying for future commission and committee openings. Council Member Perez then announced her selection of SHUYUE MARTINEZ for the Planning Commission vacancy. Ms. Martinez came forward, introduced herself to the Council, and stated that she is a local realtor and community school’s liaison who has lived in Los Banos for approximately 25 years and looks forward to serving the community. Motion by Perez seconded by Lewis to appoint Shuyue Martinez to the Planning Commission – District 1 for an unexpired term expiring December 31, 2028. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 7034 – ADOPTING THE 2025 CITY OF LOS BANOS’ EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN REVISION AND THE 2025 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS ANNEXES. Fire Chief Tualla presented the staff report, which included a PowerPoint presentation. Fire Chief Tualla presented the item and explained that the plan is updated approximately every five years and establishes coordinated emergency response procedures, continuity of government operations, hazard identification, communications, evacuation and sheltering, and recovery and mitigation strategies, while maintaining compliance with state and federal requirements and eligibility for disaster reimbursement funding. He noted the update began in 2023 and was developed in coordination with the County of Merced, a consultant funded through Homeland Security grants, City departments, and regional partners, and included on-site assessments to tailor the plan to local conditions. City Manager Than stated that the plan is very comprehensive and noted that many staff remember the 2023 storm events and rising creek levels, emphasizing the importance of preparing for disasters. He added that the plan is a starting point that will guide implementation, search and rescue operations, and recovery from financial losses, and that it will be integrated into the design of the City’s future Emergency Operations Center (EOC). He further noted that the plan will serve as a living document and will be updated as the City moves forward. Mayor Amabile commented that it is a good plan and commended staff for their work. Motion by Chavez, seconded by Perez to adopt City Council Resolution No. 7034 – Adopting the 2025 City of Los Banos’ Emergency Operations Plan Revision and the 2025 Emergency Operations Annexes. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 7035 – AUTHORIZING CITY CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURER HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS AND REIMBURSEMENTS. Human Resources Director Mallonee presented the staff report. Mayor Amabile invited the public to come forward to speak. No one came forward to speak. Motion by Lewis, seconded by Sanders to adopt City Council Resolution No. 7035 – Authorizing City Contributions to Mayor and City Council Members, City Clerk and City Treasurer Health and Welfare Benefits and Reimbursements. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 7036 – REJECTING ALL BIDS RECEIVED FOR THE CANAL TRAIL SOLAR LIGHTING PROJECT. Public Works Director Via presented the staff report. Mayor Amabile asked whether additional grant funding could be pursued. Public Works Director Via responded that additional grants may be possible, but staff first needs to determine realistic project costs, and that the rebid would likely include fewer lights spaced farther apart, with optional bid items to add additional lighting if funding allows. Mayor Amabile stated that he would prefer to complete the project correctly rather than proceed with substandard materials or inadequate coverage. City Manager Than explained that staff intends to phase the project by prioritizing high- use areas such as school crossings, bridges, and park locations, while allowing future expansion as funding becomes available. Council Member Chavez asked about the expected lifespan of the solar lighting batteries, and Public Works Director Via confirmed that the batteries proposed by the lowest bidder were insufficient and did not meet the City’s long-term performance standards. Motion by Lewis, seconded by Chavez to adopt City Council Resolution No. 7036 – Rejecting All Bids Received for the Canal Trail Solar Lighting Project. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS. Community & Economic Development. Director Souza Elms reported on recent actions by the Planning Commission. She stated that on December 10 the Commission approved the demolition and redevelopment project at 1015 East Pacheco Boulevard, located next to the Chevron station near 10th Street, as well as the Villages 6 Subdivision for 30 residential units southwest of Walmart. She further reported that at an adjourned meeting the following day, the San Luis Estates Subdivision was approved for 96 residential units. She noted that the Villages 6 project will be brought before the City Council for consideration of a final development plan and development agreement. She also informed the Council that the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on December 24 will be canceled, and the next meeting will be held on January 14, with the newly appointed Planning Commissioner in attendance. Finance. Director Moreno reminded utility customers with high account balances to contact Customer Service to arrange payment plans or other billing accommodations, noting that water service shutoffs are scheduled to begin at the end of January. She also thanked the community for its strong support of the “Shop Smart, Support Local” campaign, citing positive participation and visibility through promotional materials and emphasizing the benefit to downtown businesses. She further reported that mid-year budget review meetings with City departments will begin in mid-January, and that the mid- year budget update will be presented to the City Council in February. Fire. Fire Chief Tualla reported that the Fire Department recently held its largest swearing- in ceremony to date, during which two new Battalion Chiefs were sworn in, and he thanked the City Council for funding the positions in the current budget. He noted that the event was well attended and appreciated the community’s support. He also announced that the annual Santa in the Fire Engine event is underway, with appearances scheduled throughout the week. Additionally, he reported that the Merced County Board of Supervisors approved the transition to American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance services, effective at noon on New Year’s Eve to avoid a midnight transition on January 1. He stated that AMR has been coordinating closely with local fire, law enforcement, and dispatch agencies to ensure a smooth transition and that the Fire Department will support the process. Human Resources. Director Mallonee reported that since the last City Council meeting, the City has welcomed five new employees across several departments and promoted two employees, with at least three additional hires anticipated by year end and approximately ten more expected to begin on January 1. She highlighted several major milestones achieved over the past year, including the hiring of the City’s first full-time City Attorney and first full-time City Engineer, as well as the onboarding of a new City Manager. She stated that during the year the City posted 52 recruitments and onboarded 47 new employees across departments including Public Works, Police, Fire, Finance, Parks and Recreation, Community and Economic Development, and Administration. She also reported that the City is currently recruiting for additional positions, including Community Services Officer, lateral Police Officer, and Administrative Coordinators, and encouraged interested applicants to visit the City’s website or contact Human Resources. She recognized the Human Resources team for their contributions and noted that over the past year the department processed 4,990 payroll checks and prepared multiple City Council agenda packets, including 170 resolutions and eight ordinances. She concluded by thanking the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and department heads for their continued support and leadership. Mayor Amabile announced that this meeting marked Ms. Mallonee’s final City Council meeting as Human Resources Director, as she will be retiring from that position at the end of the year while continuing to serve as City Clerk. Mayor Amabile recognized Ms. Mallonee’s 31 years of service to the City, noting her long-standing contributions to City operations, leadership, and organizational stability since the early 1990s. He expressed appreciation for her dedication to City government and the residents of Los Banos, credited her with playing a key role in the City’s progress, and thanked her for her continued service in her role as City Clerk. He concluded by expressing gratitude on behalf of the City Council and the community for her outstanding service. Parks & Recreation. Public Works Director Via spoke on behalf of Parks & Recreation Director Heim, who was on vacation. He reported that the annual Breakfast with Santa event held the previous Saturday was very successful and has continued to grow each year since its inception. He also noted Mr. Heim’s involvement in organizing the recent Christmas Parade, including coordination of the tree setup at the conclusion of the event. He further announced that Shaughnessy Park is now open to the public, with a formal grand opening planned for the spring when weather conditions improve. Police. Chief Reyna thanked the Los Banos community for its support of the Police Department’s 12th Annual Canned Food Drive, which collected more than 10,000 pounds of food that was distributed to the Salvation Army and Bethel Community Church to assist local residents. He also highlighted several December community events hosted by the department, including the Hot Cocoa event, the annual Cops for Kids toy giveaway which distributed approximately 400–500 bags of toys, and the Shop with a Cop program, during which 53 local children identified by the school district were taken shopping for essential items and gifts. He recognized Officer Will Marchese, who was named VFW Officer of the Year, and thanked the City Council for funding the SNIP bus program to help reduce the number of unwanted animals in the community. He announced that lateral Police Officer Zach Zuspan would be sworn in the following morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Police Department. He concluded by thanking the City Council for its continued support, commending department staff for their dedication throughout a busy year, and wishing the Council and community a safe and Merry Christmas. Public Works. Public Works Director Via reported that the contractor for the basin project on the east side of town mobilized earlier in the week and has begun site preparation, including clearing and grubbing, noting that progress may be delayed due to upcoming rain. He also provided an update on seasonal leaf collection, stating that crews will continue leaf pickup throughout the holidays, except on Christmas and New Year’s Day, and thanked staff for their efforts to keep up with increased leaf fall due to cooler temperatures and rain. He concluded by congratulating Ms. Mallonee on her retirement as Human Resources Director and thanked her for her assistance in filling multiple City positions in recent months. CITY MANAGER REPORT. City Manager Than stated that he had completed approximately seven weeks with the City and expressed appreciation to City staff for their continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving the community. He thanked staff for providing technical expertise to the City Council and commissions, remaining open and responsive to the public, and working on long-term initiatives such as water quality issues, infrastructure improvements, and intersection projects. He also commended staff for strengthening partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions and regional agencies to support the City’s growth and overall quality of life. He noted that many projects discussed briefly at Council meetings often require months or years of preparation, citing the Emergency Operations Plan update as an example. He further stated that beginning in January 2026, the City will undertake several master plan updates and encouraged continued community participation in that process. He concluded by thanking Ms. Mallonee for her guidance and years of service and expressed appreciation for her continued role with the City. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: DEBORAH LEWIS – DISTRICT 4: Stated that it had been a fruitful month and highlighted several community events and recognitions. She reported attending the grand opening of Ono Hawaiian BBQ and congratulated James Cozad, the City’s new City Engineer, as well as Ms. De Melo on her promotion. She also congratulated Fire Chief Tualla and Fire Department staff on recent promotions. She noted that the annual Movie Night at Fire Station No. 1 was held on December 3, featuring Home Alone, and thanked the Fire Chief for hosting the event. She also shared that this was her 13th year participating in the Breakfast with Santa event, describing it as a fun and successful community activity, and commented that the “Cocoa with the Popo” event was well attended despite cold weather. She expressed appreciation to Ms. Mallonee for her service and support to the City and concluded by wishing City staff and the community a very Merry Christmas. MITZY PEREZ – DISTRICT 1: Thanked City staff for all of their hard work and stated that the month’s community events were “absolutely amazing.” She noted that she participated in the Breakfast with Santa event for the first time and described it as a very fun experience. She also thanked everyone involved, with special recognition to Ms. Mallonee for her support, and congratulated her on her retirement. She concluded by wishing all City staff and residents a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays. EVAN SANDERS – DISTRICT 2: Congratulated Mr. Heguy on being named Employee of the Year and recognized all newly hired City employees. He stated that it has been “really cool” to be part of the City Council this past year and thanked City staff for their continued support and professionalism, noting that he greatly appreciates their work and preparation. He shared that whenever he needed assistance or guidance, he often turned to Ms. Mallonee, and he thanked her for her help and service. He commented that the City has made meaningful progress over the past year, including improvements in addressing the local homeless situation. He also mentioned attending the Cocoa with the Popo event and concluded by wishing everyone a happy Christmas. MARCUS CHAVEZ – DISTRICT 3: Stated that many of his comments had already been shared by other members. He thanked the Police Department for hosting the Cocoa with the Popo event and Fire Chief Tualla and staff for their work on the Christmas Parade, noting the strong community turnout. He congratulated Mr. Heguy on being named Employee of the Year and recognized recent City hires and promotions. Council Member Chavez expressed appreciation to Ms. Mallonee for her service and said he was glad she would continue with the City. He thanked City staff for their ongoing support, noted that the past year had been an interesting one, and expressed appreciation to City Manager Than, stating that the transition had gone smoothly and did not feel like the City had missed a beat. He also welcomed City Attorney Lerner to the organization and emphasized the Council’s commitment to continuing efforts to improve the City. He concluded by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. MICHAEL S. AMABILE – MAYOR: Stated that a City Attorney report should be added to the agenda now that the City has a full-time City Attorney department rather than an outside contractor. He addressed the letter submitted by JULIE CREIGHTON regarding the homeless encampment and explained the Council’s reasoning for selecting state- approved pallet homes rather than purchasing and rehabilitating an existing motel for bridge housing. He reiterated that the City’s long-term goal is to eliminate the need for bridge housing through development of One Tree Village, which is intended to be the permanent solution for unhoused residents, but that the City must still meet current state requirements. Mayor Amabile explained that purchasing an older motel would involve lengthy negotiations, appraisals, compliance with state regulations, potential code upgrades, engineering requirements, and a public bidding process, which could take two to three years and significantly increase costs. He noted that pallet homes are already approved by the State of California, including engineering and design standards, allowing the City to move forward more quickly with fewer unforeseen expenses and greater flexibility if bridge housing is no longer needed in the future. He emphasized that this decision does not end future discussions on homelessness solutions and stated that the Council will continue evaluating long-term strategies, including potential programs that encourage able-bodied unemployed individuals using City services to participate in work or job training opportunities. Mayor Amabile noted this was the last City Council meeting of the calendar year and thanked the City’s department heads and employees for their professionalism, adaptability, and dedication during a year of significant organizational change. He acknowledged that approximately 30 new employees, including several department heads, were hired to improve City operations and service delivery, and stated that while change is often difficult, it is necessary to strengthen the organization. He thanked the City Council for supporting difficult decisions and remaining focused on rebuilding the City’s workforce and operations. He also discussed the City’s approach to managed and controlled growth, emphasizing the importance of expanding housing options, supporting first-time homebuyers, attracting businesses and good-paying jobs, protecting infrastructure, maintaining quality of life, and complying with state growth requirements. Mayor Amabile concluded by thanking the residents of Los Banos for their patience, involvement, and support, expressed pride in serving the community, wished everyone a Merry Christmas. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m. APPROVED: __/s/ Michael S. Amabile________ Michael S. Amabile, Mayor ATTEST: __/s/ Lucille L. Mallonee___________ Lucille L. Mallonee, City Clerk