Special City Council Meeting

CITY OF LOS BANOS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 9, 2025 ACTION MINUTES – These minutes are prepared to depict action taken for agenda items presented to the City Council. For detail of this meeting refer to the electronic media (CD and/or audio) kept as a permanent record. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Amabile called the City Council Meeting to order at the hour of 6:06 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, Marcus Chavez – District 3, Deborah Lewis – District 4, Mayor Michael Amabile, District 2 – vacant; ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Police Chief Reyna, City Attorney Lerner, City Manager Than, City Clerk Mallonee, Community & Economic Development Director Souza Elms, Parks & Recreation Director Heim, Finance Director Moreno, Interim Human Resources Director Carlos CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Chavez, seconded by Perez to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. 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 invited the public to come forward to speak. CARLOS FLORES addressed the City Council regarding concerns about the pace of city action and overall development in Los Banos. He acknowledged the Council’s diversity as historic but emphasized ongoing community challenges, including deteriorating roads, infrastructure delays, and the growing need for additional businesses, services, and city resources as the population expands. He raised concerns about the quality and cost of new housing developments, stating that homes are being sold at high prices despite substandard construction features such as incomplete or low-quality fencing, minimal and inadequate landscaping, and designs that may contribute to safety concerns. He also noted issues with ground shifting and concrete deterioration, citing cracks in sidewalks and his own property, and questioned who is accountable for these deficiencies and who permits such development standards. He expressed frustration with the city’s slow response to maintenance and infrastructure issues, warning that continued delays will worsen conditions over time. He compared Los Banos to other cities, noting long timelines for repairs elsewhere and expressing concern that similar or worse delays could occur locally. He further questioned the Council’s transparency and communication with residents, asking how the public can stay informed about agenda items, decisions, and ongoing projects, and whether Council Members conduct outreach or hold meetings within their districts to gather community input. Additionally, he highlighted concerns about homelessness, describing conditions in the city as severe and inadequate, and referencing limited capacity in local facilities such as shelters and respite services. He stated his intention to organize efforts and use social media to bring attention to the issue and the city’s response. He urged the Council to take greater accountability, improve communication and engagement with residents, and ensure that current and future leadership actively advocates for and responds to the needs of the community. No one else came forward to speak and the public forum was closed. CONDUCT INTERVIEWS FOR FILLING THE LOS BANOS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER VACANCY IN DISTRICT 2 AND SELECT ONE APPLICANT TO FILL VACANT CITY COUNCIL SEAT; CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 7063 – APPROVING AN APPOINTEE TO THE LOS BANOS CITY COUNCIL TO SERVE THE REMAINING TERM OF THE DISTRICT 2 SEAT ON THE LOS BANOS CITY COUNCIL. City Attorney Lerner presented the staff report regarding the District 2 City Council vacancy following the resignation of Evan Sanders on January 9, 2026. The Council had previously directed staff on March 4, 2026, to initiate the appointment process, including posting the vacancy, accepting applications, and holding a special meeting to fill the position. In accordance with state law, the Council must fill the vacancy within 60 days, with the deadline of March 10, 2026. The appointed individual will serve the remainder of the term through December 2026. City Attorney Lerner noted that three qualified applications were received, with two applicants present for interviews at the meeting. She outlined the interview and selection process, which follows a previously approved format. Each applicant would be interviewed separately in open session, with the order determined randomly. Applicants would be given up to five minutes for an introduction and one and a half minutes to respond to each of six predetermined questions. The selection requires an affirmative vote of at least three members, with the final appointment to be confirmed by resolution. The Council confirmed and, by consensus, approved use of the same interview process as previously implemented. The Council also confirmed the use of a ranked voting method in which each Council Member assigns point values to the two candidates, with the applicant receiving the highest total points to be appointed. Mayor Amabile acknowledged receipt of several letters submitted to the City Council in support of a candidate. The City Clerk reported a total of six letters, all expressing support for Refugio LLamas. The letters were submitted by Pastor Randy Bittle, Armanda Ruiz, Baldo Salcido, Robert and Yolanda Ordunez, Chuck Erreca, And Peggy Kozich. City Clerk Mallonee pulled names to set the order in which the candidates will be interviewed as follows: 1. Tyler Anthony Castillo 2. Refugio LLamas They each came forward to give their opening statement and responded to the following questions as read by City Clerk Mallonee: 1. What do you feel would be the most important economic catalyst for Los Banos moving forward? 2. How does a strong local business community make Los Banos a better place to live? 3. What are your thoughts on creating a sense of community pride in Los Banos? 4. Why should you be chosen to represent your District and what do you hope to accomplish as a council representative for our District? 5. What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Los Banos, and how do you feel it should be addressed? 6. What do you feel is the best reason someone would want to move to Los Banos and why? City Clerk Mallonee handed out the second-round ballots for voting [Each Council Member shall rank by written ballot the two (2) applicants in order of preference. The applicants will be assigned a point value: 3 points for 1st choice, 2 points for 2nd choice.] The applicant who receives the most postings will be selected. City Clerk Mallonee read the votes aloud: Council Member Perez voted for Refugio LLamas – 3 points, Tyler Anthony Castillo – 2 points; Mayor Amabile voted for Refugio LLamas – 3 points, Tyler Anthony Castillo – 2 points; Council Member Chavez voted for Refugio LLamas – 3 points, Tyler Anthony Castillo – 2 points; Council Member Lewis voted for Refugio LLamas – 2 points, Tyler Anthony Castillo – 3 points. City Clerk Mallonee tallied the votes: Refugio LLamas = 11 points, Tyler Anthony Castillo = 9 points. Refugio LLamas is declared the applicant to fill the vacancy in District 2. Mayor Amabile thanked the applicants again and reminded them that there are vacancies on different City commissions and to consider applying for those. Motion by Chavez, seconded by Perez to adopt City Council Resolution No. 7063 – Approving an Appointee [REFUGIO LLAMAS] to the Los Banos City Council to Serve the Remaining Term of the District 2 Seat on the Los Banos City Council. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY APPOINTED COUNCIL MEMBER IN DISTRICT 2; COUNCIL MEMBER REFUGIO LLAMAS – DISTRICT 2. City Clerk Mallonee administered the Oath of Office to Refugio LLamas – District 2. Council Member LLamas took his seat at the dais. Mayor Amabile welcomed him to the City Council. Council Member Chavez expressed he did the same thing and didn’t know where to go following administration of the oath. Council Member LLamas provided brief remarks, expressing gratitude to God, his wife, and the Council for their support and trust. He stated his commitment to serving the residents of District 2, ensuring their voices are heard, and carrying out the will of the people in accordance with the law. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. APPROVED: __/s/ Michael S. Amabile________ Michael S. Amabile, Mayor ATTEST: __/s/ Lucille L. Mallonee___________ Lucille L. Mallonee, City Clerk