Fue Xiong

Flood Risk and Climate Resilience

About $9.1 million has been secured for Bear Creek restoration, plus $5 million in new state budget funds for Bear Creek and Miles Creek flood infrastructure.

Bicycle and pedestrian safety policy

Developer pays construction cost, reimbursed through public facilities impact fee credits.

Fahrens Park One maintenance district funding crisis

Fahrens Park One reserves can sustain reduced service for about two years.

Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan

The top-ten project list runs roughly $100 million, and the city says it will need grants, partnerships, and new revenue to tackle it.

Comprehensive General Plan Update

The full process, including the required environmental impact report, runs into 2027-2028 and will shape where the city invests in infrastructure, housing and jobs for decades.

Jobs and Economic Development

No direct city cost; the tax incentives are federal capital-gains breaks that don't touch local property or sales tax.

Housing Affordability and Housing Mix

Mixed-use housing can generate dramatically more property tax revenue per acre — one analysis cited figures of roughly $384,000 for residential versus $9.9 million for mixed-use.

Equitable Funding Across Art Forms

The full ~$58,000 annual budget was on the table in July.

Downtown redevelopment of 626 W. Main Street

The lot appraised at $55,000; the recommended buyer offers $25,000 but plans $450,000-$550,000 in improvements.

VST Development Infrastructure Financing via JPA/CFD

No city debt — the CFD itself repays bonds — but special taxes would fall on future VST homeowners.

Sweetie animal cruelty case

Water operator job descriptions cite outdated certifying agency

Food Truck Regulation and Planning Commission Authority

No direct cost to residents, but a moratorium could pause new food truck businesses while the ordinance is studied.

Blue Light Camera Program donation

$20,800 in donated funds, no general fund cost beyond the appropriation.

2026-2036 Parks Master Plan adoption

Full build-out of listed priorities could approach $100 million; adoption itself commits no money.

Road pavement projects update

Roughly $735,000 remains in the Measure C safe streets retrofit budget, expanded by change order.

Highway 59 widening and Black Rascal Creek bridge

$8 million in Measure V funds directed to the bridge; the widening remains underfunded by $12-14 million.

election debate

No direct financial impact mentioned, but your vote could influence future spending.

Downtown parking

Unknown — a restriping-only fix would be far cheaper than repaving.

Vacating unused street easements

No city cost — unused public land returns to private ownership, enabling private construction.

Consent Calendar (Items I.1-I.3)

I.4 — West Coast Arborists tree contract amendment

I.5 — Twelve Chevrolet trucks, $627,128.61

I.6 — Two Ford Explorer detective vehicles, $77,021.28

J.1 — Select Porch on Main for 626 W. Main Street

J.2 — JPA with MCOE for Virginia Smith Trust infrastructure

J.3 — Adopt 2026-2036 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan

J.4 — 120 Glock 45 Gen 5 pistols, $106,327.42

J.5 — $1,346 for Fahrens Park assessment ballot noticing

J.6 — Cook's Communications fire vehicle upfitting, $300,000

Consent agenda (balance of items)

F-6 El Capitan parking agreement — continued

G-1 Vacation 26-0002 — Canal Street easement (Bob Hart Square)

G-2 Vacation 25-0001 — K Street easement at 400 West 7th Street

H-1 On-call building plan check and inspection contracts

H-2 Dokken Engineering agreement — Highway 59 / Black Rascal Creek

H-3 MOU with County of Merced — Bear Creek vegetation maintenance

H-4 Resolution 2026-64 — local emergency, El Niño event

H-5 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant — hazmat training

I-1 Planning Commission appointment, District 2

I.5 — Twelve Chevrolet trucks, $627,128.61

Voted no after questioning whether the vehicle purchases were budgeted replacements

I.6 — Two Ford Explorer detective vehicles, $77,021.28

Stated his no was 'just for consideration'

J.2 — JPA with MCOE for Virginia Smith Trust infrastructure

Objected to tier-one funding prioritizing the charter school over essential water and sewer infrastructure

J.4 — 120 Glock 45 Gen 5 pistols, $106,327.42

Multi-Unit Substandard Buildings inspection procedures (J.2)

Preferred a firm not-to-exceed deadline rather than leaving notice timing to officer discretion.

I.5/I.6 — Bulletproof vests ($61,830) and BRINC emergency response drones ($479,994)

L.1 — High-Speed Rail community outreach authorization

The High-Speed Rail Authority, not the city, should bear the burden of community engagement after abandoning prior town hall work.

L.2 — Bicycle and e-bike safety referral

Habit change comes through infrastructure like protected bike lanes, not ticketing and enforcement.

Self-Storage Facility at 1380 E. Yosemite Avenue (J.1)

Opposed a self-storage use on the site, preferring walkable mixed-use development.

FY 2026-27 Budget Adoption (J.6)

Wanted funds shifted from public safety toward community needs like tenant relocation assistance.

Community Outreach Mailers and Digital Marketing Contracts (K.2)

CARB Grant for Connect South Merced Planning (K.3)

Objected to the city choosing partner organizations without a bid process rather than groups already organized in South Merced.

Stephen Leonard Youth Center Lease to Merced College (K.4)

Bellevue Ranch North Village 24A final map (Resolution 2026-24)

Direction to close the $1.3M general fund budget shortfall

He wanted expense reductions, including cuts to the police budget, rather than reserve transfers.

2026 HUD Annual Action Plan (Resolution 2026-31)

He preferred Option Two to fund Youth for Christ Central Valley's youth services program.

Council stipend increase (Resolution 2026-25)

He wanted the ~$23,000 cost redirected to community needs instead.

Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 grant application (Resolution 2026-30)

He wants actual physical infrastructure that reduces speed, not Hawk signals and beacons.

K.4 — Kitchell construction management for Fire Station 56

K.5 — Restated Transit Joint Powers Agreement

M.1 — 18th Street downtown parking study

Concerned this would jump ahead of existing unfunded road priorities

Direct Transportation/HSR Subcommittee to study station relocation and report back in 45 days

Wanted community town halls and engagement before any decision on the relocation.