Shane Smith

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.

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.

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Water operator job descriptions cite outdated certifying agency

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.

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.

CDBG grant funding for local services

$157,414 in federal CDBG funds would go to three local agencies.

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

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

Recused because one of the consulting firms is a client of his firm's Cincinnati, Ohio office.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission appointments (L2)

J.7 — General Vang Pao Park Phase 1 construction

Mid-Year Budget Review — omnibus motion including $30,000 tortoise exhibit add-on

Opposed creating a precedent for council members adding last-minute unstaffed requests.

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

Moved the motion; sought a crystallized proposal rather than a premature up-or-down vote.