Yang Pao Thao

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Water operator job descriptions cite outdated certifying agency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

Investment policy adoption (I6) and PD vehicle purchases (I12)

CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant acceptance (J2)

Office of Traffic Safety grant budget adjustment (J3)

Carport regulations referral (K2)

Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 2594 (zoning ordinance amendment / RHNA)

Resolution 2026-52 — Vital Services Protection Measure on November ballot

Believes the money will predictably go to police and fire and that including parks and youth language is disingenuous.

Resolution 2026-47 — DOJ COPS mental health and wellness grant application

Remaining public art projects (K7)

Would prefer new murals on additional utility boxes rather than refreshing existing ones, and wanted to see pictures of the eight boxes first.

J.4 — SB 244 Analysis Adoption

Concerns about incomplete water service data for unincorporated island communities

K.1 — Housing Element Adoption and Zoning Ordinance Introduction

Wanted tenant protections and stronger housing policies included

L.1 — Opportunity Zone Nomination (Northeast Tract)

Hastings Patrol Services Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (Resolution 2026-13)

Opposed to expanding private security in Merced, citing greater accountability with public officers.

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

Opposed pulling housing admin costs from the Affordable Housing Fund.

Mid-Year Budget Supplemental Appropriations — Items A and D through L

Opposed Affordable Housing Fund use for administrative costs.

Mission 82 Annexation — General Support (Preliminary Application 25-02)

Project is almost entirely low-density residential with no affordable units or business park.