District 2 Council Member· 2025-2026
Yang Pao Thao
Merced
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 11
- Total speaking time
- 8:14
- Avg per meeting
- 0:45
- Segments
- 114
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Top issues during term (20)(Public Safety)
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.
Sweetie animal cruelty case
Blue Light Camera Program donation
$20,800 in donated funds, no general fund cost beyond the appropriation.
police headquarters spending
Radio and CAD upgrades are expensive unfunded needs; the pistol purchase is $106,327.42.
Fire department hazmat readiness
$278,182 federal grant with a $27,819 city match, plus about $72,000 in first-year personnel costs.
Fire Department ALS Expansion
The SAFER federal grant funding 24 firefighters expires in March 2027, leaving a multi-million dollar funding gap flagged in the budget.
Police grants for DUI enforcement and equipment
About $541,800 total, mostly covered by grant and opioid settlement funds rather than the general fund.
Repeat Housing Code Violators Program adopted
Penalty revenue is expected later; a fines-and-fees resolution comes back next meeting.
Bicycle, e-bike and street takeover safety
By law, 20% of Measure V funds should go to bike and pedestrian safety — speakers say the city falls short of that benchmark.
Attack on special needs student
AB 310 youth sports cardiac safety requirements
Equipment upkeep and training will cost local clubs money; early planning and grants could keep family registration fees affordable.
Automatic aid agreement with Merced County for fire and EMS
The city is paid $328,000 in 2026 for the service, but the chief thinks a fair share is closer to $700,000-$750,000.
Termination appeal hearing scheduling (Hearing 2026-1)
Termination appeal hearing scheduling
Station 56 fire station funding
Up to ~$5.2 million in federal loan capacity, repaid from future CDBG allocations.
Councilmember Flag Salute Conduct Raised
Repeat housing code violator fines
Fine revenue amounts are unknown, but advocates want it redirected to relocation assistance and tenant legal aid.
Police mental health and wellness
Up to $250,000 in federal grant funding, no local match stated.
Illegal fireworks enforcement and Fourth of July response
Illegal fireworks caused significant fire losses; drone enforcement equipment and training costs are not yet quantified.
Fire Department Fleet Replacement
$138,968.49 total, including a 10% contingency.
Decisions during term (0)
Recorded while Thao was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
No decisions found matching Public Safety.
Voting record (0)(Public Safety)
No votes found matching Public Safety.