Major Projects: Ballpark Renovation and Landfill Closure Plans
At its July 16 meeting, the Los Banos City Council reviewed two significant city projects – a comprehensive renovation of Colorado Ballpark and the long-postponed closure of the city’s old landfill site. In a presentation by Acting Public Works Director/Acting Parks & Recreation Director Joe Heim, the Council heard an updated project concept and financing plan for overhauling Colorado Ballpark. The aging park (opened 1959) would be modernized with new ballfields, expanded skate park features, walking trails, updated buildings, and a central plaza and parking area. The estimated cost is $13 million, including a $1 million state grant already secured; the remaining $12 million would need to be financed through a combination of grants, developer impact fees, and possibly a private loan. Staff outlined a strategy to leverage the city’s Park Development Fund (fed by new housing fees) for a $7 million loan repaid over 20 years, alongside applying in August for a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant of up to $6 million. Council members voiced support for the renovation’s importance – the park is a beloved community focal point – and discussed funding options. Council Member Deborah Lewis suggested possibly pausing some other park projects to free up more cash, thereby reducing the loan burden. In response, staff noted those other projects (like a westside dog park and a pump track) are still in early design stages and could be timed to minimize budget strain. The Council gave direction to proceed with the ballpark plans and funding approach, while continuing to pursue grants and maintain flexibility if additional park funds become available. No final vote was required at this stage, as formal financing decisions will come back for approval once grants and loan terms are clearer.
On the Los Banos Solid Waste Disposal Site (landfill) item, the Council made a pivotal choice on how to permanently close and remediate the long-inactive landfill at the city’s western edge. Staff presented two primary options: “clean closure” (excavating and removing all buried waste for off-site disposal, allowing the land to be reused without restrictions) versus capping in place (installing an impermeable cover and monitoring the site for decades). While a clean closure has higher upfront costs, it would eliminate the need for perpetual monitoring and open the 16-acre area for future use (the site sits adjacent to the city’s new sports complex). By contrast, leaving the waste buried would require at least 30 years of groundwater and methane monitoring with no guarantee the city could ever stop doing so under current state regulations. Council members unanimously favored the clean closure approach, prioritizing the long-term benefits. In their discussion, they noted the opportunity to expand Los Banos’s recreation area once the landfill is removed, and the desire to avoid indefinite environmental liabilities. The Council formally voted 4-0 to direct staff to pursue a clean closure of the landfill. This will entail coordinating with Merced County’s Billy Wright landfill, which is planning a new cell to receive the excavated Los Banos material by 2026, as well as obtaining state environmental approvals. Funding for the closure (expected to be in the millions of dollars) will likely come from the city’s Solid Waste Enterprise Fund and possibly a loan repaid by garbage fee revenues, similar to how the ballpark project may be financed. City officials acknowledged the hefty cost but emphasized that a one-time investment now could save significant compliance expenses and headaches in the future. “We are always looking to find the most conservative path forward” on big-ticket obligations, Heim noted. With Council’s clear direction, staff will proceed to engineering and financing plans for the landfill cleanup and bring contracts back for approval at a later date.
Routine Approvals and a Park Lease Revisited
In other business, the Council approved a packed Consent Agenda of routine items with a single vote. These included acceptance of annual financial audits and state-mandated reports, adoption of several budgeted resolutions (e.g. claiming transportation funds, authorizing a flow-meter replacement contract, and approving landscape improvements in new subdivisions), and an agreement with Merced County Office of Education to continue funding school resource police officers on local campuses. One item – a proposed two-year lease extension for the city-owned Ranchwood Park building – was removed from the consent calendar for discussion. That facility has long been rented to a private daycare operator, but Council Member Lewis raised concerns that the below-market rent may not fully cover the city’s costs. The lease would charge $2,500/month (first year) and $2,600 (second year) for the roughly 2,500 sq. ft. building, totaling about $61,000 over two years. By comparison, city staff noted the similar-size College Greens Center generates roughly $36,000 per year in public rentals, and the city still pays utilities and maintenance at Ranchwood. “At $2,500 a month…I don’t think that covers the utility costs and upkeep of that building,” Lewis said, questioning whether the arrangement in effect subsidizes a private business with public funds. She also pointed out that because the daycare’s exclusive use prevents residents from renting the space for gatherings, the community loses an amenity. Council members stressed that the childcare service is valuable, but agreed more information was needed to determine if the lease rate is fair to taxpayers. They voted to postpone the lease renewal to the next meeting (August 6) and requested a staff analysis of the building’s utility costs, maintenance expenses, and any lease terms (such as who pays the power bill) that could be adjusted. In the meantime the daycare will continue month-to-month, as the prior lease has already expired. City officials will use the delay to evaluate whether the city should eventually consider selling the building (as was done with a similar former daycare facility years ago) or renegotiating terms to recoup all expenses. All other consent items were approved unanimously without debate.
Community Recognition and Public Input
The meeting began on a celebratory note as the Council honored Mark Hagee as Employee of the Month for June 2025. Heguy, a foreman in the Public Works Department, was praised for his hard work and dedication to the city. Although he could not attend in person (his daughter’s wedding was the next day), a colleague accepted the certificate on his behalf while officials commended Heguy’s “outstanding performance” and commitment to keeping the city running smoothly.
During Public Forum, residents brought both kudos and concerns to the Council’s attention. Larry Byers, a member of the Tree Commission, applauded the city’s recent “Parkside Chat” outreach effort. He described the informal meet-and-greet held at College Greens Park (hosted by Mayor Michael Amabile and Council Member Evan Sanders) as “a wonderful session” – lightly attended (around two dozen people) but very engaging. Attendees were able to ask plenty of questions and get candid answers in an intimate setting, something Byers encouraged more residents to take advantage of at future chats. (He did humorously advise bringing a lawn chair next time, since park benches were limited.) The Mayor thanked Byers for participating and hinted that additional Parkside Chats in other neighborhoods would be announced soon.
Next, Heather Wheeler, the coordinator of Los Banos Unified School District’s new Community Schools Program, introduced herself and her colleague Shuwanna Martinez to the Council. Wheeler explained that the district recently received a state grant to launch the Community Schools initiative, which aims to connect families with resources to overcome non-academic barriers to student success – such as food or housing insecurity and access to healthcare. She announced plans to open a Family Resource Center at the site of the old Grasslands campus (near Miano Elementary) once construction on the new Early Learning Center is complete. In the meantime, the Community Schools program is partnering with the City on several events. On August 2, they will host a free Backpack Giveaway at 10:00 am in partnership with Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria and the Binational of California organization. “What a great way to start the school year,” Wheeler said, noting the event will include games, food, and community booths in addition to providing local students with school supplies. She invited everyone in the community – even those without school-aged children – to come out and get to know one another. The Community Schools team is also co-planning a Trunk-or-Treat event and a holiday giveaway later this year with Los Banos Parks & Recreation. Council members thanked Wheeler for her presentation and expressed enthusiasm for the program’s goals. Mayor Amabile remarked on how quickly the summer is flying by (“Hard to believe school starts August 11th – summer’s already over!” he quipped), and Council Member Lewis praised the school district’s community outreach.
Before closing the Public Forum, City Clerk Lucille Mallonee noted that one letter had been received from the public. Mayor Amabile read the correspondence, which urged the city to address speeding and safety issues on Ward Road, a long straight residential street that has become a speeding “drag strip” according to the writer. The Mayor stated the letter would be forwarded to Police Chief Gary Brizzee (Chief of Police Chris Reyna was present for Chief Brizzee) and the city’s Traffic Safety Committee for review of possible traffic-calming measures. This topic would resurface later in the meeting during Council comments. With no further public comments offered in person or via email, the Mayor closed the forum and moved on to the evening’s agenda.
Policing & Fire: Quieter Fourth of July, New Sergeants and More
Police and fire officials delivered encouraging reports during the City Department updates segment, especially regarding public safety over the Independence Day holiday. Police Chief Chris Reyna reported that Los Banos experienced a dramatically quieter Fourth of July this year thanks to an aggressive enforcement campaign against illegal fireworks. Planning for the operation began in May, and it clearly paid off. Chief Reyna revealed that police confiscated approximately 28,000 pounds of illegal fireworks in the days leading up to July 4th – a huge haul of dangerous pyrotechnics that never made it into the sky over city neighborhoods. “Those are things you never had to hear, your dogs never had to hear,” Reyna said, noting many residents commented that this year sounded much more peaceful than the past. In addition, a combined task force of police officers, code enforcement staff, dispatchers and fire personnel issued 89 citations for illegal firework use around the July 4th period. That is a significant increase in accountability – last year only about 25 citations were written. The Chief thanked the Fire Department for lending a hand (literally) – fire crews helped transport and safely store the massive volume of seized fireworks before disposal. He also acknowledged that the crackdown required substantial overtime and coordination, but was worth it for public safety. Reyna shared that the department even deployed drones as a new tool to catch offenders – flying over the city, the drones helped identify hotspots of activity so ground units could be dispatched there, and in some cases recorded offenders lighting fuses on camera. In a few instances, the drone’s loudspeaker was used to warn violators in real time (“we gave them their address and told them we see what you’re doing” which quickly stopped the behavior). Using drones was a learning experience that the Chief plans to repeat next year to further deter illegal fireworks. Overall, both the Fire and Police departments noted only minor fires and incidents on the holiday. Fire Chief Jason Osborne confirmed “the 4th of July was a whole lot quieter” in terms of fire calls, thanks in part to the police-led prevention of aerial explosions. He added, “not to take away from Chief Reyna’s thunder,” but from the fire perspective, there were fewer nuisance fires than in years past. The Council members – some of whom observed the night via their own drones – agreed there was a remarkable drop (perhaps 50–60%) in illegal fireworks citywide, and they voiced gratitude to both departments for making the community safer.
Beyond fireworks, Chief Reyna provided updates on other fronts. The long-awaited new Animal Shelter is nearly ready to open its doors. The modular shelter structure has been installed on East Airport Road and PG&E has finally completed the utility hookups after some delays. Fire safety systems were being tested last week and the electrical work is wrapping up. The Police Department will be coordinating with Interim City Manager Greg Wellman to schedule an official grand opening ceremony, likely within a few weeks. “We will have you all there and invite the public to attend,” Reyna told the Council, noting that City Manager Wellman may want to make remarks at the event. The new shelter will provide a modern facility for Los Banos’s animal control and pet adoption services – a welcome upgrade from the small, outdated pound used in years past.
Chief Reyna also had personnel news to share: two veteran police officers have been promoted to Sergeant. He announced that Michael Neal and Luis Beltran were elevated to the rank of sergeant that very day after completing a competitive process. “They’ve both been with the department for years… and will continue to do great work for the city,” Reyna said, praising the new sergeants. Promoting deserving staff into leadership roles, he added, is “one of the great things a chief gets to do”. The Council offered their congratulations to Neal and Beltran on their promotions.
Looking ahead on the community calendar, National Night Out 2025 is fast approaching. Los Banos will hold its National Night Out community gathering on Tuesday, August 5th from 6:00–9:00 PM at the Downtown Plaza, Chief Reyna announced. This annual event brings together residents, police, and other emergency services for an evening of neighborhood camaraderie and safety education. Last year, Los Banos’s National Night Out was recognized with an award for being the best in the region (Sergeant Ivan Mendez, who coordinates it, “puts together a great show for our community,” said Reyna). The Chief encouraged everyone to attend on August 5th to meet their officers, see equipment demonstrations, enjoy food and activities, and help keep Los Banos’s title as one of the top National Night Out events around.
On the Fire Department side, Chief Osborne kept his report brief. In addition to the July 4th updates, he highlighted that Los Banos Fire is reviving its Volunteer Firefighter program after a pause during the pandemic. A recruitment drive is currently underway for reserve/volunteer firefighters – notices have been posted thanks to assistance from the City Clerk’s office – and Osborne is “looking forward to that program starting up again” to augment the full-time fire crew. He also informed the Council that the department’s ladder truck has returned to service. The truck was out of town for repairs and refurbishment (addressing a major aerial apparatus issue), but is now back in Los Banos and ready to respond to multistory structure fires or other incidents requiring an elevated master stream. Council Members thanked Chief Osborne and his firefighters for their work, noting that between the volunteer recruitment and the restored ladder truck, the Fire Department is bolstering its capabilities.
City Development & Economic Updates
Community & Economic Development Director Stacy Elms (formerly Susana Elms – she clarified the name change during her report) delivered an upbeat update on local development projects. She first noted that both of the city’s major retailers – Target and Walmart – are in the midst of significant interior remodels this summer. These tenant improvements are focused on refreshing the stores to meet current corporate branding and layout standards. While the exteriors have gotten minor touch-ups (new paint and updated signage), most of the work is inside: “You can see the improvement already” when walking through, Elms said, with aisles and departments being reconfigured and modernized. Notably, both stores are enhancing their order pick-up and e-commerce areas to accommodate the growing volume of online orders for in-store or curbside pickup. Elms clarified that neither Target nor Walmart is expanding its building footprint – they are rearranging existing space rather than adding square footage. (In response to a Council question, she confirmed that Target has no plans to reopen its former garden center space to the public; that area has been repurposed internally as part of the grocery and stockroom reconfiguration.) Both store remodels are roughly at the halfway point, on track for completion in a few more months. “It’s really exciting to see the enhancements,” Elms said, noting the improvements will be a benefit for local shoppers.
Over in the Stonecreek Plaza near Target, two eagerly anticipated new eateries are nearing the finish line: Ono Hawaiian Barbecue and a second Dutch Bros Coffee. Elms reported that “Dutch Bros No. 2” has received temporary occupancy as of this week, meaning the drive-through coffee kiosk can begin training staff and stocking supplies on-site. Final health department and building inspections are underway, and once cleared, Dutch Bros will be able to open for customers (likely within a matter of days or weeks). Meanwhile, the adjacent Ono Hawaiian BBQ restaurant is under construction with an expected opening by October or November of this year. Council members remarked that these additions will be welcome – Dutch Bros’ first location has been hugely popular, and Ono BBQ will bring a new cuisine option to town. Elms added that both businesses are locally franchised (not corporate-owned), so it’s exciting to see local entrepreneurs invest in the community.
On the planning approval front, Elms highlighted two major commercial developments that got the green light at the Planning Commission’s meeting last week. First, a project called Northgate 42 LLC will redevelop the northeast corner of West Pacheco Boulevard (Hwy 152) and West I Street – the site currently occupied by several older buildings, including Mr. Taco Drive-In, Ed’s Famous Burgers, and Fernandez Furniture/Thrift. Those structures will be demolished and replaced with a brand-new retail center. The approved plan consists of four commercial buildings: a convenience store with a gas station and automated car wash (at the corner), a quick-service restaurant with drive-through, a sit-down restaurant, and another retail storefront. Elms noted this redevelopment will significantly upgrade the aesthetics of that corner and bring new services to the west side of town. Second, Vintner’s Distributors received approval to develop about 9.2 acres at the northeast corner of Mercy Springs Road and Wilmot Road (near the new residential growth in that area). The Vintner’s project will be somewhat larger in scope: it includes a full-size grocery store, a two-story building with retail on the ground floor and offices above, two drive-thru restaurants, and a convenience market with a fuel station and car wash. Essentially it’s a mini shopping center to serve residents in south Los Banos. With Planning Commission approval, both projects will now move into engineering design and the building permit stage. Elms estimated they could break ground within 6 to 9 months, once final maps and construction plans are readied. Mayor Amabile and the Council reacted enthusiastically to these developments – especially the prospect of new dining options and a grocery store in under-served areas. “It’s really exciting to see these projects moving forward,” the Mayor said.
Finance Director Minnie Moreno followed with a brief financial update. She announced that the City has kicked off a “Support Our Local” economic campaign, including the release of the first in a series of promotional videos to encourage residents to shop and dine in Los Banos. An interesting tip for online shoppers: Moreno reminded everyone that if you order online and have items delivered to your Los Banos home, the local share of sales tax revenue stays in Los Banos. (This applies to many major retailers and Amazon, for instance.) In other words, you can still support the community even if you shop from your couch – as long as the purchase is shipped to your local address, “those tax dollars stay here,” Moreno said. Look for that point to be emphasized in the City’s next outreach video. On the internal side, the Finance Department is busy with a technology upgrade that will soon make life easier for residents and contractors doing business with City Hall. Moreno reported that new software is being implemented to enable online payments and permit processing for several city services. By September or October, the Community Development and Planning divisions and the Business Licensing system are expected to go live on a modern electronic platform – meaning users will be able to apply for permits or licenses, submit plans, and pay fees online instead of having to do everything on paper in person. The Recreation Department is also being integrated so that event rentals and activity sign-ups can be handled in the same system. Additionally, Moreno noted, the City now accepts credit card payments at all locations (a change implemented over the past year). The Mayor and council members were pleased to hear about the digital improvements, having long pushed for more “e-government” convenience.
Councilmember Reports: Traffic, Air Quality, and Community Engagement
During the Council Member Reports portion, each official highlighted different community matters and personal initiatives:
- Council Member Deborah Lewis (District 4) reported on her work representing Los Banos on the Valley Air District Board. She promoted the “Tune In, Tune Up” smog check repair program that the Air District and Valley CAN organization sponsor to help residents whose vehicles have trouble passing California smog tests. At “Tune Up” events, drivers can get a free emissions test; if their car fails, they receive a voucher for up to $850 in repairs at a participating mechanic to bring it into compliance. Lewis noted that Los Banos will host one of these drive-thru smog repair events next year, but residents don’t have to wait – they can attend any Tune In, Tune Up event in the Central Valley (regardless of city of residence) to take advantage of the program. She directed the public to valleycan.org for the schedule of upcoming events. Lewis also mentioned that the Air Board’s July meeting was “dark” (canceled for summer recess), so she will have more to report after their August session.
- Council Member Evan Sanders (District 2) focused on the persistent speeding problems in residential neighborhoods, echoing concerns raised by citizens in the Public Forum and at the Parkside Chat. He said he heard numerous complaints about speeders at the College Greens Park meet-and-greet – “it’s a problem everywhere, it seems like,” Sanders observed. In newer subdivisions, the City now installs traffic calming features by design (like speed humps and bulb-outs), but older neighborhoods often lack these. Los Banos does have a petition-based speed hump installation program for existing streets, and a small budget each year for it. However, Sanders suggested the City may need to invest more heavily and proactively in traffic calming measures given how widespread the speeding issues are. “I don’t know if it’s first-come, first-served or how [the City is] determining which [streets] are most in need,” he said of the current program, “but we probably need to be more proactive…and possibly have more budget associated with it”. Ward Road, in particular, came up repeatedly as a hotspot. Sanders, who lives near Ward, underscored that cars routinely hit 50+ miles per hour on that residential street – “It’s a drag strip,” he lamented, noting drivers roar from one stop sign to the next at dangerous speeds. He personally witnesses it on morning walks, even when children are walking to school. While police occasionally run traffic enforcement on Ward, they tend to monitor the stop sign at Overland Road and may not be catching mid-block speeders. Sanders urged that “something needs to be done on Ward, badly,” be it physical speed tables, radar speed displays, or more patrols. He requested that staff study options and report back, and suggested revisiting the issue during the mid-year budget review to allocate more resources if necessary. The rest of the Council agreed that traffic safety is a top priority. (Mayor Amabile later noted that state legislation may soon allow automated speed cameras in school zones and high-collision corridors – technology he would consider in the future if it “pays for itself” and improves safety.) In response to Sanders’ comments, Interim City Manager Wellman said staff would evaluate the current calming program and see if criteria or funding adjustments are warranted.
- Council Member Marcus Chavez (District 3) had a light report this meeting. He thanked city staff for their hard work on recent projects and noted he had attended various community events. Chavez humorously said he’s often asked around town about the status of road construction – “I get hit up constantly, people asking, ‘When will that be done?’,” he shared. In particular, residents have been inquiring whether the long-running Ortigalita Road extension project or the Walmart/Target remodels will finish first, he joked. (Public Works has indicated the Ortigalita extension should be completed by the end of September, slightly pushed back from summer.) Chavez said he looks forward to all the improvements coming online and thanked the public for their patience with construction inconveniences. He concluded by congratulating the Employee of the Month and the new police sergeants, and encouraging everyone to attend National Night Out on August 5.
- Mayor Michael Amabile wrapped up with a multifaceted report. Water Quality Advocacy: The Mayor had recently traveled to Sacramento to testify on behalf of Los Banos regarding a state water regulation bill, and he was proud to announce success in that effort. Without delving into technical details, Amabile explained that the legislation in question would mandate extremely costly treatment upgrades for certain municipalities (Los Banos included) to remove contaminants like 1,2,3-TCP from drinking water. He warned that some districts estimated costs as high as $36,000 per household connection for compliance – an astronomical burden that could bankrupt small communities. The Mayor went to a Senate committee hearing to plead Los Banos’s case for flexibility or relief, noting that local groundwater has shown no acute health impacts under current filtration. “I was basically the mouthpiece for the city,” Amabile said, going up against paid lobbyists and industry representatives. He expected a tough fight, but to his delight, the committee gave a unanimous “yes” vote to the more reasonable timeline and standards the city was supporting. “Everyone in Sacramento working for the city was very excited – including myself,” he said. The bill still faces a full Senate vote, but State Senator Anna Caballero has taken the lead in rounding up support. If momentum stalls, Amabile may head back to Sacramento for one more round of advocacy to ensure Los Banos isn’t saddled with an unfair mandate. “It’s going to cost a lot of money if we have to do it [the expensive way],” he cautioned, “but we all want clean water…I’ve been drinking that water my whole life and I haven’t started glowing yet!” he added with a laugh, joking that maybe the only side effect is hair loss – “good thing that doesn’t sound right!”. The Council applauded the Mayor’s initiative in personally fighting for the city’s interests at the Capitol. Local Business and Streamlining: Mayor Amabile happily reported attending the grand opening of Body Luxe Pilates, a new women-owned fitness studio that opened July 8 in the Stonecreek area (next to the UPS Store). “Local ownership – love it,” he said, describing how two Los Banos women have launched the Pilates exercise boutique and are “doing a great job” so far. The Mayor also mentioned he participated in a City staff workshop about repurposing the old Police Annex building (behind City Hall) into a one-stop Development Services Center. The concept is to consolidate the Planning, Building, Engineering, and related public counters into a single modern customer service space, so that residents and developers can handle all permit and plan needs in one place. “We’re trying to be more efficient for people who want to pull permits – a one-stop shop,” Amabile explained. Plans for the remodel are in early stages, but the goal is improved convenience and coordination among departments. Community Engagement: Following up on Larry Byers’ comments, the Mayor was pleased with how the first “Parkside Chat” on July 12 turned out. He gave kudos to Council Member Sanders for helping host it – “Evan did an excellent job at the Parkside chat,” Amabile said. The informal setting allowed open dialogue with no time limits: “People have questions and you can talk openly,” which isn’t always possible in formal meetings due to agenda restrictions. Based on the positive response, the City is moving ahead with more sessions in different districts. The next Parkside Chat will be on Saturday, July 26 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Ranchwood Park on the west side. This corresponds to District 1 – which currently has no seated councilmember (the District 1 seat is vacant pending a November special election). To ensure residents still have representation at the chat, the City has invited both candidates for the District 1 council seat to attend and listen to constituents. “Hopefully they’ll be able to come, but if not, you get me,” the Mayor said, noting he and any other councilmembers present will be there to field questions regardless. As with the first chat, key City staff will also attend to hear concerns directly and take notes – in fact, Amabile held up the summary notes from the July 12 chat, saying the City is actively working on each issue that was raised. “We will take care of everything we can take care of and get back to those people” with answers or solutions, he promised. He strongly encouraged residents to “be a part of your community” by coming to these casual gatherings. “Your voice is important to us – it’s not just the four of us up here,” Amabile said, emphasizing that good ideas and important issues often come from residents’ input. Along those lines, he plugged that the City currently has several openings on commissions (such as the Planning Commission and Parks Commission) and is seeking volunteers to apply. Serving on a commission is a great way to get involved and help shape city policies, the Mayor noted. Information on how to apply is available on the city website and at the City Clerk’s office.
With no further reports or comments, Mayor Amabile thanked everyone for their dedication and adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:50 PM. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for August 6, 2025. All Los Banos residents are invited to attend or watch via the City’s YouTube live stream to stay informed on their city’s issues and initiatives.
