Los Banos, CA (October 21, 2025) – At its October 15, 2025 meeting, the Los Banos City Council approved a series of resolutions and contracts covering local infrastructure projects, grants and policy updates. The Council awarded a $7.8 million contract to launch a major Civic Center renovation and agreed to join a statewide bond financing program to help fund new development. The meeting also featured a formal apology from a council member over a prior remark and a robust public forum in which residents voiced concerns about public safety staffing, traffic congestion and other community issues.
Proclamation Celebrates Library Supporters
The evening began on a positive note with a proclamation recognizing National Friends of Libraries Week. Mayor Michael Amabile presented the proclamation to local library volunteers, praising the Friends of the Los Banos Library for enabling the branch “to move from good to great” by raising funds for programs, equipment and events. Representatives of the Friends group thanked the Mayor and Council for the recognition and invited everyone to get a library card and support the library’s mission. The proclamation declared October 19–25, 2025 as Friends of the Library Week in Los Banos.
Apology and Public Forum Highlights
Ahead of the scheduled Public Forum, Council Member Marcus Chavez addressed a controversial remark he made during the October 1 meeting, in which he referred to some members of the public as “crazy” while congratulating newly appointed Council Member Mitzy Perez. Chavez acknowledged the comment was “inappropriate” and apologized “to everybody, especially the community,” clarifying that he did not intend to discourage anyone from speaking at Council meetings. He thanked those who reached out to him and emphasized that it takes courage for residents to speak publicly, reaffirming his support for open and respectful public discourse.
During the Public Forum, numerous residents stepped forward to share concerns and gratitude on a range of topics. Several speakers raised alarms about growth and public safety staffing. One resident, citing a recent municipal service review, noted Los Banos has just over one police officer per 1,000 residents , which is below the state average, and argued “Los Banos should be striving to become one of the safest cities in Merced County, not one that continues to fall behind”. Another speaker warned that the City’s plan to remove the long-proposed Highway 152 bypass from the General Plan would eliminate “the only viable relief” for future traffic congestion.
Others in the audience responded to Chavez’s apology. Resident Kalid Sanchez thanked Chavez for apologizing but urged that “the community also deserves a public apology from the rest of the members who laughed” at the initial remark. In a similar vein, another speaker commended Chavez’s handling of the misstep and reminded both officials and the public to show grace.
Several residents praised the Los Banos Police Department’s new Spanish-language Community Academy, speaking in Spanish with translation by City staff. “It makes me very happy to know that here in Los Banos, the Hispanic community is heard,” one academy participant said, noting that the program improved understanding between residents and police. Others from the class shared that the academy “changed the vision” they had of law enforcement and thanked Police Chief Ray Reyna and his team for the outreach. A representative from State Senator Anna Caballero’s office also addressed the Council, thanking the City for supporting the Senator’s Young Legislators Program, which mentors local high school students in civic leadership.
Multiple speakers highlighted community events including an upcoming Halloween pet parade and fundraiser at the Elks Lodge on October 25 to benefit the animal shelter, complete with costumed pets, a “Ghostbuster mobile,” and free food. The Los Banos Downtown Association, reported a successful summer farmers market season and thanked City officials and staff for their partnership in events like the 4th of July festival and farm-to-table dinner, and invited the council to attend the Association’s upcoming Christmas scavenger hunt, emphasizing that “downtown Los Banos is the heart of our city” when everyone works together. Additionally, Friends of the Library invited the public to a week of library events from Oct. 21–25 in honor of National Friends of Libraries Week. The coordinator of the Los Banos Veterans Parade, promoted the annual Veterans Parade scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. She explained this year’s theme is a “Salute to the Space Force” and encouraged local volunteers and entries, noting the parade is held the weekend before Veterans Day to avoid conflicting with larger regional events.
After nearly an hour of public comments touching on development, infrastructure, public safety and community pride, Mayor Amabile thanked everyone for their input and closed the forum. He reiterated that the Council “appreciates everybody’s opinion” and will strive to do what is best for the residents.
Consent Agenda Approvals: Trail Grant, Traffic Safety Funds, and More
The Council approved several key consent items advancing infrastructure and community programs across Los Banos. The city accepted a $100,000 grant from the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority for the H.G. Fawcett Canal Trail overlay project, with a budget amendment to add the funds—marking the second grant from the agency supporting local trail improvements. It also accepted a $50,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support police traffic-safety initiatives, along with a matching budget adjustment. Council members approved Parcel Map 2024-01 for property at Highway 152 and Ward Road (Aime Chang Family Trust), which dedicates roadway right-of-way and a ten-foot public-utility easement along the frontages, formalizing the subdivision map and required easements for development. A contract was awarded to Cal Coating Asphalt, Inc. for $167,488 to pave the parking lot at the city’s F Street Corporation Yard, authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement. Finally, the Council accepted a $150,000 grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s Electronic Mobility Grant Program to expand electric-vehicle infrastructure, approving a budget amendment to include the additional revenue and expenditures. Additionally, the consent calendar included approval of the City’s check register for Sept. 2025 in the amount of $1.16 million and minutes from the Council’s September 3 and 17 meetings. All consent items were adopted as submitted with no discussion.
City Joins Statewide Bond Financing Program
The Council held a scheduled public hearing (item 8) on the City’s proposed participation in the Bond Opportunities for Land Development (BOLD) program, a statewide initiative of the California Municipal Finance Authority. By joining BOLD, Los Banos will enable developers of new housing projects to use Mello-Roos community facilities districts (CFDs) to finance upfront infrastructure and development impact fees via bond funding.
Finance staff and a representative from Piper Sandler & Co. gave a presentation explaining that the BOLD program lets an outside agency handle the formation of special tax districts and issuance of bonds for developments, at no direct cost to the City. The benefit, they noted, is that infrastructure like streets, utilities and parks in new subdivisions can be built earlier – even with small projects – by pooling them into larger bond issues. The City would join the CMFA joint powers authority and outsource CFD administration rather than manage it in-house.
During the hearing, one resident asked about the pros and cons of outsourcing CFDs versus the City running them internally. Mayor Amabile responded that for a city of Los Banos’s size, outsourcing complex financing districts is practical: “We’re not in that job of doing that,” he said, comparing it to how the City previously hired outside firms to manage redevelopment projects. He added that BOLD will help ensure facilities like neighborhood parks get built sooner – potentially alongside the first new homes – rather than at the end of a development.
With no further public comment, the Council voted to adopt Resolution No. 7002 approving the City’s entry into the CMFA joint exercise of powers agreement, and Resolution No. 7003 authorizing use of the BOLD program in Los Banos and allowing CMFA to conduct CFD proceedings within city limits. Both measures passed unanimously. Los Banos is now positioned to accept applications from developers who wish to finance infrastructure through this special bonding program.
$7.8 Million Civic Center Renovation Launched
In other business, the Council took a major step toward overhauling key City facilities. Resolution No. 7004 was approved to award a contract to Swinerton Builders and The Taylor Group Architects for the Los Banos Civic Center Project, at a cost not to exceed $7.8 million. The project entails a comprehensive renovation of the former Police Department annex building (across from City Hall) to create a new Development Services Center – a “one-stop shop” for planning, building and engineering services. It also includes modernization of City Hall workspaces and electrical systems, essentially a cosmetic interior upgrade to City Hall. The old police station properties will undergo a feasibility study for future reuse, per Council direction.
Community and Economic Development Director Stacy Souza Elms described an extensive community input process behind the Civic Center plan. A public workshop in July drew feedback from residents on desired improvements, and an online survey garnered over 250 responses. The City used a competitive “progressive design-build” procurement: after issuing a Request for Qualifications on July 30, staff evaluated submissions and conducted interviews, ultimately recommending Swinerton/Taylor Group based on their strong experience and prior success building the City’s police station and courthouse. The design-build approach will integrate the architects and builders under one contract, providing cost control with a guaranteed maximum price and faster delivery by overlapping design and construction phases.
Council members voiced support for the Civic Center project’s goals of improving customer service and interdepartmental collaboration. With the contract awarded, work is anticipated to begin soon. The project was also deemed exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under applicable guidelines. The 1970s-era former police annex will be transformed into a modern service center, and City officials aim to complete the renovation within the next couple of years.
Stormwater Basin Project Contract Approved
Moving forward on another infrastructure front, the Council approved Resolution No. 7005, awarding a construction contract for the City’s new stormwater basin and capture project. The contract was given to Archer Civil Construction LLC for the bid amount of $2,199,376.75. The project will construct a stormwater retention basin and related facilities to improve flood control and water capture capacity. Along with authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute the agreement and issue a notice of award, the Council amended the budget to recognize an additional $525,000 grant helping to fund the project.
Public Works staff explained that the stormwater basin will be funded through a combination of a state grant and local wastewater capital funds. A 15% contingency was included for unforeseen conditions, as well as funding for construction support and materials testing. Construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed by late 2026. The new basin will increase the City’s ability to capture storm runoff and improve groundwater recharge, aligning with regional water management goals. Council members expressed optimism that the project will mitigate flooding in heavy rains and thanked staff for securing outside grant funding.
New Public Works Director Confirmed
By adopting Resolution No. 7006, the Council formally ratified the hiring of William “Bill” Via as the City’s new Public Works Director. Interim City Manager Gary Brizzee had recently approved an employment agreement with Mr. Via, which now received Council’s unanimous endorsement. Mr. Via was introduced at the meeting, accompanied by his wife. Council Member Chavez welcomed “Bill” aboard and noted the extensive responsibilities ahead in leading the Public Works Department. Via fills a leadership vacancy in the department; Public Works has been overseen on an interim basis by Parks and Recreation Director Joe Heim in recent months. The Council’s vote secures Via’s position, and he is expected to start immediately, bringing new leadership to the City’s public infrastructure and maintenance operations.
Ordinance Update on Public Project Bidding
In a final piece of official business, the Council adopted Ordinance No. 1210 on a 5-0 vote, amending the Los Banos Municipal Code regarding contracting procedures for public works projects. This was the second reading and formal adoption of an ordinance aligning the City’s rules with the state’s Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (UPCCAA). A recent state law (Assembly Bill 2192 in 2024) raised the bid threshold limits under UPCCAA, allowing cities to use streamlined bidding processes for projects under higher cost amounts. The ordinance updates Chapter 16 of Title 3 of the city code to incorporate those changes, ensuring Los Banos remains in compliance with state law and can take advantage of the more flexible bidding and accounting procedures.
City staff summarized that the new limits will enable the City to expedite smaller construction projects and maintenance work by using informal bidding or force account labor up to the revised dollar thresholds. No public comments were received on the ordinance, and the Council waived the second reading before adoption. This update is intended to save time and resources on public project delivery while maintaining transparency and competitiveness.
Council Member Reports and Closing Comments
During Council and staff reports, officials highlighted community engagement efforts and expressed thanks as the meeting concluded. Council Member Mitzy Perez (District 1) reminded residents that the City is accepting applications for various city commission vacancies, including an opening on the District 1 Planning Commission. “We still have open positions for the city commissions… specifically for District 1,” Perez noted, encouraging interested residents to apply by the November 26 deadline.
Council Member Evan Sanders (District 2) reported on a new experiment he tried to boost public input – summarizing the Council agenda on his social media and inviting feedback before the meeting. He thanked everyone who responded online or via text, saying it “was really helpful to prepare” and gauge community concerns. Sanders also acknowledged the courage it takes for people to speak at meetings and pledged to give every speaker his full attention. “Anybody that does that deserves our undivided attention and our full respect,” he said. “I promise, if you come up here and talk, I’m paying attention to what you say”. His remarks underscored that council members value public participation and will treat commenters with respect.
Council Member Marcus Chavez (District 3) kept his comments brief, thanking City staff for their hard work and again expressing appreciation to interim Public Works lead Joe Heim, calling him “the hardest working man in the city”, for wearing multiple hats. Chavez welcomed new Public Works Director Bill Via to the team and offered praise for Interim City Manager Gary Brizzee’s guidance. Council Member Deborah Lewis (District 4) was not recorded speaking during the member reports segment.
Mayor Amabile closed the meeting with extensive remarks reflecting on city growth and a heartfelt sendoff for the interim city manager. Responding to the public’s traffic concerns, Amabile addressed why the long-planned Highway 152 bypass is being dropped from Los Banos’s General Plan. He explained that Caltrans determined the $700 million bypass is not feasible to build, and leaving the phantom route in the plan would skew the City’s traffic models. “We need to remove things that aren’t going to happen realistically, but also look at what is possible,” the Mayor said, noting the City is instead working on improving Pioneer Road and other corridors to relieve congestion. Amabile, who worked for over a decade on the bypass proposal, admitted “it kills me to see it gone” but acknowledged the need to face reality and plan for local road upgrades.
Finally, Mayor Amabile paid tribute to Gary Brizzee, who was serving his last night as Interim City Manager. Brizzee, the City’s retired police chief, stepped in during a leadership transition earlier this year making this his fourth time as interim city manager. The Mayor praised Brizzee’s steady hand, saying “He led when the city needed him most and he helped this organization heal” during a challenging period. Amabile commended Brizzee’s patience, integrity, and deep care for his hometown, noting that he filled critical staffing vacancies and stabilized city operations in just a few months. On behalf of the Council, employees, and residents, the Mayor offered Brizzee sincere thanks for “a job well done”. Council Member Chavez and others echoed the appreciation, and the audience gave a round of applause. With that, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Mayor Amabile adjourned the meeting, thanking everyone for attending and encouraging continued community involvement in the city’s future.
