Los Banos, CA (September 19, 2025) — The Los Banos City Council convened for its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The session covered a full agenda, ranging from citizen comments and routine approvals to major policy decisions and key appointments. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, with Mayor Michael Amabile presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and roll call was taken. Council Members Marcus Chavez (District 3), Evan Sanders (District 2), and Deborah Lewis (District 4) were present. With a quorum established, the Council approved the meeting agenda without amendments, allowing the session to proceed as scheduled.
Public Forum
During the Public Forum, residents addressed a wide range of concerns. One speaker raised the issue of water contamination, warning about chromium in the aquifer and its potential conversion to the more toxic chromium-6, while another pointed to unresolved contamination near the airport dating back to 2008, as well as concerns that housing growth is outpacing commercial development, leaving the community without sufficient retail services. Additional comments included praise for Los Banos Memorial Hospital and ambulance services but a call for a new hospital and trauma center to meet safety standards, recognition from a Merced College student who thanked city leaders for their outreach to students, and a presentation from a longtime water district professional on regional water and infrastructure challenges. Finally, a resident highlighted ongoing animal control issues, specifically community-led efforts to manage stray and feral cats, the difficulty of attracting veterinarians to Los Banos, and neighborhood outreach to address the problem
Consent Agenda
The Council next moved to approve the Consent Agenda, which bundled several routine items into a single vote. These items included a check register covering checks #253549 through #253743 in the amount of $1,549,431.04, reflecting recent city expenditures. The Council also adopted Resolution No. 6983 to file the city’s annual Local Transportation Fund claim for fiscal year 2024–2025 with the Merced County Association of Governments. Additionally, Resolution No. 6984 was approved to ratify Los Banos’ participation in the Homeland Security Grant Program and authorize the City Manager to execute related agreements with the California Office of Emergency Services and Merced County. Another consent item, Resolution No. 6985, confirmed the City’s decision to “opt in” to the national opioid settlement agreements (including the Purdue Pharma settlement and secondary manufacturers’ settlements) and authorized the City Manager to sign the necessary participation documents. All consent agenda items were approved as submitted in a single unanimous motion, with no requests for separate discussion.
Presentations: San Luis Reservoir Upgrade
The Council received an informational presentation on the ongoing San Luis Reservoir Upgrade project. Pablo Arroyave, Chief Operating Officer of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, delivered an overview of construction updates at the reservoir. This regional water infrastructure project involves significant upgrades to the San Luis Reservoir, which is a key component of California’s water delivery system. Mr. Arroyave discussed the scope and progress of the construction efforts aimed at improving water storage capacity and operational efficiency at the reservoir. The presentation was for information only and no Council action was required or taken on this item. Council members thanked Mr. Arroyave for the update and noted the importance of the reservoir project to the local and regional water supply.
Public Hearings: Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance Amendment
The meeting featured a public hearing on proposed amendments to Los Banos’ Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance. City staff outlined the changes in Ordinance No. 1209, which updates Article 36 of the Municipal Code governing mobile food vendors. The amendments were initiated by the Council earlier in the year to provide more flexibility for food truck operators while maintaining public health and safety standards. Key changes include allowing limited temporary furniture – such as tables, chairs, and canopies – at food truck sites (with the requirement that these items be removed at the end of each business day). The ordinance also establishes a process for creating “food truck parks” in certain commercial or industrial zones, subject to a conditional use permit and site standards (e.g. all-weather surface paving, adequate parking, restrooms, lighting, and other safety provisions). These provisions aim to support mobile food businesses by permitting seating and shade on a temporary basis and by paving the way for designated food truck park locations, all while ensuring compliance with building, fire, and health regulations.
During the hearing, the Council opened the floor for public comment. Community feedback at prior meetings and a Planning Commission hearing (on August 14, 2025) had been generally supportive of the changes, noting that they would enhance the food truck dining experience without compromising safety. With no significant objections raised at the Council hearing, the Council proceeded to waive the second reading of the ordinance and adopted Ordinance 1209 as proposed. The new rules for mobile food vendors will take effect in the coming weeks, updating the City’s code to reflect these more flexible operating standards. City officials emphasized that the goal of the ordinance remains to promote public health, safety, and welfare while accommodating the growing popularity of mobile eateries in Los Banos.
Discussion Items
City engineers and Public Works staff presented options for traffic control at the planned intersection of Vineyard Drive/Dove Street and State Route 165, a project intended to create a new four-way connection that will improve east-west access, reduce congestion, and support emergency response. The Council reviewed two alternatives: a conventional traffic signal or a single-lane roundabout. Staff reported that a traffic signal would cost about $4.03 million and operate at Level of Service “C” by 2046, while a roundabout would cost $2.99 million, maintain Level of Service “A” even at peak traffic, and significantly reduce conflict points—32 vehicle and 24 pedestrian at a signal versus 8 each at a roundabout. Safety data showed roundabouts reduce total crashes by 39% and severe injury crashes by 89%. Concerns were noted regarding pedestrian safety because the site lies between two parks, though staff explained that roundabouts shorten crossing distances and lower vehicle speeds to 20–25 mph, while signals provide familiar crosswalks but involve higher-speed conflict points. Maintenance was also a factor, with signals requiring ongoing electrical and operational costs compared to lower long-term costs for a roundabout. After discussion, the Council provided direction to staff but took no formal vote, allowing engineers to proceed with design, environmental review, and Caltrans coordination.
Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Lewis also raised concerns about the City’s rental and lease properties, questioning whether rents being charged are consistent with fair market values. She proposed hiring a licensed commercial property appraiser to evaluate all City-owned rental properties. The Council discussed the scope and potential cost of such an effort and ultimately directed staff to explore the option further and return with a proposal or cost estimate for consideration at a future meeting.
City Manager Appointment
A major decision of the evening was the appointment of a new permanent City Manager. The Council considered City Council Resolution No. 6986, which appoints Mr. Soknirorn Than as the next City Manager of Los Banos. After a comprehensive recruitment process, the Council selected Mr. Than based on his administrative and executive qualifications. The resolution approves an employment agreement with Mr. Than and sets his start date as November 3, 2025, when he will officially assume the City Manager duties. By adopting the resolution, the Council formalized the hiring, pending execution of the contract by the Mayor and the appointee. Mr. Than will succeed Interim City Manager Greg Brizzee, bringing new leadership to City Hall. The Council members welcomed Mr. Than (who was not present at the meeting) and expressed optimism about working with him. The vote to appoint the new City Manager was approved. Mayor Amabile noted this marks an important step in filling a key leadership position for the City’s administration.
Department Reports
City Department heads were invited to provide brief updates on recent activities and projects in their respective departments. Reports were given by the heads of Community & Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Parks & Recreation, Police, and Public Works. These updates included information on ongoing programs, upcoming events, and departmental achievements since the last meeting. For example, the Community & Economic Development Director highlighted progress on local development projects and grant applications, while the Public Works Department noted recent street maintenance efforts. The Fire and Police Chiefs reported on public safety statistics and community outreach initiatives. All Department Reports were informational in nature, and no formal Council actions were taken on these items. Council members thanked the staff for their dedicated work and the updates provided.
Council Member Reports
During the Council Member Reports segment, each Council official in attendance had an opportunity to share announcements and comments. Council Member Evan Sanders (District 2) mentioned a successful neighborhood cleanup event in his district and reminded residents about an upcoming fall festival. Council Member Marcus Chavez (District 3) congratulated a local high school sports team on their recent victory and encouraged community support for an upcoming charity drive. Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Lewis (District 4) reported on her attendance at a regional transportation committee meeting and thanked city staff for promptly addressing a code enforcement issue raised by constituents. Mayor Michael Amabile echoed appreciation for City employees and volunteers, and he invited the public to the downtown concert series scheduled for the weekend.
The meeting concluded later in the evening, with Mayor Amabile adjourning the September 17, 2025 City Council meeting. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for October 2025, and members of the public are encouraged to attend or watch via the City’s YouTube channel for updates on city governance.
