LOS BANOS, CA — At its May 7, 2025 meeting, the Los Banos City Council approved multiple resolutions related to infrastructure and downtown management, directed staff to conduct an audit of the Downtown Association’s finances, and initiated a review of the city’s mobile vendor ordinance following extensive public input.
The Council approved Resolution No. 6927 authorizing a $4,432,440 construction contract with Rolfe Construction, Inc. for the Final Kilometer Sewer Trunk Line Replacement Project, with a 15% contingency of $664,866. Staff explained that the project aims to increase wastewater flow to the city’s treatment plant and involves a pipeline crossing city-owned land. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
The Council also unanimously approved Resolution No. 6928, authorizing a $175,269 purchase order with Agee Construction Corporation for reinforced concrete pipe needed to install a siphon under the San Luis Canal. City Engineer Chuck Besson reported the project addresses risks of sewer line contamination from debris in the canal and emphasized the importance of completing the work while the canal is dry, avoiding an estimated $250,000 in extra costs.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on Resolution No. 6929, authorizing an agreement between the City of Los Banos and the Los Banos Downtown Association to implement the Downtown Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) Management District Plan through December 31, 2034. Councilmember Deborah Lewis recused herself due to a conflict of interest as a property owner within the PBID boundaries.
Community and Economic Development Director Stacey Souza Elms explained the PBID’s structure, noting that the City is one of approximately 68 property owners and acts as an intermediary to disburse assessment funds collected via property taxes. Council members and several community members raised concerns about the Downtown Association’s transparency, financial reporting, and meeting notifications. Councilmember Lewis and members of the public questioned the adequacy of past audits and requested a detailed financial accounting. Staff clarified that the City has authority under the agreement to request an independent financial audit at the Association’s expense.
After discussion, the Council approved the agreement and directed staff to coordinate a comprehensive audit covering the PBID’s expenditures from its inception to present, ensuring detailed financial documentation is provided to the City and the public.
The Council also addressed a request from Councilmember Marcus Chavez to revisit the City’s mobile vendor ordinance, focusing on permitting tables, chairs, and shade structures at mobile food vendor sites. Chavez emphasized that mobile vendors serve a different customer base than traditional restaurants. Multiple food truck owners and residents spoke in support, citing customer comfort, accessibility needs, and alignment with practices in other cities. The Council unanimously directed staff to review ordinances from neighboring jurisdictions and return with recommendations.
In other business, the Council unanimously appointed Leticia Guerra to a two-year term on the Measure H Citizens’ Oversight Committee, and Tom Kalgian and Brian Halloran to two-year terms on the Tree Commission.
During department reports, Community and Economic Development Director Souza Elms announced a May 14 public hearing for a development agreement extension for the Villages at Stone Creek, a groundbreaking ceremony for Sutter Health’s expansion on May 9 at 801 West I Street, and shared updated state population figures showing Los Banos grew 1.4% to 48,896 residents.
Finance Director Annie Moreno reported that starting July 1, 2025, the City will accept credit card payments at all municipal locations. Parks Director Joe Heim announced a May 17 ceremonial check celebration for $1 million in state funding for Colorado Ballpark and provided updates on Sunrise Ranch Park and Shaughnessy Village Park projects. Police Chief Steven Raina highlighted the arrival of a new mobile speed trailer to assist traffic enforcement and reported on community outreach with local students.
Council members provided updates, with Councilmember Chavez noting work underway to address issues at a local homeless encampment. Councilmember Lewis encouraged development of a Citizens Academy to increase public understanding of city government operations. Mayor Michael Amabile reported on attending Senate hearings in Sacramento regarding legislation on municipal legal protections and highlighted regional collaboration efforts.
The Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 6927, authorizing a $4,432,440 contract with Rolfe Construction, Inc., plus a 15% contingency, for the Final Kilometer Sewer Trunk Line Replacement Project. City Engineer Chuck Besson explained that the project will replace aging infrastructure to improve flow to the wastewater treatment plant. Council members noted the high cost but emphasized the necessity of the work.
Following that, the Council approved Resolution No. 6928 to authorize a $175,269 purchase order with Agee Construction Corporation for reinforced concrete pipe. Besson explained that the pipe will be used to install a siphon under the San Luis Canal to protect the sewer line from contamination if the existing pipe fails. The timing aligns with a planned dry period for the canal, saving an estimated $250,000 if completed while empty.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding Resolution No. 6929, authorizing an agreement with the Los Banos Downtown Association to implement the Downtown Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) Management District Plan through December 31, 2034. Community and Economic Development Director Stacy Souza Elms provided background, noting the PBID’s renewal by property owner vote in August 2024. She clarified that the City functions as both a property owner within the PBID and a fiscal intermediary, collecting assessments via property taxes and passing funds to the Downtown Association.
Councilmember Deborah Lewis recused herself from the discussion and vote due to owning property within the PBID. Several council members and members of the public raised concerns about financial transparency, the quality of previous audits, inconsistent meeting notifications, and oversight of PBID expenditures. Councilmember Lewis, speaking before recusing herself, emphasized the need for a detailed line-by-line financial accounting. Mayor Pro Tem Lewis and Councilmember Chavez supported requesting a comprehensive audit to cover the full duration of the PBID to date.
Ultimately, the Council unanimously approved the agreement while also directing staff to coordinate a full independent financial audit of the PBID funds and expenditures, with the goal of improving accountability and transparency.
The Council then addressed a request from Councilmember Marcus Chavez to revisit the City’s mobile vendor ordinance. Chavez explained that local food vendors are seeking the ability to provide tables, chairs, and shade structures for customers. Several mobile vendor owners and community members spoke in favor of updating the ordinance, citing customer comfort, disability access, and alignment with ordinances in other cities. Councilmember Chavez and others noted the ordinance has not been reviewed in over 20 years. The Council unanimously directed staff to study ordinances from surrounding jurisdictions and return with recommendations.
In other business, the Council appointed Leticia Guerra to a two-year term on the Measure H Citizens’ Oversight Committee, and Tom Kalgian and Brian Halloran to two-year terms on the Tree Commission.
During department reports, Community and Economic Development Director Souza Elms announced a public hearing for a development agreement extension on May 14, the groundbreaking of a Sutter Health facility expansion on May 9 at 801 West I Street, and new population figures from the California Department of Finance showing a 1.4% increase to 48,896 residents. Finance Director Annie Moreno announced that beginning July 1, 2025, the City will accept credit card payments at all municipal locations. Parks Director Joe Heim shared that Sunrise Ranch Park is expected to open the week of May 12, though some infrastructure work remains pending. Police Chief Reyna announced the arrival of a new mobile speed trailer equipped with cameras to assist with traffic safety. City Engineer Chuck Besson reported upcoming street closures for water main installation and ongoing construction proposals for storm drain improvements.
Council members delivered their reports, with several reflecting on the previous day’s eight-hour budget priorities workshop. Mayor Pro Tem Lewis highlighted state population growth trends and congratulated staff and volunteers on recent recognitions. Councilmember Chavez and Councilmember Sanders emphasized the importance of addressing homelessness and road conditions. Mayor Amabile noted recent regional meetings, the Measure V ribbon cutting for the Lorraine Street bridge in Dos Palos, and ongoing legislative efforts in Sacramento.
The meeting concluded with a closed session regarding the City Attorney position. No reportable action was announced following the closed session.
