James Casey

The meeting commenced with roll call, followed by an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. Key agenda items included a presentation regarding the Cross Town Showdown certificates, where the Central Valley High School team was recognized for winning the trophy after a friendly wager between council members. The council also heard a presentation from the Stannis Council of the Governments concerning the Transportation Development Act's unmet transit needs process, which involves public outreach, hearings, and analysis to identify service gaps. A presentation was also delivered by HDL concerning their contract for city business license administration, including managing applications, renewals, payments, and compliance/discovery services, with initial findings noting approximately $104,000 in collection balances and $98,000 in undiscovered revenue. During citizens communications, a resident raised concerns about not receiving their filed business license after filing in July/August and being incorrectly notified of tax delinquency. Additionally, the council received updates on upcoming community events, such as a ribbon cutting, a multi-chamber holiday mixer, and planning for professional development panels for underserved businesses.

This document, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update for the City of Ceres, serves as a roadmap for the 2023-2031 planning period, aiming to address the community's housing needs in alignment with California State housing goals. It outlines five key goals: facilitating housing construction, improving existing housing stock and preserving affordability, supporting new affordable and special needs housing, exemplifying sustainable development and energy conservation, and publicizing housing needs and resources. The plan emphasizes increasing housing diversity, meeting regional housing needs allocation (RHNA), and affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) by reducing regulatory barriers, providing incentives, and supporting programs for various income levels and special populations, ultimately fostering an inclusive and sustainable community.

This document is the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2023-2031) for the City of Ceres, serving as a roadmap to address housing needs and comply with state mandates. It focuses on facilitating housing construction, improving and preserving existing affordable housing stock, providing new affordable and special needs housing, promoting sustainable development and energy conservation, and publicizing housing needs and resources. The plan emphasizes addressing California's housing crisis, meeting the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), and affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) by overcoming segregation patterns and fostering inclusive communities. The intended outcomes include increasing the range and diversity of housing options, ensuring local community members can live where they work, and meeting the State's housing goals for all income levels.

The agenda includes a discussion on a time extension for the Vesting Tentative Parcel Map for the subdivision of a 35,716 square foot parcel into three parcels located at 2830 Morgan Road. Also on the agenda is a time extension request for the Ceres Self Storage Conditional Use Permit to construct a 92,248 square foot self-storage facility located at 3418 Mitchell Road.

The Ceres City Council held a regular meeting to discuss various items. The agenda included a Veterans Day Proclamation, Planning Commission interviews and appointments, and several resolutions related to agreements with the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office, Probation Department, Sheriff's Department, and Valley Defense Consulting for the use of the Police Department Range. The council also considered resolutions for upgrading the Ceres Police Department 911 Dispatch Center, accepting the Morgan Road Storm Drain Improvements Project as complete, amending the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Agreement with Sensus USA, designating the City Manager as the authorized signer, and potentially canceling the November 24, 2025, City Council Meeting. Additionally, the council held a public hearing for an ordinance amending the Ceres Municipal Code and accepted the Annual Report on Development Impact Fees. Councilmembers also made referrals for future agenda items, including food vendor audits, placing the City Treasurer on the 2028 ballot, and conducting a forensic financial audit of the City. The meeting also included closed sessions for a public employee performance evaluation and a conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation.