Saul Ayon

The council conducted a cadet recognition ceremony and recognized the promotion of a cadet to captain. A recap of the McFarland Christmas Parade was presented, featuring awards for various community entries and businesses. Key legislative actions included the introduction of an ordinance to amend the municipal code, effectively transferring the appointment and supervision authority of the Police Chief back to the City Manager. Furthermore, the council passed a resolution to initiate the process of adopting a city charter, which involves establishing a citizen advisory commission. The meeting also addressed the awarding of a contract for information technology managed services to Trust Technology Solutions.

The meeting agenda for the McFarland Planning Commission included a public hearing regarding the approval of Resolution No. 2026-1PC, which concerns a Zone Change and General Plan Amendment for four parcels within the city. This action is intended to facilitate development consistent with R-3 standards, implement the city's certified Housing Element, increase residential capacity on infill parcels, and ensure internal general plan consistency. Staff documentation indicates the project qualifies for a CEQA Class 32 Infill Development Exemption. Other agenda items included the approval of the agenda as to form and public comments.

The agenda includes a proclamation declaring September 2025 as Hunger Action Month in McFarland. The consent agenda includes the approval of the expense report, payroll report for August 2025, special meeting minutes from August 27, 2025, and a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a shelter services agreement amendment with UC Davis. There will be a public hearing to introduce an ordinance amending the McFarland Municipal Code relating to business licenses. The council will consider a resolution approving an extraterritorial agreement with Herbert Robert & Maria Anita Gonzalez and accepting a change order from Johnson Drilling Company for the drilling of Test Water Well #02.

The agenda includes a featured pet presentation, an update on the Garzoli Avenue Pedestrian Improvements and Widening Project, and a consent agenda covering expense and payroll reports, meeting minutes, and resolutions for lease agreements and service agreements. Additional items include approving new part-time positions within city departments, a resolution of intention between CalPERS and the City of McFarland, public comments, council comments, reports from city council on committee meetings, and a closed session for real property negotiations and potential litigation.

The special meeting agenda included several consent items such as the approval of an expense report, approval of the January 14, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes, and resolutions concerning the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Water System Improvement and Treatment Project. Other items included approval of travel expenses for K-9 Officer trials, acceptance of donated vehicles from the Shafter Police Department, and authorization for a letter of support for AB 1586. The administrative agenda covered approvals for capital improvement projects, including the Garzoli Well Arsenic Media Cleaning Project and the purchase of new transit vans and high-flow diesel pumps. Additionally, the creation of a Public Works Operations Manager job description was proposed. The session concluded with closed session discussions regarding a threat to public services or facilities and negotiations concerning the lease of real property with the McFarland Recreation and Park District.