Merced meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Merced City Council weighs 1-cent sales tax; no decisions recorded in recent meetings

The Merced City Council is considering placing a 1-cent sales tax measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot, a proposal that would fund vital services. No final votes have been recorded in the past two weeks, as all recent meeting agendas were published without minutes. The council's Aug. 3 agenda also included vehicle purchases and a zoning amendment.

City Council (Aug. 3)

The council discussed the proposed City of Merced Vital Services Protection Measure, a 1-cent sales tax, for the November election. It also considered a zoning ordinance amendment to comply with state housing laws (Regional Housing Needs Allocation).

Several vehicle purchases were on the agenda:

• One 2027 Peterbilt 520 front loader refuse truck for $394,219.35
• One 2027 PBLDB-10 dump truck for $234,269.98
• One MDD5-6 dump truck for $178,795.55

A services agreement with Black Water Consulting Engineers was listed at not to exceed $51,348.

Planning Commission (Aug. 5)

The commission's agenda was mostly procedural. It considered approving minutes from June 17, July 8, and July 22, 2026, and adopting a resolution for Minor Modification #26-0008. A study session was held on the draft vision statement of the Comprehensive General Plan Update. No major projects were discussed.

Personnel Board (Aug. 10)

The board considered new and revised job descriptions, including a Lead Recreation and Field Facility Worker and Water Distribution/Systems Operators. It also set dates for a terminated employee's appeal hearing (Personnel Board Hearing 2026-1), likely in September or October, requiring up to four days. The board approved the Personnel Department Monthly Report for July 2026 and minutes from June 8, 2026.

Tax Transparency Commission (Aug. 11)

The commission reviewed Measure C and Measure Y revenue and expense reports for the period ending June 30, 2026, accepting them as information. It also approved minutes from May 12, 2026, and considered a request to add an item to a future agenda.

Coming up

• **City Council (Aug. 17, today):** The council will consider applying for up to $5 million in state grant funds for the Merced Regional Sports Complex, including pedestrian pathways, landscaping, shade trees, and an additional sports field. It will also vote on a resolution establishing inspection procedures for multi-unit substandard buildings and discuss tenant protection at the request of Council Member Xiong. Consent items include a $160,000 cooperative purchase with AMS.NET and a $97,268 services agreement with Black Water Consulting Engineers.
• **Regional Airport Authority (Aug. 18):** The board will recommend a proposed advertising fee schedule for the Merced Yosemite Regional Airport to the City Council. The two-year pilot program would allow commercial advertising inside the terminal, with tiered rates from $750 to $10,000 per year. Informational reports on operations, passenger and cargo data, and marketing are also on the agenda.
• **Planning Commission (Aug. 19):** This is a procedural meeting with no listed action items, only standard opening procedures, public comment, and adjournment.

Merced City Council weighs 1¢ sales tax measure for November ballot

The Merced City Council is considering placing a 1¢ sales tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot, the most consequential item on recent meeting agendas. No decisions have been published from the three meetings held in the past two weeks, as minutes are pending.

City Council considers sales tax measure and vehicle purchases

At its August 3 meeting, the City Council (also sitting as the Public Finance and Economic Development Authority and Parking Authority) took up the proposed City of Merced Vital Services Protection Measure, a 1¢ sales tax that would go before voters in November. The council also considered a zoning ordinance amendment to comply with state housing laws (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) and several vehicle purchases:

• One 2027 Peterbilt 520 front loader refuse truck for $394,219.35
• One 2027 PBLDB-10 dump truck for $234,269.98 and one MDD5-6 dump truck for $178,795.55
• A services agreement with Black Water Consulting Engineers not to exceed $51,348

All items were on the agenda; no votes or decisions have been published yet.

Planning Commission handles procedural items

The Planning Commission met August 5. The agenda was mostly procedural, with no major projects discussed. The commission considered approving minutes from June 17, July 8, and July 22, 2026, and a resolution approving Minor Modification #26-0008. It also held a study session on the draft vision statement of the Comprehensive General Plan Update.

Recreation & Parks Commission reviews master plan

On July 27, the Recreation & Parks Commission reviewed the 2026-2036 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan. The commission may set a date in August for a study session or open house to examine the plan's framework for park maintenance and capital investment. It also reviewed Youth Service Provider 4th Quarter Reports regarding use of city recreational facilities.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled in the next week:

• **Personnel Board** – August 10. The board will consider new and revised job descriptions, including Lead Recreation and Field Facility Worker and Water Distribution/Systems Operators. It will also set dates for a terminated employee's appeal hearing (Personnel Board Hearing 2026-1), likely in September or October, requiring up to four days. Other items include approval of the Personnel Department Monthly Report for July 2026 and board minutes from June 8, 2026.
• **Tax Transparency Commission** – August 11. The commission will review and accept as information the Measure C and Measure Y revenue and expense reports for the period ending June 30, 2026. It may provide direction to staff as a recommendation to the City Council. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from May 12, 2026, and a request to add an item to a future agenda.

Merced roundup: Council eyed $892K refuse truck purchase; sales tax measure heads to August 3 agenda

Merced's City Council had a busy late July, with a nearly $900,000 refuse truck purchase and two easement vacation hearings on the July 20 agenda. Minutes from that meeting and two other recent sessions have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. The Council's next meeting, on August 3, includes a proposed 1¢ sales tax ballot measure and additional vehicle purchases.

City Council — July 20 (minutes not yet published)

The Council's July 20 agenda included several consent-calendar items. The largest expenditure listed was the purchase of two 2025 Peterbilt 520 side-loader refuse trucks for $892,186.92 from Haaker Refuse, under Sourcewell contract #110223-MCN. The agenda also proposed waiving competitive bidding for the purchase and adopting a Categorical Exemption 15306 and SB 244 Analysis (Environmental Review #26-0077).

Additional equipment purchases on the agenda:

• Vermeer Brush Chipper: $98,030.10
• Stump Grinder: $90,739.59
• Both from RDO Equipment Co. (Sourcewell contract #010925-VRM)

The Council was also set to adopt two resolutions scheduling public hearings for August 17, 2026:

• Resolution 2026-43: vacating a 14,328-sq-ft easement on Canal (L) Street
• Resolution 2026-42: vacating a 1,145-sq-ft easement at 400 West 7th Street

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items were approved.

Planning Commission — July 22 (minutes not yet published)

The Planning Commission's July 22 agenda listed a consent calendar, public hearings and action items, and general business. No specific projects or contracts were listed on the agenda. Minutes are not yet published.

Recreation & Parks Commission — July 27 (minutes not yet published)

The Recreation & Parks Commission was scheduled to review the 2026-2036 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan. The commission also had the Youth Service Provider 4th Quarter Reports regarding use of city recreational facilities on its agenda. The body may set a date in August for a study session or open house on the plan's framework for park maintenance and capital investment. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

City Council — August 3, 2026: The Council will consider placing the Vital Services Protection Measure, a 1¢ sales tax, on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Also on the agenda: a zoning ordinance amendment for Regional Housing Needs Allocation compliance; purchase of one 2027 Peterbilt 520 front loader refuse truck for $394,219.35; purchase of one 2027 PBLDB-10 dump truck for $234,269.98 and one MDD5-6 dump truck for $178,795.55; and a services agreement with Black Water Consulting Engineers not to exceed $51,348.

Planning Commission — August 5, 2026: The commission will consider approving minutes from June 17, July 8, and July 22, 2026; adopt a resolution on Minor Modification #26-0008; and hold a study session on the draft vision statement of the Comprehensive General Plan Update.

Merced Council Eyes $892,000 Refuse Truck Purchase; Recent Meetings Include Drone Contract and Groundwater Cleanup Approval

The Merced City Council is set to consider its largest equipment purchase in weeks — two side-loader refuse trucks totaling $892,186.92 — at its July 20, 2026 meeting. The purchase heads a consent calendar that also includes easement vacation hearings and additional equipment buys.

City Council — July 20, 2026 (Upcoming)

The Council will vote on purchasing two 2025 Peterbilt 520 side-loader refuse trucks from Haaker Refuse for $892,186.92 under Sourcewell contract #110223-MCN. The agenda calls for waiving competitive bidding for the purchase.

Additional equipment items include a Vermeer Brush Chipper at $98,030.10 and a Stump Grinder at $90,739.59 from RDO Equipment Co. under Sourcewell contract #010925-VRM.

The Council will also adopt two resolutions setting public hearings for August 17, 2026:

• Resolution 2026-43: vacation of a 14,328-sq-ft easement on Canal (L) Street.
• Resolution 2026-42: vacation of a 1,145-sq-ft easement at 400 West 7th Street.

The agenda includes adoption of a Categorical Exemption 15306 and SB 244 Analysis under Environmental Review #26-10077.

City Council — July 6, 2026 (Recent)

Minutes are not yet published, but the agenda listed several procurement decisions:

• A four-year Motorola Solutions contract for BRINC emergency response drones, up to $479,993.99.
• Two agreements with Provost and Pritchard Engineering for PCE groundwater cleanup totaling $282,000.
• Purchase of bulletproof vests from Angel Armor up to $61,830.40 using DOJ grant funds.
• Acceptance of a $20,800 MTID donation for 17 blue light camera systems.
• State cooperative purchase of municipal software and tech solutions up to $275,000.

The meeting also included a closed session on anticipated litigation and a ceremonial recognition.

Planning Commission — July 8, 2026 (Recent)

The agenda contained only procedural information regarding public comment rules and meeting protocols. No development projects, land use cases, or city business items were listed.

Personnel Board — July 13, 2026 (Recent)

This was a procedural agenda with no specific reports, business items, or action items detailed.

Arts and Culture Advisory Commission — July 16, 2026 (Recent)

The Commission was scheduled to vote on subcommittee-recommended public art projects from the 2025/26 budget. If approved, the projects would be forwarded to the City Council for final consideration. The agenda was otherwise procedural.

Coming Up

• **July 20, 2026 — City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority:** Consent calendar including $892,186.92 refuse truck purchase, easement vacation resolutions, and equipment purchases.
• **July 22, 2026 — Planning Commission:** Consent calendar, public hearings, action items, and general business. No specific projects or contracts are listed on the agenda.

Merced City Council to Consider Drone Contract, Groundwater Cleanup This Week

The Merced City Council is set to meet Monday evening, July 6, with a consent calendar that includes a four-year contract for emergency response drones worth up to $479,993.99 and two agreements totaling $282,000 for groundwater cleanup. No other city boards or commissions took binding action in the past two weeks, according to agendas published as of Sunday.

Upcoming City Council Meeting

The council will consider awarding a contract to Motorola Solutions for BRINC emergency response drones, a $479,993.99 agreement covering four years. The drones are intended for emergency response operations.

Also on the consent calendar are two agreements with Provost and Pritchard Engineering for PCE groundwater remediation, totaling $282,000. The council will also consider buying bulletproof vests from Angel Armor for up to $61,830.40 using Department of Justice grant funds, accepting a $20,800 donation from MTID for 17 blue light camera systems, and authorizing a state cooperative purchase of municipal software and technology solutions up to $275,000.

The meeting includes a closed session to discuss anticipated litigation and a ceremonial recognition.

Upcoming Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 8. The published agenda contains only procedural information on public comment rules and meeting protocols; no specific development projects, land use cases, or other city business items are listed.

Recent Meetings

Recreation & Parks Commission – June 22

The commission was set to receive an informational update from the Parks and Community Services Director on recent department activities. The agenda noted no action was required on that item. Minutes have not yet been published.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – June 23

The commission was scheduled to approve minutes from three previous meetings (February, August, and October 2025), review the commission’s roles and responsibilities, and receive an update on a state air quality grant for the Connect South Merced Safety and Mobility Planning Project. The meeting was primarily procedural with no binding public hearings. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming Up

• **Merced City Council / Public Finance and Economic Development Authority / Parking Authority** – Monday, July 6, 2026. Key items: emergency response drone contract, groundwater cleanup agreements, bulletproof vest purchase, blue light camera donation.
• **Planning Commission** – Wednesday, July 8, 2026. No specific business items on the published agenda.