[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6345390,"mediaKeyId","2249243-a5557a2314f0cb7aafceef57e905a408","parentId",2249243,"title","Residents urge action on encampments, immigration concerns and vendor enforcement; police cite California Values Act","audioSeconds",1965,"startMs",1671000,"endMs",3636000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249243-a5557a2314f0cb7aafceef57e905a408&start=1671&end=3636","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249243-a5557a2314f0cb7aafceef57e905a408/thumbnail_1671000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6345390/Los-Banos/Merced-County/California/Residents-urge-action-on-encampments-immigration-concerns-and-vendor-enforcement-police-cite-California-Values-Act","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345390-f387debda1e6f3e4ccaaa0ce5d1d861f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108244&Signature=CqJwH9W5dzdnbnnSYagHz3atRKwypuSrP3FYPENGmwdER6AHI2L~rOc8EAsObyYyB1gfTh5pIXE06Wg5Z8Veo-n516W~QcjURi~M~lUO8txXzAU0NkuoTr-YP2NavbBFRF45LjX9eoj6Sjksuq9Rd6E3p~eRBnmvrf7JPZA7Pp4ZDrs4qeozdZIaWJVaKI8qA0lsxWN6rMJ5wKQYtv8FKei66rbPKggg1jwVVqrOspMOqp24os8NRWyf1ipi-S9RP3RYDOAlzzg3Ejp6R0P5RqNJlxozbnATbXkFs9s91JqSmLxPOE2tRpPESzNYiEnuN-OXEhYGbbh5Ud8OGhJYXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Los Banos CA","date","2025-02-06T22:37:00Z","article","Residents, business owners and community representatives used the Feb. 5 public‑comment period to raise several recurring local issues: an encampment near the 900 block of G Street that local businesses say has produced vandalism and safety concerns; anxiety about recent immigration enforcement nationwide and a request for clearer local statements; calls for stronger enforcement of mobile food‑vendor rules; and progress requests on neighborhood parks and tiny‑home funding.

Encampment impacts on nearby businesses: Lamont Goldstein, who identified himself as a small business owner at 94952 G Street, told the council that a city relocation last year moved people living on the rail trail into a newly configured encampment across the street from several businesses. He said the site includes “two 200 feet by 100 foot wide C‑shaped enclosures” and described repeated vehicle break‑ins, thefts of tools, assaults and a “proliferation of prostitution, drug dealing” in the area. Goldstein asked the city for trash removal, more frequent servicing of portable toilets and security fencing similar to that installed at other city properties.

Business owners and others in the public forum reiterated those concerns and asked the council for timelier action, with one speaker calling for the city to require the same security fencing the city required for public works properties.

Public-safety and immigration: Several Spanish‑speaking residents urged the council and police to explain their policies and what residents should expect if federal immigration crews perform enforcement actions. During the public forum an acting police chief read a prepared statement that referenced SB 54 — the California Values Act — and summarized department practice. The statement said, in part: “The Los Banos Police Department is dedicated to protecting all members of our community. Immigration is not our role... We go after those that are bringing in fentanyl, those that are taking part in human trafficking... We do not alter our enforcement efforts based on immigration status.” The chief also said law enforcement will continue to prioritize narcotics, weapons and serious crimes.

Shelter, tiny homes and ARPA: The council received a letter from a resident requesting updates on an $11,000,000 grant the city received to build tiny homes for people experiencing homelessness; the letter also asked whether conditions to receive the grant have been met and whether the city will budget for supportive services including social workers and harm‑reduction buses. Council staff told the meeting that a presentation on the tiny‑homes grant is scheduled for the Feb. 19 council meeting and that the city has received the funds.

Mobile food vendors and local codes: Several residents raised enforcement concerns about mobile food vendors on Pacheco Boulevard, saying some appear permanent and operate past permitted hours. A resident urged the council to enforce existing codes that require vendor access to employee restrooms, time-of-day limits, and prohibitions on permanent structures.

Parks, community engagement and labor standards: Speakers sought transparency about Shaughnessy Village Park and Danzo Way intersection work, requested weekend community workshops to increase public participation and asked for updates on when park work will be completed. A carpenter representing the NorCal Carpenters Union urged the council to adopt labor standards for city construction projects to ensure prevailing wages, apprenticeships and local hiring on public works, warning that the city risks wage theft and contractor misclassification without standards.

What the council said it will do: Council members and staff said they will post the written public comments to the city website, schedule the tiny‑homes grant presentation for Feb. 19, and pursue follow‑up on sanitary servicing and trash pickup requests for the encampment location. Council members also asked staff whether translation services and Spanish‑language materials could be posted online and made available for future meetings.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Los Banos California, City Council Meeting, February 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and business owners at the Feb. 5 public forum told the Los Banos City Council that a nearby encampment has caused crime, debris and sanitation problems and asked for fencing, more servicing and clearer coordination between city staff and law enforcement.","taxTitle","Los Banos, Merced County, California","taxId",55580,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345396,"Los Banos council approves consent items, accepts street project, authorizes radio purchase; announces interim manager appointment",750,3720000,4470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249243-a5557a2314f0cb7aafceef57e905a408&start=3720&end=4470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249243-a5557a2314f0cb7aafceef57e905a408/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","/articles/6345396/Los-Banos/Merced-County/California/Los-Banos-council-approves-consent-items-accepts-street-project-authorizes-radio-purchase-announces-interim-manager-appointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345396-ffa11768654e0f0d389a0cc2f3be306d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108244&Signature=d4gCsH~efP9j~sJVLlFkky0ASEmBFaSOJFGhoQp0eUFp8g9MoM6qfyC1~cNTKOEdCzTtcZaKJR4kU1yKYySkXL5IgSfSHTjsatQKbFlpRdkaCGGZk28889iL-sHvozDm7sdm7EpntfUiEW~ywNBChsUkngTuCbCnedM5DvG299seEDRomkRcD94KgGeBkI6rcxSqFRyfpyKbHaaH7GkHzNHa8lbIOPmkOgmQNo70IWtyrjJt7NrhvHSdDNme3CVnkuHxyqTKFETbTJbXcmCd69xYaaTyXeFCA9nzZEyBF3NLi4j~dTSto9L4V~~5AdrO5XN0aMc-iBNiPvtWQaE-Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Los Banos City Council on Feb. 5 approved a set of routine and substantive items on the consent calendar, authorized purchase of replacement radios for public safety, accepted the 2025 street rehabilitation project as complete and approved the city’s written response to the Merced County civil grand jury review of ARPA spending. In closed session the council also directed staff to finalize terms to appoint an interim city manager.

The most high‑profile consent item was a resolution authorizing the acting city manager to execute a purchase agreement with Motorola Solutions for APX 8,000 portable radios. The resolution lists the purchase price as $312,765.05; staff said these units are refurbished/demonstration radios that include a three‑year warranty and will meet P25 digital standards now required for interoperability.

Council members questioned why the purchase was not in the adopted budget; staff explained a multi‑year procurement and earlier radio system improvements made the purchase urgent, and said the demonstrator radios offered substantial savings compared with new equipment.

The council also accepted the 2025 Street Rehabilitation Project as complete and authorized filing a notice of completion (resolution number 6873 listed on the consent agenda). During discussion council members pressed staff about contract change orders and contingencies: staff said construction practice permits change orders up to 25% before a change in scope triggers a return to council, while the city had historically used a 10% guideline.

A related question addressed a change order that added pavement at the animal shelter parking lot for $94,000. Staff said the animal shelter construction contract had reached its contractual contingency limit and the paving work was performed by Consolidated Engineering using ARPA capital funds that were budgeted elsewhere, rather than by increasing the original shelter contract beyond allowed limits.

The council received the quarterly investment report and approved warrants covering bills and payroll totaling $3,273,104.04 as listed on the consent agenda.

Ordinance and grand jury response: The council waived first reading and introduced Ordinance No. 1206, an amendment to the municipal code provision governing the city manager’s termination language; roll call votes were recorded as “aye” by Sanders, Travis, Lewis and Mayor Amabile. The council also approved the city’s written response to the Merced County civil grand jury final report on ARPA (a document staff said explained the city’s outreach and recordkeeping for ARPA‑funded programs).

Closed session and interim manager: In closed session the council discussed labor negotiations and the recruitment/appointment of a city manager. The council announced it voted to appoint Gary Breezy as interim city manager, subject to final approval of terms and execution of an employment agreement; staff said the agreement will be signed Feb. 10. The council said it will return the ordinance for adoption at its next meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Agenda approval: voice vote; motion carried (ayes).
- Resolution 6,871 (commendation to Kenneth Lambert): voice vote; motion carried (ayes).
- Consent agenda (warrants, investment report, minutes, Motorola radio purchase resolution 6872, acceptance of street project resolution 6873): voice vote; motion carried (ayes).
- Waive first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 1206 (amend city manager municipal code): roll call — Sanders: Aye; Travis: Aye; Lewis: Yes; Amabile: Aye.
- Approval of city’s response to Merced County civil grand jury ARPA report: motion and second; voice vote; ayes carried.
- Closed‑session appointment of interim city manager (subject to final terms): council announced appointment and said terms will be finalized Feb. 10.

What council asked staff to do: Provide the radio procurement paperwork and warranty details for the record; provide a clearer accounting of the ARPA capital line items used for the animal shelter paving change order; and in future bring larger contingency authorizations (staff said they will seek an explicit 25% contingency allocation for construction projects going forward).","Los Banos City Council on Feb. 5 approved consent items including a $312,765.05 purchase of Motorola APX 8,000 radios, accepted the 2025 street rehabilitation project as complete and authorized the filing of a notice of completion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345400,"Peninsula Clean Energy says Los Banos customers saving on electricity, local solar projects coming online",586,4854000,5440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249243-a5557a2314f0cb7aafceef57e905a408&start=4854&end=5440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249243-a5557a2314f0cb7aafceef57e905a408/thumbnail_4854000.jpg","/articles/6345400/Los-Banos/Merced-County/California/Peninsula-Clean-Energy-says-Los-Banos-customers-saving-on-electricity-local-solar-projects-coming-online","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345400-4f34084b20760931ff9332a4ad2c031a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108244&Signature=ncKBfi6zjn8cZBQLo9rI~dX-zbnY3E8qGxvRo7yWnRmL9U6QPm5NN3axbfte4UNd8QdOlsvnG~fIc8pV4RgHgVUyohplVLS8cnp34vTuJkfPfXSamJgya-sCFP8js43CcodIvMiHsY-7tipZIyQMVrzDl48m9rL6GQT5~ubE0A~ITmEjFhlo3SU5YRafOLc6q9DWjAQfemCi8rQ1DFawTS~KWLe2TOQRUy22BQiDzpxXCzrThLUjlhIlGHQLSvsKVNU4QYdllA00GQMubLiUQuQGhpHmnn3wd-MkIF-MW3M915y3m7DbtSKZHj~AiMWg7mOySp~H0DUN-cfOlG59kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peninsula Clean Energy officials told the Los Banos City Council on Feb. 5 that the community is already seeing direct savings and local clean-energy projects after the city joined the agency.

The update, delivered by a PCE representative and local staff, said PCE estimates roughly $7 million in benefits have flowed to Los Banos customers and that a recent board action will yield a generation-rate discount equal to 10% off PG&E generation rates, producing an estimated net bill differential of about 11% for local customers beginning Monday, Feb. 10.

Why it matters: City leaders said the lower cost and local projects could reduce operating costs for municipal facilities, add resilience and offer incentives for electrification and electric vehicles — priorities in the city’s climate and facilities planning.

PCE representatives listed several programs available to residents and businesses. Among them:
- A 0% on-bill financing loan of up to $10,000 repayable on a customer’s utility bill for rooftop solar, batteries, electrification or efficiency upgrades.
- Grants, rebates and technical assistance for home electrification and low-income upgrades.
- Incentives and infrastructure support for electric vehicle chargers, including installation support for apartment buildings and public chargers.
- A voluntary “100% renewable” product that customers may purchase for an additional per-kilowatt-hour premium.

Local projects and procurement: PCE said it is an offtaker for a tranche of the nearby Billy Wright project and that local installations recently completed include solar for the city community center and the wastewater treatment plant, which the presenter said will reduce city facility bills. The presenter noted the agency is prepared to return with battery pairings and additional resiliency options for city-owned facilities.

The presenter introduced local PCE staff present at the meeting, including Viri Renteria, identified in the presentation as the senior community outreach specialist living in Los Banos, and said PCE’s board has representation from local elected officials.

What officials said: Council members thanked PCE for the program materials and asked staff to provide the slideshow and written materials for public use. Council members also asked clarifying questions about how battery storage functions with solar and whether EV charger revenue flows to the city or to private owners; PCE staff said fees are typically collected by the site operator (for example, an apartment owner) when chargers are installed as a customer amenity, though public chargers installed on city land can be managed differently.

Next steps: PCE staff said the city may apply for additional local-government solar, electrification grants and battery add-ons for city facilities, and council members asked staff to place PCE materials on the city website.

","Peninsula Clean Energy updated the Los Banos City Council on programs and local installations that the agency says are delivering roughly $7 million in benefits to the city and an 11% net bill discount compared with PG&E starting Feb. 10.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge action on encampments, immigration concerns and vendor enforcement; police cite California Values Act

Los Banos council approves consent items, accepts street project, authorizes radio purchase; announces interim manager appointment

Peninsula Clean Energy says Los Banos customers saving on electricity, local solar projects coming online