Multiple speakers during the April 16 public comment period urged city leaders to require more public outreach and transparency about a proposed battery energy storage system near Los Banos.

Kathy Ballard, a local resident, said she has heard community concerns about property values, health risks and emergency response and said the company had declined requests for a public, in‑person meeting: “I explained to him that I'd rather have it in public because I don't want to play telephone with a company with people's questions,” Ballard said. She asked the council for help arranging a public forum so residents could ask about health, noise, fire risk and the effect on home values.

Merced County Supervisor Scott Silveira said the project developer is Zeta Solar (also discussed as Best Solar in public remarks) and told the council he had contacted company representatives. Silveira said the developer committed to bring staff to Los Banos to answer questions and that county staff would try to coordinate with the city on a venue, but cautioned that the meeting likely would not happen before early May due to scheduling.

Other public comments framed battery plants in a global context: one speaker described environmental and social impacts of mineral extraction in developing countries as a reason to ask whether local siting gives residents risks but few benefits. Commenters also cited an unresolved fire investigation in Monterey County, saying local emergency planners should know investigation findings before finalizing local permitting.

Council and staff response and next steps

Councilmembers acknowledged constituent concern and asked staff to assist in arranging a community meeting with the developer and county representatives. Supervisor Silveira said he would continue outreach to the company and work to schedule a joint session; company staff committed to appear for questions, according to Silveira’s remarks during the meeting.

Separately, residents also requested a public town‑hall on homelessness planning; one commenter asked that city staff meet encampment residents in person and produce a short‑ and long‑term action matrix with outcomes and success metrics.

No council action was taken at the meeting; staff and the county said they would pursue a public meeting with the company.