At the Jan. 2 Los Banos City Council meeting, Pacific Gas and Electric government-affairs representative Nathan Alonso told the council that, after a recent rate update, electric rates in the area will remain flat for the coming period while gas rates may rise because of maintenance needs. Alonso said he plans to return with an annual update on local PG&E projects and offered the utility as a resource for council and staff.

“I am here to be a resource for you,” Nathan Alonso said, adding he will work with city staff to schedule a fuller briefing on PG&E projects and policy priorities.

During the public forum, downtown resident Blanche George praised city staff and volunteers for recent shelter outreach events and urged the council to provide funding to sustain microchipping, spay/neuter, rabies clinics and dog-licensing efforts. George said those programs make it easier to reunite lost pets with owners and help the shelter expand outreach and rescue partnerships.

“We really need to progress to making sure that we have some funding to continue this,” Blanche George said, noting past grant-funded events and volunteer support from multiple departments, including police, parks and public works.

City staff said letters in support of a council appointment (two emails in favor of a named applicant) were received and will be posted on the city website for public review.

What’s next: PG&E indicated it will coordinate with city staff to schedule an informational briefing. City staff will post received correspondence online as public records.