Council approves several appointments, ordinances and contracts; summary of votes

The Modesto City Council took multiple formal actions during the meeting, including appointments to advisory bodies, final adoption of an ordinance governing smoke shops, contract awards for citywide fire‑extinguisher services, authorization of a passport acceptance program in the city clerk’s office, and the red‑light camera purchasing agreement. All actions below passed by recorded roll call votes listed as noted.

Votes at a glance

1) Appointments to the Modesto Culture Commission (Item 3) - Action: Approve appointment of Lupe Hodges, Abigail Powers and Jennifer Oyama to the Modesto Culture Commission for four‑year terms ending 12/31/2028. - Motion: Motion by Councilmember Jeremiah Williams; second by Councilmember Alvarez. - Vote: Vice Mayor Bavaro — Aye; Councilmember Jeremiah Williams — Aye; Councilmember Scudia Brayton — Aye; Councilmember Alvarez — Aye; Councilmember Ricky — Aye; Mayor Zwolan — Aye. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

2) Appointments to City of Modesto Golf Courses Advisory Committee (Item 4) - Action: Approve appointment of Bob Cantela (member at large, term to 12/31/2028) and Martin Montez (youth member at large, term to 12/31/2025). - Motion: Motion by Vice Mayor Bavaro; second by Councilmember Ricky. - Vote: unanimous, 6–0. Outcome: approved.

3) Final adoption — Smoke shops ordinance (Item 7, Ordinance No. 3801‑CF) - Action: Final adoption (second reading) of an ordinance amending Modesto Municipal Code to establish regulations and permitting for smoke shops, including zoning and enforcement provisions. - Motion: Motion by Vice Mayor Bavaro; second by Councilmember Ricky. - Vote: Vice Mayor Bavaro — Aye; Councilmember Jeremiah Williams — Aye; Councilmember Scudia Brayton — Aye; Councilmember Alvarez — Aye; Councilmember Ricky — Aye; Mayor Zwolan — Aye. Outcome: adopted, 6–0.

4) Award of fire‑extinguisher inspection, testing and maintenance agreements (Item 13) - Action: Award two agreements for citywide fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance to Fire Code Safety Equipment, Inc. (primary) and National Fire Systems, Inc. (secondary), estimated annual combined amount $30,000; total not to exceed $160,269 over five years. - Motion: Motion by Vice Mayor Bavaro; second by Councilmember Scudia Brayton. - Vote: unanimous by roll call; Outcome: approved, 6–0.

5) Passport service program and fees (Item 15) - Action: Adopt resolution authorizing city clerk to establish and administer a passport acceptance service and approve related fees (execution fee $35; optional photo fee $15; copy fee 25¢ per page); proposed hours Tuesday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., by appointment; proposed opening 09/02/2025. - Motion: Motion by Councilmember Alvarez; second by Councilmember Jeremiah Williams. - Vote: unanimous, 6–0. Outcome: approved.

6) Red‑light photo enforcement contract (Item 16) - Action: Approve five‑year purchasing agreement using HGAC cooperative procurement with American Traffic Solutions (Verra Mobility) for automated red‑light photo enforcement technology, not to exceed $3,691,891 over five years; estimated year‑one cost $703,218. - Motion: Motion by Councilmember Jeremiah Williams; second by Vice Mayor Bavaro. - Vote: Vice Mayor Bavaro — Aye; Councilmember Jeremiah Williams — Aye; Councilmember Scudia Brayton — Aye; Councilmember Alvarez — Aye; Councilmember Ricky — Aye; Mayor Zwolan — Aye. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

Consent calendar - The council approved the consent calendar (minutes, investment report, vehicle purchases and other routine items) by roll call; two items (Item 7 smoke shops and Item 13 fire extinguisher agreements) were pulled for separate discussion and later approved as noted above.

How to read the roll calls - Roll calls list members recorded by the clerk. Where votes were recorded as 'Aye' on the transcript, this roundup records 'Aye'; dissenting, abstaining or absent votes are recorded when present in the clerk’s roll call.