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Ceres council keeps Central Valley Baseball on existing terms while staff reviews contract after safety and funding concerns
Summary
After extended public comment and council discussion about lighting, emergency access, restrooms and ARPA fund allocations, the Ceres City Council voted 3–2 to let CYB continue using fields under the current arrangement while staff revisits the proposed contract.
The Ceres City Council voted March 24 to let Central Valley Baseball (CYB) continue using city fields under its current arrangement while staff revisits a proposed contract addressing safety, facility upgrades and financial terms.
Vice Mayor Daniel Martinez moved the measure after raising multiple concerns about the draft agreement: the contract does not prohibit outside food vendors or require vendor permits, it extends field lighting to 11 p.m., and it appeared to allow only a single gate to be open at tournaments. "If they do have outside food vendors, are they paying a permit fee to the city? Does that vendor need to be vetted and permitted to work in the city?" Martinez asked during the discussion.
CYB leaders including president Jorge Herrera and vice president Marlon Tiveros defended the organization’s operations and said gates are kept closed for safety and that staff on site maintain keys for emergency access. Herrera said tournaments bring revenue and local jobs: "We employ about 48, 50 people in a during the year between umpires... Those tournaments help us maintain the cost down for the league," he said.
Council members and residents also raised unresolved questions about previously promised ARPA fund projects for the complex. City staff reported approximately $113,000 in remaining ARPA funds and said about $88,000 had been spent on recent field renovations; staff gave a light‑repair estimate of roughly $77,000 to $80,000 to replace lights on Field 3. Councilmember concerns included whether previously ordered bathroom fixtures had been purchased and why some planned upgrades were not completed.
After public testimony and council discussion, Vice Mayor Martinez made a motion to allow CYB to continue using the fields as currently operated while staff revisits the contract and addresses safety items; Council voted: Casey No, Viera Yes, Otero No, Martinez Aye, Mayor Lopez Aye. The motion carried 3–2. Council directed staff to return with recommended contract revisions covering safety (gates, emergency access), vendor permitting, lighting hours and the status of ARPA‑funded work.
What this means: CYB can operate upcoming tournaments under the existing arrangement, but the proposed contract will be reviewed and amended before formal approval. The council asked staff to provide clear timelines and answers about ARPA allocations and outstanding maintenance items.
