The Los Banos City Council at its July 19 meeting approved the acceptance of an $80,000 grant from UC Davis under the Koret Shelter Medicine Program, part of the California for All Animals initiative. This grant will be used to support animal shelter operations and improvements.
Additionally, the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget has been amended to reflect this increase, with appropriations and revenues adjusted by $80,000 to accommodate the new funding.
During his report, Los Banos City Manager Josh Pinheiro shared positive news about the animal shelter, highlighting the successful acquisition of over $240,000 in grant funding in the past eight or nine months, which has been used to significantly improve the shelter’s operations.
He praised the city’s Chief of Police Ray Reyna and the code enforcement team for their efforts in securing these grants and mentioned a successful microchip event on July 6, when 57 animals were microchipped for free. This was the third such event, reflecting the city’s commitment to enhancing animal care services, with substantial support from UC Davis.
At the start of the meeting, Mayor Paul Llanez presented a certificate of recognition to Kevin Spencer, fire engineer, and Raymond Lopez, firefighter, as employees of the month for June 2024 for their outstanding performance and dedicated service to the city.
During the public forum, Blanche Jorge discussed an Aug. 2 fundraiser for animal welfare, highlighting efforts in microchipping and spaying/neutering pets, and thanked the council for their support through an $80,000 grant.
Amy Bonillas expressed concern in the public forum over the Supreme Court ruling on laws criminalizing public sleeping, urging the city to protect unhoused individuals until the tiny homes project is completed. Cammy Avalar then highlighted safety issues related to homeless individuals in her neighborhood and questioned the council’s plans to address these concerns.
Sarah Edwards promoted an anti-harassment rally on Aug. 10, inviting the community to share their experiences with harassment and bullying.
Pastor Raul Granillo thanked the city’s emergency services and encouraged the community to foster a more supportive and communicative environment to prevent violence.
Also, during the public forum, Greg Hostetler, president of Ranchwood Contractors and Stonefield Homes, criticized city officials for alleged misrepresentations and inefficiencies regarding development projects.
Los Banos Downtown Association Executive Director, Maribel Garcia, thanked the city and sponsors for supporting the Farmers Market and announced upcoming events, including a Farm-to-Table event on Sept. 12 and the first Central Valley Mariachi Festival on Oct. 6.
During councilmember reports, Brett Jones reported on the successful Fourth of July event, noting it as one of the largest single-day turnouts the city has seen in many years, surpassed only by the multi-day fair. He expressed excitement for the upcoming Garlic Festival, expecting a similar positive response.
He also praised the downtown association director for her hard work in organizing the July 4 event, which saw significant community support, numerous vendors, and many volunteers contributing to its success.
Additionally, Jones discussed recent infrastructure improvements, including new street striping on San Luis and Snow Goose and ongoing sidewalk repairs. He also noted the extensive tree-trimming efforts across various neighborhoods, which have helped beautify the city and improve safety by preventing downed trees and related issues.
Councilmember Kenneth Lambert expressed gratitude for the city staff’s responsiveness and addressed concerns about homelessness funding, stating that updates would be provided once the state money is received. He assured the public that efforts to address homelessness are ongoing.
Councilmember Begonia criticized the spread of misinformation and the absurdity of some accusations.
Councilmember Lewis expressed frustration with the lack of information regarding the tax audit and contract negotiations. She pointed out that despite repeated requests, she had only received information from the agenda and criticized the disparity in information access among council members. Lewis also inquired about the progress of the $900,000 allocated for a new animal shelter, urging for updates on its development.
Mayor Llanez addressed recent tragedies and emphasized the importance of engaging in meaningful conversations rather than relying solely on social media. He also discussed the need for equal treatment of all individuals, regardless of their status, and addressed issues of council member conduct, including an incident involving confidential documents.
