Council Member· 2024-12-09–2028-12-01
Cerina Otero
Ceres
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 17
- Total speaking time
- 3:00:53
- Avg per meeting
- 10:38
- Segments
- 2270
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Top issues during term (20)
Downtown Business Assessment Levy
Assessment revenue funds downtown lighting and beautification; uncollected levies have left landscaping unmaintained.
Roeding Heights Park Grant Application
$29,500 from general fund reserves was sought for the application, against potential grant funding of up to $4.5 million.
Citizen Advisory Committee for Downtown Revitalization
Unknown from available records.
Police Department Staffing Decline
Keeping the cadets leaves about $669,000 in costs on the books that cutting would have saved.
Gas Station and Car Wash Moratorium
Council declined to authorize additional staff time and legal spending on the moratorium work.
Prodigy Combat Academy conditional use permit
No city cost — it's a use permit for an existing building, though the business will pay city business tax with quarterly reporting.
Parks Master Plan and Future Park Funding
Planning-level costs range from $3-6 million for a neighborhood park to $20 million+ for regional expansion.
Whitmore Commercial Center Development
No direct city cost identified; the developer pays for on-site improvements and environmental review.
Service Road Bridge Replacement and Load Limits
$537,782.12 total, with $277,000 covered by a state grant and the rest from existing project funds.
7 Brew Coffee kiosk at Mitchell and Road Roads
The business will generate city business tax and sales tax revenue with quarterly reporting; four to seven employees will work on site.
River Road Water System Emergency
First construction quote came in around $63,600 plus a 20% contingency, with the city seeking state funding or reimbursement so ratepayers and homeowners are protected.
Regional Fire Training MOU
No additional payment from Ceres; the city contributes its training grounds while partners provide training personnel.
Planning Commission stipends
Could reduce the budgeted $80/month per commissioner stipend, saving money in months without meetings.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Cuts and Service Reductions
A $2.4 million deficit with reserves at $2 million — less than one month of operating costs.
Proposition 1 City Position
No direct city cost; the bond would cost state taxpayers an estimated $833 per taxpayer per year.
Speed limit study
Roughly $1,500-$2,000 per sign replaced; a contract amendment would be needed above $25,000.
Illegal Dumping and Bertolotti Contract
Unknown; potential cost recovery if the hauler isn't meeting contract terms.
Military Appreciation Committee revival
No city funding is committed now; only about $3,633 in donations exists, and General Fund spending needs council approval.
Police Equipment Funding and Donations
The donated truck saves the city money now, but future fleet replacements will need budget planning.
First Quarterly Financial Report
Spending is tracking below the quarterly benchmark; revenue reporting comes at mid-year when property tax receipts arrive.
Decisions during term (239)
Recorded while Otero was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent Calendar Items 1-9, 11, 12
Fire Department Training Services MOU (C.10)
River Road Water Emergency Declaration (C.13)
Hydrant Meter Deposit Waiver for Self-Help Enterprises (C.14)
Emergency River Road Water Interconnection Construction (C.15)
Whitmore Commercial Center Entitlements (E.1)
Service Road Bridge Load Capacity and Speed Limit (E.2)
Roeding Heights Park State Grant Application (F.1)
Respiratory Care Week Proclamation
Clerks Report of Posting. The agenda of the October 26, 2026, City Council Meeting was Posted on October 21, 2026.
Waive Readings. All Readings of Ordinances and Resolutions are Waived.
Approval of Minutes for the October 12, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
Register of Audited Demand(s) Dated October 1, 2026, through October 15, 2026 (Vanessa Portillo)
Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. to Install Avigilon ACM & VMS at River Bluff Reservoir & Well 28 in the Amount of $177,288.73 and Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute the…
Resolution Approving the Project Agreement to the Master Agreement for Professional Consultant Services with Crawford & Associates, Inc., for Geotechnical Services for the Rockefeller Water Building Improvements (2402) Project in the…
Resolution Approving acceptance of the California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (step) grant, PT27029, in the amount of $58,500 and approving a fiscal year 2026-27 budget amendment (Trenton Johnson)
Resolution Rescinding Resolution 2024-141 and Adopting an Amended Conflict of Interest Code for the City of Ceres to Update the List of Designated Employees and Disclosure Categories for Filing of the Fair Political Practices Commission…
Consent Calendar Items 1-3
Conditional Use Permit 26-27 — Prodigy Combat Academy
Conditional Use Permit 26-30 — 7 Brew Coffee Kiosk
Voting record (186)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Consent Calendar Items 1-9, 11, 12
Fire Department Training Services MOU (C.10)
River Road Water Emergency Declaration (C.13)
Hydrant Meter Deposit Waiver for Self-Help Enterprises (C.14)
Emergency River Road Water Interconnection Construction (C.15)
Whitmore Commercial Center Entitlements (E.1)
Service Road Bridge Load Capacity and Speed Limit (E.2)
Roeding Heights Park State Grant Application (F.1)
Opposed spending during the city's tight budget when the money could go to reserves or restore eliminated positions; the grant is not guaranteed.
Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving items C. 1. — C. 5. and C. 9. — C. 12.
Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by Mayor Lopez, approving item E. 1.
Motion by Councilmember Otero, seconded by Councilmember Vierra, approving item C. 7.
Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by Councilmember Otero, approving item C. 8.
Motion by Councilmember Vierra, seconded by Mayor Lopez, approving item C. 13.
Consent Calendar Items C.1-C.5 and C.9-C.12
Item C.7 — Acceptance of 24 Ballistic Helmets from Ceres POA
Item C.8 — Public Works Monthly Report for August 2026
Item C.13 — Statewide Park Development Grant Application for Roeding Heights Park
Objected to dipping into general fund reserves with uncertain odds of award.
Item E.1 — Downtown Revitalization Area Assessment Levy FY 2026-27
Wanted a business committee formed and the assessment reevaluated before collection.
Consent Calendar items 1-3 and 5-20
C.4 Resolution Accepting the 2024-2025 Audited Financial Statements
Consent Calendar Items C.1-C.4 and C.7-C.8
C.6 Standard Insurance Vision Benefits Application
C.9 Capitol Advocacy Partners Grant Services Agreement
C.10 Community Resilience Centers Program Grant Application
E.1 FY 2025-2026 CAPER Approval
H.1 Closed Session Reporting-Out Policy Referral
We owe the public transparency on how each member votes in closed session.
Consent Calendar (Items C.1-C.6, C.8, C.11-C.14)
C.9 Facility Use Agreement with Ceres Unified School District
C.10 Landscaping and Maintenance Agreement with Elite Maintenance & Tree Service
E.1 Ordinance Adding Section 9.01.070, Unauthorized Camping in Public Areas
E.2 Ordinance Adding Section 9.16.120, Use of Parks for Recreational Purposes Only
E.3 CDRA Annual Report FY 2026-27 and October 12 Assessment Hearing
E.4 Adoption of EV Charging Station Permit Expediting Ordinance (Chapter 15.18)
F.1 Hatch Road Widening Added to SRWA South Transmission Main Project
F.2 $5 Million CMAQ Appropriation for SR 99/Service Road/Mitchell Road Interchange
F.3 Intent to Negotiate Revenue Sharing with Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District
approving item F. 1.
approving item C. 3.
approving item C. 7.
approving the Military Appreciation Committee interviews to be conducted in an open City Council meeting
approving items C. 1. — C. 2., C. 4., C. 6., C. B. — C. 9.
approving item E. 1.
Military Appreciation Committee interview format
Consent calendar (items C.1, C.2, C.4, C.6, C.8, C.9)
Approval of July 27, 2026 meeting minutes (C.3)
Sale of canine Odin to Officer Charles Rushing (C.7, Resolution 2026-101)
1987 Landscaping and Lighting District assessments (E.1, Resolution 2026-103)
Not supportive of increasing the levy without demonstrated maintenance progress.