Merced City Council to discuss Downtown, zoning ordinance
A discussion on the issues and challenges facing the Downtown and a joint session with the Planning Commission are on the Merced City Council agenda for Dec. 7.
The regular meeting will be at 7 p.m.in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St. The joint meeting will be at 5:30 p.m.
The Council and Planning Commission will discuss the draft of the zoning ordinance at a 5:30 p.m. session. The current zoning ordinance was written in the early Sixties and hasn't been updated. Along with the updates to meet current practices, the new ordinance will be easier to read and understand because of its use of photos and graphics.
The Council will hear reports on a Turlock homeless van service, along with policing issues and economic development in the Downtown. Council discussed a number of issues facing the Downtown at their Nov. 16 meeting, and requested additional information. The new Merced Main Street Association also will give an update on what it has been doing since it began operations.
Also on the agenda is the recognition of Public Works employees, David Soto and Mikel Schlessinger, who rescued a senior citizen who fell while watering and spent the night in the backyard in a pool of water.
A closed session will follow the joint meeting to discuss the appointment of the new city manager. On the agenda is approval of an employment agreement with the new city manager.
City Council meetings are streamed live on the Internet. A link to the live meeting is on the City's home page at The Council agenda is posted online at