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Mike Harris Newsletter — August 31, 2026
📞 On Call with Mike Harris | District 3 | August 31, 2026
Happy last day of August, Merced,
Two weeks ago I told you the High-Speed Rail conversation deserved a longer discussion, and that when the City put its priorities on paper, I would walk you through them. On Friday, that paper arrived: the City and County sent a joint letter to the High-Speed Rail Authority spelling out exactly what Merced needs before any decision about our station becomes permanent. That letter is this week's main event, and I'll break it down below.
It was a full week beyond that, too. Our firefighters knocked down a structure fire on B Street in about 15 minutes, UC Merced welcomed the largest class in its history, and the community said goodbye to Roger Wood. Let's get to it.
🚨 Public Safety
🔹 A fire on B Street, out in about 15 minutes. Early Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, Merced Fire crews responded to a structure fire at the Merced Cemetery District office at 1300 B St. They arrived around 5:40 a.m. to find light smoke, and 11 personnel with two engines, a ladder truck, and a battalion chief contained the fire to the office area within roughly 15 minutes. Smoke damage left the office temporarily unusable, and district staff are arranging a temporary location to keep services running.
→ ⚡ Why this matters: That is what a fully staffed fire department looks like at 5:40 in the morning. Fast containment is not luck. It is staffing, training, and equipment, and it is exactly what is on the line as we head into the November conversation about how we fund these services. My thanks to the crews who kept a bad morning from becoming a much worse one.
👉 Read The Merced FOCUS report
🔹 Extra DUI patrols continue through Labor Day. Merced PD has additional officers on patrol through the holiday as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, including checkpoints and saturation patrols. With school back in session and a long weekend ahead, my ask is simple: if your plans include drinking, make your ride plan before you leave the house. And please keep your speed down in those school zones. Every kid on a crosswalk is counting on you to be paying attention.
👉 Read the Police Department's safety tips
💼 Economic Development
🔹 High-Speed Rail: Merced put it in writing. On Friday, Aug. 28, the City and County announced a joint letter to High-Speed Rail Authority Chair Stephen Kawa and CEO Ian Choudri. It follows the recent Sacramento meetings with our state and federal representatives, including Congressman Adam Gray, and it does three big things. First, it reaffirms that Merced must be included in Segment 1, Phase 1 of the project. Second, it asks the state to convene the agencies needed to build a binding Merced Regional Transportation and Station Mitigation Plan covering rail connectivity, public safety, infrastructure, economic impacts, funding responsibilities, and implementation schedules. Third, it calls for resolution of commitments this region has been owed for years, including ACE service to Merced and completion of Campus Parkway and the Merced Loop.
→ 💬 My take: This is the follow-through I promised you, and I like what I see. The letter states plainly that "The City and County have been committed partners in high-speed rail for decades," and then draws the line: sitting at the table to discuss the Mission Avenue site is not an endorsement of moving our downtown station, and nothing should become irreversible until the projects, funding sources, responsible agencies, and timelines are identified in writing. In plain English: if the state changes the deal, the state owns the consequences. Downtown sits in the heart of District 3, so I will be watching the Authority's response closely and reporting back to you every step.
👉 Read the City's announcement
🔹 UC Merced just welcomed its largest class ever. Total enrollment hit an all-time high of 9,647 students this fall, up nearly 8 percent from last year, with 3,157 new students, a 31 percent jump. Even better for our region: 44 percent of those new students come from Central California.
→ ⚡ Why this matters: I have been talking about Merced growing into a true college town since before I was elected, and this is what that future looks like. Every one of those students eats, shops, and spends time somewhere, and I want that somewhere to be Main Street. If you run a downtown business, this is your moment to put out the welcome mat. Bobcats, we are glad you are here.
👉 Read the Merced County Times story
📅 Meetings & Community Events
🔹 Remembering Roger Wood. Wednesday, Aug. 26 brought the Celebration of Life for Roger Wood at the Atwater Community Center. To everyone who set aside a morning to honor him, and to the family and friends who organized it, thank you. A community that shows up for its giants is a community worth serving.
🔹 Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7. City offices will be closed for the holiday, which also shifts our council schedule by a day.
🔹 City Council meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m. Council Chamber, Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St., second floor. Our first meeting back after the summer break in the schedule. Come tell us what is on your mind, or watch from home.
👉 View agendas, minutes, and video
🔹 Planning Commission: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m. Council Chambers, Merced Civic Center. Housing and development decisions start here, and public seats are always open.
🔹 High-Speed Rail Community Action Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. A community-organized monthly meeting for residents following the station discussion. Registration is required, and the location is provided when you sign up. Given everything above, this is a timely one.
🔹 Merced Certified Farmers' Market: Saturday, Sept. 5, morning, downtown Merced. Running year-round since 1980. If you are hosting a Labor Day cookout, this is where your table starts, and your dollars stay with local growers.
📣 Stay Connected with Merced
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👉 Sign up for Subscribe Merced
☎️ The Direct Line
Here is your homework, if you are willing: read that High-Speed Rail letter, then tell me what you think it gets right and what it leaves out. The Authority's answer will shape downtown for a generation, and I want your voice in my ear before those conversations continue. The November ballot measure discussion is picking up speed too, and I will keep laying out the facts so you can decide for yourself.
My number is (209) 385-6203, and yes, I still answer it myself. You can also reply to this email or write me at HarrisM@cityofmerced.gov. If this was useful, send it to a neighbor.
Enjoy the long weekend ahead, Merced.
