During their light agenda last week, the Ceres City Council voted 4-1 to approve a three-year agreement that allows Tony Zaia to operate concessions at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.

Elva Gutierrez had operated the concession sales at the park from September 2021 to July 2024 but decided to offer the agreement to Tony Zaia after the city Recreation Department sent out a request for proposals to several interested persons. Recreation Manager Joey Chavez determined Zaia to be “an excellent fit for the location.”

Zaia will provide the employees, equipment, food, and beverages and in exchange the city will receive 20% of the gross revenues on a monthly basis.

Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra, who voted no, expressed concern that the city was covering all the utilities and left things open-ended by not providing a cap on those costs “in the event they leave something on all night” or they leave the water on.

Chavez said past agreements never included a limit but said the city’s share was 15 percent of receipts.

“I think with this new contractor we have coming in here, it’s going to triple our amount of sales,” said Chavez.

Wetzel’s Pretzels will also be coming in with a mobile truck.