PRESENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF MAY 15, 2023
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
Mayor David Bellinger
Beginning Resolution No. 05-23
Beginning Ordinance No. 592
Beginning Minute Order No. 23-23
Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Malinda Walker
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
Dominique Romo, City Manager/City Clerk
Sopheap Dong-Carreon, Finance Director/HR Administrator Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent/Manager
Courtney Richmond, Deputy City Clerk
STAFF BY PHONE: Frank Splendorio, City Attorney
John Andoh, Transit Manager
CONSENT CALENDAR
These items are considered routine in nature and are acted upon by a single action unless requested by an individual Council Member or member of the public for special consideration.
1. Approve the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of May 1, 2023 .
2. Approve the Register of Demands for May 10, 2023 in the amount of $511,693.06.
3. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23 authorizing the City Manager, Transit Coordinator or designee to apply for Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funds.
4. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23 approving an Updated Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) in compliance with the Stater Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) Water Quality Order No. 2022-0103-DQW.
Councilmember Strohman pulled Items 1 and 2 for discussion.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by HAGAN/WALKER that Consent Calendar Items 3 and 4 be approved as presented. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). MINUTE ORDER 23-23
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
May 15, 2023
Councilmember Strohman referenced the Item 1 Minutes from 5/1 /23 be revised to show update for Chief Flores job title.
City Manager Romo stated Item 1 will be amended as discussed.
Councilmember Strohman then inquired about miscellaneous engineering services included in Item 2 Demands. City Manager Romo explained the billing for these services.
MOTION -It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/ENGLE that Items 1 and 2 be approved as amended (Item 1) and presented (Item 2). Motion carried unanimously (5-0). MINUTE ORDER 24-23
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
5. a. Treasurer's Report for April
b. Police Department Report for April
c. Animal Control Report for April
d. Recreation Report for April
e. Development Services Report for April
f. Public Works Report for April
g. Building Department Report for April
h. Water Department Report for April
I. Wastewater Treatment Plant Report for April
J. City Manager Report/Updates
Public Works Superintendent Collins stated he is still working with CalTrans regarding signage and a flashing beacon on SR 120. He also stated that the Farmers Market will be held this coming Wednesday and expects more fruits and vegetables to be offered.
City Manager Romo updated the Council that Orlando's Market is still awaiting final approval from the health department regarding their gas station plans.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
At this time, the public may address the City Council on any item, not on the Agenda that is within the authority of the Council. The speaker is limited to a maximum of jive minutes. Unused time may not be yielded to another speaker. The determination of whether an item is within the authority of the Council is a discretionary decision made by Mayor.
Sherry Hill states that she would like the City Council to investigate the possibility of a city rent control ordinance to prevent seniors from being priced out of the local rental market.
Ed Alves requested City Council members familiarize themselves with the proposed development in Riverbank called Riverwalk. He questioned police staffing, weed control and road repairs. He suggested incentives be put in place to attract new businesses to town.
Gabriela Vargas stated she is concerned with police staffing, requested a mental crisis unit be put in place, highlighted the need for weed control, pothole repairs, and construction clean up enforcement. ----
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Escalon City Council
May 15, 2023
Wynn Layton requested the American flags around town be flown at half mass to commemorate fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.
Danny Fox commented that police staffing has been similar over many decades.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
6. Receive an Agenda Item Request from Kurt Danziger regarding Wastewater Treatment Plant updates, upgrades and costs and provide direction to Staff.
City Manager Romo presented this item to Council.
Kurt Danziger presented his agenda item requesting consultants working on the wastewater project provide quarterly staffing reports to track progress and costs. He also requested a quarterly staff report on the wastewater project be added to the agenda to ensure compliance.
Council deliberated on this item.
Councilmember Strohman stated that consultants should be held to the same level of accountability as city employees.
Council continued to deliberate on this item.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/HAGAN to direct staff to add a quarterly report to the agenized staff reports reviewing the ongoing compliance and inspection processes at the food processors, ensuring they are meeting their discharge limits according to the wastewater treatment program, and to provide the monthly invoices from Ardurra and Blackwater to Council for review.
Motion carried unanimously (5-0). MINUTE ORDER 25-23
7. Receive an Agenda Item Request from Larry Grossi regarding updating parking regulations on any business that moves into an existing building that matches the same "use" they currently are and provide direction to Staff.
City Manager Romo presented this item to Council.
Catarina Grossi presented item on behalf of Larry Grossi. She explained the current parking concerns surrounding the area around barbershop and requested the City try to mitigate the parking issue. She suggested the City purchase a vacant lot and develop it for public parking.
Mayor Pro Tern Hagan requested this item be brought back to Council pending staff research and it was the consensus of Council for staff to bring this item back with potential options for their review.
8. Consideration of Approving Mid-Year Revisions to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 City Budget.
Finance Director Sopheap Dong-Carreon presented FY 2022-2023 Mid-Year Budget.
Council deliberated on this item.
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
May 15, 2023
Councilmember Strohman asked what percentage the calculated deficit was of the current budget.
Finance Director Dong-Carreon stated the deficit was 1.8% of the budget.
Mayor Pro Tern Hagan suggested a 2% buffer in the upcoming budget.
Kurt Danziger provided feedback on the City's interfund loan.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/HAGAN to approve the Mid-Year Revisions to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 City Budget as presented. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). MINUTE ORDER26-23
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Strohman announced a USDA Rural Development workshop held by Representative Harder's office on May 30, 2023 11 :OOAM-12:30PM at the Escalon City Library. He also stated that he has suggested a rent stabilization ordinance in the past, and that he does not believe letters will be enough to protect residents from rent increases and that by passing a local rent stabilization ordinance, Council can make a difference locally.
Councilmember Walker suggested residents use the code enforcement form on the city website to report their concerns. She states that she would like to see what the $1.8M in covid relief funds were used for since she was not yet in office. Councilmember Walker requested a budget workshop be held on a separate day than the day the budget is to be approved.
Councilmember Engle explained his view on the proposed senior housing complex and workshop presentation by CCH. He stated that while the project will not meet the needs or wants of the community 100% , it will bring revenue to the City.
Mayor Pro Tern Hagan stated that he would like to ensure flags are flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.
Mayor David Bellinger suggested that Public Works Superintendent Collins reach out to members of the American Legion for assistance on lowering flags on Memorial Day. He inquired if the Police Department still owns the electric patrol motorcycle, if it is in working condition and if there are officers qualified to use it.
Mayor Bellinger adjourned the Council meeting into Closed Session at approximately 9: 15 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
6. Conference with Labor Negotiators, Cal Gov't. Code §54957.6 Agency designated representative: Dominique Romo, City Manager Employee Organization: Escalon Police Officers Association (EPOA) Council returned from Closed Session at approximately 10:30 pm. All five members were present for the duration of the session. No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
May 15, 2023
Mayor Bellinger adjourned the Council meeting at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Courtney Richmond, Deputy City Clerk