ESCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF JULY 17, 2023
STEPPING STO
1O CENTRAL City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -8:17 P.M.
CAUFORNI
INCORPORATED MARCH 12, 1957
Beginning Resolution No. 26-23
Beginning Ordinance No. 592
Beginning Minute Order No. 31-23
PRESENT: Mayor David Bellinger
Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Malinda Walker
Councilmember Shawn Stroman
STAFF PRESENT: Dominique Romo, City Manager/City Clerk
Sopheap Dong-Carreon, Finance Director/HR Administrator Gustavo Flores, Chief of Police
Ivett Arevalo, Deputy City Clerk
Frank Splendorio, City Attorney
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 June 19, 2023.
2. Approve the Register of Demands for July 12, 2023 in the amount of $1,131,929.97
3. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23, rescinding Resolution No. 08-23 and incorporating a List of Projects Funded by Senate Bill 1(SB 1) - The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
4. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23, approving the disposition of the 2310 Main Street (APN 227- 340-090-000) ("Subject Property") by a majority vote, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Purchase and Sale Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto, subject to minor clarifying or technical edits approved by legal counsel. Further, staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to take any other appropriate action consistent with the disposition of the Subject Property pursuant to the resolution.
Councilmember Strohman pulled Item 1.
Councilmember Strohman requested amending the Minutes for June 19, 2023 to reflect that he inquired about whether the transit stop at Elisabeth and SR 120 that was suspended in 2018 would be restored during the Annual Transit presentation and that Transit Manager Andoh confirmed that it will
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
July 17, 2023
be restored. Councilmember Strohman also wanted to clarify and have it added into the record that he asked for a budget "workshop" and not a budget "presentation" at the June 5, 2023 meeting.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/HAGAN that Consent Calendar Items 2, 3, and 4 be approved as presented and Item 1 (Minutes of June 19, 2023) be continued to the next meeting as amended. Motion carried unanimously (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 31-23
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
5. a. Police Department Report for June
b. Recreation Report for June
c. Development Services Report for June
d. Public Works Report for June
e. Building Department Report for June
f. Water Department Report for June
g. Wastewater Treatment Plant Report for June
h. City Manager Report/Updates
i. Informational Updates
City Manager Romo introduced the new Development and Community Services Manager, Jaylen French, presented Staff Communication reports, and updated the Council on the City of Oakdale's interest in establishing an animal control subcommittee and that more information on this subcommittee would follow.
She then presented an Agenda Item Request for reduced fees on a new 55+ community. Council gave consensus for the Agenda Item Request to be added to the August 7, 2023 meeting.
Councilmember Strohman requested schedules for the SSJID and wastewater treatment plant reports.
City Manager Romo then updated Council on the market rate study by Christian Church Homes (CCH) and provided an update on the ongoing Center/First Street parking item.
Kurt Danzinger raised concerns about the funds allocated to certain projects. He mentioned receiving money for the surface water and wastewater treatment plant projects but expressed a need for more detailed plans, timelines, and cost breakdowns. Mr. Danzinger also questioned where the funding was coming from. Additionally, he highlighted an issue with the placement of a flow meter in the surface water project, suggesting a more cost-effective location. He emphasized the importance of transparent and comprehensive project reports in the future.
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 five 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.
Ed Alves inquired about the status of city-owned orchard property, and City Manager Romo explained the current maintenance situation and the plan for a request for proposals.
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
July 17, 2023
Gabriella Vargas asked about the timeline for McDonald's breaking ground and raised concerns about the lack of lighting at the corner of James and 1st Street during construction.
Cody Fowler presented the pay difference between Oakdale and Escalon police officers, urging the City Council to consider this during contract negotiations.
Ken Goff requested a delay in budget adoption, weekly city council meetings, transparency regarding RV storage revenue, and a salary increase for Police Officers.
PUBLIC HEARING
6. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23, Approving Final Engineer's Report and Approving Certain Actions and Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments within the Sunrise Terrace Landscape Maintenance District No. 96-01, Fiscal Year 2023/24.
7. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23, Approving Final Engineer's Report and Approving Certain Actions and Adopting a Resolution Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments within the Belleterra Estates Landscape Maintenance District No. 01-01, Fiscal Year 2023/24.
8. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23, Approving Final Engineer's Report and Approving Certain Actions and Adopting a Resolution Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments within the Westwood Country Landscape Maintenance District No. 02-01, Fiscal Year 2023/24.
Mayor Bellinger advised that he lived in the Estates Subdivision, so he would be abstaining from voting on Items 9 and 10.
Mayor Bellinger opened the Public Hearing for Items 6, 7, and 8 to obtain any public comments.
Kirk Danzinger brought up concerns related to the Bella Terra landscape lighting district. He pointed out that the annual cost for services, including tree maintenance, is being paid but not provided in Bella Terra for the past three years. He requested that staff address this issue promptly by taking action to maintain the trees and ensure the property owners get the services they are paying for. He also suggested that if other landscape lighting districts have similar issues, they should be addressed as well.
Mayor Bellinger then closed the hearing.
MOTION -It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/HAGAN that Items 6, 7, 8 be approved as presented. Motion carried unanimously (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 32-23
9. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23, Approving Final Engineer's Report and Approving Certain Actions and Adopting a Resolution Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments within the Estates Landscape Maintenance District No. 06-01, Fiscal Year 2023/24.
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
July 17, 2023
10. Adopt Resolution No. XX-23, Approving Final Engineer's Report and Approving Certain Actions and Adopting a Resolution Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments within the Estates Benefit Assessment District No. 06-01, Fiscal Year 2023/24.
Mayor Bellinger left the Council Chambers and Mayor Pro Tem Hagan opened the Public Hearing for Items 9 and 10 to obtain any public comments and then closed the hearing.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by STROMAN/WALKER that Items 9 and 10 be approved as presented. Motion carried (4-0-1-0; BELLINGER - ABSTAIN) MINUTE ORDER 33-23
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
11. Review and Discuss Schedule of User Fees Update for 2023-2024 and schedule the Public Hearing.
City Manager Romo presented the staff report on this item.
Councilmember Strohman asked Finance Director Dong-Carreon about the average annual revenue for User Fees.
City Manager Romo explained the User Fee Schedule and answered questions regarding how many pages it was.
Councilmember Strohman requested a comparison of fee schedules from other cities.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan suggested adjusting fees to attract businesses to Escalon.
Councilmember Walker asked about the animal control/shelter fees and Chief Flores advised that Oakdale charges Escalon's fees for services in Escalon, and then applies it to our monthly service costs.
Council gave consensus to schedule public hearing on this item for the next Council meeting.
12. Adopt Ordinance No. XXX, an urgency interim ordinance adopting a moratorium on the issuance of any new permit, license, or entitlement for any new smoking lounge or smoke shop in the City of Escalon.
City Attorney Splendorio presented the staff report on this Item.
Councilmember Engle expressed his concern with it possibly affecting Orlando's Market from opening their business when ready.
City Attorney Splendorio advised it would exclude Orlando's Market due to its active building permit status.
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
July 17, 2023
Mayor Bellinger opened the public hearing.
Residents Cody Fowler and Kurt Danziger expressed various concerns regarding this potential action.
Mayor Bellinger then closed the public hearing.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by HAGAN/ENGLE that Item 12 be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 34-23
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmembers overall welcomed the new Community and Development Manager French and expressed gratitude for the budget presentation. They thanked everyone who attended Park Fete and reminded the public about the upcoming Farmers Market.
Councilmember Engle encouraged citizens to send an email with any budget concerns to the City so Council can be made aware of them next meeting.
Mayor Bellinger then adjourned the meeting into Closed Session at 9:58 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION
13. Conference with Labor Negotiators, Cal Gov't. Code §54957.6 Agency designated representative: Dominique Romo, City Manager Employee Organization: Escalon Police Officers Association (EPOA)
ADJOURNMENT
Council returned from Closed Session at 10:39 PM. All Councilmembers were present for the duration of the meeting. No reportable action was taken.
There being no further business, Mayor Bellinger adjourned the meeting at 10:39 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted