SCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
SPECIAL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2024
STEPPING STO
TO CENTRAL City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
CALIFORNIA
INCORPORATED MARCH 12, 1957
Beginning Resolution No. 02-24
Beginning Ordinance No. 595
Beginning Minute Order No. 09-24
PRESENT: Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan
Councilmember Malinda Walker
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
ABSENT: Mayor David Bellinger
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
STAFF PRESENT: Dominique Romo, City Manager
Ivette Arevalo, Deputy City Clerk
Jaylen French, Development & Community Services Manager Jose Lambrana, Police Seargent
Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent/Manager
Brandon Kline, City Attorney
PRESENTATION
Citizen(s) of the Month- Lorenzo Martinez, Nick Umbaugh, Michael Herrera, and Kendra Leusink. (Continued from the February 5'h Meeting)
City Manager Romo presented an anonymous nomination for Citizen of the Month to the City Council, highlighting impactful acts of kindness by the nominees toward a senior in need.
Councilmember Strohman recounted a personal encounter where Mr. Herrera and his team went above and beyond to assist him and his family during a time when their home was excessively hot.
Despite personal obligations, Mr. Herrera continued to check in on them, earning praise and gratitude from Councilmember Strohman for their valuable contributions to the community.
Councilmember Walker expressed familiarity with some of the nominees since their youth, noting their consistently generous nature. She conveyed excitement about the positive impact their generation is making in the community.
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Escalon City Council
February 20, 2024
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 February 5, 2024.
2. Approve the Register of Demands for February 13, 2024 in the amount of $1,484,643.86.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/WALKER that the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (3-0-2; Absent- BELLINGER/ENGLE ). MINUTE ORDER 09-23
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
3. a. Treasurer's Report for January
b. Police Department Report for January
c. Police Department 2023 Year End Report
d. Animal Control Report for January
e. Recreation Report
f. Development Services Report for January
Public Works Report for January
h. Building Department Report for January
i. Water Department Report for January
j. Waste Water Treatment Plant Report for January
k. City Manager's Report
a. Informational Updates
City Manager Romo presented the monthly reports, including the Treasurer's report for January and reports from various departments such as Police, Animal Control, Recreation, Development Services, Public Works, and Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Public Works Superintendent Juston Collins reported that he has no updates to provide to the Council for this meeting.
Representing the Escalon Police Department in place of Police Chief Gus Flores, Police Sergeant Jose Zambrana informed the Council that he had no updates to provide. However, he mentioned that Chief Flores had updates and indicated that Chief Flores would share them when he returns.
Development & Community Services Manager, Jaylen French stated he does not have any updates to share.
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Escalon City Council
February 20, 2024
Brandon Kline, standing in for City Attorney Frank Splendorio, introduced himself and expressed admiration for the City of Escalon, noting he had visited a couple of times and found it to be a beautiful community.
City Manager Romo stated that she had no informational updates.
Councilmember Walker inquired about a business moving into the old dealership.
City Manager Romo responded, confirming that 2Win Auto Sales, a used car business, is relocating from Oakdale to Escalon. Romo stated that they anticipate being operational sometime in March and noted that the ownership group also runs another used car lot under a different name in Manteca. Additionally, Romo mentioned that the property has been purchased rather than rented or leased
Councilmember Strohman provided a reminder that the grand opening for McDonald's is scheduled for Saturday February 24* beginning at 10:00 AM.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan opened floor at 7:13 pm.
With no presenters, Mayor Pro Tem Hagan closed the floor at 7:13 pm.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4. Consider Approval of the Non-Profit Organization Application from El Portal Parents Club for Reduced Fees for The Use of City Facilities.
City Manager Romo introduced the item concerning recent applications received after January.
She explained that staff brings applications to the Council for review and approval, as per their the colories dional y current process. Additionally, she mentioned that they would discuss an ordinance amendment in the following item, aiming to streamline the approval process for such applications at the staff level if they meet certain criteria. The specific application under consideration was from the El Portal Parents Club, which had been approved by previous councils.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/WALKER that the Non-Profit Organization Application from El Portal Parents Club for Reduced Fees for The Use of City Facilities be approved. Motion carried (3-0-2; Absent- BELLINGER/ENGLE ). MINUTE ORDER 10-23
5. Introduce and Waive the First Reading of Ordinance No. XXX, amending Chapter 5.52 in Title 5 of the Escalon Municipal Code - Fees for Use of City Facilities.
City Manager Romo noted that historically, fee waivers for nonprofits were limited to the Community Center. Councilmember Strohman questioned if this applied solely to the Community
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Escalon City Council
February 20, 2024
Center or to other facilities. Romo explained that while the ordinance mentions city parks and recreational facilities, the focus has primarily been on the Community Center.
Councilmember Strohman proposed adding a table or list in the ordinance to specify eligible facilities, supported by Mayor Pro Tem Hagan and Councilmember Walker. Romo agreed to the amendment, suggesting a clearer presentation.
Attorney Kline recommended specifying eligible facilities to remove ambiguity from the ordinance. The council then agreed to table the item and have staff make the necessary edits for consideration at the next meeting.
Councilmember Walker inquired about the consistency of the partial fee waivers, noting that it always seemed to cover half of the current rental fee. City Manager Romo confirmed that it is indeed always half, regardless of any adjustments to the fee schedule.
6. City of Escalon 5' Cycle Housing Element Annual Progress Report - 2023.
Jaylen French, Community and Development Manager explained that the item #6 was an administrative task involving a report required by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This report serves as a progress update to demonstrate how each city and county is meeting their housing element and regional housing needs assessment allocation.
French clarified that while city staff has been responsible for compiling this report for a long time, it is now being brought before the City Council, as per HCD's preference. The purpose of presenting it to the Council is to ensure transparency with the public. If approved, the Council would be endorsing the report and directing staff to submit it to HCD. Mayor Pro Tem Hagan inquired if this initiative was indeed aimed at maintaining transparency, to which Jaylen French confirmed
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by WALKER/STROHMAN to approve the City of Escalon 5th Cycle Housing Element Annual Progress Report. Motion carried (3-0-2; ABSENT- BELLINGER/ENGLE). MINUTE ORDER 11-23
7. 2024 Receive the City of Escalon Pavement Restoration Project Map/Information.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan suggested that Item 7 was also related to transparency, seeking confirmation on this aspect. Public Works Superintendent Collins confirmed and mentioned that Councilman Engle had requested a presentation of the map detailing the areas to undergo micro- surfacing and crack sealing. Additionally, staff planned to stripe a few spots with thermal glass and intended to present the map accordingly.
Councilmember Strohman asked Superintendent Collins about the anticipated start date for the work. Collins explained that it would likely commence around mid-spring or early summer, aiming for consistent days with temperatures of 70°F and above. He noted that while they would aim to complete the work within the budget cycle, it might extend into the summer months.
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Escalon City Council
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Councilmember Strohman inquired about the street closures during micro-surfacing, to which Collins clarified that streets might be closed for the day, typically from 8 AM to 4 PM, with efforts made to allow residents to leave for school or work. He mentioned the possibility of closing half of the road at a time but acknowledged the potential for full closures, with residents receiving advance notice.
Councilmember Strohman further asked about towing vehicles if residents failed to move them during the work. Collins clarified that they wouldn't tow vehicles but noted it could make their work more challenging.
Councilmember Walker then asked how citizens are informed about the upcoming work, to which Collins responded that notices are delivered to their homes.
Public comment opened at approximately 7:32pm.
Gary Haskin asked Collins if the presented map was one of two maps. Collins confirmed that it was the overall map, and then there were a few other maps broken up and magnified to show specific areas in more detail. Gary Haskin then inquired if Valdapena was a separate project, and Collins confirmed it was.
Public comment closed at approximately 7:33pm.
Councilmember Walker asked why the Burgundy area was not being covered at the same time as the Sanchez area. Collins explained that Burgundy had not been crack sealed before, so the current focus was on micro surfacing. However, he mentioned that Burgundy would likely be crack sealed in the next segment, followed by micro surfacing, as part of a step-by-step process aimed at enhancing the longevity of the roadways.
Councilmember Strohman inquired about the process, asking if crack sealing was followed by micro surfacing the next year. He then asked about the duration of micro surfacing. Collins responded that the duration varies depending on the roadway, but on average, it lasts about 10 years.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Strohman proposed the idea of holding a competition for school kids to design a flag for the city of Escalon, aiming to address what he perceived as an identity crisis within the community. He expressed a desire to engage the community and restore local pride through this initiative. He suggested involving youth aged 18 and under, allowing them to submit flag designs, which would then be reviewed by each council member. The final designs would be opened to online voting, with the winning design revealed at a public event.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan expressed cautious support, emphasizing the need to ensure community buy-in and carefully consider the process for selecting a flag. Councilmember Walker also
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Escalon City Council
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expressed support for discussing the creation of a city flag, highlighting the importance of community input in the decision-making process.
While Mayor Pro Tem Hagan welcomed the discussion, he stressed the importance of involving the entire council in the decision and considering all perspectives before moving forward with the initiative.
Councilmember Walker shared her excitement about recent developments in Escalon, including the arrival of a new dealership and the opening of a McDonald's restaurant. She expressed optimism about these developments being positive signs for the community. Additionally, she mentioned the availability of commercial land for sale on Highway 120, between Lopez Import and Orlando's, highlighting it as an opportunity for further commercial development in the area.
She encouraged interested parties to consider investing in the land to stimulate economic growth and bring more business to Escalon.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan thanked the public for sitting through the meeting and asked about the progress of the orchard tree removal project near Hogan. Collins confirmed that everything has been approved and both parties are in agreement. They are currently working on scheduling the project and assured the council that they would begin with the larger orchard first. Collins hoped that the project would commence within the next few weeks to a month. Mayor Pro Tem Hagan expressed his appreciation for the update and remarked that it was great news.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Hagan adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:45 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ivett Arevalo, Deputy City Clerk