MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2024
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
Beginning Resolution No. 04-24
Beginning Ordinance No. 595
Beginning Minute Order No. 16-24
PRESENT: Mayor David Bellinger
Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
Councilmember Malinda Walker
STAFF PRESENT: Dominique Romo, City Manager
Jenny Thompson, Deputy City Clerk
Jaylen French, Development & Community Services Manager (DCSM) Robert Hardgraves, Interim Chief of Police
Jake Cook, Maintenance Service Crew Leader
Frank Splendorio, City Attorney
Andy Heath, Financial Consultant (via GoTo)
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 Meeting of March 4, 2024.
2. Approve the Register of Demands for March 18, 2024 in the amount of $439,655.87.
3. Adopt Resolution No. XX-24, authorizing Signers for Bank and Investment Accounts and the Use of Facsimile Signatures.
4. Adopt Resolution No. XX-24, authorizing Signers and the Use of Facsimile Signatures.
5. Introduce and Waive the First Reading by title only of Ordinance No. XXX, amending Chapter
5.52 in Title 5 of the Escalon Municipal Code – Fees for Use of City Facilities.
6. Adopt Resolution No. XX-24, updating the City’s Comprehensive Salary Compensation Plan and the City’s Salary Plan for FY 2023-24 effective March 1, 2024.
Councilmember Strohman pulled Item 2 from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
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MOTION – It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/HAGAN that items 1 and 3-6 of the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 16-24 Item 2 was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Councilmember Strohman questioned two Ardurra charges. City Manager Dominique Romo provided more information on each invoice.
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by HAGAN/STROHMAN that item 2 of the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 17-24
7. a. Treasurer’s Report for February
b. Police Department Report for February
c. Animal Control Report for February
d. Recreation Report
e. Development Services Report for February
f. Public Works Report for February
g. Building Department Report for February
h. Water Department Report for February
i. Waste Water Treatment Plant Report for February
j. City Manager’s Report
a. Informational Updates
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan thanked Public Works for all of the hard work setting up Hogan-Ennis Park for Baseball and Softball. Mayor Bellinger seconded that.
Councilmember Strohman asked for an update on the new Flock LPR system, which Interim Chief of Police Robert Hardgraves provided, noting that it resulted in the recovery of two stolen vehicles.
Mayor Bellinger questioned if all of the cameras were up. Interim Police Chief Hardgraves indicated that the original 5 were installed that captured vehicles coming into town and they hoped to add an additional 5 cameras to capture vehicles leaving town.
DCSM Jaylen French indicated that staff will provide updates on the ‘Applications Under Review’ review each month to ensure the community is aware of the pending/proposed development projects.
He then updated the council on two applications currently under review, which include a 17-unit apartment complex with commercial space located on Jackson (SR120) and Elizabeth, and a proposed new liquor store, which previously received Planning Commission and is seeking an approval extension on the Site & Architecture approval. He then informed the council that all Traffic Calming request applications received by the City would be shared on the monthly report. One report was received in March for First Street, and will be included in the April update.
City Manager Dominique Romo reminded the council to turn in their Form 700s. She then informed council that she spoke to Josh Harder’s office and the new CPF Funding Cycle was opening. She is intending on submitting an application again for the SSJID Surface Water Project for $2 million, which is the maximum you can request for water projects, as well as an application for Police Department equipment. Ms. Romo noted that both projects were rejected last year, but they were
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encouraged to reapply this year. Mayor Pro Tem Hagan questioned why the City didn’t get any projects approved last year and City Manager Romo responded that it was just a very competitive process. Josh Harder’s office has offered to help the Police Department with their submittal.
Councilmember Strohman thanked City Manager Romo for her efforts last year in trying to obtain funding and the difficulty of the process. He had been surprised that the City did not obtain the funding for the SSJID Surface Water Project when the City of Ripon had received it the previous year for the same project and Escalon was much further along in the process, blaming the end result simply on politics.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
The public may address the City Council on any item that is on the Agenda at the time the item is called. The public may also address the City Council on any item not on the Agenda that is within the subject matter of the City of Escalon. Each speaker is limited to a maximum of five (5) minutes. Unused time may not be yielded to another speaker. You may state your name and address for the record; however, it is not required. Due to state law, action will not be taken on an item that is not on the Agenda and except for brief responses, the Council is prohibited from discussing any item not on the agenda. If it requires action, it will be referred to staff and/or placed on a future Agenda. The determination of whether an item is within the subject matter of the City is a discretionary decision made by the Mayor.
Escalon resident, Curt Russell, asked for an update on the possibility of replacing the shared fence along the walkway from Alberto to Brennan. He reiterated that, if the City would share the cost of the new fence, he would continue to maintain it at no extra cost as he had done for the past many years.
DCSM Jaylen French indicated that staff was looking into whether this cost would be covered under the Belleterra LMD.
Escalon resident, Kurt Danziger, inquired if the marked sidewalks in Belleterra were going to be repaired soon. He also requested that more information regarding the status of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrade be provided.
Escalon resident, Casey Silva, inquired about the recent Escalon Unified School District schools lockdowns and whether more information was to be shared. Interim Police Chief Hardgraves provided more information on the lockdowns. City Manager Romo commented that City staff and District staff planned to discuss further.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
8. Review and Approve the FY 2023-24 Mid-Year Budget Review and Recommended Revisions; and Receive an update on the General Fund Forecast.
Financial consultant, Andy Heath, presented the staff report remotely via GoTo.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan questioned if there were any alternatives to CalPERS or a way to hedge the City’s risk against further Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL). Mr. Heath responded that, due to the current interest rates, the option of doing pension bonds was not recommended at this time. If the city were to pay more up front than what the yearly amount due was, it could help lower the amount of
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interest paid during the course of the amortization. Mr. Heath also did not recommend that the City try to buy themselves out of CalPERS at this time, as it could cost upwards of $31 million as a onetime payment. Mayor Pro Tem Hagan asked if a 401k plan could be just as good of a retirement for the city workers as CalPERS and Mr. Heath explained that it was a policy decision of the City regarding what benefit plan they provide, but the biggest difference was that there is a finite cost associated with a 401k plan, whereas the CalPERS pension plan includes ongoing support for the life of the employee.
Mr. Heath continued his staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan and Councilmember Strohman encouraged Mr. Heath to bring back any alternative options to CalPERS or the current situation should anything viable come up.
Mayor Bellinger opened up the item for public comment.
Mr. Danziger thanked Mr. Heath for his presentation. He then inquired about the low-income housing in-lieu fees that were borrowed to help fund the City Hall building. Mr. Heath responded that they were identified as “Interfund Loans Payable”. Finally, Mr. Danziger inquired at what point Mr. Heath would recommend a spending moratorium. Mr. Heath indicated that this was a City Council policy decision.
Mayor Bellinger closed the item for public comment.
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/HAGAN that the FY 2023-24 Mid-Year Budget be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 18-24 Mayor Bellinger adjourned the meeting for a brief break at 8:47 pm.
Mayor Bellinger resumed the meeting at 8:55 pm.
9. Receive introduction of the City’s proposed 2024 Transportation Project Priorities from City staff and Consider Recommendations on the City’s Transportation Priority Projects.
DCSM French presented the staff report.
It was the consensus of the council that the McHenry Widening from Jones Road Project was not a priority and should not be part of any upcoming project lists.
Councilmember Engle requested staff provide a recommendation on projects based on available funds in future years. DCSM French indicated that Staff will provide recommendations; in this year, the City has capacity in the funding sources for the identified projects.
Both Councilmember Strohman and Councilmember Walker were in favor of the pedestrian projects—McHenry Crossing Striping and Pedestrian Safety Zone, and the Dent Elementary School Area Sidewalk Project. Councilmember Strohman inquired if the City could apply for Safe Routes to School grant funding for the Dent Elementary School Area Sidewalk Project, which DCSM French
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confirmed. Councilmember Strohman inquired of the Council if they desired additional traffic calming measures on McHenry/Escalon-Bellota. Councilmember Walker inquired how to slow traffic coming into town.
Councilmember Strohman desired the restoration of the crosswalk at Elisabeth and Jackson/SR-120, suggesting that the City look into a HAWK system. Councilmember Walker worried about it being Caltrans jurisdiction.
Mayor Bellinger thought the 2024 Pavement Restoration Project was important for the City to maintain and also liked both pedestrian projects.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan stated he would support four of the projects that were listed, withholding support for the McHenry Widening Project and the SR-120/Brennan Intersection Preliminary Phase Project. Council asked if performing preliminary work on Brennan and Highway 120 would accelerate the project on Caltrans’ side. DCSM French stated that there was no guarantee, but performing the upfront work while on the list for funding—per Cal Trans’ current criteria, the intersection did not qualify for proactive money, but was on the list for reactive funding, with an expected timeline of 4-6 years—would ensure the project is completed quicker after funding is received. Mayor Pro Tem Hagan desired to ensure Caltrans provide a definitive timeline if the City spent $500,000.00.
Councilmember Walker inquired about the state of repair of the Irwin waterline. DCSM French responded that it was not in imminent need, but it was high on the list to be addressed.
Mayor Bellinger opened up the item for public comment.
Mr. Haskin spoke strongly in favor of the Brennan and Highway 120 preliminary work for safety reasons, particularly because of the number of parents that use the intersection to and from school.
Mayor Bellinger closed the item for public comment.
It was the consensus of the council to prioritize the 2024 Pavement Restoration Project and the two pedestrian related projects. Staff would provide updates to council on the Irwin Waterline Replacement Project and the Highway120/Brennan Intersection Project.
Councilmember Strohman inquired if the McHenry Crossing Striping Project could be completed before the school year started and DCSM French thought it could.
10. Approve and Authorize the Mayor to Execute the License Agreement approved in a form approved by the City Attorney, with the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters (SJROV) for the installation of a permanent ballot drop box outside of City Hall/Police Department.
City Manager Romo presented the staff report, giving the council three possible locations for the permanent ballot box.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan questioned if the County required a ballot box within town. City Manager Romo explained that at least one box was required to be located in each city to provide ample access
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for voters. Mayor Pro Tem Hagan then felt that voter security was a chief concern if there had to be a ballot box located in town, and therefore should be located on City property.
Mayor Bellinger opened up the item for public comment.
Mr. Haskin agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Hagan, speaking against the ballot boxes in general, but spoke in favor of having the permanent ballot box located on City property.
Mayor Bellinger closed the item for public comment.
Councilmember Engle felt that it was a waste of taxpayer dollars, time and effort to move the ballot box from where it was currently located to City Hall, especially if there was the possibility of moving it back later on. He also expressed the belief that, in such a small community, any sort of voter fraud would be easily flagged and caught. Councilmember Walker also did not feel like it was necessary to have it on City property and thought where it was located currently was satisfactory.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan spoke passionately about the importance of voter integrity and not making it any easier for election fraud, especially with very few votes possibly being the deciding factor in local elections.
Mayor Bellinger did not like any location except for location three, in the City Hall landscaping to the east of the front doors.
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by HAGAN/STROHMAN to approve and authorize the Mayor to Execute the License Agreement approved, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with the SJROV for the installation of a permanent ballot drop box in location three, city landscaping, with the contingency that the item be brought back to City Council if the box cannot be placed there. Motion carried (3-2; NAY-ENGLE, WALKER) MINUTE ORDER 19-24
11. Consider and Approve the Employment Agreement between the City and Jaylen French for Interim City Manager services.
City Manager Romo presented the staff report. City Attorney Splendorio noted that, should a permanent City Manager be hired other than Jaylen, DCSM French would return to his previous role as Development and Community Services Manager.
Mayor Bellinger opened up the item for public comment.
Escalon resident, Cody Fowler inquired about city employee turnover and encouraged the council to find out why it happened frequently.
Mr. Haskin stated that the typical lifespan of a City Manager was 5-6 years, so this was not uncommon.
Councilmember Engle felt that it was a generational thing, where workers did not stay at one job for very long anymore.
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Mayor Bellinger closed the item for public comment.
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/ENGLE that the Employment Agreement between the City and Jaylen French for Interim City Manager services be approved as presented.
Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 20-24
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Strohman congratulated both Interim City Manager French and Interim Police Chief Hardgraves for their new positions and wanted to make sure they knew the council was there to support them. He also expressed appreciation for all of City Manager Romo’s hard work and dedication to the City of Escalon and noted she would be missed. He also respected the decision she made to put her family first.
Councilmember Walker thanked Andy Heath for the budget presentation and looked forward to working with staff to find ways to save money while also improving our town. She thanked Interim City Manager French and Interim Police Chief Hardgraves for stepping into their new roles and welcomed new Deputy City Clerk Jenny Thompson to the team.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan was excited to see what Interim City Manager French and Interim Police Chief Hardgraves would do. He then let City Manager Romo know that he would miss her and her good judge of character, and felt that putting her family first was the right answer. He also welcomed Deputy City Clerk Thompson to the team.
Mayor Bellinger welcomed both interims, spoke about how great it was working with Dominique and noted that he was looking forward to creating a more balanced budget.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bellinger adjourned the meeting at 10:09 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jenny Thompson, Deputy City Clerk