MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF APRIL 1, 2024
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
Beginning Resolution No. 07-24
Beginning Ordinance No. 595
Beginning Minute Order No. 21-24
PRESENT: Mayor David Bellinger
Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Malinda Walker
STAFF PRESENT: Jaylen French, Interim City Manager
Jenny Thompson, Deputy City Clerk
Robert Hardgraves, Interim Chief of Police
Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent/Manager
Frank Splendorio, City Attorney
Prior to the consent calendar, Mayor Bellinger informed the council that Councilmember Strohman had requested Items 6 and 7 be pulled from the agenda and brought back at the next regularly scheduled meeting of April 15th. It was the consensus of the council to do so.
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 18, 2024.
2. Approve the Register of Demands for April 1, 2024 in the amount of $536,961.84.
3. Adopt the Second 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.
4. Approve and Authorize the Interim Chief of Police to execute an updated Agreement between the City of Escalon and the American Red Cross for the use of the Escalon Community Center as a Disaster Relief site.
Interim City Manager Jaylen French noted that Item 3 should state “Adopt” rather than “Introduce and Waive” on the agenda (corrected above).
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan requested to pull Item 4 for discussion.
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
April 1, 2024
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/WALKER that items 1-3 of the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (4-0; STROHMAN Absent) MINUTE ORDER 21-24 Item 4 was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Hagan expressed reservation with entering into an agreement with the American Red Cross without further review and safeguards in the contract regarding use of the Community Center.
Mayor Bellinger questioned if an agreement was needed with the American Red Cross, as the City could open the Community Center themselves should the residents be in need. Interim City Manager French responded that the Red Cross provides resources during a time of disaster relief. He noted that the city had an existing contract with the American Red Cross for the use of the Community Center from 2018, and the updated agreement allowed the use of the facility, as well as storage of materials and parking, both of which staff felt would be a benefit to the community. City Attorney Frank Splendorio indicated he would re-review the contract with the council’s concerns in mind.
It was the consensus of the council to have staff look further into the agreement and bring it back at a future meeting.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
5. City Manager’s Report
Interim Chief of Police Hardgraves shared that EPD apprehended a minor involved in the recent threats made that resulted in school district lockdowns.
Public Works Superintendent/Manager Juston Collins informed the council that staff had inspected the proposed location of the new, permanent ballot box at City Hall and there were no major issues with the location. He also shared that the St John Road and Escalon Bellota Road orchards would be removed.
Interim City Manager French informed the council that there would be an update on the WWTP and SSJID Surface Water projects at the next meeting on April 15th and quarterly going forward. He also informed them that the City had applied for the CPF Grant through Josh Harder’s office to go towards the SSJID Surface Water Project in the amount of $2 million.
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.
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
April 1, 2024
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
6. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Ardurrra Group, Inc. for five years with an option for a three-year extension, for Contract City Engineering Services, in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00 per year and $600,000.00 for the contract duration.
This item was pulled from the agenda and will be heard on April 15, 2024.
7. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc. for two years with an option for three, one-year extensions, for Building Safety, Inspection and Fire Prevention and Plan Check Services, in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00 per year and $350,000.00 for the contract duration.
This item was pulled from the agenda and will be heard on April 15, 2024.
8. Approve Resolution No. XX-24, Approving the Participation and Allocation of Funding for the Regional Early Action Planning Grant (REAP) Funds Awarded to San Joaquin Council of Governments on Behalf of the San Joaquin County Member Agencies.
Interim City Manager French presented the staff report.
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/HAGAN to Approve Resolution No. XX-24, Approving the Participation and Allocation of Funding for the Regional Early Action Planning Grant (REAP) Funds Awarded to San Joaquin Council of Governments on Behalf of the San Joaquin County Member Agencies. Motion carried (4-0; STROHMAN Absent) MINUTE ORDER 22-24
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
9. Discuss and Provide Direction on the Agenda Item Request from Mayor Pro Tem Hagan and Councilmember Engle regarding returning the City’s 18-acre property on Escalon Bellota Road back to recreation use versus housing.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan voiced his concern that utilizing the City-owned property on Escalon Bellota Road for housing would not be beneficial for the Escalon residents, and he would prefer that the land be developed for recreational use as was originally intended.
Interim Manager French noted that, from a planning standpoint, no changes had been made in terms of going towards a park or recreational use on the property. He explained that Christian Church Homes (CCH) had a recent leadership change, and prior to that, had been waiting until after March to see the outcome of Proposition 1, so no progress had been made on their proposal at this.
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
April 1, 2024
Councilmember Walker inquired if the money from the sale of that property would be allocated to the recreation program. City Attorney Splendorio responded that, generally speaking, the real estate transaction would not be restricted to a specific fund.
Councilmember Engle requested that staff put together a plan with estimated costs and timelines for developing the land into park use. He also inquired if a non-profit could lease the property, make improvements, and then return the property back to the City. City Attorney Splendorio explained that, with the proper MOU and the non-profit having a bona fidé use on the property, it was possible.
It was the consensus of the council to suspend discussions with CCH regarding developing the property into senior housing and to focus on recreational use.
The council thanked those in the audience for attending and wished everyone a Happy Easter. Mayor Bellinger invited everyone out to watch a youth baseball game on Saturday.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bellinger adjourned the meeting at 7:33 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jenny Thompson, Deputy City Clerk