MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF MAY 6, 2024
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
Beginning Resolution No. 23-24
Beginning Ordinance No. 596
Beginning Minute Order No. 28-24
PRESENT: Mayor David Bellinger
Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Malinda Walker
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
STAFF PRESENT: Jaylen French, Interim City Manager
Jenny Thompson, Deputy City Clerk
Celinda Bickner, Finance Director/HR Administrator (FDHRA) Robert Hardgraves, Interim Chief of Police
Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent/Manager (PWSM) Frank Splendorio, City Attorney
PRESENTATIONS
Construction Projects Update
Public Works Superintendent/Manager Juston Collins reviewed upcoming Public Works projects including the 1) 2024 WWTP Biosolids Removal Project, 2) Escalon Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Project, 3) St. Clair Waterline Replacement Project and 4) Crossroads Plaza Sidewalk Repair Project.
Councilmember Strohman questioned the difference in the Engineer’s Estimate and what was listed in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) listing for the project amount. Interim City Manager Jaylen French responded that the project estimate was $175,000, and that the presentation referenced included a portion of the project that was to be complete in that fiscal year.
Interim City Manager French noted that, going forward, these presentations would be given prior to a project going out to bid, and updates will be provided to the Council and public as projects are constructed.
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 April 15, 2024.
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Escalon City Council
May 6, 2024
2. Approve the Register of Demands for May 6, 2024 in the amount of $458,855.88.
3. Adopt Ordinance No. XXX, establishing a Planned Development zone district (PD-3) for the development of an 18-unit senior living community at APN 227-320-320. CEQA Class 3 Categorical Exemption under Section 15332, Infill Development
4. Award the 2024 Waste Water Treatment Facility Biosolids Removal Project to Jim Brisco Enterprises, Inc. of Atwater, CA in the amount of $236,000.00.
5. Approve response to the 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury Report Case #0322:
School Safety in San Joaquin County.
6. Adopt Resolution No. XX-24, updating the City’s Salary Schedule for FY 2023-24 effective May 1, 2024.
7. Ratify the San Joaquin Council of Government’s (SJCOG) Annual Financial Plan (AFP) for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
Councilmember Strohman requested to pull item 2 for further discussion.
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/HAGAN that items 1 and 3-7 of the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 28-24 Item 2 was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Councilmember Strohman inquired about the payments for Ardurra and Blackwater. He inquired about the cost to the City for work on the SSJID Surface Water Project and the WWTP Expansion Project after it was shared that work was stalled on the projects. Interim City Manager French explained that the design work for the surface water project was paused awaiting further direction, but the time to respond to questions on both projects was ongoing and led to the charges.
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/ENGLE that item 2 of the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 29-24
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
8. San Joaquin County Commission on Aging Update - Elsa Sandoval, Escalon Representative Escalon Representative for the San Joaquin County Commission on Aging, Elsa Sandoval, provided an update on ongoing and upcoming programs and workshops for seniors in Escalon. Topics range from VA benefits, scams awareness, Medicare insurance, political reform and more. There are also several programs being developed, in coordination with Escalon Strong and County agencies, for senior support services.
Mayor Bellinger expressed appreciation for everything Ms. Sandoval was doing for our seniors.
9. Department Updates
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Escalon City Council
May 6, 2024
Finance Director/HR Administrator (FDHRA) Celinda Bickner shared that staff was preparing the Fiscal Year 24-25 budget and prompted them to consider the goals and objectives to be identified in the budget.
Mayor Bellinger suggested that the objective regarding use of reserve funds should state ‘zero’ used, rather than ‘minimal’.
Councilmember Strohman requested staff to bring the previous goals to Council for their review. He then thanked FDHRA Bickner for being proactive in this important effort.
Interim Chief of Police Robert Hardgraves stated he is updating the Police Reserve policy to better match P.O.S.T. standards. He then notified the council that Officer Palomino had received recognition from a citizen for his professionalism and maintaining his composure while interacting with the citizen, who was frustrated at the time. Mayor Bellinger asked Interim Chief Hardgraves to pass along praise from the council, as well.
PWSM Collins indicated that the Phase 2 sewer pipeline project is expected to be complete by July.
He also informed the council that AT&T had driven onto Main Street Park after a recent rain and had damaged the lawn. They had accepted responsibility for the damage and have worked to level the turf. PWSM Collins also commended his Public Works staff and Jenny Thompson for all of their hard work during the recreation baseball season. Mayor Bellinger seconded that appreciation.
Interim City Manager French echoed PWSM Collins’ sentiments, particularly pointing out Ms.
Thompson’s excellent work on rescheduling the many cancelled games this season. He then informed the council that the City had released a Request for Proposals regarding the City’s wireless internet services in April, in an attempt to improve internet capabilities in citywide facilities. He noted that it had gained a significant amount of interest. He also informed the Council that he and PWSM Collins had walked the neighborhood of the proposed sidewalk infill project near Dent Elementary School and talked to residents about the project.
10. Red Cross Agreement Update and Discussion
City Attorney Frank Splendorio noted that the American Red Cross would not consider changes to their worldwide master agreement and then advised against signing the updated Red Cross Agreement if they were concerns of not having 100% control over the use of the facility.
Councilmember Strohman provided a personal account on his experience with the American Red Cross and indicated he saw little harm in the agreement.
Mayor Bellinger thought that the community would still be served by the American Red Cross in the case of a natural disaster whether the agreement was signed or not.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan cited concerns with the potential use of the facility in the case of potential, non-natural disasters declared by the government.
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Escalon City Council
May 6, 2024
Councilmember Strohman suggested it may benefit the council to have the local American Red Cross administrator attend a meeting and answer their questions.
Mayor Bellinger opened the item for public comment.
Elsa Sandoval spoke shared her experience with the Red Cross and cited concerns with the Red Cross potentially housing individuals at the facility.
Mayor Bellinger closed the item for public comment.
It was the consensus of the council to not sign the updated Red Cross Agreement, deferring to the existing agreement.
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.
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
11. Consider and Approve the Employment Agreement between the City and Robert A.
Hardgraves, Jr for Chief of Police.
Interim City Manager French presented the staff report.
Councilmember Strohman asked Interim Police Chief Hardgraves what his vision was for the department in the next 3 to 5 years. Interim Police Chief Hardgraves replied that he desired to make Escalon a city of choice for future officers and recruit and retain experienced officers.
Councilmember Strohman expressed his appreciation for Interim Police Chief Hardgraves’ dedication to the City of Escalon and felt that the Escalon Police Department would be in more than capable hands.
MOTION – It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/WALKER to Approve the Employment Agreement between the City and Robert A. Hardgraves, Jr for Chief of Police. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 30-24
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Escalon City Council
May 6, 2024
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Walker congratulated Chief Hardgraves on his new position. She appreciated how well the City was working together as a team and how much better the communication had been.
Councilmember Engle had questions regarding the Phase 2 Sewer Improvement Project and what was to come after that, which PWSM Collins provided answers to. Councilmember Engle also wished his daughter, Abigail, a happy birthday.
Councilmember Strohman expressed his respect for Mayor Pro Tem Hagan and Councilmember Engle’s concerns with the border crisis. He then thanked Interim City Manager French and PWSM Collins for leading the tour of the Waste Water Treatment Plant and felt that it was a very eye-opening experience. He congratulated Chief Hardgraves on his new position and echoed Councilmember Walker’s sentiments on how well the City was currently running with the current management in place. Finally, he thanked Ms. Sandoval for all of her hard work with the senior community.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan thanked PWSM Collins for all of the hard work he and his crew have done at Hogan-Ennis Park. He congratulated Chief Hardgraves and was happy to see him in his new role. He then thanked all of the staff for the great job they were doing.
Mayor Bellinger congratulated Chief Hardgraves on his new position. He also encouraged the public to check out the baseball fields to see all of the hard work that had been put into it, pointing out Krandall Vandagriff in particular for all of the effort he has put into making sure the games can be played.
Council entered into Closed Session at 8:28 pm.
CLOSED SESSION
15. Conference with Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): David Leer, et al. vs City of Escalon, et al.
Council returned from Closed Session at approximately 9:01 pm. All five members were present for the duration of the session. No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bellinger adjourned the meeting at 9:01 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jenny Thompson, Deputy City Clerk