ESCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF AUGUST 19, 2024
TO CENTRA City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
Beginning Resolution No. 42-24
Beginning Ordinance No. 597
Beginning Minute Order No. 46-24
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
Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent/Manager (PWSM) Joanna Gin, City Attorney
PRESENTATIONS
1. Citizens of the Month - Senior Fun Bunch Leadership
Mayor Bellinger presented the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch leadership team with Citizen of the Month ertificates. San Joaquin County Supervisor, Robert Rickman also presented the Escalon Senior Fur Bunch with a Certificate of Recognition for their 5-year anniversary as an organization
2. Escalon Library Updates
Escalon Librarian, Kari Leos, was unable to attend the meeting, so updates were provided by Interim City Manager, Jaylen French.
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.
3. Approve the Minutes from the Meeting of August 5, 2024.
4. Approve the Register of Demands for August 19, 2024 in the amount of $1,387,154.05.
Escalon resident, Gabriella Vargas, requested to pull item 4.
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MOTION - It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/HAGAN that item 3 of the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 46-24 Item 4 was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Escalon resident, Gabriella Vargas, asked for clarification on several line items of the Register of Demands, which staff provided.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by STROHMAN/HAGAN that item 4 of the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 47-24
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
5. July Staff Updates
a. Treasurer's Report for July
b. Police Department Report for July
c. Animal Control Report for July
d. Recreation Department Report for July
e. Development Services Report for July
f. Public Works Report for July
g. Building Department Report for July
h. Water Department Report for July
1. Waste Water Treatment Plant Report for July
j. City Manager's Report (verbal)
Interim City Manager French introduced acting City Attorney, Joanna Gin, who was filling in for Mr. Splendorio during his vacation. He then updated the council on the status of the new ballot box which would be installed in 15-30 days at City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem inquired if there would be cameras with public access on the ballot boxes, which Interim City Manager French confirmed.
Finally, Interim City Manager French informed the council that Deputy City Clerk, Jenny Thompson, would be leaving the City of Escalon for a new position at the City of Oakdale.
FDHRA, Celinda Bickner, noted a printing error on the Treasurer's Report. Ms. Vargas questioned items on the Year-to-Date Expenses that did not seem to be budgeted for. Ms. Bickner explained that those items would be distributed amongst several line items on a quarterly basis.
Chief of Police, Robert Hardgraves, noted that Park Fete was, thankfully, uneventful from an incident standpoint. He also reminded the public that they were currently accepting applications for police officers. He informed the Council that Officer Palomino had led the department in both arrests and citations for the month of July.
PWSM, Juston Collins, provided an update on several ongoing Public Works projects, noting that, on Tuesday, August 27%h h, Yosemite Avenue, in front of the high school, would be closed from 9:00 am until no later than 3:00 pm to complete a slurry seal as part of the 2024 Pavement Restoration Project. The hope is to not hinder school operations. He also noted that the contractor and City staff had notified the neighbors. Councilmember Strohman inquired if the road work could be delayed until after school. PWSM Collins indicated that it would be cost prohibitive to do so. Mr. Collins
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also noted that the pilot program utilizing goats and sheep for weed control at the Waste Water Treatment Plant had been going really well, so staff is expanding the program to in-town storm basins. PWSM Collins reminded everyone that the last Farmer's Market of the year was Wednesday, August 21s'. Finally, Mr. Collins provided an update on the opening weeks of the soccer season.
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, Ed Alves, thanked PWSM Collins for everything he does for the City. He then inquired with Interim City Manager French if there was more information on the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) Surface Water Project from the previous meeting available on the website.
Mr. French indicated that he was always available to speak with residents regarding this or any other City project, and that staff would upload presentations to the City website. Mr. Alves also suggested selling the current Public Works Corporation Yard and using funds from the sale to relocate the yard to the city owned property on St. John.
Ms. Vargas inquired if there was a more recent audit than the 20-21 Audit available on the website.
FDHRA Bickner explained that the company doing the subsequent audits were very behind schedule.
Ms. Vargas also had questions regarding the Crime Map, which Chief Hardgraves answered. Finally, Ms. Vargas inquired about feral cats and euthanasia at the Oakdale Animal Shelter. Chief Hardgraves indicated he would follow up with the Oakdale Animal Shelter and provide an update at the next meeting.
Escalon resident, Jeff Riley, expressed concerns with information he had received regarding the use of the Escalon Community Center by the American Red Cross and potentially the State of California.
Council indicated that they had begun process to dissolve the agreement with the American Red Cross.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
6. Introduction of Escalon Consolidated Fire District 2 + 2 Model Interim City Manager French provided the staff report.
Both Mayor Pro Tem Hagan and Mayor Bellinger agreed with the idea to form a Fire 2+2 Committee, with Mayor Bellinger suggesting that the Committee meet quarterly to start. Councilmember Strohman
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thought it would help bridge any collaboration gaps between the City Council and the Escalon Consolidated Fire District Board.
Mayor Bellinger opened the item for public comment.
There were no public comments.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by HAGAN/STROHMAN to approve staff creating the Escalon Consolidated Fire District 2 + 2 committee, with meetings quarterly. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 48-24
7. City staff and Councilmember Training - Agenda Item Request Mayor Pro Tem Hagan outlined the idea of requiring all current and future staff and suggesting that all current and future City Councilmembers, take a Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence training.
Mayor Bellinger spoke in support of the item.
Councilmember Strohman, while he appreciated the idea, expressed concerns with the cost of such training, after other staff training was discontinued due to budget constraints, as well as possible issues with the city bargaining units and their current MOUs. FDHRA Bickner indicated that there were some very good trainings available online for free. Neither Chief Hardgraves nor PWSM Collins thought there would be a problem with adding any additional training for their staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan explained that he felt this training should be for all staff and councilmembers, to reinforce that all government entities are charged with upholding the Constitution.
Councilmember Engle spoke in support of the item, noting that, as councilmembers, they already swear an oath, and that city staff are working for the people. He suggested the trainings start in 2025 to work through all of the logistics.
Mayor Bellinger opened the item for public comment.
Mr. Riley spoke in support of the item, noting that the younger generations no longer learn the subject in school as well as previous generations.
Escalon resident, Sherry Hill, spoke in support of the item. She also suggested requiring the training for those running for office.
Mayor Bellinger closed the item for public comment.
City Attorney Gin recommended moving this item to the next agenda so that the legal team could look further into any possible issues regarding the City bargaining units, which gained a consensus from the council.
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Escalon City Council
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COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Strohman encouraged everyone to attend the final Farmer's Market of the season. He also thanked Deputy City Clerk Thompson for everything she had done for the City, and for the quality of the meeting minutes since taking the Deputy City Clerk role. He wished her all the best.
Councilmember Walker noted that staff was working hard to get caught up on the audits and she appreciated that. She also thanked Mayor Pro Tem Hagan for bringing forward the previous item regarding training and for providing pocket Constitution guides for them, and thanked staff for receiving the item so well.
Councilmember Engle thanked everyone for allowing him to attend the last meeting virtually. He congratulated and thanked the Senior Fun Bunch for their service to the senior community. He then thanked Deputy City Clerk Thompson for her service to the City and asked Interim City Manager French if there was a plan in place to fill the position, which Mr. French provided. He expressed his desire to see presentations included on the Agenda page of the city website, which Interim City Manager French said would be done, and looked forward to the follow-up information regarding feral cats.
Councilmember Strohman felt that Oakdale Animal Control should come to Escalon and trap any feral cats as part of their contract with the City, so as to not place this burden on residents. Chief Hardgraves indicated that the Animal Control Department was extremely understaffed at the moment. Interim City Manager French explained that the City was told that Oakdale Animal Control does not trap feral cats as a practice, but indicated that staff would get more information on that stance.
Mayor Pro Tem Hagan thanked everyone for a great meeting and wished Ms. Thompson good luck on her future endeavors.
Mayor Bellinger congratulated the Senior Fun Bunch and looked forward to their continued success.
He also wished Deputy City Clerk Thompson all the best in the future, and reminded everyone to come out to the last Farmer's Market of the year on Wednesday.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bellinger adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Vara
Jayien Freich, Interim Giry Manager