ASCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2024
TO CENTRI City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
INCORPORATED MARCH 12, 1957
Beginning Resolution No. 48-24
Beginning Ordinance No. 597
Beginning Minute Order No. 59-24
PRESENT: Mayor David Bellinger
Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Malinda Walker
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
STAFF PRESENT: Jaylen French, City Manager
Celinda Bickner, Finance Director/HR Administrator (FDHRA) Robert Hardgraves, Chief of Police
Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent/Manager (PWSM) Frank Splendorio, City Attorney
PRESENTATIONS
1. A. Certificate of Recognition - Officer Baldonado for His Heroic Efforts Chief of Police Robert Hardgraves presented Officer Baldonado with a certificate of recognition for his actions during a house fire on November 13, 2022.
Officer Baldonado acknowledged the support of Officer Murray during the incident.
B. Men's Health Awareness Month Proclamation
Mayor Bellinger read the proclamation recognizing November 2024 as Men's Health Awareness Month, highlighting various men's health issues and statistics.
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.
2. Approve the Minutes from the Meeting of October 21, 2024
3. Approve the Register of Demands for November 4, 2024, in the amount of $269,858.37
4. Consider Final Acceptance of the 2024 Pavement Restoration Project and Authorize the City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion
MINUTES
5. Consider Final Acceptance of the Carignane Sewer Lift Station Replacement Project and Authorize the City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion Mayor Bellinger introduced the consent calendar, which includes routine items acted upon by a single action.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by HAGAN/STROHMAN that the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 59-24
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
6. Quarterly Updates from Appointed Representatives
a. San Joaquin County Commission on Aging: Elsa Sandoval FDHRA Celinda Bickner informed the Council that a new employee, Michele Bates, is set to start with the City on November 12th in the city clerk position. And further, the team is actively working on the Auditor selection process and finalizing the general ledger in preparation for the upcoming audit.
PWSM Juston Collins provided an update on the completed Carignane lift station project.
Elsa Sandoval from the San Joaquin County Commission on Aging provided an update on past and future offerings and events for the seniors of Escalon.
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, Kurt Danziger thanked the City for their educational materials and presentations on Measure P, and emphasized the importance of the surface water connection project for the city's future.
Escalon resident, Gabriella Vargas inquired about the financial picture of the surface water connection project and the city's approach for Proclamations.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
7. Set Recreation Commission Applicant Interviews
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
November 4, 2024
City Manager French outlined the City's approved process for selecting Recreation Commission applicants, including the interview process.
The council agreed to schedule the interviews for Monday, November 18 at 6:30 PM.
Councilmember Strohman requested that City staff follow-up with all applicants to confirm their availability for the interview date.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by HAGAN/STROHMAN to set recreation commission applicant interviews. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 60-24
8. Consider Contract with Todd Davis to Provide Coaching Clinics and Support, and Skills Clinics for the Escalon Recreation Baseball/Softball League per the Agenda Item Request from Mayor Pro Tem Hagan and Councilmember Walker Regarding Proposed Approach for Escalon Baseball/Softball Program
City Manager French summarized the proposal before the Council and outlined the proposed role of consultant Todd Davis via a proposed contract, as well as the current financial state of recreation sports and the financial implications of the consultant contract.
Councilmember Walker emphasized the benefits of having a professional liaison as well as the potential for improved coaching support and game scheduling. She proposed an interim step with the city retaining pre-season tasks to maintain the current registration process and familiarity for parents, and Todd Davis handling in-season responsibilities.
The council raised concerns about the level of subsidy for the recreation program and especially for those that reside outside of Escalon. There were various proposals from the audience, including a tiered rate increase over the next few years, with the goal of fully covering costs over time; and a proposal to raise rates to fully cover the consultant contract (approximately $40) and not subsidizing those outside the Escalon Unified School District boundary.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/HAGAN to approve a contract with Todd Davis for $16,000 to provide coaching clinics and support, and skills clinics, as well as administrative functions for the Escalon recreation baseball/softball league. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 61-24
9. Consider Proposals from EzWave and Ayera for the Installation and Managed Operations of Wireless Networking Internet Services Backbone Request for Proposals and Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the Selected Company.
City Manager French explained the genesis of the item and the City's need for improved internet service. He further outlined the received proposal before Council for consideration, supported by the City's consultant John Morris, Spark Alliance.
MINUTES
Escalon City Council
November 4, 2024
The Council had questions for the applicants about their technology, service reliability, service maintenance response times, number of jurisdictions served, revenue share and revenue models, and location of vertical assets and extent of vertical assets, to which each applicant provided responses.
City Manager French discussed the importance of drafting the agreement to future proof issues of company investment, technology investment and changes, revenue models, and length of term.
MOTION - It is moved/seconded by ENGLE/HAGAN to authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with Ayera. Motion carried (4-1) MINUTE ORDER 62-24
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Strohman thanked community members for feedback on the baseball and softball program proposal. He also encouraged all to vote on November 5'h.
Councilmember Walker emphasized the importance of community members voting based on their opinions and knowledge of the issues. She further supported the proposed surface water project and encouraged residents to stay involved in the process.
Councilmember Hagan supported the conversation surrounding the baseball/softball concept and looks forward to what comes from the topic.
CLOSED SESSION
10. 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.
No reportable actions taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bellinger adjourned the meeting at 10:22 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jaylen French, City Manager