MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 9, 2024
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
Beginning Resolution No. 49-24
Beginning Ordinance No. 598
Beginning Minute Order No. 67-24
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bellinger at 7:00 p.m.
A. Flag Salute
B. Roll Call
PRESENT: Mayor David Bellinger
Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan
Councilmember Jeremey Engle
Councilmember Malinda Walker
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
STAFF PRESENT: Jaylen French, City Manager
Celinda Bickner, Finance Director/HR Administrator
Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent
Robert Hardgraves, Chief of Police
Andreas Booher, Attorney
Michele Bates, Deputy City Clerk
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.
Approve the Minutes from the Meeting of November 4, 2024.
Approve the Minutes from the Meeting of November 18, 2024 Approve the Register of Demands for December 9 in the amount of $2,646.738.24 Mayor Bellinger introduced the consent calendar, which includes routine items acted upon by a single action.
MOTION – It is m/s by STROHMAN/BELLINGER that items 1, 2, and 3 of the consent calendar be approved as presented. Motion carried 5-0. MINUTE ORDER 64-24.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
Escalon resident Gabriella Vargas thanks Joe from Public Works for coming out on a Saturday and helping with a matter. Very informative and helpful. She also informed there is new water valve that is making a loud noise and thought it might be looked at.
She also wanted to thank Officer Palomino for helping with an individual with mental health crisis and showing so much compassion and was impressed with his patience and understanding.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Consider Adopting Resolution No. XX-24, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Escalon Reciting the Facts of the General Municipal Election Held on November 5, 2024; Declaring the Results and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law.
Mr. French presented it exactly as it was read. These are the facts and declaring the results as such as well as Measure P.
Hagan wanted to thank the community for passing Measure P. Wants to make sure we have everything accounted for projecting forward. Looking at things that potentially need to be repaired and so forth and getting an understanding of those issues before spending any money. In response, French said they will be going through a process with the new Council to establish priorities and identify specifically where Measure P funds should be allocated.
Strohman asked Mrs. Bickner how frequently those disbursements would be received and she informed that would be quarterly. Strohman agreed that those reports should be given quarterly to show greater transparency to the constituents.
French pointed out that the action tonight is before the December 12th deadline that the State needs to start implementing the sales tax by April 1st when it takes effect.
MOTION – It was m/s by HAGAN/WALKER to Adopt Resolution No. XX-24, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Escalon Reciting the Facts of the General Municipal Election Held on November 5, 2024; Declaring the Results and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law. Motion passed 5-0. RESOLTUION NO. 48-24 Recognition of Mayor David Bellinger – 4 Years of Service At this time Mr. French recognized Mayor Bellinger for his 4 years of service and presented him with a plaque.
Mayor Bellinger then spoke thanking the community for supporting him. That is has been a privilege and honor serving the City of Escalon. Also thanked his fellow Councilmembers and City staff for their collaboration and partnership. Also wished the incoming Councilmembers the best of luck in the future.
Councilmembers Strohman, Hagan, Walker, Engle all spoke thanking Bellinger for his leadership and how steadfast and purposeful he was. Thanking him for being the voice of reason, a great representative for the City and how much he will be missed.
City Clerk to Administer the Certificates of Election and Oaths of Office to Newly Elected Councilmembers, Shawn Strohman and Jeff Kay, both for 4 years At his this time City Manager French administered the oath to new councilmembers Strohman and Kay and presented them with certificates. Councilmembers too their new seats and meeting was continued.
Conduct Nominations and Appointment Process for the Position of Mayor French reported that this is the process to nominate amongst the newly seated Council a Mayor and a Mayor Pro Tem. The Mayor Pro Tem will fill in for the Mayor if absent or not able to fulfill duties.
At this time, Mayor Pro Tem Hagan opened the discussion to public comment. There were no comments from the audience or online.
Councilmember Walker then made a motion to nominate Dr. Andrew Hagan as Escalon’s Mayor.
MOTION – It was m/s by WALKER/ENGLE to nominate Dr. Andrew Hagan as Mayor. Motion passed 5-0. MINUTE NO. 65-24.
Mayor Hagan accepted the nomination.
Conduct Nominations and Appointment Process for the Position of Mayor Pro Tem.
At this time, Mayor Hagan opened the discussion to public comment. There were no comments from the audience or online.
Councilmember Strohman made a motion to appoint Malinda Walker as Mayor Pro Tem.
MOTION – It was m/s by STROHMAN/WALKER to appoint Malinda Walker as May Pro Tem. Motion passed 3-2. Abstained (Hagan/Engle). MOTION NO. 66-24 Walker accepted the nomination.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Kay first spoke thanking the community for their votes and the confidence they have in him. Also thanked his family for their support and looking forward to working with the citizens of the City.
Councilmember Engle again thanked Mayor Bellinger for all his hard work and congratulations to the new councilmembers.
Councilmember Strohman again thanked Bellinger for his hard work and congratulations to Councilmember Kay and looking forward to working with him. Thanked the voters and constituents for their confidence in him and thanking his family for all their support.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker again thanked Bellinger for being such a great leader and guidance. Also congratulated new Councilmembers and to the citizens to Escalon, thanked for voters and passing measure P. Then thanks Mayor Hagan for his nomination at Mayor and how she looks forward to working with everyone.
Mayor Hagan thanked everyone for their vote of confidence. Also thanks Bellinger for his service and knows he will still be there to help out whenever need. He welcomed new councilmembers to the team and is looking forward to working with them. He thanked the community for their support and giving ideas and not being afraid to voice their opinions.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hagan adjourned the meeting at 7:33 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________________
Michele Bates, Deputy City Clerk
MINUTES
CC Special Meeting
December 9, 2024