ESCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF JANUARY 21, 2025
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
INCORPORATED MARCH 12,191
Beginning Resolution No. 02-25
Beginning Ordinance No. 599
Beginning Minute Order No. 06-25
PRESENT: Mayor Andrew Hagan
Mayor Pro Tem Malinda Walker
Councilmember Jeremey Engle
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
Councilmember Jeff Kay
STAFF PRESENT: Jaylen French, City Manager (CM)
Celinda Bickner, Finance Director/HR Administrator (FDHRA) Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent (PWS)
Robert Hardgraves, Chief of Police
Frank Splendorio, City Attorney
Michele Bates, Deputy City Clerk
COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: Jeremy Engle
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 January 6, 2025
2. Approve the Register of Demands for January 21, 2025 in the amount of $1,596,533.57
3. Consideration of Final Acceptance of the Valdapena Way Waterline, ADA Ramps, & Road Improvement Plan, Between Riesling Way and Sanchez Way and Authorize the Deputy City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion.
4. Reject Bids for Library Roof Replacement and Wall Repair Project.
MOTION - it is m/s by STROHMAN/WALKER that items 1-3 of the consent calendar be approved with amendments to Item 1. Motion carried 4-0. MINUTE ORDER 03-25 Item 4 was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Councilmember Strohman inquired about reimbursement from the County for public work's time on the project. CM French responded that the City agreed to manage the project on their behalf. Councilmember Strohman requested in the future to include the bid spreadsheet in staff reports and inquired if the County will cover anything over their budget. CM French and PWS Collins have already spoke with County and City of Stockton about this project going back out to bid.
MOTION - it is m/s by STROHMAN/WALKER that Item 4 be approved as presented. Motion carried 4-0. MINUTE ORDER 04-25
STAFF REPORTS
5. January Staff Updates
a. Treasurer's Report for December
b. Police Department Report for December
c. Animal Control Report for December
d. Recreation Department Report for December
e. Development Services Report for December
f. Public Works Report for December
g. Building Department Report for December
h. Water Department Report for December
i. Waste Water Treatment Plant Report for December
j. City Manager's Report (verbal)
FDHRA Bickner reported on December's treasure report and statement of cash.
Chief Hardgraves reported on a new officer starting in February with three (3) additional reserves being processed.
PWS Collins updated Council on the Valdapena Project with a slideshow. Councilmember Strohman inquired about speedbumps on Valdapena. PWS Collins responded that they found that street was short and did not warrant speedbumps. CM French informed Council about the new Traffic Calming Program in which residents can make requests for traffic calming measures, which would be evaluated by the City.
PWS Collins reported that the Dent Sidewalk project is moving forward and on schedule.
CM French updated Council on the open position for the Planning Commission and publicly thanked Mark Sarkozy for his years of service on the Planning Commission.
CM French updated on Council's request regarding information on charter cities. CM French and legal are researching options and a presentation will be given sometime in May. In regards to the railroad and safety issue on 120/McHenry, CM French stated that conversations have been had with engineering and CUPC Recommendations will be given soon. Regarding the request for a second community meeting for the Murphy Ranch project, CM French suggested a workshop with the Council, Planning Commission and th public to share their thoughts and ask questions prior to the approval process. Lastly, CM French reportec on an agenda request from the public for the Belle Terra LLD and to reconsider the language in the engineer's report.
Resident Kurt Danzinger commented on the Belle Terra agenda item and requested the date be moved up due to a personal matter. He would also like updates on the water and sewer reports in staff communications. He also commented on the charter city matter and cautioned Council on the cons that would affect the City.
Resident Betty Bennett had concerns about Bill SB1037. She feels the community needs to be informed how this bill will affect growth in the city. Councilmember Stroman requested that staff explain the new housing laws/state mandates to the community at the workshop scheduled for February.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
Resident Kurt Danzinger presented his updated agenda item request to Council regarding the Belle Terra LLD and review of the engineers report and his concerns. Mr. Danzinger had concerns about the meeting/workshop held on January 15 and how the public was notified about it.
CM French responded to Mr. Danzinger's concerns and informed that the workshop/meeting was for strategic planning and Council setting priorities. An item will come back at a regularly scheduled meeting to consider a strategic plan. Concerning Mr. Danzinger's request to move up his agenda item, CM French stated he wants to make sure Council is fully informed before the matter is presented and not rushed.
Council would like to hear it at the February 3rd meeting if possible.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. Receive AB1600 Fee Report FY 2023-2024
FDHRA Bickner reviewed the annual and five (5) year report with Council regarding impact fees, state standards, statutes and where funds are being used. Councilmember Strohman asked if there had been any major changes between this year's report and prior years. FDHRA Bickner explained that the prior report was rather short, not requiring much. She stated that the State changed their requirements requesting more detail and explained those changes.
Public Hearing opened at 7:50 p.m.
Resident Kurt Danzinger spoke of the connection fees being the life of the City and suggested that report be shown to audience members.
Public Hearing closed at 7:52 p.m.
CM French responded that those reports are available in the agenda packet for the audience to review.
MOTION - m/s by STROHMAN/WALKER that Resolution XX-25 of the City Council of the City of Escalon Accepting the Annual AB1600 Report of Development Impact Fee Activity Fiscal Year 2024.
Motion carried 4-0. RESOLUTION 01-25
7. Liberty Business Park Plan Area Fee Program (This public hearing will be opened and then continued to the February 3, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Escalon City Council CM French stated that the Liberty Business Plan Area Fee discussion will immediately be continued to the February 3rd meeting and this will notice the public of the continuance.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
8. Appoint Recreation Commission Applicants to the Three (3) Expired Seats on the Recreation Commission
CM French noted there are three (3) vacancies on the Recreation Commission and had four (4) individuals apply. Interviews were held at the November 18, 2024 meeting. There was a code section change specifically regarding residency requirements for Commissioners. An Ordinance change was approved by Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker nominated Stephanie Hogan. Nomination seconded by Mayor Hagan.
Councilmember Strohman amended the nomination to include Matthew Showalter and Dan Bauer.
Mayor Pro Tem seconded the nomination.
Nominations were approved and carried by a 4-0 vote.
9. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Report
FDHRA Bickner presented a slideshow and reported on the budget explaining where and how the money is being spent.
Mayor Hagan thanked Bickner for all her hard work and for being so diligent.
Councilmember Strohman requested that the report be posted on the website. He also appreciates her hard work and that it does not go unrecognized.
Public Hearing Opened at 8:16 p.m.
Resident Kurt Danzinger thanked Ms. Bickner for her work and asked for clarification regarding the General and Enterprise funds, which FDHRA Bickner explained for him. He inquired about the inter-fund loans and if they were included in the budget shortfall and Bickner explained the loans are being accounted for.
Public Hearing closed at 8:19 p.m.
MOTION - m/s WALKER/KAY to Approve Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget. Motion carried 4-
0. MINUTE ORDER 05-25
10. Vac-Con Sewer Vacuum Truck Lease-Purchase Agreement FDHRA Bicker explained that Public Works is in need of a new truck that can be financed at a reduced price. She presented a loan payment schedule showing when the vehicle could be paid off. PWS Collins stated that they have the opportunity to save approximately $150,000.00 - $170,000.00. CM French stated there are a few legal items to review regarding the lease agreement and any approval would done through Resolution.
Received approval from Council (4-0) to move forward.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Kay commented on the Recreation Staff report showing that flag football registrations on his service throughout last year and to keep up the good work.
Councilmember Strohman commented on the mid-year budget and realized it came with some sacrifice of the Departments, staff and others within the City and would like the department heads to pass along that Council understands this but feels the right thing to do. He reiterated that he knows how hard FDHRA Bicker has been working and personally thanked her for everything she is doing for the City. He congratulated Stephanie Hogan and Matthew Showalter on their appointments to the Recreation Commission and how impressed he was by their interviews. He feels they have the ability to expand the program and offered the Council's support. He thanked residents Betty Bennett and Kurt Danzinger for their input regarding the housing issues. Councilmember Strohman acknowledged resident Danzinger's passion for LLD's and wants to hear what he has to say and understand how it affects the neighbors in Mayor Pro Tem Walker stated that she also enjoys the flag football program and seeing how many girls have participated this year. She realizes there has been a lot a foot traffic at Hogan field and that it has not been overlooked. She congratulated the new Recreation Commissioners and hopes they will pump new lifeblood into the City programs.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hagan adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Bates
Michele Bates, Deputy City Clerk