ESCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNLA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 2025
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.
INCORPORATED MARCH 12, 1951
Beginning Resolution No. 02-25
Beginning Ordinance No. 599
Beginning Minute Order No. 10-25
PRESENT: Mayor Andrew Hagan
Mayor Pro Tem Malinda Walker
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
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
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proposed Fiber Optic Network Installation Project by Unwired Broadband Mark Peterson, Special Project Manager, and John Majors, Vice President of Operations with Unwired Broadband presented to the Council regarding their company and their proposed fiber project throughout the City, which could start this calendar year and could take approximately 10 months to complete.
Councilmembers posed various questions including, the type of construction method used, the percentage of the City and asphalt in and around Escalon that would be disrupted, and why Escalon was chosen for this $8M investment. UnWired provided responses to all questions indicating that they utilized a boring method of construction (underground) that the project intends to ultimately connect each residence and business in the City and that their business model is to locate in small towns with fewer internet options.
Public Hearing Opened at 7:22 p.m.
Resident Cody Fowler inquired about any outside funding on the project. UnWired replied that the project was fully funded by the business and no outside funds are to be used. Mr. Fowler then inquired about the size of the proposed central office structure and was informed that they build an enclosed 8x8 area in the City which is less intrusive than a new building.
A resident then asked about the potential impacts to front yards and the restoration process. UnWired replied that trenching is a last resort and the impact to yards is minimal.
Public Hearing Closed at 7:27 p.m.
Council thanked Unwired for their presentation and felt the project merited further discussion.
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 Minutes from the Meeting of January 15, 2025
3. Approve Minutes from the Meeting of January 21, 2025
4. Approve Register of Demands for the Month of January 2025 in the amount of $226,852.71 MOTION - it is m/s by STROHMAN/KAY that items 2 and 4 of the consent calendar be approved Motion carried 4-0. MINUTE ORDER 06-25
MOTION - it is m/s by WALKER/STROHMAN that Item 3 be approved as presented. Motion carried 4-0-1. Councilmember Engle Abstain. MINUTE ORDER 07-25
STAFF REPORTS
FDHRA Bickner reported that the audit is going well and will be presented to Council sometime in March.
Chief Hardgraves provided an update on the alleged abduction attempt. He informed the Council that the Everbridge Public Alert System was utilized to notify the public of the incident, which worked well. Chief also shared that a new officer would be starting with the department in February, and that two reserve officers are currently in background checks. He mentioned that four officers had completed a Radar Operator Course and have begun to issue speeding citations on Highway 120.
PWS Collins informed Council that his crew are preparing the fields for the baseball/softball season at Hogan Fields. The City has opened a recruitment for a Maintenance Worker position, which closes on February 14, 2025. He then provided an update on the Dent area sidewalk infill project which is progressing nicely despite the few rainy days recently.
CM French noted that staff is drafting a strategic plan for 2025-2026 and will bring this before the Council or their consideration. CM French provided an update on the Murphy Ranch Community Meeting, whic due to calendar conflicts may occur in March. CM French reported that the proposed Jackson Avenu Apartment project will go before the Planning Commission in March, and per Council's request, the mid- year budget presentation has been uploaded to the website.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
Resident Kurt Danziger inquired about the wastewater treatment plant and surface water projects and requested that staff provide an update. CM French responded that staff continues to work on both projects and will provide an update in the next month or so.
Resident Kurt Russell sought clarification that the community workshop previously discussed was to address the Murphy Ranch project.
A representative from NorCal Carpenters spoke as an advocate for Area Labor Standards concerning health care, apprenticeship programs and job opportunities.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. Liberty Business Park Plan Area Fee Program (This public hearing will be opened and then continued to the March 3, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Escalon City Council) CM French informed that the City would re-notice the item and expects it to be heard at the March 17, 2025 meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
6. Consider Changes to Escalon's Fireworks Booth Lottery System CM French presented the staff report regarding the fireworks booth code and lottery system.
Jeff Laugero Escalon Parks Foundation board member requested that the Council continue the current practice at least for this year as EPF is approximately $10,000.00 from their financial goal, which would allow them to deliver a first phase of the skate park. EPF has further coordinated with City staff regarding finalizing the MOU and location of the facility.
Councilmember Strohman thanked Mr. Laugero for his time and requested that EPF provide an update at a future Council meeting. Mr. Laugero noted that they would be happy to present when appropriate. It was discussed whether an additional booth should be allowed. This action would require an ordinance and formal code change.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker inquired about State regulation regarding the amount of firework booths allowed in the City. CM French responded that number was set by the City. She then requested that Mr. Laugero introduce themselves to the new Council, be more visible in the public, and provide an update on the status of the project.
Councilmember Strohman inquired how many local non-profit organizations apply for the lottery each year. CM French noted there is more than the number of booths, usually around six to seven (6-7) total. Councilmember Strohman suggested to Mr. Laugero that he use the City's newsletter to promote EPF.
Councilmember Engle suggested that adding more booths may just dilute the monies raised by each non-profit.
Councilmember Strohman inquired how the lottery was communicated to each non-profit organization. It is understood that all non-profits receive a direct letter notifying them of the application process.
MOTION - it is m/s by ENGLE/KAY to maintain the current Fireworks Booth Lottery System which provides a booth to Escalon Parks Foundation and to revisit the lottery system in August 2025. Motion carried 5-0. MINUTE ORDER 08-25
7. Agenda Item Request - Kurt Danziger - Reconsider Adopted Final Engineer's Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for the Belleterra Estates Landscape and Maintenance District CM French presented the staff report to Council. Mayor Hagan asked if the subject infrastructure improvements which were added to the report were paid for by the original developer and CM French confirmed that it was.
Councilmember Strohman asked why was Council not made aware of changes made between 2020 and 2021. City Attorney Frank Splendorio explained that there is growing case law from Proposition 218 that helped to define elements of these plans, and that definitions did not change of what can or cannot be maintained or served under the LLD. The matter before Council is: first, is the information consistent with the LLD Act, and second, is the information consistent with the improvements as set forth in the formation documents.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker inquired about the assessment increase from last year, and, if those improvements had not been made, would the assessment still have increased. CM French noted that the assessment would have gone up based on increase to utilities and other costs.
Councilmember Strohman inquired about notification to affected residents of proposed changes.
City Attorney Splendorio confirmed that under LLD law, the Assessment Reports are required to be considered under a public hearing, which was this year.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker asked about a max reserve for LLDs. Mr. Clark responded that there are two reserve fund types, an Operating Reserve Fund which allows no more than a fifty percent (50%) reserve of the operating budget each year. There is a second reserve fund type for Capital Replacement, which does not have a legal cap.
Councilmember Strohman inquired about the District paying for increased notifications to affected residents if chosen by the council? City Attorney Splendorio noted that Council could decide to amend those notification procedures and that the District could pay for that increase notification.
Public Hearing opened at 8:41 p.m.
Resident Kurt Danziger presented his concerns regarding the district improvement line items that had been included in the most recent LLD report, and the modification of special benefit definitions which had been modified previously, as well as his belief that the District's Engineers Report should not be modified year over year.
Resident Natalie Gallegos supported Mr. Danziger's view of the LLDs. She requested that the Council bring the LLD report and assessments back to its original format and provide residents with an opportunity to vote on any changes.
Resident Kurt Russell supports that residents be notified of any changes in the LLDs before adoption.
Resident Danny Fox noted there was a lack of transparency from the City regarding the LLD adoption.
Public Hearing closed at 9:03 p.m.
Councilmember Strohman inquired when Council would receive updates for Fiscal Year 25/26.
CM French responded in the March/April time frame, with a May/June adoption. Councilmember Strohman commented on transparency and how Council's role is to represent the community. He proposed restoring the original report format and assessment line items and re-evaluating for the 25/26 fiscal year with increased notification to the residents of changes.
Councilmember Kay felt there was a misunderstanding of the issue presented, and what had been modified and the notice provided.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker commented that any changes should be specifically detailed, in writing, during consideration.
MOTION - it is m/s ENGLE/KAY that Council maintain the all line items and assessment levels within the 2024/2025 Final Engineer's Report for Belleterra Estates. Motion passed 3-2 (Walker and Strohman Oppose) MINUTE ORDER 09-25
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Kay thanked the residents for their comments and for presenting their concerns to Council.
Councilmember Strohman thanked the residents for the passionate discussion at and felt that the Council did not represent the residents tonight through the action taken.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker provided a status update on the wastewater treatment plant efforts and requested information on the fees paid by industry toward the City's plant. She thanked the audience for the lively discussion.
Mayor Hagan appreciated everyone being at the meeting and thanked everyone for their input.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hagan adjourned the meeting at 9:17 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele hates
Michele Bates, Deputy City Clerk