ESCALON MINUTES
CLIKORNLA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF APRIL 20, 2026
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue - 7:00 P.M.
Beginning Resolution No. 14-26
Beginning Ordinance No. 602
Beginning Minute Order No. 25-26
PRESENT: Mayor Andrew Hagan
Mayor Pro Tem Malinda Walker
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
Councilmember Jeff Kay
ABSENT: Councilmember Jeremy Engle
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
Trevin Barber, Development and Community Services Manager (DCSM) Frank Splendorio, Legal Counse
Michele Bates, Deputy City Cler
PRESENTATIONS
1. Swearing In of Officer Benjamin Meza
Chief Hardgraves conducted the official swearing-in of Officer Meza. The Council congratulated him on his new position and welcomed him and his family to Escalon.
2. Initial Draft 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Plan Presentation An updated list of capital improvement projects was shared. Upon Mayor Hagan's prompting, the City indicated ta, is earne era rede urns dich will outine the Ciry annualized cost of defered Mayor Pro Tem Walker and Councilmember Strohman inquired about a broader list of projects, including projects that have been discussed in the past, so that the Council can prioritize projects for future funding. They expressed the importance of council and community input into the list. CM French responded that this list would be shared at the next meeting.
Mayor Hagan stated that the project list reflects the City's prioritized needs, which differ from community wants. Councilmember Kay acknowledged that while community input may produce a different list, the City's current priorities focus on essential repairs and replacements to maintain operations.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on April 6, 2026
4. Approve the Register of Demands - April 13, 2026 in the Amount of $1,065,085.40
5. Adopt Resolution XX-26 Approving the Fourth Amendment to the Communications Site Lease Agreement with SBA 2012 TC Assets, LLC at Hogan Park and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Necessary Documents
6. Consider Awarding the 2026 Pavement Restoration Project to VSS International. Inc in an Amount Not to Exceed $347,832.10 Including Contingency Authority
7. Consider Awarding the 2026 Wastewater Treatment Facility Biosolids Removal Project to Jim Brisco Enterprises in the Amount of $272,000.00 Including Contingency Authority MOTION - it was m/s by STROHMAN/KAY to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion carried 4-0-1 (Engle Absent) MINUTE ORDER 25-26
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
8. March Updates
Treasurer's Report
• Police Department Report
c. Recreation Report
d. Community Center Report
e. Development Services Report
f. Public Works Report
Building Department
h. Water Department Report
i. Waste Water Treatment Plant Report
j. City Manager's Report (Verbal)
DCSM Barber provided an update to Council on recent department activities. He noted that reservations for the Hogan Park BBQ area can now be made online using Team Sideline, and that staff is working on a reservation system for the community center kitchen.
Councilmember Strohman asked about the status of checks issued to businesses, and FDHRA Bickner confirmed that all but one have been distributed, with the remaining check forthcoming FDRA Bickner provided an update on the third quarter treasure report and funds specifically available for CIP projects and how the City is in the beginning stages with a new auditor.
Chief Hardgraves informed Council that the recently ordered officer's rifles had been received. He then shared that he shared the Disaster Preparedness Plan with Fire and Ambulance and planned to meet with them to die ms imo marcation. He recognized Officer Palomino for leading the department in arrests and citations for PWS Collins reminded the community that free compost is available off Campbell Road and can be collected CM French reminded Council of the upcoming budget workshop, of work being completed at Main Street Park, the housing element and the railroad crossing striping project on Highway 120.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
llen Brittingham, local government affairs representative for PG&E, introduced herself and offered h ssistance in any matter that may come up and provided her business card to Counci
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
9. Approve Resolution xx-26, Initiating Proceedings for the Annual Levy of Assessments and Ordering the Preparation of Annual Assessment Reports for the Belleterra Landscape Maintenance District No. 01-1, Estates Benefit Assessment District No. 06-1, Estates Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 06-1, Sunrise Terrace Landscape Maintenance District No. 96-1, and Westwood Country Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 02-1 for Fiscal Year 2026/27.
DCSM Barber provided the staff report, noting that this is the first of a three step process for the annual levy assessment, and the preparation of the annual assessment reports for each of Escalon's LLMD's. CM French noted that this item is usually handled under the consent calendar, but with the attention on this issue that staff wanted to provide an additional opportunity for comment from the community if needed. He informed Council, that as requested by Council, this year staff will provide an itemized list of expenditures in each district from the prior year to help identify the district's costs.
Public Comment Opened at 8:17 p.m.
None
Public Comment Closed at 8:17 p.m.
MOTION - it was m/s by STROHMAN/KAY to Adopt Resolution No. XX-26 Initiating Proceedings for the Annual Levy of Assessments and Ordering the Preparation of Annual Assessment Reports for Fiscal Year 2026/27 for: Belleterra Landscape Maintenance District No. 01-1, Estates Benefit Assessment District No. 06- 1, Estates Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 06-1, Sunrise Terrace Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 96-1, and Westwood Country Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 02-
1. Motion carried 4-0-1 (Engle Absent) MINUTE ORDER 26-26
10. Consider Proposed Fees for Adult Softball and the Newly Added Adult Soccer Program and Provide Direction to Staff or Set Date for Public hearing to Adopt DCSM Barber presented the staff report regarding a potential fee increase for adult sofiball and a fee for the proposed new adult soccer program. As requested by council City staff completed a survey to inquire about the program priorities. Staff also compared the costs of other forms of adult recreation to the proposed fees of adult soccer and softball.
The Council generally expressed support for increasing the fees, stating they were comfortable with the proposed changes. Though, Councilmember Kay reiterated his position that adult programs should be fully funded by participants and not subsidized by the government.
Public Comment Opened at 8:17 p.m.
None
Public Comment Closed at 8:17 p.m.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Kay had no comments.
Councilmember Strohman thanked staff for the CIP presentation and requested a future agenda item to discuss plans for commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, which received Council support. He also requested a discussion on addressing the mosquito issue in parks, also supported by Council, and noted he will be absent from the next meeting due to attending the SJCOG One Voice Conference in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker highlighted the success of the first farmers market of the year, noting positive feedback on its location in Main Street, and expressed that the park's reopening in June will be appreciated during hotter weather.
Mayor Hagan suggested using mosquito control measures as a cost-effective solution and proposed moving forward with discussions with DeRuosi for additional parking near the community center, which received Council consensus. He then wished everyone a good evening.
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hagan adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelebates
Michele Bates, Deputy City Clerk