ESCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF JUNE 1, 2026
CENTI
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue - 7:00 P.M.
INCORPORATED MARCH 12, 1957
Beginning Resolution No. 23-26
Beginning Ordinance No. 602
Beginning Minute Order No. 37-26
PRESENT: Mayor Andrew Hagan
Mayor Pro Tem Malinda Walker
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
Councilmember Jeff Kay
STAFF PRESENT: Jaylen French, City Manager (CM)
Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent (PWS)
Robert Hardgraves, Chief of Police
Celinda Bickner (FDHRA)
Trevin Barber, Development and Community Services Manager (DCSM) Frank Splendorio, Legal Counsel
Michele Bates, Deputy City Clerk
PRESENTATIONS
1. Constitutional Law and Law Enforcement 101
Chief Hardgraves provided a presentation on the history of constitutional law and its relationship to police work. Mayor Hagan thanked Chief Hardgraves for the informative presentation, noting that it would help provide greater transparency and understanding of law enforcement practices for those watching the meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on May 18, 2026
3. Approve the Register of Demands - May 26, 2026 in the Amount of $383,332.80
4. Adopt Resolution XX-26, Confirming the List of Projects to be Funded by SB 1, The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
5. Danny Fox Memorial Park Proposed Plaque
6. Establish City of Escalon Appropriation Limitation for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Councilmember Kay requested to pull Item 2. There was no public comment.
MOTION - it was m/s by STROHMAN/KAY to Approve Items 3-6 as Presented. Motion carried 5-0.
MINUTE ORDER 37-26.
Councilmember Kay noted that he did not second the motion for Item 15, the Danny Fox Memorial, as reflected in the draft May 18 meeting minutes. Staff indicated that they would review the meeting video to ensure the accuracy of the minutes, make any necessary corrections, and bring the amended minutes back to the June 15 meeting for Council approval.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
Chief Hardgraves presented First Street traffic data as requested by the Council. He noted that there are times of increased speeding especially at school drop off and pick up. The challenge has been that visible radar enforcement slows traffic temporarily because few citations are issued. He then reported that the City receives a very small percentage of speeding tickets with the vast majority going to the County and State, therefore, the City would not be able to fund another position through traffic enforcement.
The Council discussed speeding concerns throughout the community and the importance of traffic enforcement, particularly near areas frequented by children. Councilmember Engle stated that regular enforcement would be a worthwhile investment because it increases public awareness.
PWS Collins provided an update on the pavement condition near McHenry Avenue and California Street, as raised by Council at the last meeting. He explained that due to the proximity of the railroad tracks and the permitting requirements this area goes unimproved. Nevertheless, he is coordinating with BNSF Railway and California Department of Transportation in the hopes to align the improvement with future railroad construction activities to ease the approval process.
In response to three (3) issues raised by the Council at the last meeting, CM French 1) indicated that the City was considering striping improvements at Main and Fourth Streets to increase visibility of the new bulb outs; 2) were reviewing the turn-lane assignments at the intersection of First Street and McHenry Avenue to reduce congestion on First Street toward El Portal Middle School, and while the movement appeared to work, that engineering staff were reviewing the signal timing and operations; and 3) provided an update on the matter of "lost' funds raised by the Measure P Advisory Committee. He shared that he met with the committee and confirmed that an action had been taken by a previous Council to return those funds, but that they were not lost or improperly transferred.
There being no comments, Public Comment Opened at Closed at 7:51 p.m.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
Resident Sherry Hill thanked the Chief for his presentation and expressed appreciation to the City Council and staff for their service and dedication. She also shared that she is keeping everyone in her prayers.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
7. City of Escalon Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget FDHRA Bickner presented the proposed 2026-2027 budget. The presentation outlined anticipated revenues, expenditures, and key financial considerations necessary to maintain City services in the upcoming fiscal year.
Mayor Hagan thanked FDHRA Bickner for presenting the budget in a clear and understandable manner, noting that it allows both the Council and the public to easily see where City funds are allocated. Regarding Measure P revenues, Mayor Hagan emphasized the importance of long-term financial planning and ensuring the City does not need to seek additional funding from the community in the coming years. He stressed that while there may be some additional revenue available, it should not be viewed as money that must be spent, and that both the Council and the public should understand the need for fiscal responsibility.
Councilmember Engle expressed that any budget surplus from the prior fiscal year (upwards of $400,000) and the unassigned revenues from the next fiscal year (approximately $327,000) should be put to use to address the needs and wants of the community as approved by the voters. He emphasized the need for the City to enhance its economic development efforts and actively attract new businesses to Escalon to increase revenue rather than waiting for growth to occur on its own and noted that the opening of the Barn presents an opportunity to further development in the Liberty Business Park.
Councilmember Engle proposed allocating the funds as follows:
10% Savings Account
20% City Park Beautification
5% Police Retention Incentives
5% Opportunity Funds
10% Business Development
10% CaPERS Liability Reduction
10% City Debt Reduction
• 30% Liberty Business Park Infrastructure
Mayor Hagan emphasized the need to be fiscally prudent with the perceived overage funds, noting that the City has a strategy in place to attract businesses to Liberty Business Park. He stated that he would support expenditures that provide long-term benefits to the community. Councilmember Engle agreed with that, indicating that he felt there needed to be a plan to increase revenue, not a long-term hope. Councilmember Strohman expressed concern about the Liberty Business Park expenditure.
The Council engaged in further discussion regarding infrastructure improvements and marketing efforts for Liberty Business Park, as well as potential incentives to encourage business development and expand the City's tax base.
Council consensus supported scheduling a special Council session to deliberate on the use of the unassigned funds, which could include seeking public input and coordination with the Measure P Advisory Committee.
Public Comment Opened at 8:45 p.m.
Resident Sherry Hill thanked the Council for holding an open discussion regarding the unassigned funds. She stated that paying down debt is a prudent use of the money and believes a significant portion should be dedicated to that purpose. She also emphasized the importance of investing in the City's future and, based on her attendance at the budget workshop, expressed support for allocating some of the funds to savings.
Public Comment Closed at 8:48 p.m.
MOTION - it was m/s by ENGLE/ WALKER to Adopt the City's Fiscal Year 2026/27 Proposed Budget in the Amount of $6,735,206.00. Motion carried 5-0. MINUTE ORDER 38-26
8. Approve Resolution Declaring : City Intention to Levy Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-27; Preliminarily Approving the Engineer's Reports and Providing Notice of Hearing 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. 02-11 for Fiscal Year 2026/27
Approve Resolution Declaring Intention to Levy Increased Assessments within the Westwood Country Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 02-1, Preliminarily Approving the Engineer's Report, and Providing Notice of Public Hearing and Ballot Proceeding; and Resolution No. XX-26 - A Resolution Adopting Proposition 218 Assessment Ballot Proceedings Procedures for the Westwood Country Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 02-1 DCSM Barber outlined the required annual proceedings for the City's Lighting and Landscape Maintenance Districts (LLMDs) and the ballot proceedings related to the Westwood Country Swanson Park assessment district.
There being no comments, Public Comment Opened and Closed at 8:54 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker commented that the reports represented a significant improvement over those provided in previous years and expressed appreciation for DCSM Barber's efforts in preparing the information.
CM French noted that, based on prior Council direction, residents will receive enhanced notifications, including a mailer that itemizes expenditures within each assessment district from the prior year, which helps residents to understand how the City arrived at the assessment rate for the upcoming year. For the Swanson Park district, he explained that the City was able to spread the construction costs over two years, thus reducing the monthly payment, as seemed to be preferred by the Council and neighborhood residents.
Councilmember Strohman asked that the information be more accessible on the City's website and include where that information can be found on the mailer.
MOTION - it was m/s by STROHMAN/KAY to Approve Items 8 and 9 as Presented. Motion carried 5-0.
MINUTE ORDER 39-26.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Kay congratulated the graduates of El Portal Middle School and Escalon High School. He also expressed frustration with the ballot materials he received in the mail, specifically noting that elected officials received secrecy envelopes while other voters did not. He stated that he opposes any appearance of special treatment by government officials and indicated he would not use the secrecy envelope.
Councilmember Strohman also congratulated local graduates and wished everyone a safe summer. He provided an update on the Ad Hoc Committee's planning efforts for the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, indicating that ideas would be brought forward soon. He expressed appreciation to staff for their work on the budget and was pleased with its adoption. Councilmember Strohman also publicly addressed events from the Measure P Advisory Committee presentation at the previous meeting, stating that Mayor Pro Tem Walker was not responsible for the matter and that he accepted full responsibility. He added that he would welcome a conversation with the individual involved should they wish to contact him. He does appreciate all the information they presented and hopes everyone to work together for the betterment of the City.
Councilmember Engle acknowledged feedback he has received regarding the tone of his comments during Council meetings, noting that some have perceived his remarks as aggressive or condescending. He stated that this is not his intent and explained that his passion for issues affecting the City is reflected in his manner of speaking. He emphasized that his goal is to support the City's success and long-term prosperity.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker stated that she generally reserves her comments until the conclusion of presentations rather than interrupting speakers. She expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Measure P Committee and thanked its members for their time and community outreach. She also reminded residents to vote and also commented on the differences between the election materials received by elected officials and those sent to private citizens, stating that providing the same packet to all voters would simplify the process and promote consistency.
Mayor Hagan expressed appreciation for the passion and dedication demonstrated by the Councilmembers, noting that serving in public office often places elected officials under close scrutiny. He stated that, despite differing viewpoints, the Council's intent is to act in the best interests of the City and its residents. He also congratulated the Escalon High School girls' softball team on winning their section championship and stated that their accomplishment should be recognized. He further congratulated the boys' baseball team for advancing to the section playoffs and acknowledged their successful season.
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hagan adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michele Bates, Deputy City Clerk