ASCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ESCALON
CENTRAI MEETING OF JUNE 15, 2026
INCORPORATED MARCH 12, 1957
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue - 7:00 P.M.
Beginning Resolution No. 27-26
Beginning Ordinance No. 603
Beginning Minute Order No. 40-26
PRESENT: Mayor Andrew Hagan
Mayor Pro Tem Malinda Walker
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
ABSENT: 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. Escalon High School Varsity Softball Recognition (District 5 Sac-Joaquin Section and NorCal Titles)
Mayor Hagan presented a certificate to the Escalon High School Girls' Varsity Softball team and coaches in recognition of their outstanding season resulting in the NorCal Championship. Councilmembers congratulated the team on their remarkable achievement and expressed the community and the high school pride for their hard work, dedication, and success in representing Escalon.
2. Citizen of the Month - Stephanie Hogan and Anthony Pires Mayor Hagan presented certificates to Mrs. Hogan and Mr. Pires in recognition of their dedication and service to the Escalon Little League. Council congratulated them on a successful first year and expressed appreciation for their hard work and commitment.
3. Strategic Plan Quarter 5 Update
CM French introduced the fifth quarterly update to the Strategic Plan. Each department provided updates on the progress towards goals outline in the Strategic Plan document.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting on June 1, 2026
5. Amendment to the May 18, 2026 Minutes, Item 15: Motion Regarding the Danny Fox Memorial Park Renaming Fiscal Impact Discussion; and Direction on City Financial Participation for Park/Facility Renamings
6. Approve the Register of Demands - June 8, 2026 in the Amount of $323,243.86
7. Final Acceptance of the Main Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvement Project
8. Support the Submission of Various Federally Funded or State Funded Grant Applications
9. Authorize the City of Escalon to Remain a Participant in the Urban County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
MOTION - it was m/s by WALKER/STROHMAN to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented.
Motion carried 3-1 (Nay - Engle, Absent - Kay). MINUTE ORDER 40-26
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
10. May 2026 Updates
a. Treasurer's Report
b. Police Department Report
c. Shelter Report
d. Recreation Report
e. Community Center Report
f. Development Services Report
g. Building Department
h. Water Department Report
i. Waste Water Treatment Plant Report
j. City Manager's Report (Verbal)
Prior to staff updates, CM French presented before-and-after photographs highlighting the completed Main Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvement Project improvements.
FDHRA Bickner provided an update on the Treasurer's Report and the audit process, noting that significant progress is being made with the new auditors. She also shared that the City has launched a new mobile application that allows residents to pay their utility bills online. Councilmember Strohman commented that he had met with the new auditors and shared that they spoke highly of Mrs. Bickner and praised the quality of her work on behalf of the City.
Chief Hardgraves reported that the Escalon Police Department assisted with traffic enforcement efforts during Stockton's Cinco de Mayo event. During the operation, officers conducted 36 traffic stops, issued 31 citations, and towed 15 vehicles. Chief Hardgraves also recognized Officer Palomino for leading the department with 16 arrests and 23 citations. He further advised that, in response to Council and community comments, the department is creating a dedicated traffic enforcement email address and an online complaint form that residents can use to report traffic concerns. Additionally, the department will be acquiring moving radar units to enhance traffic enforcement capabilities throughout the city.
PWS Collins reported that to date, there has been very little owl activity at Sanchez Park stemming from the installation of new owl boxes. Staff will continue to assess the situation.
CM French reported that staff review and research continues with the 80-unit affordable housing project, proposed by Bold Communities and advised that the Murphy Ranch Project is expected to be heard by the City Council on August 3rd. He further stated that the City's Housing Element is nearing completion and shared that the County is preparing a specific plan for the Mariposa Corridor, which connects to Escalon.
There being no comments, Public Comment Opened and Closed at 7:49 p.m.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no comments.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
11. Discuss Measure P Advisory Committee Vacancies and Consider Amendment to the Adopted Measure P Advisory Committee Policy
CM French reviewed the purpose of the Measure P Advisory Committee, which is to gather community input and provide recommendations to the City Council regarding community priorities and potential use of Measure P funds. He reported that committee member Ed Alves had resigned, and that there are now two vacancies on the three-member committee.
Councilmembers Engle and Strohman, along with Mayor Hagan and Mayor Pro Tem Walker, supported maintaining the committee's original three-member structure. Mayor Pro Tem Walker highlighted the committee's value as an additional avenue for community engagement.
Council reached a consensus to keep the committee as currently structured and directed staff to advertise the vacant positions and continue recruitment efforts.
There being no comments, Public Comment Opened and Closed at 7:57 p.m.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Strohman reported that he reached out to Caltrans regarding the Brennan Avenue and Highway 120 intersection and was subsequently invited to attend a Project Initiation Document (PID) meeting. He shared that Caltrans is currently evaluating five different alternatives for improving the intersection and expressed appreciation for the seriousness with which the agency is addressing the issue.
He noted that the design phase is anticipated to begin in December, indicating that the project is continuing to move forward in a positive direction.
Councilmember Strohman also expressed his desire to increase community engagement by distributing flyers and other outreach materials regarding upcoming budget discussions to encourage public participation and feedback. He thanked Senator McNerney for assisting the City with its Housing Element efforts, particularly by helping facilitate communication with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Addressing the impacts of Senate Bill 35 (SB 35), Councilmember Strohman stated that he believes the legislation represents government overreach and reduces local control. While he expressed disappointment with the situation, he acknowledged that the City's authority is constrained under state law. He concluded by wishing everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday.
Councilmember Engle also noted the impacts of SB 35 on small communities. He then referenced comments made by Councilmember Strohman during the candidate forum in October 2024. Based on those prior remarks, he sought Councilmember Strohman's resignation upon approval of the Bold Communities project.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker commended staff for their work and communication on the SB 35 process, expressed opposition to the legislation and the loss of local control highlighting potential impacts to parking and traffic. She then congratulated the Escalon High School varsity softball team on its championship season, and wished residents a happy Fourth of July.
Mayor Hagan stated that the City is being thorough in its review of SB 35 and noted that state laws can limit local authority. He encouraged residents to stay engaged in government and public policy issues and wished everyone a safe and enjoyable Independence Day holiday.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hagan adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
kliana Friji
iana Trejo, Deputy City Cler