ESCALON MINUTES
CALIFORNIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF JULY 20, 2026
IO CENTR
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue - 7:00 P.M.
INCORPORATED MARCH 12,1957
Beginning Minute Order No. 41-26
Beginning Resolution No. 29-26
Beginning Ordinance No. 603
PRESENT: Mayor Andrew Hagan
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
Councilmember Jeff Kay
ABSENT: Councilmember Malinda Walker
STAFF PRESENT: Jaylen French, City Manager (CM)
Robert Hardgraves, Chief of Police
Celinda Bickner, Finance Director/Human Resource Administrator (FDHRA) Trevin Barber, Development and Community Services Manager (DCSM) Jake Cook, Public Works Crew Leader (PWCL)
Frank Splendorio, Legal Counsel
PRESENTATIONS
1. Escalon Parks Foundation Skate Park Update
Jeff Laugero, Escalon Parks Foundation President, presented the revised Phase 1 of the skate park design, which was developed by Dreamland in coordination with a local skate professional, and whick is within the Foundation's budget.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting on June 15, 2026
3. Approve the Register of Demands - June 9, 2026 - July 13, 2026 in the Amount of $1,289,739.06
4. Review and Accept the Citizen's Advisory Committee 2026 1 and 2nd Quarterly Reports
5. Adopt Resolution No. 29-26 Adopting the 2026 City of Escalon Title VI Program for eTrans (Escalon Transit System)
6. Final Acceptance of the 2026 Wastewater Treatment Facility Biosolids Removal Project and Authorize the Deputy City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion
7. Award the La Mesa Sewer Lift Station Upgrade Project to Yancy-Gwerder, Inc. in an Amount not to Exceed $254,273.29, Including Contingency Authority MOTION - it was m/s by STROHMAN/KAY to Approve Items 2-7 as Presented with Item No. 5 being Resolution No. 29-26. Motion carried 4-0. MINUTE ORDER 41-26.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
8. June 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 Report
h. Water Department Report
i. Waste Water Treatment Plant Report
j. City Manager's Report (Verbal)
DCSM Barber reported that the City's first adult soccer league begins August 2. Youth soccer registration totaled 942 players, including 13 scholarship recipients, and the season begins August 1.
He also reported that the San Jose Earthquakes have provided a $5,000 sponsorship to the recreation program (specifically soccer), and the City anticipates an $10,000 sponsorship from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company.
Police Chief Hardgraves reported increased officer activity and decreased reported crime in June, an ongoing recruitment for two officers, with the possibility of securing two reserve officers, and a first place Police Explorers competition finish. He also shared that the City was awarded a $208,000 DUI enforcement grant, which will provide saturation enforcement events to help make our streets safer, as well as a vehicle for the force. Further, PD is now able to perform increased speeding enforcement using new moving radar units. He also announced Park Fête on July 24 and 25, National Night Out on August 4, and "A Cone with a Cop" on August 6.
PWCL Cook reported on Park Fête preparation, and preparation for the upcoming industrial season. He provided an update on the AT&T street boring project, indicating that staff had met with AT&T to discuss some of the concerns with the start of the project and that he expected coordination and resident communication to improve.
Finance Director and Human Resources Administrator (FDHRA) Celinda Bickner reported that preliminary year end results indicated expenditures would be below budget and that revenues would be above projections, totaling an estimated $390,000 General Fund surplus. The annual audit was expected to be completed by the end of August.
City Manager French reported that recruitment was underway for the vacant City Clerk position and that existing staff would perform the duties in the interim. The use of budget surplus item, as requested by the Council, is slated to return to Council for discussion in September.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Consider Adopting Resolution XX-26 Confirming the Diagram and Assessment, and Ordering the Levy of Increased Assessments Within the Westwood Country Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 02-1 for Fiscal Year 2026-27
City Manager French and DCSM Barber presented the proposed $266,580 Swanson Park improvements, including a basketball court, swing set, and landscaped open space. The idea to make improvements in the park, which would require an increase to the Landscape and Lighting District, was brough forward by a resident in the district. The proposed two-year assessment of $1,092.98 per equivalent dwelling unit exceeded the district's existing maximum and required property owner approval under Proposition 218. The received ballots would determine the residents' vote on the matter, with a majority required to proceed.
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:25 PM
Residents Debbie and Roy Fortino, Swanson Drive, opposed the assessment due to its cost, and the fact that sections of the neighborhood, which would use the park are outside of the district and not required to pay for the improvements.
Mayor Hagan noted that neighborhood residents initiated the proposed improvements. City Manager French and City Attorney Splendorio explained this is a common occurrence with assessment districts and is not unique to Escalon.
Resident Cindy Cruz, Sophie Lane, opposed the assessment due to financial hardship and concerns about park safety and noise from the proposed basketball court.
Resident Cody Fowler, Judith Court, opposed the assessment due to cost, prevailing wage requirements, and the use of district funds for improvements benefitting the wider community.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:55 PM
CITY COUNCIL RECESSED TO COUNT THE VOTE AT 7:56 PM
CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 8:05 PM
Staff reported an informal tally of 54 ballots opposed and six (6) in favor, resulting in a majority protest.
The assessment increase failed.
10. Adopt Resolution XX-26 Confirming the Engineer's Reports and Ordering the Levy of Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-27 for the Belleterra Estates 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 City Manager French recommended continuing the item to August 17, 2026, due to a communication issue between City staff and the consultant regarding noticing and supplemental information for residents. Staff would distribute a itemized prior year expense reports to district residents before the continued hearing.
The Public Hearing was opened at 8:07 PM and was continued to August 17, 2026.
11. Consider Adopting Resolution No. 30-26 Declaring Intent to Submit Local Authority Recommendation Nominating Census Tract 49.06 (06077004906) as an Opportunity Zone; and Consider Adopting Resolution No. 31-26 Declaring Notice of Intent to Form an Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District and Establish Public Finance Authority DCSM Barber presented two coordinated economic development actions recommended by the Escalon Economic Development Committee (EDC). The first action would nominate Census Tract 49.06 (an area generally located to the west of Escalon, most of the area being outside the city limits and areas within the city limits) for a federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation, which could provide qualifying rural investments with tax benefits. He explained that the tract meets the federal eligibility criteria and that the nomination would support the City's strategic priority of attracting industrial, commercial, manufacturing, bioeconomy, and infrastructure investment.
The second action would declare the City's intent to explore formation of an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) covering land in and around the Opportunity Zone, including Liberty Business Park and surrounding industrial areas. The resolution would demonstrate the City's commitment to infrastructure and development readiness, strengthening the Opportunity Zone nomination. The resolution would not commit the City to financing or establishing the district, but would authorize further research and preparation of a potential financing plan.
Census Tract 49.06 was identified by the State as competitive for Opportunity Zone designation because it includes existing industrial uses, planned commercial growth areas, and identified housing sites in the County. DCSM Barber clarified that the resolutions would have no immediate fiscal impact and would not approve or entitle any housing development. The actions would nominate the census tract for Opportunity Zone designation and declare the City's intent to explore formation of an infrastructure financing district.
City Manager French explained that Opportunity Zone tax incentives could encourage rural investment and that an EIFD could use future property tax revenue growth to fund infrastructure and thus spur additional economic development.
Public comment opened at 8:22 PM
Gary Haskin clarified that the relevant amount is the property tax revenue generated by the increase in assessed valuation, not the increase in property value itself.
Public comment closed at 8:23 PM
MOTION - it was m/s by STROHMAN/KAY to Adopt Resolution No. 30-26 Declaring Intent to Submit Local Authority Recommendation Nominating Census Tract 49.06 06077004906) as an Opportunity Zone; and Adopt Resolution No. 31-26 Declaring Notice of Intent to Form an Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District and Establish Public Finance Authority. Motion carried 4-0.
MINUTE ORDER 42-26.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
12. Agenda Item Request to Consider a Proposal for the Purchase of City Owned Property by Green Thumb Landscape, Inc.
City Manager French presented an Agenda Item Request to consider the potential sale of unused City property behind the Vineyard Square Shopping Center (Mar-Val) to Green Thumb Landscape.
Staff and Legal Counsel explained that if the City considered selling the property, the City would first be required to navigate the Surplus Land Act process, which necessitates that the property first be offered to qualified affordable housing developers, which could take approximately two to four months. Staff also noted that the property lacks direct public road access and may require access through P&L Concrete.
Council consensus was to place the matter on a future agenda.
13. Agenda Item Request to Review Best Course of Action to Manage Presence of Data Centers In or Near the City
Mayor Hagan requested consideration of regulations for data centers, including a moratorium, ban, or public vote, citing environmental and public health concerns. Councilmembers Kay and Strohman discussed Council approval requirements, water demand, and infrastructure capacity.
Council consensus was to place the matter on a future agenda.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Kay hoped the community had great Fourth of July and encouraged attendance at Park Fete.
Councilmember Engle thanked the Lions Club for organizing the upcoming Park Fete event. He requested future consideration of a fee waiver for Lion's Club Community Center fundraisers benefiting the Hogan Park expansion.
Mayor Hagan supported placing the request on a future agenda.
Councilmember Strohman requested City verification of AT&T's pavement repairs before project acceptance, he recognized Senior Mr. and Mrs. Escalon and the luncheon organizers, he requested future consideration of attendance at the League of California Cities Annual Conference, and asked for a Council discussion regarding weed abatement.
Mayor Hagan supported agendizing Councilmember Strohman's request to discuss attending the League of California Cities conference and weed abatement at a future Council meeting. He thanked the public for its input, encouraged community support for Park Fete, the Lions Club, and Escalon Strong, and noted that event proceeds benefit the community.
CLOSED SESSION
14. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Gov't Code Section 54957) Title: City Manager
15. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section 54957) Agency designated representative: Mayor and City Attorney Unrepresented employee: City Manager
16. Conference with Legal Counsel-Anticipated Litigation (Gov. Code Section 54956.9(D)(2)) Significant exposure to litigation: 2 cases
No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hagan adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:18 PM Respectfully submitted,
Alanatrijo
Diana Trejo, Deputy City Clerk