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PRESENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
PRESENTATIONS
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON
MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 2026
City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue - 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Andrew Hagan
Mayor Pro Tern Malinda Walker
Councilmember Jeremy Engle
Councilmember Shawn Strohman
Councilmember Jeff Kay
Jaylen French, City Manager (CM)
Robert Hard graves, Chief of Police
Beginning Minute Order No. 52-26
Beginning Resolution No. 38-26
Beginning Ordinance No. 606
Trevin Barber, Development and Community Services Manager (DCSM) Juston Collins, Public Works Superintendent (PWS)
Frank Splendorio, Legal Counsel
1. Recognition of Lumberyard Cellars as the 2026 Small Business of the Year for California's 9th Assembly District
Mayor Hagan recognized Lumberyard Cellars, founded by Derick and Megan Webb, as the 2026 Small Business of the Year for California's 9th Assembly District. Councilmembers congratulated the owners and thanked them for their investment in Escalon and positive contribution to the community.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Approve the Minutes of the Special City Council meeting on August 10, 2026
3. Approve the Register of Demands - July 28, 2026 - August 10, 2026 in the Amount of $215, 780.30
4. Adopt Ordinance No. 606 Amending Title 17 of the Escalon Municipal Code to Comply with State Law and Implement the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update, Find the Action Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 1506l(b)(3), and Direct Staff to File a Notice of Exemption with the State Clearinghouse
5. Adopt Resolution No. 38-26 Adopting a Conflict of Interest Policy for Design-Build Projects MOTION - it was mis by Strohman/Kay to approve Consent Calendar Items 2 through 4, with Item No. 4 being Ordinance No. 606. Motion carried 5-0, except that Councilmember Strohman abstained from Item No. 2. MINUTE ORDER 52-26.
Councilmember Strohman pulled Item No. 5 and expressed support for the use of design-build project delivery.
MOTION - it was mis by Strohman/Kay to adopt Resolution No. 38-26 adopting a Conflict of Interest Policy for Design-Build Projects. Motion carried 5-0 MINUTE ORDER 53-26.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES
The Chief of Police highlighted Police Department activity in July 2026 and mentioned a recent death by train. Mayor Hagan inquired if this was an unfortunate coincidence or a growing trend. The Chief indicated it did not appear to be a trend, but it has increased and this is something they will continue to look into. DCSM Barber mentioned strong youth sports registration and the City's new adult soccer program, which fielded three (3) teams in its inaugural year; efforts to increase use of the Community Center commercial kitchen; ; and corrective oversight of AT&T utility and street work. The Council inquired about the status of the AT&T fiber optic project.
Council directed staff to determine if the City business grant applicants could use the Community Center kitchen for their business ventures.
MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE
Michael Masuda, candidate for California's 5th Congressional District, introduced himself and discussed public service and community building.
Sherry Hill discussed the California Constitution's reference to the blessings of God and read from the prayer offered at the First Continental Congress in 1774.
Travis Clemens, a Westwood Country resident, inquired as to why a prior neighborhood parkimprovement assessment had failed, and expressed support for maintaining park amenities. Staff explained the concerns raised during the earlier proceeding pertaining to cost, and equity for the properties receiving the benefit.
Kurt Paulos, Escalon resident, submitted a proposal to reside on and serve as caretaker of the Cityowned property at 17341 Escalon Bellota Road. Staff agreed to review the written proposal.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Adopt Resolution No. 39-26 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 (Continued from July 20, 2026)
CM French introduced the item outlining why the item had been postponed from July 20, 2026, and highlighting the additional information sent to each resident in the Districts sharing line item costs in each district in an attempt to better understand the current assessment amount. DCSM Barber presented the annual levy process and proposed assessments for the five districts. He then walked through each District, the current improvements and associated costs, the proposed assessment amounts, and the annual process.
The public hearing was opened at 7:40 PM.
Loretta Borbasio, a Belleterra Estates resident, stated that she did not object to the assessment if the landscaping was maintained to the standard reflective of the cost, and asked that dying grass and weeds be addressed.
The public hearing was closed at 7:42 PM.
Council discussed the special versus general benefits funded by the districts, street-sweeping costs, maintenance standards, and the upkeep and amenities in general fund parks I areas compared to district parks I areas. Also discussed was the charge for a backstop repair at Shadowood Park. Staff agreed to verify whether that cost was improperly assigned to the district and to address any correction through a credit or future assessment adjustment, if warranted.
MOTION - it was mis by Engle/Kay to Adopt Resolution No. 39-26 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 with staff to investigate the Shadowood Park backstop repair charge and make an appropriate correction if necessary. Motion carried 5-0. MINUTE ORDER 54-26.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
8. Consider Approval of 7-year Agreement with Vertosoft for Online Permitting and Licensing Services Platform, OpenGov
CM French introduced the item expressing that the software being brough forward was in line with city staff goals and consistent with Council direction, but staff understands the cost represents a significant investment. DCSM Barber, and Arthur Hazelton, OpenGov Representative, presented the OpenGov platform as a replacement for paper forms, email exchanges, and manual routing used for building permits, planning applications, inspections, payments, and business licensing. Staff demonstrated the public portal, application tracking, mobile inspection tools, departmental review, automated notices, contractor-license verification, address and GIS integration, and reporting dashboards. The anticipated implementation period is six to eleven months, with staff training, testing, and launch assistance included. Staff emphasized that customers would continue to have the option of receiving in-person assistance at City Hall. Staff explained that the agreement provides seven years of pricing but consists of annual subscription terms, includes implementation assistance, and is expected to improve workflow, transparency, and customer access while preserving in-person service.
Sherry Hill, resident, questioned why the cost of the software increases 5% each year. Mr. Hazelton from OpenGov explained that the cost increase covers OpenGov's substantial commitment to continually improve the software and provide up-to-date product enhancements, whereas other companies charge separately to purchase newer versions.
Staff estimated that the platform could reduce approximately 350 to 450 hours of routine staff work each year and proposed gradual permit and business-license fee adjustments to offset future subscription costs. Council discussed return on investment, data migration, customer-service measures, online access for frequent and first-time applicants, and the need to review performance before each renewal. Councilmembers Strohman and Walker expressed concern that further automation could reduce the City's personal service and stated a preference for preserving direct interaction with residents and businesses.
MOTION - it was mis by Strohman/Kay to approve the agreement with OpenGov, Inc. via Vertosoft for implementation and subscription of the online permitting and licensing platform, authorize the City Manager to execute the related documents, and require an annual check-in regarding cost, return on investment, and customer-service performance. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilmember Walker voting no.
MINUTE ORDER 55-26.
9. Introduce and Council Consider the City of Escalon becoming a Goldback, Inc. Distributor CM French introduced the item outlining that this item originated as an Agenda Item Request from earlier in the year regarding sharing information with the business community on the benefits of holding gold, and evolved after staff came across Goldbacks, which provided a way to use fractional portions of gold. DCSM Barber and Goldback representatives reviewed Goldbacks as a voluntary fractionalgold medium of exchange intended for local commerce. Staff reported that interest was shown by merchants at Park Fete in accepting Goldbacks and therefore, the City could consider becoming a Distributor, which is essentially a wholesaler and hub for buying, selling or training Goldbacks ...
Representatives described the difference between Goldbacks and bullion held solely as an investment.
Gary Haskin, resident, stated that individuals may choose to speculate in Goldbacks, but expressed concern that City participation would place taxpayer funds at risk because the price of gold fluctuates.
Council discussed the potential value of an alternative medium of exchange during inflation or time of currency instability. Other comments focused on gold-price fluctuations, the risk of using taxpayer funds for commodity inventory, administrative demands, and whether a City should perform a function available through private businesses. Legal Counsel explained that acting as a distributor could expose the City to commercial claims not typically covered by municipal insurance. By consensus, Council tabled the matter and felt that a distributor should be run by a non-government entity.
10. Introduce and Council Consider an Escalon City Councilmember Travel Policy CM French presented the draft travel and training policy, estimated conference costs, and comparison information from nearby cities. The policy addresses authorization, transportation, lodging, meals, eligible expenses, prohibited expenses, documentation, and reports following travel. Staff provided the California Cities Annual Conference as an example, with estimated per-person costs ranging from approximately $2, 154 to $2,322 depending on transportation.
Gary Haskin noted the importance of education for new Councilmembers to understand their responsibilities and limits to their authority.
Council discussed the need for Councilmembers to be good fiscal stewards, the need for required legal trainings, and the importance of continuing education, networking with similar communities as a councilmember. Several Councilmembers described the benefit of in-person relationships with officials from other small cities facing similar issues.
MOTION - it was mis Strohman/Kay to approve the City Council Travel and Training Policy, strongly encourage attendance at the Mayors and Council Members Academy once every two years, and allow one additional training or conference per Councilmember annually, subject to the policy. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilmember Hagan voting no. MINUTE ORDER 56-26.
11. Agenda Item Request to Discuss Staff Direction for Future Use or Not of License Plate Readers and Surveillance Technologies
CM French introduced the item outlining the value of cameras in solving crime and deterring crime, but recognized that communities are the embodiment of the values and ideals of the residents and therefore questions on the approach, equipment and technology should be periodically reviewed ifthere are concerns in the community. Police Chief Hardgraves described the City's five automated license plate readers and explained that each device photographs a vehicle, converts the license plate into searchable text, and compares the plate with law-enforcement hot lists for stolen vehicles, missing persons, and related alerts. Officers may also search the system during an investigation when a license plate or vehicle description is available. The Chief stated that an alert is an investigative lead rather than proof of wrongdoing and must be verified by an officer. He reviewed user-access controls, case-number I
requirements, audit logs, data-sharing limitations, and the system's approximately thirty-day retention period. The existing system does not use audio or facial recognition.
Council discussed the system's usefulness in stolen-vehicle, property-crime, and missing-person investigations, including the value of monitoring the limited routes into and out of Escalon. Council also discussed false alerts, photographs of vehicles on private property, residential placement, interagency data sharing, software updates, possible mission creep, and privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns. Council generally distinguished the existing license-plate function from broader surveillance technologies and emphasized that future capabilities should not be activated without public notice and elected oversight. Discussion also addressed periodic reporting to Council while protecting confidential investigative information.
A member of the public inquired about the number of leads and arrests derived from the Flock data, and openly wondered if the benefit of the Flock system is worth the cost.
Travis Clemens supported the Police Department's use of investigative tools and also favored safeguards to prevent its misuse.
Sherry Hill supported the existing cameras and suggested formally approving Council's desired guidelines for limiting future technology advancements.
A resident expressed concerns that the company Flock could access and misuse the data and concerns regarding surveillance, especially pervasive surveillance of residents by the government.
MOTION - it was mis by Hagan/Kay to retain the use of the five existing license plate readers; prohibit additional cameras or locations, nor the addition of technology, including facial recognition, audio, or other surveillance capabilities without prior Council review and community input; require an annual audit report that protects confidential investigative information; and discontinue the system if controlling law determines its use violates the Fourth Amendment. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilmember Walker voting no. MINUTE ORDER 57-26.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Engle requested a future agenda item on winter storm and flood preparedness because of possible El Nino conditions. Mayor Hagan supported the request.
Councilmember Strohman apologized for not being in attendance at recent meetings because of new work obligations. He asked staff to review the City's weed-abatement and nuisance-compliance process after observing properties where vegetation had been cut but dead material and debris remained .. Mayor Hagan supported the request.
Councilmember Kay appreciated the conversations and community input tonight, and thanked Chief Hardgraves and City staff for answering extensive questions regarding license plate readers and other agenda items.
Councilmember Walker thanked Chief and the Police Department for their work and emphasized preserving personal, community-focused service and maintaining meaningful human review as the City modernizes its operations and adopts new technology.
CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hagan adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:44 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
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