TRACY CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
April 2, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Tracy City Hall, 333 Civic Center Plaza, Tracy, CA.
1. Mayor Young called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
2. There were no actions taken pursuant to AB 2449.
3. Roll call found Council Member Evans, Mayor Pro Tem Davis and Mayor Young present.
City Council had no declarations of conflicts. Council Members Arriola and Bedolla absent from roll call.
Council Member Arriola arrived at 5:05 p.m. and had no declaration of conflicts.
Council Member Bedolla arrived at 5:09 p.m. and had no declaration of conflicts.
4. Items from the audience – Kristina Darling, President and Founder of Tracy DogGirls Rescue stated the City is in a serious pandemic with stray dogs. Animal Services is doing everything they can to help the stray dogs and cats. Ms. Darling provided facts regarding the growth of dog ownership, not having responsible ownership and provided solutions: Portable kennels spaces, more adoption events, tougher fines for repeat offenders and people breeding dogs, spay and neuter options, more shelter staff and asked if there was a way to add to the agenda to get funding or staffing for the shelter.
Mayor Young stated we have the report coming up and see what we can do from there and is happy to request that from the Council. Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded the request.
Mia Sota spoke about issues related to neglecting of service for dogs in the Tracy Animal Shelter and beyond and shared concerns regarding the growth of stray dogs in Tracy. Services have not been fixed to be equipped for the development. Ms. Sota shared her concerns regarding the animal shelter.
5. DISCUSSION ITEMS
5.A. The Tracy Finance Committee recommends that the City Council, as a part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 budget development process: (A) receive a report on FY 2023-24 departmental and capital project accomplishments, and (B) provide direction regarding anticipated departmental and capital project augmentation requests and funding objectives for the FY 2024-25 Operating and Capital Budget.
Sara Cowell, Finance Director introduced Felicia Galindo, Budget Officer who provided the staff report and presentation and responded to questions.
Council questions followed.
Karin Schnaider, Assistant City Manager responded to Council questions.
Special Meeting Minutes 2 April 2, 2024
Mary Mitracos shared the GoTracy App works well and stated she was here a year ago and asked for augmentation to the CIP for $1 million being added which Council supported but it did not happen and was told there was no project in place, construction of the nature park. Would like to ask for $2 million to be set aside this year. The Aquatic Center may be fully funded, and the next project up is the Nature Park. Understand there will be a discussion on the Aquatic Center on April 30 and have no doubt that people will say that more the Council has to allocate more money to the Aquatic Center. Ms. Mitracos requested that the $8 million that has been set aside before we put more money to the Aquatic Center.
It may be another year or two before the Aquatic Center gets built anyway.
Mayor Young stated just as we have CIP’s it is important to look at the funding that has gone into Measure V and the funding that is anticipated and even our update on that. CIP’s are out five years as well and requested an update on Measure V. Council Member Evans supported the request.
Council comments continued.
David Murphy, Assistant Director of Operations, Jorge Barrera – Economic Development Manager, Brian MacDonald – Interim Public Works Director, JoAnn Weberg – Interim Human Resources Director, Kimberly Murdaugh – Interim Assistant City Manager, Koosun Kim – City Engineer responded to Council questions and provided information regarding their departments during the meeting.
Council Member Bedolla stated he would like to see the following: more options for increased funding for public works for road rehabilitation, parks and rec for youth sports, increase amounts going to road rehabilitation. What are options based on staff’s capacity whether internal or using consultants. Interested to see what discussion comes up regarding the Animal Shelter.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated she would like to see the following: plans for expanding the animal shelter come back at a later time during the year, $4 million for roads deferred maintenance, need to look at investing more to road maintenance, $5 million plus deferred park maintenance – find money elsewhere to give the money they deserve. Tracy Blvd, the road to the airport, should give priority to fixing and add signage, Economic Development program, South Tracy Police substation, software for processing and streamlining building and planning, website overhaul, outdated and not ADA compliant, software to help with our public records system to become more streamlined, transparent and user friendly, media team added to cover things we are doing across the departments. Did support increasing the Nature Park funding, where are we with that conversation getting committed allocation of funds.
Council Member Arriola stated he would like to see the following: Economic Development incentive program, substation, BMX pump Nature Park, and looking for support policies or budgetary accommodations to make sure we are fully staffed always in our Police Department, parks maintenance and roadway maintenance.
Special Meeting Minutes 3 April 2, 2024
Ms. Schnaider stated staff is taking the entire list in and we will let you know what got rolled into the June budget and what will come back in the September discussion.
Council Member Evans stated he would like to see the following: road maintenance and widening, airport road to be prioritized, interim shelter some kind of solution in place because some time before permanent solution is there, $1 million for Nature Park, thought that was already allocated, Economic Development – looking forward to bringing to fruition, public safety is number one, substation – need to find a way to make it happen.
Mayor Young asked when it is coming back to look at Human Resources position for DEI, and asked for chairs to be added to the dais for all Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis asked about funding for repairs of the community center.
Council questions continued.
City Council accepted the report.
6. Council Items and Comments – None
7. Adjournment – Time: 6:53 p.m.
ACTION: Motion was made by Council Member Arriola and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Davis to adjourn. Roll call found all in favor; passed and so ordered.
The above agenda was posted at the Tracy City Hall on March 28, 2024. The above are action minutes. A recording is available at the office of the City Clerk.
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Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Clerk