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(4) Grant or reinstate the permit with additional conditions established thereto.
5-17-1
12. Permits: Appeal of the City Manager’s decision.
(a) Any applicant may appeal the decision of the City Manager, or his or her designee, by filing such appeal with the City Clerk in writing within ten (10) days of the date of the City Manager's decision.
(b) The City Clerk shall schedule a public hearing at next regularly scheduled City Council meeting in accordance with the calendar deadlines established by the City Clerk for placing an item on the City Council agenda. The City Clerk shall give at least five (5) calendar days written notice thereof by mail addressed to the applicant's permanent address as reflected in the application.
(c) If the applicant fails to appear at the time an d place set for hearing, the City Council will consider the matter resolved by the ruling of the City Manager, or his or her designee.
(d) If the applicant does appear, the applicant will have to show by clear and convincing evidence that the City Manager, or his or her designee, was incorrect in his or her ruling.
(e) The City Council shall have the power to concur with the ruling of the City Manager, or his or her designee, or reject the ruling and order the issuance of the permit. In either event, the decision of the City Council shall be the final administrative remedy available to the applicant.
5-17-1
23. Permits: Non-transferable.
Any permit issued pursuant to the provisions of thi s chapter shall be non-transferable and such shall be used only by the person to whom it has been issued. 5-17-134. Permits: Display.
(a) The permittee shall display his or her permit on his or her person at all times while engaged in any such business.
(b) The permittee shall also have in his or her pos session written permission to be on and conduct business on such public or private property from the owner, or his or her authorized representative. The permittee shall, upo n demand of any peace officer or fire inspector, present such written permission.
5-17-1
45. Prohibited areas.
(a) Any permit issued pursuant to this chapter does not allow or authorize the permittee to operate on a public highway or road right of way nor does it allow the permittee to operate on public or private property without the prior wri tten permission of the current owner, or his or her authorized representative.
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5-17-156. Permit: Renewal.
Any permit issued pursuant to this chapter may ther eafter be renewed yearly by the applicant, if the permit has not been suspended or revoked, upon the applicant requesting same from the Chief of Police and paying in advance the renewal f ee as established from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
5-17-1
67. Registration requirements for those organizations exempted pursuant to TMC § 5-17-03(c).
(a) Any organization not required to obtain permits pursuant to TMC § 5-17-03(c) and engaged as itinerant vendors must nonetheless register their organization and participants with the City of Turlock Police Department prior to engaging in such activity.
(b) Registration pursuant to subsection (a) of this section must be made in writing at least five (5) days prior to the commencement of such activity and shall contain at least the following information:
(1) The name of the organization;
(2) The names of all itinerant vendors;
(3) The nature of the activity and the dates that same will be conducted;
(4) Any other such information that the Chief of Police may require to insure the public safety, health and general welfare.
5-17-1
78. Violation: Penalty.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this chapter or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Any person violating any of such provisions or failing to comply with any of such requirements of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) Each person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person and shall be punishable accordingly.
(c) In addition to the penalties provided by this s ection, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of this chapter shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be summarily abated by the City, and shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.
(d) Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed One Thousand and no/100ths ($1,000.00) Dollars, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
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(e) Each person who violates any provision of this chapter may be subject to the imposition and payment of an administrative fine(s) in accordance with Turlock Municipal Code Chapter 2-11.
(f) Pursuant to California Government Code Section 38773.7, any person found in violation of the provisions of this chapter a second or subsequent time within a two-year period will be subject to treble damages, according to court order.
SECTION 3. ADDITION: Title 5, Chapter 5-29, is hereby added to read as follows:
Chapter 5-29
SIDEWALK VENDORS
5-29-01. Conditions and Restrictions Imposed on Sidewalk Vendor Permit; Health and Safety Justification.
(a) Sidewalk Vendors shall adhere to all operating conditions and requirements set forth in this Chapter, and all restrictions, limitations, and operating requirements set forth in this Chapter shall constitute conditions upon any Sidewalk Vending Permit issued pursuant to this Chapter.
(b) The conditions, restrictions and operating requirements set forth in this Chapter are intended to protect the health and safety of Vendors, their patrons, and the general public for reasons including but not limited to:
(1) Reducing exposure to pedestrian versus vehicle contact;
(2) Ensuring better visibility of drivers entering or exiting driveways;
(3) Protecting access to public right-of-way by disabled persons to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
(4) Ensuring safe pedestrian pathways in areas commonly utilized by pedestrians;
(5) Preventing the appearance of “marketplace” vending which is more likely to generate crowding on public Sidewalks that would impede pedestrians and disabled use of Sidewalks;
(6) Reducing the chance pedestrians will enter vehicular Rights-of-Way or block the entrance or exit of a business;
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(7) Reducing the danger that school children will enter into traffic and be injured or killed trying to reach a Vendor;
(8) Reducing unnecessary or unanticipated slowing of vehicles approaching onramps, immediately adjacent to curb and Sidewalk, or existing freeway off- ramps where drivers are merging into oncoming traffic, all of which are likely to cause accidents;
(9) Reducing the possibility that drivers will be distracted in their line of site by a Vendor in the way of oncoming traffic;
(10) Causing visual distractions to the driving pub lic;
(11) Cause excessive noise that disturbs the peace;
(12) Eliminating litter, refuse, and food waste fro m the public Right-of-Ways; and
(13) Reducing the likelihood of contamination depos ited into the City’s storm drain system.
5-29-02. Definitions.
(a) “Certified Farmer's Market" means a location op erated in accordance with Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 47000) of Division 17 of t he Food and Agricultural Code and any regulations adopted pursuant to that chapter.
(b) “Food" means any type of edible substance or be verage intended primarily for consumption by human beings.
(c) “Immediate Vicinity" means within five hundred (500) feet.
(d) “Median" means roadway medians and parkway islands.
(e) “Merchandise" means small and easily carried or worn items that are not food or drinks, including but not limited to, souvenirs, toys, articles of clothing, flowers, etc.
(f) “Public Right-of-Way” means the area dedicated to public use for street or pedestrian purposes, including privately owned and maintained roads within the city that are generally held open to the public for purposes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and includes alleys, driveways, highways, medians, parkways, planter strips, roads, sidewalks, and streets.
(g) “Roaming Sidewalk Vendor" means a Sidewalk Vend or who moves from place to place with stops to complete a transaction.
(h) “Sidewalk" means that portion of the public rig ht-of-way provided for the primary use of pedestrians along or adjacent to the street, includ ing a public pathway provided for the primary use of pedestrians.
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(i) “Sidewalk Vendor" means a person who sells food, drinks or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized conveyance, or from one's person, upon a sidewalk or other pedestrian path, public right- of-way, public property, or private property where the general public has access to the vendor. " Sidewalk Vendor" includes "roaming Sidewalk Vendor" and "Stationary Sidewalk Vendor."
(j) “Stationary Sidewalk Vendor" means a Sidewalk V endor who vends from a fixed location.
(k) “Temporary Special Permit" means a permit issue d by the City for the temporary use of, or encroachment on, the sidewalk or other public ar ea, including, but not limited to, an encroachment permit, special event permit, or tempo rary event permit, for purposes including, but not limited to, filming, parades, athletic events, public assemblies, carnivals, festivals, and outdoor concerts.
(l) “Vend, Vends, Vended or Vending" means to sell, offer for sale, expose or display for sale, solicit offers to purchase, or to barter food or me rchandise, or to require someone to negotiate, establish, or pay a fee before providing food or merchandise, even if characterized as a donation.
(m) “Sidewalk Vending Permit” means a permit issued by the City of Turlock under this Article for the purpose of Sidewalk Vending.
(n) “Private Property” means any real property not owned, leased, or controlled by a federal, state, or local governmental agency, including, but not limited to, privately owned parking lots, shopping centers, commercial properties, residential properties, and common areas of private developments, whether or not such property is open to the public. For purposes of this Chapter, private property does not include public sidewalks, public rights-of-way, parks, or other property owned or controlled by a governmental agency.
5-29-03. Sidewalk Vending Permit Application.
(a) No person shall engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of operating as a Sidewalk Vendor without a Sidewalk Vending Permit issued under the provisions of this Article.
(b) Every person, prior to engaging in, conducting, or carrying on the business of operating as a Sidewalk Vendor, shall file an application for a Sidewalk Vending Permit with the City of Turlock, accompanied by a nonrefundable pro cessing fee in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. The application shall be in a form prescribed by the City of Turlock and shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
(1) The legal name, current mailing address and telephone number of the applicant;
(2) If the applicant is an agent of an individual, company, partnership, corporation, or other entity, the name and business address of the principal;
(3) A copy of a California’s driver’s license or identification number, an individual taxpayer identification number, or a municipal identificatio n number. The number collected
Ordinance No. -CS
shall not be available to the public for inspection , is confidential, and shall not be disclosed except as required to administer the perm it or comply with a state law or state or federal court order; The application shall not inquire into or collect information about an individual’s immigration or citizenship st atus or place of birth, shall not inquire into or collect information or documentation regarding an individual’s criminal history, and shall not require an applicant to submit fingerprints, complete a LiveScan fingerprinting, or submit to a background check as part of an application for a permit for sidewalk vending.
(4) A description of the Food and/or merchandise for Vending;
(5) A description, map, or drawing of the areas in which the Sidewalk Vendor proposes to operate;
(6) The dimensions of the Vending cart;
(7) The hours per day and the days per week during which the Sidewalk Vendor proposes to operate, and whether the Sidewalk Vendor intends to operate as a Stationary Sidewalk Vendor or a Roaming Sidewalk Vendor;
(8) A business license pursuant to Turlock Municipal Code Section 3-1.
(9) A current valid California seller’s permit number pursuant to Section 6067 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code;
(10) Proof of a policy or policies of comprehensive general liability insurance with minimum limits of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence, combined single limit coverage and two million dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate against any injury, death, loss or damage as a result of wrongful or negligent acts or omissions by the permittee, with an endorsement naming the city as an additional insured. In addition, the permittee is required to carry workers’ compensation and automobile coverage sufficient to meet requirements of the State of California;
(11) If a Vendor of Food, the Sidewalk Vendor must show proof of a California Food Handler Card and a Stanislaus County itinerant vendor permit;
(12) An agreement by the applicant to indemnify and hold harmless the City, its officers and employees, for any damage or injury caused to the City as a result of the Sidewalk Vending conduct or activity;
(13) Certification by the applicant, under penalty of perjury, that the information contained in the application is true to his or her knowledge and belief; and
(14) Any other reasonable information regarding the time, place, and manner of the proposed Sidewalk Vending activities.
(c) Applications for Sidewalk Vending Permits shall be filed a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the date requested for issuance of the Sidewalk Vending Permit. Renewal Sidewalk Vending Permit applications shall be filed a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of any existing Sidewalk Vending Permit.
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5-29-04. Criteria for Issuance or Denial of Sidewalk Vending Permit. (a) The City of Turlock shall approve the issuance of a Sidewalk Vending Permit unless it is determined that:
(1) The applicant has failed to satisfy the objective Sidewalk Vending Permit requirements set forth in this Chapter, including, without limitation, required state or county permits and required insurance;
(2) The applicant has made a material misrepresentation in the application; or
(3) The applicant has failed to provide a complete application, after having been notified of the requirement to produce supplemental information or documents. 5-29-05. Sidewalk Vending Permit Non-Transferable.
A Sidewalk Vending Permit issued pursuant to this Chapter shall not be transferable to any other entity or person. Any change in ownership, Sidewalk operation, or Vending activity of an issued Sidewalk Vending Permit requires the filing of a new Sidewalk Vending Permit application under this Chapter.
5-29-06. Sidewalk Vending Permit Expiration.
A Sidewalk Vending Permit issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be effective for a period of one year from the date of issuance.
5-29-07. Regulations.
(a) The City shall restrict the hours of operation of Sidewalk Vendors to comply with the restricted hours of the businesses or City faciliti es wherein the Sidewalk Vendor is operating.
(b) Sidewalk Vendors shall operate in compliance wi th all applicable federal, state, county, and city laws, ordinances, and regulations.
(c) Sidewalk Vendors shall only conduct operations at locations approved by the City. (d) No Sidewalk Vendor is permitted to operate with in 500 feet of a public or private school during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
(e) Sidewalk Vendors are prohibited from operating in a city park if the city has entered into exclusive agreements for the sale of food or merchandise by one or more concessionaires for that city park.
(f) Roaming Sidewalk Vending within any residential areas of the City is prohibited between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the subsequent day.
(g) A Sidewalk Vendor shall maintain a clean and tr ash-free 10-foot radius around his or her pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized
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conveyance at all times when it is located on publi c property. A Sidewalk Vendor shall immediately clean up any Food, grease, or other fluid or item related to Sidewalk Vending activities which fall onto the Sidewalk or other pu blic property. When departing a location used for Vending, the Sidewalk Vendor shall remove all trash and debris from the location.
No trash or refuse generated by Sidewalk Vending activities shall be disposed of in public or private trash receptacles; Sidewalk Vendors must take the trash generated by their activities with them and dispose of it appropriately.
(h) For public safety reasons, including pedestrian , vehicular, public and Vendor safety, a Sidewalk Vendor shall not operate within the number of feet designated below from the nearest portion of the corresponding location:
(1) Within 500 feet from any freeway on-ramp or off-ramp.
(2) Within 10 feet of another Sidewalk Vendor.
(3) Within 100 feet of a residence.
(4) Within 50 feet of the entrance or exit from any place of business that has an operational kitchen. If a business containing an op erational kitchen is closed, this restriction shall not apply. This restriction shall only apply to businesses located on the same side of the street the Sidewalk Vendor is operating on to ensure food safety.
(5) Sidewalk Vendors are prohibited from operating within 15 feet of fire hydrants, bus benches, transit shelters, crosswalks, or driveways.
(i) For public safety reasons, including pedestrian , public, and Vendor safety, a Sidewalk Vendor shall not operate in such a manner that the Vendor, the Vendor's cart, the Vendor's display, the Vendor's goods, or any combination thereof:
(1) impedes public use of the Sidewalk or Right-of- Way as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act; or
(2) impedes access to or the use of abutting proper ty, including, but not limited to, residences and places of business; or
(3) impedes emergency access for the Police, Fire D epartment, or medical personnel to any abutting property; or
(4) is located within 18 inches from the edge of th e curb face; or
(5) Is located within the Driveway or Corner Clear Vision zones.
(j) In the event of a traffic accident, medical eme rgency, gas leak, natural disaster, fire, on- site construction or related work on a capital impr ovement project, or an emergency situation, the City may temporarily require Sidewalk Vendors to relocate to another location if doing so is necessary to protect the public' s health and safety.
(k) Sidewalk Vendors shall not Vend to customers in vehicles.
(l) The sale of alcohol, marijuana, adult-oriented material, tobacco products, electronic
Ordinance No. -CS
cigarettes or products that contain nicotine, any p roduct used to smoke/vape nicotine or marijuana, or any other illegal material or substances is prohibited.
(m) Vendors shall be present at all times while any Food, drink or merchandise is on display on a Sidewalk. Unattended Vending is prohibited.
(n) Vendors shall comply with all applicable noise ordinances, including but not limited to Turlock Municipal Code section 5-28.
(o) During the Turlock Certified Farmer' s Market, or any other event classified as a farmer’s market, Sidewalk Vendors not associated with the Fa rmer's Market, or other events classified as a farmer’s market, shall not operate within the Immediate Vicinity.
(p) During an event classified as a swap meet, Sidewalk Vendors not associated with the swap meet shall not operate within the Immediate Vicinity.
(q) During an event that has been issued a Temporar y Special Permit, Sidewalk Vendors not associated with the Temporary Special Permit shall not operate within the Immediate Vicinity.
(r) Sidewalk Vendors who Vend any Food, beverage, o r liquid products must implement the following best management practices:
(1) Possess spill kits that are comprised of paper towels, cloth towels, or sand at all times while Vending;
(2) Remove all spill materials from the public Righ t-of-Way and Sidewalks once the spilled material is absorbed off the ground;
(3) Capture and prevent spills leaving the area and moving into the surrounding streets from entering the storm water conveyance system, in cluding curbs, gutters, and storm drains;
(4) Properly dispose of grease; and
(5) Ensure that any water or rinse residue used for Vending activities is not disposed in the curbs, gutters, streets, drains, or on any public property.
(s) Sidewalk Vendors shall ensure that all customer queuing, waiting areas, or lines do not block, hinder, or interfere with the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic along, over, or across public property, and otherwise comply at all times with the location-related restrictions set forth in this Chapter relative to sidewalk vending activities.
(t) Stationary Sidewalk Vendors are prohibited from operating or establishing in any residential zone of the City. This does not apply to Roaming Sidewalk Vendors.
(u) Vending carts shall not be left unattended by t he Vendor or their staff.
(v) Sidewalk Vendors shall not attach or use any wa ter lines, electrical lines, or gas lines located on public property owned by the City, or belonging to any other entity or person.
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(w) No signs, balloons, or flags may be displayed o n or off the site for promotional purposes all signage must be attached.
5-29-08. Inspection and Enforcement.
Representatives of the Police Department, Fire Depa rtment, Code Enforcement, the Planning Department, the Finance Department, or any other re levant City department shall be permitted, at any time a Sidewalk Vendor is operating in the City, to inspect a Sidewalk Vendor's operation, its required permits, and its Vended Food and goods for compliance with local or state laws and regulations.
5-29-09. Violations.
(a) In accordance with State Law, a person found in violation of this Chapter shall be subject to the following, and except as provided in this Chapter, these provisions shall be the exclusive penalties applicable to violations of this Chapter:
(1) Operating as a Sidewalk Vendor in violation of this chapter, other than the failure to possess a valid Sidewalk Vending Permit:
(i) A written warning for a first violation.
(ii) An administrative fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
(iii) An administrative fine not exceeding two hund red dollars ($200) for a third violation within one year of the first violation.
(iv) An administrative fine not exceeding five hund red dollars ($500) for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
(v) After the fourth violation the Sidewalk Vendor’s permit will be rescinded.
(2) Operating as a Sidewalk Vendor without a valid permit issued by the City:
(i) An administrative fine not exceeding two hundre d fifty dollars ($250) for a first violation.
(ii) An administrative fine not exceeding five hund red dollars ($500) for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
(iii) An administrative fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
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(3) A Sidewalk Vendor may appeal an administrative fine pursuant to section 2-11 of the Turlock Municipal Code.
(4) A Sidewalk Vendor who has been issued an administrative fine pursuant to this Chapter may request a determination of his or her ability to pay the administrative fine pursuant to the provisions of Government Code section 51039(f). If the Sidewalk Vendor shows proof to the satisfaction of the hearing officer (if the request is made at the time of an administrative appeal hearing), or the City Manager or his or her designee (if the request is made at any other time), that he or she meets the criteria set forth in Government Code section 68632, subsections (a) or (b), the fine amount shall be reduced to 20 percent of the original fine amount.
(5) Violations of the Turlock Municipal Code not specifically subject to the limitations set forth in Section 51039 of the Government Code shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to the Turlock Municipal Code, as the same may be amended from time to time, in addition to any other applicable penalties or remedies prescribed by law at the time of the violation.
(6) All such fines collected under this Section shall be deposited into the General Fund.
5-29-10. Confidentiality and Nondisclosure of Personally Identifiable Information. (a) Except as otherwise required by state or federal law, the City shall not provide voluntary consent to any individual to access, review, or obtain any City records obtained pursuant to this Article that include personally identifiable information of any Sidewalk Vendor without a subpoena or a valid judicial warrant. This subsection does not prohibit the City from challenging the validity of a subpoena or judicial warrant in a federal district court.
(b) The City and its personnel shall not disclose or provide in writing, verbally, or in any other manner, personally identifiable information of any Sidewalk Vendor obtained pursuant to this Article that is requested, except pursuant to a subpoena or a valid judicial warrant, or as required to administer the permit program, or to comply with a state law or state or federal court order.
(c) For purposes of this section, “personally identifiable information” includes an individual’s name, business name, home address, business address, birthdate, telephone number, business location, California driver’s license or identification number, individual taxpayer identification number, municipal identification number, government-issued identification number, consular identification, social media identifiers, employer identification number, business license number, seller’s permit number, social security number, Sidewalk Vending Permit or license number, known place of work, income and tax information, and any other information that would identify the individual.
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(d) Personally identifiable information collected pursuant to this Article shall not be available to the public for inspection and shall be treated as confidential, including as exempt from disclosure to the extent permitted by applicable law.
SECTION 4. RESCISSION OF PRIOR RESOLUTION: Resolution No . 2025-134 is rescinded on the effective date of this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. VALIDITY: If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, word, or portion of this ordinance is, for any reas on, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, su ch decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this ordinance and each section, subsection, subdiv ision, sentence, clause, phrase, word, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, words or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the Ci ty of Turlock this ____ day of __________, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
NOT PARTICIPATING:
ABSENT:
Signed and approved this ___ day of _________, 2026.
SIGNED:
__________________________
AMY BUBLAK, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
NICHOLE FIEZ, City Clerk,
City of Turlock, County of Stanislaus,
State of California APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________
KATIE O. LUCCHESI, City Attorney
City Council Staff Report
July 28, 2026
From: Isaac Moreno, Finance Director
Prepared by: Isaac Moreno, Finance Director
Agendized by: John J. Murphy, DPA, ICMA-CM, City Manager
1. ACTION RECOMMENDED:
Resolution: Adopting Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget for Fund 450 "SRWA - Operations" Staffing Levels
2. NARRATIVE:
On June 9, 2026, the City Council was presented with the final draft of the Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Budget. During this presentation, the Finance Department stated that at a future Council meeting a budget amendment could be proposed to alter the staff levels for the Stanislaus Regional Water Authority (SRWA) operations agreement. Although this topic was discussed with the City Council, action would be required from the SRWA Board to approve this change and alter the operations agreement between the City of Turlock, the City of Ceres, and the SRWA. The proposed changes were as follows:
Administrative Support Classification Flexibility
Modifying the current Staff Services Assistant position to allow flexibility for the General Manager to fill the position as either a:
• Staff Services Assistant
• Staff Services Technician
This modification recognizes the increasing complexity of administrative, analytical, financial, procurement, and project support functions required to support SRWA operations. The change provides flexibility to recruit and retain personnel possessing the level of expertise necessary to meet organizational needs while maintaining an appropriate career development pathway.
The proposed modification does not create an additional position but instead provides management with the flexibility to utilize the classification most appropriate for the duties assigned and the operational needs of the organization.
Water Treatment Plant Operations Staffing Adjustment:
Modifying the operator staffing structure by increasing the number of Water Treatment Plant Operator, Sr. positions from five (5) to six (6) and reducing the number of Water Treatment Plant Operator I positions from two (2) to one (1). This modification does not increase the overall number of operations positions. Rather, it establishes a long-term staffing framework that allows the SRWA to transition one Water Treatment Plant Operator I position to a Water Treatment Plant Operator, Sr. position over time through normal attrition and internal staff development.
Agenda Staff Report
7/28/2026
Addition of Instrumentation and Controls Technician II Position
Adding one Instrumentation and Controls Technician II position to the staffing plan. The addition of an Instrumentation and Controls Technician II position will:
• Improve preventative maintenance efforts
• Increase responsiveness to instrumentation and control system issues • Reduce reliance on outside contractors and consultants • Improve reliability of treatment plant automation systems • Support future SCADA, instrumentation, and process control enhancements This position will work closely with operations and maintenance personnel to support critical treatment plant infrastructure and ensure continuous, reliable operation of plant systems.
On June 18, 2026, at the SRWA Board meeting, this request was presented by the General Manager and approved with a motion and a unanimous 3-0 vote.
To complete this process, the City of Turlock Council will need to approve a budget amendment that will alter the staffing levels in Fund 450 "SRWA - Operations". These changes will reduce organizational dependence on individual employees for critical functions and improve long-term workforce sustainability.
3. FISCAL IMPACT / BUDGET AMENDMENT:
With the increase in Sr. Operators from five to six, the dependency of temporary staff is expected to decrease. An administrative transfer in the amount of $143,815 from Fund 450 "SRWA - Operations" account 450-53-550.43314 "Contract Help - Services" to Salary and Benefits will be executed to mitigate any fiscal impact of this action. Therefore, there will be no budget amendment needed and no increase in quarterly bills from the SRWA to participating agencies.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This action is not subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA guidelines. This action consists of “organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment” and therefore is not considered a project.
5. ALTERNATIVES:
1. Council could elect not to alter staffing levels in Fund 450 "SRWA - Operations" and continue with the current operating levels.
2. Council could elect not to add one additional full-time employee.
6. ATTACHMENTS:
1. SRWA Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Amendment Resolution
BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TURLOCK
IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTING AMENDMENTS } RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET }
FOR FUND 450 “SRWA – OPERATIONS” }
STAFFING LEVELS }
}
WHEREAS, annually the City Council adopts a budget for the General Fund and Non-General Funds to cover the projected revenues and expenses for the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, on June 9, 2026 the City Council adopted a budget plan to serve as a living document to be formally reviewed on a regular basis in order to assess revenues, expenditures, and staffing levels to determine whether any adjustments should be incorporated as amendments to the adopted budget; and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2026, at the SRWA Board meeting, a request was presented by the General Manager to alter staffing levels within the operations agreement. This was approved with a motion and a unanimous 3-0 vote.
WHEREAS, staff proposed the following update to the Full-time Employee adopted schedule:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Turlock does hereby adopt amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget for Fund 450 “SRWA – Operations” staffing levels.
Budget Budget
26-27 26-27
Adopted Amendment
Fund 450 Stanislaus Regional Water Authority (SRWA Operations) Water Treatment Plant Manager 1 1
Municipal Services Director/SRWA Gen Mgr 0.05 0.05
Finance Director 0.05 0.05
Water Treatment Plant Supervisor 1 1
Staff Services Assistant 1 0
Staff Services Technician 0 1
Water Treatment Plant Operator, Sr. 5 6
Water Treatment Plant Operator II 2 2
Water Treatment Plant Operator I 2 1
Instrument & Control Tech, Sr. 1 1
Instrument & Control Tech, II 0 1
Maintenance Tech, Sr. 1 1
Maintenance Tech II 1 1
TOTAL 15.1 16.1
Division / Fund
Resolution No. 2026-
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Turlock this 28th day of July, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
NOT PARTICIPATING:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
________________________________
Nichole Fiez, City Clerk,
City of Turlock, County of Stanislaus,
State of California