WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION # 2025-64
APPROVING RESOLUTION 2025-64, ACCEPTING IMPROVEMENTS FOR PROJECT NO. 2025-02, “OLD POLICE SUBSTATION DEMO” AND AUTHORIZING
THE CITY ENGINEER TO FILE A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE STANISLAUS COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Waterford previously approved the “Old Police Substation Demo” bid documents; and
WHEREAS, on or around March 3, 2025, a Contract was duly executed by and between Central Valley Demolition. Contractor, and the City of Waterford, California, a Municipal Corporation to have certain public improvements constructed and installed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer; and
WHEREAS, it is the City Engineer’s opinion the improvements have been constructed and installed in accordance with the contract, approved specifications and plans; and WHEREAS, security securing the payment to the contractor, his subcontractors, and to persons furnishing labor, materials, or equipment may be released six (6) months from receipt by the City of the recorded Notice of Completion, provided no claims have been filed with the City; and
WHEREAS, the performance security to remain in effect for (1) year guaranteeing that the completed work remains satisfactory during the required one (1) year warranty period and may be released upon correction, by Contractor, of any defects in the work existing at the end of the warranty period.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATERFORD DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Waterford accepts the public improvements into the City of Waterford maintained infrastructure system, such having been inspected by the City Engineer of the City of Waterford.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Waterford authorizes the City Engineer to prepare the Notice of Completion and cause same to be recorded in the Official Records of Stanislaus County, California.
Section 3. The adoption of this resolution does not release any improvement securities which have been provided in accordance with the above-referenced Contract.
Such shall remain in full force and effect as set forth above.
RESOLUTION 2025-64
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the Waterford City Council of the City of Waterford at a regular meeting this 20th day of November 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CITY OF WATERFORD
Charlie Goeken, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICIA KRAUSE, CMC CORBETT J. BROWNING
City Clerk City Attorney
RECORDING REQUESTED BY
CITY OF WATERFORD
WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
City Engineer
City of Waterford
101 “E” Street
Waterford, California 95386
SPACE ABOVE THIS LINE FOR RECORDER’S USE
Notice of Completion
Notice is hereby given that:
1. The undersigned is a representative of the owner of the interest or estate stated below in the property hereinafter described.
2. The full name of the owner is the City of Waterford.
3. The full address of the owner 101 E Street, Waterford, California, 95386
4. The nature of the title of the owner is: In fee.
5. A work of improvement on the property hereinafter described was completed on July 14, 2025.
6. The name of the contractor, for such work of improvement was Central Valley Demolition.
7. The nature of the work of improvement was removal of Old Police Substaion.
8. The property on which said work of improvement was completed is in the city of Waterford, county of Stanislaus, state of California, and is described as follows: 312 E Street.
9. The street address of said property is none.
I, Robert B. Marler, declare under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
Signing on behalf of City of Waterford
Dated: __ ___ By _________________________________________ Robert B. Marler, Waterford City Engineer
VERIFICATION:
I, Robert B. Marler, the undersigned, declare under penalty, under the laws of the State of California that I am the owner, or agent of the owner, of the interest or estate in the property described in the above notice; that I have read the notice, that I know and understand the contents thereof, and that the facts stated therein are true and correct.
Executed on ___ ____ , at Manteca, California.
Signing on behalf of City of Waterford
_________________________________________
Robert B. Marler, Waterford City Engineer
Central Valley Demolition
3928 Crocus Dr
Modesto, CA 95356 US
[email protected]
INVOICE
BILL TO
Lonnie Statzer
City of Waterford
101 E Street
Waterford, CA 95386
INVOICE # 2817
DATE 07/02/2025
DUE DATE 07/02/2025
TERMS Due on receipt
DESCRIPTION QTY RATE AMOUNT
Demolition:Work as provided
Change Order - Unforseen condition -
Safe/Vault demo
1 1,500.00 1,500.00
Project#2025-02 - Old Police Station
320 E Street
Waterford, CA 95386
SUBTOTAL 1,500.00
TAX 0.00
TOTAL 1,500.00
BALANCE DUE $1,500.00
General Business 6b
November 20, 2025
Corbett Browning, City Attorney
City Council Staff Report
Resolution: Adopting Resolution 2025-65, a Resolution of Intention Declaring the City Council’s Intention to Transition from At-Large to by District Elections and to Initiate Procedures for Establishing and Implementing By-District Elections for City Council Members.
SUMMARY:
City Council is being asked to Discuss and Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Transition from At-Large to by District Elections.
BACKGROUND:
The City currently utilizes an at-large election system to elect its City Council Members and Mayor. This means that registered voters from the entire City may currently vote on candidates for each of the four (4) City Council seats and Mayor.
On September 7, 2025, the City received a letter from attorney Kevin Shenkman on behalf of Southwest voter Registration Education Project asserting that the at-large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act (“CVRA”) and threatening litigation if the City declines to voluntarily convert to by-district elections.
Mr. Shenkman and other attorneys have served similar letters and subsequently filed lawsuits in recent years against numerous other public agencies across the state for CVRA violations alleging racially polarized voting.
The CVRA only applies to jurisdictions that utilize an “at-large” election method, where voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members of the City Council. Prevailing CVRA plaintiffs are guaranteed to recover their attorneys’ fees and costs. To date, every public agency that has challenged the conversion to district elections has either lost in court or settled and has also been forced to pay at least some portion of the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and costs. Many of the attorneys’ fees and awards that local governments have been forced to pay have amounted to millions of dollars.
Upon receiving the above refenced letter, staff scheduled a closed session on November 6, 2025, to discuss the threated CVRA litigation.
In 2016, the Governor signed AB 350 amending the CVRA to provide a “Safe Harbor” provision to local government agencies with at-large election systems. Under AB 350, a local agency has 45 days from the date of receipt of the letter to adopt a resolution of intent to transition from at-large to by-district elections. Staff has an agreement due to scheduling that the 45 days period was extended 20 days to November 26, 2025. If the City complies with the “Safe Harbor” provisions, the amount of attorney’s fees that plaintiff’s attorney can collect is statutorily capped if the City complies with the process to transition from at-large to by-district elections.
Staff provides this opportunity for the City Council to discuss the transition from at-large to by-district elections taking advantage of the “Safe Harbor” provisions by voluntarily implementing a by-district election system to protect the City from risk of future litigation.
The first step in transitioning to by-district elections under the “Safe Harbor” provisions is adoption of a resolution of intent. A resolution of intent to transition from at-large to by-direct elections has been prepared and if adopted would direct staff and consultants to initiate the public process to transition the City from its current at-large system for Council elections to a by-district system for the November 2026 election.
In addition, the City is engaging an experienced demographer to assist the City with the process to transition from at-large to by-district elections.
Staff is proposing the City Council adopt the proposed Resolution 2025-XXX and to follow the district mapping process in the CVRA. Following the adoption of the Resolution, there will be five public hearings. At the conclusion of the last public hearing, the City Council may adopt an ordinance or resolution establishing the district boundaries and the by-district election method pursuant to California Government Code section 34886 and Elections Code section 10010. The draft districting schedule is included in the Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT
Plaintiff’s attorney will receive a reimbursement for time spent on identifying the voter rights act issue, capped at $40,000, if the City complies with the demand to transition from at-large to district-based elections.
The City will retain a professional demographer at an estimated cost of $20,000-$30,000 to assist the City with the process to transition from an at-large to by-district elections.
The City will also incur additional fees for City Attorney time, community meetings, assistance from consultants for public outreach and staff time.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adoption of the Resolution would direct staff and consultants to initiate a public process to transition the City from its current at-large system for Council elections to a by-district system pursuant to the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), which would direct staff to take steps to implement the public hearings and mapping required under the California elections code to move to by-district elections in the City of Waterford for the election to be held in November 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
1. City Council may choose to not approve the resolution of intent.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution 2025-65
RESOLUTION 2025-65
WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-65
A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION OF THE CITY OF WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL RE: MOVING FROM AT-LARGE ELECTIONS TO DISTRICT
BASED ELECTIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Waterford (“City”) seeks to pursue a move from at-large elections to district-based elections; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the California Voting Rights Acts, at least 343 school districts, 46 Community College Districts, 209 cities, 1 County Board of Supervisors, 78 water and other special districts switched from at-large elections to district-based elections; and WHEREAS, Section 34886 of the Government Code authorizes any city, to change to a bydistrict system or by-district system with an elective mayor without the need to put such a change to voters; and
WHEREAS, the City is interested in analyzing potential existing polarization of voting interest with it at-large methodology as well as potential polarization of voting interests from a move from atlarge elections to district-based elections; and WHEREAS, the City has engaged a demographic expert with the National Demographics Corporation to provide data to identify any potential polarization and assist with a move from atlarge elections to district-based elections; and WHEREAS, before drawing a draft map of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the City will hold at least two (2) public hearings within thirty (30) days of each other over no more than thirty (30) days, at which time the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts; and
WHEREAS, the City will then publish and make available for release at least one (1) draft map of the new electoral districts, including the potential sequence of elections shown; and WHEREAS, once the draft map has been publicized for at least seven (7) days , the City will hold at least two (2) additional public hearings, over no more than forty-five (45) days, at which time the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map and the proposed sequence of elections prior to the public hearing at which the Council adopts a map; and WHEREAS, the purpose of this Resolution is to declare the city intention to move to district based elections and identify its intended steps.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Waterford City Council as follows:
1. The City Council resolves to engage in the process to move from at-large elections to district-based elections, and hereby authorizes City staff to initiate the following proceedings:
RESOLUTION 2025-65
i. December 2025 hold a public forum to distribute and receive information to and from the public related to the known existing elections data and the process and basis for a move to district-based elections including different types ii. January 2026 – Two (2) public hearings within 30 days of each other before map(s) of proposed districts are drawn for public input; iii. February/March 2026 – Two (2) public hearings within 45 days of each other after map(s) of proposed district are drawn for consideration and consideration of an ordinance approving a move to district based elections; iv. The entire process of moving from at-large elections to district-based elections is to be done in 180 days.
2. The City Manager is authorized to take any and all other necessary actions to give effect to this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the Waterford City Council of the City of Waterford at a regular meeting this 20th day of November 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CITY OF WATERFORD
Charlie Goeken, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICIA KRAUSE, CMC CORBETT J. BROWNING
City Clerk City Attorney
Informational Items 8
November 20, 2025
Patricia Krause, City Clerk / Administrative Services Director City Council Staff Report
Informational Items.
SUMMARY:
Items included in this section provide City Council with updates on business not requiring a full report.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ANALYSIS:
All items under this category are considered for informational purpose only.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
8a: City Project List
8b: MyWaterford Report
Streets
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Yosemite Ave. Pedestrian Project (Caltrans) Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $6,000,000 (SHOPP) Complete
F Street Overlay Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $1,500,000 (Measure L) Complete
F Street Improvements at Western Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $300,000 (STBG and CMAQ) Complete
Dorsey, Pecan and Western Pedestrian and Roadway Improvements Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $300,000 (CDBG) Complete
Yosemite Pedestrian Improvements Reinway to Eucalyptus Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $946,000 (ATP) In Construction
Yosemite at Pasadena Signal Improvements Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $600,000 (CMAQ) In Construction
Skyline Road Improvements Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $450,000 (STBG) Complete
E Street Improvements Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $600,000 (SB1) In Construction
G Street Improvements Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $600,000 (CDBG) Complete
Measure L Cape Seal Project Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $960,000 (Measure L Complete
Tim Bell Pedestrian Improvements Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $1,993,000 (ATP) Grant was approved/awarded to Waterford Housing Development
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Bentley Estates Michael Pitcock High NA Property was listed for sale.
Reinway North of Moon School Annexation Michael Pitcock High NA Application received. The developer is looking at a potential 95 homes
Waterstone A Michael Pitcock High NA Final Map for 27 Single Family Homes Approved. Homes in Construction
City Projects
Waterstone C Michael Pitcock High NA
Tentative Map Approve for 52 Single Family
Homes. Public Improvements are in
Construction
Waterstone D Michael Pitcock High NA Tentative Map Application received for 37 Single Family Homes
Waterstone E Michael Pitcock High NA In Discussions with Developer Moe Jawad Michael Pitcock High NA Tentative Map for 53 Single Family Homes Approved
Lake Pointe Michael Pitcock High NA Application for Phase 1 received. The developer is looking at a potential 217 homes
Economic Development
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
F St and Yosemite Fuel Station Michael Pitcock High N/A Complete E Street Public Storage Michael Pitcock High N/A In Construction Facilities / Property
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
ADA Transition Plan Implementation Lonnie Statzer Low Varies Ongoing Local Hazardous Mitigation Plan Update Lonnie Statzer Low N/A Complete Council Chambers Equipment Upgrade Patricia Krause High $52,000 Complete Public Safety
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
License Plate Reader Program Michael Pitcock High
$10,000 up front and $3,300
monthly for maintenance and
monitoring.
Complete
Utilities
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Water Rate Study Lonnie Statzer
Tina Envia High $40,000 In Progress
WWTP Biosolids Screening Upgrade - Self Help Enterprises Grant
Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $500,000 Unfunded On Hold
Water System Consolidation - Hickman Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $3,000,000 Unfunded City approved a $1.2 million loan with Ibank and awarded a construction contract.
Biosolids Removal 2024 Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $250,000 Complete
Drying Bed Monitoring Well Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $50,000 Complete
Tim Bell Water and Sewer Extension to Vineyard Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $2,500,000 (ARPA) Complete
WWTP Road Repair Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $1,100,000 (FEMA) Complete
Parks and Trails
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Triangle Parcel - Neighborhood Park Lonnie Statzer Low Unknown Application Submitted S. Reinway Sports Complex Lonnie Statzer Low Unfunded On hold (No Funding) Dog Park (Prop 68 Per Capita Grant) Lonnie Statzer High $250,000 Grant and Park Impact Fees Complete
Beard Park Improvements (Prop 68 Competitive Grant) Lonnie Statzer Low $1,000,000 Million Unfunded Grant Denied. Waiting to see if another cycle to apply is available.
Tennis (Pickle Ball) Court Remodel Lonnie Statzer High $200,000 Budgeted Construction to begin in December/January Community Center Remodel Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $800,000 (General Fund) Complete
Other Projects
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Adding Cameras at Community Center Lonnie Statzer High Undetermined at this time Complete Request # Topic Status Date Entered Description
414 Water - Other Issue Open 10/27/2025 customer states water has been seeping up from the street. 415 Sidewalk repair Closed 10/27/2025
pavers were removed and were never replaced by contractors that did the sidewalk work. could you guys go put them back whenever you get the chance.
416 Water - Other Issue Closed 10/27/2025
Customer called in billing is much higher this month. Please look at meter check read and for leakage. Advise customer if leak. Meter#230408243 Filiberta (209)485-7454
417 Water - Other Issue Closed 10/27/2025
Customer came in usage is up for this last month. Please check meter read and for leaks and advise customer.
Meter#17562775 Donald(209)609-6599
418 Water - Other Issue Closed 10/28/2025
Customer came into lobby complaining there is water in his meter box #19167061 He said we have been out prior but still same. Jose (209)556-8357
419 Water - Other Issue Closed 10/28/2025
Resident/Tenant called and spoke to Jane; he received a shut off notice but says he's already shut off, however I don't show this as a disconnected acct. Meter reads are at 0 since 9/26/2024 but water is turned ON at the house per Owner Denise (acct holder). She said there is water coming from the hose. Can we check if the meter is locked/off and if so how is he still getting water at the property. Does meter/register need to be changed? Please call Denise at (209)232-9574. Thank you! 420 Water - Other Issue Closed 10/29/2025
Please double check model # on the register matches actual meter model # and is reading in CF, not gallons - per Kathy at Badger. We are trying to figure out if meter reads are correct. Also, double check decimal. Thank you! 421 Water - Other Issue Closed 10/29/2025
I received a call from Luke Stevens (manager) at (209)596-6466. He says their water usage went up a lot and they have checked for leaks, contacted a plumber to come out and a "leak specialist" and they have found nothing. Can we just double check his meter and read to make sure everything is working properly, please. This is a hand read. Thank you! 422 Water - Other Issue Closed 10/29/2025
Please check meter/property for any signs of leaks. Customer is saying his water bill went up, I let him know his usage did go up from 23 to 38 units. Please call Nick w/ any results at (209)322-5051. 423 Other Closed 10/30/2025
Customer called in and said the sewer or manhole cover is lifted in the intersection. Could someone please check she says someone could possibly injure themselves as the cross over. Tierra (209)345-1932 424 Water leaks Closed 10/30/2025
Customer called in and said there is water standing in the alley way behind apartments. It's been there for over a week.
Please check for a leak. Sam(209)652-0188
425 Other Closed 10/31/2025 Customer called and said a tool was left by some of the guys sitting up against a tree 426 Water - Other Issue Closed 10/31/2025
Josh: Can you please call Ms. Linda Hanks at (209)614-0055. She wants to speak to someone about her meter on Skyline to see if it can be moved onto her own property. She was also asking if her meter could be checked for any leaks since her usage has been higher than usual the last 4 - 5 months. Her usage was a lot higher than last year as well and she did admit to having a large property but it is higher than the last few years as well. Thank you! 427 Water - Other Issue Closed 11/3/2025
Customer called in billing high on October read. Consumption up over 200 units. Meter #46595743 Read for November seems to be in alignment was this a unit with decimal issue??? Diana (209)857-1253 428 Water leaks Closed 11/3/2025 resident states there is a leak in the alleyway between E and D Street 429 City trees Closed 11/3/2025
Owner of Pizza Plus building wants the tree in front of business trimmed because it is touching the awning and will cause damage.
430 Water leaks Open 11/4/2025
Customer called in and said that water is coming up through the newly sealed roadway in front of 652 Flora. Bobbie(209)764- 9390
431 Water - Other Issue Closed 11/5/2025
Please check customer's meter for any leaks, resident says consumption has increased but nothing has changed on his end. (209)442-4076 Zenaido.
432 Community Center Rentals Open 11/6/2025 PRE SET UP 11/14/2025 433 Community Center Rentals Open 11/6/2025 PRE SET UP 11/21/2025 434 Water - Other Issue Closed 11/6/2025
Sorry, but can I get a re-read of a meter at 12313 Dorsey St / Meter #00396180. The last few months have been VERY different. Thank you!
435 Water leaks Open 11/6/2025
Customer called in and said there is a water leak in the roadway in front of her house. Water is bubbling up through pavement. Wendy (209)303-6171