MINUTES  CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ESCALON City Council Chambers, 2060 McHenry Avenue -7:00 P.M.  MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2024  PRATED MARCH)  Beginning Resolution No. 44-24 Beginning Ordinance No. 598 Beginning Minute Order No. 50-24  PRESENT:  Mayor David Bellinger Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Thomas Hagan Councilmember Jeremy Engle Councilmember Malinda Walker Councilmember Shawn Strohman  STAFF PRESENT: Jaylen French, Interim City Manager  Celinda Bickner, Finance Director/HR Administrator (FDHRA) Juston Collins, Public Works upenntendent.Manager (PWSM)  Robert Hardgraves, Chiefof] Police Frank Splendorio, City Attorney  PRESENTATIONS  1. Sergeant Badge Pinning Ceremony - Nathan Vieira  Chiefo ofPolice Robert Hardgraves' detailed Sergeant Viera's career progression, starting as a reserve Sergeant Viera expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and looks forward to The chief and other council members congratulated Sergeant Viera on his promotion and dedication.  officer on September 17, 2018, and his promotion to sergeant on May 14, 2024.  continuing his service.  2. Certificate of Recognition - Steve Santos for His Heroic Efforts  ChiefofPolice Robert Hardgraves' recounted the events ofOctober 16, 2022, where Steve Santos de- Steve Santos' actions included separating the parties, disarming an armed suspect, and maintaining The Escalon Police Department and the City of Escalon expressed their gratitude for Steve Santos'  escalated a volatile situation involving two bar patrons.  calm in a dangerous situation. courageous actions.  3. Proclamation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month  Mayor Bellinger read the proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.    MINUTES Escalon City Council October 7, 2024 Page 2of6  The proclamation highlighted the importance of early detection and better treatments, reducing The proclamation acknowledged the efforts of advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers in the Mayor Bellinger urged citizens to become aware ofthe impacts of breast cancer and to take action for  mortality rates over the last decade. fight against breast cancer. early diagnosis and prevention. CONSENTCALENDAR  These items are consideredi routine ini nature and are acted upon by a single action unless requested by an  individual Council. Member or member of the public for special consideration. 4. Approve the Minutes from the Meeting of September 16, 2024  5. Approve the Register of Demands for October 7, 2024, in the amount of$ $1,267,499.72. 6. Consider Approving Resolution No. 44-24 Approving a Cooperative Agreement with the City of Stockton, the Contract Administrator of the San Joaquin County Library System for San Joaquin County, for thel Purposes of Managing Contractor Repairs to the Escalon  Library, which is to be Funded by San Joaquin County  7. Consider Final Acceptance of the Escalon Phase 2 McHenry Sewer Pipeline Improvement Project and Authorize the Interim City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion Mayor Bellinger introduced the consent calendar, which includes routine items acted upon by a single Councilmember Strohman requested toj pull item five from the consent calendar fori further discussion. MOTION -] Iti is moved/seconded by HAGEN/ENGLE that items 4, 6, and 7 of the consent calendar Councilmember Stroman asked for clarification regarding check number 081406 as the treatment Interim City Manager French explained the ongoing compliance efforts and strategy for the sewage Interim City Manager French discussed coordination with Blackwater on revised designs and strategy Councilmember Stroman requested that the finance director highlight invoices related to Ardurra or FDHRA Celinda Bickner agreed to ensure invoices are included with the next register demands.  action.  be approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 50-24  plan was thought to be on hold.  treatment plan, addressing Councilman Stroman's concerns.  to reduce project costs below $40 million. Blackwater before they come before the council.    MINUTES Escalon City Council October 7,2024 Page 3of6  MOTION - Itis moved/seconded by STROHMANHAGEN that item 5 of the consent calendar be PWSM Juston Collins presented the completed Phase Two sewer line project and briefly overviewed the entire project, including the completed Phase One and the upcoming Phase Three, which consists  approved as presented. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 51-24  ofinstalling 4450 feet of24-inch PVC pipe.  Councilmember Strohman asked about the timeline for starting Phase Three.  Interim City Manager French explained that the City needs time to evaluate financial impacts oft the project on the Sewer Enterprise Fund, as well as other factors such as minimizing roadway impacts, PWSM. Juston Collins confirmed that the current pipe will remain in use until the new line isi installed.  thel health ofthe existing line, and others.  STAFF COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES 8. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 First Quarter Budget Update  FDHRA Celinda Bickner presented a first-quarter budget update, comparing first quarter figures with the previous year. She noted ani increase of$10,000 in revenue and a significant decrease in expenses,  with a detailed breakdown of budget targets and actual figures.  Mayor Bellinger asked about discrepancies in current service charges and other revenues, FDHRA Celinda Bickner explained the timing and allocation of these funds. meeting. She noted the goal to move to: monthly expense reporting by 2026.  FDHRA Celinda Bickner confirmed that more detailed information would be provided at the next Mayor Pro Tem Hagan inquired about the progress ofr reworking the City's investment's portfolio. FDHRA Celinda Bickner reported that the system is working well, with about $15,000 earned every Councilmember Strohman requested that the budget and audit be made easily accessible on the City's website. FDHRA Celinda Bickner confirmed that the budget presentations will be added to the Interim City Manager French indicated that thei new budget quarterly reports were intendedi tol bel living documents to be adjusted as needed based on the information desired to better suit the needs of all  35 days through efficient banking software use.  "agendas" page and can be linked from the city's website.  stakeholders, and therefore encouraged council feedback.  9. Dent Elementary School Area Sidewalk Installation Project Presentation    MINUTES Escalon City Council October 7,2024 Page 4 of6  PWSM Juston Collins presented the proposed Dent Elementary School sidewalk project, aimed at improving pedestrian safety. He described the project details, including the installation of new ADA curb ramps and crosswalks and explained the coordination with homeowners regarding landscaping Councilmember Engle raised concerns about liability and matching driveway heights, which PWSM Councilmember Strohman questioned the timing of bidding the project and the potential benefits of waiting. Interim City Manager French indicated that the City seeks to maximize their potential to manage all city projects and will continue to evaluate the best timing forj project bid. City Attorney Frank Splendorio explained that the contractor is responsible for any risks for public Councilmember Strohman inquired about coordination with PG&E regarding utility poles in the PWSM Juston Collins confirmed that no relocation ofutility poles is needed and that the project will  and tree removal.  Juston Collins addressed.  projects until the City officially accepts the project as complete.  project path.  be designed to avoid them.  MATTERS PRESENTED FROM THE AUDIENCE  The public may address the City Council on any item that is on the Agenda at the time the item is called. The public may also address the City Council on any item not on the Agenda that is within the subject matter of the City of Escalon. Each. speaker is limited to ai maximum offive (5) minutes. Unused time may not be yieldedto another speaker. You may. state your name and address for the record; however, iti is not required. Due to state law, action will not be taken on an item that is not on the Agenda and exceptfor briefresponses, the Councilis prohibited from discussing any item not on the agenda. Ifit requires action, it will be referred to staff and/or placed on aj future Agenda. The determination ofwhether an item is within the subject matter ofthe City is a Escalon resident thanked FDHRA Celinda Bickner for the financial report and inquired about the Interim City Manager French indicated that the City Council would consider the proposed Baseball/Softball concept at their next regularly scheduled meeting, and that if this concept was not  discretionary decision made by the Mayor.  recreation program and baseball/softball for youth.  approved, that the City's existing program would continue.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS  10.. Accept the Annual Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2022-2023  Mayor Bellinger opened the floor for public comments, but there were no comments.    MINUTES Escalon City Council October 7,2024 Page 5of6  FDHRA Celinda Bickner acknowledged that the audit process took an unusually long time. Councilmember Walker thanked her for her efforts and asked ift the report noted any major issues or Interim City Manager French mentioned that the audit report for the fiscal year 2022-2023 is complete, and the City has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find a new auditor for the Councilmember Walker inquired whether there had been any responses to the Request for Proposals Interim City Manager French explained that the goal is to hire an auditor as quickly as possible since MOTION - Iti isi moved/seconded by HAGENSTROHMAN to accept the annual audit report for 11. Consider Employment Agreement between the City and. Jaylen French for the position of City Attorney Frank Splendorio introduced the employment agreement between the city and Jaylen City Attorney Frank Splendorio highlighted Mr. French's performance as interim city manager and Mayor Bellinger highlighted that the council unanimously supported Mr. French for the position,  delays.  2023-2024 audit.  (RFP) for ai new auditor. FDHRA Celinda Bickner responded yes. all the 2023-2024 audit information and data are already available. fiscal year 2022-2023. Motion carried (5-0) MINUTE ORDER 52-24  City Manager.  French for the city manager position. the benefits of the proposed contract. emphasizing their complete backing.  Mayor Pro Tem Hagan expressed strong appreciation for Mr. French.  Councilmember Strohman expressed appreciation for Mr. French's communication skills tol keep the Councilmember Walker also expressed appreciation for Mr. French, highlighting the significant improvement in communication between staffa and the council since his arrival. MOTION - It is moved/seconded by STROHMAM/AIKER to consider employment agreement between the City and Jaylen French for the position of City Manager. Motion carried (5-0)  council and city departments well-informed.  MINUTE ORDER 53-24  COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS  Councilmember Strohman thanked the council for considering the Breast Cancer Awareness proclamation and explained his vote against sunsetting the American Red Cross agreement.    MINUTES Escalon City Council October 7,2024 Page 6 of6  Councilmember Walker praised the performance oft thei new City team and emphasized thei importance Councilmember Engle expressed the importance of a council candidates' forum for the upcoming City Attorney Frank Splendorio advised that any cityi involvement in the forum must be even-handed  ofvoting in elections.  election and asked stafft tol look into the potential of one being held.  and unbiased. ADJOURNMENT  Mayor Bellinger adjourned the meeting at 8:21 pm.  Jaylen FrenphCity Manager  E