[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6662782,"mediaKeyId","2392286-c886d0ab7b0fe937d59816b1a112ee10","parentId",2392286,"title","Residents urge action on flooding, sidewalks and blight; advocates seek strategic planning input and tech training","audioSeconds",789,"startMs",1574000,"endMs",2363000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392286-c886d0ab7b0fe937d59816b1a112ee10&start=1574&end=2363","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392286-c886d0ab7b0fe937d59816b1a112ee10/thumbnail_1574000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6662782/Modesto-City/Stanislaus-County/California/Residents-urge-action-on-flooding-sidewalks-and-blight-advocates-seek-strategic-planning-input-and-tech-training","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662782-2029be37d971ec61b9a4ea571792ad47/orig.mp4?Expires=1770052116&Signature=dhlxLeiGiOlCHlZmVE5ew6zxFnc~XISWSs5VbZUaaun2stDxLmmpPIayzPnLn3yPkI5dBB~n60pP~O6qYS4gh5fpbQ6NmjRyd401oyqDiP5DijvBBL-lYZ0a3B1-2syPlCX2fk8n5AlJbYAcFfjawr8cBEHdrPzJanpt8yLdMVCwQVFmssym8CXLBBT2O75R-rqDlwZNXIJ8CEkMKaw-abEDLxjdPU8Y9STrlDUHm7z2NE5fOUvQw1S-ujcISSPmsjkbbov7bqrLZeevPD7e76-afKvWaba8AF1E~7-h01I8wzOtrZyqgw-LLlazNyY3vuNBriYFnfnP9gys5jEYng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Modesto","date","2025-02-26T02:51:47.75Z","article","Several residents and community representatives used the Feb. 25 public-comment period to press the council on neighborhood infrastructure and livability, to propose community engagement on the city’s strategic plan, and to promote local technology training and workforce development.

James Marble, who identified himself as formerly of Modesto and as secretary and president-elect of the McHenry Museum and Historical Society, addressed prior public criticism of the society. Marble acknowledged \"a failure of compliance with state regulation pertaining to annual filings\" and said the society has corrected the filings and is working with city officials to provide requested documentation. He said donations are used for general expenses unless a donor specifies a purpose; he also said executive director David Seymour co-authored a county history book and denied that Seymour authored a children’s book about the museum.

Realtor Jesse Wiggins said owners and landlords often lack referral partners to help with property repairs and code compliance; he said he has discussed a potential referral program with city staff to guide owners who may be elderly or unfamiliar with current requirements.

Danielle Morgart, representing the office of Assemblyman Juan Alaniz, provided a legislative update, noting the assemblyman authored and introduced 18 bills this session and co-authored additional bills; she encouraged constituents to contact the assemblyman’s office with questions.

Community organizer Juan Taez asked the city to partner on listening sessions as part of the strategic-planning process so residents can provide input; staff offered to exchange contact information following the remarks.

Resident Claudia Ponce urged action on flooding and a lack of sidewalks in parts of Southside Modesto and proposed city-supported cleanups and additional trash receptacles at bus stops. Another commenter raised concerns about graffiti near McHenry and Wood Colony and asked about a planned intersection upgrade that may include a roundabout.

Daisy Mayorga, representing a local tech-training initiative, urged the city to support workforce training in blockchain, AI and Web3 technologies, saying such programs could create pathways to high-paying jobs and help the region compete for investment.

Council members and staff responded to some individual requests by offering contact cards, noting upcoming housing-related meetings in the consolidated-plan process, and confirming that community workshops and online surveys for the five-year consolidated plan are available at ModestoGov.com.

The public-comment period did not produce any council votes or directives recorded as binding actions during the Feb. 25 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/25/2025 - City of Modesto Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Residents addressed the Modesto City Council Feb. 25 urging action on flooding, sidewalks, trash and community engagement in strategic planning; others urged city support for local tech-training programs.","taxTitle","Modesto City, Stanislaus County, California","taxId",3811,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6662787,"Modesto honored for National Night Out; council hears police summary of smoke-shop inspections and seizures",2132,701000,2833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392286-c886d0ab7b0fe937d59816b1a112ee10&start=701&end=2833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392286-c886d0ab7b0fe937d59816b1a112ee10/thumbnail_701000.jpg","/articles/6662787/Modesto-City/Stanislaus-County/California/Modesto-honored-for-National-Night-Out-council-hears-police-summary-of-smoke-shop-inspections-and-seizures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662787-21e8e41efaade1cc079d8e7afce23a10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770052116&Signature=No1onRwtyhAvjZToAZACr26fOcM-NIKD7Wa0BjsN79JW~-evPt-h6NIsiCQMbFLdA3K1kX3CwHpgo5Sekdm5VN7VTkbWcXn7l58g4QHaM-TF7PvPty-xBUCNOoqBzaILefrktWRtHg03aVWQq3ihiLaM1eueSrc6cAZK-Xle42PfxEG~x5pJItXMszHEqg9Te5SMOm15-tGQENVtuPsdH8HPNquRkb-WYDe~21-XzAYOyKTPD9iiicEXMT~Ah~rw0xLY2iTk1mVuslmMeVpf5MGGsoeJZe-tAvg0bmDQ2HJvmeE-jxoBq8PPZPx0U43uO0so37rDHUiZLpalPAJzTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Modesto’s police department received a national award for its 2024 National Night Out participation and the City Council heard a summary of recent multi-agency enforcement efforts against local smoke shops.

Lieutenant Michael Hammond of the Modesto Police Department presented a plaque from the National Association of Town Watch recognizing Modesto for outstanding participation in National Night Out 2024. Hammond said the city had 92 registered parties in 2024 and that Modesto placed first in California and sixth nationally for cities of its size. \"On behalf of Chief Brandon Gillespie and the Modesto Police Department, it is our honor to present this National Night Out Award to the city of Modesto,\" Hammond said.

Council members praised officers and community volunteers for organizing and participating in neighborhood events. Council Member Scudia Brayton, Council Member Wright and others described their experience attending National Night Out block events across the city.

In council comments, Vice Mayor Bavaro outlined a series of enforcement operations targeting smoke shops. Bavaro told the council that a January operation inspected 23 smoke-shop businesses and resulted in multiple citations; it seized over 1,500 pounds of flavored tobacco and cannabis products and more than 1,000 meth pipes displayed for sale. He also summarized prior operations involving the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and the district attorney’s office: an October 2024 week-long inspection of 43 businesses that resulted in 22 arrests and a March 2024 operation that led to eight arrests related to illegal firearms, banned flavored tobacco products and other violations.

Bavaro said the inspections found evidence that some smoke shops were operating as fronts for other illegal activity and described concerns about youth-targeted packaging. \"These smoke shops are in proximity of our schools and neighborhoods. Smoke shops bring zero social and economic value to our city,\" he said, adding that he looks forward to an upcoming smoke-shop ordinance when it returns to the council.

The council accepted the award and thanked police staff and community partners for National Night Out activities and for enforcement work that city leaders said aims to protect youth and public health.

No ordinance was introduced or voted on at the Feb. 25 meeting; Vice Mayor Bavaro said he anticipates reviewing an ordinance when it is prepared by staff and returns to the council.","Modesto Police presented a National Night Out award recognizing the city's 2024 participation; during the meeting Vice Mayor Bavaro summarized multi-agency smoke-shop inspections that produced seizures, citations and arrests over 2023–24.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6662790,"Modesto City Council approves consent calendar, accepts two Equity Commission resignations and continues billboard hearing to March 11",2383,1381000,3764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392286-c886d0ab7b0fe937d59816b1a112ee10&start=1381&end=3764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392286-c886d0ab7b0fe937d59816b1a112ee10/thumbnail_1381000.jpg","/articles/6662790/Modesto-City/Stanislaus-County/California/Modesto-City-Council-approves-consent-calendar-accepts-two-Equity-Commission-resignations-and-continues-billboard-hearing-to-March-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662790-5a46a20a4dbb8fc0ee7d0bf16993aa36/orig.mp4?Expires=1770052116&Signature=olfhq7priP5xtQZrX761kGogN4PUa75S5AwOlGjYhKW9RdakkNWPYc9hMgvYW~hSf8I5nMJ-X4SeOzDYr0hHJ30EOOBZ0d8wXzYpdodJ~jw1ohHVYWf2CFWaZZBsja4nMI9dYI~3dbQutFlzcQ8o~zg8gL4b8secP4PD1UMVfSSlXadY0dcSVWl1QiH0K4lonxH0u6wA8S4II-Uf8Lj6sS6TrtUTSCekvQeNKxxnxBSUZDc6wLwCILEzjKvwHC4pQOPHpsrqOe~4g1XidUpMepfYz0YF4Qf5dIlG~yHTVlKwD087EH9KV~cifDaSquAZXnGCM6M6GQnzrWPMV20~Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Modesto City Council on Feb. 25 voted unanimously to approve its consent calendar, accepted the resignations of two members of the city’s Equity Commission and continued a conditional-use hearing on a proposed digital freeway billboard to March 11, 2025.

The council approved the consent agenda 6-0. The consent calendar included approval of meeting minutes; direction to prepare and file multiple fiscal year engineers’ annual reports for the city’s landscape maintenance assessment districts; acceptance and final payments for multiple capital projects (Empire Yosemite Boulevard water-main crossing; park turf reduction phase 1; Sutter Trunk Rehabilitation phase 2); the monthly investment report for December 2024; grant application and award informational reports; audited financial statements for fiscal year 2023; purchasing agreements for transit motor parts and other procurement and staffing agreements; creation of a fund to track opioid settlement proceeds; and contracts for services ranging from management engagement to alarm services and standard operating procedure development.

A single motion to approve the consent calendar passed on a motion by Vice Mayor Bavaro and a second from Council Member Scudia Brayton. The city clerk recorded the roll call as six ayes; the motion carried 6-0.

Separately, the council adopted a resolution accepting the resignations of Austin Grant and Joelle Campos from the city’s Equity Commission. Council Member Williams moved the resolution; Council Member Wright seconded. The roll call vote was recorded as six ayes and the motion carried 6-0.

Near the end of the meeting the council voted to continue a conditional use permit and operating agreement application filed by OutFront Media to allow a digital freeway billboard on the east side of State Highway 99 south of Evergreen Avenue. Staff requested the continuance to March 11, 2025. The motion to continue was made by Council Member Wright, seconded by Council Member Williams, and carried 6-0.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution accepting resignations of Austin Grant and Joelle Campos from the Equity Commission — Motion: Williams; Second: Wright; Vote: 6-0; Outcome: approved; identifiers: resolution not specified.

- Consent calendar (Items 4–20 as listed on the agenda) — Motion: Vice Mayor Bavaro; Second: Scudia Brayton; Vote: 6-0; Outcome: approved. Notable consent items included: authorization of several engineers’ annual reports for assessment districts; acceptance and final payment authorizations for multiple completed public-works projects (total payments listed on agenda: $1,125,289; $345,092; $5,335,597 for specified projects); approval of purchasing/consulting/temporary staffing agreements with aggregate not-to-exceed amounts as presented on the agenda; creation of an opioid settlement tracking fund; and acceptance of audited financial statements for FY 2023. Where specific contract totals were provided on the agenda, those totals are reported as “not to exceed” amounts by staff.

- Continuance of conditional use permit/operating agreement for OutFront Media digital freeway billboard (2024 West Orangeburg Avenue) to March 11, 2025 — Motion: Wright; Second: Williams; Vote: 6-0; Outcome: continued.

The council did not provide ordinance or resolution numbers on the public record during the meeting for the listed consent items; where the agenda provided contract or payment amounts, the council voted to authorize those items as described on the agenda.

The meeting also included presentations and public comment on separate topics recorded elsewhere in the agenda.","The Modesto City Council voted 6-0 to approve a broad consent calendar covering contracts, capital project completions and reports, accepted two resignations from the Equity Commission, and continued a conditional-use hearing on a proposed digital freeway billboard to March 11, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents urge action on flooding, sidewalks and blight; advocates seek strategic planning input and tech training

Modesto honored for National Night Out; council hears police summary of smoke-shop inspections and seizures

Modesto City Council approves consent calendar, accepts two Equity Commission resignations and continues billboard hearing to March 11