[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"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","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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",6178080,"mediaKeyId","5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3","parentId",5329018,"title","Residents urge council to back local officers, oppose contracting with county; council urges direct contact over social media","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3037000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3&start=3037&end=3037","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3/thumbnail_3037000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6178080/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Residents-urge-council-to-back-local-officers-oppose-contracting-with-county-council-urges-direct-contact-over-social-media","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178080-52a9ceed560a79bc83eb8226b8487ef1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773649960&Signature=XljFfZzASAso4YyI~sgWOdr86dc3Q0MIdof8w1t7sUjR1rHF9lw15hDQqkBQZDAbnVIr8AHD~us7kdQgJ3sUt4o1VWUMYzHp-jzdI6KtwQM0FQLaRHhZ1hCfQsO6GlG~tM6rnO1bFupKhQdbk9NgkyxEjc8wtvBTuwAV8sv9fmAgoFkc01cO~bWX4Uc4PsJBvJKcwrbkRUDEpqgranM0CsYZo3u5eDJcFRqdLC5v8awmDFFac8YkWAVJbqEWG-nr08krEsSX1CvbXMr3bf0yh5n3guO0m8hUdZNm2EfwpR7qtKVv0wJZ1C4lwEoFE830iqXNgz5Y19fN-XrqEM~PTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Escalon CA","date","2025-07-08T16:19:10Z","article","Multiple residents used the public-comment period to urge the Escalon City Council to support the local police force and to resist proposals to contract police services to the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office.

Resident Shayla Fowler said many citizens value the department’s community ties and urged the council to negotiate a fair contract rather than consider contracting with the sheriff. Another resident, Richard Gouvea, said contracting with the sheriff would be “absurd” and warned of political consequences if councilors do not support the department. Public commenter Cody Fowler also criticized the timing of bringing in outside contractors while officers were working without an active contract.

Separately, the police chief and officers reported recent investigative arrests and recovery of stolen property, including a laundromat burglary and a vehicle burglary at Waffle Factory. Chief and staff praised Officer Gunter and Officer Gek for case work that led to arrests and recovery of property; Sergeant Viera and other first responders were commended for handling an evacuation during a July 4th incident.

Council members responded to public comment by urging residents to contact councilors directly with questions, noting that social media can spread misinformation. Several councilors reiterated support for the department and thanked officers and firefighters for their recent work. No formal action on police contracts was taken at the meeting; councilors said contract negotiations and staffing issues remain under discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Escalon Regular City Council Meeting, July 7, 2025 7:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters urged the council to negotiate a fair contract with the Escalon police officers and not to contract policing to the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office; the council praised officers for recent arrests and emergency response and asked residents to contact council members directly rather than rely on social media.","taxTitle","Escalon City, San Joaquin County, California","taxId",71475,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":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},6178085,"Escalon council adopts policy allowing fee waivers or reductions for local public agencies",257,6623000,6880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3&start=6623&end=6880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3/thumbnail_6623000.jpg","/articles/6178085/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Escalon-council-adopts-policy-allowing-fee-waivers-or-reductions-for-local-public-agencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178085-08d3c8a5dd0298d6d55d155f4f2bdbe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773649960&Signature=fIPT~8NfITiCmXUKA2zUBC9zlERg0JQ4f6Mi03M0p6ntrmEmt~ybb4dIx-uBhCZlLSya9eBew6LTmtSQpFubSnvxMnp2YQNzLjgltVUVxy8ox24L5dy3M9tgCJ6lihgOooK4xw6tP1dNO3BU3er7L0G026N3C3k1DlGalktNQDo3mV~RH-lQ3v46Qd8z~uaJYgErAjgdbQ~qnQDic8~fJir11vH49VDvEB8bcKM00ZEO7qptOSml5qTOGOLZRdjz0mBKseXmaYzy5nW92Ug0SYTTd0sbm~QhsuNwEDtob9xoMaotuOEeJ3TE60-8qxf1m2BhEuD8NGqV6K1k5Vw3-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escalon City Council adopted a user-fee waiver policy to permit reductions or full waivers of certain city fees for local government and public-service partners, and authorized administrative procedures for processing and oversight.

The policy, revised per council direction, extends eligibility to Escalon Unified School District, the Escalon Fire District and Escalon Community Ambulance in addition to other local governments. It allows staff to recommend waivers or reductions but includes caps on the total amount that may be waived and a requirement that the city manager follow the council’s guidance when approving waivers.

Council direction at the meeting clarified that the city manager will exercise approval authority consistent with council policy and subject to any limits the council establishes; council members discussed the importance of balancing intergovernmental cooperation with fiscal responsibility and transparency. The council approved the resolution by unanimous voice vote.

Staff said the policy grew from an earlier council discussion and an internal review of interagency partnerships that identified scenarios in which reciprocal or partner fee reductions could further shared objectives. The adopted policy requires agencies to request waivers ahead of fee payment so staff can assemble recommended action and (where required) bring items to council for deliberation.","The city adopted a user-fee waiver policy to allow full or partial waivers for government and public-service agencies (including Escalon Unified School District, Escalon Fire District and Escalon Community Ambulance); the policy includes council oversight and a cap on total waived fees.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":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},6178090,"Council moves annual Landscaping and Lighting District assessments to public hearing after debate over $14,840 legal bill",4225,2477000,6702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3&start=2477&end=6702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3/thumbnail_2477000.jpg","/articles/6178090/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Council-moves-annual-Landscaping-and-Lighting-District-assessments-to-public-hearing-after-debate-over-14840-legal-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178090-6d75352c119f48216529898a2ac2036e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773649960&Signature=U5DX28OYIxcBjENfRugoIXLJb1qVKfR6GnRiwd1ynnglO4f39qycsxUwq~sL5lU20a~-Rc7VJP~R22Boy40YAtlGo0~2QLkrvnvElTzFJyLUiSegaCWgy6b5AZBDdflRuwmru3lNYGBijnV6IQ73ozeosAw679Xv3YlEl02wJIqnQ0-WTZh7gRY1xjG4jz7VBV8u2NRgkAANEkMJa50OJveMibgs8nG0mtMYoQq-FrUVuSOZJChiSi9VQ55ARzP~BLYFtJey4wz37InshlmUNwv9fKHoFNDS3y04tVb-fHsZQ0~u3G6hrfmG-SEE5EawhtPPh-ErIeYzwvSh2cVVQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escalon City Council opened the annual introduction for five Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts (LLMDs), reviewed updated engineer reports prepared by Harris & Associates and voted to move the item to a public hearing on July 21 for formal adoption.

Staff explained the reports were revised to correct verbiage and update actuals; the changes prompted legal review and $14,840 in legal fees, billed at $380 per hour, which staff said were incurred to resolve procedural and noticing questions and to ensure the reports complied with applicable law. The legal fees were allocated across the LLMDs in the engineer's report.

Council members and multiple residents challenged whether those legal costs should be borne by LLMD property owners, with several urging the city to pursue reimbursement or cost responsibility from Harris & Associates for what speakers called an inadequate initial report. Council discussion included proposals to consider splitting costs, to bill proportionally by each district’s budget, or to seek alternative funding so residents with small LLMD balances would not bear the entire cost.

Staff said the fees included review of noticing and procedural steps required for the assessments and that the city previously allowed lapses in some collections, which reduced fund balances. Staff provided figures: the “new” proposed assessments total about $187,000 (an increase of roughly $15,645 over current levels) and staff noted Sunrise LLMD had just $1,366 cash on hand and that Bellaterra’s replacement fund was lower than target levels. Council members flagged that certain projected capital replacement figures (for masonry walls and fences) appear large and differ from some members’ expectations about likely maintenance needs.

Public speakers and council members requested more detailed invoices and that Harris & Associates or its contract terms be reviewed to determine responsibility for errors. Several council members asked staff to pursue whether other funds could absorb the onetime legal charge or whether the allocation could be spread differently; others noted legal constraints and the principle that LLMD-related costs are typically borne by the district. Staff said detailed invoices for the legal charges are available and that the item will return for adoption at the July 21 meeting.

By voice vote the council approved a motion to proceed to the July public hearing (vote recorded as 3-2). The July hearing will include the finalized engineers reports, a detailed budget and the council’s formal vote on assessment levels.","City staff presented updated engineer reports for five LLMDs and disclosed $14,840 in legal fees related to report revisions; council moved the matter to a July public hearing after residents and some council members questioned whether consultants should bear cleanup costs and how assessments should be apportioned.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6178094,"Escalon council approves up to $30,000 for on-call code enforcement from Measure P funds",682,548000,1230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3&start=548&end=1230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329018-ec6b1d7fbd5c38b354880e29315483c3/thumbnail_548000.jpg","/articles/6178094/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Escalon-council-approves-up-to-30000-for-on-call-code-enforcement-from-Measure-P-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178094-717efa58f05b0dbea4b5d0b4f5d752c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773649960&Signature=S3et8WWt-w5WmEgpX5~H3-CUdotXJs5tMRmBmV-aMt4EwOOHJl1bT6bkButc0tWJ85S4rVuWhLHzVIneerMt~PaDXFJE9gWBmhJrNGSh4PnHRFPoQvSDZODaP7wNp4CP7rmcWaeOOtxGBTh-YtRBFlBACibGloEUgebNMDiSssttFHmR2eoOVR4LLUA1mnRlJjyD8852U0UTeQE-Lkch0Kq1~chsxAXMWBDO3nHgMLVMyYb8l9ksUC4sI08WfPhNR-aqgFF9wsJ8JkvHdRBvoOw8ywyhopo9ayn6pqfIs8OxYX2Ik2YAWT~nypwCfT-xqO29e12lKgj9YUVNi1N1sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escalon City Council voted 3-2 to retain an on-call code enforcement contractor, CSG, under a contract not to exceed $30,000, with the money coming primarily from Measure P funds.

City staff described the contract as a flexible, on-call service to address major corridor aesthetic and health-and-safety problems along Highway 120 and McHenry Avenue; the position would not be a full-time city employee and would be used primarily for complaint-driven, high-priority cases.

Council member discussion focused on timing and oversight. Council member Alves and others urged waiting until the Measure P advisory committee is fully formed before spending significant Measure P dollars; staff said the committee currently has three applicants against a council direction to appoint five and that staff intends to re-open recruitment and schedule interviews in September or October. Supporters of the contract said the service would free up city public works and police resources and address recurring problems such as overgrown weeds and blighted properties.

Public comment included opposition from resident Cody Fowler, who said the city should resolve expired contracts for existing officers before contracting with an outside Sacramento firm for code enforcement. Staff replied that the contract is complaint-driven and that the $30,000 is a not-to-exceed amount; if only $10,000 is used, the city will not expend more.

The motion to approve the consent calendar item covering the CSG contract passed by voice vote with three ayes and two nays. The council approved the contract as included in the consent calendar and directed staff to return to council with any additional details requested by members before full implementation.

Council clarified intended scope: the contractor will work complaint-driven and likely be in town a scheduled day (for example, half a day per week) but will not be used proactively except for major issues. Staff said the city’s newly adopted budget already includes Measure P receipts and that the administrative process for the Measure P committee remains in progress.

The council did not adopt additional directions tying disbursement to a completed Measure P advisory recommendation; several council members said they would prefer the committee be seated first but ultimately voted to allow staff to proceed under the established not-to-exceed limit.","The Escalon City Council voted 3-2 to retain on-call code enforcement services from CSG with a not-to-exceed contract of $30,000, to be drawn primarily from Measure P funds; councilors debated timing, oversight and whether the Measure P advisory committee should be seated before spending begins.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to back local officers, oppose contracting with county; council urges direct contact over social media

Escalon council adopts policy allowing fee waivers or reductions for local public agencies

Council moves annual Landscaping and Lighting District assessments to public hearing after debate over $14,840 legal bill

Escalon council approves up to $30,000 for on-call code enforcement from Measure P funds