[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6158799,"mediaKeyId","5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2","parentId",5457368,"title","Council fills vacancy on Economic Development Committee; appoints local applicant","audioSeconds",135,"startMs",10541000,"endMs",10676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2&start=10541&end=10676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2/thumbnail_10541000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6158799/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Council-fills-vacancy-on-Economic-Development-Committee-appoints-local-applicant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158799-ab5c06931084520ccb633d906648a560/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195523&Signature=TyBPKpEa9M6j04sCpNE-NYHDLhlgGj5Gpg~fD-MR~GC51ePe6c2iNIuw21Yfsw7q5ktAmbT5ycRZ0WYzBxR8WgHTor0joFaAdI1hBxQ4gWnZ7yRRR0mbN6E88z0218we6AOWAkDpEU9wJwrB9PnDR0zYIoAh7dlwrkDv6~TB002aL1qX~xBEhDW5GpJ979dct7VhOnTOqDIaUQVdrRonwZjrU07OMea~Mjkoo7yoFGUzPOejOT7VbfQ1n2YuHgASVHOrFKXpx4-ZAqP9lkf9GbeViGrUBGie0m80U0pi36dPLHehALVllcM3-r891MaKUhYFMixIVWrZEuUAiuoe-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Escalon CA","date","2025-07-24T03:40:52.24Z","article","Escalon — The City Council on July 21 appointed an applicant to the Economic Development Committee to fill one remaining citizen seat on the five-member advisory body.

Background: The Economic Development Committee is a council-formed advisory panel tied to the city’s strategic plan; it comprises two council liaisons and three community members. Earlier in the process the council received five initial applications; two applicants withdrew, two community members were appointed and one seat remained open.

Action: City staff reopened the application period and received one additional applicant. Given the one-for-one vacancy, the council voted to appoint the applicant directly. Council members who participated in the earlier interview process expressed support for the new appointee’s credentials and recommended appointment.

Why it matters: The committee will advise the council and staff on economic-development priorities, outreach to the business community and implementation of items in the strategic plan. The appointee will join council liaisons and other community members to begin work on a committee work plan.

Next steps: Staff said the committee will begin meeting under existing council-adopted committee procedures and that a work plan will be developed and presented to the council for direction.

Ending: The council approved the appointment and will onboard the new member to start committee meetings later this summer.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Escalon Regular City Council Meeting, July 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The council appointed a local applicant to fill a vacancy on the newly formed Economic Development Committee; council approved the appointment after staff recommended direct selection because there was one applicant for one seat.","taxTitle","Escalon City, San Joaquin County, California","taxId",71475,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6158804,"Council establishes three-member Measure P committee and sets interviews",9042,1418000,10460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2&start=1418&end=10460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2/thumbnail_1418000.jpg","/articles/6158804/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Council-establishes-three-member-Measure-P-committee-and-sets-interviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158804-c308055c3bbdd1459cd5e1ea5ec27b77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195523&Signature=ST8UBOlS7~lEYDiyEU4gE42qUqQXm9Eo9lgfbUtBX1fFixigiOlNlkeU7eTu4sf5EpvBz7fLSX-UnoPDkzKxnkyaRozLTadZnbUEA3iGFME8E74BKXYnzAzm7DFLGbCMkbHwPrAKE2QHm-Iq3pHw3Dg1zCs9yScGUbV20yCa5P1QRo1dk8ji5Js74EDGkdi6XJVFB8JvrTESl~jC15ceszh4j~X5tAiecQ74kVoSho-HtnUD2UGNONXm-dngoDj4KPtFvgyy6qvLkwuRZl8coDFj2JQyuws-IUNi2DNYrno3Man248~wbLpu8sQjoO8MW-BgCqOxS9v7sMdxfJKn7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Escalon — Citing resident concern that Measure P funds were being allocated without sufficient community input, the City Council on July 21 directed staff to form a three-member advisory panel to review Measure P expenditures and to conduct interviews for applicants at the Aug. 4 council meeting.

Background and rationale: Measure P is a local revenue measure the council approved to support public-safety and related community programs. Several residents told the council they declined to apply for the Measure P committee because they believed funds were already being committed without advisory input. Council members said the purpose of the committee is to gather broad public input and advise the council on spending priorities; the committee is advisory only and does not have final decision authority.

Motion and action: The council vote reduced the committee size from five to three to “seed” the committee quickly and begin outreach; council members said the smaller initial panel could be expanded later. Council directed staff to revise the committee policy to reflect a three-member citizen committee, schedule applicant interviews for Aug. 4 and return with a formal policy document.

Why it matters: Residents expressed distrust after learning some Measure P allocations were already under way; council members said the advisory committee will increase transparency and provide a vehicle for residents to collect and present community input before the council makes final spending decisions.

Next steps: Staff will bring a revised committee policy back to council, conduct interviews on Aug. 4 and begin outreach work for public meetings and presentations. Councilmembers emphasized the committee should solicit diverse input across neighborhoods and age groups.

Ending: The council approved the three-member panel and scheduled interviews to fill the seats at the Aug. 4 meeting.","After low initial applicant interest and resident complaints about transparency, the council reduced the Measure P citizen advisory committee from five to three members and scheduled interviews for Aug. 4 to accelerate public input on how the Measure P funds will be spent.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6158807,"Council authorizes $30,000 in Measure K funds for school-area pedestrian and bike safety",163,433000,596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2&start=433&end=596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2/thumbnail_433000.jpg","/articles/6158807/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Council-authorizes-30000-in-Measure-K-funds-for-school-area-pedestrian-and-bike-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158807-73ef0da8f45e4395e38d6551c8baca2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195523&Signature=awsTemljBt31yCuFdUwnnDvM~X64A3VCFqcbsfeMX4xvfqyIafWZm~sxpGTUKqeIxN7OuF4mKcCBy5YVONwkF3v7eGhZp0mCpM5bEjqOjxOeYh4nxiGe1ue8S-NUYLw1Qo8-kVVQKYN7t3FNbwbCB9GMPh-EjzqUJTEvXjG9dNXoF~8DRntVUJAi96mIsamiWFOQ2KZu3liE0641siKxZlPlWeHayfbcvEWLUhbAmJ-QN2PjrHn9PtTXY5M1CRoiHIFdF0LthrgGLJ86uN-t8W5tzEhR5~~JYJF-CqqkPEhK2U~Q-woG6ByQBqVkrhTx5FP897seV4HsieOJZjmmqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Escalon — The City Council approved authorization to submit a claim and execute paperwork to use roughly $30,000 in Measure K transportation sales-tax funds for local bicycle and pedestrian capital improvements, staff said during the July 21 meeting.

Officials said the Measure K allocation under discussion is a noncompetitive portion of the voter-approved transportation sales tax that does not require interjurisdictional competition. Staff told the council the city intends to direct the funds to pedestrian-safety improvements near school sites and that the planned work is part of a larger project; the $30,000 will be applied as a contribution toward that project.

Council member Gabriela (first name used in meeting) asked whether the funds were the same pot used for the Dent sidewalk project; staff replied that Measure K was used in part for Dent but said the current money is a different portion of Measure K dollars. Residents asked whether the money could be used to add another marked crosswalk between El Portale and McHenry on First Street; staff said an additional crosswalk on First Street is one of the projects under consideration.

Why it matters: The Measure K funds are dedicated to transportation safety projects by voter approval, and the noncompetitive allocation gives the city a direct funding source for a short-term, school-area safety project. The council’s action authorizes staff to submit the claim paperwork and apply the funding to the identified capital-improvement project.

Next steps: Staff will submit required claim documents and apply the $30,000 toward the identified project; the city will provide more detailed project scope and schedule in later staff reports.

Ending: The council approved the authorization and will return with project scheduling and more detail on scope and locations of pedestrian improvements.","The council approved using a noncompetitive portion of Measure K transportation sales-tax money — about $30,000 — toward pedestrian-safety improvements near school sites, including a potential crosswalk on First Street.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6158813,"Escalon council and police discuss retention, FTO and signing-bonus structures",604,614000,1218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2&start=614&end=1218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2/thumbnail_614000.jpg","/articles/6158813/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Escalon-council-and-police-discuss-retention-FTO-and-signing-bonus-structures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158813-502fe2ee35682d0a7bb8eb1891a17080/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195523&Signature=Fc63fLGXJPDzcIVQV3uroIqolBTLGZ9xWnOgUCDVaW9cXiZ74P1-dEeUp82ZU-THaTnuMuhKZN-XaTX4YZJAyPGy5WNoioSJ6pKhzWs5w~XrkWE0YWC-4~JTpfC786n-QE3NerXtdlI-lnMM17dqIqjljsRfr~U69pxnFI--COCYp3bFtLtZkp0vzC3KVK7kf-Wf62nBVcHJmTh3PEYIUAOxQLJvdcry2wWiuXUul81sKsidNOKxfyR1~jcG4HaE1WaPSRYzA1xRrwvhDQYv4VxToaC59bEHi9bX~OS9zwGnQplYt3KqjhIA4DtZW99qtTtCa~T7GE3~KmN9QBuOvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Escalon — City councilors and police officials discussed recent officer departures, recruitment and retention strategies at the July 21 council meeting, with staff describing staggered signing bonuses and noting limits on the city’s ability to prevent officers from leaving for other agencies.

During staff communications the police chief reported that Officer Jamells accepted a position in Concord with a last day of Aug. 3 and the department has opened recruitment; the chief said six qualified applicants had applied and interviews were planned for late next month. The chief also reported that all full-time officers are radar-certified following an officer’s completion of training.

Retention and contracts: A resident asked whether the new police contracts could be made public; staff said the council would ratify agreements with three bargaining groups at an upcoming meeting and that the council could not post final contracts until ratification. The chief and council discussed common retention tools: staggered signing bonuses tied to milestones (completion of field training officer program, completion of probation, and annual retention payments). The chief said such bonuses are used elsewhere in the state and can be structured so the money vests over time to encourage retention; he also said the city cannot force employees to remain beyond what the contract requires.

Field training and lateral hires: Council members noted the local pattern where officers complete a year to 18 months, then become lateral candidates for larger agencies where they can skip basic training. The chief explained that FTO (field training officer) programs typically take 12–16 weeks and that at the 18-month mark officers achieve a post-basic certificate that makes lateral movement easier. The chief said the city’s smaller size and lack of specialty units (SWAT, K-9) are drivers of outward mobility for ambitious officers.

Council and staff comments: Council Member Engle said the department had done “a fantastic job” and raised confidentiality concerns about identifying witnesses in police reports. Council Member Kaye asked whether contracts could require a period of service after training; the chief described signing-bonus structures as an alternative approach to compel retention through financial incentive rather than contractual noncompete.

Next steps: The council will consider ratification of bargaining-group contracts at an upcoming meeting; staff said they will proceed with recruitment and interviews for the open officer position and examine retention structures used in similar jurisdictions.

Ending: City staff advised residents they would post contract details after council ratification and proceed with recruitment to fill the open officer vacancy.","Council and police staff discussed officer turnover, recruitment numbers and contract ratification; staff described staggered signing bonuses and limits on forcing employees to stay.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6158817,"Escalon council approves four neighborhood assessments, tables disputed Bellaterra vote",7179,1948000,9127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2&start=1948&end=9127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457368-4606b6552b217682b6908b7db89e0dc2/thumbnail_1948000.jpg","/articles/6158817/Escalon-City/San-Joaquin-County/California/Escalon-council-approves-four-neighborhood-assessments-tables-disputed-Bellaterra-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158817-f79793b4ad44b997483b628353469590/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195523&Signature=XYXgWS1Kzdo83OcTe9uU1HlD3ZeixAjQbS4qcaET1BH7GZu9Mwr872cMeG~GYEd1~5WRumOsw~b4ilmroTY0uVw5I7NdY2W7n-Zrv7qW3K523yKOF5imX28CD8McwvvnLN6WI64epIiyMp~D~C3lJb9~abq8Ykm69k4GlJK0AjpKRYcB~gNNfLnj8B9PNfc9UZcHbYx8v6FDPpXNFxyhiZb~L~OK~FXbUFnXL2CVsQVhPqp4LKKMQFtIRgdgxJfUNYx7dOs65Ta5crucLkY6ieciluSApOuVjWTyO~ekE4F~IjozV1uKqxbJbZcqdDzGUJ0bdw5Qup5g2-neHL4cug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Escalon — The City Council on July 21 voted to adopt annual assessments for four of the city’s five landscape and lighting districts but continued the Bellaterra Estates hearing to Aug. 4 after residents and council members pressed for more clarity about what the assessment pays for and how capital-replacement charges were added.

The assessments fund neighborhood landscaping, street lights, walls, parks and related upkeep. At the meeting the council approved the engineer’s reports and levies for Sunrise, Westwood, Estates (other parcels) and the benefit assessment district. The council did not finalize Bellaterra after a 2–2 split on a motion to set a reduced Bellaterra assessment; council later voted 3–1 to continue the Bellaterra hearing to the Aug. 4 regular meeting so staff can provide additional information.

Why it matters: Bellaterra residents said they have paid assessments for years but see limited contractor work on large items — notably tree pruning — and want itemized spending and clearer rules on what is “special benefit” (assessable) versus “general benefit” (city-funded). The issue implicates Proposition 218 rules and longstanding practice under California’s landscaping and lighting law.

Council and staff said the annual engineer’s reports allocate direct operations (mowing, irrigation, utilities) and amortized replacement costs (walls, playground equipment, major tree pruning). Rick Clark of Harris & Associates told the council the firm removed several items from the special-benefit list because they are general benefits and with recent case law engineers have tightened those lists to avoid legal challenge. Rich Wall, an attorney with Best Best & Krieger, said the services lists in the engineer’s reports (page 101 of the agenda packet) are the actual services funded by assessments and that property owners received notice of the districts when they purchased their homes.

Residents urged the council to be more transparent about spending. Peggy Payan, who lives in Bellaterra and said she has lived in the neighborhood since construction, told the council: “I’ve only seen them come out and trim my trees once… I pay taxpayer money. I always pay my taxes… but I don’t see it in my neighborhood like I should.” Natalie Gallegos, also a Bellaterra resident, asked why changes to benefit language were not noticed earlier and said the community should have been given a voice.

Public-works staff and councilors discussed tree pruning as the most immediate maintenance need. Public Works staff said the district has many street trees and that a comprehensive contractor pruning would likely cost in the range of $25,000–$30,000; staff said they have three contractor estimates “ready to pull the trigger.” Staff also said the district has historically been maintained at levels that deferred large contractor pruning until the trees matured.

Council direction and next steps: The council adopted the engineer’s reports and levies for four districts as presented; it left Bellaterra open so staff can return with a clearer, itemized accounting and more detail on the proposed capital amortization and the tree-trimming estimates. Harris & Associates and the city advised the council that the county needs finalized assessment numbers by Aug. 10 to meet the tax-roll deadline; the city and consultant said Aug. 4 provides one additional meeting date to finalize Bellaterra before that deadline.

What was decided tonight: The council approved assessments for four districts and continued Bellaterra to Aug. 4. Staff was directed to provide a more detailed, itemized list of Bellaterra expenditures and to check specific resident complaints (lighting at Noni and Riesling, pedestrian crossings reported as inoperable). The consultant warned the council that missing the August 10 county deadline could jeopardize inclusion of assessments on the tax roll.

A note about terminology: The city and consultants repeatedly distinguished “direct costs” (utilities, mowing, contractor services) from “replacement/amortized costs” (walls, playground equipment, major pruning) and emphasized that the annual engineer’s report is the basis for the assessment each year; formation documents and any Proposition 218 maximum remain the underlying legal framework.

— Evidence from the council meeting: consultant remarks and resident testimony were recorded in the transcript; the council continued Bellaterra to the Aug. 4 meeting.

Ending: The council left the questioned Bellaterra assessment unresolved and gave staff and consultants until Aug. 4 to return with detailed line-item records and contractor estimates before the city must finalize numbers for the county tax roll.","The Escalon City Council approved annual landscape-and-lighting assessments for four districts but continued a contested decision on the Bellaterra Estates district after residents raised concerns about tree trimming, special-benefit language and transparency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council fills vacancy on Economic Development Committee; appoints local applicant

Council establishes three-member Measure P committee and sets interviews

Council authorizes $30,000 in Measure K funds for school-area pedestrian and bike safety

Escalon council and police discuss retention, FTO and signing-bonus structures

Escalon council approves four neighborhood assessments, tables disputed Bellaterra vote