[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",5980234,"mediaKeyId","5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49","parentId",5766656,"title","City engineering lays out four CMAQ project candidates for trails and sidewalk infill","audioSeconds",336,"startMs",5119000,"endMs",5455000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49&start=5119&end=5455","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49/thumbnail_5119000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980234/Livingston-City/Merced-County/California/City-engineering-lays-out-four-CMAQ-project-candidates-for-trails-and-sidewalk-infill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980234-96b8b4a76b4329abeb86e68e04e7935c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154736&Signature=k4~iAaLpDeQatR~4-FuKuw0vX2kXsPF6pQWvZnyHR9oWVoBAZ1KWugRRyjtDga6usi6R9jc4K~-RRe8iipI~E7Meg5iigbSFsdeb579NEnvBc29FgLb6RVB9LRZTbgR~Of1OcbKURu~0G66YkPaFMxnmYS0Q-5UdNilCDN1Z257YL2FO7rolDNBiBXdi3SuVekT4omBYZ86plvDsESD1lO~47SDKHaLq7OIMsQ7QdEIXZfceGR2xgisrMmgCC36nve5SJ6bYo1gmnGp1Id6LywaBXXGMw7Lx6VdWDM93FIEHVGt0~XuX2Edc~E7NjDMZV8fAVrvZQR5r0ZhaTUYU3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Livingston, CA","date","2025-09-17T16:18:27Z","article","City engineering staff presented four candidate projects the city may submit for a CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) call for projects: two shared‑use paths along Merced Irrigation District (MID) canals and two sidewalk‑infill projects aimed at improving pedestrian connectivity and safe routes to school.

\"This is an item that's gonna come before council in the near future,\" Mario Govea, city engineer, said. Danny (engineering staff) described the projects: a multi‑use path along Arkilian Park next to an MID canal to Peach Street, a shared‑use path along the future Winton Parkway extension to B Street behind the Livingston Community Health facility, a sidewalk infill on Stephanie between Campbell and Davis with curb, gutter and ramps, and a Newcastle Drive pedestrian link to the Peach market and local high school.

Staff said the CMAQ call will fund transportation projects that reduce emissions and that roughly $8 million is available regionally. Applications must meet program criteria and align with the regional transportation plan (RTP). Danny described probable designs: shared‑use concrete paths 12–14 feet wide (concrete preferred; asphalt possible if required by MID), and standard 5‑foot sidewalks for infill sections with curb, gutter and ramp upgrades.

Engineering emphasized that sections within MID right‑of‑way require formal MID approval. That approval could include requirements for fencing, maintenance and liability; if MID permits use, the city would accept responsibility for upkeep and potential additional insurance/liability obligations. Staff said CMAQ money generally funds new facilities rather than rehabilitation, and that projects were selected to meet both CMAQ criteria and earlier community planning (traffic committee and safe‑routes input).

Staff flagged right‑of‑way, utility and roadway speed constraints (particularly on Newcastle Drive) that will need design review. Council members asked about other candidate sites; staff said they examined multiple options and prioritized projects that met CMAQ rules and public feedback.

Ending: Staff will return with formal project applications for council approval and with the MID coordination details before any final submittal. Applications are time‑sensitive: staff told council they had roughly a month to refine scopes and coordinate with MID before submittal.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Livingston City Council Meeting September - 16- 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City engineering described four projects under consideration for a CMAQ grant: two multi‑use paths adjacent to MID canals and two sidewalk‑infill projects to improve pedestrian connectivity and safe routes to school.","taxTitle","Livingston City, Merced County, California","taxId",72037,"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},5980239,"Council approves $50,000 contract for consultant team to plan a standalone Livingston fire department",450,9600000,10050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49&start=9600&end=10050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49/thumbnail_9600000.jpg","/articles/5980239/Livingston-City/Merced-County/California/Council-approves-50000-contract-for-consultant-team-to-plan-a-standalone-Livingston-fire-department","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980239-846e8ee8e919325102a524902eac3660/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154736&Signature=E8-2MRXW43kOHAt0pD3MdFTXZNpvVgYxLDRy2tmNdUgoHB4ySRy9D9j2T4rAmGGY9mXshn1lLB~ZknqHodwfQaiuShqnwFH2Uf4CP-xmkJ2ewZI4ahJ4ajKg8gwauWtoJjv1~NUaPKURAb92rG6SssI27M8QST9lPvfDyFNq9udTC9od6fnEDVkOx-gEITeZAy9C8ELDHkL5l0h6xghtratCRqofbKoAdIdMZPE916ikZR3CFKmYsWRBXJ~s0DnR4Lf5zwO1RpHJOZ~D1OLX66123MI~AxY0dcvcGCcMk27yLngzmN6KvWr8Xo-~qczWm3s8FbXxiK3g6t78EhSRoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livingston City Council voted 5‑0 to approve a professional services agreement, not to exceed $50,000, with consultant Stephanie Dietz to help the city plan a standalone municipal fire department. The contract includes organizational planning, a facilities and equipment needs assessment, a transition roadmap and biweekly progress updates to the council and the fire ad‑hoc committee.

\"My focus will be to help you and to augment the staff expertise you have in house to ensure that you have that plan, do the work necessary to hear from your community members, hold stakeholder meetings, work with your ad hoc team,\" Stephanie Dietz said, introducing the scope. Dietz said her work will include coordination with a former fire chief, \"Mister Parker,\" whose operational experience will be included in the scope.

City Manager Jose Ramirez told the council the city is preparing to establish its own fire department after analysis showed Cal Fire service at the city's scale would cost about $4 million and would require meeting a \"3.11\" staffing threshold the city could not accept within budget. Ramirez said the city is seeking a possible nine‑month extension from the county on a June 2026 compliance deadline while the city builds a municipal solution.

The consultant scope described by staff includes a draft organizational and staffing plan, a transition plan with timeline and milestones, facilities and equipment assessments, and identification of potential funding opportunities such as SAFER grants. Dietz said she and her partner bring more than 40 years of local government and fire‑service experience and will work with volunteers and other stakeholders.

Council members asked about contract mechanics and availability. Dietz said she is a sole proprietor with roughly 20 hours per week available for engagements and that the $50,000 cap is comprehensive; any proposed subcontractor (Mister Parker) would be included in that amount. Council member Wallace moved to approve the contract; Council member Roth seconded. The motion passed, roll call 5‑0.

Ending: Staff will proceed under the approved contract to produce the deliverables and report back to the council and fire ad‑hoc committee. The council asked staff to ensure the subcontract, hourly rates and billing increments are clearly described and to return with any changes to subcontractor terms before those work items are billed.","The council approved a not‑to‑exceed $50,000 professional services agreement with former Merced city manager Stephanie Dietz (and proposed subcontract with former Fire Chief Parker) to produce organizational, facilities and equipment plans as Livingston moves to form its own municipal fire service ahead of a June 2026 deadline.",{"_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},5980243,"Livingston council pauses expansion of Flock Safety license‑plate cameras after privacy and data‑control concerns",2315,7200000,9515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49&start=7200&end=9515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/5980243/Livingston-City/Merced-County/California/Livingston-council-pauses-expansion-of-Flock-Safety-licenseplate-cameras-after-privacy-and-datacontrol-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980243-6f17fee090cd3b4b9e2a42585a56a67e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154737&Signature=k9GOyeWGF5amqQwxyjq4CoNQL3qHRALQUe9D87bQB~gAZ6sagCxtPTzcUGl3-PuViqKF-5gGoaUagtVBkYi1dll96tA-iXJ9sndjdy7l4DKsw6Po8I~oVGY9xWruVu8KUriQdKPWc-qV0jXmr33q5MSF3mI6sDKNu7OaXHx38lFHuMVHiw63EgItX0-52bv2owEEqWlNWoaVVIaR4HgOOKmSYgdgY-D5hhdAK5jtEN2jhVBomNQXaUepMdFxUa29OH9cFlWDobZxObEtHDg12l~vwFk53wKoLo-51MYrnmq~pyWzeHtl~DCf1oTVxYbmf19jhidJafKs8iHljFsKHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livingston City Council voted 5‑0 to continue consideration of expanding its network of Flock Safety automated license‑plate reader (LPR) cameras so staff can compile more information about data storage, access and vendor safeguards. The council action preserves the city’s current LPR deployment while staff returns with more technical detail.

Council and members of the public said the most important questions are who controls recorded plate data, how long records are retained, and whether a private vendor or federal authorities could obtain city records without local approval. The council’s discussion included a detailed presentation from John Ramirez, interim chief of police, and a legal summary from the city attorney.

The chief said the city and police department are the legal owners of LPR data collected by the Flock cameras and that Flock retains records in its system for 30 days. \"The Livingston Police Department and the City of Livingston owns the FLOC cameras, the information that comes to us. So FLOC system itself does not have access to the cameras,\" John Ramirez, interim chief of police, said. He added the department uses the system for investigative purposes and cited arrests and recoveries the cameras helped produce.

Council members and residents pressed for more detail about Flock’s third‑party storage, whether the vendor can produce data in response to subpoenas or federal requests, and what contractual or technical controls the city can require to prevent unauthorized access. The city attorney summarized state limits on information sharing: \"Under SB 54, that's the California Values Act, codified at Government Code section 7284 et seq., it does restrict when local agencies can cooperate with federal agencies, like the Department of Homeland Security,\" the city attorney said.

Public commenters and several council members described successful criminal investigations aided by LPRs, including a recent example the police said helped locate an abducted 16‑year‑old, while other speakers and one council member cited national reporting and legal filings showing vendor data can be requested by outside agencies.

After questions from the council and public comment, a motion to bring the item back to a future meeting for further information passed 5‑0. The council directed staff to ask Flock to appear or provide technical documentation about encryption, retention, access controls, subpoena handling, and any contractual guarantees; staff indicated they will also post vendor transparency information for residents.

The item will return to a subsequent council meeting; staff said they would try to have Flock staff available to answer technical questions in person or by remote presentation.

Ending: Council members said they wanted definitive documentation before authorizing additional cameras: Chief Ramirez offered to share the list of outside agencies that have requested access and to work with the vendor to clarify safeguards. The council’s vote preserved the status quo and required staff follow up on Flock’s data handling practices and any legal vulnerabilities to outside subpoenas or federal requests.","The Livingston City Council voted to continue consideration of a $90,000 purchase of 10 additional Flock Safety automated license‑plate readers after a multi‑hour public debate about who controls the data, retention and state limits on sharing with federal agencies.",{"_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},5980230,"City to switch council agendas to eScribe; council asks staff to fix remote meeting and audio/video reliability",4892,5998000,10890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49&start=5998&end=10890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766656-19aad5f87267e2f7d5103ee018c65d49/thumbnail_5998000.jpg","/articles/5980230/Livingston-City/Merced-County/California/City-to-switch-council-agendas-to-eScribe-council-asks-staff-to-fix-remote-meeting-and-audiovideo-reliability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980230-d8ecd8d95410dd1a6c9afa58178dc512/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154737&Signature=fH2GwSvFIisrIBkVaCT0m2UCM4Rce3H-WMfWsJyvd074fawEbBGpRrrD7oblbX-p8eL3GCNlQC0zER~7pcDv5LfQwI29MnEXii5W9YFK3belgWaIMF53ZSBVgrIQCpD6bn0IJCL7-37i2axhfkpAR~P5H8rI1v8mIf98IW3GYoCNKnYqBJuxt18jGeT0NGCdAoMQLMVAWm5eQ0GGnnM9uqDcxNlGoGpWT3XM8swmMRpLnlXUQ7~JCXfaAoxmFfiegCda3DiLPDg6ctQTJ7m-EVFarODZrV3xb3VcdVM1iUkhvrfh-6FANMnX9BQY76tIQryEAQoUh4mC57r7eiceLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the council the city will begin using the eScribe agenda management system for regular city council meeting agendas beginning with the second meeting in October. Staff demonstrated the public interface and said agendas and packet materials will be available 72 hours before regular meetings (24 hours for special meetings).

\"Starting the second meeting in October, we're switching to eScribe agenda management,\" a staff member said. \"For regular meetings, it's 72 hours prior. For special meetings, it's 24 hours prior to the meeting.\" The demonstration showed both PDF and HTML packet access and bookmarked navigation to agenda items.

Later in the meeting several council members raised concerns about unreliable remote‑participation audio and video. Council members said a recent remote presenter could not be heard and that earlier tests of phone‑in or remote technology had failed. \"If we're gonna request people to call in and all that, we gotta make sure the system works,\" Mayor Pro Tem Samra said.

Staff acknowledged the problem and said the meeting vendor and IT staff would examine the connection; staff said they would work to implement reliable streaming and remote participation (Zoom/Teams or equivalent) for future meetings and that additional staffing or software support may be needed. Staff also said minutes and older packets will be migrated to the new eScribe platform and that a transparency portal for certain items (e.g., Flock cameras) would be considered.

Ending: Staff committed to test and resolve remote connection problems before the next meeting and to implement eScribe for council agendas beginning in October; council members asked that a timeline for the remote‑meeting fix be reported back to the council.","City staff announced a switch to the eScribe agenda management system for regular council meetings beginning the second meeting in October; council members also pressed staff to restore reliable remote participation (Zoom/Teams) after repeated microphone and remote‑connection problems disrupted presentations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City engineering lays out four CMAQ project candidates for trails and sidewalk infill

Council approves $50,000 contract for consultant team to plan a standalone Livingston fire department

Livingston council pauses expansion of Flock Safety license‑plate cameras after privacy and data‑control concerns

City to switch council agendas to eScribe; council asks staff to fix remote meeting and audio/video reliability