Tracy council approves fire-map ordinance, CDBG awards, fee schedule updates and transit plan; new vehicles purchase also approved

The Tracy City Council on Tuesday approved a package of measures affecting public safety, federal grant spending, municipal fees and local transit service.

The council voted to adopt state-mandated fire hazard severity maps for the city’s local responsibility areas; approved Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards and administration of HOME program funds as recommended by the Parks Commission; adopted an updated citywide master fee schedule (including a proposed EV‑charging fee at the transit station); and approved a short-range transit plan for Tracer. Council also approved the purchase of four Ford trucks and two Ford Transit 350 vans for Public Works. Most actions passed unanimously; the vehicle purchase passed with one “no.”

Why it matters: The group of actions affects how the city plans for wildfire risk, how it distributes federal housing and public-service grant dollars, how city services are charged to users, and how local transit will operate and expand. The vehicle purchase addresses immediate Public Works staffing needs but drew calls from one councilmember to pause and seek clean‑vehicle funding.

Adopted ordinance on state fire maps The council adopted an ordinance adding the state fire-hazard severity maps to the Tracy Municipal Code, aligning local maps with the state fire marshal’s updated zoning. The maps change the categorization for parts of Tracy Hills from “moderate” to “high” fire hazard.

Staff said the maps were developed by the state and that new building-code requirements to address construction within mapped zones are expected to follow. “Adoption of these maps does not directly change anyone’s insurance rates,” Planning and Fire staff said during the presentation, and the city posted an FAQ from the California Department of Insurance. Vote: 5–0 (Mayor Dan Areola; Mayor Pro Tem Abercrombie; Council members Bedoya, Evans and Nygaard all voted yes). Outcome: approved.

CDBG and HOME awards Council accepted staff and Parks Commission recommendations for FY 2025‑26 CDBG allocations and related administration; award amounts were conditional on the county’s final allocation. Recommended recipients included Stockton Food Bank, San Joaquin County Food Services, Tracy Interfaith Ministries and other local nonprofits; the city also recommended an ADA public‑facility project for improvements. Staff reported no eligible HOME applications this cycle. Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved; staff authorized to execute subrecipient agreements once county awards are finalized.

Master fee schedule: CPI increase and new line items Council adopted a citywide master fee schedule that applies a 2.4 percent inflation adjustment to most fees, with targeted exceptions to retain affordability for cultural arts and some recreation programs. The adopted schedule adds items such as microchip and digital media fees, a reinspection fee for Engineering, and a proposed EV charging fee at the transit station. Transit staff reported the transit‑station chargers are heavily used and that the listed fee represents the city’s pass-through electrical cost. Council asked staff to return with recommendations to discourage extended vehicle occupancy of charging stalls and to propose enforcement or pricing options. Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved; staff directed to return with EV‑charger enforcement/pricing options.

Short-range transit plan adopted Council adopted a four‑year short-range transit plan for Tracer to streamline routes, add two north–south routes, expand the Tracer Plus on–demand service hours and keep commuter routes intact. The plan anticipates additional vehicles and a new maintenance facility; staff noted grant pursuit would be required for the facility. Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved; phase‑1 route changes effective July 1, 2025.

Public Works vehicle purchase Council approved a resolution authorizing purchase of six vehicles (four pickup trucks and two work vans) from an existing competitively bid contract for $472,912 to serve building maintenance, parks and the wastewater plant. Operations Superintendent Jim Thompson told council the vehicles fill immediate needs created by recently approved staffing additions and that manufacturing availability prevented procuring medium‑duty electrified vehicles today. Councilmember Nygaard asked to pause the purchase to pursue clean‑vehicle grant funding; council voted to proceed. Vote: 4–1 (Nygaard voted no). Outcome: approved.

Next steps and context Staff said upcoming building‑code updates, grant opportunities, and a citywide green‑fleet plan will be brought to the Environmental Sustainability Commission and to council for future policy decisions. The city manager’s office and relevant departments will execute required agreements and return with follow‑up reports where council requested additional analysis, such as EV‑charger enforcement and green‑fleet funding opportunities.