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Escalon council waives Hogan Park fees for two years to launch Little League charter
Summary
The council unanimously approved a two‑year fee waiver and shared‑equipment access for the newly chartered Escon Little League, citing improved programming and estimated city savings; council asked staff to return with a plan for field scheduling and equipment replacement terms.
The Escalon City Council voted unanimously on a motion to waive usage fees for Hogan Park for two years and to permit the newly chartered Escon Little League to use city equipment at no cost during that period.
Stephanie Hogan, a recreation commissioner, and Randy Waters, the league's acting president, told the council the Little League charter addresses recurring concerns with local baseball and softball programming — inconsistent umpiring, uneven player development and unclear field assignments — and will field about 14 teams for the initial season. "We are a community and city partnership for baseball and softball," Hogan said, adding the charter board has met Little League organization requirements and secured a charter ID.
Councilmembers pressed the board on specifics before voting. Waters said the league expects to run evaluations in early January, with regular season play roughly February through May and a possible postseason that could require additional field time. He also asked to access city equipment (catcher gear, hitting nets, batting‑cage equipment) while the board purchases consumables such as game balls. "Game balls, we'll be providing," Waters said; chalk and other consumables were discussed as likely board expenses.
Councilmember Case moved to approve the two‑year fee waiver and shared‑equipment access, and Councilmember Kaye seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. Councilmembers asked staff and the league to formalize use schedules to preserve time for non‑league users and to include replacement or repair provisions for any borrowed equipment.
The council's approval requires staff to finalize an operational agreement that details field scheduling, storage, training for equipment use and liability/repair procedures; staff indicated they would work with the league to produce those terms and return to council if changes are needed. The council also asked the league to report back after the first season so the parties can evaluate financial and operational impacts.
