Members of the Escalon City Council are scheduled to review and consider the easing of water use restrictions at their Monday night meeting, June 20.

In light of above average rainfall this past winter, which has helped bring area reservoir levels up, the council may opt to allow more watering in the city, loosening up on some restrictions that have been in place during the past couple of years in connection with the ongoing drought conditions in the state.

City Manager Tammy Alcantor said the action could be taken by resolution, as opposed to ordinance, which would allow for a quicker loosening of the regulations. Currently, there are limited days and hours for watering lawns and those would be addressed by the council. The existing restrictions allow for even numbered addresses to water Sundays, Wednesdays or Fridays with odd numbered addresses allowed to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays. Only two of the three available days may be used. There is no watering allowed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and no watering allowed at all on Mondays.

Other action at the June 20 meeting is expected to include a final review and adoption of the 2016-17 city budget. Alcantor said there hasn’t been any comment or questions from the public regarding the spending plan, but a copy is available at City Hall for those that want to look at it and pose any questions to city officials.

Also, the council voted at their last meeting, June 6, to pass on the purchase of property along McHenry Avenue near Catherine, next to Hillier Ford.

“The council has decided to decline the offer from the State of California to purchase the lot on McHenry. A portion of the site was to be for a new lift station, the back half was to be considered for a future Public Works Corporation Yard and the front lots would be sold for commercial sites,” Alcantor explained. “Staff contacted two local commercial brokers who thought that it may take some time before the commercial lots would sell. Council and staff both agreed that at this time, it was not appropriate to obligate the funding of the property.”

The council instead can opt to utilize property they have already in the same vicinity, with a storm basin at the back, which could be used for a future lift station. They also have an existing Public Works yard on Main Street.

Monday night’s council meeting is set for 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 2060 McHenry Ave.