In a roughly one-hour open session, members of the Escalon City Council on Monday night touched on a number of topics.

Police services was among the standouts – with a couple of people stepping up to the podium during Public Comment to ask that police officers – working without a contract for nearly a year – are paid a fair wage and have some incentives offered to retain them. A closed session was scheduled following the regular council meeting, with ongoing negotiations with the Escalon Police Officers Association and the city to be discussed.

There was also some concern voiced with graffiti ‘tagging’ incidents in a few locations around the city over the weekend, much of it appearing to be gang-related. Residents cited the need for a strong police force again, as the city is bordered by communities with higher crime rates, and the department needs tools at its disposal, along with training, to continue to serve the city at the highest level.

Council members heard the Annual Transit Report from John Andoh, the longtime transit manager for the city. Councilman Shawn Strohman noted that a former stop along a fixed route was at Big Boy Market – which closed several years ago – and he asked if the stop would be reinstated once the Orlando’s Market opens for business at the old Big Boy location. Andoh indicated that it would.

Strohman also asked if a stop could be added near Countrywood and McHenry, where a McDonald’s Restaurant is slated to be built.

“There’s already a stop there,” Andoh said, adding that it will be very close to the fast food restaurant.

Strohman said many seniors enjoy getting “coffee or a sundae” and could utilize the transit system to easily get to McDonald’s.

The council was asked by City Manager Dominique Romo about the possibility of ‘going dark’ for the July 3 meeting; regular council sessions are the first and third Mondays of the month. With July 3 part of a long Fourth of July holiday weekend, the council agreed to not meet that night; the next session will instead be on July 17. The city budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 is to be available for review at that meeting as well.

In council comments, council member Malinda Walker said she was glad to see the Park Fete returning to its traditional July date and encouraged everyone to “take part in the reunion” during the weekend. The council also agreed to participate in the Park Fete parade, set for Saturday, July 15 and will ride along the route; the parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and the Park Fete downtown festivities will be Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15.