Council Watch

On Tuesday, the Modesto City Council is scheduled to vote on:

• Revoking a dance permit for Sin City Nights, a 10th Street club.

• Changing zoning restrictions around a new pizza restaurant at Oakdale Road and Briggsmore Avenue to allow more retail stores. Residents are concerned there isn't enough parking for the restaurant.

• Permitting a zoning adjustment to allow Habitat for Humanity to build a 20-unit residential subdivision on Houser Lane in west Modesto. The nonprofit group has struggled to craft a plan that complies with city density and safety regulations because of the small, 1.8-acre site it has for the project.

• Allowing attorneys Bart Barringer and Jim Mayol to proceed with a plan to demolish their one-story law office and build an eight-story condominium tower at 14th and J streets. City officials eager to see more downtown housing have praised the project's concept.

• Hiring Davis-based West Yost Associates with a $381,900 contract to update Modesto's water rate and connection fees.

• Accepting $841,000 in drug enforcement grants from state and federal sources.

In addition, the council is scheduled to discuss several items in closed session that do not require votes. They are:

• Appointing an interim city manager to succeed retiring City Manager George Britton.

• Recruiting someone to replace City Clerk Jean Morris, who plans to resign Dec. 12.

• Receiving an update on a lawsuit filed by a deaf man who claims police used excessive force against him.

• Hearing an update on contract negotiations with the 440-member Modesto City Employees Association.

The City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the basement chamber of Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St.

-- Adam Ashton