Modesto Council Watch

The Modesto City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to:

• Set priorities for the city's Planning Division focusing on advancing adjustments to building fees, annexing the Shackelford neighborhood in south Modesto and moving forward several economic development projects. The city Community and Economic Development Department, which includes the Planning Division, lost a quarter of its budget this year because of a prolonged downturn in tax revenue.

• Designate American Baptist Homes of the West, a Pleasanton-based nonprofit group, as the preferred builder of an affordable housing project at Tower Park. The city has been trying to recruit a builder for the property for several years, but it has posed distinct challenges because of its relatively awkward shape at the corner of 17th and G streets. The property is under the control of the Modesto Redevelopment Agency.

• Award a $237,682 contract to Modesto Executive Electric to upgrade lights at six parks, a measure intended to curb vandalism

• Hire Fermin Sierra Construction to replace four sewer mains at a cost of $467,430

• Raise monthly garbage pickup rates by 8 cents to reflect an increase in fuel costs. The new rate would be $22.45 a month.

• Buy three pumps for the city's sewage treatment plant on Jennings Road from JM Squared Associates of Concord at a cost of $196,291

• Award a $256,402 contract to Shimadzu Scientific Instruments of Pleasanton to install equipment at the city's water quality control laboratory

• Sign an agreement with Central Valley Concrete of Merced to buy rock, sand and gravel for the Public Works Department at a cost of $306,314 a year for five years