Modesto City Council Watch

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The Modesto City Council on Tuesday:

Approved a document that describes how Modesto would spend its share of revenue if voters approve a proposed sales tax to fund road improvements in Stanislaus County. Modesto would get about $137.6 million for road upgrades over 20 years if voters approve the measure.

Ayes: Mayor Jim Ridenour, City Council members Brad Hawn, Janice Keating, Dave Lopez, Garrad Marsh and Kristin Olsen

Nay: Councilman Will O'Bryant

Rejected an appeal from Modesto rancher Dan Nickles, who wanted the city to modify a development agreement for a small subdivision that borders his property on Roselle Avenue. Nickles wanted the developers behind the 8.45-acre project to build a wall between their project and his land. The majority of the council said it was too late to modify the agreement because the developer was asking for a time extension and state law prohibits changes unless they're in the interest of public health or safety.

Ayes: Ridenour, Hawn, O'Bryant and Olsen

Nays: Keating and Lopez

Marsh did not vote because he lives near Nickles' property.

All other votes were unanimous.

Agreed to keep open a public pool at C�sar Ch�vez Park on Sierra Drive. The pool was one of six the council planned to close this summer because of a downturn in tax revenue. Residents stepped forward with $15,000 to keep the pool open.

Appointed financing consultants to reissue $62 million in municipal bonds that are positioned to go into a volatile trading market in September that would drive up the city's expenses.

Awarded a $1.1 million contract to the Turlock branch of Teichert Construction for a project extending Claratina Avenue from Coffee Road to Oakdale Road. Teichert's bid is 46 percent below what the city expected to spend.

Divided federal housing grants Modesto receives each year to dedicate $940,427 to build 18 apartments for low-income adults in the 400 block of Lincoln Avenue; reserve $732,162 to help the Stanislaus Affordable Housing Corp. build 31 housing units for young adults with low incomes and mental health disabilities; earmark $42,000 to assist the Stanislaus Affordable Housing Corp. in expanding its Garden Gate apartment complex at Fifth and F streets.

Confirmed expenses the city incurred when it demolished two airport neighborhood properties in April. The two property owners will be billed to reimburse Modesto. One is expected to owe $3,787; the other is expected to owe $7,089.

Appointed Ed Bearden as Modesto's next poet laureate. He succeeds Sam Pierstorff. Bearden told the council he writes poems in his "valley voice." He read one called "Riding the Tractor."

Accepted an offer from Sacramento lobbying firm Aaron Read and Associates to work for Modesto for $1 over the next year. Modesto has paid the group up to $80,000 a year for its work. The firm offered to waive its fees because of Modesto's budget cutbacks.

Created a schedule for the council to consider and adopt a farmland mitigation policy for new development by December. The schedule includes workshops and public meetings at which the public can speak. The first is expected to take place July 31.

Hired San Francisco-based System Concepts to install a high-density evidence storage system for the Police Department at a cost of $91,439.

Endorsed a letter calling for the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge to incorporate Dos Rios Ranch at the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers. The ranch includes 1,600 acres of land bordering both rivers.

Accepted a $139,761 state grant to pay for a traffic safety program and a $100,000 state grant to pay for an Alcoholic Beverage Control program.

In addition, the council met in closed session before the meeting to discuss:

Contract negotiations with the Modesto City Employees Association, Modesto Confidential and Management Association, Modesto Police Non-Sworn Association and employees who are not represented by unions.