Modesto Council Watch

▪  Extending the city’s contract with Data Path for three additional years at a monthly cost of $17,578 and have Data Path’s John Dickey continue to serve as the city’s chief information officer. Dickey is a contractor with Data Path and has been serving in this role since March 2015. Deputy City Manager Joe Lopez said the monthly cost is the same as what the city was paying for its last permanent chief information officer and includes Dickey’s salary, a stipend for health insurance and an auto allowance. Dickey is not earning a pension because he is not a city employee. A city report says Dickey has demonstrated the skills and vision the city needs. The contract can be extended for a fourth and a fifth year.

▪  An exemption from the city’s drought rules – which limit outdoor watering to two days a week – for homes, businesses and others who put in new landscaping. The exemption would allow them to water more than two days a week for 90 days as their landscaping takes root. But a city report states people with new landscaping cannot waste water and still face being fined for having water running in the gutter and other violations of the city’s drought watering rules.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Modesto Council Watch."