Modesto City Council Watch
Modesto City Council members are scheduled Tuesday to consider:
Approving a contract with the Modesto Police Officers Association providing raises of 3 percent in June, 2 percent in February 2010, 2 percent in September 2010 and 3 percent in February 2011. Terms would increase the city's costs $3.1 million per year. Several other city employee unions have not received raises. The council is scheduled to discuss negotiations with seven bargaining units in closed session.
Hiring a Virginia firm to install about 10 surveillance cameras downtown, to be monitored by police. The system would cost $340,000.
Buying seven 40-foot Gillig buses to replace four 25-year-old buses and three 18-year-old buses for $2.73 million. All would allow passengers to step from curbs onto bus floors without mounting steps.
Closing City Hall on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 to save money. Both are Fridays after major holidays and business would be slow, officials say. City Manager Greg Nyhoff planned to withhold pay from employees in forced furloughs but reconsidered and will allow them to use vacation or compensatory time off. But he will impose a one-day nonpaid furlough by April 27, Nyhoff said in a report, and next year expects to "employ both layoffs and-or multiple furlough days," he said.
Hiring Allied Concrete and Supply Co. of Modesto to provide cement for repair of sidewalks, curbs, drains and sewer lines in the coming year for $250,000. The city spent $175,000 on cement in the last fiscal year.
Accepting $200,000 in state habitat conservation money for 1,550 feet of paths in the Tuolumne River Regional Gateway project.
Receiving $334,000 in state supplemental law enforcement money. Modesto will use it to pay overtime costs, police say.
Asking for bids for a comprehensive technology system expected to cost $2.5 million to $4.5 million.
Tuesday's Modesto City Council meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the basement chamber at Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St.
-- Garth Stapley
This story was originally published December 7, 2008 at 6:08 AM with the headline "Modesto City Council Watch."