The City Council will consider adopting new sewer service rates that, if approved, would see rates updated over the next five years for both residential and non-residential customers.
Currently, the city charges a flat administrative rate for all users, with some users being charged a rate based on metered effluent and the remaining users charged a non-metered rate based on customer class and the number of fixtures. As part of the rate study process, NBS worked with City staff to develop fixed and volumetric rates based on sewage flow and effluent strength, the flat administrative charge and the rate design that best meets the city’s financial objectives while minimizing the fiscal impact on customers.
According to the city staff report, the city’s current sewer rate revenue is barely covering operating expenses and is currently not covering debt service and capital improvement needs. The aging sewer system requires significant additional investment to meet service standards. The total Sewer System Master Plan shows $107 million in necessary improvements over the next 10 years, while the Turlock Regional Water Control Facility engineer’s report shows $145 million in improvements over the next 10 years. If no rate increases are implemented, the city is projected to run an annual deficit starting in 2025 and would grow to approximately $8.7 million by FY 2028/29, and the city would struggle to meet its debt service coverage requirements.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the Council is expected to:
— Consider extending the development agreements with three cannabis retail businesses Perfect Union, located at 2500 N. Golden State Blvd., and Fire House, 1601 W. Main St.; and cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution business JDI Farms, Inc., located at 600 D St.
All of the agreements are set to expire this month, as part of a five-year pilot program. On June 25, the Turlock City Council chose not to place a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot for a tax on businesses involved in the cannabis industry. The next opportunity for the Council to consider such a tax will be before the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.
The agreements would be extended until June 30, 2025, in order to give the city time to make possible adjustments to the agreements going forward.
— Consider entering an agreement with California State University, Fresno Foundation to offer Parent University virtual education training courses for Turlock residents. The cost to the city would be $7,000 for one year out of the General Fund. There would be no cost to Turlock residents to participate in the program.
Parent University would provide virtual courses in the following areas:
• Digital Literacy
• Financial Literacy
• Parenting Skills
• Pathway to College
• Health and Wellness
• Small Business Development
• Social Emotional Learning
• English Conversion
• Spanish Conversion
Turlock residents would have the ability to register for as many training courses as they want throughout the duration of the agreement. Courses would be offered for the months of August through June. Upon completing each course, participants would be provided Certificates of Completion from California State University Fresno.
— Consider directing Councilmember Kevin Bixel to complete additional courses on the Brown Act and ethics, including the importance of the confidentiality requirement imposed on those participating in closed sessions. At the Sept. 12 special meeting of the city council, the council considered the matter of an alleged breach of the confidentiality requirement of a closed session matter at the July 9 city council meeting involving Councilmember Bixel. After Councilmember Bixel took responsibility for the breach of confidentiality, the city council directed the city attorney to return to the council with a draft motion directing Councilmember Bixel to take additional courses on the Brown Act and ethics as the corrective remedy for the breach.
— Consider approving an amended and restated promissory note and loan agreement between the City of Turlock and Turlock Gospel Mission for the rehabilitation of the property located at 432 S. Broadway to be used as a day center in the total amount of $491,053, to be funded in the amount of $91,053 from State HOME Fund and $400,000 from federal CDBG account.
After considering the updated loan documents and agreements at their last meeting, the city council asked staff to work with the Turlock Gospel Mission on the terms and repayment plan for the loan. They also wanted an operating agreement that outlined the responsibilities and expectations of both the City and TGM for the day center’s operations. Staff worked with TGM to develop the operating agreement and incorporated the city council’s requests including:
· Operating seven days a week 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
· Documenting and tracking the number of unduplicated clients served.
· Engaging in community outreach identifying the services available at the day center (432 S. Broadway) and the emergency shelter (435 S. Broadway).
· Providing services, including access to restrooms, shower facilities, cell phone charging, mail services, phone access, and laundry services.
· Providing emergency resources including a cold weather warming center, hot weather cooling center, emergency shelter overflow.
· Documenting and providing the City Housing Program Services Department with success stories quarterly to show how individuals have benefited from the day center. These stories could include examples of people getting job training, permanent housing, veteran services, mental health, or substance abuse help, among other services. These examples will give a clearer picture of the impact the day center is making.
· Providing quarterly onsite monitoring by city staff to ensure the Turlock Gospel Mission day center is operating in compliance with the operating agreement.
· Complying with the maximum occupancy established by the City of Turlock Fire Department.
The Turlock City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Yosemite Room at City Hall, 156 S. Broadway. Meetings are open to the public and there will time set aside for public comment.
