Archive By Section - Government
Courthouse to shutter doors
Reeling from an unprecedented budget cut at the state level, the Stanislaus County Superior Court has decided to close Turlock's courthouse and furlough workers.
Governor signs disaster assistance order
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took the next step in assisting drought decimated areas of the Central Valley by activating the California Disaster Assistance Act.
Grand Jury clears Jackson
A long-sealed Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury report, released this week, finds Turlock City Councilwoman Mary Jackson did not violate common law conflict of interest laws by failing to recuse herself from Dec. 9, 2008, and Jan. 13 appeal hearings for the Vintage Lounge piano bar conditional use permit.
Garbage fees decrease, county facility fee changes on hold
Turlockers could find themselves smiling the next time they go to take out the trash, as the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors approved revisions in the maximum allowable rates for solid waste collection services that will spell discounts for residential consumers.
Upcoming elections sooner than you think
As thousands of Turlockers amble over to their calendar this morning, flip the page to the fireworks-themed picture of a fluffy kitty, and make plans to avoid the triple digit heat, the thought that Nov. 3 elections are now just four months away may seem hard to believe.
Car seat program sees funding at other nonprofits’ expense
The Turlock City Council unanimously agreed to add the Seated For Safety Car Seat program, a Turlock Fire and Emergency Services initiative, to the roster of programs receiving Turlock Community Development Block Grant funding in the 2009-2010 fiscal year during their Tuesday meeting.
Property taxes to fall this year
While the precipitous decline in housing values certainly isn't creating too many happy homeowners in the Central Valley, there is one bright spot amid the doom and gloom - property taxes will be lower this year for almost half of Stanislaus County residents, based on the newly released 2009-2010 Regular Assessment Roll.
THS stadium, Carnegie make RDA budget
The 2009-2010 Turlock Redevelopment Agency budget adopted late Tuesday evening looks to send $27.8 million of funding around the city to projects such as the Carnegie Arts Center, a Columbia Park water feature, and a proposed overhaul of Turlock High School's Joe Debely Stadium.
New regulations could make ‘safe, monitored care less available,’ says daycare provider
Turlock large family daycare providers turned out in full force for a special Planning Commission workshop on June 18 to discuss a set of harsher rules that could be imposed on new operators in town.
Residents, experts and city discuss Turlock housing
The Housing Element Update, a plan that will prepare the City of Turlock to meet housing needs through 2014, reached the next milestone in the planning process on June 18 as local residents gathered at City Hall for a workshop to hammer out particulars how the town can meet the needs of the elderly, poor, and homeless.
City welcomes Wasden
Before Tuesday's regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, the City of Turlock took an opportunity to honor its new city manager, Roy W. Wasden. Wasden took time to talk with Turlock Unified School District Trustee Timm LaVelle and with Chairwoman of the Carnegie Arts Foundation Patty O'Donnell. Wasden was officially sworn into office at the start of Tuesday's meeting.
Jackson investigation called off
A proposed formal investigation into Councilwoman Mary Jackson's alleged leak of Roy Wasden's candidacy for city manager will not occur, following a City Council commitment late Tuesday evening to, "uphold the utmost level of confidentiality and to unanimously call for swift investigations of any future leaks, should they occur."
Proposed new regulations have daycare providers in an uproar
Turlock large family daycare providers turned out in full force for a special Planning Commission workshop on Thursday to discuss a set of harsher rules that could be imposed on new operators in town.
Wasden leak not Jackson’s fault, memo says
A confidential memo sent from Mayor John Lazar to City Attorney Phaedra Norton confirms that Councilwoman Mary Jackson has been investigated - and cleared - for alleged misconduct related to the leak of Roy Wasden's candidacy for city manager.
Closed session confidentiality questioned
As the clock struck 10:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, the Turlock City Council still had one item left on their agenda, a seemingly innocuous discussion on the confidentiality of matters discussed in closed session meetings.
Articles by Section - Government
Library still vital part of community, report finds
In a time of Kindles, the Internet, and high-speed, always-on communications, is the quiet, quaint, nearly century-old Stanislaus County Library system still relevant? "The answer is yes. It certainly is," said Stanislaus County Librarian Vanessa Czopek, during Tuesday's annual library report. "More residents than ever are utilizing the library's core services." The 69 percent of Stanislaus County residents holding library cards checked out 2.2 million items last year –those coming from the ...
Denair fire could lose big in Turlock’s General Plan
For nearly 70 years, the Denair Fire Department has protected the swath of rural, agricultural land which lies between Turlock and Denair. But, as the years have gone by, Turlock has grown eastward toward its nearest neighbor, steadily shrinking the department's turf – and its tax base, said Denair Fire Department Chief Glen Doerksen. "They've slowly just kept encroaching closer, going east to Denair, taking our land," Doerksen said. At one ...
City Council approves ag preservation map
In hopes of preserving agricultural land – and Turlock's ability to grow – the Turlock City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a map which would limit Turlock's size and shape through the year 2050. The move comes as part of a countywide effort, known as the Agricultural Preservation Plan 2050, driven by the Stanislaus County Mayors' Group. By having each city approve a growth envelope, all land outside those boundaries could be preserved ...
Council approves homeless day center
Out with the youth, in with the homeless. Turlock's Youth Center will become the city's first homeless day center, following a 4-1 council decision Tuesday night. "The council's been talking about it for two to three years," said Councilmember Forrest White. "It's time to get off our you-know-what's and do something." The center, to be operated by local non-profit Turlock Gospel Mission, will be open seven days a week year-round, from ...
Council, Planning Commission split on city’s growth plan
The Turlock City Council unanimously agreed to move forward with the city's ongoing general plan update – a document which will guide the city's growth for 20 years – even as citizens and planning commissioners continued to voice lingering concerns about where Turlock will grow. Tuesday's move will release the draft plan, beginning the lengthy environmental review process. Only after that process is completed and impacts of the plan are fully assessed will ...
County employees agree to pay cut
Seven of 12 Stanislaus County labor unions will take 6 percent pay reduction, after labor groups voluntarily returned to the negotiating table to help the county make ends meet in tough economic times. The agreement, due to take effect July 1, 2012, will replace an expiring agreement which saw employees agree to an effective 5 percent pay cut. "We greatly appreciate you working with us during these trying times," said Stanislaus County ...
Mayors say ag plan still in works
A plan to preserve agricultural land in the county, driven by the Stanislaus County Mayors' Group, isn't intended to be a unilateral matter – and isn't anywhere near finished, say the county's mayors. That comes as news to planning commissions and city councils across the county, many of which responded with shock when a map of planned city growth boundaries was released last month with the Mayors' Group asking ...
Homeless day center planned for youth center
A day-time resource and assistance center for Turlock's homeless may soon open its doors at the city-owned Turlock Youth Center, located at 1030 East Ave.
County to hire 41 workers to fill social services needs
If there's any hire Stanislaus County would rather not make, it's this one. The embattled county will hire 41 new employees in the Community Services Agency to address surging demand for social services, supervisors decided Tuesday as part of a quarterly budget review. "It is becoming a harsh reality in Stanislaus County that the day-to-day life of many citizens is becoming more and more challenged by the poor economy at this time," ...
Nino named new Stanislaus County CEO
A national search to locate Stanislaus County's new chief executive officer found the best candidate was close to home. Monica Nino, currently the county assistant executive officer, will assume the role of Stanislaus County CEO effective Jan. 1, 2012. "We are extremely pleased with the results of this process and the selection of Ms. Monica Nino," said Dick Monteith, Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors chairman. "Ms. Nino has the experience, skills and ...
City prioritizes goals in newly passed Strategic Plan
With a few final tweaks, the Turlock City Council on Tuesday accepted the 2011-2013 City of Turlock Strategic Plan - a document intended to guide all Turlock policy through 2013.
Cost of stamps set to increase
The price to send a letter will rise by one cent, effective Jan. 22, 2012. A First-Class Forever stamp will cost 45 cents. The stamps currently cost 44 cents – a price they have held since their introduction in May 2009. The United States Postal Service said the price increase is necessary to address the ongoing financial crisis. "The overall average price increase is small and is needed to help address ...
Split council agrees to pay state millions to keep RDA
A split Turlock City Council on Tuesday took the next step toward paying the State of California $2.46 million to retain the city's redevelopment agency - a payment the majority of council still hopes the city won't have to make, given ongoing legal action. The "voluntary" RDA measure, approved by the state legislature in July as part of a balanced budget package, forces cities statewide to either shut down their redevelopment agencies - ...
Turlockers question General Plan premises
Nearly three years into the planning process, some Turlockers are still questioning the premise Turlock's General Plan Update – a document which will guide the city's growth for 20 years – is based on. Their concerns were aired at a public meeting to review the draft General Plan on Thursday evening, intended as an opportunity for the public to familiarize themselves with the near-final plan. The General Plan Update envisions Turlock growing ...
Council to consider strategic plan, adopt RDA ordinance
A special meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall to adopt Turlock's 2011-2013 Strategic Plan. The plan, a conceptual long-term planning document which will guide Turlock policy through 2013, has been in the works since March. Before that effort, the document had lain dormant since 2007 and expired in 2009. The delay and a cancelled April follow-up meeting intended to continue work on the plan ...
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