The life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy will be honored in the City of Turlock, as Mayor John Lazar proclaimed Nov. 22 as a day to remember the president, with this year marking the 50th anniversary of his death.
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the mayor requested that members of the community observe a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, while remembering JFK’s contributions to the nation.
“President John F. Kennedy was an exponent of racial justice, calling on all Americans to denounce racism as morally wrong and proposed legislation that eventually became the 1964 Civil Rights Act that changed the United States,” said Lazar. “He inspired young and old alike to see anew the promise of American life, promoting a message of empowerment by telling Americans ‘to ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country,’ and guided the United States with a steady hand.”
Additionally, the City Council voted to make changes to the Capital Facilities Fee Program, which provides funding for capital improvements that are required to implement the new General Plan adopted in 2012. The updated development fees are collected citywide to help mitigate the impacts of the City’s growth while making sure that funding is available for infrastructure improvements that may be needed as the city continues to develop.
The majority of the Capital Facilities Fee Program pays for transportation, making up 83 percent of the fee program with nearly $167 million. Other uses include general government facilities, general plan implementation studies, and facilities and equipment for both police and fire services. According to city staff, the adoption of the updated CFF Program, Northwest Specific Plan Fees and the Westside Industrial Specific Plan fees did not require any amendments to the City’s budget.
The council also opted to enter into a contract with the “Consult-a-Doc” program, which was named as one of the world’s top 50 most innovative companies by Fast Company magazine in 2013. The program will provide medical consultations for City employees by video consultation via smartphones or through the computer. The consultations can be made “on-demand” with current consultations being completed in 30 minutes or less.
The contract is said to save on employees going through prompt care or urgent care facilities or using the emergency room for non-emergent issues. By adding the program to the City’s existing benefit package, the cost to the City is projected to be about $2.20 per employee each month.
The Turlock City Council meets at 6 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at City Hall, located at 156 S. Broadway.
