At its July 16 regular city council meeting, Dos Palos Police Chief Cliff Battles recognized Rick McCord as dispatcher of the year. McCord worked as a dispatcher and is now a community service and reserve officer.
Adam Coronado was also recognized as Dos Palos Police Officer of the year. Coronado also began as a dispatcher, animal control and is now serving as a detective officer.
“Both are great assets to the Dos Palos Police Department” said Battles. Both officers were voted to receive their award by their peers.
An updated draft of the fireworks sales permit was also agendized and a public hearing was held. Proposed changes included establishing limitations on the number of consecutive years an applicant can be awarded a fireworks sales permit.
After members of the public provided comments and council members held discussion, the council agreed that applicants other than the Dos Palos Athletic Booster cannot receive two consecutive fireworks sales permits and that they must satisfy one year of ineligibility to again become eligible to receive a permit.
Also discussed was increasing the allowed number of sales permits available, currently two permits are allowed with one permit automatically awarded to the Dos Palos Athletic Boosters and one remains available by lottery selection. Council members agreed that there should be one permit available for every 2,000 residents.
It’s expected that in the near future the Dos Palos city population will surpass 6,000, opening up another firework sales permit to total three available permits.
Agendized was an item to enter into an employment agreement with City Manager Dewayne Jones for two years, beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, 2026. Jone’s previous employment agreement ended on June 30. The council voted unanimously to approve the contract agreement.
City Manager Dewayne Jones proposed holding two town halls, one in September for the city line changes to give residents the opportunity to voice their questions or concerns before the city begins with engineering plans.
Also proposed was a discussion on city roads as the current priorities were decided by the previous council, and Jones feels those priorities might now be outdated and need to be looked at.
Jones proposed holding the roads meeting in October. Staff will announce the details of the dates, times and location of the town halls.
City Engineer Garth Pecchenino gave a project update to the water plant replacement project. There were no concerns brought to council and the project continues as planned. The current construction areas of work include the chlorine contact tank, wash water basin, operations building and site underground activities.
City staff completed the Blossom Street slurry seal on July 10 during over 110 degree weather.
Dos Palos City Council meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the city-county building, 1554 Golden Gate Ave., Dos Palos.
