The meeting opened with a decision to approve variance requests for John and Amy Mson and James Marks and Susan Chic. The Msons sought approval to build a larger garage at their property on Country Circle, transforming their existing two-car garage into a four-car structure to better accommodate their family’s needs. After a thorough discussion on the proposed dimensions, which exceeded the city code for sidewall and peak height, and a review of the Planning Commission’s findings, the council unanimously approved the request, noting no objections from neighbors.

Similarly, the council approved a variance request for Marks and Chic on Center Street, who planned to replace a 75-year-old deteriorating garage with a new two-car garage. This new structure would require fewer variances and comply with setback requirements. Again, there were no objections from neighbors, and the council passed the request unanimously.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on Ordinance 389. The council scheduled a public hearing for July 22 to delve deeper into the ordinance, which has been mandated by the state. The ordinance seeks to mitigate problems caused by groundwater infiltrating the sewer system, especially during heavy rainfall, by holding homeowners responsible for the lines from the boulevard to their homes. Discussions highlighted the financial burden this might place on residents, with suggestions to stagger payments over several years to ease the impact. The council also considered a pilot program to encourage proactive improvements and discussed potential grant money to assist affected homeowners.

The financial health of the city was another key topic. The council reviewed audit findings that showed a net position of $18.1 million, with significant investments in capital assets. The water fund saw a substantial increase due to reallocating $1.6 million in grant funds initially assigned to the sewer fund. The general fund’s unassigned balance improved to 39.3%.

The council also received updates on various city projects and services. The Tracy Aquatic Center’s fiberglass water slides are set for repairs, with the council approving a bid from Safe Slide Restoration. The project budget allows for future improvements to other parts of the facility. The council discussed the importance of maintaining safety standards and managing budget constraints effectively.

A discussion on permits for keeping chickens within city limits highlighted community concerns. The city administrator explained the criteria for permit decisions and noted that four applications had been denied in the past seven months. The council clarified the process for appealing permit denials, emphasizing transparency in decision-making.

The meeting also touched on challenges faced by the Tracy Library, which received a $1,000 grant to expand bilingual materials and improve accessibility. The library’s efforts to cater to the growing Latino community were acknowledged as a vital step in promoting inclusivity.

The council reviewed the performance of the liquor store and deputy registrar operations, noting a strong profit margin for the former. Discussions on financial classifications suggested integrating the deputy registrar into the general fund to ensure consistency and transparency in reporting.

In addressing community infrastructure, the council acknowledged the strain on the city’s systems due to excessive rainfall. Efforts to manage infiltration and inflow issues were noted, alongside challenges with grass growth and weed management due to limited operational capacity.

The meeting concluded with discussions on tax-forfeited properties and vacant homes in Tracy. The council recognized the need for a collaborative effort to address these properties, which could benefit from rehabilitation. Plans to work with the county to explore solutions were outlined, emphasizing the importance of preventing these properties from becoming community burdens.