We're getting started a bit late; the previous special meeting regarding the city's budget ran over a bit and isn't finished. Council members will take that up at the conclusion of the regular meeting.
The full council is on hand tonight, as is a somewhat large crowd of form-wielding high school students. I don't think it's a coincidence that the end of the school year approaches. Students in Turlock have to attend a meeting as part of court work.

It's a small but chatty crowd at tonight's City Council meeting. Tonight's agenda includes discussions of growth plans, the library sales tax and the RDA successor agency. It looks like Councilman Bill DeHart is not in attendance this evening.

Hello from Turlock City Hall. Tonight's agenda includes naming people to the successor board for the RDA, police records hours and fees.

Hello and Happy Valentine's Day from City Hall. There are a bunch of cops here tonight; perhaps they are anticipating a riot?
Actually, it's for the swearing-in ceremony for Police Chief Rob Jackson. Lots of Turlock PD officers here, as well as former colleagues from the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. Inlcuding the sheriff himself, Adam Christianson. And we're overrun with chiefs. Tracy Police Chief Gary Hampton, formerly Turlock's chief. Oakdale Police Chief Marty West. And now-former Interim Turlock Police Chief Dave Young. And, of course, former Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden, now Turlock's city manager. (Chief Jackson inadvertently referred to Mr. Wasden as "Chief". Then he said, "Oh, wait, I'm the chief, right?"
He is indeed, having just taken the oath of office.

The evening started with an emotional changing of the guard. Longtime City Clerk Rhonda Greenlee is retiring; she administered the oath of office to Kellie Weaver, who's taking the job. Both women got standing ovations from a rather large crowd.