New Fire Chaplains, Farm to Fork, massage businesses, bond refinancing on City Council...

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New Fire Chaplains sworn in


Patterson Fire Division Chief Don Amario put together a new Fire Chaplain program, through which four new chaplains were sworn in during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Amario acknowledged that the situations firefighters encounter can be highly stressful, both to firefighters and the citizens they serve.

Amario pointed out in particular the emotional impact to those involved when a victim doesn’t survive. “We can’t save them all,” Amario said. “When we save a life, we celebrate it, and when we can’t save a life, we mourn.” In the past, he explained, they would briefly express condolences, “call the coroner and go back into service. There (was) no closure for us.”

Amario mentioned a Fire Chaplain program that a coworker had started during his previous employment, explaining that he set out to establish a similar program for firefighters employed by both the City of Patterson and the Patterson-West Stanislaus Fire District.

Amario met with Father Rex Hayes of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and eventually recruited three other members of the clergy: Pastor Cesar Buitrago of Patterson Christian Fellowship, Pastor Ken Hasekamp of Adventure Christian Church and Pastor Gil Ybarra of River of Life Christian Fellowship.

The chaplains will serve firefighters and their families, as well as victims and their families.

With the chaplains, Amario said, someone will be there to talk to both the families and the firefighters, when someone they’re called upon to assist doesn’t survive. That situation had occurred just a few days ago, Amario said. Pastor Ken Hasekamp was on a call with the crew where the victim didn’t survive, and Amario was impressed by the positive impact Hasekamp’s presence and assistance made.

“That’s what I anticipate this program to be,” Amario said, “somebody there to help. Somebody for the firefighters (and victims’ families) to talk to.”

He also mentioned that having the chaplains available for death notifications will be helpful to all concerned.

The clergy, who have been through training and are now certified fire chaplains, will have Fire Department-issued IDs and badges, and will wear polo-style shirts identifying them as Fire Department chaplains.

Sacred Hearth Catholic Church 100th Anniversary

Mayor Novelli read a proclamation recognizing Sacred Heart’s 100th anniversary, which will be celebrated the weekend of September 23 and 24.

Farm to Fork Dinner

Patterson High School senior Deja Nair has taken on the Farm to Fork Dinner as her senior prep project, working with City of Patterson Recreation Director Juliene Flanders and a committee of several other advisors. The farm to fork movement, Nair said, “aims to create sustainable communities.” The goal is to spread awareness of the need for sustainability.

The money raised will be used to fund scholarships for low-income children to participate in recreation programs.

Scholarships can be up to $80, which is the price per ticket for the dinner. “One ticket, one child,” Nair pointed out.which is set for October 14. Tickets are tax-deductible.

Massage establishments

Chapter 5.09 has been added to Ordinance 802, to address massage-related businesses.

The chapter was added to conform to California AB 1147, which governs massage establishments, as well as to address concerns about the potential for illegal activities associated with this type of business.

As before, all massage therapists must obtain certification from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). To be considered “certified”, massage establishments may only employ CAMTC-licensed massage therapists.

The new ordinance specifies two types of certified massage businesses, with different requirements for each. Stand-alone massage businesses, which derive 50 percent or more of their revenue from massage services, have more stringent requirements than accessory establishments. These businesses are allowed in the General Commercial and Downtown Commercial zones only.

Accessory massage establishments derive less than 50 percent of their revenue from massage activities, and are “located within a hotel, beauty salon, day spa, athletic club, chiropractor’s office, doctor’s office, physical therapy office, or yoga or Pilates studio...” per the new chapter. These businesses are only allowed in the Highway Service Commercial (HSC) and Medical Professional (MPO) zones.

The chapter also stipulates that stand-alone massage businesses can’t be closer together than 1,000 feet.

Fifth Street infrastructure project

The council approved an agreement that allocates $137,754 to the South 5th Street Infrastructure Project. According to Fernando Ulloa, Director of Engineering, Building and Capital Projects, the funds will be used to replace undersized water main pipes in the area.

Sperry and Del Puerto Intersection Project

An agreement between the city and Caltrans was approved that will allow improvements to be made to “improve the safety and functionality” of the intersection at Sperry and Del Puerto, including curb and gutter, storm drain, re-pavement, among others.

Other items

The council approved a debt management policy for the City of Patterson, Patterson Public Financing Authority and West Patterson Financing Authority. Finance Director Saadiah Ryan said the change was necessary to conform to legislation that went into effect on January 1.

The council also approved bond activity that would essentially refinance existing Wastewater Revenue bonds to take advantage of the current low bond interest rates, which would free up an estimated $465,000. That amount will be applied to the cost of deferred maintenance to the wastewater treatment system.

Additionally, the council approved a resolution that allows additional territory to be added to the future annexation area of the City of Patterson Community Facilities District, which is located in the Arambel Business Park / Keystone Business Park area.

Consent calendar

Items approved on the consent calendar included the City of Patterson Investment Policy, authorization of the generator replacement project at the Water Quality Control Facility, city manager and department head salary ranges and surplus of city vehicles and/or equipment.


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