Business News 41

A PUBLICATION OF THE TURLOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WINTER 2020

ISSUE 41

Spotlight on Local Luminaries

Learn to take care of your heart with healthy tips throughout Heart Month.

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BUSINESS NEWS

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BUSINESS NEWS

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C O N T E N T S W.A.C.E. AWARD WINNING PUBLICATION OF THE TURLOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.turlockchamber.com

115 S. Golden State Blvd.

Turlock, CA 95380 209-632-2221 Hours: Mon. - Fri. • 10am - 2pm info@turlockchamber.com BOARD CHAIRS Gina Blom & Nathan Dabulewicz EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sue Micheletti

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

Irene Holmes

EVENTS COORDINATOR

Sharon Berry

Feature Local luminaries

12

6 Chamber Board of Directors 7 Chamber Ambassadors 8 Mixers 9 Ribbon Cuttings 10 Turlock Young Professionals 16 Ace Hardware 17 Reliable Termite Solutions 18 2020 Economic Development 19 ‘Gig economy’ law under fire 20 Legislative Scoreboards 22 Chamber Members for 25-50 years 22 New Chamber Members

Our Purpose The Turlock Chamber of Commerce is the business advocate for its members by focusing efforts on promoting a positive business environment, economic development, a legislative voice and costeffective programs and services.

A PUBLICATION OF THE TURLOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WINTER 2020

ISSUE 41

On the cover Local Luminaries Design by Sharon Hoffman

Spotlight on Local Luminaries

Published by The Turlock Journal 121 S. Center St., 2nd Floor Turlock, CA 95380 209-634-9141

BUSINESS NEWS

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CHAMBER BOARD CHAIRS & CEO

GINA BLOM CO-CHAIRMAN Rembrandt & Rose’

NATHAN DABULEWICZ CO-CHAIRMAN Nathan Dabulewicz Insurance

SUE MICHELETTI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Turlock Chamber

Hello! Here we are in 2020; can you believe it? The Turlock Chamber of Commerce has started the year, and the new decade, with a renewed focus on highlighting our member businesses and recognizing “local luminaries.” Our town is full of people who stand out, for a variety of reasons, and it gives us great pleasure to celebrate them. For a variety of reasons, we have decided to retool the traditional Best of Turlock event and hold it every other year, instead of annually. In the meantime, however, we wanted to use this issue of the Business News to highlight individuals and businesses that members of our community have been bragging about. We hope you’ll enjoy reading about them, and take the time to honor them with us.

As we did last year, we will be working with the Small Business Development Center to offer free Lunch and Learn workshops for our member businesses throughout 2020. The first one, “Google My Business,” will be held on March 4. Stay tuned for additional opportunities to have lunch on us, while learning useful things to help manage and market your business.

Based on feedback we have received from many of you, we have begun a series of Morning Mixers, and hope that you’ll join us for coffee and pastries, as well as the usual networking and exchanging of ideas with like-minded business people. These will be in addition to our traditional evening mixers, giving our members, and the community at large, bonus opportunities to interact with other early risers! Please be mindful of the calendar for all of our mixers and join us as often as you can. You are sure to meet someone interesting, and sure to make important new contacts!

As you know, the Turlock Chamber of Commerce is a member of CalChamber, the advocacy group that interacts directly with elected officials on issues that impact your ability to operate successfully in the State of California. Throughout this election year, we will be participating in regular legislative update calls with representatives from CalChamber, and will provide important updates to all of you regarding legislative activity that has the potential to impact your business, either positively or negatively. While the Chamber, itself, will not take any particular position on any candidates or issues, we believe it is important to keep you informed about matters that could be of significance to you and your business, be it large or small.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors is pleased to welcome two new board members this year — Crystal Stapleton and Chris Harrington.

Crystal Stapleton, CPA is the founder and owner of Balanced Books, LLP. Crystal is a respected businesswoman in Turlock, and a member of CalCPA, BNI Next Generation Turlock and BNI Turlock Business Builders. Chris Harrington has advanced impressively in his 10-plus year career with United States Cold Storage. Chris is now the Director of Northern Central Valley-California for U.S. Cold Storage, and recently oversaw the company’s expansion into “USCS Turlock North,” an impressive state of the art facility dedicated to Blue Diamond Growers. Please join us in welcoming Crystal and Chris to the Chamber Board. We are excited about the energy and vision they will bring to our organization.

Many of you have inquired about how you can become more involved with the Chamber. Soon, we will be launching our “Chamber Champions” sponsorship initiative for the 2020/2021 year (April through March). This is your opportunity for greater participation in and recognition at Chamber sponsored events, as well as additional advertising exposure, via both print and social media. Our second annual “Fundue” event will be held at the Carnegie Arts Center on May 14, and we are busy planning the annual Eggs, Issues and Economics breakfast for August. Please consider becoming a Chamber Champion, if you aren’t one already. It is through our members’ support that we are able to grow and thrive, and to help you grow and thrive with us! As always, we appreciate your support, and we welcome your feedback as to how we may serve YOU, and our business community, better.

Gina Blom & Nathan Dabulewicz Co-Chairs of the Board Sue Micheletti Executive Director

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CHAMBER

2020 CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GINA BLOM CO-CHAIR Rembrandt & Rose’

NATHAN DABULEWICZ CO-CHAIR Nathan Dabulewicz Insurance

SAM DAVID Assyrian American Civic Club

MATTHEW DAVIS GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.

MOLLY AMANT HONORARY Downtown Turlock

AARON MEDEIROS TYP PRESIDENT

STEPHEN BACKUS Two Guys Catering/ Red Brick

DEVINDER SINGH BAINS Turlock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

CRYSTAL STAPLETON Balanced Books

JAMIE CIMOLI Turlock Direct

ALAN EIGHMEY Strategic Legal Group

EILEEN HAMILTON Hamilton Farms

PAUL PORTER

JERRY POWELL The Udder Place

CHRIS HARRINGTON US Cold Storage

TOMAS GOMEZ-ARIAS, PHD College of Business Administration CSU Stanislaus

STEVE GEMPERLE Gemperle Family Farms

JOSH PITAU AMBASSADOR CO-CHAIR Thorsen’s - Norquist, Inc.

BRANDI LOFORTI AMBASSADOR CO-CHAIR InsureCAL Insurance Agency

CRAIG PITAU PAST CHAIRMAN/ TREASURER Thorsen’s Plumbing, Heat & Air

2020 TURLOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF

SUE MICHELETTI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

IRENE HOLMES MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

SHARON BERRY EVENTS COORDINATOR

2020 UPCOMING EVENTS Turlock Young Professionals meet the 4th Thursday of every month at Red Brick Grill April

March

4- Lunch & Learn “Google My Business”

17- 20th Annual Ag Scholarship Luncheon

21- TCC Board Meeting- Closed to Public

17- TCC Board Meeting- Closed to Public

21- Mixer@ Fairfield Inn & Suites

17- Mixer@ Reliable Termite Solutions

23- TYP Meeting

19- Ambassador Meeting

28- Mobile District Office

24- Mobile District Office

26- TYP Meeting

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16- Ambassador Meeting

WINTER 2020

TURLOCK CHAMBER AMBASSADORS Brandi LoForti

Josh Pitau

Lisa Amaral

Teresa Vines

Co-Chair InsureCal Insurance

Co-Chair Thorsen’s-Norquist, Inc.

Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency

Bank of Stockton

Christopher Rivera

Taunya Martinez

Jilbert Gevargizi

Kathy Hobby

Hampton Inn

by Hilton

Steele Insurance Agency

Nathan DabulewiczFarmers

Mario Herrera Tri Counnty Flooring

Sarah Baskins AgIS Capital

Jason Laughlin Kiwanis Club

The Education Foundation of Stanislaus County

It is the mission of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team to promote member commitment and relationships by:

Denny Silva US Bank

Fernando Beltran

Denise Haflich Fairfield Inn & Suite

Exit Realty

Your Trusted Community Partner

• Raising awareness of Chamber activities and benefits • Informing and involving new Chamber members to promote strong continuing membership • Encouraging meaningful and beneficial participation in the Chamber’s programs • Serving as a liaison between the Chamber staff and membership

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR TERESA VINES Bank of Stockton

(209)883-8300 | TID.org BUSINESS NEWS

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CHAMBER

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1996

2016

HOSTED BY YONAN’S FINE JEWELRY

HOSTED BY THE TOWER HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

2016

2019

HOSTED BY THE UDDER PLACE

HOSTED BY THE GRAND OAK

JANUARY

DECEMBER

BUSINESS NEWS

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CHAMBER

R I B B O N

C U T T I N G S

ACE HARDWARE OF TURLOCK

TERRACOTTA POKE RESTAURANT

2019

2019

THE GRAND OAK

UNITED STATES COLD STORAGE

2019

2019

CRAIG SAFETY GROUP

WEST MAIN STREET GRAND RE-OPENING

2016 BUSINESS NEWS

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CHAMBER

WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

Turlock Young Professionals (TYP) provides people who live and/or work in Turlock with a setting to build relationships and develop their careers. The organization also helps cultivate Turlock’s future leaders by providing opportunities to engage with political, civic and business leaders to shape the future of Turlock.

HOW TO JOIN

This dynamic group is open to anyone interested. You can join the program anytime throughout the year. The membership is $100 annually for working professionals and $50 annually for college students.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

ACTIVITIES

• Gain exposure in the business community • Connect with like-minded people • Enhance your professional development • Mix and mingle with experienced business professionals in a variety of industries • Opportunity to promote business in quarterly Business News magazine

• Look on our Facebook page for monthly meeting locations • Professional development workshops • Social and networking events specifically designed for TYP members • Behind-the-scenes tours of Turlock businesses

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WINTER 2020

FEATURE

Local Luminaries The definition of a luminary is “a person who inspires or influences others.” This is a fitting description of the eight individuals being celebrated in this issue as Local Luminaries.

Each one of these luminaries has made a positive impact, not only in their respective work places but also in the community at large.

Major Debi Shrum Major Debi Shrum has been the guiding force at the Turlock Salvation Army for the past 17 years, but will soon say a final farewell to Turlock as she retires this spring and moves on to a ministry focused on God’s four-legged creatures.

Shrum, a graduate of California State University, Chico, received her commission in the Salvation Army in 1979. After serving in positions around California and also in Washington, Colorado and Idaho, she was stationed in Turlock.

As Major, Shrum preaches on Sundays at the Turlock Salvation Army’s chapel (yes, it’s a church, too), while also overseeing all of the Corps’ outreach ministries including food boxes for those in need, after-school tutoring, counseling for adults and activities for seniors. While in Turlock, Shrum made it a priority to reach out to the area’s teens and young adults, starting weekly pick-up basketball and volleyball games at the Corps’ Lander Avenue gym.

When not at the SA, Shrum enjoys fishing, working on her family home, watching old movies and reading. She is set to retire at the end of May and plans to move back to her childhood home in Chester, California and train dogs.

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Heidi Lawler Heidi Lawler’s 26-year tenure at Turlock Unified School District has been remarkable in many aspects. Throughout the years, she’s remained committed to the belief all students are best served in challenging, rigorous, yet all-inclusive, academic environments.

Following her leadership at Brown Elementary and Turlock Junior High, Lawler came to the District office to foster TUSD’s shared vision in human resources — one where all students have the opportunity to engage in relevant rigor and guaranteed learning by high qualified staff.

As Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Lawler leads effective professional learning communities, TUSD’s Equity Task Force, the Cradle-to-Career movement, implementation of 1:1 student and staff/device, partnerships with industry, nonprofit organizations and colleges, and TUSD’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports that include socio-emotional resources for struggling students.

Lawler advocates for all students and staff, believing success of both is interdependent. She places student learning and staff professional growth as top priorities, ensuring every student receives effective instruction and every teacher has the tools to create relevant learning.

Tami Truax Tami Truax has been with the Turlock Unified School District for over 30 years, as principal at Dennis Earl Elementary and Cunningham Elementary and now serving as interim director of the Career Technical Education and Program Equity. First and foremost, Truax hopes that every child meets or exceeds his or her grade level standards within a caring and motivating environment.

Truax has also shared her love of farm life, helping to institute agriculture as Cunningham’s “brand” in 2017.

“We’re the only elementary school that I know of in California that has taken on a school-wide focus of Agriculture Science, and given what we have right here, it just makes sense that our children begin learning about and appreciating what our Central Valley does for all of us every day,” said Truax in 2017.

In addition to her day job, she also serves on the Turlock Chaplaincy Board and assists with other non-profit groups.

After growing up in the Bay Area, Truax continued her education first at Stanislaus State, where she received her bachelor’s degree and teaching credential, and then at St. Mary’s College, where she earned her master’s degree. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her parents and two sons.

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WINTER 2020

FEATURE

Gabrielle Aguiar-Forrest Gabrielle Aguiar-Forrest is the owner/director of Alegria Ballroom Dance Academy in Turlock. She has been following her passion as a dance instructor since 2009, and started her own dance studio in Turlock in 2014. Alegria means “joy” or “happiness” in Portuguese and that is what Aguiar-Forrest seeks to bring to her clients and associates.

In the past few years, Aguiar-Forrest has added 17 instructors who work as independent contractors in her studio. This has allowed her to increase her offerings to a wide variety of dance styles, appealing to all age groups, from small children to seniors. Her classes have grown from just a the few she could handle herself when she first opened, to dozens of classes encompassing 15 different styles.

Aguiar-Forrest and her fellow instructors have been active participants and supporters each year in Dancing With the Turlock Stars, raising tens of thousands of dollars for local charities and earning 14 Mirror Balls in the event’s six-year history. She and her associates have devoted countless volunteer hours and given immeasurable contributions to this event, all benefitting nonprofit agencies that serve Turlock and the surrounding communities.

Kris Klair Kris Klair began his real estate career in 2004, and bought into EXIT Realty franchise in 2006. Now, the broker/CEO of all the EXIT Realty Consultants offices located from Fresno to Tracy, be believes in a simple method of building leaders to lead and teaching them everything he can.

Most recently, Klair and his team launched a new property management division, Success Property Management, serving the Central Valley and surrounding areas.

Klair has served as president of the Central Valley Association of Realtors and on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Realtors.

In the past, Klair has served on the City of Turlock’s Economics Development Task Force as well as the Ceres Chamber of Commerce. He believes in giving back and helping out those around you as a way to build and sustain any community.

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Martin Zuidervaart Martin Zuidervaart owns Z’s Painting in Turlock and has been climbing ladders and painting in and out doors since 2000.

His motto is “depend on God” through all adversities in personal and professional life. This has been evident through his unselfish and sacrificial giving to those he mentors in the community.

Zuidervaart was born in Bellflower, California but spent his childhood years in Escalon near a dairy on River Road. He attended college in Sioux Center, Iowa, where he received a B.A. in English at Dordt College. He then went on to Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he earned a Master’s degree in Christian Education. He served as principal at Turlock Christian Junior and Senior high schools in the school’s early years, helping TC obtain complete accreditation.

Zuidervaart teaches adults at Monte Vista Chapel and has served on the church’s Elder Board. He is also part of a faculty that serves refugees through online theological education.

William and Rebecca Heyne After a long career with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department that culminated with William Heyne serving as the deputy Under Sheriff, no one would have faulted William for quietly drifting away and enjoying his retirement with his wife Rebecca. However, William and Rebecca decided their retirement would best be served starting Stanislaus County’s first ever long-term care church, which is housed at Turlock Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Chaplain William and Rebecca began this noble venture in 2015, and since that time have touched over 1,000 residents of Turlock Nursing and Rehab. Whether day or night, William and Rebecca have been on-call to help spiritually council and bring joy to the thousands of patients who have walked through the door of Turlock Nursing and Rehab, all as volunteers in order to spread human kindness.

The Heynes also founded the “Vida” magazine as a way to promote the facility’s events, as well as bring outside community resources to those patients who can no longer leave the facility.

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MEMBER SHOWCASE

Ace Hardware opens at former OSH location

T

he home and garden needs of Turlock residents looking to shop on Geer Road will be met once more thanks to the recent opening of Ace Hardware, which took the place of longtime business Orchard Supply Hardware.

The new store’s general manager Michelle Martinez served in the same role at Turlock’s OSH for nine years before the city’s longtime hardware store closed in 2018, and is now excited to usher in a new era of shopping for the community. Ace Hardware opened its doors Dec. 19 and has been “welcomed” by Turlockers, she said.

“Orchard’s standards and the friendliness of the associates was amazing, but I think Ace has taken it to the next level,” Martinez said.

“Turlock has always been a great community and we’re feeling it.”

Since opening before the holidays, Ace has experienced an influx of shoppers eager to

2019

Turlock’s new Ace Hardware opened in midDecember, giving the community a chance to shop for tools and more following the closing of Orchard Supply Hardware.

take a look at the building’s newly-remodeled interior as well as hunt for the perfect plumbing, painting, gardening and hardware items.

Though Martinez knows OSH holds a special place in many of their hearts, she’s certain Ace will live up to Turlock’s standards of what a small-scale hardware store should provide: quality products and exceptional customer service.

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By ANGELINA MARTIN

Turlock’s new hardware shop is one of 11 former OSH locations in California that have reopened into Ace stores and one of 4,400 Ace stores across the country. The 33,681 square foot store sells traditional hardware products like fasteners, tools, plumbing and electrical supplies, and also features several “store-in-a-store” concepts and departments, including a Garden Center, Backyard BBQ department, Outdoor Power Equipment department, Tool Shop, Paint Studio, Pet Supply and Kitchen Essentials.

According to Martinez, the new Ace provided about 45 jobs. While many working at the store are new faces, some, like Martinez, were able to keep the positions they formerly held at OSH. In addition to the old friends she still gets to see at work, Martinez said the customers from OSH have remained loyal to the location as well. 

MEMBER SHOWCASE

2019 Reliable Termite Solutions brings peace of mind to homeowners

By ANGELINA MARTIN

Y

our home shouldn’t bug you, and Reliable Termite Solutions owner Michael Red is on a mission to ensure that pests are the least of Turlock’s worries.

Red started his own pest control company in 2016 after working for a larger company for over 15 years, he said. Since then, Reliable Termite Solutions has specialized in termite treatments for both subterranean and dry wood termites, termite inspections and general pest control services.

Reliable Termite Solutions allowed Red to turn his passion into a business where his daughter, brother, nephew and others now work — a family affair that treats customers as one of the bunch.

What many homeowners don’t realize, Red added, is that termites cause more damage to houses than storms and fires. A critical step homeowners should take to make sure their homes don’t fall prey to termites is schedul-

Michael Red started his own pest control company in 2016 and since then, Reliable Termite Solutions has specialized in termite treatments for both subterranean and dry wood termites.

ing an inspection every three to five years.

“You want to catch it before it becomes an issue and there’s substantial damage,” he said.

“It’s normal, because as a house ages it starts getting dry rot and termites. It’s just a part of the process.”

In addition to termite services, Reliable Termite Solutions also offers rodent, bed bug, insect and bird pest control carried out

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by experienced exterminators.

While clearing homes of any nuisances is a rewarding job in itself, Red said his favorite part is helping the community understand that pest control is nothing to fear. It’s just another part of owning a home, he said.

“These are things I see on a daily basis, but as a homeowner it makes you scared,” he said. “I can tell you what’s going on and how I can take care of you. I like that part.”

Though Reliable Termite Solutions has only been operating for a few years, Red’s involvement with the Turlock Chamber of Commerce has helped grow his business immensely thanks to networking opportunities, he said. Through his involvement in the community he’s been able to help out with some noteworthy causes, like sponsoring the local ice rink.

“I’m a hometown boy, so it’s nice to meet other people who are from Turlock who also care about the community,” Red said. 

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CITY

Development in 2020

to complement university growth

BUSINESS NEWS

18

By ANGELINA MARTIN

about providing more student housing in town will begin to take shape this year.

Mayor Bublak is expected to go into details about her vision for the city in terms of economic development during her State of the City address, scheduled for Feb. 20. 

PHOTO BY ANGELINA MARTIN

T

he year 2019 brought plenty of commercial, retail and residential development to Turlock, with the city welcoming new homes, exciting eateries and even a long-awaited bowling alley. That progress is expected to continue into 2020, as infill projects intended to mesh with the town’s growing university begin to take shape.

Last year saw Turlock continue to build on the commercial development success of 2018, bringing new restaurants and entertainment to the city’s Highway 99 retail corridor.

While plenty was built in 2019, there’s more to come in 2020 according to Assistant to the City Manager for Housing and Economic Development Maryn Pitt.

“We continue to do everything we can to be proactively engaged in opportunities that bring both jobs, as well as new commercial and retail options here,” Pitt said.

There’s a lot to look forward to this year: Dutch Bros Coffee will break ground on its new Turlock location on Crowell Road in two to three months, Pitt said, and is expected to open in late summer; Blue Diamond Growers’ 52,000 square foot phase two expansion will be complete this spring, bringing more jobs to town; crews will break ground on the new subdivision of homes located off Tuolumne Road just east of Denair, and new apartments will be built on Pedras Road.

New hotels are also in the works, and a project that began last year in the Turlock Town Center will come to fruition in 2020 when Rite Aid moves over into its brand new, smaller space and a Smart & Final Extra! calls the former Rite Aid spot home.

As for the Dutch Bros Coffee lot across the street from Stanislaus State, there will also be “one or two fast casual dining” spots available for to-be-determined tenants once construction is complete.

Catering to the large community of university students in Turlock is something at the top of Pitt’s priorities, she added.

Stanislaus State is projected to increase its enrollment by another 200 to 300 students next fall, on top of an ever-growing graduating class that breaks school records year after year.

The large, vacant lot across the street from the university on the corner of Monte Vista Avenue and Geer Road has been the subject of development chatter for quite some time, however, the family who owns the parcel is reluctant to sell, according to Pitt.

Mayor Amy Bublak has indicated interest in hosting a joint meeting with involved parties, including the university, to determine a vision for what types of development would work best in the vacant, underutilized land surrounding the school, which also includes a lot on the corner of Geer Road and Christoffersen Road.

When determining a plan for developing with the university in mind, housing comes into play, too, Pitt explained. While a second phase of the low-income apartment complex Avena Bella will be completed in 2020, it will only provide an additional 60 units, which will be given to families on an interest list via a lottery system. With low-income families and college students competing for the same apartments citywide, conversations

The large, vacant lot across the street from Stanislaus State on the corner of Monte Vista Avenue and Geer Road has been the subject of development chatter for quite some time and will be a focus for the City in 2020.

WINTER 2020

STATE

A

ssembly Bill 5 drastically changes the way that freelancers and people in the so-called “gig economy” are paid moving forward.

The bill, which reclassified what constitutes an “independent contractor” as a way to try and bolster benefits for employees, is expected to adversely affect freelance journalists and contributors and ride share drivers.

The legality of the bill is under question as freelance journalists have filed suit to try and block the law from taking effect after it was announced by a national online news service that they would not renew contracts with freelancers from California because the state requires them to be paid minimum wage as well as be given benefits and perks typically reserved for employees.

In February, a federal judge refused to exempt ride-hailing company Uber and on-demand meal delivery service Postmates from the law.

With that decision, "it is now the responsibility of California to enforce the law on behalf of these workers,” Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego, who wrote the law, said in a tweet after the ruling.

The companies contend that the law that took effect Jan. 1 violates federal and state constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process. It created the nation's strictest test by which workers must be considered employees, which could set a precedent for other states.

Uber said it is considering whether to appeal. The two companies are among those also collecting signatures for a measure on the November ballot that would exempt them while giving drivers new benefits like health care and an earnings guarantee of 120% of minimum wage.

State lawmakers passed the law “using a biased and overtly political process that ignored the voices of the workers most affected by the law and granted preferential treatment to an arbitrary group of industries,” Uber said in a statement.

The lawsuit argues that the law exempts some industries but includes ride-hail and delivery companies without a rational basis for distinguishing between them. It says that the law also infringes on workers' rights to choose how they make a living and could void their existing contracts.

The judge agreed that there is evidence that the law “targeted” the companies and that some state lawmakers “specifically complained about Uber.”

"But such targeting, even if it rises to the level of animus toward gig economy companies, does not establish an Equal Protection violation," U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee wrote, BUSINESS NEWS

given that the law also “addresses legitimate concerns” about the harmful misclassification of workers “in many industries, not just the gig economy.”

The law is intended to extend employee rights to more than a million California workers who lack benefits like a minimum wage, mileage reimbursements, paid sick leave, medical coverage and disability pay for on-the-job injuries.

Another judge blocked the law from applying to independent truckers on the grounds that the state law is preempted by federal law when it comes to their profession.

A third judge is scheduled to consider in March whether to temporarily block the law from applying to freelance writers and photographers. But Gonzalez said she intends to seek changes to the law as it applies to freelancers and is considering changes for musicians.  — The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Are you ready to #HireAWarrior? www.csustan.edu/CareerReadyU

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SCOREBOARDS

DISTRICT 4 BECKY ARELLANO

DISTRICT 3 ANDREW NOSRATI

DISTRICT 2 GIL ESQUER

COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM

DISTRICT 1 NICOLE LARSON

MEETING

MAYOR AMY BUBLAK

TURLOCK CITY COUNCIL VOTING RECORD

1.

8/27/19 APPOINTING MUNICIPAL SERVICES DIRECTOR MICHAEL COOKE AS INTERIM CITY MANAGER.

Y Y Y Y Y

2.

10/8/19 ADOPTING A REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL FEE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE EAST TUOLUMNE MASTER PLAN WITHIN THE CITY OF TURLOCK RESULTING IN A LOWER MASTER PLAN FEE.

Y Y Y Y Y

3.

10/22/19 APPROVING A ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT STRATEGY TO PLACE AN INCREASED FOCUS ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS BY PRIORITIZING 60% OF AVAILABLE PROJECT FUNDS BE SPENT ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS, 20% ON COLLECTOR STREETS, AND 20% ON ARTERIAL STREET CLASSIFICATIONS.

Y N Y Y Y

4.

N Y Y N Y 11/12/19 GRANTING PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER AND INTERIM CITY MANAGER OF $100,000 AND PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY TO THE CITY ENGINEER AND INTERIM CITY ENGINEER OF $25,000.

DISTRICT 5 JIM DEMARTINI

1.

10/1/19 APPROVING THE REORGANIZATION OF CSA ESTABLISHING THE DIVISION OF HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES; AUTHORIZED CSA TO APPLY FOR AND SERVE AS THE COLLABORATIVE APPLICANT AND HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE STANISLAUS COUNTY COMMUNITY SYSTEM OF CARE..

ABSENT Y

2.

11/5/19 AMENDING THE COUNTY CODE RELATING TO COMMERCIAL CANNABIS ACTIVITIES TO PROHIBIT ADVERTISING ANY COMMERCIAL CANNABIS ACTIVITY LOCATED IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF STANISLAUS COUNTY UTILIZING A BILLBOARD (FIXED OR MOBILE), BUS SHELTER, PLACARD, AIRCRAFT, OR OTHER SIMILAR FORMS OF ADVERTISING, ANYWHERE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA..

Y Y Y Y N

3.

11/19/19 APPROVED THE AWARD OF A DESIGN-BUILD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO ROEBBELEN CONTRACTING INC., OF EL DORADO HILLS, CALIFORNIA, FOR $8,990,269 TO COMPLETE THE TURLOCK LIBRARY EXPANSION AND RENOVATION PROJECT.

ABSENT Y

BUSINESS NEWS

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Y

DISTRICT 4 DICK BERRYHILL

DISTRICT 3 TERRY WITHROW

BOARD AGENDA ITEM

DISTRICT 2 VITO CHIESA

MEETING

DISTRICT 1 KRISTIN OLSEN

STAN. CO. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTING RECORD

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

AGENDA ITEM 1.

AB 628

EMPLOYMENT: VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT: PROTECTIONS

ASSEMBLYMAN FLORA

SENATOR BORGEAS

STATE LEGISLATURE VOTING RECORD

N/A N

N/A Y

WOULD ALLOW VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO OBTAIN RELIEF TO ENSURE THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE SAME MANNER THAT EXISTING LAW ALLOWS VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK, AND EXTENDS JOB-PROTECTED LEAVE TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS OF VICTIMS.

2.

AB 713

CALIFORNIA CONSUMER PRIVACY ACT OF 2018 WOULD MODIFY PARAMETERS GOVERNING THE EARLY PSYCHOSIS INTERVENTION PLUS (EPI PLUS) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED IN STATUTE. SPECIFICALLY, THIS BILL WOULD DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM BE CONTINGENT ON AT LEAST $500,000 OF NON-STATE FUNDS INTO THE EARLY PSYCHOSIS AND MOOD DISORDER (EPMD) DETECTION AND INTERVENTION FUND (EPMD FUND), THUS ALLOWING STATE FUNDS TO BE THE FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE PROGRAM.

3.

SB 749

CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT: TRADE SECRETS

N N

WOULD ALLOW THAT CERTAIN RECORDS PROVIDED BY PRIVATE INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS TO PUBLIC AGENCIES PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT WITH A STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY ARE PUBLIC RECORDS, NOT TRADE SECRETS.

4.

AB 1066

NEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: TRADE DISPUTES: U ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS PERMITS WORKERS INVOLVED IN A TRADE DISPUTE TO COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AFTER A THREE-WEEK WAITING PERIOD. BUSINESS NEWS

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DID NOT VOTE

N

CHAMBER

The Turlock Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize businesses that have been members for 25 - 50 years!

We thank you for your continued support!

25 Years Edward Jones Hillberg, Ronald W. - Attorney at Law Stewart Title 26 Years Custom Locksmith & Alarm Inc. Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. Lock-N-Stitch Inc. Turlock Golf & Country Club Walgreens Center /Cosol Property Management 27 Years SupHerb Farms Turlock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 28 Years California Poultry Federation 29 Years Ambeck Mortgage Aspiranet Family Services Clark Pest Control

35 Years Harder’s Print Shop Inc.

Park Knolls Apartments Sierra Vista Child & Family Service Valley Auto Wreckers

36 Years West America Bank Yosemite Farm Credit, ACA

30 Years F.F. & J. Architect, Inc. 31 Years California Dairies Generations Family Optometry Jaureguy’s Design & Construction JKB Development Inc. Valley Yellow Pages

37 Years Geiger’s Fine Jewelry Turlock Irrigation District 38 Years Acme Electric Co. Price Ford

32 Years Super Store Industries Triebsch & Frampton

39 Years Olde Tyme Pastries 40 Years Calwater Drilling Co., Inc. Griffith & Masuda 41 Years Carr’s Cleaners

33 Years Budget Self Storage California State University Stanislaus Piro Trading International Western View Mobile Ranch LLC.

Thank you for supporting your Business News magazine and for being a Chamber Member since: Strategic Legal Group. . . . . . . . 2014 Brenda Athletic. . . . . . . . . . . . 2005

TID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1983 Costco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2000 Nathan Dabulewicz, Insurance. . 2011 Oak Valley Community Bank. . . . 2003

44 Years Balswick’s Tire Shop, Inc. Farmers & Merchants Bank Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green 45 Years Turlock Recycling Company 46 Years Seeger’s Printing W.H. Gibbs Maintenance Co., Inc. 48 Years Monte Vista Optometry 50 Years Gemperle Family Farms Stanislaus County Fairgrounds Western Valley Insurance

Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

Ace Hardware of Turlock Alison’s Cafe House Edward Jones Investments European Wax Center Mathnasium of Turlock Pizza Factory Turlock Terracotta Poke Restaurant

Smith Chevrolet Cadillac . . . . . . 1958

43 Years Covenant Village

CALIFORNIA’S

The Turlock Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome our new 2020 members!

Emanuel Medical Center. . . . . . 1966

42 Years American AgCredit, FLCA Don’s Mobile Glass

Convenience | Choice | Experience | Local

209-634-2929

License # 0D01900

Stanislaus State. . . . . . . . . . . 1987 GDI Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2004 Turlock Auto Plaza. . . . . . . . . . 1993

Lancaster Painting . . . . . . . . . 1998

Assyrian Civic Club. . . . . . . . . . 1997

Thorsen’s - Norquist. . . . . . . . . 1950

Allen Mortuary. . . . . . . . . . . . 1970

BUSINESS NEWS

gdiinsurance.com 22

WINTER 2020

Turlock

1600 Auto Mall Drive, Turlock, CA 95380

209-250-5800

www.TurlockAutoPlaza.com

Sales, Service & Leasing

Large Inventory Selection

Highly qualified & Chrysler Certified Master Technicians

Certified Pre-Owned available

Service open on Saturdays

Commercial trucks with upfit bodies

Our Professional Team Ready to Serve You

Greg Singh General Manager

Eric Cogswell Finance Director

Marci Berry Controller

Suman Dhillon Customer Relations Manager

Gary Benedict Parts Manager

We are not satisfied unless you are 100% satisfied!

Hold your meeîˆ ngs and events at

The Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock We can help you with all of your catering needs! Big or Small!

2618 N. Golden State Blvd. Turlock, CA 95382

(209) 668-4668 BUSINESS NEWS

23

WINTER 2020

George Garcia Service Manager

This is our idea of a merger.

Family... it’s far more important than profits.

That’s why in these days of mergers and corporate takeovers, we’ve made a commitment to be the only family owned funeral home in Turlock.

247 N. Broadway • Turlock 634-5829 www.allenmortuary.com