An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, May 28, 2002 commencing at 7:05 a.m.

Present: Council Members – Howard, Land, and Mayor Pennino

Absent: Council Members – Hitchcock and Nakanishi

Also Present: City Manager Flynn, City Attorney Hays, and City Clerk Blackston

City Clerk Blackston reviewed the weekly calendar (filed).

C-1 "Capital Budget"

Mayor Pennino explained that staff has been asked to fit all the projects that Council has approved into a timeline. Today’s meeting will be an introduction to capital projects and prioritization will be considered next week.

City Manager Flynn reported that the capital projects were originally estimated between $35 to $40 million, but now total $82 million.

Finance Director McAthie explained that she would be reporting today on additional capital projects for the 2002-03 budget. She noted that Council received detail of this information in documents that were distributed at the May 5 Shirtsleeve Session and additional copies of the capital requests have been provided for this meeting (filed).

Ms. McAthie provided the following information related to capital improvement (additional) budget requests:

• Page 77 – Request from fire safety to purchase a tow vehicle for the mobile command post. It is a joint effort by the Police and Fire Departments to increase public safety response to large scale emergencies, crime scenes, and disaster sites. The mobile command center was obtained through a law enforcement grant by the Police Department. The Fire Department was responsible for the tow vehicle. There are no grants available for this type of equipment, and it is recommended that the funding source for the tow vehicle be changed from "grant" to "general fund capital."
   

• Page 78 – $34,500 request from Wastewater Utility for the Main Street storm drain mitigation to improve the storm drainage facilities and eliminate periodic street flooding that impedes businesses adjacent to Main Street.
  Recommended for approval as requested.
   

• Page 79 – $40,000 request for wastewater outfall diversion structure ($25,000 in acquisition and $15,000 in construction) that would improve the redundancy and increase the reliability of the City’s wastewater transmission system that carries wastewater flows to the White Slough Wastewater Control Facility.
   

• Page 80 – $152,710 request for purchase and installation of replacement remote terminal units at the City water production wells, lifts, and pump stations. This is the first year funding for an expected three-year replacement period. The old remote terminal units are obsolete and can no longer be serviced by the manufacturer. Recommended for approval as requested.
   

• Page 82 – $192,000 request from White Slough Pollution Control Maintenance to fund major replacement and repairs of facility components as identified in a component replacement study performed by the City’s wastewater master plan consultant. Recommended for approval as requested.
   

• Page 83 – Request from Electric Utility for a panel truck for the position of electrical technician. The request was pulled at the request of the Department Head.
   

• Page 84 – $120,000 request to construct pavement, gutters, sidewalks, and improve street lighting on Peach Street, Willow Avenue, and the adjacent gap on Cochran Road. As this requires further discussion with Council, it was recommended that the request be delayed until the next two-year budget.
   

• Page 85 – Request from Parks Maintenance Division for the purchase of a turf tractor for diamond renovations, maintenance, and aeration of small areas. They currently have a John Deere 6400, which is too large for most maintenance activities. As this would be an increase to the fleet, it was recommended that the request be delayed until the next two-year budget.
   

• Page 91 – $900,000 property acquisition request for main library expansion and $1.4 million for design. This request will be discussed when the project timeline is considered.
   

• Page 92 – Community Center request to replace worn twelve year old carpeting at the Senior Center to prevent trip and fall hazards. Recommended for approval as requested.
   

• Page 93 – $15,000 request for purchase of a portable digital projector to be rented to various groups that use Hutchins Street Square Community Center. Recommended that the Information Systems Division Manager conduct research on the equipment and make a recommendation for the next two-year budget.
   

• Page 94 – $55,000 request from Community and Economic Development Departments and Public Works Engineering for a high-resolution geographic information system control survey. Services would be provided by an outside survey firm and conducted in two phases. The first phase would complete calculations, surveys, and adjustments. The second phase would construct the control monuments in the field and file a record of survey. It was recommended that the request be considered during the next two-year budget.
   

• Page 95 – Request from Finance to purchase one additional scooter and one replacement for parking enforcement. It was recommended that the replacement scooter be approved as requested and the additional scooter be considered during the next two-year budget.
   

• Page 97 – $20,000 request from Finance Purchasing Division for replacement of a 1982 forklift, which is used daily by Electric Utility and the Purchasing Division. Funding would be split equally between the vehicle replacement fund and Electric Utility.
   

• Page 98 – $60,000 request for design and construction modification to existing library storm drainage system. It was recommended that the request be held pending the library master plan and decisions related to new library building.

Ms. McAthie stated that additional capital requests totaled over $3 million, the bulk of which was $2.3 million for the library reconstruction. $64,000 out of $519,210 in additional requests would come out of the general fund.

In answer to Council Member Nakanishi, Ms. McAthie reported that the average annual cost for capital fund equipment is $425,000.

Council Member Land stated that there is an increased need for parking enforcement and recommended that the request for one additional and one replacement scooter be approved. In addition, he pointed out that it might be more cost effective to purchase two at the same time.

Mayor Pennino asked staff to explore the feasibility of purchasing two parking enforcement scooters.

City Manager Flynn distributed a document to Council entitled "Draft City of Lodi – Major Capital Project List – May 24, 2002" (filed). He explained that capital projects typically go through the following process, and emphasized that they can be refined, deferred, or canceled at any step:

• Designating a project

• Planning – defining the project, scope, preliminary design, cost estimates, funding, public input

• Design work – schematic and construction design

• Acquisition – acquiring property, i.e., buying what is needed in order to bring a project to fruition

• Construction

• Financing

Mayor Pennino pointed out that the numbers on the left hand side of the list have no correlation to priority.

Mr. Flynn stated that the projects would have to be managed over time. Many major projects will be built in the community over the next three to five years, including new schools for the Lodi Unified School District. There is a limited number of City staff and subcontractors in the area. He warned that an escalated price would be paid to do all the projects in a short amount of time because it would require subcontractors to come in from other areas.

Reporting on the Major Capital Project List, Public Works Director Prima explained that the fund column represents the primary source of funding. The impact mitigation fee program identifies some of the projects, and the dollar amount associated with the program is listed. Rough estimates of operation and maintenance costs are also listed.

Mr. Prima reviewed the Major Capital Project List and provided the following information:

• Fire Station #2 – renovation is in the concept plan phase and is estimated at $1 million.
   

• New Police Building – bids were opened last week. The Carnegie basement remodel is part of the safety building project. Police detectives will be moving out of the basement once the new police building is completed. Remodeling of the basement is estimated at $100,000.
   

• Lodi Avenue Railroad Tracks – negotiations are still underway. The dollar amount is not listed because it is not a general fund project. It has been identified primarily as a Measure K project with some impact fee funding.
   

• Indoor Sports Center – capital cost estimate is $10.9 million. The total amount of money in the Parks and Recreation portion of the impact fee program for indoor facilities is $6.3 million.

In reply to Council Member Land, Mr. Prima reported that just under $4 million is currently available in the impact fee program in the category of general city facilities, parks and recreation, and police, that could be applied toward these projects.

• Police Outdoor Range – discussion has taken place regarding locating the range at the White Slough site; however, a significant amount of environmental work would need to be done before the project could move forward.
   

• Animal Shelter – this project is estimated at $4.1 million and is in the concept design stage.
   

• Old Public Safety Building Remodel – this project is in the study phase and the estimate is based on the cost of remodeling the building for general government use.
   

• City Hall Remodel – this project is dependent upon which departments are relocated.
   

• Electric Utility Corp Yard and White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility – costs are not listed because these projects are funded entirely out of enterprise funds. The Electric Utility project is in concept level design phase and White Slough is in pre-design.
   

• Aquatic Facility – this project will involve acquisition and annexation of property.
   

• DeBenedetti Park/G-Basin – this project is estimated at $11.2 million, which includes over a million dollars for excavation. There is potential to do grading over time, which would decrease the cost significantly.
   

• Municipal Service Center Expansion, Shop/Offices – this is linked to the Electric Utility project. The concept plan includes moving the Parks Administration, shops, and vehicle maintenance to the corp yard on Ham Lane.
   

• Civic Center Parking Structure – this project is in concept level planning. Later this summer staff will bring the design to Council.
   

• Parks and Recreation Campus – this includes the area from the railroad tracks to Hale Park. The project includes renovating the old fire station into offices for Recreation Administration, converting its current building into a community room, and the possible placement of a soccer field where the corp yard is now.
   

• Library Expansion/Remodel – this project is estimated at $15.7 million. Renovation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system should take place soon.
   

• Lodi Lake Expansion – this project includes extension of the bike trail from Mills Avenue toward Lower Sacramento Road, central area improvement, and the 13 acres on the west side of the park. The 13-acre project is listed in the impact fee program.
   

• Grape Bowl Renovation – an estimate of $2 million included redoing the field, improving drainage, and updating concession buildings and restroom. Another estimate of $4 million, which was used for planning purposes, was provided by ELS Architects to do general improvements and bring the facility up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

In reply to Council Member Land, Mr. Prima stated the $4.1 million for the Animal Shelter did not include acquiring property from Electric Utility.

Mr. Flynn stated that based on current revenues and sources of funds, not all the projects can be funded.

Mayor Pennino believed that the City has the ability to fund the projects over the next three to five years. He noted that there are some projects on the list that Council has not yet discussed, e.g. Grape Bowl renovations. In addition, Council has not yet made a decision on the 13-acre area of Lodi Lake. He voiced support for an additional Certificate of Participation (COP) before the end of the year to fund the projects. He was not in favor of a parcel or sales tax.

Council Member Nakanishi stated that he would not support a tax increase. He noted that with the figures available to him last year, when he served as Mayor, the City had adequate funding for the Indoor Sports Complex, Animal Shelter, Aquatics Center, and DeBenedetti Park. He added that if interest rates stay low, the City could borrow the $18 million needed.

Mr. Flynn confirmed that with figures available last year it appeared that the four projects could be funded; however, he pointed out that the project estimates have increased substantially since that time.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• Donna Swinney stated that she would like to see the animal shelter at the top of the priority list. New laws that will be effective in July will require that animals released by their owners must be held five days before they can be adopted. She stated that inadequate space is the only reason animals are euthanized. She believed that it is also an issue of pride that Lodi has an animal shelter that is fitting of modern day needs. The concept plan for the new shelter will provide for educating youth on the care of animals.

• Rose Hilliard, representing Lodi Cat Connection, asked Council to place the animal shelter project at the forefront. She stated that space at the current shelter is inadequate and it is a matter of life and death for the animals. She believed that this issue takes priority over recreational project considerations.

• Jane Gorman concurred with the previous speakers and urged council to move the animal shelter to a top priority project.

• Barbara Steinheimer stated that she serves on the Animal Shelter Task Force and is a board member of Animal Friends Connection. She reported that the animal shelter is out of compliance with ADA and does not meet health and safety needs for the animals and people who work there. She pointed out that not all projects carry equal weight and the list should be reprioritized when serious needs arise or have been overlooked. Animal services is part of public safety and its needs should have been considered and included with the current public safety project. Because the animal shelter is even more outdated and unfit than the police building, it should now be a top priority for funding. The shelter is a disgrace and embarrassment to the community. It was built for the purpose of holding dogs for a minimal period and then inhumanly killing any that were not claimed by their owners. This is no longer acceptable and no longer the purpose of the Lodi Animal Shelter. The Internet has been a tremendous help in finding homes for shelter cats and dogs. She stated that there is overwhelming evidence that abuse of animals leads to abuse of humans.

Mr. Flynn recalled that in 1994-95 when it was decided to move forward with Hutchins Street Square, the project had been on the timeline for approximately 18 years and right behind it were the parks and recreation projects. For this reason, he hoped that the parks and recreation projects would be the next to be completed. He believed it was unfair that these projects continue to be in jeopardy. He estimated that current projects on the list could be done over a seven- to ten-year period.

• Linda Sunday Hansen believed that the animal shelter should be considered a top priority as it is tied to a law enforcement function. State mandates that affect the shelter should also be considered when evaluating the magnitude of needs in the community.

• Bob Johnson, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, recalled that the last full service sports facility in Lodi was built in the 1970s. Lodi residents have been going to Galt to practice basketball. When considering how long the parks and recreation projects have been considered, he believed they had a right to be at the head of the priority list.

• Ralph Edwards suggested that a fence be placed at Vinewood Park to divide the recreation facilities and the dog park area.

Mayor Pennino asked that the Parks and Recreation Department look into the matter.

• Elaine Dornton stated that she was a veterinarian and member of the Animal Shelter Task Force. She reported that infectious diseases are a serious problem because the shelter does not have adequate quarantine, isolation areas, or proper air ventilation.
   

• Sue Pixler, member of the Animal Shelter Task Force, did not feel that the animal shelter was in conflict with the parks and recreation projects. She stated that she had "soft donations" for up to $20,000 from two local businesses interested in sponsoring a part of the shelter, such as a dog exercise yard. She believed that contributors are willing to donate funds toward a specific element of a project, but not to a general construction fund. She reported that the community has a high school student who slashed his cat’s neck, and a group of boys in Woodbridge were seen throwing a kitten into a fire. She emphasized the importance of education regarding humane treatment of animals.

• Larry Hansen reminded Council that they had authorized a letter of support for Animal Friends Connection when they were applying for a grant. The letter indicated that Lodi considered it a priority to become a "no kill" city. He stated that the high number of animals that are destroyed every year is atrocious. The City committed to the "no kill" concept and building the new animal shelter would support that commitment.

Council Member Nakanishi stated that he would support four projects if feasible, and if it were not possible, he would support two projects, i.e., the Animal Shelter and one recreation project.

Mayor Pennino believed that the City would be able to arrange funding for the projects within the next six months. He asked for patience of project supporters during the next 60 days while Council worked through funding recommendations and options. He gave his commitment as Mayor not to make a snap decision and stated that two public meetings will be held on the topic. He estimated that going through the standard capital project process, it would take a minimum of two years before the animal shelter could be completed.

None.

No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 a.m.

ATTEST:

Susan J. Blackston
City Clerk