B-1 "Appointment of Council Member to serve as ‘Alternate’ Lodi representative on the San Joaquin Council of Governments"

Council Member Land commented that he enjoyed working with Mayor Pennino and appreciated all that he has done. He noted that Mayor Pennino had been very active on the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) and always made sure that Lodi received its fair share of Measure K tax dollars. He was also instrumental with the downtown train and multi-modal stations, parking structure, and the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan.

MOTION:
Council Member Land made a motion, Pennino second, to appoint Council Member Howard to serve as the Alternate Lodi representative on the San Joaquin Council of Governments.

DISCUSSION:
Mayor Pennino mentioned that Council Member Howard has done a good job filling in for him during absences on SJCOG and attended many meetings out of genuine interest, rather than obligation.

Council Member Howard emphasized the importance of having a regional perspective and understanding of how cities in San Joaquin County interplay with one another.

VOTE:
The above motion carried by the following vote:

Ayes: Council Members – Hitchcock, Howard, Land, and Mayor Pennino
Noes: Council Members – None
Absent: Council Members – None
Vacant: Council Members – Nakanishi

B-2 "Designate projects for the San Joaquin Council of Governments 2003/04 Regional Priorities List"

Deputy City Manager Keeter reported that the SJCOG "One Voice" trip to Washington D.C. will occur on March 16 to 20, 2003. She suggested that Council consider the following questions when prioritizing projects:

• Are there local or other matching funds that would supplement or compliment any type of federal funding that we might be able to obtain?
• Will there be a regional benefit?
• Is the project ready to go?
• Can the project be phased?
• Is the project mandated?
• Is there support for the project?
• Is there opposition to the project?

Ms. Keeter reviewed the following projects for possible inclusion on the SJCOG priorities list:

• White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility Improvements; estimated cost is $35 to $45 million; currently in the design phase.
   

• Lodi Avenue Rail Safety Project; estimated cost is $12 million; currently in design. Ms. Keeter reported that $6.7 million will be coming from Measure K funds and the City is contributing $500,000. The goal for this project is to eliminate 20 locations where the rail lines would cross with different streets.
   

• Indoor Sports Facility; estimated cost is $11 million; currently in design. Staff anticipates that funding will be obtained through Propositions 12 and 40 grants.
   

• Aquatics Center; estimated cost is $7 million; currently in design. It is hoped that Propositions 12 and 40 funds can be used toward this project.

Ms. Keeter explained that SJCOG has requested that the City select two projects as priorities. When the SJCOG Board meets on Thursday it will refer the projects to the Executive Committee for consideration and subsequent vote.

Mayor Pennino reported that over the past three years, the City has brought back $20 million from the SJCOG One Voice trips. He recommended the following projects as priorities and suggested that one regional and two local projects be selected:

• White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility Improvements – targeting the wetlands area;

• Lodi Avenue Rail Safety Project;

• Indoor Sports Facility;

• Old Public Safety Building Remodel; and

• Highway 12 Improvements.

Council Member Howard stated that two years ago when discussions took place with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, it became evident that there are a lot of discrepancies regarding regulations between the State and Federal levels. She believed the City would have success by targeting the wetlands portion of the White Slough project. She also voiced support for the Lodi Avenue Rail Safety Project. She suggested that the recreational requests be brought forward at the Sacramento One Voice SJCOG trip. For consideration at a later date, she offered the topic of high speed rail.

Ms. Keeter reported that last year the Highway 12 Improvements project was $19 million. It consists of adding two lanes in each direction on the 2.8 mile segment of Bouldin Island.

Council Member Land recommended that the following projects be designated for the priority list:

• White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility – wetlands portion;

• Either the Lodi Avenue Rail Safety Project or Fire Station #2 Remodel; and

• Highway 12 Improvements.

Mayor Pro Tempore Hitchcock recommended the Indoor Sports Facility and either the Old Public Safety Building or Fire Station #2 Remodel.

In reply to Mayor Pennino, Public Works Director Prima stated that he believed it would be a good idea to target the wetlands portion of the White Slough project.

Council Member Howard suggested that the other projects could be brought to the attention of representatives at the State level by direct communication from Council Members.

MOTION:
Council Member Land made a motion, Howard second, to designate the following projects for the SJCOG 2003/04 Regional Priorities List:

• White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility Wetlands Project;

• Lodi Avenue Rail Safety Project; and

• Highway 12 Improvements for Operations and Safety.