HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - September 19, 2007 Public CommentContinued September 19,2007
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce, Mr. King stated that, pursuant to the
termination clause in the agreement, the consultant may be terminated at any time.
MOTION /VOTE:
The City Council, on motion of Council Member Hansen, Katzakian second, adopted
Resolution No. 2007-190 appropriating funds and authorizing the City Manager to enter
into a contract with Rad Bartlam to provide General Plan project management services for
a total cost $78,400 for two years. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members —Hansen, Katzakian, Mounce, and Mayor Johnson
Noes: Council Members— Hitchcock
Absent: Council Members — None
F. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
• Barbara Flockhart spoke on her concerns regarding various funds expended by the City
Council on items including, but not limited to, wastewater treatment facility, consultants,
refinancing, and redevelopment.
G. COMMENTS BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
• Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce suggested staff look into the request made by Kenneth Chase
and the mural on Cherokee Lane and Victor Road.
• Council Member Hansen mentioned there was graffiti near the mural, requested an update on
the mobile food vendor efforts, reported on his attendance at the San Joaquin Council of
Governments meeting specifically pertaining to obtaining a seat on the Rail Commission, and
requested a formal presentation at a regular Council meeting of the environmental litigation
when appropriate to do so.
Mayor Johnson thanked Council Members Hitchcock and Hansen for their efforts with the
environmental litigation and suggested references to mandates imposed by the State
legislature be listed when items are brought forth.
H. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
• City Manager King reported on future improvements on Lodi Avenue, a community workshop
to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, the status of the sound system in the Grape Bowl,
refinancing efforts which will result in a savings of approximately $1.5 million, and the cost of
issuance which will be put out again for clarification purposes.
I-1 Notice thereof having been published according to law, an affidavit of which publication is
on file in the office of the City Clerk, Mayor Johnson called for the public hearing to
consider adopting a resolution approving the Lodi Solar Rebate Program to become
effective January 1, 2008.
City Manager King provided a brief introduction of the subject matter.
Rob Lechner, Manager of Customer Services and Programs, provided a PowerPoint
presentation regarding the solar rebate program. Specific topics of discussion included
state mandates through Senate Bill 1, overview of the bill, highlights of the Solar Rebate
Pilot Project, fast facts about solar systems, the next steps in implementing the program,
solar initiative surcharge, funding options, and recommendations regardingthe same.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Lechner stated the California Energy
Commission is still working on the actual effective date and discussing grandfathering
options.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Lechner stated how the funds are divided is
not mandated as the City Council may divide as deemed appropriate.
4
Redevelopment For a Better Lodi
California has nearly400 active redevelopment agencies in communities throughout the state, includ-
ing five cities in San Joaquin County. While they are probably the least understood local government
entities, redevelopment oge ncies represent the most important tool a community has to help breathe
new life into areas in need of revitalization, economic development and new opportunity. Redevelop-
ment activities create jobs and expand opportunities for bLisiness, provide affordable housing and
homeownershipopportunities for famittes must in need, reduce crime, improve infrastructure and lead
cleanup of run-down areas. Below are some key facts about redevelopment agencies and their con-
tributionsto California communities.
Redevelopment. W _ . �,t,�-- � Redevelopmenfey The Numbers
community projects don't get done. 8. Numberof the 163 California cit -
An abandoned gas station doesn't tum into retail space over-
nt 01,009PRI usmq doesn't build itself. Revitalization
of detee# pp
riorate � st happen —someone has to
make it happe�:. �I ton of redevelopment agencies
is to serve as ft or community revitalization projects,-,
in which the private sector otherwise would not be involved.
Reflecting the community's needs:
eW
s 6661"govemmententities'u-1
oritrol _ o, my Board of Supervrsars
separate appointer
cause f ,development agencies are in
thy; Iaesf Eommunity needs and to wort
with private investors on local projects to meet those needs.
How it works:
When redevelopment agencies make improvements to tar
geted areas, property values within those areas rise, resuPtFat
an increase in .property tax revenues. State law allows riedevel
oprnent agencies to use a portion of this increase to repay fi-
nr nc d u,": fjons they must incur in order to rehabilitatean
are. j�pment agencies use these funds to build public
improv' tpa ir;frastructure, clean uF)contaminated sal
_nd da t7irigs 1'.cessaryto improve tne conditions of'tne
property Mef's commitment of funds attracts Idm.
va inVI., t t tdates a chain reaction. such asjob cnoa-
Trion; where the ultimate economic output is larger than the origi
nal public invesfine I
ies with populations greater than
50,000 that do not have redevelop-
ment agencies, of which Lodi is
one.
$8.7 billion. Redevelopment agen-
cies' revenue in fiscal year 2005-
2006, up from $7.2 billion the previ-
ous year.
$14. Every$1 of redevelopment
agency spending generates nearly
$14 in total economic activity.
$38I billion. Increase in property
values above base -year levels.
$693 million. Amount spent by state
redevelopment agencies in 2005-
2006 in low-andmoderote-income
housing.
20 percent. Amount of property tax
revenues generated from redevel-
opment activities that must be
spent to increase the supply of af-
fordable housing.
•(C)cmmuns rvlsRfe
off "'Ousingpots , a0#301he
'Ur cord: ""Revitalizing already -used
land reduces the need to sprawl onto
farms or wetlands and uses compact
growth to slop sprawl. Redevelopment
in cities uses existing resources rather
than forcing taxpayers to subsidbe. the
building of new mads or sewer lines."
—Sierra Club
Redevelopment: A tool to build a better Lodi
The City of Lodi has many needs, from more affordable housing to fixing aging
buildings and stimulating business on Cherokee Lane. The City constantly examines
the range of services it provides and how to pay for and improve them. Like every
other California city, Lodi has a tool available to reach some of those unmet needs,
but unlike most other cities, it's unused at the moment. That tool is redevelopment,
which allows cities to keep a greater share of property taxes paid when values
climb.
State redevelopment law allows the city to use tax generated from higher
property values to pay for repairs and improvements that would otherwise require
higher fees on ratepayers or drain funds from other city services. With a
redevelopment plan, Lodi would keep five times as much property tax generated by
higher values than without, freeing up more money for services such as police
protection and park maintenance. Redevelopment does not raise taxes, it merely
changes the way a portion of the tax revenue is distributed.
Four of the county's six other cities have active redevelopment agencies,
ranging from the largest, Stockton, to one of smallest, Ripon (population 14,575).
The following may help answer some questions you may have about the
process:
Question: What's in it for me?
Answer: If you own property within a redevelopment area, redevelopment
funds could go toward street and sidewalk upgrades, underground pipe repairs, and
assistance programs to improve your home, building or surrounding properties.
State law requires redevelopment agencies spend at least 20 percent of their funds
on affordable housing. The list of eligible programs hasn't been established yet, so
your participation is valuable as the community considers how redevelopment may
benefit Lodi.
Question: Where is the redevelopment area?
Answer: if the City Council decides to pursue a redevelopment project, that
r
will be something decided with the public's help. A 2002 proposal, which identified •,
most of east Lodi within a proposed project area, may be a starting point in the
SEPTEMBER 2007
Redevelopment: A tool to build a better Lodi (cont.)
discussion. Sales tax collections, an indicator of economic strength, have actually
declined in that geographic area in recent years.
Question: Isn't this just more government?
Answer: It is a separate agency, but it's still the Lodi City Council members who
make the decisions, such as how money is spent, after the public has its say in an open
meeting.
Question: Could the redevelopment agency take my home on behalf of a
private developer?
Answer: Not in Lodi. The city has an ordinance that prohibits it from using
eminent domain powers to seize property for a private party's benefit. If a
redevelopment project is adopted, it will be set up with that prohibition in place,
something a future. City Council could not reverse without a lengthy process and public
input.
Question: Didn't the city already try this in 2002?
Answer: Almost. The process started and then stopped after a citizen's group
forced the issue to the ballot. The Lodi City Council decided the time wasn't right and
dropped the matter. But had the project moved forward, the Lodi Redevelopment
Agency would be receiving roughly $500,000 a year for local projects.
Question: How soon can I expect to see changes in my neighborhood?
Answer: It won't be overnight. The city receives additional dollars only when
property values increase. But over time, as more redevelopment funds are invested, the
beneficial effect should be compounded.
For more information, contact the City Manager's office: 333-6700.
SEPTEMBER 2007