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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - February 4, 2009 Public Comment 2Continued February 4,2009 is reviewing options for the location of a new school on the east side of town and one option may be Cherokee and Kettleman Lane. Mr. Hand stated the school district does have the ability to use eminent domain and treats it with velvet gloves. Phyllis Roche spoke in opposition to Measure W based on her concerns regarding where the property tax dollars go in the County and State, bond debtedness. and the possible negative effect on the school district. Jane Wagner-Tyack spoke in regard to preserving and maintaining the Delta and provided an organizational overview of the "Restore the Delta" group. Ms. Wagner-Tyack invited the City Council to attend a symposium regarding the Delta on February 28, 2009, at Wine and Roses where numerous experts will discuss the current issues surrounding the Delta and preservation. Barbara Flockhart spoke in opposition to the cost of electric rates based on her concerns regarding comparisons with other agencies and the overall bond indebtedness of the Electric Utility. G. Comments by the _City Council Members on Non-Anenda Items Council Member Mounce reported on her attendance at the League of California Mayors and Council Members Conference, stating conference materials are available for review. In response to Council Member Mounce. City Attorney Schwabauer stated the Kelo case prevents local government from exercising eminent domain for a private purpose. Mr. Schwabauer stated local government in general still has the ability to exercise eminent domain for a public purpose; although, the City has adopted ordinances prohibiting the use of eminent domain in its entirety in the project area. He stated he is not sure of the time period in which an agency must hold on to property it has obtained through eminent domain for a public use before it may be given to a developer, and he will get back with the relevant information. Council Member Johnson requested the Deputy City Managerto research and bring back to the City Council information regarding pay points for utility payments. Mr. Johnson also suggested the Lodi Improvement Committee and/or some other advisory committee be utilized to assist the City Council with redevelopment projects when Measure W passes. Mayor Pro Tempore Katzakian reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities Mayors and Council Members Conference and stated a sub -committee is working on topics of interest for the annual conference. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. King stated there will be an item related to mid- year budget review at a Special Meeting to be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at 7:00 a.m., in conjunction with the Shirtsleeve Session. Mr. King stated that, while no action is specifically anticipated, the Special Meeting allows the City Council flexibility to provide direction. Mayor Hansen reported on his attendance at the Northern California Power Agency conference and San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) Commission meeting. Mayor Hansen specifically discussed the Lodi Energy Center being fully subscribed, discussions regarding local control, the $84 million shortfall at SJCOG being reduced to about $8 million, efforts regarding funding for the Lodi Lake shoring, and funding opportunities through Congressman McNerney and National Mayors Association. He also suggested information regarding pay points be brought to Council for consideration. In response to Council MemberJohnson, Mr. King stated staff is in the process of responding to Congressman McNerneythrough the federal appropriations process with respect to City projects and opportunities for federal funding. 4 Dear Friend of the Delta: The Delta is under siege. People in the Delta feel permanently on the defensive, fighting agencies and interests throughout Californiathat think they know better than local people how to use and manage this utterly unique place and the water that nature sends through it. Sometimes State and Federal agencies and task forces ask for local input. Then they ignore that input and go ahead with their plan to forever alter the Delta as Congressman George Miller said, "wasting time and energy chasing the cumbersome and expensive infrastructure dreams of the past century." What happens to the Delta will affect everyone who lives in San Joaquin County and the rest of the Delta region. Proposals now on the table for conveying water through or around the Delta will irreparably damage a $2 billion agricultural economy. Sport fishing and commercial salmon fishing will suffer. Recreation will suffer. Tourism will suffer. And altering Delta hydrology will impact groundwater, levees, and flood risk in surrounding areas. Restore the Delta — a coalition of over 2100 Delta residents, business leaders, civic organizations, community groups, faith -based communities, union locals, fanners, fishermen, and environmentalists— seeks to strengthenthe health of the estuary and the well-being of Delta communities. Restore the Delta works to improve water quality so that fisheries and fanning can thrive together again in the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta. To this end, we are asking for your time on February 28,2009 for a symposium: "A Bold Di rection: The People's Vision for the Delta." We will look at how changing conditions in the Delta can be managed by the people who know the Delta best because they live there. We will consider the potential for regional self-sufficiency to make other parts of the state less dependent on Delta water. We will discuss current litigation and tackle the controversial issue of a Delta Conservancy, arguing that it should be led by locals rather than outsiders. And we will put our heads together to suggest ways to reform the State Water Resources Control Board. Recent events have put the Delta on the defensive. If you live, work, or re create in or around the Delta, you have a stake in this fight. And the best defense is a good offense. On February 28 & Wine and Roses in Lodi, we will have a chance to articulate a common vision for the Delta. Come and add your voice. If this region can speak with a common voice, we will be heard. Sincerely yours, The Board Members of Restore the Delta Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla Jane Wagner-Tyack Campaign Director Symposium Coordinator Restore the Delta presents A Symposium on the Sacramento -San Joaquin Delta A Bold Direction: The People's Vision for the Delta February 28, 2009, 8 a.m to 4A-5 p.m. Wine and Roses Hotel, Lodi, California The symposium registration fee is $40.00, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available far volunteers and others requiring financial assistance. If a scholarship is needed, please contact Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla at Barbara@restorethedelta.org. Please check our website for updates on panelists and speakers. Enclosed is a registration form. You can also download a form at restorethedelta.org. Return a completed form for each person attending with a check for $40 made out to Restore the Delta. (Only one representative from State or Federal agencies involved in Delta management may attend.) Please mail to PO Box 691088, Stockton, CA 95269. Registration forms and checks must be received by 2/25109. PROGRAM 8:00 a.m. Registration/Continental Breakfast 8:30-9: 10a.m. Welcome from Restore the Delta/Award to Congressman George Miller and Keynote by Congressman George Miller a:10 History of Delta Water: Dante Nomellini a:30 Program Outline and Activities for the Day 10-11 JS a.m. General Session 2: Regional Self-sufficiency Panelists Tom Zuckerman (Central Delta Water Agency), Sean Dempsey (Floating Island International), Steve Haze (San Joaquin Valley Water Leadership Forum), Greg Gartrell (Contra Costa Water District), and Juliet Christian -Smith (Pacific Institute), Greg Gartrell (Contra Costa Water District) and Moderator Greg Aghazarian explore urban water efficiency, floodplain restoration, technological innovation, and other strategies for making other regions in the state less dependent on the Delta to meet their water needs. 1 I :15 a.m.- General Session 3: Managing Changing Conditions in the Delta 12:30 p.m. Panelists: Tina Swanson (The Bay InstituteT,Mindy McIntyre (Planning and Conservation League), Debbie Davis (Environmental Justice Coalition for Water), Chris Nuedeck (Kjeldsen, Sinnock, Neudeck) and Zeke Grader (Pacific Institute of Fisheries Resources) and Moderator Betsy Reifsnider explore non -Canal strategies for responding to legitimate concerns about seismic events, sea level rise, and increased peak freshwater flows. 1;45-2:15 p.m. Current Litigation - Update from Michael Jackson, Attorney, CSPA, and Phillip Hoos, Researcher, EarthJustice 2:15 - 3:15 General Session 4: Delta Conservancy Issues p. M. Moderator former Senator Mike Machado and panelists including Senator Lois Wolk, Barry Nelson (NRDC) explore the potential o fa conservancy led by Delta locals rather than outsiders to meet the needs of both fish and farmers and to respond to changing environmental conditions. .m. Concurrent Sessions 3•'30-�o A. Governance Reform: Fixing the State B. Eminent Domain Water Resources Control Board (Open to Delta landowners only) Panelists Bill Jennings (California Sportfishing John Herrick (South Delta Water Agency), Dan Protection Alliance), Michael Jackson (C -WIN) Nomellini Jr. (Central Delta Water Agency), and and Larry Ruhstaller (San Joaquin County attorney and eminent domain specialist Tom Keeley Board of Supervisors), Barry Nelson (NRDC) will be available for a panel discussion. Restore the Delta presents: A Bold Direction for the Delta: The People's Vision for the Delta A form must be completed for each person attending. Return the completed form with a check for $40 made out to Restore the Delta. Please mail to PO Box 691088, Stockton, CA 95269. Registration forms and checks must be received by 2/25/09 to guarantee a spot. Registration Form Name: Address: Do you need a vegetarian lunch? Phone: Email: Occupation: Name of Organization/Business: Are you an employee with a State or Federal Agency managing the Delta? If yes, please provide name of agency and title. Are you a Delta landowner? If yes, please provide address of Delta location.