HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - February 3, 1993CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LODI
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1993
7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL Present: Council Members - Davenport, Mann, Sieglock,
Snider, and Pennino (Mayor)
Absent: Council Members - None
Also Present: City Manager Peterson, Assistant City
Manager Glenn, Community Development
Director Schroeder, Public Works Director
Ronsko, City Attorney McNatt, and City Clerk
Perrin
INVOCATION The invocation was given by Pastor Derril Peabody, United
Congregational Christian Church.
PLEDGE OF The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pennino.
ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION'
PRESENTATION OF CHECK BY BOOSTERS
OF BOYS SPORTS ORGANIZATION
CC -27(c) Dick Slawson, Secretary of the Boosters of Boys Sports
Organization (B.O.B.S.) presented a check to the Mayor in
the amount of $1,500.00 for the purchase of irrigation
supplies/materials for Kofu and Salas Park infields.
PRESENTATION OF CHECK BY GREATER
KIWANIS OF LODE
CC -27(c) Walt Scheffer, President of Greater Kiwanis of Lodi,
presented a check to the Mayor in the amount of $1,500.00
to offset an earlier loan that was advanced to them toward
the purchase and installation of playground equipment at
the North Youth Area, Lodi Lake Park.
COMMENT REGARDING REGULAR CALENDAR ITEM #3 ENTITLED,
"REPORT ON TRUCK PARKING AND TRAVEL
ON CITY STREETS 11
City Manager Peterson informed the public that a report
regarding Regular Calendar Item #3 entitled, "Report on
truck parking and travel on City streets" would not be
given this evening. The intent of this item was to set the
matter for a public hearing on March 3, 1993 and will be
discussed at that time.
CONSENT CALENDAR In accordance with report and recommendation of the City
Manager, Council, on motion of Council Member Snider, Mann
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Continued February 3, 1993
second, unanimously approved the following
hereinafter set forth.
CLAIMS CC -23(a) Claims were approved in the amount of $3,306,927.80.
MINUTES There were no minutes for approval.
SALE OF SCRAP WIRE AND METAL APPROVED
RESOLUTION NO. 93-22
items
CC -47 The City Council adopted Resolution No. 93-22 authorizing
CC -300 the advertisement for bids for the sale of various items of
scrap wire and metal.
During the course of operations the City utility
departments generate quantities of scrap wire and metal.
Periodically, the City will sell such quantities to scrap
metal dealers on a highest -bid, all -or -none basis.
The current quantities of scrap metal to be advertised for
sale are as follows:
Bare/Insulated Aluminum Wire 1,700 lbs.
Insulated Copper Wire 2,700 lbs.
Bare Copper Wire 550 lbs.
UG Cable (751c Aluminum, 251r Copper) 250 lbs.
Lead Pipe 552 lbs.
Copper Pipe 280 lbs.
Brass Fittings 930 lbs.
Scrap Iron 1 lot
PURCHASE OF ELECTRICAL CABLE FOR THE
ELECTRIC UTILITY DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTIOD VD. 93-23
CC -12(d) The City Council adopted Resolution No. 93-23 authorizing
CC -47 the purchase of 30,000 feet of #2/0 15kV underground
CC -300 primary conductor, and 10,000 feet of #1/0.600V underground
triplex, from the low bidders in each category:
#2/0 15kV primary - Delta Pacific Sales, Yuba City:
$33,682.65
#1/0 600V triplex - Pirelli Cable Corp., Colusa, CA:
$ 7,370.10
On November 18, 1992, the City Council approved
specifications and authorized advertisement for bids. The
following bids were received December 22, 1992:
2
Continued Feb_uary 3, 1993
#2/0 15kV Conc. #1/0 600V Tri.
Delta Pacific Sales, Yuba City $33,682.65 No Bid
Pirelli Cable Corp., Colusa, CA $34,282.13 $7,370.10
Maydwell & Hartzell, San Francisco $43,186.20 No Bid
Graybar Electric, Sacramento No Bid $8,479.93
Capital Wholesale Electric, Sacramento $49,424.93 $8,609.23
This cable will be needed for installation in eleven new
residential and commercial subdivisions scheduled to begin
during the next six to twelve months, and to provide an
inventory for routine or emergency maintenance of the
existing electrical system.
Some of the developments where this cable will be used are
Sunwest Plaza 2, Johnson Ranch 2, Century Meadows 1, 2, and
3, Towne Ranch 1, and the new Target store. As home
construction continues beyond the 12 -month horizon,
additional 600 -volt triplex will be needed, and bids will
be solicited at that time.
PURCHASE OF HYDRAULIC UNDERGROUND CABLE
PULLER FOR THE ELECTRIC UTILITY DEPARTMENT
APPROVED
RESOLUTION NO. 93-24
CC -12(d) The City Council adopted Resolution No. 93-24 authorizing
CC -47 the purchase of a hydraulic underground cable puller to the
CC -300 sole source supplier Sherman & Reilly, Inc., Chattanooga,
Tennessee in the amount of $31,678.50
This equipment will be used by the Line Division when
installing high voltage cable in duct/vault systems. The
cable manufacturers have developed parameters within which
the cable installations must be done to avoid damage to the
cable. Some of these parameters are maximum tension that
can be applied to the cables, .the pulling speed during
installation and the quality of the pull, i.e., smooth,
consistent pull to avoid galloping., At present, the
Department uses line truck capstans and rope to provide the
pulling power, a method that yields a very 'elastic' pull
with very little control over tension and speed.
This hydraulic underground puller has evolved over a period
of years and today is a completely developed, tested and
highly specialized piece of equipment for this very
critical function. This equipment has been in use by a
major Northern California electric utility for over a year
with excellent results. The pulling equipment comes
trailer mounted with a gas engine operated hydraulic power
unit that provides a highly controllable pulling speed and
tension through a special steel underground pulling cable.
The unit is relatively compact, as compared to a line
3
Continued February 3, 1993
truck, and thus, can be placed in the optimum position for
any pull.
To date, no other comparable equipment has been found in
the market place with the characteristics and capabilities
of this unit; therefore, the recommendation to purchase
'sole source' (Lodi Municipal Code, Section 3.20.070). The
purchase price is approximately at higher than the unit
price offered to the major Northern California electric
utility 1-1/2 years ago and must be consid-?-red reasonable,
especially since improvements have been made in this model
and training and instruction of staff, on site, is included
as well.
PURCHASE OF TWO TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
FOR THE DEAF (TDD) AND ONE VANDAL -PROOF
OUTDOOR TELEPHONE APPROVED
RESOLUTION NO. 93-25
CC -12(d)
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 93-25 authorizing
CC -47
staff to purchase one Telecommunications Device for the
CC -118
Deaf (TDD) for the switchboard at City Hall, one TDD for
CC -300
the Dial -A -Ride Dispatch Office, and one vandal proof
CC -501
outdoor direct ringdown telephone to be located outside of
City Hall.
The City is in the process of meeting the requirements as
stipulated in the American Disabilities Act (ADA). One
such requirement is that disabled citizens have access to
City buildings. To accommodate this, an outdoor telephone
will be placed at the back door of City Hall. Citizens in
wheelchairs will have easy access to the telephone to call
the switchboard operator for assistance. Once the
switchboard operator has been contacted, the appropriate
City staff can_ make arrangements to meet with the
individual. The cost for the telephone, which includes
t,raille markings, the casing, and the pole mounting bracket
is approximately $500.00.
To further assist the disabled, a TDB will be placed at the
City Hall switchboard so that individuals with hearing
impairments can call City Hall for information and/or
assistance. Dial -A -Ride services will also be enhanced
with the placement of a TDD in the Dispatch Office so that
hearing impaired individuals can request rides.
Dial -A -Ride does not currently have any means of
communicating with citizens who are hearing impaired. Each
TDD costs approximately $539.12 for a total of $1,078.24.
4
Continued February 3, 1993
CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER - WELL 3-R DRILLING,
144 SOUTH ROSE STREET (SOUTHWEST CORNER OF
HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE) APPROVED
CC -90 This information was given to the City Council in
accordance with the Contract Change Order policy approved
by Resolution 85-72. One of the requirements of this
policy is that we inform the City Council of all change
orders over 10* of the contract amount.
The contract change order, approved by the City Manager,
was in the amount of $11,190, which is 16.4V of the
contract. Under normal circumstances, the development of a
well consists of dropping a portable pump into the well to
remove the mud and sand. Occasionally, this procedure is
not effective and there are times when the well will become
clogged during the drilling operation.
When a well becomes clogged, as did Well 3-R, specialized
procedures such as chemical treatments and selective strata
pumping must be attempted. Both were tried and the strata
pumping was successful. This change order covers the work
needed to do the selective strata pumping.
Fifteen working days were added to this contract.
COMMENTS BY CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS The following comments were received under the "Comments by
City Council Members" segment of the agenda:
COMMENT REGARDING THE HIRING OF THE POLICE CHIEF
CC -16 Council Member Davenport first informed the public that if
CC -34 anyone had any questions to call him anytime. Second, Mr.
Davenport once again expressed his opinion regarding the
hiring of the Police Chief and welcomed any public comments
on the matter. He also stated that he would like to see
the testing for the position be extended to lieutenants and
sergeants.
LETTER RECEIVED REGARDING POLICE DISCRIMINATION
Council Member
him a letter
contact him.
REQUEST'FOR DIFFERENT BUDGET FORMATS
Davenport asked that the citizen who wrote
regarding police discrimination to please
CC -21(b) Council Member Davenport directed the City Manager, with
Council concurrence, to request sample budget formats from
two or three comparable cities.
A
Continued February 3, 1993
-. COMMENT ON ARTICLE REGARDING GANGS THAT
APPEARED IN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S
NEWSLETTER
Council Member Davenport commented on the article that
appeared in the Chamber of Commerce's newsletter regarding
gangs.
COMMENTS BY THE
PUBLIC ON NON
AGENDA ITEMS There were no persons wishing to comment under the
"Comments by the public on non -agenda items" segment of the
agenda:
PUBLIC HEARINGS Notice thereof having been published according to law, an
affidavit of which publication is on file in the office of
the City Clerk, Mayor Pennino called for the continued
Public Hearing to consider update of Development Impact
Mitigation Fees.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER UPDATE
OF DEVELOPMENT IMPACT MITIGATION FEES
RESOLUTION NO. 93-26
CC -56 Assistant City Engineer Prima presented the following
CC -300 report.
The City Council was advised that the City's Development
Impact Mitigation Fee Program, adopted in 1991, provides
for an annual update of the fees based on the Engineering
News Record (ENR) 20 Cities Construction Cost Index.
Further adjustments can be made if there are substantial
changes in the fee program projects, their costs, or other
factors. The City has used the ENR for updating the storm
drainage impact fee since 1972.
On November 18, 1992, the City Council conducted a hearing
on increasing the fees 3.61V based on the change in the ENR
Index. At the hearing, a number of people spoke in
opposition to the increase. They generally felt the use of
a national index was inappropriate for recent conditions in
the Lodi area. The Council requested additional background
information in response and continued the public hearing to
February 3, 1993.
To more accurately address this "index" issue, the projects
which the impact fees are financing must be broken down
into categories. The fees are paying for a wide variety of
capital facilities ranging from water wells to police cars,
each with their own market conditions. The following
discussion focuses on each category in order of their
proportion of the total fee.
6
Continued February 3, 1993
Buildings
The cost of various public buildings accounts for nearly
one-quarter of the total fee. Since no buildings have been
constructed under the fee program, staff cannot compare
actual costs to the program estimates. There is no local
"index" for building costs. In December 1992, the
Engineering News Record published a summary of various cost
indexes. Increases range from 1.28 to 2.98. A local
architect's office felt an increase of between 28 and 38
was appropriate. The recommended adjustment for buildings
was an increase of 28 except for the City Hall project.
The recent changes in the plan for expansion of City Hall
are substantially different from the original,
underestimated project which was included in the fee
program. Based on the latest plans and cost estimates, the
cost of the portion of the project included in the fee
program should be increased 228.
Street Improvements
Typical street improvements, i.e., paving for wide streets,
basin and park frontage improvements and miscellaneous
street and park improvements, account for just over 208 of
the total fee. These prices have declined since the fee
study. This is confirmed by local engineers and the
Caltrans Construction Cost Index. However, this has been
partially offset by two factors. One is that the City has
paid for more street work than estimated in the program,
primarily on Kettleman Lane near Lower Sacramento Road.
The other is that the cost of excess right of way was not
consistently included in the estimates for new "wide"
streets. Under the City's fee and reimbursement program
ordinance, right of way dedications in excess of 68 feet
are to be reimbursed under the fee program.
The recommended adjustment for these improvements was a
decrease of 28.
Other special or large-scale street improvements, including
the Highway 12/99 interchange, WID Canal crossing
widenings, railroad crossings and traffic signals, account
for nearly 78 of the fee. The only work paid by the fees
in this category has been the signal work at Highway
12/Lower Sacramento Road, and the signal at Highway
12/Tienda Drive. Both were added to the program after the
fee was set. These two projects would increase the fee by
1.58. Preliminary discussions with Caltrans indicate that
the cost of the Highway 12/99 interchange will
substantially exceed the cost included in the fee program.
On the other hand, the cost of signals has not increased
over the past year, and may be decreasing.
7
Continued FebLuary 3, 1993
It was recommended there be no adjustment for these
projects.
Land
The cost of land for storm drainage basins and parks is
approximately 22$ of the total fee. The cost of land was
estimated in the study to be $100,000 per acre. Only one
acquisition has been made (E-Basin/westgate Park) in which
the price was set at $115,000 per acre. in addition,
nearly 2 acres (14$) more land was acquired than was
estimated in the fee calculations. However, this should
not be a typical occurrence once the Parks Master Plan is
adopted. We also have an appraisal on another basin which
is slightly lower than $100,000 per acre.
The recommended adjustment for land was an increase of 4$.
Water Wells
New wells account for 11V of the total fee. A significant
portion (40%) of this cost is for granular activated carbon
(GAC) treatment units for DBCP. In order to provide proper
system operation, the City will have to drill some new
wells in areas with DBCP levels exceeding the allowable
limit. Whether or not the City will need the number of
estimated treatment units is unknown at this time. City
well costs are showing a slight increase.
The recommended adjustment for wells was an increase of
1/2%.
Underground Utilities
Oversizing credits for water and sewer lines and the cost
of master storm lines account for 5t of the total fee.
Based on local engineers' estimates and data provided by
local contractors, these prices have either declined or
stayed the same. However, in the few projects in which the
City .has paid credits, or for master storm drains, the
footages have exceeded those included in the original
estimates.
The recommended adjustment for underground utilities was a
decrease of 1V.
Equipment
Police cars, fire fighting equipment and other
miscellaneous vehicles and equipment account for
approximately 4V of the total fee. Although no purchases
have been made under the fee program, we do know costs have
continued to increase. A fully equipped police car,
estimated to cost $18,000 in January 1990, now costs
8
Continued February 3, 1993
$21,000; roughly a 5t per year increase. Cost increases
for fire fighting equipment have been lower.
The recommended adjustment for equipment was an increase of
4i$. -
Miscellaneous
This category includes program administration and the
various studies for the next two General Plan updates. The
fee study consultants estimated the equivalent of two
full-time positions would be needed to administer the
program. With slow development, it has not been necessary
to add positions although some existing staff time and
equipment has been charged to this account. Given this,
but assuming additional staff will be needed in the future,
a decrease of 1.5t was recommended. For other studies yet
to be done, an increase of 3t was recommended.
Agreements
The City has a number of formal agreements and adopted
policies providing for reimbursements to either developers
or the City for past expenses. These account for just
under 3k of the total fee. These agreements specifically
call for an adjustment based on the ENR Index. This
adjustment should be 3.61ir as indicated in the previous
staff report.
Lift Stations
There are three separate sanitary sewer service areas
identified in the fee study with their own supplemental fee
for lift stations. In one case, a development has paid the
fee and installed temporary facilities. It is likely this
will occur again before it is necessary to construct the
permanent lift station. When it is finally necessary to
construct the permanent lift station, the actual costs will
be apportioned to the areas served. If the fees previously
collected are less than the amount needed, the City will
have to make up the difference. Thus, it is important that
the fee be kept up to date.
The recommended adjustment for lift stations was a 3.5; -
increase.
Summary
The City-wide fee categories and subcategories, along with
their relative percentages and the recommended adjustments,
were shown on an exhibit which was presented for Council's
review. The total adjustment was a 1.99V increase which
was less than the 3.61% previously recommended. Another
exhibit presented to Council summarized all the fees and
9
Continued February 3, 1993
compared the proposed fees to the existing fees and the
previously recommended fees. The total increase was $800
per acre of low-density residential use, or roughly $160
per single-family dwelling.
Following a lengthy discussion among the City Council, the
Mayor opened the hearing to the public. Speaking against
the matter were the following persons:
a) Jeff Kirst, 109 River Meadows Drive, Lodi,
presented a memorandum addressed to Russ
Munson regarding unit costs for public
improvements (a copy of which is on file in
the City Clerk's offices);
b) Dennis Bennett, 1225 North Rivergate Drive,
Lodi, presented a report with tabulations of
bids received on various different City of
Lodi projects (a copy of which is on file in
the City Clerk's office);
c)
Frank Alegre, 2000 Edgewood Drive, Lodi;
d)
Steve Pechin, 323 West Elm Street, Lodi,
representing Baumbach and Piazza, Inc.;
e)
Russ Munson, 1530 Edgewood Drive, Lodi;
f)
Mark Dispenza, representing the Builders
Association;
g)
Ken Boyd, 414 Cork Oak Way, Lodi; and
h)
Marilyn Burns, 5430 Kettleman Lane, Lodi.
Following a lengthy discussion among the City Council,
staff and those who had given testimony, the City Council
on motion of Council Member Mann, Snider second,
unanimously adopted Resolution No. 93-26 not increasing the
total fees and approving the individual fee category
adjustments.
PLANNING COMMISSION City Manager Peterson presented the following Planning
REPORT Commission Report of the Planning Commission Meeting of
January 25, 1993.
CC -35 The Planning Commission -
ITEMS OF INTEREST
a. Accepted withdrawal of the request of Hai Nguyen for a
video store and small arcade at 429 West Lockeford Street,
Suite B, in an area zoned C-2, General Commercial.
10
Continued Fe:.iruary 3, 1993
b. Conditionally approved the request of Daryl Duncan on
behalf of Wanda J. Cherry for approval of a Tentative
Parcel Map to create 2 lots from 1 lot at 819 James Street
in an area zoned R-2, Single -Family Residential.
Denied the request of Claude C. Wood Co. to extend the Use
Permit for a temporary office trailer at 636 East Lockeford
Street in an area zoned M-2, Heavy Industrial.
This Use Permit was originally granted on May 9, 1988 and
subsequently renewed by the Planning Commission on June 12,
1989, August 20, 1990 and September 12, 1991.
The September 12, 1991 extension was for a period of 16
months with the Provision that no additional extensions be
granted.
COMMUNICATIONS
(CITY CLERK)
CLAIMS CC -4(c'• On recommendation of the City Attorney and the City's
contract administrator, Insurance Consulting Associates,
Inc. (ICA), the City Council, on motion of Council Member
Sieglock, Davenport second, unanimously rejected the
following claim:
a) Danny G. Jones, Date of loss 6/22/92
ABC LICENSE
APPLICATIONS City Clerk Perrin presented the following applications for
Alcoholic Beverage Control Licenses which had been received:
CC -7(f) a) Ravez/Saleem Khan and Bernard C. Kooyman,
East Side Market, 360 East Lodi Avenue,
Lodi, Off Sale Beer and Wine, Original
License; and
b) Alice J./Harry G. Potter, Bumble Bee, 20
North Main Street, Lodi, On Sale Beer and
Wine, Public Premises, Person to Person
Transfer.
REPORT ON CABLE TELEVISION RATE ADJUSTMENTS
CC -6 City Manager Peterson presented the following report.
CC -22(c)
CC -56 Existing law provides that cable television companies
advise local agencies 30 days in advance of the
implementation of rate adjustments. King Videocable
Company has met this requirement by notifying the City on
January 27, 1993 of a scheduled rate adjustment to be
effective March 1, 1993. Unfortunately, the notice was not
received until after the deadline for preparation of the
agenda for the regular meeting of Wednesday, February 3,
11
Continued February 3, 1993
1993. However, the company has mailed notices of this
scheduled rate adjustment to all subscribers, and these
notices should reach all customers within the next day or
two.
Deanna Enright, King Videocable, was in attendance and
presented a brief report to the City Council regarding the
rate adjustments.
"This ... is notification to the City of Lodi of our planned
rate adjustment and channel line-up changes for our
franchise area.
Effective March 1, 1993, King Videocable will be changing
rates as follows:
° basic service will decrease from $16.50 to $14.00
° basic plus service will increase from $4.00 to $7.95
° additional outlets will increase from $3.50 to $4.25 each
Customers with basic and basic plus service will see a
total increase of $1.45. However basic service will be
available at a more economical rate. As a reminder, basic
plus service is comprised of ESPN, CNN, Discovery, and many
more popular cable channels.
These changes in our price structure are the result of
several factors. With respect to the increase, despite our
efforts to hold down controllable costs, programming as
well as other uncontrollable costs continue to increase.
Concerning the decrease in our basic service rate,
effective March 1, 1993, we will be changing our channel
alignment. This reconfiguration enables us to make basic
service available at a more economical rate. Unfortunately
it also means that the home shopping channel will be moved
out of the basic service. Customers with both basic and
basic plus will have no change in the total number of
channels received.
A major reason for these changes in channel position is to
comply with the Cable Television Consumer Protection and
Competition Act of 1992. It is clear that the act intends
for customers to receive an economically priced entry level
of service.
We at King Videocable continue our efforts to remain
competitive in the video entertainment market by providing
the best value for the entertainment dollar through
programming selection, the installation of an improved
communication system to better respond to customer needs,
and by keeping changes in rates to a minimum."
RECESS Mayor Pennino called for a ten-minute recess and the City
Council reconvened at approximately 9:35 p.m.
12
Continued February 3, 1993
REGULAR CAL9*+DAR
MODIFIED FRANCHISE FEE FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
ORDINANCE NO. 1565 INTRODUCED
CC -22(b) Assistant City Manager Glenn prepared the following report.
CC -54
CC -149 The franchise agreement with Sanitary City Disposal has an
8t franchise fee for the collection and transportation of
refuse within the City limits. When the City Council
adopted the new rates for the curb side recycling program,
it was agreed the City would reduce the franchise fee from
8V to 6% in order to lower the collection and disposal
rates.
Following a brief discussion, the following person spoke
regarding the matter:
a) Janet Pruss, 2421 Diablo Drive, Lodi.
Council Member Davenport stated for the record that
pursuant to State statute, he felt this item did not meet
the requirement to be adopted as an urgency ordinance. The
City Attorney agreed on the matter.
On motion of Council Member Mann, Snider second, the City
Council introduced Ordinance No. 1565 entitled, "An
Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Lodi Amending
Exclusive Franchise for Waste Disposal Services" by the
following vote:
Ayes: Council Members - Mann, Sieglock, Snider and
Pennino (Mayor)
Noes: Council Members - Davenport
Absent: Council Members - None
RENEWAL OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION
SERVICE AGREEMENT APPROVED
CC21.1(b) Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Evans
CC -90 presented the following report.
The City of Lodi renews its service agreement with its
workers compensation third party administrator on an annual
basis, every November 1st.
In November 1990, the City first began using
Greenfield -Thompson Associates, Inc. (now known as
Associated Claims Management, Inc.) as its third party
administrator, the service fee was established at $4,400
per month. Council approved an increase to $4,750 per
13
Continued February 3, 1993
month for the year beginning November 1, 1991. This firm
has now agreed to a $4,916.25 fee per month for the 92-93
year, which represents a 3.5k increase relative to last
year's fee.
It should be noted that when staff originally began
negotiations with this administrator, the administrator had
requested a fee of $5,250 per month (an increase of 10.52t).
This firm justifies its request on the basis that its
staff, and employees in this industry in general, are still
expecting salary increases in the 5V to 7% range. This has
dropped somewhat from a period three years ago when salary
increases were generally around 10t. Burnout and turnover
amongst third party administrator staff is very high. The
philosophy of this firm is to hire sufficient staff to
cover the workload, invest in employee training and provide
competitive salaries in order to prevent turnover.
Clerical support staff at the Pleasanton office were
recently increased from a ratio of 1.0 per examiner to 1.5
per examiner. Ultimately, Associated Claims Management,
Inc. feels the cost of maintaining a stable, quality staff
are lower than those of employee turnover and regular
disruptions in the processing of client's claims.
Included in this contract renewal is a managed care/medical
cost-containment program. Roberta Penarelli, Executive
Vice President has stated that through this program of
medical billing reviews, the City could realize a savings
of roughly $25,000 per year, assuming our medical billings
fall around $100,000 per year. For this, a fee of 15* of
all savings through the bill review system would be
charged, and 30V for savings through negotiated reduced
fees with designated medical providers.
Speaking on behalf of Associated Claims Management were
Karen Esperance, and Stacii Marchbanks.
Following discussion, the City Council, on motion of
Council Member Mann, Davenport second, unanimously approved
the renewal of the Workers Compensation Claim
Administration Service agreement as presented.
REPORT ON TRUCK PARKING AND TRAVEL ON CITY STREETS
CC -6 City Manager Peterson introduced the matter and reminded
CC -48(a) the Council and the public of the comment he made earlier
in the meeting, that the intent of this item is to set this
matter for public hearing for March 3, 1993.
At the June 17, 1992 meeting, City Council reviewed the
Public Works Department's recommendation regarding
inc----eased truck parking restrictions on City streets in
response to citizen complaints. Prior to taking any action
14
Continued February 3, 1993
on this matter, Council directed staff to meet with the
Chamber of Commerce and the trucking industry for their
comments.
The Chamber sponsored two meetings, held on July 10 and
July 22, 1992. City staff presented the problems and
possible solutions at these meetings. The first meeting
involved the Chamber's Government and Transportation Review
Committee, Chamber Directors and general membership. Two
large trucking firms were represented at the first
meeting. At the second'meeting, which was targeted towards
independent truckers, only one representative from the
trucking industry was in attendance along with three
concerned citizens. The comments received from the Chamber
meeting were presented to the Council in Appendix 1 of the
report.
At the request of one independent trucker, the Council
meeting was postponed until the beginning of the year, a
less busy time for most independent truckers. A truck
driver who attended one of the Chamber's meetings
volunteered to notify independent truckers.
The Council Communication was expanded in the report to
include complaints and problem areas received through the
City's complaint system regarding truck parking and truck
travel. The report also includes the existing regulations
and restricted locations, and past discussions and Council
action on truck issues. This report is summarized below:
Report Summary
Since most of the changes being recommended require a
modification of the Lodi Municipal Code (LMC), no final
action can be taken until a formal public hearing is held
on the specific changes.
Staff has prepared three alternatives addressing truck
parking and travel issues. The first alternative is to
modify the existing truck parking ordinance by changing the
definition of "residential district" as defined in LMC
Section 10.52.050. Under this alternative, truck parking
would be prohibited adjacent to nonresidentially zoned
areas located on two-lane roadways if a "residential
district" exists across the street, unless it has reverse
frontage. The second alternative is to consider repealing
the existing truck parking ordinance and establishing a
"truck route" system, thereby allowing truck parking only
on those routes. The third alternative is to leave the
existing truck parking ordinance as is and install
no -parking zones as truck parking problems are reported.
After reviewing the alternatives and comments received
regarding this matter, staff recommended that the City
15
Continued February 3, 1993
Council set a public hearing to consider Alternative 1
since it satisfies the City's intent to prohibit truck
parking near residences while providing considerably more
available truck parking than Alternative 2. Also, the
amount of additional restricted area will not severely
affect the total amount of City-wide truck parking
currently available. Staff had no major objections to
Alternative 2 since it can be used to regulate truck travel
as well as truck parking and can be written to eliminate
truck parking in residential areas, similar to the existing
truck parking ordinance. Staff's major concern is the
reduction of available truck parking and that truck parking
would not be permitted in commercial and industrial areas
not on the truck routes. Staff does not recommend
Alternative 3 due to its ineffectiveness in controlling
truck parking and the cost to evaluate, install and
maintain no -parking zones. Also, an excessive amount of
passenger vehicle parking would have to be eliminated in
order to keep trucks from parking in undesirable areas.
Staff also recommended setting a public hearing to change a
section of LMC 10.52.050 which reads "maximum gross weight
4
of five tons" to "maximum gross vehicle weight rating of
10,000 pounds". This change conforms with the Vehicle Code.
The final item for Council review through the hearing
process is the existing ordinance regulating commercial
vehicle travel on City streets (LMC 10.52.010). Staff felt
the wording should be changed in order to make it clear
that it is legal to regulate vehicle travel based on the
number of axles as provided in the California Vehicle
Code. As stated in the report, it is easier for police
officers to enforce the number of axles of a vehicle rather
than the weight limit. Therefore, staff also recommended
that the streets listed below be changed as shown. Any
future vehicle travel restrictions will be proposed based
on vehicle axles.
Holly Drive (all) - Change from "commercial vehicles and
vehicles over 3 tons prohibited" to "commercial vehicles
over 2 axles prohibited".
Tokay Street (from Stockton Street to Cherokee Lane) -
Change from "commercial vehicles and vehicles over 5 tons
prohibited" to "commercial vehicles over 2 axles
prohibited".
Speaking on the matter was the following person:
a) Jane Holden, 207 East Walnut Street, Lodi.
On motion on Council Member Davenport, Sieglock second, the
City Council unanimously set a public hearing for March 3,
1993 to consider truck parking and travel on City streets.
16
Continued February 3, 1993
EASTSIDE TASK FORCE CONSIDERED
CC -2(s) City Manager Peterson presented the following report.
CC -6
At its regular meeting of Wednesday, January 20, 1993, the
City Council heard a request from Ms. Virginia Snyder for
the formation of a group of citizens living on the east
side of the City to review and evaluate suggestions and
concerns of the residents of that area. Ms. Snyder was
advised that this item would appear on this agenda. Below
is a letter supplied by Ms. Snyder.
"An interesting article about Oakland's efforts to fight
drugs, crime, and urban decay..(was presented for Council's
review). If you decide to appoint an eastside task force
to look for solutions to Lodi's problems, maybe we can
learn from Oakland's experience.
The one thing that troubles me about this article is the
apparent differences between the Safe Streets movement and
the Oakland Police Department. It's my feeling that any
eastside task force should work closely with the Lodi
Police Department and also with the Gang Task Force.
Since my presentation at the last Council meeting, I've
received lots of support for an eastside task force. If
eastside residents will convert the verbal support into
action, I believe within a few years we'll see significant
improvement in our eastside neighborhoods. We don't have a
lot to lose by trying. Things are getting worse every year.
My prayers are with you as you consider your decision. I
know you have to take into account many things I'm not
aware of. I also appreciate the fact that the City Council
will take the heat for task force recommendations that
might be unpopular with certain elements; slum landlords
might fall into that category. That's one of the reasons I
feel it's vitally important we:
1. Demonstrate how property values rise and
maintenance costs go down when rentals are
properly managed.
2. Let eastside business people know how
valuable they are to the community and do
everything we can to create conditions that
will allow them to earn a greater profit.
3. Show eastside churches we are a force for
decency and good in our city, and solicit
their support.
4. Involve Lodi's diverse ethnic groups in the
effort.
17
Continued February 3, 1993
5. Operate within the framework of existing
city ordinances to protect the City of Lodi
from possible legal complications.
This started out to be a short note. I'm sure I'm not
telling you anything you don't already know. Please
approve an eastside task force.
Thanks very much for your time."
Speaking on the matter were the following persons:
a) Virginia Snyder, 412 East Oak Street, Lodi;
b) Virginia Lahr, 311 East Elm Street, Lodi;
c) John Young, 600 Tara Place, Lodi;
d) Joseph Young, 744 South Central Avenue,
Lodi; and
e) Ken Owen, Christian Community Concerns, Lodi.
Following a lengthy discussion regarding the possible
formation of a committee, the Mayor directed Virginia
Snyder, Virginia Lahr and John Young to work together with
staff to formulate ideas and guidelines for a committee and
to return to the City Council with its recommendations
within 30 days.
ORDINANCES There were no ordinances for adoption.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City
Council, Mayor Pennino adjourned the meeting at
approximately 10;55 p.m.
ATTEST:
Jin ifer Perrin
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