HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - December 19, 1990_ PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING
PUBLIC TRANSIT
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
LODI, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1990
7:30 P.M.
The public hearing was called to order by Mayor Hinchman. City Manager
Peterson informed the public of the previous transit meeting that was held on
December 5, 1990 at the Senior Referral Center and referred the matter to
Assistant City Manager Glenn.
Following background information from the previous meeting, Mr. Glenn stated
the problem he sees most often is delays in Dial -A -Ride. Mr. Glenn prepared a
two-week sampling in December and November with results showing that 95% of the
people were picked up and delivered within 45 minutes and 99% were picked up
and delivered withing one hour. Mr. Glenn shared with the Council the needs
that were expressed at the December 5, 1990 unmet transit needs public
hearing. Those needs were the request for a fixed route transit system,
appointment of a citizens' committee on transportation, the need to make
appointments outside of the City of Lodi (especially at the County Hospital),
and some type of emergency service without pre -bought tickets.
There being no questions from the City Council, Mayor Hinchman opened the
hearing to the public. The following people spoke regarding unmet transit
needs:
a) Lillian Goldsmith, 1830 South Hutchins Street 1#7, Lodi, presented the
Council with some background information on an inter -agency committee that
was formed to discuss various items concerning Lodi. One of the main
topics that comes up for discussion is Dial -A -Ride and/or transportation
within the City of Lodi. Ms. Goldsmith introduced Ms. Sally Podesta who is
the chairman of this committee.
b) Sally Podesta, Lodi Unified School District, 307 Walnut Street, Jackson,
spoke of the inter -agency committee. The committee meets the second
Tuesday of every month. From this meeting it was determined that the
following needs were unmet by the City of Lodi:
Appointments are not being made (especially at the County Hospital);
That a task force be appointed by the City Council with possibly Jerry
Glenn as a City appointee; and
That the City of Lodi's transportation connect with Stockton.
Ms. Podesta informed the Council that they have conducted a preliminary
survey (only 626 complete) with results showing that out of 13% using
Dial -A -Ride the majority is happy with this system. However, 56% would use
a fixed route bus system if implemented and 1/3 of the people would like
the City of Lodi to connect with Stockton.
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Continued December 19, 1990
c) Bob Slauson, 416 Palm Avenue, Lodi stated that he is very pleased with
Dial -A -Ride; however, there are two major problems. One being occasional -
delays over one hour waiting for Dial -A -Ride and second the times of
Dial -A -Ride should be expanded an hour earlier and an hour later. There
are many times he must miss, drop or not participate in activities or
classes because there is no transportation at that time of the day or
night. If there was a fixed bus route system, it would make more time
available to the citizen (instead of using a couple hours to wait for ride)
and would enable the citizen to go many more places in one day. Currently
he depends on County transportation to take him to Stockton, but it is not
a fixed route, it's overburdened, it makes only three daily trips and he
must plan two hours in advance for either direction. An inter -City transit
system or expanded bus system would help solve his problem.
d) Brian Young, State of California Engineer, 1056 Bradford Circle, Lodi feels
that public transportation is missing from the City of Lodi. There is no
transportation to the City of Stockton, leaving most people to commute or tc
carpool. Mr. Young has talked with Mr. Tom Dumas of Stockton Metropolitan
Area Regional Transit (SMART), who has advised him that SMART makes special
trips to French Camp, high schools, colleges and it also has an express
system that leaves North Stockton at 7:15 a.m. throuqh a special route and
arrives in downtown Stockton just before 8:00 a.m. Mr. Young states that
many Lodians drive to North Stockton to hook up with SMART's express system.
Is there any way Lodi could get into a joint agreement with SMART to hook
up to this system? Perhaps SMART could leave earlier and go through a
fixed route through Lodi and then return to the route through to downtown
Stockton.
There being no other persons wishing to speak on the matter, Mayor Hirchman
closed the hearing to the public and called for questions from the City Council.
The next procedure, as Mr. Glenn stated, is that the San Joaquin County Council
of Governments (COG) will send a preliminary report of the unmet transit needs
to the City of Lodi. Prior to the filing of Transportation Development Act
(TDA) claims, the City must meet those needs.
Council Member Pennino presented the possibility that instead of creating a new
committee for transportation, perhaps this item could be delegated to the
Senior Citizens Commission which is already organized. Mayor Pro Tempore
Pinkerton agreed that this item could be channeled through this commission.
The Mayor, however, was unsure that this would fall under their delegation.
Lillian Goldsmith requested to speak regarding this suggestion. She feels that
it would not be a good idea for the Senior Citizens Commission to handle the
transportation needs. There is already a feeling among the general public that
Dial -A -Ride is just for seniors and this would reconfirm that belief.
Mayor Pro Tempore Pinkerton expressed his feeling that the City of Lodi is
already doing everything possible to help these needs and it can't afford a
fixed bus system. Dial -A -Ride is adequate and it is a shame that the cublic
feels it is only for seniors despite the many advertisements contrary to that.
Long waits would still be encountered with a fixed route system and the •:rivers
wouldn't be as courteous as the Dial -A -Ride drivers (i.e., helping in wish the
groceries).
Continued December 19, 1990 ; 2.1 3
Mayor Hinchman feels the Council should address the item about a transportation
committee at the next transit meeting, which would be scheduled for some time
in March 1991. The Mayor then closed the hearing.
AMR/JMP
Attest:
ce M. imche
City Clerk
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