HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - June 10, 1998LODI CITY COUNCIL AND THE
LODI-WOODBRIDGE WINEGRAPE COMMISSION
JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1998
7:00 A.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members - Johnson, Land, Pennino and Sieglock (Mayor)
Absent: Council Members - Mann
Also Present: City Manager Flynn, Deputy City Manager Keeter, Economic Development
Coordinator Goehring, Community Center Director Lange, City Attorney Hays and
City Clerk Reimche
Present: Lodi -Woodbridge Winegrape Commission Members - Felten, Ledbetter, Hoffman,
Mettler and Quashnick
Absent: Lodi -Woodbridge Winegrape Commission Members - Schatz, Delu, Cotta and Stokes
Also Present: Executive Director Mark Chandler and Ella Bender, Assistant to the Executive
Director
JOINT MEETING
Mayor Sieglock welcomed the group and asked for self -introductions.
Mark Chandler, Executive Director of the Lodi -Woodbridge Winegrape Commission, initiated the
discussion supporting the formation of the Lodi Area Visitors' Commission indicating that this
commission would extend and enhance the hospitality of the Lodi area to all visitors by promoting
local events, activities and businesses and would, thereby, achieve a financial, cultural and
recreational return to the Lodi area. Mr. Chandler shared their commission's commitment and
shared vision toward the formation of the Lodi Area Visitors' Commission.
Mr. Chandler cited numerous programs and events that the Lodi -Woodbridge Winegrape
Commission had sponsored the last several years and indicated that they had a budget of over
$300,000 this year for these kinds of programs.
Mr. Chandler indicated that their commission is ready to commit $30,000 right now, and it is
possible they will have another $25,000 of in-kind donations to put toward this offer. Mr. Chandler
also proposed that they would be willing to contract with the City for the management of the
proposed commission, thereby alleviating the Council's concern of having to add another City
employee.
A lengthy discussion followed with members of the Lodi -Woodbridge Winegrape Commission
supporting the formation of the Lodi Area Visitors' Commission for a variety of reasons.
City Manager Flynn stated that staff was looking into forming a partnership much like the San
Joaquin County Partnership and expanding it to include grape growers, apple growers, nut
growers, etc.
Council Member Pennino and Mayor Pro Tempore Land indicated their support of the formation of
the proposed commission.
Council Member Pennino stated that he feels this is an economic development program and
proposed that funding be added in the 1998/99 budget for Council review. It was suggested that
Continued June 10, 1998
the City had received a $25,000 refund from the Chamber of Commerce so that the amount that
would need to be included in the 1998/99 budget would be $65,000.
Mayor Pro Tempore Land indicated that he would want accountability and would ask for a monthly
accounting should this proposal go forward.
Mayor Sieglock and Mayor Pro Tempore Land both indicated that they like the idea of contracting
with the Lodi -Woodbridge Winegrape Commission for the management of the proposed
commission.
Commissioner Ledbetter stated that he feels it is very important that this be a public/private
organization and that he is in favor of the proposed commission.
Commissioner Quashnick stated that the commission that is being proposed would breathe
continuity and stability into the endeavor and that this is not a short-term thing, but a long-term
project.
Council Member Johnson indicated that he is not in favor of the proposed City commission and
gave a number of reasons as to his position. Council Member Johnson stated that he would like
to see a non -City entity created to drive this.
Questions were directed to City staff about the requirements and time frame necessary to form
such a commission.
It was also suggested that perhaps a foundation like the Old Lodi Union High School Site
Foundation could be formed to head this effort.
Mayor Sieglock stated that should the commission be formed, perhaps the Mayor, Chairman of
the Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Chairman of the Lodi -Woodbridge Winegrape
Commission could make the appointments to the commission.
Following additional discussion, it was agreed that another meeting will be held prior to August 1,
1998 regarding the structure of the proposed commission and that the aforementioned $65,000
would be included as a line item in the 1998/99 budget (this would be in addition to the $25,000
refund returned from the Lodi District Chamber of Commerce).
3. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Sieglock adjourned the
meeting at approximately 8:40 a.m.
ATTEST:
Alice M. Reimche
City Clerk