HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - December 18, 1979I
UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS
DETERMINATION
PUBLIC HEARING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1979
7:00 P.M.
HALE PARK RECREATION FACILITY
LODI, CALIFORNIA
Present: COG Committeeman/City Councilman James McCarty
Mayor Ted Katzakian
Mayor Pro Tempore Walter Katnich
Linda Hirst, COG Transportation Planner
Andy Chesley, COG Staff Member
' Henry A. Glaves, City Manager
Alice M. Reimche, City Clerk
The Hearing was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Councilman
James McCarty, who Chaired this Public Hearing.
A briefsummition of the composition and function of the San Joaquin
County Council of Governments was given by Councilman McCarty.
The following information regarding this Public
Hearing to receive input on transportation needs
was presented by Linda Hirst, COG Transportation
Planner.
The San Joaquin County Council of Governments which is composed
of the Cities of Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, Escalon and Ripon
and the County of San Joaquin, has been designated as the Trans-
portation Planning Agency for purposes of administering the Trans-
portation Development Act.
In accordance with Section 6658 of the California Administrative
Code, each year before funds from this act may be allocated for
any purpose, other than those relating directly to public trans-
portation systems, the Council of Governments is required to make
Y a determination that there are no unmet public transportation
needs within each City, the transit district and the unincorporated
areas of the County which can reasonably be met. If there are
found to be needs which canreasonably be met, these needs must be
satisfied prior to expending any of these funds on other purposes
including local streets and roads.
The input received this evening and that received at other public
hearings being held around the county will be used along with
other data to prepare a determination on unmet transportation
needs that can reasonably be met for each of the incorporated cities,
the area of the Stockton Metropolitan Transit District and the
unincorporated areas of the county. The proposed determinations will
then be set for public hearing in March. Revisions to the proposed
determinations will be made, if necessary, before the determination
for each area is adopted by the COG in April.
The following is a brief synopsis of the testimony presented at
the hearing:
a) Mr. Stanley Harkness, 700 Cardinal, Lodi. Mr.
Harkness presented questions as to the type of trans-
portation this funding is available for.
Mr. Harkness stated that he felt the biggest problems
with Dial -a -Ride in Lodi are the long waits for the
cabs and the fact there is no service available at
night.
Mr. Harkness further asked if the available funding
could be used for subsidizing the handicapped and
elderly only.
Mr. Harkness expressed his feeling that any trans-
portation operation for the community should be operated
by private business and asked if funding would be avail-
able for this type of operation.
on
Public Hearing December 18, 1979, continued
Additional questions regarding available funding
were posed by Mr. Harkness,
b) Mrs. Trella Areida, Director, North County
Community Center, Box 1025, Woodbridge, California
Mrs. Areida stated that the North County Community
Center makes 60-65 emergency trips per month, 850 of
which are within the Lodi area. Mrs. Areida stated
that their biggest concern is the need for transporta-
tion in the outlying areas of Woodbridge, Acampo,
Thornton, etc. Mrs. Areida stated that there is no
feasible way of getting into Lodi. Mrs. Areida indi-
cated that 80% of the persons that the -North County
Community Center provides for are senior citizens.
Mrs. Areida stated that now that Lodi doctors and
hospitals are not providing care to Medical and Medi-
care patients, all these patients must be taken to
French Camp to the San Joaquin General Hospital.
Mrs. Areida expounded on the fact that she feels the
Lodi Dial -a -ride is fine but does not meet the trans-
portation needs for the outlying area.
Ms. Hirst reported that San Joaquin General Hospital now
has 4 vans that are available for the transportation
of patients and explained the service that is available
through this system.
Councilman McCarty asked Mrs. Rae Margrave, co-owner
of the City Cab Company if she had any input or
questions.
Mrs. Margrave pointed out the problems they are _
encountering with the ever-increasing cost of gasoline. r
Councilman McCarty stated that if anyone had additional
input or questions regarding the subject, they should
be sure to contact the Council either through the City
Hall or the COG office in Stockton.
Councilman Katnich stated that the County is willing
to dole out money but doesn't want to get involved.
Councilman Katnich further stated that the Council is
aware of the needs of the outlying area but that he
feels the Council's primary responsibility is meeting
the transportation needs of the citizens of Lodi.
Councilman Katnich stated that the City could start
out with assistance from outside funding in meeting
transportation needs for the community and the outlying
area but at some point the City would be on its own,
and the City cannot handle this alone.
Additional discussion followed regarding available
funding, with questions being directed to Jerry Erevin
of Cal Trans who was in the audience.
The meeting was adjourned by Councilman McCarty at
ADJOURNMENT approximately 7:45 P.M.
c. ,.
Attest: h lemct�E
ALICE M.
City Clerk