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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 9, 1975 SM12o CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LODI CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS APRIL 9, 1975 A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Lodi was held pursuant to written notice being mailed to each member of the City Council, KCRA TV News, the Stockton Record, the Lodi News Sentinel, Lodi Cable TV, and KCVR Radio Station at least 24 hours prior to the meeting in compliance with Section 54956 of the California Government Code. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ben Schaffer at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 1975 in the City Hall Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmen - EHRHARDT, HUGHES, KATNICH, PINKERTON and SCHAFFER(Mayor) Absent: Councilmen - None Also Present: City Manager Glaves, Assistant City Manager Glenn, City Attorney Mullen, and Public Works Director Ronsko INVOCATION The invocation was given by Councilman Ehrhardt PLEDGE Mayor Schaffer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AND Notice thereof having been published in accordance DISCUSS THE with law and affidavit of publication being on file in 1974-75 COUNCIL the office of the City Clerk, Mayor Schaffer called TRANSPORTATION for the public hearing to consider and discuss the STUDY COMMITTEE 1974-75 Council Transportation Study Committee REPORT Report. Councilman Ezra Ehrhardt introduced the matter and presented members of the 1974-75 Council Transportation Study Committee who were in the audience as follows: Mr. Herman W. Kruse, President, Lodi Senior Citizens Club Mrs. Kay Lang, Lodi Women's representative Mrs. Rae Margrave, co-owner of the City Cab Co. Mr. Dick Reineke, Chairman of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce Highway and Transportation Committee Mr. Nick Rust, Director, Lodi Woodbridge Improve- ment Association, Inc. Mr. Harold Schmidt, representing Lodi churches Mr. Andy Wittmayer, student, representing Lodi students - I- Minutes of April 9, 1975, continued 121 Councilman Ehrhardt stated that Mr$. Laura Ahern, who represented Lodi Industry and Mr. Leroy Olson, who is with the Lodi Unified Schools Transportation Department also served on the Committee but were unable to attend this meeting. Following introduction, Committee members addressed the Council with the following comments: Mr. Herman Kruse, 707 Eureka Ave., Lodi - Mr. Kruse stated that the transportation needs of the Community was one of the points raised at the recent Community Congress. Mr. Kruse also added that in polling the members of the Lodi Senior Citizens Club, they reflect a real need for some type of public transportation within our Community. Mrs. Kay Lang, 815 Holly Drive, Lodi - Mrs. Lang stated that as a member of this Committee, she has received numerous calls requesting that she endorse some type of public transportation system for the City of Lodi. Mrs. Rae Margrave, 510 E. Lodi Avenue, Lodi, - As co-owner of the City Cab Company, Mrs. Margrave stated that she is vitally interested in the transportation needs of this community. Mrs. Margrave stated that they realize the need for the elderly to have a reduced fare, but that the Cab Company's costs are constantly increasing. Mrs. Margrave concluded her statement by saying that serving on this Committee had been most educational and that she and her husband would like the oppor- tunity to talk to the Council and staff on this further at a later date. Questions were directed to Mrs. Margrave by the Council relative to their operation. Mrs. Dick Reineke, 920 W. Tokay St.. Lodi - Mr. Reineke stated that the Highway and Transportation Committee has taken a stand that there is a need for a public transportation system within our City for a certain type of people, although no recommenda- tion was made as to the type of system. The Committee has also indicated that it would like to see the City take a conservative attitude on this. Mr. Nick Rust, -310 S. Orange Ave., Lodi - Mr. Rust stated that one of the main things that the Transportation Committee decided on was that there is a need for a public transportation system within the community, although there was a difference of opinion as to the type and some difference of opinion as to the area to be served by such a system. Mr. Rust added that he realizes completely.that the City Council is responsible to the citizens of Lodi, but feels, from a pure simple economic factor, that it would be wrong not to include those areas that are included in Lodi's sphere of influence in any system that is implemented-, and concluded following questions being directed by the Council to Mr. Rust, that a phase arrangement for the implementation of service to out- lying areas would be acceptable. -2- 122 Minutes of April 9, 1975, continued Mr. Harold Schmidt, 1443 Mariposa Way, Lodi - Mr. Schmidt stated that originally his interest in this came about as a result of an organization within the church of which he is a member, having funds available on a local level to provide some type of service to the community. It was felt that there was a need.in this City to provide transportation to (1) the church -going citizens (2) the handicapped (3) those on a fixed income who cannot drive - a car. Following considerable study on this, the conclusion was reached that the task of originating such a program within this community would be monumental, and it was then that Mr. Ehrhardt called him to serve on this committee. In reply to Councilman Hughes' inquiry, Mr. Schmidt stated that there are six churches In our community who have buses and who provide transportation for their members. Mr. Schmidt indicated that he had called 5 of the churches and all responses reflected that public transporta- tion was a great idea; would cause absolutely no conflict; and would supplement the service these churches are already providing. Mr. Schmidt stated that he feels that the point has been reached where the City is ready for a time and motion study, which would bring out statistics and facts as to what type of system should be imple- mented, routes, times, etc. Mr. Schmidt feels that any system that would be implemented would be pretty much experimental in the onset, but would hope that in the near future, the City would consider exploring the possibility of such a system operating at least half days on Saturday and Sunday. Mr. Andy Wittmayer, 2401 Corbin Lane, Lodi - Mr. Wittmayer stated that he feels that he learned a lot in serving on this committee. Mr. Wittmayer is concerned about students who do not have cars and who live in areas that are a great distance from schools, with no school transportation available to them. Mr. Wittmayer stated that a public transportation system would benefit these students. Speaking in favor of a public transportation system for the City of Lodi were: Mrs. Everett Reed, 537 E. LaSalle Drive, Woodbridge who also asked that the system be extended to outlying areas. Mrs. Charles R. Farnsworth, 506 Rutledge Drive, Lodi Mr. Mel Brenner, 505 Forrest Avenue, Lodi Mr. Martin Miller, 1404 Ayers Avenue, Lodi Mrs. Doris McCaughna, 6433 Analitis Drive, Lodi SB 325 funds were discussed at length by Council, with questions being directed to Administrative Assistant Kris Kristensen, and Dr. Steve Hockaday, representing Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell. There being no one else in the audience wishing to speak on the matter, the public portion of the hearing was closed. City Manager Glaves presented a letter dated.April 4, 1975 received from the San Joaquin County Council of Governments advising that COG is obtaining technical study funds from the Urban Mass Trans- portation Administration to assist in public transit implementation planning in San Joaquin County, amounting to $15,000 for this fiscal year, and COG expects to receive an additional $15, 000 next fiscal -3. 12.E Minutes of April 9, 1975, continued URBAN MASS year. The letter goes on to state that three TRANSPORTATION areas of the County are considering the in - FUNDS stallation of new (Lodi and Tracy) or improved AVAILABLE (Stockton) transit services. These funds are being made available to each area by COG to assist in implementation work. The City of Tracy is ready to start their final implementa- tion planning and can make use of the $15, 000 available in 1974-75. COG requests concurrence from the City to expend the entire $15, 000 avail- able for fiscal year 1974-75 for implementation in Tracy. Action on this matter was deferred until the regular Council meeting of April 16, 1975. Following lengthy discussion by the Council, on motion of Councilman Ehrhardt, Katnich second, Council directed Staff to consult with firms having transportation plans and services applicable to Lodi and its need, and to bring a report to Council for early action. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on motion of Councilman Pinkerton, Ehrhardt second, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:50 p. m. Attest:ALICE M. REIMt;HE City Clerk -4-