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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - June 24, 197517' - JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LODI BOARD OF TKUSTEES LODI UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL LODI, CALIFORNIA JUNE 24, 1975 Pursuant to the action of the City Council on June 18, 1975, an adjourned regular meeting of the Lodi City Council was held in conjunction with a Special Meeting of the Lodi Unified School District Governing Board on Tuesday, June 24, 1975 at 8:00 p. m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. PRESENT: Lodi Unified School District Governing Board members - Mrs. Laurel Wisenor, President, Mr. Calvin Suess, Vice -President, Mr. E. H. Mrs. Bonnie Meyer, Mrs. Pickering Clerk, Nancy Engelson, Dr. Thomas J. Carleton (arrived approximately 8:15 PM) BOARD MEMBERS,ABSENT Mr. James Sasaki PRESENT Lodi City Council members - Mr. Ben Schaffer, Mayor, Mr. Richard Hughes, Mayor Pro Tem, Mr. Ezra Ehrhardt, Mr. Wally Katnich, and Mr. James Pinkerton COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT None Also present were Administrators, Mr. Raymond M. Jansen, Superintendent, Mr. James Areida, Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Henry A. Glaves, Jr City Manager, Assistant City Manager Glenn, and City Attorney Robert H. Mullen. It should be noted that other staff members from both bodies were present and in the audience. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Mayor Ben Schaffer. ROLL CALL Attendance was recorded by the City Clerk. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Schaffer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. -Agenda Item No. 1 - "Safe Routes to and From School" - was introduced by Superintendent Jansen. Mr. Jansen reminded the Council and Board that each year, be- cause of crowding, school district attendance areas are adjusted. The Board approves the adjustments, and SAFE ROUTES safe routes to and from school within each of those TO AND FROM areas are then studied. SCHOOL Councilman Katnich was introduced as having a presen- tation on this subject, and the Board and Council were apprised of informational material regarding this sub- ject that had been passed out for their scrutiny. This oil material is scheduled to be sent home with students soca after the new school year commences. Councilman Katnich apprised the Board and Council Cf a ; ...:,-y that had been undertaken, stating that every school in -he school district had been checked to de:ezmi,::e hazards existing in the area of each school, and `_hen attempts were made to alleviate those prob- lerr.s. ti1r. Katnich went on to point out various chan--es that had been made throughout the district as a result of this study; however, added that there are stili a couple of critical areas - Lawrence School and Woodt ridge School. The Woodbridge School presents a unique problem. Due to the. changes in attendance boundaries within the unified district, it will mean aha: some youngsters are going to be walking in excess of tvvo miles to attend this school. Mills and Turner Road are of prime concern, because of the heavy traffic. Reference was made by Councilman Katnich and Cou1 .ilmar. Ehrhardt to that section of the Educational Code, whereby reimbursement for transportation is pro .ded, because of the reorganization of attendance centers within the school district. Mrs. Kay Lang, 815 Holly Drive, Lodi, addressed the grcuo regarding her concerns for the safety of young- sters traversing to and from this school, pleading for transportation for these youngsters. NIrs. Carol Dean, to N. Crescent, Lodi, presented a slide presentation showing youngsters traveling to and from %Vcodbridge School and pointing out some of the hazazdeus conditions these youngster encounter includ- ing flooded areas. Mrs. Dean asked why the buses could nc•t stop and pick up these children on rainy days. Mrs. Leis Borchardt, 1215 W. Oak Street stated that she had ao objection to the change in boundaries, but rias concerned about the long distances some of these children viculd have to travel, expressing her concern for tce:ir safety. Mrs. Borchardt cited District Trans- por`anc,n Policy 3541, asking that consideration be gioen t„ Pr oviding transportation to students living with- in the t7ity limits but having to traverse long distances because of school attendance boundary changes. Board Member Suess requested that a feasibility study be math: on the availability of busing and requested that r',e matter be placed on a future School Board A nda. Board mE rr:ber Pickering inquired if any of the hazard- ous are.as, as pointed out in the presentation, are Loca,eci --.. ;thin the City limits. 17c �;.. City_Manager Glaves indicated that some of these %,�r1_` ,areas did fall within the. City limits and apprised the Board and Council of the boundaries of the City -limits in the area of Woodbridge School. _ Those areas of concern located within the City limits were referred to staff by Mayor Schaffer. The;•$chool._, staff and City staff were encouraged to coordinate.,,,'_:: - ... ;, t17eir.efforts to correct those conditions ,? .. hazardous to youngster traversing to and from �Koq$ .. ._..moi. - .bridge School. MILLS AVENTIE "` ' Agenda Item No. II - "Mills Avenue Walkway in the WALKWAY Ii4 " ' ' Vicinity of Lockeford Street", was introduced by City VICINITY OF' Manager Glaves who advised that the School Board and LOCISEFORD " the City Council, at a previous joint meeting had dis- STREET cussed the improvements of Mills Avenue in the vicin- ity of Lcckeford Street. This property is owned by the school district for a future school site. It was felt that the City could provide improvements at this time with the School District dedicating the land, and then at some future time, when this property is de- veloped by the School District, the School District would reimburse the City for its outlay. Mr. Glaves stated that it is the citys understanding now that the School District cannot legally dedicate the land to the City and commit themselves to pay for it at a later date. Assistant Superintendent Areida apprised the Council and Board that he was in receipt of a letter from the County Counsel on this question, which letter in part states, "It is still my feeling that you cannot reimburse the City for work it will do on the property which you intend to dedicate. If you want to improve this property you must do so prior to dedication and pursuant to a contract issued under bidding procedures. The City can assess the school for its share of the cost of im- provements after the City improves the property, but you cannc: contract with the City for the reimbursement contemplated in this action". It was mentioned by Mr. Areida that the estimated costs of the proposed improve- ments would be approximately $35, 000. 00. Councilman Pinkerton proposed the City making the necessary improvements and reimbursement being made "" on a deferred payment basis by the School District. Dis- cussion followed with City Attorney Mullen advising that an opinion be sought from the County Counsel on the question of deferred payment, assuming the City would want to advance $35, 000. 00 of tax payers money to improve school property. The matter was directed back to staff by Mayor Schaffer. It was requested that the City staff and School staff research the matter together for an alternate solution or approach that would be legally acceptable to both public entities, -3- 180 The original campus was constructed for an enrollment of 1500, however, with additions that have been made at the site, the school last year housed over 2200 people. Mr. Dale reiterated the fact that additional parking had been provided in the area north of the present parking lot. Mr. Areida then presenting a diagram of the area. Mr. Areida slated that the basic problem is one of traffic circulation and that during the original planning for the school., there was no way to foresee the number of cars that would be in the area or the number of parking spaces that would be needed. Mr. Areida stressed that although provisions are being made for an additional 2 10 parking ci spaces on campus, the exiting of 400 - 500 cars from the out onto Pacific Avenue poses a serious problem. The subject of alternate routes of exit for vehicles using on -campus parking was discussed at length. The opening of 'Picif ic onto Lodi Avenue was suggested as was the opening of a one-way exit route from the on -campus parking area to Ticknor Court. Mr. Areida stated that discussions had been held with parents, City officials and others with the following rec- ommendations being made: 1. Additional parking on the school site was neces- -4- -Ag enda Item III - "Lodi High School Neighborhood Problems" was introduced by Board President Laurel Wisenor. Following introduction, Superin- Jansen stated that the problem is obviously a community problem, that we are talking about hundreds of people each day going to the Lodi High School loca- LODI HIGH Tion and leaving. Mr. Jansen apprised the -Board and SCHOOL CbUncil that the staff has done some experimenting NEIGHBORHOOD ' with' on -campus parking. It has been learned; however, PROBLEMS is nothing in the Educational Code that will allow the School administration to require students to park on campus in order to attend school94o it.brings -__-the ., problem right back to cooperation with Mr.`- Jansen stated that the School intends to -qpla,rge,-- r parking facilities as rapidly as possible, th4, 0. 5-.;Sehool 'did enlarge parking at the north end of the field area-.nf L the school, however, students used it only sporadically. Unless there is some way to force students onto campus, they are going to park in areas of most rapid egress. Floyd Dale, Principal of Lodi High School outlined the size `of' the operation at Lodi High School; the number of -:people attending school there; and reviewed some of the steps staff has taken to improve the situation in that 'a -i e a. Mr. Dale stated that basically the problem is a 'large high school existing in a residential area and cited -Aefollowing three major problems: 1. 1 Traffic 2. Parking 3. Litter The original campus was constructed for an enrollment of 1500, however, with additions that have been made at the site, the school last year housed over 2200 people. Mr. Dale reiterated the fact that additional parking had been provided in the area north of the present parking lot. Mr. Areida then presenting a diagram of the area. Mr. Areida slated that the basic problem is one of traffic circulation and that during the original planning for the school., there was no way to foresee the number of cars that would be in the area or the number of parking spaces that would be needed. Mr. Areida stressed that although provisions are being made for an additional 2 10 parking ci spaces on campus, the exiting of 400 - 500 cars from the out onto Pacific Avenue poses a serious problem. The subject of alternate routes of exit for vehicles using on -campus parking was discussed at length. The opening of 'Picif ic onto Lodi Avenue was suggested as was the opening of a one-way exit route from the on -campus parking area to Ticknor Court. Mr. Areida stated that discussions had been held with parents, City officials and others with the following rec- ommendations being made: 1. Additional parking on the school site was neces- -4- 18� sary due to. the increased number of automobiles and _ . the loss of existing: spaces due to building problems. 2> Additional exits.are required in order that there might be more rapid departure. Students are reluctant to drive into off-street parking spaces, if -there is traffic congestion at the time of exit. 3. In order to induce students to park in the off- street lots and not on the streets, a limited parking _.. zone should be placed on Pacific Avenue in the vicinity -of the school during school hours. Mr. Areida also stated that the idea of making Pacific Avenue a one-way street was deferred. Councilman Ehrhardt suggested the formation of a corn- mittee comprised of two Councilmen, two School Board members, and three citizens from that community to study questions that have been posed relative to this problem area. Board Member Pickering stated that he would like to pursue Councilman Katnich's suggestion and requested cost data information on a proposed parking area being constructed in the area to the south as compared to an installation being made in the area to the north. Viewpoints were solicited from the audience. Tony Glaves, Speaker of the house, Lodi High School indicated that he was speaking on behalf of 95% of the students attending Lodi High. Speaker of the House Glaves stated that they are doing their best to get the students cooperation in solving these problems, but added that it is going to take time and a lot of effort. Mr. Glaves stated that the students don't have that much power and that all they can do are the little things. David Densmore, Student Representative, Lodi High School feels that there is no foolproof answer in which everyone will be pleased. Mr. Densmore requested that in order to have a duly representative committee, that students representatives such as Speaker of the House Tony Glaves and himself be asked to participate on any committee that is formed to research the problem areas. Rose Luna, student at Tokay High School suggested that "no parking" areas be painted on Pacific Avenue. Phyllis Lauer, 38 N. Pacific Ave. , Lodi praised the parking lot attendant that had been hired by the School District and stated she was sorry that it was felt it was not feasible to make Pacific Ave. a one-way street. Jim Phillips, student at Lodi High School suggested putting up a barricade with•a traffic officer at the access road toward where the buses come in; to require vehicles exiting -5- 1812 out of parking lot to the north to exit out on Elm Street; r _infra (_T ::.and tq;require the balance of the cars going out through the bus access to Lodi Avenue to turn right. Mr. Phillips -also complained of police harrassment in that area. Max Elson, 20 N. Welling -ton Way questioned the schools authority on controlling students and asked why the administration was opposed to a closed campus. J Board President Wisenor asked how a closed campus would solve traffic problems as students would still .,haye to -be going to and from school. Board Member Engelson also expressed her opposition to a closed campus. Discussion continued regarding the County Counsel's position on the schools responsibility for students con- duct.on.the way to and from school or at lunch off campus, . . .... and a portion of a letter dictated by Peter Crook, Deputy County Counsel was cited as follows: Although there has been as yet no authoritative interpre- tation given to this section, it appears clear that a school district is not responsible for student conduct on the way to and from school or at lunch off campus unless it has in some way assumed that responsibility or has failed to exercise due care. It is conceivable in this case that if student conduct occurring in the immediate vicinity of the school is jeopardizing students or others, the district may be required to act. Failure to act under these circurr stances may be a failure to exercise due care under Section 13557. 5 of the Education Code. Assuming this to be true, may I point out that the school is still not re- quired to supervise the students directly; the district's duty may be met by informing the local police of the prob- lem or by working out an agreement with local civil officials. Trevor Pendray, 1012 Lake Home Drive, Lodi stated that there are provisions in the law governing juveniles and petitions to the Superior Court, and educators are in .a position where they are in local "parentis" and would seem to have an obligation to the public. Mr.- Pendray added that it would seem that we would be morally obligated ;to file a petition on behalf of a juvenile and turn the child over to the proper authorities, if he can't control himself. -6- Following additional discussion on the subject, Board President Wisenor and Mayor Schaffer agreed to work together on the formation of a committee and to charge the selected committee with the specific duties that were alluded to during the discussion on this matter. COMMUNITY. Agenda Item IV - "Community Pool at New Tokay High POOL AT NEW School" - Superintendent Jansen introduced the subject TOKAY HIGH recommending that a feasibility and cost estimate study SCHOOL be made on the construction and maintenance of a 50 meter -6- 181. _... : gaol.,at: the 'new' high. school site. Mr. Jansen stated that heal-oesn't.think we: should; give up the idea, because really great things.•ar:e:not achieved without ideas, and alluded to what a pool -of .this size might bring to the com- munity in swim meets, activities for the community, as well as athletic. events: for the students. Councilman Katrich .stated that he didn't think that either the City or School District are in a financial position at .this _time to. invest the kind of money suaA4 ddlha}iiu13:_ require: fors constructionfa-Tld maintenance. Board Member Engelson concurred with Councilman Katnich stating that she had recently seen maintenance figures for such a pool and they were overwhelming. Board Member Pickering stated that he would be in favor of building a 50 meter pool. Tom Bandelin, Principal of Tokay High School expressed the hope that by a committee being formed, all aspects of such a project might be considered. Dr. G. K. Dayton, M. D., 975 S. Fairmont, Lodi cited areas that presently have 50 meter pools and stated the question is not whether you are going to build a 50 meter pool or a 25 yard pool, the question is if you are going to build a pool, it has got to be a 50 meter pool. John Giannoni, 315 W. Tokay Str. , Lodi cited costs for the maintenance of Woodland's 50 meter pool and question the functionability as far as teaching is concerned of a 50 meter pool. Chas. Hauner, Swimming Coach for the City Swim Club questioned some of the earlier comments and cited numerous reason he would favor a 50 meter pool. Additional discussion followed on the matter, with Mayor Schaffer and Board President Wisenor agreeing to appoint a "fact-finding" committee to investigate this matter further and to come up with facts and figures regarding questions that have been posed on this subject. OTHER ITEMS Under Agenda Item V. "Other Items of Concern to OF CONCERN Trustees and Councilmen" - Councilman Hughes expressed TO TRUSTEES concern with respect to the City tennis courts, stating & COUNCILMEN that there have been quite a few complaints from citizens that they can't get on the courts, because the school is using the City Courts for classes. The reason that has been given is that the courts at the high school are not of good enough surface quality to allow the students to train if they are to qualify to compete in competition. Councilman Hughes asked that if this is true, what could be done to up- grade the school courts so that they are not being abandoned, while City courts are being tied up for classes. School staff members Assistant Superintendent Areida and -7- 1O4 0 0 t Principal Floyd Dale confirmed that the school's courts are in bad shape, stating.that the problem is that the court surfaces are very rough and cited elevation. prob- lems. Board Member Engelson requested that staff look into this matter and the possibility of resurfacing the school's courts. ADJOURNMENT. - The meeting was adjourned to an executive session of the School Board at 10:20 p.m. Attest: ALICE M. REIMCHE City Clerk -8- F. _.: l it +i i '1; -131 a; Ti 7 O