HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - June 13, 1962MR
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LODI
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JUNE 13, 1962
An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Lodi was held beginning at 8:00 p.m. of Wednesday,
June 13, 1962. Councilmen Brown, Culbertson, Dow, Ullmann and
Katzakian (Mayor) present. None absent.
Also present: City Manager Glaves, Administrative Assistant
Carlton, Planning Director Rodgers and
City Attorney Mullen.
FAMILY Mayor Katzakian opened the meeting to consider-
SERYICE ation of the request of the Family Service
AGENCY Agency that the City Council allocate a portion
of the $18,750 bequest of the late Lee Jones to
the Agency. He explained that the legal counsel
of the League of California Cities had informed
the Council that a general law city cannot give
tax money to support charitable organizations
such as the Family Service Agency. However,
consideration was being given to use of a
portion of the Lee Jones' bequest for the Agency.
The Committee appointed by the Mayor had met with
officials of the Family Service Agency on June 11,
1962, and the Committee was of the opinion that
the Agency was doing a tremendous job in giving
counseling service and was of great benefit to
the citizens of Lodi. The organization has been
in existence for three years and during that-
time
hat -time has been receiving Federal funds in addition
to local contributions. However, Federal funds
are no longer available after the third year.
Dr. W. G. Fessler, President of the Family
Service Agency, said that the Agency is inter-
ested in receiving funds on a permanent basis
and is considering the establishment of a Family
Service League to -raise funds along with local
organizations and individuals. If the City -
would help the Agency this year, the Agency
would expect to develop plans for financing its
operations in the future and would not come to
the Council again for funds. Dr. Fessler, felt
that using part of Mr. Jones' bequest would be
in keeping with Mr. Jones' intent, pointing out
that the Red Cross, the Children's Hospital, and
the Children's Home Society had been included in
the will. He said that $6,000 was needed•to
tide the Agency over until it had other sources
of revenue. Mayor Katzakian said the question
before the Council is the use of the bequest in
accordance with the wishes of Mr. Jones. City
Attorney Mullen said he met with Mr. Jones'
attorney who informed him that the intent of
Mr. Jones was that the money be used for some-
thing of a permanent nature; however, the will
had been worded broadly so that discretion could
be used in spending the funds. The City Attorney
had also discussed the matter with Mr. Walter
Taylor, executor of the estate and a close
personal friend of Mr. Jones. According to
Mr. Taylor, the intent of Mr. Jones was to use
the money for something permanent. Mayor
Katzakian said he also talked to Mr. Jones'
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Minutes of June 13, 1962, continued
attorney and had received the same information.
Councilman Dow said he had talked to other
acquaintances of Mr. Jones and had received con-
flicting information. He said it was difficult
to second-guess Mr. Jones and that the funds
were the City's to use within the limits of the
bequeath. The Mayor recommended that the
Council meet with the attorney and Mr. Taylor
before making a decision. Dr. Fessler said that
the Family Service Agency would not give up if
funds were not received from the City, but would
"go to bat" to keep functioning. Mr. Bill
Mitchell, 501 Sonora, said that the most tangible
thing one could do was to help a young person to
grow up to be a good citizen and that the Family
Service Agency should qualify for the bequest.
Councilman Dow said that the Family Service
Agency had a deadline of three or four weeks so
funds are urgent. He also stated that the Junior
Chamber of Commerce is planning to raise funds
for the Agency. Councilman. Dow moved that the
City Council allocate $6,000 of the funds
received from the Lee Jones' Estate for the
Family Service Agency. His motion died for lack
of a second. Councilman Culbertson moved that a
decision on use of the funds from the Lee Jones'
Estate be postponed until such time as the
Council had an opportunity to meet with the
executor and attorney of the estate, the meeting
to be as soon as possible. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unani-
mously. Councilman Culbertson said that the
action of the Council was ifot caused by lack of
confidence in the good the Family Service Agency
was doing, but because the Council has the
responsibility of using the money in accordance
with the wishes of Mr. Jones.
1962-63 City Manager Glaves explained the increases in
BUDGET the Operating Budget, and then reviewed the
requests for increases in personnel. He and
members of the Council discussed the organization
and staffing of the Utilities, Finance and
Public Works departments. They then reviewed
the budget series from 200 to 600 and the
Tabulation of Supplemental Requests, covering
the Engineering and Streets Department, Finance
Department, Fire Department, Parks Department
and Recreation Department.
On motion of Councilman Brown the City Council
adjourned at 11:20 p.m.
ATTEST: BEATRICE GARIBALDI
City Clerk
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