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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - June 26, 1957CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LODI COUNCIL CHAMBER,CIRY-HALL JUNE 26, 1957 This meeting of the City Council of the City of Lodi regularly adjourned from the meeting of June 19, 1957 was held June 26, 1957; Councilman Fuller, Mitchell and Hughes, Mayor present; Councilman 7atzakian and Robinson absent. City Manager Weller and City Attorney Mullen also present. APPOINTMENTS TO Mayor Hughes opened the meeting and stated that he LIBRARY BD. AND wished to defer appointments to the Library Board C.P.C. DEFERRED and Planning Commission until the next meeting of the City Council. He also asked that the question of additional vacation time be deferred until the meeting of August 7. He felt that this could be done because it did not have any direct bearing on the budget. The suggestion was agreed to by unani- mous consent. Councilman Robinson arrived at 8:10 p.m. SMITH PROPERTY City Attorney Mullen reported that he had completed PURCHASE negotiations for the Stella M. Smith property west of Lodi Lake Park under the terms established by the City Council. He reported further that he had negotiated with Mrs. Nellie Cooper for a 20 -foot strip of land at the extreme north end of the Cooper property. He explained that the 20 -foot strip would be sufficient to grant access from Woodbridge Road at the extreme north end of the Smith property. He explained that the Southern Pacific Company would not oppose the grade crossing at this point. He further reported that he had secured approval from Mrs. Cooper for the purchase of this 20 -foot strip for $100. Councilman Fuller then moved, Mitchell second, that the City Council ratify and approve the purchase ofthe 20 -foot right of way at the north end of the Cooper property for consideration of 8100. The motion was passed by unanimous vote. RES. NO. 2036 Councilman Mitchell then moved, Robinson second to ADOPTED the adoption of Resolution No. 2036, authorizing the establishment of a Stella M. Smith property purchase fund as a means of completing the purchase of the property. BUDGET DISCUSSION Mayor Hughes opened the meeting to the discussion of the budget. He requested that the decision be CHA,%= OF reached on the Chamber of Commerce request for CUP= funds for 1957-58. He referred the Council to the request of the Secretary -Manager of the Chamber of Commerce for the sum of $4,166.28 based upon the terms of the contract between the City of Lodi and Lodi District Chamber of Commerce. In his request Mr. Hoggatt explained that the cost of the Christmas decoration and the operation costs had been deleted from the request. These items would be programed to be absorbed by the Chamber's general fund in order that the request in the amount of approximately $800 more than the amount allocated in 1956-57 be secured. This increase was due to an increase in cost of mater- ials. He also pointed out that the Chamber proposed to undertake to replace certain lamp poles and in- stall cables over certain City streets, which would permit the display of flags and banners for community Minutes of June 26, 1957 continued celebrations, conventions and which will provide an opportunity for the installation of proper Christmas decorations during that time of year. Councilman Rob- inson moved, Hughes second, that the City allocate the sum of $4,000 to the Chamber of Commerce in the 1957-58 budget. The motion passed by unanimous mous vote. AUXILIARY POLICE Councilman Robinson then suggested that an additional $500 be included in the Police Department budget for use for the Auxiliary Police. Mayor Hughes stated he did not think it was vise to allocate the 5500 item specifically to one group of the City since he thought this recommendation should come from the administrative officers. Councilman Robinson replied that he felt the City was not doing enough for the Auxiliary Policemen, bearing in mind that they serve the City without pay. Ee then moved that the 10-104.1 account of the budget be increased from $900 to $1400. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mitchell and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen - Puller, Mitchell and Robinson NOES: Councilmen - Hughes ABSENT: Councilmen - Katzakian ADDITION OF -POLICEMEN Mayor Hughes then pointed out that it had been suggested REQUESTED that the Council authorize three additional men for the Police Department to increase the number of night patrols. He pointed out that this was not a recommenda- tion from the administration but rather a suggestion from the City Council. City ?tanager Weller asked for clarification of what was intended by the suggestion. Councilman Mitchell stated that it was his belief that with the addition of three men to the Police Department, a night shift could be added which would increase the police patrols on each side of the City at night. He specifically stated that this need not be part of the regular shift. Councilman Robinson stated he was certain that the Chief of Police could arrange his personnel with the addition of three men to have one additional man for each shift on each side of the railroad tracks. Councilman Fuller stated that the Council does not have information to the effect that the City is faced with a critical problem requiring more men. Councilman Hughes also pointed out that the City Council lacked evidence that the additional patrols were required. Councilman Robinson pointed out that he felt the City of Lodi had a Chief of Police who will do what the Council asks of him. Councilman Fuller stated he did not feel that it was proper for the City Council to tell the Chief of Police where he was to use his men. Councilman Robinson stated that he felt it was the City Council's responsi- bility to see that the City has sufficient protection. He wanted it understood that the suggestion of the additional three men were based on a plan to indude these three men in an integrated patrol when and if it is inaugurated by the City. The City Manager stated that he did not feel it was a question of whether the Chief of Police will do what is asked of him if he is furnished the additional men, but rather a question whether the Chief should be consulted for his judgement as to where the men should be used. Councilman Robinson moved, Mitchell second, to add three men to the Police Department :M Jon o Minutes of June 26, 1957 continued and that these three men be delegated to firnish two additional night patrolmen per day. The motion failed to carry by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen - .Kitchell and Robinson ROES: Councilmen - Fuller and 'Hughes ABSENT: Councilmen - Katzakian ",MSON SCHOOL The City Manager pointed out that it has been sug- TURFPIG gested that the City include the turfing of the Emerson School grounds in this year's budget, but as yet there has been no final action on the matter. Councilman Robinson moved, Mitchell second, that sufficient funds be added to the Recreation budget to provide for the turfing of the Emerson School grounds. The motion passed by unanimous vote. PROPOSED PAVING Regarding the proposed paving of Turner Road from OF TURNER ROAD 99 Highway to Church Street, Councilman Robinson stated that he felt the street construction portion of the budget could remain unchanged at this point as long as it is understood that the City Council could later change the street program before the work is scheduled. He asked that a study be made on the possibility of substituting the reconstruction of Turner Road for other street projects in the budget. GAS TAX FUND The City Manager suggested that he could submit a report to the Council on the balance in the gas tax fund. SALARY INCREASE The City Manager then explained that in January, FOR FIRE AND 1957 the salaries of present city personnel were POLICE DEPARTMENTS surveyed and a general increase had been granted by the City Council. However as he had pointed out the salaries of the Police and Fire personnel were not in as good shape at that time as the balance of the city's personnel. He did not feel at that time that the differential was sufficient for the increase of an additional full step. He stated that other cities have since granted increases. He recommended that the salaries of the Police and are personnel be increased one step which would put the Patrolman's salaries at $436, which would be substantially below that of Stockton,at $466. Councilman Mitchell then moved, Hughes second, that the salaries of the Police and Fire personnel be increased by one step. Coun- cilman Robinson stated that the President of the United States has issued a statement asking employers to hold the line on salaries and that he would there- fore vote for this increase with his fingers crossed. He stated some start has to be made in checking the nation-wide inflation. He also felt that to raise salaries and fringe benefits at the same time was going quite far in•increasing the costs of govern- ment. Mayor Hughes stated that if he felt the City of Lodi was in the top echelon in regard to either salaries or fringe benefits, he would feel different about increasing salaries, but he did feel that the City of Lodi was laging behind those of other cities. Councilman Fuller stated that he agreed with Coun- cilman Robinson that the time to control inflation is now. He stated that he would vote against any salary increase regardless how the balance of the Minutes of June 26, 1957 continued 19f Council voted. ;Mayor Hughes stated that he felt the City Council had the obligation to see that the employ- ees of the City receive just wages just as they have the obligation to see that the citizens of the community receive economical government. The motion by Councilman Mitchell failed to Carry by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen - Hughes and Mitchell NOES: Councilmen - Fuller and Robinson ABSENT: Councilman - Katzakian FIRE AND POLICE Councilman Robinson stated that he was interested in DEPARTMENT conducting a study to determine the feasability of estab- INTEGRATION lishing a partial integration of Police and Fire Depart- ments. He then moved, Faller second that the City Council authorize such a study to be made. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen - Fuller, Hughes, Robinson NOES: Councilmen - Mitchell ABSE:iT: Councilmen - Katzakian EMPLOYEE HOSPIT- Mayor Hughes then asked for determination of the City ALIZATION PROGRAM 'Manager's recommendation for the City to establish a hospitalization program for the employees. Councilman Robinson moved, Mitchell second, that a feasibility study be conducted by the City Manager for the establishment of a hospital and medical program for the employees. The motion passed by unanimous vote. ADDITION OF T':'REE Mayor Hughes then asked for discussion on the City._ FIRE CAPTAINS Manager's recommendation for the establishment of three additional Fire Captain positions in the Fire Department. (Mr. Weller explained that this would also involve the promotion of three Hosemen to the Engineer position). On the motion of Councilman Robinson, Fuller second, the Council voted to approve the City Manager's recommendation for the addition of three Fire Captains in the Fire Department.. REgUEST FOR TWO Mayor Hughes then referred to the City Manager's recom- ADDITIONAL LINEMEN mendation for the increase of two positions in the line crew in the Utilities Department. Councilman Robinson moved that the two additional men be granted to the Utilities Department, but when his motion did not receive a second, he asked that the motion be withdrawn. Coun- cilman Fuller asked if additional linemen were critically needed. The City Manager replied that the increase in personnel was necessary in the opinion of the Superintendent of Utilities and in his own opinion, but he did not want to say that the department could not function with the present personnel. Councilman Robinson stated that if the City did not need men in the Police Department he did not see why the City should need more linemen. He then moved, Fuller second, to delete the provision for two additional personnel in the Utilities Department The motion carried by the following vite: AYES: Councilmen - Fuller, Mitchell and Robinson NOES: Councilmen - Hughes ABa-;'1 ': Councilmen - Katzakian 192 Minutes of June 26,1957 continued SPECIAL CENSUS On the motion of Councilman Mitchell, Fuller second, the Council voted to include provisions to conduct a special census in the City during the next fiscal year. Mr. Weller stated that legislation pending in the State Legislature may make it unnecessary for the City to conduct a special census in order to establish a current population for the City. How- ever, he pointed out if the proposal to establish a State Agency for estimating population becomes law, and the special census should be unnecessary, the item can then be deleted. The motion was then adopted by unanimous vote. BUDGET ADOPTED Councilman Robinson then moved, Mitchell second, to introduce Ordinance No. 596, adopting the budget for fiscal year 1957-58. The motion was passed by unani- mous vote. On the motion of Councilman Fuller, Mitchell second, the next meeting of the City Council was set for July 17, 1957. The motion was adopted by the follow- ing vote: AYES: Councilmen - Fuller, Hughes, Mitchell NOES: Councilmen - Robinson ABSENT: Councilmen - Katzakian LODI LAKE Councilman Robinson then moved, Fuller second that CHARGE FOR PARKING since the Recreation Commission had indicated through the press that they intended to recommend to the City Council that a charge for parking be made at Lodi Lake Park, and that such charge be established on a trial basis for Sundays and holidays during the months of July, August and September, said proposed charge be approved by the City Council. The motion was adopted by unanimous vote. On the motion of Councilman Mitchell, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m; ATTEST: 'HtNRY GLAVES, JR./ City Clerk