HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - June 23, 195433 e
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY :HALL
JUNE 23, 1954
Pursuant to the adjournment taken from its regular meeting of June 16, 1954,
the City Council of the City of Lodi met at 8:00 o'clock p. m. of Wednesday,
June 23, 1954; Councilmen Hughes, Mitchell, Richey, Robinson and Fuller (Mayor)
present; none absent. City Manager Weller and City Attorney Mullen also present.
PERSONAL A claim for damages due to personal injury incurred by
INJURY CLAIM Vincent Gulloni was rejected and referred to the City's
insurance carrier on the motion of Councilman Richey,
Mitchell second.
CLAIMS Claims in the amount of $60, 331. 71 were approved on
the motion of Councilman Robinson, Richey second.
S. P. PARKING LOT The Council then discussed several designs for the
off-street parking lot to be constructed on the Southern
Pacific Company property on Sacramento Street, recently
leased from the Company. On the motion of Councilman
Robinson, Richey second, the Council voted to approve
and accept the plan designated as Design No. 1 with the
provision that the shrubs along the Sacramento Street
side of the lot be deleted, and the palm trees on this
side of the lot be preserved.
FOOT PATH AND The City Manager reported that he had contacted the
PARKING LOT Southern Pacific Company regarding the possibility of
use of the vacant lot at the corner of Sacramento and Elm
Streets for off-street parking, and also acquiring use of
a portion of the Southern Pacific Company right of way
between Loma Drive and California Street for a foot path.
The Southern Pacific Company has taken the matter under
advisement and will make its reply at a later date.
1954-55 BUDGET The Council then proceeded to a detailed discussion of
DISCUSSION the 1954-55 Budget. Highway maintenance, subdivision
repayment, Pension Fund and Bond Redemption items
in the budget were explained by the City Manager. Coun-
cilman Robinson asked if it would not be necessary to
acquire another man in the Police Department to aid
in enforcement of parking meters in order to stop the
feeding of meters. Mr. Weller replied that he thought
the presently constituted Police Department was capable
of enforcing the policies of the City Council. Councilman
Robinson also suggested that the Mayor should have a
separate fund for expenses. After further discussion
it was generally agreed that the present arrangement
is satisfactory. City Attorney Mullen pointed out the
possibility that special fees will be needed when extra
work is required for the City. On query from Councilman
Robinson, the City Manager explained that Civil Defense
funds were included in the budget, but on a minimum
basis. The Council discussed the number of employees
in the Finance Department and the prospects of return-
ing the utility billing to the City's offices. The City
Manager explained that the IBM procedure makes analysis
available which will be valuable in prospective rate re-
vision and also permits handling of a substantial increase
in the number of accounts. The parking meter section
of the budget was explained. Mayor Fuller questioned
the need of the Community Counsellor's office. The
388 Minutes of June 23, 1954 continued.
City Manager explained that it was a joint venture with the Lodi
Public Schools and supervision was by a joint committee. Mr.
Weller added that the Committee is now reviewing the work done
by the Counsellor. After considerable discussion regarding the
request for additional men in the Fire Department, it was finally
decided to add the equivalent of the cost of the additional firemen
to the Contingent Fund pending further study with the Fire Chief,
the City Manager and the Board of Fire Underwriters as to the
department needs. The construction projects by the Engineering
Department were briefly reviewed and the City Manager was requested
to submit a map showing all work proposed. Councilman Robinson
was assured by Mr. Weller that the amount set forth in the budget
for the street tree program was in general conformity with the
program originally worked out and with the amount done in fiscal
year 1953-54. However, the City Manager indicated a more definite
policy and program should be developed by the City Council. The
City Manager was asked to check to ascertain whether rentals on
off-street parking lots were included in the Off-street Parking
budget. Mr. Weller explained the Revolving Fund method of hand-
ling customer connections. The City Manager then reviewed the
procedure for equipment depreciation and replacement, reading a
list of approved purchases for 1954-55. He also listed Capital
Outlay projects, including two new water wells, Blakely Park
improvements, City Hall revisions, electric system expansion
and other minor items: "Continuing" projects, such as the
Hall of Justice, sewage plant and electric change -over were
also briefly discussed. The City Manager then reviewed items
deleted from budget requests totaling approximately $320, 000,
pointing out that these were considered desirable but not urgent.
The Council discussed introduction of the appropriation ordinance,
but decided to defer action until June 30, 1954, to permit time for
additional consideration by the public. The City Manager was
requested to prepare the ordinance, with budget as recommended
except for the additional firemen, to be introduced at an ad-
journed meeting to be held on June 30, 1954.
At 11: 10 p. m„ on the motion of Councilman Richey, Mitchell
second, the Council adjourned until 8:00 p.m., June 30, 1954.
ATTES ;� A"�V.
HE Y A. GLAVES,
City Clerk