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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - January 7, 19531s. CITY COUNCIL CITY OF LODI COUNCIL CHA?',BERS, CITY HALL JANUARY 7, 1953 This regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lodi held beginning at 3:00 o'clock p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 1953; Councilmen Prezler, Richey, Rinn and Robinson present; Mayor Haskell absent. In the absence of Mayor Haskell, City Clerk Glaves called for nominations for Mayor pro tem. Councilman Robert H. Rinn was nominated and elected to fill the position of the Mayor during the absence of Mayor Haskell. Councilman Robinson and Councilman Richey noted errors in the last sentence of the second paragraph of the minutes of December 22, 1952. As corrected the sentence should read, "On the motion of Councilman Richey, Preszler second, the Council authorized the City Manager to meet with Judge -elect Bainbridge and County Super- visor Stuckenbruck to work out the proposed agreement for the lease, subject to the approval of the City Council." The minutes were then approved with the above correction. COI.& UNICATI7fiS Letter from Mayor Evanhoe of Stockton announcing CVD,LCC the quarterly meeting of the Central Valley Division KEETING of the League of California Cities in Stockton on ANNOUNCED January 22, 1953. The meeting is to be held at Bruno and Lena's, 448 S. Hunter Street at 6:30 p.m. Letter from Fred M. Brown and Sons requesting per- mission to put in two 20=foot driveways or one 50 - foot driveway at their place of business at 1225 APPROVE South Sacramento Street, Mr. Weller stated that DRIVEWAYS previous requests have usually been approved sub - FOR ject to approval of the City Engineer who attempts F.P•i.BROWN to allow enough driveway space to meet the needs of the property owner and at the same time minimize the amount of curb space utilized. On the motion of Councilman Preszler, Richey second, the Council approved the request subject to the approval of the City Engineer. Letter from Bruce McKnight, Certified Public Accountant, Stockton, California, explaining that he has been retained by the City of Stockton for representation at the Pacific Telephone and Tele - CITY REQUESTED graph �;ompany rate hearing on application No. TO JOIN IN 33935. He explained that he was requesting central PROTEST OF cities and counties of the State to noin in the TELEPHONE protest. The amount asked of the City of Lodi as RATE INCREASE its share in the expense is p100. Mr. Weller ex- plained that this request was one of six or eight requests for joint action the City had received in the past four or five years. In some cases Lodi has joined in the protest. In the last such in- stance, the P. G. & E. case, Lodi did not join with Stockton because we joined in a protest of our own. he further stated that from the informa- tion available to him he did not feel that it would be worthwhile to just make a blanket protest. The Public Utilities Commission, he explained, has a competent staff which will be utilized to investi- gate the request of the telephone company. Mr. Keller further stated that he felt that the Pacific -Telephone and Telegraph Company was probably asking a good deal more than it was entitled to get, but he sir:.ply did not feel, as a matter of principle, that this protest was worthwhile at this time. 166 ;Minutes of January 7, 1953 continued. At the invitation of !Mayor pro tee: Rinn, Lr. George Creighton, .%.anger of t. -.e Lo::i office of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, addressed the Council and stated that Er. 'deller had accurately outlined the qualifications of the PUC staff. This staff consisted of 500 persons, including engineers, accountants and attorneys. Councilman Rovirson stated that he had read that the rates for business phones for the Lodi area are higher than other areas in the territory and if this is true and Lodi is being discriminated against, the City should present its case before the Commis- sion. 11-r. Creighton answered that the rates are based on the availability of phones. Councilman Robinson stated that he understood that the telephone company was requesting a 7% return on its invest'- mens nvest-mens and if this is true, its request is excessive. i:r. Creighton replied that he was not qualified to discuss the rates of return requested. Mayor pro tem Rinn then asked if it would be possible to make a determination at this time which would give the City access to the records of the hearing without joining in the protest being prepared by r, i-.'cKnight. Mr. Weller replied that the City could file as an interested party or as a protestant. In either case the City would receive exhibits and other evidence, be given opportunity to give evi- dence or cross examine witnesses. Councilman Robin- son taen moved that the City Manager be authorized to make r.•hatever representation is necessary and that such representation, either as interested party or as protestant, be at the discrtion of the City !�Iana :er. Mayor pro tem Rinn asked if it would be possible to file as an interested party and then at a subsequent date change the filing to that of a protestant. Mr. Weller replied that he would be --,lad to check into this question. The motion . of Councilman Robinson was then seconded by Coun- cilman Richey and passed. Letter from the Lodi Business and Professional '-1lomen1s Club requesting courtesy parking and over- LODI B.&P, night parking for out-of-town delegates to their W. CLUB winter conference to be held January 24 and 25 REQUEST in Lodi. Councilman Richey explained that many COURTESY of the delegates would be staying at Hotel Lodi PARKING and would want to park their cars on the street DURING over Saturday night. Councilman Robinson suggested CONFERENCE that the Oak Street parking lot could be utilized. The City Manager suggested that if there were no objections he would refer the letter to the Chief of Police to work out the necessary arrangements and he would speak to the Manager of Hotel Lodi and ask that he direct the delgeates to use the Oak Street parking lot wherever possible. Letter from the City of Long Beach calling atten- CALIFORNIA tion to the Annual California Recreation Conference RECREATION to be held in that city February 10-13. Mr. Weller CJNFERENCE IN explained that the Park and Recreation Director LONG BEACH planned to attend this meeting and has been re- quested to bring some exhibits relating to Lodi's recreation program. Letter from Lodi Business and Professional Women's RICHLY TO Club -asking if it would be possible to have Council- 'rELCOI•iE man Richey represent the City of Lodi, in the ab - DELEGATES TO sence of b.ayor Haskell, to formally welcome the CONFERENCE women delegates to the conference. The request was granted on the motion of Councilman Robinson. Minutes of Janaary 7, 1953 continued. 167 PUBLIC HEARINGS i•.ayor pro tem Rinn then called for hearing of the matters relating to the proposed annexation of the "47th Addition" and the "Bieck Addition", continued from the previous meeting of December 22, 1952. City Clerk Glaves then read a letter received and filed Januar-i 7, 1953, from i•[rs. lKaud Veit. Mrs. Veit reouested that the protest heretofore filed by her with the City Council be withdrawn and A petition signed by six residents in the Stockton Street-:aple Street area protesting the truck travel on i,iaple Street between Stockton Street and the Roy R. Parker property. A letter accompanying TRUCKS the petition asked that that portion of Yarle BANNED ON Street west of Stockton Street be closed to truck i•:APL STREET traffic. 'r. 'Weller explained that this problem had come up before and he had checked with the cannery people and been assured that the gate at the west end of Maple Street was only used in emergencies. It was agreed that the City should place a "No Trucks" sign at the entrance of Maple Street from Stockton Street and that the manager of the cannery be notified that the gate is not to be used except in bonafide emergencies. Letter addressed to Chief of Police Hunt from Carlos A. Sousa, County Sheriff -Coroner, express- LODI POLICE ing appreciation to the Lodi Police Department for C0111 EINDED the immediate response to an emergency call from the Sheriff's office on December 31, 1952. Sergeant Schnabel was singled out for particular rtaise for his courage in stalking a crazed gunman in the face of direct gunfire. Letter from Walter E. Flower requesting permission to construct two 36 -foot driveways as a means of access to a proposed garage to be built on the cor- ner of Flora Street and Cherokee Lane. Mr. Weller DRIVE'4AS reported that the City Engineer had been consulted AUTHORIZED and that had no objections to the driveways, but FOR FLO;ER _he he felt that if the request were approved, the size GARAGE of the driveways should be left open so that they could be cut down if it is determined that they are larger than necessary. On the motion of ;ouncilman Preszler, Richey second, the request fo r the d rive - ways was approved subject to the provision that the widths of the driveways will be cut down by the City Engineer if he finds it is possible to do so without destroying the use for which they are intended. Petition requesting the installation of street lighting facilities on South Church Street From West Lodi Avenue to Kettleman Lane. Cit:; Attorney Mullen explained that proceedings are provided in the statutes of the State for this type of special CHURCH STREET assessment district and that all proceedgins must STREET LIGHT- be taken in conformance with these statutes. It IMG PETITION was pointed out that any delays encountered due ACCEPTED to the statute provisions are unavoidable and not the fault of the City. On the motion of Councilman Richey, Preszler second, the Council voted to accept the petition and to instruct the City Clerk to prepare the necessary resolution for presentation at the next meeting. Councilman Robinson stated that Yr. Noel N. Groshong should be commended for his efforts in securing the names on the petition. PUBLIC HEARINGS i•.ayor pro tem Rinn then called for hearing of the matters relating to the proposed annexation of the "47th Addition" and the "Bieck Addition", continued from the previous meeting of December 22, 1952. City Clerk Glaves then read a letter received and filed Januar-i 7, 1953, from i•[rs. lKaud Veit. Mrs. Veit reouested that the protest heretofore filed by her with the City Council be withdrawn and 168 i,:iautes of ,.Gnuary 7, 1953 continued. that her property be included in the proposed "Riecx Addition" annexation. I•:r. Edwin Werner addressed the Council, stating that he had publicly stated he would not object to the annexation of "RIECK ADD!- "is property to the City of Lodi when the Veit TIGN'� property was included. Mr. Ferner requested that the Council give him answers to some questions VEIT which he felt might later present problems when :A,ITHDRA:S his property became part of the City. r:r. rierner PROTEST explained that he conducted a business at his residence which he looked upon as a hobby, but that this business was dependent upon periodic visits by delivery trucks. He then asked if the Council would later object to truck travel over streets leading to his business and residence. It was generally agreed that the business would come into theCity classified as a non -conforming use and that the City would not be able to take any action which would deprive it of supplies or deliveries upon which the business is dependent. i�ir. Werner then asked if his property would be assessed as subdivided property at such time as he improved the street in front of his house. It was generally agreed that his property would proba'ly not be assessed as subdivided property until such time as the property was subdivided; however, since all assessment of property is in the hands of the County Assessor, no positive answer could be given at this time. Mr. Werner then explained that he required storage space for his business and that he contemplated the construction of an underground warehouse on the back of his property. He explained that the structure would be wholly underground and that the ground above the structure -would be landscaped with shrubbery.' Mr. Mullen replied that any addition to his non -conforming use would depend upon securing the approval of the City Planning commission. Mr. Mullen further suggested that Mr. Werner might find it more advantageous from his personal point of view to locate his business activities in another part of town and subdivide his property for residential use. Mr. Werner stated that relocation of his business was out of the question at present for financial reasons. Mr. Werner then suggested that the proposed annexa- tion be postponed until such time as he was able to submit plans for his underground warehouse to the Planning Commission for approval. The City Attorney stated that, inasmuch as Mr. Werner had gone on record as being willing to include his property in the annexation at the time the Veit property was included, there would be no point in delaying theproceedings at this time. Councilman Robinson then stated that since Mrs. Veit had ORD. NO.473 withdrawn her protest and -Kr. Wener had stated APPROVING his willingness to have his property included, RIECK the council could now proceed with the annexation. ANNEXATION ne then moved, Preszler second, to introduce Or - INTRODUCED dinance No. 473, approving the annexation of the "Bieck Addition". The motion was passed unanimously. The 6ouncil next considered the final mar) of the Lawrence Ranch Subdivision, Unit No. 1, which was FINAL MAP submitted for approval. The City Attorney ques- v LA';iRENCE RANCH tioned the representative of the Lawrence Ranch SUEDIVISION Company regarding the understanding of the company UNIT 1 relating to its obligations for improvements and APPROVED utilities. i•:r. Thompson, the company represen- tative, satisfied the Council that the company was aware of its obligations and that it was pre- pared to rake the necessary deposit for utility extension just as soon as the estimates were avail- able. The final mar was approved on the motion of Councilman Richey, Preszler second. i�,inutes of January 7, 1953• continued. 169 ..rs. A. D. Haut, 507 North School Street, addressed the Council to protest the disturbance crewed by the Surer .".fold "orporation operations. l•:rs. Haut RESIDENTS claimed that at the time the residents protested PROTEST NOISE the construction of the of`_'ending facilities, the BY SUPiR MOLD Super lo:old I-orporation agreed that the facilities CJR:ORATION would only be used for office and warehouse func- tions. However, at the present time manufacturing is being conducted in the building, creatina distrubance from 6 a.m. to 10 n.m, or, at tigmes, as late as 1 a.m. Bins. Haut acted as spokesman for seven residents of the protesting area who were in the audience. Mayor pro tem Rinn sugsested that the Council call a special meeting at which the interested residents and the Super Mold cor- poration could be represented and try to work out a satisfactory arrangement for all concerned. 1..rs. Haut replied that this suggestion appeared reasonable fro= the standpoint of the protesting R:EETINIG SET residents. The Souncil then set the evening of Tuesday, January 2G, 1)53, as the date for the meeting and instructed the City Clerk to notify all interested parties. REPORTS OF THE CITY MANAGER The City Manager reported that although he had LEASE OF not been officially notified of the action, he CHAi,BER AUD. had been told that the County Board of Supervisors TO COUNTY had approved the lease of the Chamber of Cormerce Auditorium for 4100 per month for use by the District Court. On the motion of ',ouncilman Robinson, Richey second, COURT PARKING the Council moved to rescind its approval of RESERV TION four parking s --aces reserved in frount of the RESCIINDED Hall of Justice on North Sacramento Street for use by the Lodi District Court. ?,:r. ,teller rerarted the results of the bidding for furnishing a pump for use in the storm sewers. The Uity received two bids. The first RES. #1717 bid from the Clancy Pump and Supply Company con - AWARD PUMP tained three proposals for 041.75, V1064.00 and li1021.00. The second bid was from Byron -Jackson for w902.�0. The City P%;anager recommended that the award be made to the low bidder, Byron. - Jackson. Councilman Preszler, Robinson second, moved the adoption of Resolution No. 1717 award- ing the contract to the Byron -Jackson company. The City Manager furnished the redraft of the proposed Personnel Ordinance together with a copy o: the proposed Personnel Rules and Regulations. PERSON:iEL Lr. Weller explained that the proposed Personnel v ORDINANCE Ordinance attempts to clarify lines of authority AND and to bring the present organizational structure PERSONNEL into line to conform with existing practice. He RULES pointed out that there were no rally significant SUBb'ITTED changes in the new proposal. The principal changes he mentioned related to: a reduction in the term of the Presonnel Board from six to four years, elimi~ation of a specific Department of I Personnel and Personnel Clerk and removal of deaartment :heads from the classified service. The City Attorney suggested the addition of "and Repealing Ordinance Numbers 276 and 305" to the title of the proposed ordinance. It was also suj_ested that Secton 4 be amended by the addition of "City Manager" to the list of appoint- ments to be made by the City Council. Council- man Robinson. pointed out that he did not like to rrovisions of section 10. At the same time i ^() Xinutes o: January 7, 1953, continued. Councilman Richey took exception to Section 9. ,•:r. eller explained that in bots instances these provisions are required by California statute; in fact, the provisions, as they appear in the proposed ordinance are quoted verbatum from the State Code. in considering the proposed Rules and Regulations, i•'r. : 171 "mutes of January 7, 1953, continued. The Gity ;Manager then submitted a recommendation for the adortion of a new salary range for de- partment heads. f-ir. ',seller pointed out that the proposed salary ranges provided an increase of one step for all department heads with the excep- tion of the park and Recreation Director. re explained that the salary range for this position NEW SALARY was created at a time when the position only re - RANGES FOR quired supervision of the recreation program, DEPART1,1ENT but since the job of supervision of the parks had HEADS been added to that department, he felt that the salary for the position should be brought in line with those of the other department heads. r•ir. '.,.'eller further explained that the proposed salary range was based upon a survey of department heads salaries conducted .by him recently. On the motion of Gouncilman Preszler, Robinson second, the Council voted to approve the salary ranges for department heads as recommended by the City Pana - ger. The salary ranges are as follows: City Engineer 1;.556 - 644 Finance Director 458 - 556 Fire Chief 458 - 556 Park cc Recreation Director 458 - 556 Police Chief 458 - 556 Superintendent of Utilities 481 - 584 The City i,ianager was further authorized to - _nt sa'_ar; i_.cheases within the above salary ranges and to recruit replacements within the ranges at his discretion. Kr. ;:eller mentioned certain moves and transfers of personnel which he contemplated in the near future. He explained that the departure of Yr. P•ieckler from the Engineer's Department created a shortage in that department which he intended CITY ?MANAGER to fill by the transfer of 1•:r. Cromwell from the EXPLAINS position of Purchasing Clerk to the Engineer's REORGANIZATION Department— The position vacated by 1•ir. Cromwell would be filled by i•ir. Wilson, the prgsent office manager in the Finance Department. Mr. '„'ilson would then become the Purchasing Agent for the -ity. 1•:r. Wilson's former position would be filled by the promotion of lKr. Buer, presently the Col- lector in the Finance Department. Pers. Griffin would then be promoted to Collector and her position would be filled by a promotional exami- nation. An increase of one step in the salary range will be recommended for the position: of PurchasinS Agent and a new position classifica- tion required in the Engineer's Department before the above reorganization is comrleted. P•:r. eller pointed out that amendments to the present Gity Manager and Purchasing System ordinances will probably be called for in order to carry out this reorganization. CITY PLANNING CO-=SSION On the motion of Councilman Robinson, Preszler second, the Council voted to approve the recom- USE PER`•:IT mendation of the Planning Commission that a use APPROVED FOR -permit be issued to Er. and i-irs. H. L. .allace, NURSERY 2CG ',;atsor. Street, for thepurpose of establishing a child nursery. The specific use is for the caring for a maximum of ten Mongoloid idiots or spastic patients, all of which are crib patients. 17`- ,•:inutes of January 7, 1953, continued. The council then considered the petition of Clara L. i4:ason for rezoning that part of her property lying port: of Laurel avenue and south of the Mokelumne River. The petition requests that the PUBLIC zoning be changed from park area to residential HEARING SET zone. The Planning Commission determined that ?JR MASON this property had been included in the public REZONING park area in the new zoning ordinance as the result of a mistake and recommended that it be rezoned and classified in the R-2 residential district. The Council set January 21, 1953, as the date for a public hearing on the proposed rezoning on the .potion of Councilman Richey, Robinson second. payor pro tem Rinn then asked if the members of the Council wanted to take un the question of a salary increase for the City Clerk at this time. CITY CLERK He pointed out that when the matter had been dis- SkLARY cussed at a previous meeting, it had been decided INCREASED to postpone action until the first of the year. In reply to a request for a recommendation, Mir. ',,;eller recommended that the salary be increased to 0415 per month. The Oouncil then voted to accept the recommendation of the City ivtanager on the motion of Councilman Robinson. On the motion of Councilman Preszler, the Council adjourned at 12:10 a.m. U i�GIIGaU$ / ATTEST: A. GLAVES, S?. City Clerk