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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 18, 1953c CITY COUNCIL CITY OF LODI COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL MARCH 18, 1953 This regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lodi held beginning at 8:00 o'clock p.m. of March 18, 1953. Councilmen Preszler, Richey, Rinn, Robinson and Haskell (Mayor) present; absent, none. Minutes of the previous meeting, March 4, 1953, were approved as written and mailed. The following representatives of the City Employees Asso- ciation attending the meeting were introduced to the City Council: Robert McLane, Paul McClure and Robert Campbell. COiv3iUNICATIONS Letter -from the Lodi Garden Club placing itself on record in opposition to the unnecessary des - GARDEN CLUB truction of trees. No action was taken since it RE TREES was agreed that the City Council was in agreement with the sentiments expressed in the letter. Letter from the Southern Pacific Company acknow- ledging the receipt of the letter from the City Manager regarding the lease of Southern Pacific PROPOSED Company property on Sacramento Street between S.P.CO. Pine Street and Elm Street for off-street parking. PARKING LOT The letter stated that the Tidewater Associated Oil Company and -the Union Oil Company, both hold- ing leases on the property at the present -time, had been contacted regarding the proposal, and answers from them had not been received. The S. P. Company promised to keep the City Manager advised of the developments in the matter. Letter from Ed Crawford, Assembly Chamber, Carson City, Nevada, stating his understanding that the Lodi Motorcycle Club will not hold its annual motorcycle race in the Lodi Stadium this summer because the rent of the Stadium is too high:. He further protested the "freezing -out" of the Lodi USE Or Motorcycle Club. Mr. Weller stated that he could STADIUM BY not explain what had given rise to the letter, MOTORCYCLE particularly in light of the past concessions CLUB given to the Motorcycle Club. The Club has never shown a loss in holding its event. He added that the City Council had lowered the head tax from ten cents to five cents during the summer months as an inducement to users. Mayor Haskell stated that he had talked to Ezra Ehrhardt of the Motor- cycle Club, who did not complain about the head tax, but seemed more concerned about the arrange- ment with the concessionaire. He further stated that he felt that the letter from Mr. Crawford was unfair to the Council and should be answered to that effect, and that any action which the Council might want to take should be worked out with the local group. It was agreed that the letter should be answered and the matter placed on some future agenda for complete discussion. PUBLIC HEARINGS Mr. Harry Asay, 524 W. Lodi Avenue, addressed the City Council to inquire what steps will be EXTENSION Or necessary to bring the matter of the extension CHESTNUT ST. of Chestnut Street west from Hutchins Street before that body. Mr. Asay indicated that he would be reluctant to pass a petition for the Minutes of f+:arch 18, 1953, continued. 19,9 opening unless the question of the site for the street was finally determined. Mr. Asay was in- structed that he could see the City Clerk regard- ing the preparation of the petition to form a special assessment district, and questions in- volving the street location should be referred to the City Planning Commission. REPORTS OF THE CITY MANAGER The City Manager reminded the members of the LEGION Council of the invitation to attend the picnic PICNIC sponsored by the Lodi Post No. 22 of the American Legion on May 2 and 3. LOS BANOS The City Manager reminded the City Council of the MAY DAY invitation from the City of Los Banos to attend CELEBRATION the Civic, Historical and Floral Parade on Sunday, May 3, 1953. The request from the California Roadside Council SB 733 that the City Council go on record as opposing AND 734 State Senate Bills 733 and 734 was tabled with the understanding that the Council would watch progress of the bills. The question of extending the lease of Griffin and Miller for the 80 -foot strip belonging to the City east of 99 Highway, held over from the March 4 meeting, was brought up for discussion. Coun- cilman Robinson stated that if the City was not GRIFFIN covered by liability insurance, the firm should AND be required to remove the stacks of lumber. It MILLER was agreed that the City should take the necessary LEASE steps to protect itself from public liability. Councilman Rinn suggested that the City could require the firm to take out insurance for public liability and property damage and furnish the City with a certificate. The Council then voted to instruct the City Attorney to examine the lease with respect to the City's responsibility for pub- lic liability and to notify Griffin and Miller that. in the future the lease would be on a month to month basis. Mr. Weller reminded the members of the Council of SUPER MOLD the informal meeting scheduled for the evening of March 25 to discuss the matter of the noise created by the operations of the Super Mold Corporation. Councilman Robinson opened the discussion of the street tree problem by recalling that at the con- clusion of the meeting with Mr. Christman of the Davey Tree Surgeons, Mayor Haskell had suggested that the trees in the worst condition should first STREET TREE be selected for removal and then the property RE.1�OVAL owners involved should be notified and invited to PROGRAPI come before the Council to discuss the situation. Councilman Rinn then pointed out that there would be no point in taking this action until the Council decided what it was going to do about the sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and the streets. It was then agreed that the property owner would be held res- ponsible for the repair and replacement of the sidewalk while the costs of replacing the curbs and gutters, streets, and the pruning and replace- ment of trees would be borne by the City. council- man .'.inn suggested that the property owner be notified as to the intended location for the re- planted tree. Mayor Haskell stated that he believed the worst conditions should be corrected first, and that the notice should be sent to the property 19,9 194 Y' nutes of March 16, 1953, continued. owners involved to attend a meeting with the City Council in order that the Council might explain its program. It was agreed that the City Engineer ONE YEAR should be instructed to prepare a program for PROGRAM the first year for submission to the Council after which the property owners would be notified. Councilman Robinson then suggested that a City employee be trained in detection and correction +� of street tree problems in order that it will be possible to correct our tree problems on a con- tinuing basis without seeking outside consultants. The Council then reiterated its policy of the property owners' responsibility for the repair of the sidewalk. Councilman Robinson stated that it should be understood by all that the City Coun- cil does not intend to promiscuously remove trees in the City. The City Manager presented the preliminary draw- ings for the proposed rest rooms to be located in Blakely Park in the Lodi Barnhardt Tract. Mr. Van Buskirk, Chairman of the Recreation Commission, was questioned as to the location of the rest rooms within the park. Mr. Van Buskirk explained that the Recreation Commission was reluctant to BLAKELY PARK designate the exact location for fear that such REST ROOM action might commit the City to pay fees for the PLANS plans designed by Mason Witney. Mr. Weller pointed out that it was his understanding that Mason Witney was retained by the Recreation Com- mission to survey the City for the purpose of determining its recreational needs and suggesting the general locations for needed recreational facilities. His fee for this service was 4350, but this did not include any provisions for de- signing park sites, and the City is under no obligation to pay for such plans. At the sug- gestion of Councilman Rinn, the Council agreed to withhold a decision relative to the location of the rest rooms until the City Manager, City Attorney, N:r. Van Buskirk, and Mr. DeBenedetti had an opportunity to discuss the matter and determine the City's position. On the motion of Councilman Rinn, Preszler second, the Council then voted to approve the tentative plans for the rest rooms and submit them to the City Engineer for final preparation and submission of bids. Mr. Weller submitted specifications prepared by the City Engineer for concrete pipe to be used SPECIFI- for sanitary and storm sewers in the following CATIONS subdivisions: FOR Lawrence Ranch Costa Tract CONCRETE Vinewood Tract Kirst Estate PIPE Rieck Tract #2 Preszler Tract The specifications were approved and bids called for on the motion of Councilman Robinson, Richey second. Claims in the amount of $11,962.38 were approved CLAIMS and ordered paid on the motion of Councilman Preszler, Richey second. Minutes of March 18, 1953, continued. The City Manager then announced the appointment of Mr. Louis Farnsworth as the Executive Coordinator APPOINTMENT for Civil Defense for the City of Lodi. He ex - OF LOUIS plained that Mr. Farnsworth will handle the Civil FARNSWORTH Defense correspondence for the City and represent AS C. D. the City of Lodi in Civil Defense matters with the EXECUTIVE County and the State. In the event of an emergency COORDI- the Mayor would direct the operations and 1°Ir. NATOR Farnsworth would serve on the staff. 19� Air. Wer announced that the graduating exercises GRADUATION of the-Aw enforcement school at St. Mary's College EXERCISES would be held at the college on March 21, 1953, and AT LAW stated tKt he believed that the attendance of those ENFORCE- councilmen able to do so would be appreciated by the AIENT SCH. Police Department. ti The Council then approved the lease with the Scout Center, Inc., for the old bath house in Hale Park. SCOUT The lease is for a 20 -year period commencing Janu- CENTER ary 1, 1953, at :1.00 per year; the title of the LEASE property is to remain with the City. The approved APPLICATION motion was made by Councilman Robinson, the second FOR CHAP.47 by Richey. FUNDS Mr. Weller submitted the First Supplemental Memo- randum. of Agreement for expenditure of gasoline tax GAS TAX allocation on major city streets in the City of FUNDS Lodi for approval. On the motion of Councilman RES.#1731 Rinn, Richey second, the Council adopted Resolution ADOPTED No. 1731 approving the agreement and authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to sign on behalf of the City. The City Manager then announced the appointment of Mr. Louis Farnsworth as the Executive Coordinator APPOINTMENT for Civil Defense for the City of Lodi. He ex - OF LOUIS plained that Mr. Farnsworth will handle the Civil FARNSWORTH Defense correspondence for the City and represent AS C. D. the City of Lodi in Civil Defense matters with the EXECUTIVE County and the State. In the event of an emergency COORDI- the Mayor would direct the operations and 1°Ir. NATOR Farnsworth would serve on the staff. 19� Air. Wer announced that the graduating exercises GRADUATION of the-Aw enforcement school at St. Mary's College EXERCISES would be held at the college on March 21, 1953, and AT LAW stated tKt he believed that the attendance of those ENFORCE- councilmen able to do so would be appreciated by the AIENT SCH. Police Department. ti Air. Weller explained that the City has $10,922.29 in funds available for allocation under Chapter 47, Statutes of 1944 --Postwar Plan and Acquisition Aid WITHDRAWAL Act. Of this amount the City has previously made OF application for: 42,836.97 for plans for the Main APPLICATION Drain and Outfall Line, 4739.93 for plans for the FOR CHAP.47 Liquid Waste Disposal Works, and 4154.76 for plans FUNDS for the Sacramento Street Industrial Waste Drain. The plans for the above projects were prepared by the City staff and consequently the City has been unable to substantiate imformation which is accept- able to the Director of Finance. In light of the fact that plans are now being prepared for the Hall of Justice and for the expansion of the Sewage Dis- posal Plant, he believed that the City could use most of the available funds for defraying the costs of these plans. He therefore recommended the with- drawal of the pending applications in order that the funds applied for could be released for other projects. On the motion of Councilman Preszler, xichey second, the Council adopted Resolution No. RES. #1728 1728 withdrawing the application for $2,836.97 RES. #1729 for the Main Drain and Outfall Line. Resolution RES. #1730 No. 1729, withdrawing the application for $154.76 ADOPTED for the Sacramento Street Industrial Waste Drain, was adopted on the motion of Councilman Robinson, Preszler second. Resolution No. 1730, withdrawing the application for $739.93 for the Liquid Waste Disposal Works, was adopted on the motion of Councilman Richey, Rinn second. The City Manager then announced the appointment of Mr. Louis Farnsworth as the Executive Coordinator APPOINTMENT for Civil Defense for the City of Lodi. He ex - OF LOUIS plained that Mr. Farnsworth will handle the Civil FARNSWORTH Defense correspondence for the City and represent AS C. D. the City of Lodi in Civil Defense matters with the EXECUTIVE County and the State. In the event of an emergency COORDI- the Mayor would direct the operations and 1°Ir. NATOR Farnsworth would serve on the staff. 19� Air. Wer announced that the graduating exercises GRADUATION of the-Aw enforcement school at St. Mary's College EXERCISES would be held at the college on March 21, 1953, and AT LAW stated tKt he believed that the attendance of those ENFORCE- councilmen able to do so would be appreciated by the AIENT SCH. Police Department. ti 196 Minutes of March 18, 1953, continued. CITY PLANNING CONDIISSION The City Manager submitted sketches of the ri.F. Ayers property north of Lake Street and west of Ham Lane showing the plans for street extension in Mr. Ayer's proposed subdivision. The street plan calls for the southeasterly extension of PARK SITE Holly Drive to its intersection with Ham Lane, OFFERED BY and the turning of Lake Street northerly into M. F. AYERS Holly Drive west of the Ham Lane intersection. This will involve the abandonment of Lake Street just east of Pacific Avenue. The implementation of this plan will create a wedge-shaped piece of land including part of the Ayers property and that portion of Lake Street which would be abandoned. Mr. Ayers explained to the City Coun- cil that this piece of property would be difficult to develop for residential lots and therefore he would be willing to offer this piece of land to the City as a park site if the City would put in the street improvements. It was reported that the Recreation Commission had considered this proposal and had determined that this piece of land would be too small to justify the expendi- ture of the necessary 46000 or 47000 to improve it for recreational use as a tot lot. Council- man Robinson stated that he was generally in favor of acquiring property for parks where neces- sary, but that he recognized that the costs of such parks must also be given consideration. He did, however, -favor the acceptance of the land offered in this instance. It was suggested that perhaps the City could acquire additional property to the south of the Ayers property which, when added to the Ayers' piece, would be sufficient for the park. Councilman Rinn.moved that, in view of the fact that the Council has no recom- mendation to accept the land and there are no apparent plans for such a park, the City Council inform Mr. Ayers that the City has no interest in the area, thus giving Mr. Ayers freedom to make other arrangements for its development. Following the second by.Councilman Richey, the motion was carred by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen, Preszler, Rinn, Richey and Haskell NOES: Councilman, Robinson ABSENT: None A recommendation from the Planning Commission that the City Council give favorable consideration to REZONING the request of the Johnson Construction Company LOT 20 for the rezoning of Lot 20 and a portion of Lot KESSEL 19 of Kessel Subdivision No. 2 from the R-2 Resi- SUB. #2 dential District to the R-4 Residential District. Public hearing on the matter was set for April 1, 1953, on the motion of Councilman Robinson, Rinn second. A final map entitled "Rieck Tract No. 2", certi- fied by the City Engineer as substantially comply - FINAL MAP ing with the tentative map approved by the City RIECK TRACT Planning Commission on February 6, 1953, was NO. 2 approved for recordation and the streets and easements therein accepted as City streets on the motion of Councilman Richey. This acceptance is submect to improvement of the streets to City standards before they will be maintained by the City. Mayor Haskell then signed the map. Minutes of i•larch 18, 1953, continued. ORDINANCE NO. 470, DECLARING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LODI TO VACATE THAT PORTION OF THE ALLEY LYING BETWEEN LOTS 2 AND 3, BLOCK 6, OF THE CITY OF LODI, having been intro- duced at the regular meeting of March 4, 1953, was brought up for passage on the motion of Councilman ORD. NO.470 Rinn, Richey second. Second reading was omitted by ADOPTED unanimous consent, after reading by title, and was then passed, adopted, and ordered to print by the VACATION OF following vote: ALLEY IN BLOCK 6 AYES: Councilmen, Preszler, Richey, Rinn, CITY OF Robinson and Haskell LODI NOES: Councilmen, None ABSENT: Councilmen, None Mayor Haskell then signed Ordinance No. 470 in approval thereof. Public hearing was set for April 15, 1953. Mayor Haskell then reported on the meeting called by the League of California Cities in Sacramento, March 12, for the purpose of reviewing bills which have been introduced in the Legislature relating LOCAL to local sales taxes. He reported that the dis- SALES TAX cussion was primarily centered on Senate Bills LEGISLATION 1344 and 1575, both of which relate to authorizing counties to levy a sales tax. In a vote to indicate the personal views of the people attending the meet- ing, the majority indicated that they favored the passage of the bills with the amendment that the entire one cent levied in the cities would be retained by the cities. Mayor Haskell also reported that he had been con- tacted by the Chairman of the Planning Commission with the request for a joint meeting of the two JOINT MEET- bodies. The Planning Commission desired the meeting ING WITH for the purpose of reaching a better understanding C.P.C. SET of the role of the Planning Commission. It was agreed that such a meeting would be desirable and the evening of March 30, 1953, at 7:30 p.m, was set for the informal meeting of the two bodies. hiayor Haskell then requested the City Manager to investigate the status and use of the house on the INVESTI- northwest corner of Church and Elm streets. The GATION OF Mayor indicated that he was specifically interested BUILDING in knowing whether this house met the standards for public health and safety. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. on the motion of Councilman Robinson. �j D ATTEST: HENRY 11dGLAVES, JR. City Clerk 1977