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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - May 6, 1953210 CITY COUNCIL CITY OF LODI COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL MAY 6, 1953 This regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lodi held at 8:00 o'clock p.m. of May 6, 1953. Councilmen Haskell, Preszler, Rinn, Robinson and Richey (Mayor) present; absent none. The minutes of the previous meeting, April 15, 1953, were approved after authorizing the addition of the following sen- tence to the third paragraph under City Planning Commission: "It was further stipulated that should it become necessary at some future date to move the Child Care Center to another site, the City of Lodi would not be responsible for furnishing another site or for any of the costs of such move." COM14UNICATIONS A letter from a national patriotic organization calling attention to National Flag Week, June 8 - 14. The matter was set.aside for investigation. REPORTS OF THE CITY MANAGER The City Manager reported that he attended the opening session of the Public Utilities Commission hearing on the Telephone Company rate case. He TELEPHONE reported that the City of Lodi had been entered as RATE HEARING an Interested Party and would receive copies of all the evidence. It will be possible for the City to intervene as a Protestant at any time. He stated that he did not feel that it will be neces- sary to enter the case as a Protestant unless it appears the Company intends to discriminate against the residents of Lodi. He stated further that he planned to analyze the testimony as it comes in and keep the public informed relative to its appli- cation to local conditions. The City Manager presented a request from Mrs. Ed Hutchins for water service to a cabin located on her property on the south side of Lodi Avenue out- side the City. Mr. Weller stated that he did not REQUEST FOR believe the granting of this request would affect WATER SER VICE its future annexation. He further stated that there would be no particular benefit to the City water system in the granting of this connection. Councilman Rinn moved, Robinson second, to extend temporary service to the property, in view of the type of structure existing on the property at this time, with the provisions that the service will be discontinued at such time as the structure is changed. The motion carried. Specifications for the installation of sewers in SEWER the Costa and Vinewood Tracts, South Lee Avenue, SPECIFICATIONS and South Crescent Avenue were approved on the motion of Councilman Haskell, Rinn second. Specifications for approximately 2,500 tons of SPECIFICATIONS 3/8 inch maximum size plant mixed surfacing for FOR STREET use in the secondary street program were approved MATERIAL om the motion of Councilman kobinson, Preszler second. The City Manager reported that one bid had been received for the installation of sewers in the Lawrence Ranch Subdivision, and that the_bid was substantially higher than the City Engineer's Minutes of Pay 6, 1953 continued. 211 LAWRENCE RANCH estimate. He recommended that the installation SEWER BIDS be done by force account. On the motion of REJECTED Councilman Haskell, nobinson second, the Council RES. #1741 adopted Resolution No. 1741, rejecting the bid ADOPTED of Wm. Burkhardt and authorizing the City En- gineer to proceed with the sewer installation using force account labor. Mr. Weller reported that the bids for the instal- S.CHURCH ST. lation of street lights in the South Church Street LIGHTING DIST. Lighting District had been opened on May 1, 1953, CONTRACT AWARD and Dick Wagers Llectric had submitted the lowest RES. #1742 bid. On the motion of Councilman Preszler, Has - ADOPTED kell second, the Council adopted Resolution No. 1742, awarding the contract to the lowest bidder, Dick Wagers Electric. The City Manager presented a recommendation from the Police Department that the curb on the south side of Lodi Avenue from School Street to Sacramento Street be painted red to prohibit parking, and that the curb on School Street be painted red for no parking on either side for 100 feet south of the Lodi Avenue intersection. The recommendation was PARKING AT based upon the narrowness of the streets at this LODI AVENUE intersection and the large volume of traffic AND SCHOOL ST. carried. It was felt that painting the south INTERSECTION side of Lodi Avenue would inconvenience the property owners fronting on that section of the street. It was also suggested that a traffic count be taken of the traffic, both northbound and southbound, on School Street to determine if it is necessary to prohibit parking on both sides of the street. Councilman Robinson pointed out that the Lodi Avenue entrance to the Sell Rite Market, just west of Church Street, presented a traffic hezard. It was agreed the matter should be put over until the next meeting to allow time to investigate the problem at the Sell Rite Plar- ket and to allow time for the traffic count on School Street. Councilman Haskell suggested that some thought be given to the possibility of acquiring the needed right of way on Lodi Avenue east of Baker's Nursery. ne pointed out that painting the curb was only a temporary mea- sure and the problem would only be solved by widening the street. Mr. Weller reported that he had met with the Chief of Police and the manager of Stokely Can- nery to discuss the routing of trucks in and out TRUCK ROUTES of the cannery. He further reported that they had agreed upon a plan which would provide for westbound trucks entering the City on Kettleman Lane and then proceeding north on Stockton Street to the cannery. Upon leaving the cannery, the trucks would travel north on Main Street to Lodi Avenue and east on Lodi Avenue to Cherokee Lane. This plan would call for closing Lodi Avenue to westbound truck traffic and closing all of the east -west streets from Lodi Avenue to Kettleman Lane to trucks. Councilman Robinson objected to the closing of Lodi Avenue to westbound truck traffic because it would interfere with other trucks destined to the various packing sheds or using the public scales at the corner of Lodi Avenue and Plain Street. It was agreed that signs reading "No Trucks" should be placed at the inter- vening streets between Lodi Avenue and Kettleman Lane on Cherokee Lane, and that a sign reading "No Cannery Trucks" should be placed on Lodi Avenue at Cherokee Lane. It was also agreed that a sign stating "Cannery Trucks Here", or words to that effect, should be placed on Kettlemar. Lane at 2123 Minutes of May 6, 1953 continued Cherokee Lane. It was further agreed that trucks should be prohibited from using South Church and Pleasant Streets between Kettleman Lane and Lodi Avenue. The City Manager presented a revised list of 17 trees which the City Engineer recommended to be removed. The revised list together with the draft of a letter to be sent to affected property owners had been furnished each of the councilmen prior to the meeting. Councilman Robinson stated that it was his understanding that the Council was primarily interested in reducing the City's li- ability by removing those trees which were causing the greatest damage to sidewalks. He pointed STREET out that he could only find three of the trees TREE on the list of 17 that were causing severe side- REhiOUAL walk damage, and several of the trees were in places where sidewalks did not exist. Mr. Weller replied that it would be better to remove these offending trees before a sidewalk was constructed in order to relieve the property owner of the ex- pense of replacing the sidewalk at a later date. bn the motion of councilman Haskell, Preszler second, to adopt the.revised list of 17 trees recommended by the City Engineer for removal, the Council voted as follows: AYES: Councilmen Haskell, Preszler, Rinn and Richey NOES: Councilman Robinson Councilman Haskell then moved, Preszler second, to notify the property owners of the intention of the City Council to remove the trees with a letter as submitted by the City Manager subject to the addition to the letter of a commitment by the City Council to replant with suitable trees, and to further give property owners notice by posting the trees designated for removal. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Mayor Richey then appointed Councilman Robinson to confer with the City En- gineer and Don Berry, the representative for the City's unsurance carrier, to prepare a recommenda- tion for a future tree removal program. On the motion of Councilman Haskell, Rinn sacoud, the Council then voted to instruct the City Manager to invite the residents of the 200 block on South California Street to meet with the City Council to resolve the problem caused by the street trees in front of their residences. ORD. N0.487 The City Manager presented the recommendation of INTRODUCED the Building inspector that the City Council adopt ADOPT 1952 the 1952 edition of Volume I and III of the Uniform UVIFORM Building Code. Councilman Haskell moved, Preszler BUILDING second, the introduction of Ordinance No. 487, CODE adopting the Uniform Building Code, Edition of 1952, volumes I and III. The motion carried. ORD. NO.488 A recommendation from the Building Inspector that INTRODUCED the City Council adopt the 1951 edition of the ADOPT 1951 Uniform Electrical Code was presented. On the UNIFORM motion of Councilman Haskell, Preszler second, ELEC':RIC CODE the Council voted to introduce Ordinance No. 488, adopting the Uniform Electrical Code, 1951 Edition. P-;inutes of h.ay b, 1953 continued. 21. CITY PLANNING COPXISSION The City Manager read a memo from the City Planning Commission reporting that the Zoning Committee of the Planning Commission had approved VARIANCE a request from harvey Berndt of 200 South Orange REPORTED Avenue for an adjustment to Ordinance No. 469, allowing a variance for a ore -foot encroachment on the side yard. The memo explained that this request met the same conditions as the Aaron reinrich variance and the committee felt that to rule otherwise would prejudice the applicant, m r. Berndt. Councilman Robinson reported that he had been approached by a resident wishing to remove olive trees in front of his residence because the olives presented an unsightly and hazardous stuation. Councilman Rinn stated he felt this request should be considered along with VOLUNTARY the overall question of dealing with property STREET TREE owners requesting tree removal. Councilman RE[OVAL Haskell stated that he believed the property owner has a right to remove trees which he finds objectionable providing he replants the trees at his awn expense. Councilman Haskell then moved, Rinn second, that the Council adopt a policy for voluntary tree removal to provide that trees, except oak and magnolia trees, may be removed by the property owners providing that the remova•1 is at the expense of the _property owner and that the tree is replaced with a tree approved by the City and suitable to the vicin- ity. the motion carried by a unanimous vote. Councilman Haskell suggested that the Police INTERSECTION Department study the traffic problem at the OF LODI AVE. corner of Orange Avenue and Lodi Avenue. He AND ORANGE pointed out that hedge on the northeast corner AVE. of the intersection obstructed the vision of motorists entering the intersection from Orange Avenue. He suggested that the hazard might be lessened by moving the hedge back from the cor- ner several feet. Claims in the amount of 465,545.18 were approved CLAIMS on the motion of Councilman Robinson, Rinn second. ORDINANCE NO. 485, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF LODI AND THEREBY REZONING A PORTION OF LOT 13, BURR'S ADDITION, TO BE IN THE ORD. 485 R-2.ZONE, having been introduced at the regular ADOPTED meeting of April 15, 1953, was brought up for REZONING passage on the motion of Councilman Haskell, PRESZLER Preszler second. Second reading was omitted by TRACT unanimous consent, after reading by title, and was then passed, adopted and ordered to print by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen, Haskell, Preszler, Rinn, Robinson and Richey NOES: Councilmen, None ABSENT: Councilmen, None Mayor Richey then signed Ordinance No. 485 in approval thereof. ORDINANCE NO. 486, DECLARING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TIE -7 CITY OF LODI TO VACATE CERTAIN STREETS AND ALLEYS IN LAWRENCE HOhEESTEAD ADDITION AND IN LAWRENCE HJI•'ESTEAD ADDITION NO. 2, ALL IN T.4E CITY OF LODI, having been introduced at the regular meeting of April 15, 1953, was brought up for passage on the motion of Councilman naskell, 214 Minutes of May 6, 1953 continued ORD. NO. 486 Rinn second. Second reading was omitted by ADOPTED unanimous consent, after reading by title, and was VACATING then passed, adopted and ordered to print by the STREETS IN following vote: LAWRENCE AYES: Councilmen, Haskell, Preszler, Rinn, HOMESTEAD Robinson and Richey ADDITION NOES: Councilmen, None ABSENT: Councilmen,None Mayor Richey then signed Ordinance No. 486 in approval thereof. Mr. Weller announced the resignation of Martin Dreyfuss as Finance Director and City Treasurer to accept the position of Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Fairfield. In his letter of resignation, Mr. Dreyfuss requested that his resignation become effective June 12, 1953. Mr. Weller stated that Mr. Dreyfuss had done a splendid job of organization in the Finance Department and DREYFUSS the City owes him a debt for undertaking a highly RESIGNATION responsible position and giving it professional competence. Mr. Weller then stated that, at the present time, he planned to hold a closed promo- tional examination to select a replacement for the vacated position. The Council unanimously agreed that Mayor Richey should direct a letter to Yr. Dreyfuss expressing the regret the Council feels in the loss of his services and wishing him success in his new venture. It was also agreed that Mayor Richey should send a letter to the Mayor of Fairfield congratulating the City of Fairfield on its choice. Councilman Rinn then moved, Haskell second, to accept the resignation of Mr. Dreyfuss as City Treasurer with regret. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Councilman Preszler inquired as to the disposition of the petitions relating to parking meters. Mr. Weller explained that the petitions had not been verified as yet, but that this would be done when the City Clerk could take the time from his other PARKING duties. Mr. Weller pointed out that the petitions METER ask that the matter be placed before the voters PETITIONS at the next general election, and since the next general City election would not be held until April 1954, he did not believe there was any par- ticular hurry about the verification. Councilman Robinson stated that he felt recognition should be given to the petitions, and he recommended that they be checked and reported upon at the next Coun- cil meeting. The meeting was adjourned on the motion of Council- man Haskell at 10:25 P.M. ATTES ll- /"-" HENP.Y %% A. GLA VES, JR. City Clerk