Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - July 15, 1953CITY COUNCIL CITY OF LODI COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL JULY 15, 1953 This regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lodi held beginning at $:00 o'clock p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 1953; Councilmen Hillman, Preszler, Rinn, Robinson and Richey (Mayor) present; none absent. The minutes of the previous meetings of June 17, 1953, and July 1, 1953, were approved as written and mailed after making the following correction to the minutes of June 17, 1953: The second sentence of the paragraph entitled "Sell Rite Market Traffic" be amended to read: Mr. Aberle suggested that the congestion at the driveway on the Lodi Avenue side of the Market parking lot could be overcome by widening the driveway to allow room for cars to both enter and leave the lot at the same time, and by painting sections of the curb red on either side of the driveway, and that traffic congestion on Lodi Avenue would be eased by the painting of a double white line in the center of the street from the Church Street intersection west to the westerly end of the driveway. COItiMUNICATIONS Letter from the Pacific Coast Building Officials Conference urging the City Council to permit the ANNUAL Building Inspector to attend the Annual Business MEETING OF :Meeting of the P.C.B.O.C. to be held in Pasadena, P.C.B.O.C. October 6-9, 1953. It also was suggested that a member of the City Council attend to learn first hand the operations of the organization. Letter from the Veteran Cab Company requesting con- sent to surrender the permit for the operation of a taxicab business as of July 16, 1953. The letter, signed by Thomas C. Gholson, stated that it is his conviction based on more than one year's operation that it is not feasible for two competing permittees VETERAN CAB to profitably operate and maintain proper service COMPANY to the general public under the conditions presently SURRENDERS existing in the City of Lodi. Mr. Weller presented - PERMIT a second letter from the City Cab Company, signed by Edward E. Dancer, requesting: (a) The allocation of the cab stand presently assigned to the Veteran Cab Company in front of the Red Anchor Cafe, located at 31 North Sacramento Street, and the abandonment of the stand on the east side of Sacramento Street at approximately the same location; (b) Permission to increase by two the number of vehicles used in the operation of the City Cab Company; and (c) Per- mission to operate the additional vehicles bearing their present color scheme for a reasonable time prior to repainting. City Attorney Mullen asked kr. Robert Mertz, representing the City Cab Company, what the company regarded as a reasonable time. It was agreed by Mr. Mertz and the Council that six months would be considered a reasonable time. Councilman Robinson pointed out that at the time the permit was awarded the second company, there had been a question as to whether two competing companies could operate profitably in Lodi and that the answer to this question appears to have been answered. Councilman Rinn replied that it should also be pointed out that she Veteran Cab Company has shown a profit and that it cannot be said that the company lost money. On the motion of Councilman Rinn, Pres- zler second, the Council voted to grant the recuests submitted by the two companies. fir. Mertz assured Councilman Rinn that rates would remain the same. 1"inutes of July 15,1953 continued. 243 ?U3iIC ..::RINGS ayor Richey opened the meeting to the hearing of protests to the proposed rezoning of the 11; -foot strip of the Lillian Sunch property on the east side SU of South Fairmont Avenue opposite Lodi Memorial REZC."LING Hospital, lying parallel to the street. Due notice ORD. ?;0.494 and publication of the intention of the City Council ItiTHJDUCED to rezone said property from the R-1 Residential District to the R-3 Residential District having been given and no protest being received, Council- man Robinson: moved, Preszler second, the introduction of Ordinance No. 494, approving the rezoning as requested. fair. Trevor h;artin addressed the City Council to ask what action could be taken by the City to enforce TRACT tract restrictions. City Attorney Mullen explained RESTRICTIONS that tract restrictions could not be enforced by the City. He advised Mr. Martin that civil action would have to be taken since it is a matter involv- ing a personal contract violation. Mr. Carl 6uishek addressed the City Council to say that he and his group, consisting of Mr. Floyd Knight, Mr. Ben Horton, Mr. John Graffigna, Mr. Sidney Wortley, Mr. H. E. Looser, Mrs. Viola Reis - HALL OF wig, and Mr. Reuben Rott, were appearing to pro - JUSTICE test the building of the Hall of Justice on Pine SITE Street, Church Street or Elm Street. He stated that public opinion runs very strongly in opposi- tion to the proposed location adjacent to the City Hall. It is his belief that if the question were placed on the ballot it would be defeated by a five to one majority. He proposed that the matter be placed on the ballot to determine the location after completion of the Master Plan. Mayor Richey assured the group that the City Council does not contemplate construction of the Hall of Justice within the next few weeks. She added that no action was contemplated until the phase of the Master Plan dealing with the public buildings is completed. She explained that public hearings would be held on this phase of the Master Plan before it is adopted. In reply to a question by Mr. Looser, Councilman Robinson stated that it did not necessarily mean that the entire Master Plan be completed before a decision on the Hall of Justice is made. He added that the Council may find it advisable to consider the i,,aster Plan in piecemeal fashion, rather than wait until it is completed in its entirety before adopting any of the various parts of it. Mr. Graf- figna stated that the people coming into town to develop the Master Plan are not interested in the welfare of the City, and that the City Council should listen to the citizens of the City rather than to the outsiders. Councilman Rinn replied that the planning consultant is not going to tell the City what to do, but is going to tell the Council what is going on at present and what will be taking place in the future. By this means the Council and the citizens will be able to determine steps necessary to achieve what they want. Mr. Graffigna then told Councilman Robinson that he had no right to talk to the people whose names appeared on the petition and attempt to turn them to his way of thinking. Councilman Robinson replied that he had as much right to ask his friends what they think of public issues as Mr. Graffigna has. Mr. Wortley stated that the proposed site for the Hall of Justice is close to the downtown business section; that 244 Minutes of July 15, 1953 continued. the traffic that goes to the Civic Center has only one reason in mind and this is no drawing card for the business locations. Pyr. Rott stated that the group addressirti the Co,ncil were all substantial citizens of the community and they only wanted to be assured that they will be given more opportunity to bring their thinking to the City Council before the City embarks upon any plan. Mayor Richey assured the group that the Council has made no hasty deci- sions. Councilman Rinn stated that the members of the City Council are just as interested in the wel- fare of the City as the group appearing before the Council. He added that the City Council is probably better informed than these people. He asked how the City Council can operate on the basis of an informed public opinion when they must sit in a vacant Coun- cil Chamber. Mrs. Reiswig concluded the discussion by asking who was responsible for highpressuring the Hall of Justice. She added that there had been orotests to the location during the term of Mayor Tolliver. REPORTS OF THE CITY MANAGER Specifications for construction work on South Hutcrins Street from Lodi Avenue to 150 feet south SPECIFICATIONS of the center line of Cardinal Street were submitted FOR HUTCHINS by the City Manager. Since construction is to be STREET partially financed by State funds, Councilman Rinn CONSTRUCTION moved, Robinson second, that the specifications be approved contingent upon securing the approval of the State Division of Highways. The City Manager presented the tabulation of bids for the purchase of a four -door sedan for use by AWARD FIRE the Assistant Fire.Chief. He explained that alter - DEPT. SEDAN nate bids had been requested to include a trade-in RES. NO.1760 value for the old car. Loewen Auto Company submitted ADOPTED the low basic bid of 41684.45. However, Krieger Motors submitted an alternate bid of J1200.00 in- cluding the trade-in. The Purchasing Agent had received a high bid of 4400.00 for the old car; therefore Mr. Weller recommended the award be made to Krieger Motors as the lowest and best bidder. Resolution No. 1760, awarding the purchase to Krieger Motors, was adopted on the motion of Coun- cilman Rinn, Robinson second. Specifications for the purchase of a 1953 business SPECIFICATIONS coupe in the moderate price range for use in the FOR BUSINESS Inspection Department were approved on the motion COUPE of Councilman Preszler, Hillman second. Mr. Weller explained that provisions for the purchase of this automobile were included in the 1953-54 Budget. On the motion of Councilman Rinn, Hillman second, SPECIFICATIONS the Council approved the specifications for the FOR SEDAN purchase of a 1953 four -door sedan for use in the Engineering Department. This purchase was also provided for in the 1953-54 Budget. Specifications for the rental of lease of 4 four - door sedans to be used in the Police Department as prowl cars were approved on the motion of Councilman SPECIFICATIONS Robinson, Hillman second. The specifications called FOR RENTAL OF for the dealer to carry.collision insurance, make POLICE CARS all repairs, furnish maintenance including 3 wash jobs per month, service every 1,000 miles, and to furnish a new car every 30,000 miles or 12 months, whichever occurs first. The City will furnish gas, oil and tires (other than original set) and finance cost of installation of special equipment not in- cluded in the specifications. Specifications for construction work on South Hutcrins Street from Lodi Avenue to 150 feet south SPECIFICATIONS of the center line of Cardinal Street were submitted FOR HUTCHINS by the City Manager. Since construction is to be STREET partially financed by State funds, Councilman Rinn CONSTRUCTION moved, Robinson second, that the specifications be approved contingent upon securing the approval of the State Division of Highways. Minutes of July 15, 1953 continued. 24.5 Mr. Weller recommended that the City sign a contract with the California State Personnel CONTRACT Board, Cooperative Personnel Services, author - WITH STATE izing that agency to furnish the City of Lodi PERSONNEL with examining services for the 1953-54. He BOARD explained that the City has used these services a number of times in the past year and now the State Personnel Board wants to formalize the relationship. On the motion of Councilman Rinn, Robinson second, the Council adopted Resolution No. 1759, authorizing the signing of the agree- ment upon receipt of approval from the City Attorney. The City Manager, after noting that no provisions for salary increases had been made at the time the adoption of the 1953-54 Budget pending a salary survey, stated that he had completed a salary survey of the classified positions. The Salary SALARY Committee of the City Employees' Association. and INCREASE the department heads have been presented with the CLASSIFIED results of the survey and agreement on recommenda- SERVICE tions had been achieved. Mr. Weller explained that his recommendation for a new schedule would provide ORD. NO -495 for a 2% increase for all salaries, and a one step INTRODUCED increase in six instances where he found that the present salary was not in .line. He estimated that the cost of the increases would be approximately X17,500 a year including pension fund contributions, merit increases, overtime, and vacation. her. Paul McClure, Vice-president of the City E-inployees' Association addressed the Council to verify the fact that the Employees' Association had agreed to the proposed increases. Mr. Brown, an employee in the utilities Department, protested that this recommendation did not include a proposal from the International Brotherhood of electrical Work- ers. Mr. Weller replied that he had discussed the matter with the Union's business representative, but he had received no proposal from the Union. Mr. Alfred M. Hansen, business representative for the Union, addressed the Council to say that the proposed salary increases would not be in line with other cities. He said that he knew of no increases of less than 5% or 415 a month. Mr. Weller replied that he had surveyed cities of similar size in Northern California in arriving at his recommenda- tions. He pointed out that the salaries paid in the local area are significant, but that we cannot be concerned with the salaries paid in other parts of the country because they are in different labor markets. Ordinance No. 495, approving the recom- mendations of the City Manager and adopting the new salary schedule, was introduced on the motion of councilman Robinson, Preszler second. In answer to a question by Councilman Rinn regarding the salaries of the heads of departments, Mr. Weller stated that he planned to conduct a survey of decartment heads'salaries in three or four months. A( Minutes of July 15, 1953 continued CITY PLANNING COYaVIISSION A final map entitled "Wellington Park" of lands on the west side of Ham Lane, north of the Zion WEILINGTON Reform Church, certified by the City Engineer as PARK substantially complying with the tentative map FINAL MAP approved by the City Planning Commission, was APPROVED approved for recordation and the streets and ease- ments therein accepted as City streets. This acceptance is subject to improvement of the streets to City standards before they will be maintained by the City. Mayor Richey then signed the map. The Council then considered the three names sub- mitted by the City Planning Commission as recom- MRS. HEAGERTY mended for appointment to that body to fill the APPOINTED TO vacancy created by the retirement of Carl Wishek. PLANNING The names of Mr. James F. Culbertson, Jr., Mrs. COMMISSION Mary Heagerty and Mr. E. A. (Bill) Menzel being those submitted. After noting that the women of the City were not represented on the Planning Commission at the present time, Mrs. Mary Heagerty was appointed for the term expiring June 30, 1957, on the motion of Councilman Rinn, Hillman second. Action on the request by residents of South Sunset SUNSET Drive for permission to commence annexation pro - ADDITION ceedings was deferred pending receipt of approval of the boundaries by the County Boundary Commission. On the motion of Councilman Rinn, the City Council adjourned at 9:50 o'clock p.m. ATTEST HEN, A. GLAVES, JR. City Clerk Mr. Weller presented a petition for annexation of territory under the "Annexation of Uninhabited ANNEXATION Territory Act of 1939" signed by Catherine Fugazi 51ST ADD. and Antonio and Rosa Avegio. The boundaries of the territory had received the approval of the RES. N0.1758 County Boundary Commission, and annexation had ADOPTED been recommended by the City Planning Commission. Councilman Preszler moved, Robinson second, the adoption of Resolution No. 1758, declaring the in- tention of the City Council to annex said territory as the "51st Addition, Lands North of West Lockefori Street and West of Ham Lane", and setting August 19, 1953, as the date for public hearing. The motion was passed by unanimous vote. A final map entitled "Wellington Park" of lands on the west side of Ham Lane, north of the Zion WEILINGTON Reform Church, certified by the City Engineer as PARK substantially complying with the tentative map FINAL MAP approved by the City Planning Commission, was APPROVED approved for recordation and the streets and ease- ments therein accepted as City streets. This acceptance is subject to improvement of the streets to City standards before they will be maintained by the City. Mayor Richey then signed the map. The Council then considered the three names sub- mitted by the City Planning Commission as recom- MRS. HEAGERTY mended for appointment to that body to fill the APPOINTED TO vacancy created by the retirement of Carl Wishek. PLANNING The names of Mr. James F. Culbertson, Jr., Mrs. COMMISSION Mary Heagerty and Mr. E. A. (Bill) Menzel being those submitted. After noting that the women of the City were not represented on the Planning Commission at the present time, Mrs. Mary Heagerty was appointed for the term expiring June 30, 1957, on the motion of Councilman Rinn, Hillman second. Action on the request by residents of South Sunset SUNSET Drive for permission to commence annexation pro - ADDITION ceedings was deferred pending receipt of approval of the boundaries by the County Boundary Commission. On the motion of Councilman Rinn, the City Council adjourned at 9:50 o'clock p.m. ATTEST HEN, A. GLAVES, JR. City Clerk