HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - February 14, 2001 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WITH LOCAL CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES
AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS
HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE, 125 S. HUTCHINS STREET
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2001
A. ROLL CALL
The February 14, 2001 Joint City Council meeting with local church representatives and religious
leaders was called to order by Mayor Nakanishi at 12:15 p.m.
Present: Council Members — Howard, Land, Pennino and Mayor Nakanishi
Absent: Council Members — Hitchcock
Present representing the City: Parks and Recreation Director Baltz, Library Services Director
Martinez, Lodi Police Department Chaplain Bill Sherrill, and City
Clerk Blackston
Present representing local churches: Jeannie Cory, Baha'i; Natalie Reyes, Baha'i; Dale
Edward, Century Assembly; Ken Owen, Christian Community Concerns; Loren Stacy,
Church of God, 7t' Day; Ron Payne, Cornerstone Church; Les Gallihue, Ebenezer
Congregational Church; Wayne Kildall, Ebenezer Congregational Church; Rick Wilmot,
English Oaks SDA; Glen Barnes, First Baptist Church; Francis Ruddle, Fairmont SDA;
Stephen Steele, First Baptist Church; Norm Mowery, First United Methodist Church;
David S. Hill, Grace Presbyterian Church; Ran Dotsen, Heartland Community Church;
Mike Abdollahzadeh, Lodi Avenue Baptist Church; Kevin Woods, Salvation Army; Mari
Thorkelson, St. Paul Lutheran Church; Paul Zimmerman, St. Peter Lutheran Church;
Perry Kallis, Temple Baptist Church; Steve Opp, Temple Baptist Church; and Ray
Williams, Temple Baptist Church
B. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS OF ITEMS OF MUTUAL CONCERN
Mayor Nakanishi welcomed the group and provided a brief update on the City. He also reported
that he met with Virginia Snyder yesterday to discuss ways to improve the east side, and an idea
surfaced in which private industry, the City, and volunteers could work together to paint houses on
a block -by -block basis. He encouraged attendees to consider participating in the project.
The following announcements of upcoming events were made:
• Temple Baptist Church, May 15, 2001, 7:00 p.m., special event to honor those who have died
in the line of duty.
• "Creating A Healthy Family'. March 4 and April 1, 2001, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Hutchins Street
Square, seminars focused on family relationships.
• Breakthrough Project, February 17, 2001, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., workshop on diversity
sponsored by American Association of University Women.
Discussion regarding the following subjects took place:
• East Side Adopt -A -Block program.
• Lodi News Sentinel, Religion Editor, encouraged attendees to contact the newspaper for
coverage of their activities.
• There is a great need in the community for more affordable rental units.
• Potential rental space may exist on the second floors of downtown businesses.
Mayor Pro Tempore Pennino recalled that in 1997 the Council and local religious leaders met at a
joint luncheon meeting in which the leaders were challenged to adopt a five -block radius around
their church. He encouraged continued involvement to improve the community.
Council Member Howard asked attendees to consider what the City can do for community
churches and encouraged them to communicate their congregations' needs to the Council.
Continued February 14, 2001
Council Member Land recalled that a presentation on the need for a women's shelter was given at
the joint luncheon meeting with Council and religious leaders in 1999. He provided an update on
the success of Lodi House, which now houses four families. He reported that five agencies: 1)
City of Lodi; 2) County Housing Authority; 3) Office of Education; 4) Employment Development
Division (EDD); and 5) Human Services Agency, will soon be collaborating in a project to
rehabilitate 13 homes on the east side.
Mayor Nakanishi and Mayor Pro Tempore Pennino reported that the City has programs for utility
bill discounts for qualified customers, as well as Public Benefit Grant programs, and encouraged
attendees to inform disadvantaged persons about these programs.
C. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
Susan J. Blackston
City Clerk
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