Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - November 30, 1999 SS255 CITY OF LODI INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING "SHIRTSLEEVE" SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1999 An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, November 30, 1999 commencing at 7:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Council Members — Hitchcock (arrived at 7:05 a.m.). Mann, Nakanishi, Pennino and Land (Mayor) Absent: Council Members — None Also Present: City Manager Flynn, Deputy City Manager Keeter, Parks and Recreation Director Williamson, City Attorney Hays and City Clerk Reimche Also in attendance was a representative from the Lodi News Sentinel. TOPIC(S) 1. All America Cities Program ADJOURNMENT No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:15 a.m. ATTEST: hii'rf'che 4wex) City Clerk August 28, 1998 Program of the -Waiiona[ Cfvic League, sponsored by the rffstate Insurarre Company. ��o- . n Janet Keeter Deputy City Manager City of Lodi 221 W. Pine Street Lod;, re' 95240-5340 Dear Janet: The National Civic League, and our partners at Allstate Insurance Company, thank the City of Lodi for participating in the 1998 All -America City Award program. The accomplishments of communities such as yours have contributed to maintaining the high standards of the program. While your community was not selected as a Finalist, you have shown a desire to know and understand critical issues and the will to confront those issues head-on. We know that by doing nothing more that convening a group to seriously approach the self assessment of the ci,,ic infrastructure, there is great value to the community in the process. The enclosed evaluation summarizes information drawn from the Screening Committee deliberations. We hope this evaluation will aid in your follow-up to the application processes and help in the preparation of a future application. Please contact me ifyou have any questions or concerns regarding the enclosed evaluation. Once again, thank: you for participating in the 1995 All -America City Avrard program. We hope this has been. a positive experience and th--t you .:iii Choose. to apply agairi neai year as we ce,eili.-te our 50th Anniversary. Sincerely, ole Bloom Director All -America City Award Program Enclosure 1443 MARKET STREET, SUITE 300, DENVER, CO 80202-1717 • (303) 571-4343 - FAX: 571-4404 A`Program of the ✓Xatfonal Otic League, sponsored by the ,Vbtate Insurance Company. All-AmericaCity 1 ! 1993 ALL -AMERICA CITY AWARD EVALUATION LODI, CALIFOMNIA The 1998 All -America City Award Screening Committee commends the citizens, businesses, and public agencies of Lodi, California for their wort: at collaborative problem solving and considerable progress in -community improvement. While it may be tempting to avoid addressing difficult community issues, the National Civic League and our partner, Allstate Insurance Company, believes that All -America Cities have the willingness to face these situations and meet challenges in creative and collaborative ways. And, while all communities demonstrate local pride by applying for this award, the National Civic League awards the distinction of All -America Cities to only ten each year. We believe that the rigorous application and evaluation processes are occasions for communities to discover their strengths, challenges and recognize the role and value that neighbors add to the entire community. It is our intention that this evaluation will provide additional insight into new ways for Lodi to strengthen and enhance its collaborative spirit and citizen democracy. The Civic Index is a tool used by communities to develop their problem -solving capacity by providing a method and a process for identifying their strengths and weaknesses, as well as structuring collaborative approaches to solving shared problems. Including the Civic Index in the All -America City Award application allows communities to review their civic infrastructure and evaluate how it has assisted them to address important local issues. The statistics indicate Lodi has a moderate percentage of home ownership and diversity, however, the unemployment rate is higher than average. Lodi's Civic Index represented a city with some small community characteristics. Additional clear examples of the components and related actions would have helped the Screening Committee more accurately evaluate Lodi's Civic Index. A sense of shared decision making seemed to be absent and collaboration was addressed in a limited way. Boys and Girls Club project helps to provide a safe place for youth to spend time and stay active. While many communities have these clubs, some do not have Teen Centers. This Center was a unique component to a Club of this type. However, more description or statistics would have been useful in assessing the impact that this Club has had on the lives of local youth. Lodi Police Partners shows good Citizen Participation was interesting, especially how it involved those in the community over 50 years old, This can often be a hard age group to 1IA5 NfARKET STREET, SUITE 300, DENVER, CO 80202-1717 - (303) 571-4343 - FAX: 571-4404 Page 2 Lodi, CA access: Could this program be expanded to do even more or allow for more participants? The Screening Committee liked this project and the benefits it provided for Lodi. The redevelopment of the Old Lodi Union High School and related facilities was a large project to undertake. It served both as a beautification and community development project for the citizens of Lodi. The Screening Committee wanted more details regarding the measurable impacts that these facilities have had on the lives of individuals. Some were mentioned, but are there any personal stories that could serve as an example of the power of this facility? This project could do even more if allowed to expand. In summary, the topics that the projects address appear to be of concern in Lodi. However the projects met some of those topics in a clear way. The Screening Committee was also impressed by the use of Volunteers to help -write the application. Many communities do not do this. However, they recommend the use of"Allstate" on the cover paw could suggest excessive influence by the corporate sponsor, and, although this person was acting on her own, it would have been better to have listed someone else without Allstate affiliation. Keep up the hard work and it will be reflected in future applications. The National Civic League wishes Lodi continued success in its erorts at community betterment, and we hope you will consider us as a future source of support, direction and assistance in confronting and solving civic concerns. And, while we encourage all communities to apply again to receive recognition as an All -America City, repeat applicants are not guaranteed a designation. More than anything else, we hope you will continue to internalize your learnirigs from the America Cities Cities process in order to create a community that works for everyone.