HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - May 3, 2001 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WITH MEMBERS OF THE GREATER LODI AREA YOUTH COMMISSION
HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE — COTTAGE ROOM
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2001
A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
The Joint City Council meeting with members of the Greater Lodi Area Youth Commission of May
3, 2001 was called to order by Mayor Nakanishi at 12:15 p.m.
Present: Council Members — Howard, Land and Mayor Nakanishi
Absent: Council Members — Hitchcock and Pennino
Present: Youth Commissioners — Linda Elson, David Wright, Jeff Fleak, Matthew Johnston,
Megan Hawley, Sweta Patel, Ashkon Shaahinfar, Jeffrey Jauregui, Julia Rough,
Jackson Grant, Alisha Thawley, and Ashleigh Krueger
Absent: Youth Commissioners — Richard Dean and Samir Berbawy
Also Present:
B. TOPIC(S)
City Manager Flynn, Deputy City Manager Keeter, Management Analyst Hamilton,
Community Center Director Lange, Special Projects Coordinator and Staff Liaison
Maragliano, Deputy City Attorney Schwabauer and Deputy City Clerk Perrin
"Discussion of items of mutual concern"
Following self -introductions of those in attendance, Mayor Nakanishi opened the meeting by
stating that the City Council is receptive to suggestions and feedback on inexpensive and safe
entertainment for young adults.
Council Member Land commented that the City plays a lead role in providing safe entertainment,
and gave an update on the following projects: Skate Board Park; BMX Bike Park near Sales Park;
the Indoor Sports Complex; future swimming pool; and DeBenedetti Park, which will be a lighted
park for multi -sports usage. Council Member Land commended the Youth Commission for its
very successful Wet 'N Wild program and urged the commission to continue to bring forth these
worthwhile ideas.
Special Projects Coordinator and Staff Liaison Yvette Maragliano presented the Council Members
with information regarding the Youth Commission (filed), which was briefly reviewed by the
following commissioners:
• Julia Rough — reviewed the Youth Commission's mission statement, roster and biographies of
the commission members, and a detailed list of topics and questions it wished to discuss with
Council.
• Matthew Johnston — reviewed the background and make-up of the commission, detailing the
member selection process and its organization and structure.
• Yvette Maragliano — reviewed the upcoming meetings and events of the commission
members, emphasizing how much time is devoted to activities.
• Ashleigh Krueger — reported on the Youth Commission's program events, including Honoring
Teens Program, Parade of Lights, September Dance with Omega Nu, Teen Lead Program,
Wet 'N Wild, Lodi Youth Conference, Women's Football Bowl, and Jr. High School Dance.
• Yvette Maragliano — reviewed the list of monetary and in-kind contributions (July 1, 2000 —
present), adding that the Youth Commission just received word that it was awarded a
scholarship from Geweke, which entitles them to a percentage of the November car sales,
which is the highest sales month. Ms. Maragliano thanked commissioner Samir Berbawy and
the Lodi Unified School District (LUSD) for the continuous in-kind contributions bestowed
upon the commission. In addition, this was the first year that LUSD has budgeted funds for
the Youth Commission to be used toward the Youth Conference. She reported that the
commission has established a list of representatives from various schools, as well as high
school administrators, who work with and attend the meetings of the commission.
Continued May 3, 2001
Council Member Howard stated that she is delighted to be the Council representative to the Youth
Commission and looks forward to working with the group. She has compiled information
regarding job opportunities for young adults in the community, which she will present and discuss
with the commission at a future meeting.
In response to City Manager Flynn, Staff Liaison Maragliano reported that there are not many
students applying to the commission from Tokay High or Bear Creek High Schools, although
these schools do participate in the Teen Lead Program.
Mayor Nakanishi spoke about overcrowding in schools. He informed the students that state law
prohibits the Council from voting against, or denying development based on the lack of schools.
Council Member Land stated that new development is not the cause of overcrowded schools. He
explained that homebuyers in new developments pay development impact fees, part of which is
designated to go toward schools. A significant impact on the school system results when older
homes are sold and more families are introduced into neighborhoods without any payment of
development impact fees.
Deputy City Attorney Schwabauer reported that LUSD retains development impact fees until
enough is accumulated to build a new school. He offered his assistance to the Youth
Commission should it need further information on land use matters and related laws.
At the request of Council Member Howard, Mr. Schwabauer explained the difference between
Mello -Roos and development impact fees, explaining that Mello -Roos is typically used to cover
basic infrastructure and is seen mainly in county areas.
Mayor Nakanishi explained the reasoning behind the 2x2x2 Greenbelt Committee and how the
cities of Lodi, Stockton, and the County of San Joaquin are working together to preserve prime
agricultural land.
Council Member Land added that the City has a 2% growth limit and allocates lots according to
this rule. Therefore, the school district already knows and can plan for what Lodi's growth will be.
Most of the growth in Lodi's schools comes from the county and Stockton areas, which do not
have growth limits. Lodi has consistently had less than 1 % growth over the last ten years.
In response to Ashleigh Krueger, City Manager Flynn responded that it is important for every
community to have economic growth, such as the construction of a new theater, in order to
increase sales and retail tax and to promote and fund the services within the community.
Mayor Nakanishi added that the City receives $7 million in retail tax, which is why Lodi, and most
other cities, vie for large businesses to come into their communities.
C. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC
None.
D. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
ATTEST:
Jennifer M. Perrin
Deputy City Clerk
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