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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - November 20, 2001 SSCITY OF LODI INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING "SHIRTSLEEVE" SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2001 An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, November 20, 2001 commencing at 7:00 a.m. A. ROLL CALL Present: Council Members — Hitchcock (arrived at 7:01 a.m.), Howard, Land, Pennino and Mayor Nakanishi Absent: Council Members — None Also Present: City Manager Flynn, City Attorney Hays, and City Clerk Blackston B. CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR UPDATE City Clerk Blackston reviewed the weekly calendar (filed). SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING At 7:03 a.m., Mayor Nakanishi adjourned the Shirtsleeve Session to a Special Meeting of the City Council (NOTE: refer to the Special Meeting minutes of November 20, 2001). The Shirtsleeve Session reconvened at 7:40 a.m. C. TOPIC(S) C-1 "Public Works update on street projects (Lower Sacramento Road) and update on transit system" Public Works Director Prima explained that the department is often in many stages of projects at any given time and construction such as what has been taking place on Lower Sacramento Road is the result of years of prior planning. Wally Sandelin, City Engineer, updated Council on current projects under construction. He noted that all four lanes on Lower Sacramento Road were open last night and the left -turn pocket into the Raley's store is operating. The final coat of rubberized asphalt has been deferred until next spring. The Lower Sacramento Road special purpose plan was adopted by the County Board of Supervisors and includes improvements at Woodhaven Lane, which is in the City limits. Staff is working with the county on design elements to add landscape medians and a wrought iron rail feature. The county will be adding a roundabout at the intersection of Chestnut and Mokelumne. Construction on this project is scheduled to begin next spring or early summer. Mr. Sandelin reported that the project on Lower Sacramento Road, south of Kettleman Lane and north of Harney Lane, will have a longer planning phase due to environmental issues. The road will increase from two to four lanes. Funding for this project has been secured by the county, as well as an additional $929,000, which City staff obtained through the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The portion of this project inside the City limits is adjacent to the Wal-Mart center and the park. Improvements will be built to its full design width on the east side. It is anticipated that plans will be ready for bid at the end of next year, with construction taking place in the summer of 2003. The project may include a traffic signal at the corner of Harney Lane and Lower Sacramento Road. Mr. Sandelin stated that two projects are in progress on Stockton Street. The area north of Lodi Avenue is nearing completion. Installation of a traffic signal on the corner of Lodi Avenue and Stockton Street has not yet been completed. Paving is anticipated to begin today. Continued November 20, 2001 In response to questions by Council Member Land, Mr. Sandelin reported that bids will be opened next Wednesday on the landscaping project for Hutchins Street from Kettleman to Harney Lanes. The project is expected to begin in April and will include a left -turn median pocket into the Mervyn's shopping center. In reference to restoring median height on Kettleman Lane in front of the Wal-Mart and Target stores, Mr. Sandelin explained that the remaining unrestored medians will be corrected during the gap closure project that will be bid in the spring of 2003. Carlos Tobar, Transportation Manager, reported that in response to a previous inquiry by Council Member Hitchcock, staff conducted a survey for one week, in which it found that 3% of the Dial -A -Ride trips transport children to elementary schools, 2% to middle schools, 2% to high schools, and 82% transport seniors and the disabled. Mayor Pro Tempore Pennino stated that he did not want Dial -A -Ride transporting elementary school age students without a permission slip and their parents escorting them to the bus. He asked City Manager Flynn to place the matter on a future Council agenda. Council Member Hitchcock expressed concern about the Citys perceived responsibility and liability associated with obtaining permission slips. In addition, she noted that there is a stipulated walking distance range for schools, and if students reside outside that distance, they are provided school bus transportation. In response to Council Member Hitchcock's inquiry regarding setting age limitations for school transportation, Mr. Tobar indicated that this subject would also be appropriate for discussion on a future Council agenda. Mr. Tobar reported that staff would be requesting money from Measure K for additional routes. Peak hour service only from certain locations to the high schools is being considered. He believed this would help reduce the demand on Dial -A -Ride. Mayor Pro Tempore Pennino suggested that Mr. Tobar look into Congestion Relief for funding. Mayor Nakanishi asked staff to bring recommendations to Council at a regular meeting for consideration. Mr. Tobar commented that elementary school age children are not permitted to vary from the transportation schedule that their parent designates. He distributed information to Council (filed) showing advertising on buses indicating that they are fueled by natural gas. There is a $6,000 incentive to add this advertising to the six CNG Dial -A -Ride buses that will be purchased. He noted that the purchase price for the six buses is $400,000. The consensus of the Council was not to include the advertising. D. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS None. E. ADJOURNMENT No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 a.m. ATTEST: Susan J. Blackston City Clerk Mayor's & Council Member's Weekly Callender WEEK OF NOVEMBER 20, 2001 Tuesday, November 20, 2001 7:00 a.m. Shirtsleeve Session 1. Public Works update on street projects (Lower Sacramento Rood) and update on t ronsit system 7:00 a.m. Special Meeting 1. Closed Session a) Pursuant to Government Code 554956.9(c); conference with legal counsel; anticipated litigation/initiation of litigation regarding Water System Chlorination pursuant to Compliance Order from the State of California Department of Health Services; one potential case Wednesday, November 21, 2001 11:00 a.m. Vic Myers Sheet Metal, Inc. and Lodi Western Machine, Inc. 22nd Annual Harvest Party, at 320 S. Sacramento Street. Thursday, November 22, 2001 Reminder City Hall closed. XappV ass Friday, November 23, 2001 Reminder City Hall closed. 9:00 C.M. Salvation Army Kettle Campaign Kick-off, Walmort. Saturday, November 24, 2001 Sunday, November 25, 2001 Monday, November 26, 2001 Disclaimer: This calendar contains only information that was provided to the City Clerk's office councihmis6mcalndt.doc d I I- cav - o; How Do You Spell Shuttle Success? N - G he new E -Series Cutaway CNG has created quite a stir during its 4 month U.S demonstration tour. The concept of a CNG shuttle was enough to peak the interest of a number of operations needing a "people mover" with environmen- tal benefits. Now having seen the new CNG application of the E -Series Cutaway in person, opera- tors are impressed and ready to make a commitment. This Issue: Cutaway Success Spotlight on National Parks Taxi Industry Revolution Twin Cities' Dealers honored Partnering for Children Special Insert: Spotlight on our National Parks U - T - A - W - A - Y At a recent meeting in Salt Lake City, shuttle operators and Clean Cities coordinators were able to put the Cutaway to the challenge: running the vehicle up a hill, a proven test where new vehicles either pass or fail due to altitude and steep inclines. Charlie Knecht of Idaho Bus Sales for Utah was impressed with the results. He states, "Fully loaded this vehicle climbed the hill well, and had good power. For airports making trips all day long, they will find this a good way to go." CNG tank locations and seating configurations available, Patrick stated, "this setup is kind of neat. Ski resorts are going to love this vehicle." Operators like Idaho Bus Sales and Auto Collection will not only experience the potential fuel sav- ings that in many areas are associ- ated with using natural gas, but they will also have the opportu- nity to take advantage of several incentives available that are related to purchasing the CNG Cutaway. Patrick Howell of Auto Collection In addition to possible municipal, Inc. sees this vehicle as an ideal state, and federal government solution for distance traveling due incentives, Ford offers a $2,000 to fuel savings. In Cont'd on page 2 nt Ford offering National Parks AFV advertising incentive Ford Motor Company is helping the National Parks make the change to cleaner transportation and promote the fact that they are doing so. Effective this May, National Park concessioners who purchase a Ford Factory Built Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) can get money from Ford for advertising that their vehicles run on Propane or Natural Gas. Ford is offering to park conces- sioners a $1,000 check for each Factory Built AFV on which they agree to display Ford alternative fuel decals for a minimum of two years The decals, which say "Ford Fac- tory Built Environmental Solu- tion Powered by Natural Gas" or "Ford Factory Built Environmen- tal Solution Powered by Propane", not only help the con- cessioners tell the public that they are doing their part to pre- serve the air, but also give the them an added bonus for buying an AFV. Vehicles used in the parks are owned and operated by either the National Park Service or the park concessioners, which have con- tracts with the National Park Ser- vice to provide various facilities and services to visitors. The National Park Service is already using a number of alternative fuel vehicles in parks across the nation. Many concessioners, as well, would like to begin using vehicles that run on cleaner fuel. In a speech to the National Park Service in September 2000, Dave Woodside, Vice -Chairman of the National Park Hospitality Associa- tion said, "The time has come for concessioners to take a leadership role in preserving our national treasures." Implementing AFVs into their fleets of vehicles would enable the concessioners to actively par- ticipate in creating a sustainable environment. Furthermore, Ford's decal adver- tisement program would enable them to promote to the public in an easy and cost-effective way that they are using environmen- tally friendly vehicles. Because Ford is an environmental leader in the automotive industry, we are dedicated to helping the National Parks find alternative transportation solutions and set an example for the rest of the country. This advertising pro- gram for the National Park con- cessioners is only one example of the way Ford is helping the National Parks make the change to cleaner transportation. Shuttle Success... cont'd from front page Ford AFV incentive, and a $1,000 incentive to purchasers agreeing to display 2 decals on the vehicle for a minimum of 2 years. Incentive money is also available for body companies and distributors choosing to house demonstration units on site for their customers to test-drive and experience the power and performance for them- selves. So what does the future hold for shut- tle and cube van companies? • Great product availability • Proven performance • A strong bottom line • A chance to preserve the environment Coming Soon Ford is not resting on its laurels. After introducing this model, Ford will be working to develop a package for school bus applications, as well. Stay tuned for more information pertain- ing to this option and other develop- ments on Ford's leading lineup of AFVs. You never know what they will think of next to help you save money and clear the air in your community.