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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 14, 2004LODI CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION LODI TRANSIT STATION, 24 SOUTH SACRAMENTO STREET WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2004 A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL The Special Joint City Council meeting with the Lodi Parks and Recreation Commission of April 14, 2004, was called to order by Mayor Hansen at 5:15 p.m. Present: Council Members — Beckman (arrived at 5:30 p.m.), Hitchcock (arrived at 7:25 p.m.), Howard, Land, and Mayor Hansen Absent: Council Members — None Present: Parks and Recreation Commissioners — Akin, Davis, Johnson, and Sasaki Absent: Parks and Recreation Commissioners — Wall Also Present: City Manager Flynn, Interim City Attorney Schwabauer, Deputy City Manager Keeter, Parks and Recreation Director Goehring, Parks Superintendent Dutra, Parks Project Coordinator Virrey, and City Clerk Blackston B. TOPIC(S) Departing the Lodi Transit Station by bus at 5:15 p.m., the City Council and Recreation Commission toured the following facilities and parks: Armory Park Steve Dutra, Parks Superintendent, reported that the renovations to the field have been completed. Maxicom irrigation has been installed, 1,083 yards of dirt from DeBenedetti GBasin was used, as well as 48,000 square feet of hybrid Bermuda sod. The grass will be mowed for the first time this Friday and softball will begin on June 1. Lodi Lake Park Mr. Dutra announced that the Phase 2 bike and pedestrian trail dedication and 701h anniversary of Lodi Lake Park will be held on May 21 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. He reported that an inmate crew of 18 picked up debris from the empty lake bottom today. The cost to the City was $300 for 120 hours of labor. Note: Mayor Pro Tempore Beckman arrived at 5:30 p.m. Parks and Recreation Director Goehring reported that, as a cost savings effort, Lodi Lake will be open for swimming Wednesday through Sundays, and Blakely pool will be open Thursday through Sunday. He explained that the number of lifeguards since last year has decreased from 35 to 24. Commissioner Johnson noted that Andy Christensen, Woodbridge Irrigation District (WID) Manager, had recently reported that the WID Board has not yet made a policy decision to keep the lake full year round, as was stated earlier during discussions regarding building the new dam. Mr. Dutra commented that the Discovery Center display changes every two to three years. Docents will staff the facility on Wednesdays and Saturdays with City employees operating the Center on Sundays. He stated that the docent program continues to expand and has experienced an increase in school tours. The Rotary Club has expressed an interest in developing an Exploratorium on the 13 -acre west side area of the Lake with a focus on nature and biology. Vinewood Dog Park Mr. Dutra pointed out that the north basin of the park is for sports activities and the south basin is a dog park. There is a need for renovating the irrigation system, as it uses too much water and is costly to maintain. Commissioner ,bhnson stated that patrons of the dog park would like to have a chain link fence separating the two basins. Currently there are signs delineating the two areas of the park. Continued April 14, 2004 Roget Park Mr. Dutra noted that Roget Park is undeveloped and there is no irrigation system. A conceptual plan has been approved and the goal is to keep as many trees as possible. Commissioner Johnson reported that earlier this month plans for the new Century Meadows Park were discussed with the Commission. Chairman Wall had questioned why resources would be directed toward a new park when nothing has been done to develop Roget Park. Mr. Goehring noted that the continuation school being built across the street hopes to utilize Roget Park as a recreational outlet site for its students. DeBenedetti Park Mr. Dutra noted that during the next three years A.M. Stephens would be removing 20,000 truck loads of dirt from the park. Some trees will need to be removed when the park is developed. Existing trees have been evaluated and pruned. Mayor Pro Tempore Beckman suggested that an offer be made to anyone wishing to save the trees through a relocation effort at their expense. Century Meadows Mr. Dutra reported that staff plans on approaching the developer next week regarding funding toward grading, irrigation, turf, and a chain link fence on the east and west property lines. Century Meadows will be a three -acre park surrounded by a subdivision. He noted that this was the first park for which funds will be available for maintenance through a landscape and lighting district. Mr. Johnson commented that the Recreation Commission was not informed about the park in advance of its site selection and indicated that he did not believe it was the best location. Kofu Park Mr. Dutra stated that a new backflow device to protect the water supply was recently installed. He noted that the skate park remains closed. Mr. Goehring anticipated that an ordinance related to a 'no fee, unsupervised skate park' would be brought to Council in May Legion Park Mr. Dutra reported that Legion Park is a popular picnic and building rental location. The park building needs to be upgraded and have roof repairs done. Mayor Hansen commented that restoring the fountain on the southeast corner of the park would be a good community service project. Emerson Park Mr. Dutra reported that renovations to the park are expected to be completed by mid-May of this year. Note: Council Member Howard left at 6:45 p.m. Parks & Recreation Annex and Office Commissioner Sasaki distributed copies of an email (filed) related to a possible funding source from the Joan Kroc community center donation. He suggested that it be considered for the proposed Indoor Sports Center. Mr. Goehring stated that proposed fee increases related to the joint use agreement with Lodi Unified School District will be brought before the District in May, and then to the Recreation Commission and City Council. 2 Continued April 14, 2004 Mr. Dutra mentioned that the County Sheriffs Department offers an Alternative Work Program, wherein inmates are released to work in exchange for shortening their sentences. Mr. Dutra stated that he had contacted other agencies that participate in the program and they have expressed positive comments. The City's Risk Manager has not been in favor of the idea, due to the requirement for the City to provide Workers Compensation Insurance. In reply to Mayor Hansen, Commissioner Johnson reported that Blaine DeJong resigned two weeks ago as a board member from the Boosters of Boys and Girls Sports (BOBS). Mr. Goehring mentioned that he has drafted a Code of Conduct that will be attached to the amended BOBS Memorandum of Understanding that Interim City Attorney Schwabauer is working on. Mr. Goehring noted that he would be presenting the draft Code to the BOBS Board meeting later tonight. Note: Council Member Hitchcock arrived at 7:25 p.m. Discussion ensued about the three capital projects: 1) Indoor Sports Center, 2) DeBenedetti Park, and 3) Aquatics Facility. Mayor Pro Tempore Beckman suggested that the Recreation Commission prioritize the projects. Council Member Hitchcock felt that all parks and recreation issues and projects (e.g. Skate Park) should be brought before the Recreation Commission prior to the City Council. A preference for the Indoor Sports Center as being the highest priority was voiced by Commissioner Sasaki, Mayor Hansen, and Council Member Land. Mayor Pro Tempore Beckman and Council Member Hitchcock stated that they would support the Recreation Commission's priority recommendation if it represented the entire community. Mr. Dutra reported that the recreation annex trailer installed in 1988 has mold and other problems and must be removed from the site. Staff will temporarily occupy offices at rental property across the street. C. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. ATTEST: Susan J. Blackston City Clerk