HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - February 15, 2005 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2005
A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
The Special City Council meeting of February 15, 2005, was called to order by Mayor Beckman at
7:02 a.m.
Present: Council Members — Hansen, Hitchcock, Johnson, Mounce, and Mayor Beckman
Absent: Council Members — None
Also Present: City Manager King, City Attorney Schwabauer, and City Clerk Blackston
B. REGULAR CALENDAR
B-1 "Discussion regarding budget schedule and public forum"
City Manager King reviewed the 2005-06 budget schedule as presented in the staff report.
The first draft of the comprehensive one-year budget is anticipated to ready by March 15. A
town hall meeting will be held on March 30, at which a board game will be played called
"Balance or Bust." Mr. King explained that the game was developed by the city of
Cupertino and is designed to be an interactive way to help citizens understand the budget
process and trade offs that result from various actions. Following the board game, staff will
give a presentation on the City of Lodi's 2005-06 budget. During the month of May,
Tuesday morning meetings will be held regarding the budget, with June 1 as the target date
for adoption.
Council Member Johnson voiced his desire that outreach in the community be as broad as
possible.
Council Member Hansen felt that it would be important to set clear expectations for
participants, i.e. that it would be an educational exercise and is not intended to formulate
decisions about the budget.
Council Member Mounce noted that the budget was serious business and pointed out that
there were employees at the end of the numbers, which are very important to the Council.
She hoped the public would not think otherwise, because a game was being played.
Mayor Pro Tempore Hitchcock felt that Tuesday morning meetings were not convenient for
the public.
Mayor Beckman suggested that budget discussions begin at the first regularly scheduled
meeting in May to allow for greater public participation.
MOTION / VOTE:
There was no Council action taken on this matter.
B-2 "Discussion and appropriate action regarding proposed City Council team -building session"
City Manager King noted that at a previous meeting Council brought up the issue of holding
a team -building session. At the Mayor's request, staff contacted Pastor Dale Edwards who
offered his services to conduct the session on March 5 from 8:00 to 12:00 p.m.
Council Member Johnson recalled that only Mayor Pro Tempore Hitchcock and Mayor
Beckman had requested the team -building session. Mr. Johnson stated that he was not in
favor of it; however, he would participate if Council chose to proceed.
Council Member Mounce expressed a neutral opinion about the concept.
Continued February 15, 2005
Council Member Hansen recalled that the recommendation for a team -building session first
arose in 2004 during a volatile, contentious time on the Council. Due to changes that have
occurred since then, he no longer felt there was a need.
Mayor Pro Tempore Hitchcock stated that team -building should be done before problems
arise in an effort to avoid them. She stated that it helps to understand, value, and
appreciate differences in others. She felt that working together as a group could be more
effective than working together individually.
Council Member Johnson countered that as a Council Member he makes his own decisions
and did not necessarily wish to be part of a team. Each Member looks at things
independently, in different ways, and there is an advantage to that.
Mayor Beckman stated that he felt neutral about the concept of a team -building session
and asked City Manager King to communicate with Pastor Edwards that the Council will
decline his offer at this time.
MOTION / VOTE:
There was no Council action taken on this matter.
C. CLOSED SESSION
The following Closed Session matters were cancelled and not discussed.
C-1 Actual Litigation: Government Code §54956.9(a); one case; City of Lodi v. City of Stockton,
et al., San Joaquin County Superior Court, Stockton Branch, Case No. CV024720
C-2 Actual Litigation: Government Code §54956.9(a); one case; City of Stockton v. City of Lodi,
San Joaquin County Superior Court, Stockton Branch, Case No. CV024859
C-3 Actual Litigation: Government Code §54956.9(a); one case; Stockton Family Farmers
Coalition v. City of Lodi, et al., San Joaquin County Superior Court, Stockton Branch, Case
No. CV024860
C-4 Actual litigation: Government Code §54956.9(a); one case; City of Lodi. a California
Municipal Corporation. and Lodi Financing Corporation. a California nonprofit corporation v.
Lehman Brothers. Inc. and US Bank National Association, United States District Court,
Eastern District of California, Case No. CIV. S-04-0606 MCE-KJM
C-5 Actual litigation: Government Code §54956.9(a); one case; Lehman Brothers Inc.. v. City of
Lodi and Lodi Financing Corporation, United States District Court, Eastern District of
California Case No. CIV -S-04-0850 FCD/JFM
D. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION / DISCLOSURE OF ACTION — N/A
E. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41
a.m.
ATTEST:
Susan J. Blackston
City Clerk
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