HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 11, 2008 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008
A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
The Special City Council meeting of March 11, 2008, was called to order by Mayor Pro Tempore
Hansen at 7:01 a.m.
Present: Council Members — Hansen, Johnson, and Katzakian
Absent: Council Members — Hitchcock and Mayor Mounce
Also Present: City Manager King, City Attorney Schwabauer, and City Clerk Johl
B. REGULAR CALENDAR
B-1 "Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Cost Reimbursement Only
'Lease Agreement' between the Administrative Office of the Courts and the City of Lodi for
Utilization of Courtroom No. 1, Located at 230 West Elm Street, Lodi (Old Public Safety
Building Court Space), for an Approximate Two -Month Period; and Further Authorizing the
City Manager to Negotiate a Conservative Estimate for the Cap of Utility and Maintenance
Costs"
City Manager King briefly introduced the subject matter. He provided an overview of the
current status of the old Public Safety Building and the request to allow the courts to utilize
the space for a special trial. Mr. King stated there is a requirement that the courts vacate
the space by May 16, 2008, in order to facilitate the Finance Department transition. He
stated that the courts will cover out of pocket costs, including utilities.
Judge Murray stated the courts are requesting the use of the space for a trial that will take
approximately eight weeks using a retired judge because there is a shortage of space in
the downtown Stockton courts.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Judge Murray stated he does not anticipate the
trial will last longer than May 16. He stated the courts will vacate the space regardless of
the schedule, even if they are required to make additional accommodations in downtown.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Judge Murray stated he does not think it is
possible to start the trial earlier in light of the schedule of the parties and witnesses, but he
does anticipate the trial will move according to schedule because the retired judge will only
be focusing on this case alone.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Judge Murray stated the courts will not have
additional space in the new County building because the courts are a separate entity under
the State.
MOTION / VOTE:
The City Council, on motion of Council Member Johnson, Hansen second, adopted
Resolution No. 2008-41 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Cost Reimbursement
Only "Lease Agreement" between the Administrative Office of the Courts and the City of
Lodi for utilization of Courtroom No. 1, bcated at 230 West Elm Street, Lodi (old Public
Safety Building court space), for an approximate two-month period; and further authorizing
the City Manager to negotiate a conservative estimate for the cap of utility and maintenance
costs. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members — Hansen, Johnson, and Katzakian
Noes: Council Members — None
Absent: Council Members — Hitchcock and Mayor Mounce
Continued March 11, 2008
K-2 "Authorize the City Manager to Engage Lamont Financial Services to Provide Advice with
Regard to Redemptions of Electric Utility Certificates of Participation Dated 2002"
City Manager King provided a brief overview of the status of the 2002 Electric Utility Bonds
and the related redemption of the municipal bonds.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Mr. King stated there is not a specific timeline
because staff is unsure of how long the process will take in light of the fact that other
municipalities are going through the same thing as the City of Lodi with the banks.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. King stated staff is in the process currently of
determining various alternatives and paths for Council consideration, additional information
will likely be available from Lamont Financial Services by March, and efforts are underway
to determine the viability of a letter of credit with the French bank.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Tom Dunphy with Lamont Financial Services
stated credit liquidity is a current issue, thousands of cities are experiencing the same
concerns, and timing is uncertain as a result. He stated the City is speaking with various
letter of credit providers, as are other municipalities, and they will keep the City Council
aware of the options while being mindful of the related costs.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Mr. King stated the 2002 Electric Utility bonds
are the only City bonds that are subject to a variable rate and therefore the only bonds that
are susceptible to this type of a call.
MOTION / VOTE:
The City Council, on motion of Council Member Johnson, Katzakian second, authorized the
City Manager to engage Lamont Financial Services to provide advice with regard to
redemptions of Electric Utility Certificates of Participation dated 2002. The motion carried
by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members — Hansen, Johnson, and Katzakian
Noes: Council Members — None
Absent: Council Members — Hitchcock and Mayor Mounce
C. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22
a. m.
ATTEST:
Randi Johl
City Clerk
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