HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - October 28, 2014 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014
A. Roll call by City Clerk
The Special meeting of October 28, 2014, was called to order by Mayor Katzakian at 7:00 a.m.
Present: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Nakanishi, Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen,
and Mayor Katzakian
Absent: Council Member Mounce
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Robison
B. Reaular Calendar
B-1 Approve Lodi Tourism Business Improvement District (LTBID) 2015 Annual Report, Adopt
Resolution of Intention to Levy Annual Assessment, and Set a Public Hearing for
December 17, 2014, to Consider the Proposed Assessment (CM)
Nancy Beckman, President and CEO of the Visit Lodi! Conference & Visitors Bureau (LCVB),
provided highlights of the Lodi Tourism Business Improvement District (LTBID) accomplishments
and goals. Specific topics included statistics that demonstrate increases in the amount of
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) dollars collected, the number of visitors to the downtown visitors'
center, and the number of online visitors to LCVB's various social media networks, all of which
played a significant role in keeping tourism strong and healthy in 2014.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Ms. Beckman stated that staff at the visitors' center
tracks where people come from, and she further added that approximately 30 percent of visitors
are from outside of the state, 70 percent are within California, a majority are not from San Joaquin
County, and local residents come in regularly with out-of-town guests.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Ms. Beckman stated that typically visitor centers are
funded by a combination of government, hotel, and membership funding. In further response,
Ms. Beckman stated that LCVB spends $50 to $75 a month on social networking, which is
handled by in-house staff who spend one to two hours a week on this task.
Ms. Beckman reported on the LCVB goals for the upcoming year, including increased advertising;
a stronger digital presence; fine-tuning the Internet search engine capacity and content
management; adding two mobile kiosks, one for the visitors' center and one for use at events and
trade shows; the Amgen bicycle tour; and the reformation of the LTBID.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Ms. Beckman explained that, during the last contract
renewal process, Council suggested LTBID research increasing the business improvement
district assessment to help fund the organization. A newer California Streets & Highways Code
exists that would provide for a five-year business improvement district assessment, instead of an
annual levy. The LTBID would continue to provide its annual report, but it would no longer require
a public hearing each year to levy the assessment. This amendment requires approval from the
San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Ms. Beckman stated she received commitment from
the major hotels to set aside rooms for the crews, participants, and media in the Amgen tour.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, City Manager Schwabauer stated that the idea of a
potential downtown hotel is still being reviewed, particularly the financing aspect.
Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen expressed appreciation to Ms. Beckman and LCVB for doing a
tremendous job promoting Lodi, educating visitors about the community, and encouraging people
to visit. He believed LCVB has proven Council made the correct decision to increase the TOT.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Ms. Beckman stated that the leisure travelers to Lodi
primarily feel the City lacks adequate downtown restrooms, while business groups mainly
comment on the lack of hotels with meeting rooms in walking distance to local attractions. Council
Member Johnson reported that he is actively lobbying to get the ACE train to travel in reverse
from the Silicon Valley to Lodi, which would greatly benefit Lodi tourism. He further suggested
that the City's website and participation in social media sites be improved and expanded as this is
the current preferred method of communication.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Ms. Beckman stated that the $384,000 in income is
from the business improvement district assessments that hotels charge visitors.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Ms. Beckman stated the visitors' center is open
Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the Farmers' Market, LCVB staff is
not present, but the building is subleased to One Way Winery, which helps with costs.
Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen made a motion, second by Council Member Johnson, to approve
Lodi Tourism Business Improvement District (LTBID) 2015 Annual Report, adopt Resolution
No. 2014-201 declaring intention to levy annual assessment, and set a public hearing for
December 17, 2014, to consider the proposed assessment.
VOTE:
The above motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Nakanishi, Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, and
Mayor Katzakian
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Mounce
B-2 Authorize City Manager to Execute Memorandum of Understanding Relating to Central
Valley Project Improvement Act Judicial Action Pursuant to the Northern California Power
Agency Legislative and Regulatory Program Agreement (CA)
Council Member Johnson made a motion, second by Council Member Nakanishi, to authorize the
City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the Central Valley Project
Improvement Act Judicial Action pursuant to the Northern California Power Agency Legislative
and Regulatory Program Agreement.
VOTE:
The above motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Nakanishi, Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, and
Mayor Katzakian
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Mounce
C. Comments by public on non -agenda items - None
D. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 a.m.
ATTEST:
Jennifer M. Robison
City Clerk