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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - May 20, 1998 (83)4�CITY OF LODI COUNCILCOMMUNICATION 9<1FOR� AGENDA TITLE: Recognition of Council Member Johnson who received a Citation of Merit from the National Recreation and Park Association MEETING DATE: May 20, 1998 PREPARED BY: City Clerk RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Mayor Sieglock recognize Council Member Bob Johnson who recently received a Citation of Merit from the National Recreation and Park Association. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: On March 13, 1998, Council Member Bob Johnson accepted a Citation of Merit from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) which honors significant contributions from either an organization or individual whose involvement has had a positive impact on parks and recreation at the state, regional or national level. Mr. Johnson received the award at the NRPA's annual reception in Long Beach. FUNDING: None required. 1#6, A -.oqa,2,� Alice M. Rei the City Clerk APPROVED: H. Don Flynn -- City Manager, Mam 11 98 08:34a Lodi Parks & Recreation (209) 333-0162 Monday, Fdrraary 23,19" — Lodi Nein-Sendud — 3 Parks' Bob Johnson gots national award By Crab Cassidy News -Seat nal staff writer _ Longtme Lodi Parks and Recre- stion Commissioner Bob Johnson has been named a winner of this year's Citation of Merit by the Na- tional Recreational and Park Asso- ciation, it was recently announced. Johnson will receive his award, in the individual citizens category. March 13 at the NRPA s Southwest Regional Council's annual recep- tion in Long $each. The award "honors aigai$osnt contributions from either an orga- nization rgynization or individual whose in- volvement has had a positive im- pact on parks mvd recreation at the state, regional or national levet/ an awards program stated. Lodi Parks Director Ron Wil- liamsen, who nominated Johnson. said, 'Mo absolute and total com- mitment to this community and his volunteerism to the parka and re- creation movement in Lodi have been a vital part of all the good we have been able to do in parks and related services." Johnson, a 10 -year ra nnber of [Age parks commission and a four -time chairman, said he was caught off guard by the announce- ment. I haven't even seen the award myself," said Johnson, a Lodi real estate appraiser whose other com- neunity activities include serving on the board of directors for the Boosters of BoysfGirlsSports Orga- nizations and as a coach for youth football. soccer and baseball teams. "I haven't seen the submission that was made, but I'm pleasantly amrised," he said. "Ne been rec, ognired in the past on a district Ik level or on a local JOHNSON level but this is the first time on the statewide level which is something i am verytverg pleased with' Williamson said Jolson will also be honored for *,community ex- cellence" on Mauch 26 in Manteca at an annual dinner of the Califor- nia Parka and Recreation Society, District 5. Ae t/ { r P.1 MAY -11-1998 07:27 209 333 0162 P.01 Mai 11 98 08:34a Lodi Parks & Recreation (209) 333-0162 p.2 NRPA Pacific Southwest Awards and Citations Program Citation of Merit - Individual Robert Johnson Biographical Statement Robert Johnson is an outstanding, dedicated, and committed citizen of Lodi. He has served the community when and where needed over the past 18 years. Community Reemation Service • LODI PARKS AND li1CCREATION COMMISSION Mr. Johnson was appointed to the Lodi Parks and Recreation Commission in 1988, was re -appointed for two additional terms and still serves to this day. The commission is an advisory group to the city council whose members are appointed by the mayor. The commission is charged with recommending the general nature of recreation programs, advising and assisting with the department's annual budget, recommending capital improvement project, and recommending fees and charges. He chaired the commission in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1997. He has been instrumental in guiding and supporting the parks and recreation department over the past to years. His accomplishments as a commissioner include: l Setting of fees and charges to capture 40% of program related costs, surpassing council mandated goal of 30%. Chaired the Mokelumne River Access and Use Study Committee in 1991-92 to determine access needs and right-of-ways along the north boundary of the community and help establish a community position on river access and an appreciation of sensitive environmental areas along the river. Represented the department at a series of Town Hall meetings in 1992 and lead the citizen push to save valued programs from being cut during a time of city-wide budget constraints. 1 Chaired the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan Committee in 1992-93 to assist in developing a master plan that identifies the recreation needs in the Lodi area. This 15 -year guide was completed and adopted in 1994. / Under his leadership, the Lodi Parks and Recreation Commission received the 1993 Commission of the Year honor by both the National Parks and Recreation Association and California Parks and Recreation Society. J Served on the Lodi Indoor Sports and Activity Center Committee in 1997, which assisted in the development of a feasibility study, to address indoor space needs for the community. • BOOSTERS OF BOYS/GIRLS SPORTS ORGANIZATION Mr. Johnson became a men ber of the Boosters of Boys/Girls Sports Organization fa unique organization comprised of volunteers who run many of the youth sports programs and raise $300,000 r annually) in 1981. lie served on the BOBS Board of Directors from 1983 to 1987 and served as president in 1965 and secretary in 1987. He also volunteered as a youth sports coach in football, soccer and baseball from 1980 to 1993. MAY -11-1998 07'2? 209 333 0162 P.02 Mai 11 98 08:35a Lodi Parks & Recreation (209) 333-0162 P.3 • COUNTY YMCA Served on the County YMCA Board of Directors from 1980 to 1985 and served in the office of president in 1983 and 1984. Other Community Service LODI DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Mr. Johnson has been a member of the local Chamber of Commerce for 18 years. He served on the Board of Directors from 1991 to 1995 and was president in 1994 and has served on the following Lodi Chamber of Commerce committees: l Joint Chamber/City Economic Development Committee from 1992 to present. J Leadership Lodi - Economic Development Section d Building Committee for Rolocation • LODI TOKAY ROTARY CLUB Mr. Johnson has been a Rotarian for 18years, serving on the Board of Directors from 1987 to 1991 and as president in 1991. • WOODBRIDGE DAM Mr. Johnson has been instrumental in supporting and representing Lodi in fighting to save the existing Woodiaridge darn on the Mokelumne River fa river adjacent to the city's northern. limit)_ In 1994 the United States Fish and Wild Life Services recommended the dam's removal. Mr. Johnson headed a city and a county citizen "Save the Dam" campaign which was successful. This dam is needed to support irrigation needs for the many agriculture acres in and around Lodi and to support water recreation activities at Lodi Lake Park and along the Mokelumne River waterway. Currently, Mr. Johnson is actively supporting a grant that would replace the dam thereby enhancing water resoureres in Lodi and improving salmon spawning. This grant will also provide for improvements at Lodi Lake Park and will keep water in the lake year round whereas now it is drained during the winter months. Awards and Recognition • 1994 Citizen of the Year by the Lodi City Council for his commitment to quality of life issues in Lodi. MAY -11-1998 07:28 209 333 0162 P.03 May 11 98 08:35a Lodi Parks & Recreation (209) 333-0162 P.4 ROBERT JOHNSON CITATION OF MERIT - INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY RECREATION SERVICE LODI PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 1988 - PRESENT • LODI INDOOR SPORTS AND ACTIVITY CENTER COMMITTEE 1997 • PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE 1992-93 • MOKELUMNE RIVER ACCESS AND USE STUDY COMMETTEE 1991-92 r SAN .IOA0L.IIN COUNTY YMCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1980-1985 • BOOSTERS OF BOYSIGIRLS SPORTS ORGANIZATION 1981 - 1987 VOLUNTEER YOUTH FOOTBALL, SOCCER, BASEBALL COACH 1980 - 1993 OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE • LODI DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1991 - 1995 • LODI TOKAY ROTARY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1987 - 1991 • WOODBRIDGE DAM SUPPORTER ONGOING AWARDS AND RECOGNITION • CITY OF LODI 1994 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR • NRPA AND CPRS 1993 COMMISSION OF THE YEAR h1AY-11-1998 07:28 209 333 0162 P.04