Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - October 6, 1999 Public CommentContinued October 6, 1999 Council Member Nakanishi stated that he would like to see the economic benefit this event brings to Lodi. Mayor Pro Tempore Mann stated that there are many types of events that were popular 30 years ago, which are not popular now. It was suggested that perhaps it was time to retire this event. Council Member Pennino stated that he believes some type of working solution can be achieved regarding this matter. d) Bob Johnson, 1311 Midvale Road, Lodi, stated that he is not interested in boat races; however, he feels that the City needs to find a way to accommodate all people and acknowledged that the park is impacted. Mr. Johnson cited the total number of acres in Lodi Lake Park and stated that there are 58 acres of nature area. e) Gwin Paden, 614 Palm Avenue, Lodi, stated that the issue of Lodi Lake Park is a lot more than one man's pleasure. She stated that she feels the concern is about its natural assets and the fact that it was given to this community. She commented that she does not think recreation has to involve a lot of people making noise, it also involves quiet pleasures. She further stated that she does not think that cutting down trees and frightening wildlife off is what it is all about either. You can pave anything over, but once you do you will never get it back to what it was. f) Mary Ann Porterfield, 800 South Mills Avenue, Lodi, stated that she feels this community needs to look at ways to raise money for Lodi Lake Park. At the suggestion of Mayor Land, the matter was referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission for their review and recommendation. Tom Scott, 2639 West Elm Street, Lodi, addressed the Council presenting a petition bearing 23 signatures which stated: "We, the below homeowners of the 2500 — 2600 block of West Elm Street, in Lodi, are pleading with you to help us with the serious traffic problem the City has created. People continually speed up and down this block of Elm Street. We have even witnessed them drag racing side by side. We cannot safely get in or out of our driveways because of the vehicles speeding up and down the street. We continually get flagged off or sworn at when trying to get in and out of our driveways. On September 8, 1999 a resident backing out of their driveway was a victim of road rage by an irate driver who came speeding down the street and was angry because he had to slow down for the resident. The other driver was so irate he rammed the resident's vehicle two times in the rear with his vehicle. He then physically assaulted the resident after the resident stopped his vehicle. The driver then fled the scene but was subsequently located and arrested for Assault lith A Deadly Weapon and Battery. Refer to Lodi Police Case number 99-8782. We have tried to get assistance from the City to no avail. We have spoken with the past Mayor of Lodi, Jack Sieglock, and also with the current Mayor, Keith Land. We were told when the speed limit was set at 35 mph the Police Department would enforce it. I am sure if you look, there have been no citations issued on the block. This section of Elm Street, between Lower Sacramento Road and Evergreen Drive is only 1/4 mile long. It is a Residential District and dead ends into a community park (Peterson Park). There is no reason that the speed limit is set at 35 mph. You can't even walk to 1 7 Continued October 6, 1999 the park without taking your life into your own hands. The people speed to drop off their kids at soccer and baseball practice and speed to pick them up and go home. Commuters coming and going to work, teenagers going to and from school, even delivery trucks speed up and down this street at unforgiving speeds. There is no special time for these events, it is 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The Police Department has said, if they were to enforce the speed they would only end up citing the people who live in the area. I guess under that assumption it is okay to speed in your own neighborhood. We need your help! Please do something before a child or homeowner gets killed or seriously hurt by inconsiderate drivers. Sincerely, The Concerned Homeowners of West Elm Street" h) Mike Manser, 2715 West Elm Street, Lodi, stated that he felt the City needed to be proactive on this now. He suggested that the speed be changed on Evergreen Drive and that stop signs be installed at that intersection. i) Rich Ozminowski, 2707 West Elm Street, Lodi, also stated that he feels there is a major speed issue in the area. He commented that he was told that there are future plans for a bike lane in the area. He indicated that he would support the installation of the stop signs at Evergreen Drive and the installation of bike lanes as soon as possible. j) Don Michelucci, 2519 West Elm Street, Lodi, stated that if islands are put in to slow traffic, he will not be able to get his R.V. out of his parking spot on his property. Mr. Michelucci stated that he feels a lot of people in the area bought their houses there because the size of the lots afforded them the opportunity to park their R.V.'s. A lengthy discussion followed with questions being directed to staff and to those who had addressed the City Council regarding the matter. The City Manager was directed to have the Police Department concentrate their radar enforcement in that area. Discussion also included the 85% percentile and the ramifications if speeds are reduced without this factor. It was suggested that citizens approach their legislators regarding changing the 85% percentile. City Manager Flynn stated that the League of California Cities currently is working on an initiative regarding this subject and that he had submitted a letter of intent to this effect. City Manager Flynn also stated that the City's Traffic Engineer and the Public Works Director are looking at ways to see how traffic can be slowed down in this area. It was suggested that this matter, including the installation of stop signs on Evergreen Drive and bike lanes on West Elm Street, be placed on the October 20, 1999 City Council agenda. 12. COMMENTS BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS a) Council Member Pennino stated that we are presently 1/4 year into the 1999-2000 Budget, and he would like to have a Shirtsleeve Session to go over the projects and goals which had been adopted by the Council in the current budget. Also Council Member Pennino asked for a recap of the status of the current budget. 8 To: City of Lodi, City Counsel Members Board Meeting 10/6/99 We the below homeowners of the 2500-2600 block of West Elm Street, in Lodi, are pleading with you to help us with the serious traffic problem the city has created. People continually speed up and down this block of Elm Street. We have even witnessed them drag racing side by side. We cannot safely get in or out of our driveways because of the vehicles speeding up and down the street. We continually get flagged off or sworn at when trying to get in and out of our driveways. On September 8,1999 a resident backing out of their driveway was a victim of road rage by an irate driver who came speeding down the street and was angry because he had to slow down for the resident. The other driver was so irate he rammed the resident's vehicle two times in the rear with his vehicle. He then physically assaulted the resident after the resident stopped his vehicle. The driver then fled the scene but was subsequently located and arrested for Assault With A Deadly Weapon and Battery. Refer to Lodi Police Case number 99-8782. We have tried to get assistance from the city to no avail. We have spoke with the past Mayor of Lodi, Jack Siglock and also with the current Mayor, Keith Land. We were told when the speed limit was set at 35 mph the Police Department would enforce it. I'm sure if you look, there have been no citations issued on the block. This section of Elm Street, between Lower Sacramento Road and Evergreen is only 1/4 mile long. It is a Residential District and dead ends into a community park (Petersen Park). There is no reason that the speed limit is set at 35 mph. You can't even walk to the park without taking your life into you own hands. The people speed to drop off their kids at soccer and baseball practice and speed to pick them up and go home. Commuters coming and going to work, teenagers going to and from school, even delivery trucks speed up and down this street at unforgiving speeds. There is no special time for these events, it is 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The Police Department has said, if they were to enforce the speed they would only end up citing the people who live in the area. I guess under that assumption it is okay to speed in your own neighborhood. We need your help! Please do something before a child or homeowner gets killed or seriously hurt by inconsiderate drivers. Sincerely, The Concerned Homeowners of West Elm Street West Elm Street Petition For Speed Reduction September 30, 1999 1 Resident's- Names/Sa iianature e/ l;;., T l�D'fi►n a. rJ ;i v1A- �; as1a� i Address •L /G//r) .,,(c 3CC CC/ t je/!YI /1//,/n; _ ' lam.4E/,' .5t b3 1"), EL.av £ . ;,2.6^6-? U1 "lm a7 04 1`-- �� )0 /, f,9 , y (:;-iJfY (' ,/df7/f Fk 0.Z,%ce 6e-_ .?7n7 W. ? 772 a-, i v . . �-� 3 I i J. t -4- Zr/9 4—Zr/9 CJ. '!tel s 7- 4,1 4,1 L)7- �-57�''- 547 W L/)')1 f )f lIY '-+ Phone Number �Slrf-/'91? YC3`% 3Gc - Sofia, ti s 4-. - .365 .33Q -Q;135- - 660 -c- g ys_ %'( /y/3 6s17 7 a, 3bS -6 772_ 354-:'4 30K-0.2,7