HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - September 30, 2014 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL
SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
A. Roll Call by City Clerk
An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held
Tuesday, September 30, 2014, commencing at 7:00 a.m.
Present: Council Member Mounce, Council Member Nakanishi, and Mayor Katzakian
Absent: Council Member Johnson, and Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Robison
B. Topic(s)
B-1 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Update (PRCS)
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Director Jeff Hood provided a PowerPoint presentation
regarding the department's services. Specific topics of discussion included 2013/14
accomplishments, department finances, operating revenue and expenses, and focus in 2014/15.
Council Member Mounce suggested that staff contact the director of the Community Partnership
for Families regarding the strategic plan for assistance in translating the document into languages
other than Spanish in order to reach a greater population on the east side. In response, Mr. Hood
stated that the project website, lodiparksdivision.com, posts and translates the survey into any
language. In addition, staff will conduct neighborhood outreach and offer citizens to take the
survey in their language via a portable laptop.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Hood reviewed the comments received at the
public meeting regarding the strategic plan, which included need for community center on the
east side, financial sustainability for the department, river access, additional trails and bike paths,
and enhanced community connectivity. In regard to Lodi Lake, the majority in attendance
concurred that it is the premier park in the City and expressed support that efforts continue to
ensure it remains maintained and attractive to citizens and visitors.
Council Member Mounce suggested that staff work with the property owner near Highway 99 and
Mokelumne River to create a new public access point to the river, which could also reduce the
homeless problem in that area. Mr. Hood responded that he would look into the matter and work
with the property owner and Caltrans, as there could be some right-of-way issues involving the
state.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Hood stated that approximately 42 percent of
department revenue comes from fees. In further response, Mr. Hood stated he is hopeful that the
department will be out of the red and will break even in June of next year, which will enable the
department to begin building a fund balance to be used toward capital improvements,
maintenance, and infrastructure. The strategic plan will provide direction on how to proceed with
the budget and will prioritize needs.
Council Member Mounce reported that the consultant mentioned to her the possibility of a sales
or property tax to pay for facilities the City does not have. She stated she was unsure whether the
community would embrace that idea, but she looked forward to receiving the survey results.
In response to Mayor Katzakian, Deputy City Manager Jordan Ayers stated that the debt service
for Hutchins Street Square also includes the downtown improvements and Police Department
building; the City is currently paying down interest only on this debt; payments on principle will
begin October 1; and the debt service is scheduled to be paid off in 2031. Of the total debt
service, 40 percent is for the Community Center.
B-2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Payment Options (EU)
Electric Utility Director Elizabeth Kirkley provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding electric
vehicle charging stations and related payment options. Specific topics of discussion included
background, locations, electric vehicle energy consumption, payment options, issues and related
pros and cons, and next steps.
In response to Mayor Katzakian, Ms. Kirkley stated that the annual cost in energy to charge
electric vehicles, based on a G-1 rate, is $3,126.
Deputy City Manager Jordan Ayers reported that, to date, the City has received two checks,
totaling $750, from customers who use the charging stations as donation toward the cost.
In response to Mayor Katzakian, Ms. Kirkley stated that the only option to add more charging
stations in town would be through the California Municipal Utility Association and would be
separate from the original grant to the City. Sites being considered through that option include the
Reynolds Ranch and Super Wal-Mart sites, and the City would receive revenue associated with
that energy usage. City Manager Schwabauer added that those charging stations would include a
payment system in a single unit; whereas, Ms. Kirkley stated that any type of payment system on
the existing charging stations would be added on to those units.
In response to Mayor Katzakian, Ms. Kirkley stated that the grant contract states that the current
charging stations are to remain in place through 2019.
In response to Council Member Mounce, Ms. Kirkley stated that the grant also requires the City to
maintain the units through 2019 as status quo.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Kirkley stated that there is no way to accurately
track how many customers take advantage of the charging units, but Mr. Schwabauer estimated
there are at least 10 to 15 steady customers that he has seen utilizing the stations.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Schwabauer stated that, for this project, the City
has likely spent $1,000 a year in wholesale power costs (or $3,000 in retail) and another $10,000
to $15,000 for the electrical infrastructure. Mr. Nakanishi stated the City should recoup those
costs, to which Mr. Schwabauer responded that the discussion has come before Council
previously about whether or not to charge customers and by what means. The technology to add
a payment feature was considered too costly to install, but recently new options where presented,
including the drop-box and smart phone solutions.
In response to Council Member Mounce, Ms. Kirkley stated that a majority of other municipalities
have been providing the service for free; however, most are beginning to research charging
because usage has increased.
Mr. Schwabauer stated that the drop-box option would be enforced similar to how parking lots,
including Lodi Lake, are enforced where those violating the rules would receive a ticket. He
acknowledged that there is a small number who bypass the system, but the penalty would be
in place to monitor the majority of users. He explained that, if a payment in the drop box does not
match up to a tag, a fine would be imposed.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Engineering and Operations Manager Jay
Marchesseault stated that the cost associated with installing a drop box is more expensive than
the smart phone option because they are large, heavy, metal boxes, which need to be
indestructible against theft, and would need to be installed at each of the nine locations. The
smart phone option, however, is a key pad that mounts to the existing ClipperCreek units, which
the customer would access via a pin or code entered into their smart phone to make a payment.
Mr. Marchesseault added that those who do not own a smart phone can sign up for an account,
receive a key code, and pay monthly. For a slightly higher cost, ClipperCreek offers a digital pay
station for credit cards.
Council Member Mounce stated that she believed the cost for the few who use the service is not
that significant and stated she supported the donation option.
In response to Mayor Katzakian, Ms. Kirkley stated that a parking sticker would not be a viable
option for visitors to the Lodi community.
Mayor Katzakian and Council Member Nakanishi also agreed to leave the matter as is and
operate on a donation basis at this time.
C. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items
None.
D. Adjournment
No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 a.m.
ATTEST:
Jennifer M. Robison
City Clerk