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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 4, 2014 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014 An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, March 4, 2014, commencing at 7:00 a.m. Present: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, and Mayor Katzakian Absent: Council Member Nakanishi Also Present: Interim City Manager Schwabauer, Interim City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Johl-Olson Electric Utility Director Elizabeth Kirkley provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the east Lodi street lighting issues. Specific topics of discussion included background, interim solutions, other communities comparisons, and options and cost estimates. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Ms. Kirkley stated the cobra head lighting can be deenergized and turned off at the top and turned back on when needed. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Interim City Manager Stephen Schwabauer stated when lights are vandalized cobra heads could be left on during the entire interim period if so desired. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Engineering and Operations Manager Jay Marchesseault stated he is aware of one case where the globe light was vandalized instead of the access cover. Sergeant Steve Maynard stated the access point is preferred for vandalism because it can take out an entire chain darkening a neighborhood whereas a globe illuminates a smaller area. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Ms. Kirkley confirmed that the cost for option one is approximately $285,000 and the cost for option two is approximately $1 million. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Police Chief Mark Helms stated light vandalism is not a unique situation to the City of Lodi and other communities are reviewing similar solutions. A brief discussion ensued between Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen and Chief Helms regarding technology-based security solutions and a cash reward through Crime Stoppers. A brief discussion ensued amongst the City Council and Chief Helms regarding the fear of retaliation and whether citizens residing in the affected neighborhood will actively participate in reporting vandalism. In response to Council Member Johnson, Chief Helms confirmed that staff can look into options for scheduling community meetings on the east side to reenergize the neighborhood as previous meetings have done. Council Member Mounce suggested methods for increasing turn-out at the community meetings including sending notices home with students who attend east side schools. A. Roll Call by City Clerk B. Topic(s) B-1 Street Lighting Issues and Potential Solutions for East Lodi (EU) In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Chief Helms stated to date he has not seen a direct correlation between increased crime and the challenges associated with the lighting on the east side. The City Council provided general direction through discussion indicating a preference for option one with additional security measures and wiring solutions. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Mr. Marchesseault stated staff is looking into options to tamper proof the access covers. Ed Miller spoke in regard to his concerns about the community taking back its neighborhood and participating in community meetings. John Slaughterback spoke in regard to his concerns about notifying the public at large about the lighting issues and providing an alternative to crime for young people in the community. None. No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 a.m. C. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items D.Adjournment ATTEST: Randi Johl-Olson City Clerk City Council Shirtsleeve Session March 4, 2014 Your Community Owned Utility Since 1910 ŠBackground ŠInterim Solutions ŠOther Communities ŠOptions & Cost Estimates 2 ŠCopper theft & vandalism ŠMost instances pure vandalism ŠPerpetrators darkening streets ŠPD suspects gang-related activity ŠAccess panels compromised & wires cut ŠMultiple “tamper proof” access panel covers ŠRepair work re-vandalized 3 4 5 ŠRestoring Light ƒHigh Pressure Sodium (HPS) cobra head lights ƒExisting and new wooden poles ƒPowered overhead ŠCollaborative effort with Police Department ƒExtra patrols ƒOne arrest ŠEast Lodi Community Meeting ƒThursday, February 27, 6 p.m. @ Loel Center ƒDiscussion & feedback 6 7 8 9 ŠNeighborhood Watches ŠLED cobra head lights ŠTamper proof access covers ŠIncreased Police Patrols 10 11 ŠOption 1 (~$285k) ƒContinue HPS cobra head installations ƒRepair post top lights ƒGradually de-energize cobra heads lights ƒRemove cobra heads ŠOption 2 (~$1,000k) ƒMake HPS cobra head permanent ŠOption 3 (~$1,200k) ƒConvert to new LED cobra head lighting technology 12