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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - September 7, 2016 Public Commentmore effort is needed to eliminate that debt. He expressed concern that other utility customers are carrying the Toad of that loss. Mr. Slaughterback stated other cities eliminate this loss by making property owners responsible for the debt through a lien on the property, adding that Sacramento County added the unpaid amount to his property tax bill when his renters did not pay the account. He suggested the City implement a similar approach or require a larger deposit up front to eliminate the City's losses. Council Member Mounce pointed out that the article failed to mention that Lodi collects over $1 million in late fees from customers who fail to pay their bills on time, which far exceeds the debt write off amount. Deputy City Manager Jordan Ayers verified those figures, stating over $1 million was collected in late fees, while $211,000 was referred to a collection agency. Council Member Mounce stated that five years ago members of the public expressed the same concern that the rest of the rate payers were paying the cost and, in response, the City shortened the timeframe on collections and increased the late fees. She acknowledged that the City experiences a loss from non-payment of accounts; however, that amount is offset with late fees. Council Member Nakanishi stated this issue has been discussed many times in the past and that Lodi is in a better position than most cities with regard to bad debt write off. Lodi shortened the timeframe, which many felt was unfairly gouging citizens. Council Member Nakanishi stated that he believed property owners would be opposed to being penalized for their tenants' failure to pay utility accounts and questioned what other cities were doing in that regard. Mr. Ayers stated he would look into the matter, but did confirm that Sacramento County collects from property owners for sewer, water, and refuse if not paid. Council Member Johnson requested that Mr. Ayers also research what it costs an agency to implement such a program in comparison to the amount each is trying to collect. He stated it seems improbable that any business can have a zero sum for bad debt and there will always be some sort of write off. Mike Lusk stated the San Joaquin Registrar of Voters Office reports that absentee ballots will be mailed on October 10 with voters' pamphlets going out the week prior. He stated he supports both Measures R (Parks and Recreation) and S (Public Safety) and encouraged citizens to read the pamphlet, study the issues, and see for themselves that this is a special tax designated specifically for Parks, Police, and Fire. Representatives from the Community Partnership for Families Breakers group reported that it meets on Mondays and Wednesdays to plan events and announced that the free event, Celebration on Central, will be September 25 and 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on South Central Avenue. Pat Patrick, President/CEO of the Lodi District Chamber of Commerce, announced that the Chamber has partnered with the City of Lodi Neighborhood Services Division to bring the concept of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) to Lodi. This program will work to increase the value on the east side, now referred to as the Heritage District, and he invited Council to the kickoff event on September 16 and 17 at the Lodi Boys and Girls Club. Neighborhood Services Manager Joseph Wood explained this concept is a new methodology that breaks from past practice by looking at issues within neighborhood communities, receiving input from residents, and determining an effective approach. This program will evaluate and identify a community's strengths versus its problems and determine how to build on those qualities. Mr. Wood reported that he will be distributing further information and a video to Council to explain the program in greater detail. Mr. Patrick stated that the costs associated with hosting the ABCD consultants are covered through a mini grant from Farmers and Merchants Bank. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne, Mr. Wood stated he would ensure that Neighborhood Watch captains are invited to participate, adding that he already reached out to the Partners Program for assistance and that the flyers were printed in both English and Spanish. Mr. Patrick added that workshop information has also been provided to the Lodi Unified School District, local churches, and Parent-Teacher Associations and through California Human Development. 5 Jennifer Ferraiolo From: Joseph Wood Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2016 12:15 PM To: JoAnne Mounce; Bob Johnson; Alan Nakanishi; Doug Kuehne; Mark Chandler Cc: Steve Schwabauer; Jennifer Ferraiolo Subject: Asset -Based Community Development - Community Workshop I have attached the Lodi Chamber invitation that includes the ABCD In Action video, that will hopefully give you a clearer picture of what we hope to get started with this initial community workshop. Please contact me if you have any questions about the upcoming event and/or the ABCD process. Thank you. Joseph Wood Neighborhood Services Manager Community Development Department If you had the opportunity to positively change your community, would you? Join our Community Development Training Workshop LODI - 4 1W rhare CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Dear Friends of the Chamber, We would like to invite you to a great opportunity to create some positive 1 transformation in the eastern side of Lodi. The City of Lodi Neighborhood Services Department and The Lodi Chamber of Commerce will be holding a community development training workshop for Lodi citizens living in the I-Ieritage District (commonly referred to as the East Side) and everyone else interested in improving this area. Join us by participating in this free training event to learn community leadership skills, how to build on our combined strengths, and how to bring community goals into action! The training workshop will based on Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), which was introduced last year in a presentation to the community put on by The Chamber's Livability Vision Action Team (a part of Vision 2020). Now we are bringing a 2 day training workshop on ABCD to Lodi! Please take a look at the video below to get a better understanding of how ABCD works, it is the best way to show how the transformation can happen: ABCD In Action -Savannah, Georgia The ABCD Training workshop will take place on September 16 (6-9pm) and September 17 (9am-5pm) at the Boys & Girls Club in Lodi. For all of the details and to RSVP just go to www.lodicharnber.com/abcd, the deadline to RSVP is next Tuesday, September lath. This will be a FREE 2 day event with all meals provided and we hope you can be a representative there. If you work with Heritage District residents, please involve them in this effort to let their voices be heard in changing their community. Translation in English and Spanish will be at this worthwhile event. The question this training workshop really poses for all of us is...If you had the opportunity to create positive change in the community you live in, would you? Sincerely, Pat Patrick President/CEO, Lodi Chamber of Commerce 2 Lodi District Chamber of Commerce 35 South School St. Lodi, CA 95240 See what's happening on our social sites IMMO Lodi District Chamber of Commerce, 35 S. School Street, Lodi, CA 95240 SafeUnsubscrlbe°"' crossOlodichamber.com Forward this email 1 Update profile 1 About our service provider Sent by ppatrick@nlodichamber.com in collaboration with Constant Contact /. N Try it free today 3