Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 21, 2017 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 A. Call to Order / Roll Call The Special City Council meeting of March 21, 2017, was called to order by Mayor Kuehne at 7:02 a.m. Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Absent: None Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and Deputy City Clerk Farris B. Regular Calendar B-1 Consider Authorizing City Manager to Pursue Purchase of a Used Portland Loo from City of San Diego through a Public Auction and Establish a Maximum Expenditure Amount for the Purchase (CD) Public Works Associate Civil Engineer Jimi Billigmeier provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the possible purchase of a used Portland Loo public restroom from the City of San Diego. Specific topics of discussion included concept, why it was developed, where it is used, design, lessons learned, unit under consideration, location, maintenance, restrooms available Downtown, survey feedback, possible locations, purchase of this particular Loo, funding sources, and whether the Loo is a good fit for Lodi. In response to Council Member Mounce, Ms. Billigmeier responded that the Portland Loo remaining in service in San Diego is located on the corner of Market Street and Park Boulevard. In response to Council Member Chandler, Ms. Billigmeier reiterated that Americans with Disabilities Act compliance was not covered in the survey she conducted, but a small percentage of the businesses expressed some concern about compliance when deciding whether or not to make restrooms available. Council Member Mounce inquired about the use of the restroom at the Transit Station and whether it is mixed use or mostly transients. Ms. Billigmeier responded that data on usage is unavailable but the Transit Station restrooms are very clean and are a comfortable setting, so they would be inviting for tourists; however, they are far away from some Downtown attractions and people tend not to travel far to find a restroom. Council Member Mounce inquired if restrooms are available at the Police Department 24 hours per day, stating that she felt they should be. Ms. Billigmeier stated that the Police Department lobby is not open 24 hours per day, and further specified that the hours of availability for the Transit Station restrooms are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Council Member Mounce commented that she felt it would be less expensive to keep the Police Department lobby restrooms open than to install the Loo. In response to the suggested Portland Loo location of the walkway between Church Street and School Street, Council Member Mounce stated that she felt the City would receive many complaints from the businesses nearby. She also commented that the possible location at the post office seems close to the Transit Station restroom. Ms. Billigmeier agreed, noting the yellow circles represent a radius of approximately one block; however, she reminded Council that the 1 Transit Station restroom has limited hours while the Loo could be an after-hours solution. In response to Mayor Kuehne, Ms. Billigmeier stated the Loo does have a storage space in the back for a hose, hose bib, and supplies. In response to Mayor Kuehne, Ms. Billigmeier replied she believed a new Portland Loo carried a one-year warranty, but she would need to verify that information. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Ms. Billigmeier stated that in case of emergency, keys would be held by the Police Department and by the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department, which would be responsible for maintenance. Mayor Kuehne asked for comments from the public. Norm Mowery commented he felt that the signs in Downtown Lodi stating that restrooms are available for customers only are not welcoming and that now that Lodi is a tourist destination, the City should have a better marketing and customer service image. He further stated he is well aware of the problems with the homeless and feels there has to be a better solution; it is important for Lodi to look into the lack of public restrooms, and he appreciates Council taking the time to discuss it. Shane Langone, Fire Captain and Secretary of the Lodi Professional Firefighters, spoke on behalf of the firefighters, especially those located at Station No. 1. He stated he felt locating the Loo adjacent to the fire house will attract more homeless to the area and employees are already experiencing problems with transients damaging and breaking into their cars and stealing equipment from the station, as well as finding drug paraphernalia. He further stated that, as a parent, he would not want to walk his children by that type of element on the way to Downtown; he is not opposed to the idea of the Loo but he is opposed to the possible placement adjacent to Fire Station No. 1. In response to Electric Utility Director Elizabeth Kirkley, Ms. Billigmeier responded that the unit available from San Diego is equipped with solar panels and batteries, so it would not need to be attached to an electrical power supply. Council Member Johnson questioned if the homeless problem had perhaps subsided a bit, based on the decreased volume of phone calls and emails he has been receiving. He stated that he is a proponent of the Loo, but he would like to see more definitive numbers on the local businesses in favor or opposed to the proposal. He commended June Aaker and Nancy Beckman of Visit Lodi! in bringing people together on this issue, but he stated he needed more input from the local businesses before making a decision. Council Member Mounce agreed more information is needed before making a decision. She stated she intended to speak with her colleague Mark Kersey, San Diego City Council Member and Board Member of League of California Cities, as she felt he could share insight into this issue. She further stated that the City needs to further explore alternatives such as 24-hour availability of the restrooms at the Transit Station and Police Station and study the associated security costs, as opposed to investing in and maintaining the Loo. Council Member Mounce expressed that there are too many unknowns at this point to invest this amount of money; this particular Loo does not have a pleasing appearance in the pictures; she did not want to bring another city's problem to Lodi; and she would be happier renting a portable restroom to put in the Elm Street parking lot on a six-month trial basis. Council Member Mounce commended Ms. Billigmeier on the outstanding presentation provided under a tight time frame and agreed with Mr. Langone's comments regarding having the Loo located at City Hall as she also has safety concerns when she is at City Hall at night. She further stated that she agrees there is a problem but is not sure the Loo is the solution. Council Member Chandler agreed with the previous Council Members' comments; he stated he does not believe Council has enough information, he is not comfortable making the decision under duress, and more input from local businesses is needed. He acknowledged business 2 owners in the audience and asked if they had any opinions to share. John Della Monica, representing the Downtown Business Association (DBA), stated DBA does not yet have an opinion on the Loo; they need more information and the timing has made it difficult for the involved businesses to come together to make a decision. Mayor Kuehne expressed concern over whether this particular Loo is compliant with current building codes and the lack of a warranty, given the amount of money the City would invest. He stated he feels everyone agrees a public restroom is needed Downtown, but the location is still in question. He likes the concept but feels this particular Loo is not the right one for Lodi. Council Member Nakanishi agreed with previous Council Members' comments. Council Member Mounce asked the City Manager to research the cost of portable restrooms, similar to the one in back of Lawrence School which serves the athletic fields, and questioned the possibility of having a test run of a portable restroom in the Elm Street parking lot or the space adjacent to the parking garage. Mr. Schwabauer responded that the Homelessness Committee investigated a concept Sacramento has in place in which an attendant monitors and cleans the restroom. He conceded Sacramento's program is probably more robust than what she envisions. Neighborhood Services Manager Joseph Wood stated the cost for the Sacramento program is about $1,000 per day. Pat Patrick, President/CEO of Lodi Chamber of Commerce, stated he was previously unaware of the nice restroom facilities available at the Transit Station, and he suggested having cards available for local businesses to distribute directing people to the restrooms there, as well as to the Police Station, should that one become available. Council Member Mounce referenced Mr. Mowery's comments and suggested having businesses replace the "No Public Restroom" signs with signs that direct people to the Transit Station. In response, Mr. Schwabauer stated he will look into adding that information to the City's kiosks. In response to Mayor Kuehne, Mr. Schwabauer confirmed there is a 24-hour security presence at the Transit Station. Council Member Mounce suggested expanding the hours of availability at the Transit Station restrooms to solve the problem on an interim basis. June Aaker, local business owner and member of the Homelessness Committee, stated the pilot program for the City of Sacramento cost $175,000. She further stated that yesterday she had to bleach the stairwell located at her business on Pine Street, despite having a gate at the top of the stairs; and at least once a week, her neighbor at 17 West Pine Street finds defecation between her dumpsters, on the walls, and on the door. She stressed that despite Council receiving fewer phone calls and emails, transients are still a rampant problem. Council Member Mounce agreed with Ms. Aaker's assessment of the transient problem and further asked Mr. Schwabauer to research the cost of making both the Police Department lobby restrooms and the Transit Station restrooms available to the public 24 hours per day, as that would go a long way towards solving the problem. Council Member Nakanishi suggested, since this is a controversial issue, that stakeholders come together to discuss the issues and then present a solution to Council. Mr. Schwabauer responded it would be the City's desire to have a public process and Public Works would hold public meetings to afford people the opportunity to provide input. He reminded Council that the cart got put before the horse in this instance due to the impending auction of the used Loo in San Diego. Council Member Mounce questioned where funding would come from to pay for any of the plans for public restrooms; with the CaIPERS crisis looming, there is no extra money available. 3 John Della Monica stated, on a personal note, that yesterday his wife had to call the Police Department to deal with a transient relieving himself against the wall in the alley behind her business who became aggressive. He further stated that this is an example of how the homelessness issue is not getting better in Lodi and how some transients are becoming more aggressive. In response to Council Member Mounce's inquiry regarding a fence for the alley behind the business, Mr. Della Monica replied plans are moving forward as there is no other solution and the employees fear for their safety in the evening hours due to groups of transients living in the area. Mr. Mowery commented that local businesses in Sutter Creek and Murphys have attractive signs directing people to the public restrooms there, and he suggested Lodi follow the same model. He further noted that Lake Camanche has a very attractive Port -a -Potty, which he felt would work well for a pilot program in Lodi. Council Member Mounce commented she is looking forward to finding out how Lodi can expand the hours of operation at the Transit Station restrooms and begin directing people there since the security and infrastructure is already in place. Transportation Manager Paula Fernandez stated that Transit is currently spending about $150,000 per year on security for the Transit Station and the parking structure. She commented that transients frequently steal the toilet paper and seat covers, even during the day. She further stated that Transit uses State and federal funds to cover the costs of security, maintenance, and janitorial services at the Transit Station and expressed concern about using those funds outside of the hours that the Station is serving Transit customers. Council Member Mounce agreed with Ms. Fernandez's concerns and stated she believes that the City will encounter those problems no matter where the restroom is located and part of the challenge will be finding a way to mitigate those issues. Mayor Kuehne stated that since there were no further comments, the matter would be tabled until more information becomes available. C. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 a.m. ATTEST: Pamela M. Farris Deputy City Clerk 4