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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - August 2, 2017LODI CITY COUNCIL REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2017 C-1 Call to Order / Roll Call The City Council Closed Session meeting of August 2, 2017, was called to order by Mayor Kuehne at 6:30 p.m. Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Absent: Council Member Mounce Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, Deputy City Attorney Fukasawa, and City Clerk Ferraiolo C-2 Announcement of Closed Session a) Conference with Adele Post, Human Resources Manager, and Andrew Keys, Deputy City Manager (Labor Negotiators), Regarding Lodi City Mid -Management Association, AFSCME General Services and Maintenance & Operators, Police Mid -Managers, Lodi Police Officers Association, Lodi Police Dispatchers Association, Lodi Professional Firefighters, Lodi Fire Mid -Management, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 (CM) C-3 Adjourn to Closed Session At 6:30 p.m., Mayor Kuehne adjourned the meeting to a Closed Session to discuss the above matter. The Closed Session adjourned at 6:57 p.m. C-4 Return to Open Session / Disclosure of Action At 7:02 p.m., Mayor Kuehne reconvened the City Council meeting, and Deputy City Attorney Fukasawa disclosed the following action. Item C -2a was discussion and direction only with no reportable action. A. Call to Order / Roll Call The Regular City Council meeting of August 2, 2017, was called to order by Mayor Kuehne at 7:02 p.m. Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Absent: Council Member Mounce Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, Deputy City Attorney Fukasawa, and City Clerk Ferraiolo B. Presentations B-1 National Children's Vision and Learning Month Proclamation (CLK) Mayor Kuehne presented a proclamation to Dr. Bill Henshaw proclaiming the month of August 2017 as "Children's Vision and Learning Month" in the City of Lodi. Dr. Henshaw stated the goal is to help children who struggle in school, as well as students who do well but may be 1 overlooked by teachers because they are fine students. He demonstrated a sample vision test and assured the public that vision care can be simple. C. Consent Calendar (Reading; Comments by the Public; Council Action) Council Member Johnson made a motion, second by Council Member Chandler, to approve the following items hereinafter set forth in accordance with the report and recommendation of the City Manager. VOTE: The above motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Noes: None Absent: Council Member Mounce C-1 Receive Register of Claims in the Amount of $5,956,621.04 (FIN) Claims were approved in the amount of $5,956,621.04. C-2 Approve Minutes (CLK) The minutes of July 11, 2017 (Special Meeting), July 11, 2017 (Shirtsleeve Session), and July 18, 2017 (Shirtsleeve Session) were approved as written. C-3 Approve Plans and Specifications and Authorize Advertisement for Bids for Transit Station Security Fencing Project (PW) Approved plans and specifications and authorized advertisement for bids for the Transit Station Security Fencing Project. C-4 Adopt Resolution Awarding Bids for Purchase of Medium Voltage Cable from The Okonite Company, of San Ramon ($176,199.05) (EU) Adopted Resolution No. 2017-142 awarding bids for purchase of medium voltage cable from The Okonite Company, of San Ramon, in the amount of $176,199.05. C-5 Adopt Resolution Awarding Bids for Purchase of 125 Padmount and Polemount Transformers from Ermco, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Pacific Utilities, of Concord ($228,128.24) (EU) Adopted Resolution No. 2017-143 awarding bids for purchase of 125 padmount and polemount transformers from Ermco, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Pacific Utilities, of Concord, in the amount of $228,128.24. C-6 Adopt Resolution Awarding Contract for 2017 Extruded Traffic Stripes to Sierra Traffic Markings, Inc., of Roseville ($109,052), and Appropriating Funds ($25,000) (PW) Adopted Resolution No. 2017-144 awarding the contract for 2017 Extruded Traffic Stripes to Sierra Traffic Markings, Inc., of Roseville, in the amount of $109,052, and appropriating funds, in the amount of $25,000. C-7 Accept Improvements Under Contract for 2017 Pavement Crack Sealing (PW) Accepted improvements under contract for 2017 Pavement Crack Sealing. C-8 Adopt Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Waive Bid Process and Execute Professional Services Agreement with 3D Data Com, of Rancho Cordova, for Lodi Transit 2 Station and Parking Structure Safety and Security Project ($172,500) Utilizing California Multiple Awards Schedule No. 3-17-84-0060A (PW) Adopted Resolution No. 2017-145 authorizing the City Manager to waive bid process and execute Professional Services Agreement with 3D Data Com, of Rancho Cordova, for Lodi Transit Station and Parking Structure Safety and Security Project, in the amount of $172,500, utilizing California Multiple Awards Schedule No. 3-17-84-0060A. C-9 Adopt Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Professional Services Agreement with Valley Outdoor Advertising, of Lodi, for Water Conservation Bus Advertising ($46,200) and Appropriating Funds ($5,100) (PW) Adopted Resolution No. 2017-146 authorizing the City Manager to execute Professional Services Agreement with Valley Outdoor Advertising, of Lodi, for water conservation bus advertising, in the amount of $46,200, and appropriating funds in the amount of $5,100. C-10 Adopt Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Master Agreement with Department of Transportation and All Related Documents for Federal Aid Projects (PW) Adopted Resolution No. 2017-147 authorizing the City Manager to execute Master Agreement with Department of Transportation and all related documents for federal aid projects. C-11 Adopt Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Task Order No. 46 with West Yost Associates, Inc., of Walnut Creek, for Engineering Services Related to PCE/TCE Plume Management ($84,500) and Appropriating Funds ($84,500) (PW) Adopted Resolution No. 2017-148 authorizing the City Manager to execute Task Order No. 46 with West Yost Associates, Inc., of Walnut Creek, for engineering services related to PCE/TCE plume management, in the amount of $84,500, and appropriating funds, in the amount of $84,500. C-12 Adopt Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 1 to Astoria 2 Solar Project Power Purchase Agreement (EU) Adopted Resolution No. 2017-149 authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to Astoria 2 Solar Project Power Purchase Agreement. D. Comments by the Public on Non -Agenda Items THE TIME ALLOWED PER NON -AGENDA ITEM FOR COMMENTS MADE BY THE PUBLIC IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES. Public comment may only be made on matters within the Lodi City Council's jurisdiction (Government Code Section 54954.3, Lodi City Council Protocol Manual Section 6.31). The Council cannot take action or deliberate on items that are not on this agenda unless there is an emergency and the need to take action on that emergency arose after this agenda was posted (Government Code Section 54954.2(b)(2)). All other items may only be referred for review to staff or placement on a future Council agenda. None. E. Comments by the City Council Members on Non -Agenda Items Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi applauded Volunteer & Crime Prevention Coordinator Chet Somera, the Lodi Police Partners, and Crime Prevention volunteers for another successful National Night Out event. He reported there were 86 parties and each group visited at least four parties. He asked how citizens can become volunteers with Crime Prevention, to which Captain David Griffin stated this group of volunteers assists in assessing homes to ensure they are secure, provides safety tips to follow when shopping, and can assist in starting Neighborhood Watch groups. It offers services to residents, businesses, schools, and Neighborhood Watch groups, and the volunteers undergo specialized training to be in the Crime Prevention unit. 3 Council Member Chandler stated he too participated in National Night Out, attended eight parties, and had a wonderful time talking to people and answering questions of interest and concern to the public. He stated he looks forward to next year's event. Council Member Johnson reiterated his past request to look into hiring a consultant to ascertain ways the City can save money by outsourcing services. He stated he recalled two other Council Members were also supportive and he hoped to move on this because the City is facing hard financial times and it cannot afford to take any opportunity off the table to save money. Further, he stated he previously mentioned that citizens were upset at Waste Management's program to penalize residents for improper recycling. He reported that the City met with Waste Management representatives and the organization put together a much more effective public relations program to explain recycling and why it is important and mandated. He reported that since then Lodi's recycling numbers improved. Public Works Director Charlie Swimley confirmed that Lodi's contamination rate decreased from 74 percent to 40 percent. Council Member Johnson applauded Lodi residents for stepping up to improve Lodi's recycling efforts. In response to Council Member Johnson, Electric Utility Director Elizabeth Kirkley confirmed that Lodi's electric system is doing well despite the heat wave. A few transformers failed, including one as a result of Mylar balloons and one from fire to a pole. Mayor Kuehne also reported on National Night Out, stating he stopped at the mobile home park on Almond Drive where he and Lieutenant Steve Nelson answered questions from roughly 60 residents for about an hour. Many of the questions related to the homelessness situation, and he reported that the new Homeless Liaison Officer has successfully placed 13 homeless individuals with family or an appropriate care facility within the first month alone. F. Comments by the City Manager on Non -Agenda Items None. G. Public Hearings G-1 Public Hearing to Consider Adopting Resolution Establishing New Fees Relating to Alarm Permits, Alarm Installation, and False Alarms (PD) Notice thereof having been published according to law, an affidavit of which publication is on file in the office of the City Clerk, Mayor Kuehne called for the public hearing to consider adopting resolution establishing new fees relating to alarm permits, alarm installation, and false alarms. Police Lieutenant David Griffin provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding alarm permit, alarm installation, and false alarm fees. Specific topics of discussion included goals of alarm permit program, current alarm program overview, false alarm statistics by year, cost of false alarm response by Police Department, multiple false alarm generators, new proposed fees and fines, rate comparison, and staff recommendation. In response to Council Member Johnson, Lieutenant Griffin stated postage fees include notices sent via registered mail, which require a signature as proof of receipt. In response to Council Member Chandler, Lieutenant Griffin stated that, when an alarm is activated, the alarm company is notified and the company attempts to reach the owner or the listed emergency contact. If no one can be reached, the alarm company contacts the Lodi Police Department and provides basic information on whether an exterior or interior motion alarm was triggered, but no other information. Police Dispatch then sends two officers to respond who park down the street, walk silently to the house, check all windows and doors, and ensure the house is secure. Police Officers then wait for the responder to arrive to check the house together and ensure it is safe before leaving. If the alarm company is able to contact the owner, the Police Department is not notified of the alarm. City Manager Schwabauer pointed out that homeowners who respond to their alarm company's 4 call of a problem will avoid a false alarm fine. He stated the real problem is that many homeowners do not respond, which results in a Police Department response and ultimately a lack of a police presence elsewhere in the community. Mr. Schwabauer encouraged the public to be responsible with their systems and to respond to their alarm company's call to avoid sending the police and potentially receiving a false alarm fine. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi pointed out the City is attempting to offset the $70,000 it pays in responding to false alarm calls; it is not to gouge residents. He believed the fees were reasonable compared to other communities and stated he would support the staff recommendation. Mayor Kuehne opened the public hearing for public comment. Spencer Dayton questioned the fee for failure to respond to an active alarm within 20 minutes and asked how that works if everyone in a household is out of town and cannot respond within the timeframe. Lieutenant Griffin stated a homeowner should designate someone else as an emergency contract for that time period because, if police respond, it may result in the house being left unsecured because no one can be reached. Mr. Schwabauer added that the first false alarm fee is waived and the second one is either a $50 fine or completion of an online education course. The first two "free" fines are in place to accommodate reasonable or rare false alarm calls; however, five calls in one year is the product of an irresponsible homeowner who does not respond to alarm calls. The purpose of the fee schedule is to incentivize people to be responsible and not abuse the system. In response to Vanessa Lauchland, Lieutenant Griffin stated he estimated that false alarms are primarily business related. Ms. Lauchland suggested the fees should take into account underprivileged members of the community, in which case the $500 fee may be prohibitive and would be more of a punishment than an incentive to change behavior. She pointed out that some members of the community may not have access to resources to change their alarm system or have extra people on hand to watch their house. Lieutenant Griffin stated the proposed fee structure should help change behaviors because alarm systems that routinely go off hurt taxpayers and cost time. He reminded that the first alarm is a warning only, no fee, and the second is a $50 fine or a class. The class will teach residents how to properly use their systems and make necessary adjustments, many of which are non -monetary changes. He pointed out there is also a reduced alarm permit rate for seniors, disabled, and low-income, which is a one- time fee. Council Member Chandler summarized the City is not necessarily trying to recoup the $70,000 it costs annually to respond to false alarm calls; rather, it is a proactive attempt to diminish the expense and behavior. There being no further public comments, Mayor Kuehne closed the public hearing. Council Member Chandler made a motion, second by Council Member Johnson, to adopt Resolution No. 2017-150 establishing new fees relating to alarm permits, alarm installation, and false alarms. VOTE: The above motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Noes: None Absent: Council Member Mounce H. Communications — None I. Regular Calendar 5 1-1 Introduce Ordinance Amending Lodi Municipal Code Title 15 — Buildings and Construction — by Adding Chapter 15.15, "Electric Vehicle Charging Station Streamlined Permitting Process" (CD) City Manager Schwabauer provided a presentation regarding the proposed ordinance amending Lodi Municipal Code Title 15 - Building and Construction - by adding Chapter 15.15, "Electric Vehicle Charging Station Streamlined Permitting Process." Mr. Schwabauer reported the State is mandating that electric vehicle charging stations be installed quickly and expeditiously and that the proposed ordinance does so by streamlining the permit process, which could take as little as three days. Mayor Kuehne stated the developer of Rose Gate Subdivision reported that all of the homes in the development are built to accommodate electric vehicle charging stations with the only missing component being the final wiring in the garage. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi made a motion, second by Council Member Chandler, to introduce Ordinance No. 1945 amending Lodi Municipal Code Title 15 - Buildings and Construction - by adding Chapter 15.15, "Electric Vehicle Charging Station Streamlined Permitting Process." VOTE: The above motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Noes: None Absent: Council Member Mounce 1-2 Receive Update on Lodi Electric Utility Strategic Planning and Provide Direction (EU) Electric Utility Director Elizabeth Kirkley provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding Strategic Planning Update. Specific topics of discussion included timeline; efforts; mission, values, and motto; strategic areas of focus; Hometown Connections; customer goals; reliability goals; technology goals; financial goals; workforce goals; strategic planning in the future; and next steps. In response to Council Member Chandler, Ms. Kirkley stated the goal of an 80 percent customer satisfaction rating is the industry average and the City's previous rating was 70 percent. In response to Council Member Chandler, Business Development Manager Adam Brucker stated potential new customer incentive programs under consideration include a low-income program that would serve a greater number of customers with energy efficiency programs, including renters who do not own their home; bringing back the Low -Income Home Energy Assistance Program and weatherization program under the County, which is already providing the service; and incentivizing electric vehicle charging at home. These are a few initial ideas, and staff is open to others. Council Member Johnson stated that the electric utility industry is evolving into areas the City may not have thought of and questioned whether the bi-annual survey will address more than just the basics of turning on lights. Ms. Kirkley stated the previous survey included questions on solar energy, incentive and efficiency programs, and technological advances in communications. She assured that staff would proceed with similar questions in order to get an apples -to -apples comparison, while also adding questions regarding new advances as they arise. In response to Council Member Chandler, Ms. Kirkley confirmed the survey included questions specific to utility software system payments and how well residents believed the City was doing in that regard. While the results did not point to a specific department, i.e. Finance or Electric Utility, there was a lower satisfaction rating in that area, although, the survey occurred at the time the new system was introduced. 6 Mayor Kuehne stated he would like to see a breakdown of the customer service satisfaction ratings because some areas may be higher, such as reliability; others may be neutral if people are unaware of incentive programs; and some may be low because of dissatisfaction with bill pay. An average rating does not give an accurate picture of what is occurring. A breakdown would give greater clarity on each of the issues and categories. Mayor Kuehne added that he would like the public to know the City is doing all it can to ensure the Utility is functioning properly by updating software, installing payment kiosks, shortening lines, upgrading the facility, making appropriate staffing changes, and ensuring there are convenient and easy ways to pay bills. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Brucker provided information from Great Blue's research presentation to Council in June 2016 on the breakdown of ratings for utility rates that resulted in 50.2 percent of responders indicating they believed Lodi's rates were higher than surrounding communities. City Manager Schwabauer pointed out the inaccuracy of that belief because all of the surrounding communities, with the exception of Galt and Elk Grove, are served by PG&E and Lodi is 18 percent lower than PG&E. He agreed that Lodi is not competitive with SMUD, but it is a larger system and has better economies of scale with access to free, or nearly free, power from hydro electric systems, which Lodi is unable to do. He pointed out that Acampo, Lockeford, Stockton, and a number of Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) cities that have higher green energy standards are more expensive than Lodi. Mayor Kuehne stated that SMUD may have cheaper rates, but it cannot compete with Lodi in reliability. Mr. Schwabauer added that SMUD is a bigger system; it is not locally owned where a board can hear from citizens; and it has a larger service area to cover, which negatively effects reliability. Because of this, it drives down rates, but it cannot respond as timely as Lodi can. He added that many high-tech businesses come to Lodi because of the excellent reliability rate, which is a significant element of Lodi's business and economic development program. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Ms. Kirkley confirmed that Lodi's reliability rate is 99.998 percent. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Ms. Kirkley stated that, since Lodi's assets are for the distribution system, and not transmission, Lodi is less susceptible to cyber security attacks; however, Lodi has a separate server that is isolated from the rest of the City, which provides an additional layer of protection, and the Information Technology Division ensures the firewall is in place. Mayor Kuehne pointed out that the goal of increased grid reliability by 2024 may sound like a long way out; however, the process of moving off of the 60 kV line onto a new 230 kV interconnection system will be a lengthy procedure because it involves many interested parties and regulations. He stated the year 2024 may be an aggressive goal, but the City is moving forward on this as best it can. In response to Council Member Johnson, Engineering and Operations Manager Jay Marchesseault explained that currently the City relies on citizen phone calls to inform of power outages and determine the effected location and possible cause. Smart meters report periodic reads and can automatically send a signal that it lost power; however, an outage management system can send a "last -gasp" alert on effected meters before it loses power and can deploy crews to address the situation. The system can also proactively notify effected parties. In further response, Mr. Marchesseault stated there are smarter meters that can communicate with and "ping" meters. Unfortunately, Lodi's meters allow for one-way communication only to the meters and hopefully the next technology iteration will move toward the advanced features. Mr. Marchesseault confirmed that the current infrastructure in place is set up only to receive information; not communicate. In response to Council Member Chandler, Mr. Marchesseault stated another potential 7 technological advance is a meter data management system that can analyze data to determine loads because, without such technology, it is simply too much information to handle. In response to Mayor Kuehne, Ms. Kirkley stated Electric Utility's current rating is A- and is at 10 cents per kilowatt hour, which includes the energy cost adjustment on an annual basis. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi commended Electric Utility for maintaining lower rates than PG&E for 10 years and asked for an explanation why Lodi's rates are lower than PG&E's. Ms. Kirkley stated that PG&E is a privately -owned utility that can make a profit and has share holders with dividends returned to them. Lodi, on the other hand, is a non-profit, municipal utility. Mr. Schwabauer added that PG&E is a large system with stranded assets and the California Public Utilities Commission authorizes it to recover those costs. He stated the most common rate increase from PG&E is the recovery of costs of a power plant that it was obligated to close by State law, as well as its project to replace all gas lines in most of California. In response to Council Member Johnson, Ms. Kirkley agreed that the City has work to do in order to improve its rating from an A- to an AA; however, she believed it was achievable. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Schwabauer confirmed that the last several interactions with rating agencies, as well as the outcome, were positive. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi stressed the importance of maintaining a high rating because it provides a lower interest rate when borrowing funds. He questioned if the City anticipates borrowing money in the future, to which Ms. Kirkley stated the plan is to borrow funds for the 230 kV interconnection project. She added that a high rating also helps with power purchases. Council Member Chandler pointed out that agencies receive positive points for having a better reserve level and that lower rates are a result of cheaper energy costs. In response to Mayor Kuehne, Mr. Schwabauer provided a history of Lodi Electric Utility's ratings, stating that following the energy crisis in 2000/01, Lodi fell to a B+ or BBB+. Council Member Johnson stated that, at that time, City staff met with ratings agencies for a tense meeting to discuss where the City was with its rating and the City worked diligently for years afterward to increase its rating. He stated he believes the City is doing well in its effort. In response to Mayor Kuehne, Ms. Kirkley stated the City currently has a safety program; however, standards change and increase over time. She plans to review the City's safety plan annually, review the standards, and adjust as necessary. With regard to the workforce succession plan, she stated she has a listing of all staff members and when they are eligible to retire. The information will be used to compile a strategy to fill vacancies as people retire to ensure Electric Utility continues to have a qualified staff. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi thanked Ms. Kirkley for adding his comment to the mission statement about courteous customer service. Joerg Schwarzenberg questioned where the City is on solar energy and expressed his frustration on being unable to complete his solar installation once his re -roof project was completed. He stated that his solar company informed him in May that he could not get a solar permit due to problems with the City of Lodi. Mr. Schwarzenberg asked when the solar issue will be resolved so he can finalize his renovation. Mr. Schwabauer asked that Mr. Schwarzenberg leave his contact information with Mr. Brucker so he can contact him with the details. Council Member Chandler recognized Electric Utility and NCPA staff for doing a great job and stressed that the challenges facing the City, and all utilities, are tremendous, especially with the increase in solar energy, which makes 40 -year projections difficult to foresee. There was no Council action necessary on this item. 8 J. Ordinances J-1 Adopt Ordinance No. 1944 Entitled, "An Ordinance Amending Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 13.20 — Electric Service — by Repealing and Re -Enacting Chapter 13.20.290, 'Schedule EP — Energy Purchase,' in Its Entirety" (CLK) Council Member Johnson made a motion, second by Council Member Chandler, (following reading of the title) to waive reading of the ordinance in full and adopt and order to print Ordinance No. 1944 entitled, "An Ordinance Amending Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 13.20 - Electric Service - by Repealing and Re -Enacting Chapter 13.20.290, 'Schedule EP - Energy Purchase,' in Its Entirety," which was introduced at a regular meeting of the Lodi City Council held July 19, 2017. VOTE: The above motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Noes: None Absent: Council Member Mounce K. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. ATTEST: Jennifer M. Ferraiolo City Clerk 9