Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - December 5, 2017 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2017 A. Roll Call by City Clerk An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, December 5, 2017, commencing at 7:01 a.m. Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Absent: Council Member Mounce Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Ferraiolo B. Topic(s) B-1 Presentation and Opportunity to Provide Comments on 2016 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and 2016 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan (CD) Jessica Hayes, Grants Specialist with Michael Baker International, provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 2016 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. Specific topics of discussion included Department of Housing and Urban Development's Final Rule on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing; Fair Housing opportunities; addressing Fair Housing in Lodi; Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI); and AI process. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Ms. Hayes stated that Lodi is comparable to other cities of same size and age with regard to affordable housing because there is a universal shortage of new and affordable housing statewide. She stated some jurisdictions have more assets and can put funding into subsidized housing, but in general Lodi is facing the same issues and challenges in the housing market as other jurisdictions. She explained that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is California Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) money, which is the driver behind the requirement to certify an analysis of impediments to Fair Housing. In response to Council Member Chandler, Ms. Hayes stated the plan must provide goal-oriented metrics toward housing and that discrimination is one component. She used the example of residents in a neighborhood not having equal access to housing or community assets such as transportation, schools, food, or jobs and whether there are city policies, current or past, that prevent people from having these opportunities. The plan is to look for government-driven issues. The assessment will also be regional because housing markets are not bounded strictly by city boundaries as people will cross jurisdictions to find housing in a certain region. Council Member Chandler questioned how deficiencies would be remedied, to which Ms. Hayes responded that HUD will look for goals and action items intended to be funded through CDBG that a city plans to pursue over the next 5 to 10 years to address issues and improve the situation. Examples of plans are Fair Housing education and literature and review of city policies. City Manager Schwabauer pointed out the City has already done a number of things over the last five years to forward these goals, including funding Fair Housing dollars, funding the Tienda Drive/Eden Housing senior affordable housing project, and assisting with senior housing near Lodi High School, all of which helps to bolster the plan. In addition, the City approved multi-family housing units and is looking into Rubicon 2 outside of the CDBG process, which will free up additional resources. Council Member Chandler stated his concern goes beyond housing. Ms. Hayes stated many of those issues have not yet been well defined and will be something to watch as this moves forward; however, the City has regularly funded Fair Housing support agencies and other groups that offer education and provide assistance to those who feel discriminated against. Community Development Block Grant Program Administrator Patrice Clemons provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 2016 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. Specific topics of discussion included legislative authority, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, ADA 1990, goals of ADA Title II, removing barriers, general requirements of an ADA Plan, self-evaluation, transition plan, estimated cost, possible sources of funding, recommended actions and physical barriers, public outreach, ADA 1 grievance procedure, implementation, and next steps. Council Member Johnson expressed concern with implementing some of these large-scale programs and questioned how the City would undertake such a hefty task, to which Mr. Schwabauer responded that this plan is a "transition plan," meaning it cannot be done over night. It is a 15-year plan to get a number of items on the list accomplished and, as it moves forward, resources will be assigned to projects when there is available funding. The purpose of the plan is to demonstrate what needs to be done and how the City will work toward accomplishing it. Council Member Johnson questioned whether the targets are even reachable. Mr. Schwabauer pointed out the City is required to take certain actions regarding ADA activities and the City has accomplished upwards of $12 million toward that effort, including curbs and gutters, Grape Bowl improvements, and the Harney Lane overpass that has ADA elements. Staff estimates programming $10 million toward the transition plan over the next 15 years, much of which will come from CDBG, Measure K, and State and Federal grant funds, as well as DIVCA funding for Council meeting-related improvements. Staff will continue to track the efforts over the years, but for now the City must perform this exercise of evaluating, listing, and preparing a plan to address deficiencies. Council Member Johnson stated he understands the need to address the physical barriers people have; however, the task seems monumental. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Schwabauer confirmed that the City, to date, has spent roughly $12 million to $15 million addressing deficiencies and the plan estimates $10 million to rectify issues going forward. In further response, Ms. Clemons explained the law requires that State and local government agencies with 50 or more employees must make the transition plan available to the public, which the City has done. Mr. Schwabauer responded that private companies also have obligations under the ADA to provide access to facilities, but the public participation requirement is a governmental process. Public Works Director Charlie Swimley pointed out that many people think of ADA improvements as replacing sidewalks or ramps and upgrading facility entrances, which are expensive; however ADA also includes signage, identifying wheelchair spaces, and other less expensive ways to improve access and comply with ADA laws. He stated the plan has interim improvements for various facilities, which allows time to plan and program the other projects identified in the plan. Mr. Swimley stated the identification process took a few years to complete because each building had to be inspected for ADA access barriers, all the way down to type of door handle and signage. City Attorney Magdich reminded Council that three years ago the City was audited for ADA issues and a number of remedies were implemented, including adding a link to the City's website that takes users to a webpage with ADA information. Additionally, language was added to City Council agendas to contact the City Clerk to request materials in another format, and hearing devices were made available for Council meetings. She added that all approved plans going forward already have ADA requirements built into the projects. C. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items None. D. Adjournment No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 a.m. ATTEST: Jennifer M. Ferraiolo City Clerk 2