HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 1, 2000 Council CommentContinued March 1, 2000
Speaking on the matter was Tim Flemming with Mark Thomas & Company, who provided
additional information regarding the report and project calendar and went through a typical
cross-section of the proposal. Traffic Engineer Fernandez and Mr. Flemming answered
questions as were posed by Council Members.
Council expressed a concern about Taylor Road being an ingress/egress on this
proposal.
There was no action required on this matter.
11. ORDINANCES
None.
12. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
a) Walter Pruss, 2421 Diablo Drive, Lodi, stated that he is very interested in the project and
has actively followed the progress of the project. He stated that he is vitally interested in
traffic and safety. Further, Mr. Pruss stated that he did not get a complete review of the
proposed landscaping plan at either of the public meetings he attended. Mr. Pruss
recommended that the landscaping be done at a low installation cost, and that it be low
maintenance and drought resistant.
b) Janet Pruss, 2421 Diablo Drive, Lodi, stated that at one point in earlier discussions
regarding this project she heard that eventually Lower Sacramento Road would become a
six -lane road and questioned whether or not this was true. Mayor Mann confirmed that
her recall was correct. Finally she asked who would pay for the maintenance of the
landscaping after the grant monies are used up. Mrs. Pruss also urged that the
landscaping be drought resistant.
c) Rick Gerlack, Taylor Road, Lodi, stated that he has attended the workshops and has
talked with both Richard Prima and Paula Fernandez regarding the intersection of Lower
Sacramento Road and Taylor Road. He stated that staffs proposal regarding this
intersection is a lot safer than the present conditions. He added that right now there is a
safety issue out there, and no one seems to have worried about it.
Council Member Pennino commented that there may be some differences of opinion
regarding the median landscaping and asked staff to keep the Council apprised as plans
go forward.
13. COMMENTS BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
a) Council Member Pennino stated that he had received a letter from Mr. Hal Armstrong
regarding the recently adopted ordinance designed to limit the parking of large
Y commercial vehicles within the City limits. Council Member Pennino referred the matter
to the City Attorney. Mr. Pennino further requested that the City Council receive written
comments from the City Attorney regarding the letter and that this subject be brought
back on a future agenda.
b) Council Member Land stated that he had received a telephone call from Mr. Bob Burnett
who resides on Mills Avenue regarding the area of Mills and Tokay Street to Vine Street.
Mr. Burnett stated that it is very hard to see the street striping in the rain. Council
Member Land asked questions regarding this area and stated that it was his
understanding at an earlier meeting that this area would be monitored for the concerns
that had been expressed at that time.
c) Very warm and gracious remarks were made to City Clerk Reimche during her last
regular City Council meeting by members of the City Council.
13
March 1, 2000
The Honorable Steve Mann, Mayor
The City of Lodi
PO Box 3006
Lodi, CA 96241-1910
Re: Section 10.52.050 of the Lodi Municipal Code
Dear Mayor Mann,
MAR 0 1 2000,
sire it"I`roiiNEY`S OFFICE
My wife and I travel full-time and pull a 36 foot 5th wheel using a medium duty truck, which is our
only vehicle. Although we are not residents of Lodi we spend about 4 months each year visiting
family, friends and doing business in Lodi.
Recently, the City Council adopted an ordinance designed to limit the parking of large commercial
vehicles within the city limits. Although I understand the reasons behind its adoption, and can
agree with the Council's intent, I feel that the ordinance is overly restrictive. By the adoption of
Section 10.52.050 of the Lodi Municipal Code the Council has restricted the parking of any
commercial or noncommercial vehicle which has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of
10,000 pounds or greater.
I contacted the City Attorney's office to clarify the intent of the ordinance. I was told that since our
truck exceed a GVWR of 10,000 lbs it was considered a commercial vehicle and was therefore
subject to the ordinance, even though our truck is not used or licensed for commercial purposes. I
then contacted the City Police Department for additional information regarding enforcement
criteria. I was told that the ordinance prohibited the parking of most if not all 34 and 1 ton pickups
as well as all medium trucks on most public streets within the City of Lodi. I was also told that
those violating the ordinance would be subject to a fine of $27.00, per occurrence.
I feel the adoption and enforcement of this ordinance will cause impacts far greater than those
intended by the City Council. Because, residents or visitors who park a 3/. ton, 1 ton or medium
duty truck in all residential zones, and after January 1, 2001 all commercial and industrial zones
are in violation of the ordinance and thus are subject to citation. Subsequently, as adopted this
ordinance will prohibit us and others from doing business or visiting family and friends in Lodi.
Therefore, I would respectfully request that the City Council give consideration to amending the
ordinance to address this issue. Unfortunately I cannot offer a ready solution, however I would be
more than willing to assist the council and staff in developing any acceptable amendment(s).
I look forward to hearing from you, and if you have any questions please feel free to call me at
209-366-1954.
Cc; Members of the Lodi City Council (4)
Dixon Flynn, City Manager
Randall Hays, City Attorney
Chief Larry Hansen, Police Chief