HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - August 1, 2018 Public Comment (5)couple of Police Officers and the Watch Commander and she installed cameras at the property,
both of which have been extremely helpful. She thanked the City for the assistance. Ms. Lehr -Lee
further requested an official City update on where it is on increasing the police force and ensuring
adequate staffing levels, adding that a sales tax increase will not improve the situation if the City
cannot hire officers.
Jerome Bauman, homeless Veteran, repeated his request from the previous meeting that the
City form a consortium made up of Council Members, citizens, business owners, and homeless
individuals to work together on solutions to the homeless problem.
Matt Blansett described his experience in recently becoming homeless in Lodi, stating he has no
family or friends to turn to and that it is difficult to locate and connect with available resources. He
stated he will continue to be the eyes, ears, and voice of the homeless and about life in the park
and hopes others try to see all sides of the situation, not only their own.
Mark Armstrong encouraged Mr. Blansett to connect with the Homeless Liaison Officer Richard
Dunfee who could likely help him. Further, he submitted (filed) a number of questions from Take
,,m,m,Api Back Lodi members relating to the homeless situation and the sales tax measure and stated the
group continues to work with many City departments, as well as Officer Dunfee, on efforts to
address the homelessness issue.
Mike Lusk submitted (filed) an addendum as clarification to the claim he submitted at the last
meeting relating to the water utility enterprise and the transfer of funds between the water and fire
impact mitigation fee accounts. In addition, he expressed support for the sales tax measure
based on the fact that both residents and non-residents will contribute toward services they utilize
and that people can use their own discretion whether to buy high taxable items versus rate
payers who have no say in paying increases on their utility bills.
City Manager Schwabauer provided responses to comments regarding Police Department
staffing and creation of a multi -faceted committee on homelessness and provided answers to
questions from Take Back Lodi. Council Member Chandler further expanded on the tourism
aspect of Lodi that will generate new retail tax dollars, and Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce
encouraged the public to vote for Lodi for 2018 Best Choice Travelers award at www.10best.com.
E. Comments by the City Council Members on Non -Agenda Items
Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce announced there has been a transition of leadership at the Lodi Hill
House and, while it is still open on Sundays as a museum, it underwent significant upgrades and
now serves as a bed and breakfast. She encouraged everyone to visit the improved Hill House.
Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce also reported there are two locations in Lodi that offer cryotherapy
and recommended the treatment because after trying it she left with more energy and less pain.
Further, in response to an earlier speaker regarding damage to property by the homeless, she
stated her family is experiencing similar issues at their property in town and she understands her
frustration.
Council Member Kuehne reported that he was appointed to RISE, a County committee that
focuses on new technology including technological infrastructure, transportation, medical, and
streamlining government policies.
F. Comments by the City Manager on Non -Agenda Items
None.
G. Public Hearings
G-1 Cancel Public Hearing to Consider Adopting Resolution Authorizing City Manager to
Execute Reimbursement Agreement RA -18-01 for Public Improvements Constructed with
Lodi Shopping Center (PW)
Jennifer Ferraiolo
From: Steve Schwabauer
Sent: Thursday, August 2, 2018 8:18 AM
To: Jennifer Ferraiolo; mark@grapefestival.com; City Council
Cc: Linda Tremble
Subject: RE: next council meeting
From: Linda Tremble
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2018 9:57 AM
To: Steve Schwabauer
Subject: FW: next council meeting
Linda Tremble
Executive Administrative Assistant
221 West Pine Street
Post Office Box 3006
Lodi CA 95241-1910
(209) 333-6700 I (209) 333-6701
www.lodi.gov
Apologies Mark: I am forwarding to council with the answers from last night...I just skipped over the could you please
part and got to the meat of it!
From: Mark Armstrong [mailto:mark@grapefestival.com]
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2018 12:35 PM
To: Linda Tremble <Itremble@lodi.gov>
Cc: 'Kathy Dais' <kathydais@att.net>; Jeff Hood <jhood@lodi.gov>; Charles Swimley <Cswimley@lodi.gov>; Cathi
DeGroot <cdegroot@lodi.gov>
Subject: FW: next council meeting
Could you please forward this to the council members and city manager
From: Brandy Haupt [ma ilto:brandyC gragefestival.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 1:13 PM
To: Mark Armstrong <mark@grapefestival.com>
Subject:
During your next council meeting I will be asking the following question on behalf of Take Back Lodi. I wanted to give
you a little heads up instead of just hitting you with it that night. These are questions our members have come up with
for the Council.
1. Will proceeds from the sales tax increase go into the general fund? Yes. The General Fund is the catch all fund
for all of the services proposed to be provided by the measure: safety, parks and Library. The funds expenditure
will be monitored by an oversight committee and an accountant to ensure they are spent as promised. The
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oversight committee is required to include accounting professionals and meet a minimum of three times a year
and receive an independent report from our independent auditing firm.
2. How many new police officers will be hired if the sales tax increase passes? The initiative is first and foremost
about keeping the officers and services we have. However it will create 11 million dollars in revenue over five
years over what we need to maintain existing services. That money could be used to replace our parks
playgounds at about 1.2 million, add a gang intervention worker and code enforcement officer at 700,000 for
five years and ten officers at 6 million over five years.
3. Will police officers start taking shopping carts being used by homeless people? They already do. Show the
photos. However they often 20 calls to get so this does not hit the top priority. That is why we have special
enforcement teams that focus exclusively on smaller crime out twice per week
4. What is the process for enforcing trespassing laws and why aren't they currently enforced? You cannot trespass
on public property. People are not trespassing on the public street or public park. If they are on private
property we can enforce that. Again though, the officers have to be available to respond. If they are on a
robbery call, they may not get to a trespass...
5. Who will determine where the added tax money will go? The City COuncil
6. How is the Council working to improve the cities' economy so future increases aren't needed. Pension
Stabilization fund (endowment for pension bill) , CFD for new housing, conversion to higher percentage of part
time workers, enticing new employers with energy discounts and upgrades, active in effort to attract tesla,
succeeded with Cepheid active on general mills
7. How will the tent ordinance be enforced and is it really a priority over drugs, defecation, destruction and
crime? Tents are used to conceal most of the crimes you reference. It will not be enforced more than the
others but if available it will be enforced in tandem with them,
8. Would you consider closing Lawrence Park for health and safety reasons? We are considering options for
Lawrence park tonight. Simply closing it is probably not the best option but redirecting it is.
Please keep in mind these are general questions that were formed after I challenged the group. I want you to know that
Office Dunfee is doing a great job. Take Back Lodi is working with Parks & Rec, police and business owners to clean up
the softball complex on Stockton Street. A few steps that have already been taken are making a difference.
Thank you for your support and assistance.
i�.
Brandy Haupt
Lodi Grape Festival
P.O. Box 848
Lodi, CA 95241
(209) 369-2771
Fax (209) 369-9185
brandv@grapefestival.com
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