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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - January 8, 2019 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019 A. Roll Call by City Clerk An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, January 8, 2019, commencing at 7:05 a.m. Present: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Nakanishi, and Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne Absent: Council Member Mounce, and Mayor Chandler Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and Deputy City Clerk Farris NOTE: Council Member Johnson participated in the meeting via teleconference. B. Topic(s) B-1 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department's Annual Update (PRCS) Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Jeff Hood provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Fiscal Year 2017/18 annual update. Specific topics of discussion included accomplishments, financial results, fund balance trend, performance indicators, progress to date, looking ahead, looking beyond 2019, Measure L, Proposition 68, challenges, and summary. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Hood stated that over the past four years, parks maintenance provided by seasonal workers has been reduced by 50 percent due to increased minimum wage and insurance requirements, the public is starting to notice the inability to keep up with maintenance, and available funds are being used for capital maintenance rather than personnel. City Manager Schwabauer added that the final step to the $15/per hour minimum wage will take place in 2022, so the impact will continue. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Hood stated that the City's contact with the State Parks and Recreation Commission, Virginia Madueno, is no longer a commissioner, but he will follow up to see if there is still an interest on the commission in the Lodi Lake aquatic center. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne and Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Hood explained that maintenance crews are focused on high -impact areas, but the Clean Parks/Safe Kids program is a volunteer effort to keep neighborhood parks clean. PRCS Deputy Director Cathi DeGroot added the program is about a month old and is a community outreach effort to clean the parks and to report graffiti and vandalism. While the Adopt -a -Park program is more formalized and involves civic and church groups making long-term commitments, the new program is aimed at individuals or small, informal groups picking up cleaning kits and taking care of their neighborhood park. Both programs will be promoted on the new City website. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Hood stated PRCS recently held a focus group on aquatics in Lodi and that the response was very positive; aquatics staffing has been increased by moving personnel around within the PRCS department; Hutchins Street Square pool users feel confident the City will not be closing the pool; and the public is happy to see the City investing in aquatics, both at Hutchins Street Square and Blakely Park. In response to Council Member Johnson's question regarding recreation programs, Mr. Hood responded adult programs are status quo, other than late-night basketball returning; changes in demographics as baby boomers age has affected adult participation levels; and most youth 1 sports are holding steady, with the exception of basketball which recently experienced a slight decline due to competition from another league. Mr. Hood offered to supply to Council a more detailed recreation program report recently prepared for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Ms. DeGroot added it is the PRCS Department's goal and priority to analyze current programming and develop a five-year strategic plan that is more data driven to address community preferences and needs. In response to Council Member Nakanishi's question regarding Measure L, Mr. Hood explained that improvements to DeBenedetti Park are funded by impact fees, but improvements to Candy Cane Park are a result of the passage of the measure. He further explained that renovations to Candy Cane Park are extensive because to make it compliant with current safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, the entire concrete footprint of the playground will need to be removed, which also impacts irrigation and sidewalks. Mr. Schwabauer added bringing Candy Cane Park up to ADA standards entails extensive concrete work which will impact storm drains; it will probably cost $100,000 just to prepare the park for the playground equipment, as opposed to Glaves Park where new playground equipment could be installed in the existing footprint. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne, Mr. Hood responded that Kofu Park has two courts dedicated solely to pickle ball, two courts which can be used for pickle ball or tennis, and three courts dedicated solely to tennis; and there are no plans currently for indoor pickle ball at the Armory. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne's inquiry regarding the Grape Bowl, Mr. Hood stated the current configuration is ADA compliant and meets the City's needs for youth soccer and football, and while renters may want seating on the North side, they would need to assist in the funding. Larger non -sporting rental events would be possible with seating on the North side, but the stairways on that side are in such poor condition, it would cost approximately $55,000 just to bring them to a safe condition. City Attorney Magdich reiterated that the Grape Bowl is currently ADA compliant for City use. Mr. Schwabauer clarified that it is compliant as there is no seating allowed on the North side. In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Hood provided cost estimates for Measure L projects: Candy Cane Park - $600,000; playground replacements - $200,000 per park; Lodi Lake South Shore parking lot - $1 million; climate control for Hutchins Street Square pool - $300,000; tree maintenance - per Council direction; and replacement of restrooms - $200,000 to $250,000 per park. Mr. Hood stated Legion Park was inadvertently omitted from the list of parks eligible and selected by the Parks & Recreation Commission for consideration for Proposition 68 grant funding application. Van Buskirk Park is eligible but was not chosen by the Commission due to its size and location. In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Hood explained the Proposition 68 grant funding is an application process that will involve much public outreach and research, so staff feels it would be best to concentrate on two parks and submit thorough applications. Mr. Schwabauer clarified that it will be extremely competitive with grant applications exceeding available funding. He added that the City will not hire a grant writer, as Mr. Hood will be able to perform that role. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne's question regarding income from Community Facilities Districts (CFD) not covering maintenance costs, Mr. Hood gave the example of Rose Gate subdivision where maintenance costs last year were approximately $12,000 more than funds received from the CFD. Following discussion regarding raising CFD fees, Mr. Schwabauer explained the CFD is increased 2% annually by index but to increase the fee more, it would need to go to a vote by members of each CFD. Deputy City Manager Andrew Keys further explained that the City receives approximately $175,000 per year from the CFDs but the use of the funds is broader than just park maintenance; funds are added to the General Fund to cover fire, police, and street costs as well. In response to Council Member Nakanishi's request for an update on the homeless situation in 2 the parks, Mr. Hood stated that many homeless have moved from Lawrence Park to other parks; the Softball Complex and Emerson Park have both seen an increase in homeless; Legion Park has a small population of homeless in permanent residence there; and restroom vandalism continues to be a problem. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Hood stated that there are regular encampments of homeless at Lodi Lake, but due to the cover, they are not as visible as at other parks; it is a problem, particularly at the Nature Area and West Bank. As Mr. Hood concluded his presentation, he acknowledged PRCS staff who were present and recognized their contributions: Deputy PRCS Director Cathi DeGroot, Recreation Manager Grant Plath, Recreation Manager Jennifer Winn, Park Supervisor Jason Rickard, Park Project Coordinator Steve Virrey, and Aquatics Coordinator Tyler Ashbaugh. He also recognized the contributions of Mr. Dan Arbuckle, with Headwaters Kayak. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Hood stated that, should the Boys & Girls Club fold, the building would revert to the City, but the club seems to have survived the latest challenges and he is hopeful for its future. Mr. Schwabauer added that the Armory would be in the same position, staff has considered the situations, and he is unsure at this time what the deferred maintenance on those buildings would be. Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne commented that the Kiwanis Club will be making improvements to the shade structure as investment in Lodi Lake is important to the group; recognized the turnaround in revenue in PRCS; applauded the efforts in obtaining the fourth year without bacterial closures at Lodi Lake; and expressed appreciation on behalf of the Mayor to PRCS. Myrna Wetzell, member of the public, questioned 1) if a $300,000 appropriation had been made for Candy Cane Park and 2) why Candy Cane Park is not included on the Proposition 68 list. Mr. Hood replied that 1) $300,000 is the anticipated cost but no appropriation has been made; and 2) Candy Cane Park is not eligible for the grant as it does not meet median income requirements and its proximity to Lodi Lake makes it ineligible for grants based on population density. Mike Lusk, member of the public, expressed his concern over the CFD shortfall, the CFD discount, and the appearance that CFD fees are not being spent within the district where they are collected. Mr. Schwabauer explained that the CFD rate was discounted in exchange for an increase in impact fees, not as a discount to developers; CFD fees cover costs of General Fund services, such as fire, police, street, storm drain, and parks maintenance; these costs exceed the amount collected, so CFD payments are not being bled off to other neighborhoods; and the City currently receives about 16 cents of each dollar paid in property tax, which is an extremely low rate in comparison to other communities, but the rate cannot be renegotiated due to Proposition 13 restrictions. Alex Aliferis, member of the public, expressed his concerns over Lawrence Park and stated Hale Park is still used by many families and he feels that this use contributes to a lessened presence of homeless and drug users. Mr. Hood responded that the City has taken steps at Lawrence Park, including installation of the canine training area, closure of the restrooms, and removal of tables and barbeques; however, concerns remain due to the number of school children who walk past the park who are exposed to the homeless population and drug use each day. He added that Lawrence Park is on the Proposition 68 list; a new master plan is needed to reconstruct the park into something attractive for the neighborhood; used parks are less attractive to homeless; and public engagement is important to the process. C. Comments by Public on Non -Agenda Items None. 3 D. Adjournment No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 a.m. ATTEST: Pamela M. Farris Deputy City Clerk DECLARATION OF POSTING On Thursday, January 3, 2019 in the City of Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, a copy of the January 8, 2019 Shirtsleeve Session Agenda (attached and marked as Exhibit A) was posted on the door 1311 Midvale Road, Lodi, California. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on January 3, 2019 at Lodi, California. ORDERED BY: Posted by: JENNIFER M. FERRAIOLO CITY CLERK 1/3/19 (Date) LODI CITY COUNCIL Carnegie Forum 305 West Pine Street, Lodi *and via conference call: 1311 Midvale Road Lodi, CA 95240 "SHIRTSLEEVE" SESSION Date: January 8, 2019 Time: 7:00 a.m. For information regarding this Agenda please contact: Jennifer M. Ferraiolo City Clerk Telephone: (209) 333-6702 EXHIBIT Al Informal Informational Meeting A. Roll CaII by City Clerk B. Topic(s) B-1 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department's Annual Update (PRCS) C. Comments by Public on Non -Agenda Items D. Adjournment Pursuant to Section 54954.2(a) of the Government Code of the State of California, this agenda was posted at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting at a public place freely accessible to the public 24 hours a day. fifer M. Fe ioio Cr fv Clerk All staff reports or other written documentation relating to each item of business referred to on the agenda are on file in the Office of the City Clerk, located at 221 W Pine Street, Lodi, and are available for public inspection. If requested, the agenda shall be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof. To make a request for disability -related modification or accommodation contact the City Clerk's Office as soon as possible and at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Language interpreter requests must be received at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting to help ensure availability, Contact Jennifer M. Ferraiolo at (209) 333-6702. Solicitudes de interpretacion de idiomas deben ser recibidas por lo menos con 72 horas de anticipacion a la reunion para ayudar a asegurar la disponibilidad. Llame a Jennifer M. Ferraiolo (209) 333-6702. J:\CITYCLRKIAGENDA\SHIRTSLV\SHRTS L V TM CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA ITEM 8-1 AGENDA TITLE: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department's Annual Update MEETING DATE: January 8, 2019 PREPARED BY: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department's annual update. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) is pleased to provide an annual update to the City Council on a variety of matters, ranging from financial results to facility and program improvements. PRCS had another year of positive net revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, increasing the operating fund balance by $248,781 to $1,044,222. This represents a swing of $2,426,790 in six years, starting with a negative fund balance of $861,843 on June 30, 2012 and taking into account $520,725 in fund balance transfers to capital projects during that time. The Department's improved financial performance resulted in significant improvements to our park system, including the first city -funded playground replacement in a generation. In addition, PRCS broadened programming with a successful return of a summer camp program. PRCS staff will present additional details at the meeting about the past fiscal year, accomplishments since July 1, and a preview of potential initiatives for 2019. FISCAL IMPACT: None by receiving this report. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable. JH:tI Par s, Recreati• and Cultural Services Director APPROVED: Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services FY 17/18 Annual Update & Looking Ahead City Council Shirtsleeve January 8, 2019 ccomplishments Park Planning and Operations • New basketball backboards/poles at Legion Park • Replaced Softball Complex scoreboards • Repaired Emerson Park pavers • Repaired rubberized playground surfaces (4 parks) • Replaced Parks Annex roof • Replaced deteriorated pavement on north side of Lodi Lake • Constructed DeBenedetti Park parking lot and trail ccomplishments Recreation • Offered new Lodi Kids Camp (summer) — 249 youth served • 21% Increase in enrollment in fee-based after-school programs • 4% Increase in facility rentals at HSS • 15% Increase in Grape Bowl rentals • 4th consecutive year without bacteria -related beach closure Administration • Awarded $250,000 grant for Nature Area renovations • Created part-time marketing coordinator position • Organizational realignment - 5 business units (PRCS Admin, Park Planning, Park Operations, Recreation, Admin Support) •.ancial Results FY 17/18 PRCS fund balance • Revenue: • Expenses: • Net revenue: • Fund balance: Parks capital • Revenue: • Expenses: • Net revenue: • Fund balance: $6,364,693 $6,115,912 $ 248,781* $1,044,222 $285,832 $382,262 ($96,430) $752,725 *74% of net revenue from salary/benefit savings Fund Balance Trend $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $❑ ($500,000) ($1,000,000) R 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 Performance Indicator • Program revenue up 18% in four years • 40% cost recovery vs. 28% national rate • 66% of expenditures on personnel vs. 55% national • Park maintenance — $5,413/acre vs. $6,589/acre national rate • Operating expenditures per capita/per square mile — $83 vs. $105 national median for similar density 9 Progress to date Administration • Developed Annual Work Plans for all business units • Received $1M State grant for erosion repair • Developed comprehensive capital needs list with priority ranking • Transitioned Activity Guide to digital format • Improved cash -handling policies, procedures, protocols • Website development • Community Outreach and Trade Show display 9 Progress to date Park Planning and Operations • Replaced Glaves Park playground • Refinished Armory floor for sports programs • Assisted Lodi Lions on Emerson Park tot lot replacement • Replaced leaf sweeper • Blakely Park swimming pool renovations underway (CDBG) • Lawrence Park police K-9 area constructed • Created Clean Parks/Safe Kids program to address cleanliness 8/19 Progress to Recreation • Gathered and analyzed 3 years of performance data on user participation • Developed 2 years detailed program budgets • Hired FT aquatics coordinator • Held aquatics focus group with 50 HSS pool users • Assisted with Community Foundation of San Joaquin grants — Lodi Junior Giants $10,000 — BOBS $5,000 Looking Ahead • Kofu Park court resurfacing • Blakely Park pool shade structure (CDBG) • Emerson Park drinking fountain replacement • DeBenedetti Park design services — Jan. 16 Council agenda, public outreach in spring • Candy Cane Park — Plans/specifications near complete, anticipate 2019 construction Looking Ahead Midyear Budget - Will request addition of FT Facilities Worker for Hutchins Street Square • 3 FT in that position as recently as 2006 • Needed to provide weekend support • Rental revenue up 62 percent in six years • No additional General Fund support needed Looking Ahead — Beyond 2019 • Lodi Lake — Erosion control (2021, State grant) — Nature Area amphitheater (by 2024, State grant) • Blakely Park — Sports fields renovations (2020, State grant) • Playgrounds needed — Beckman, English Oaks playgrounds removed — Katzakian Park playground due for replacement • Lodi Lake South Shore parking lot renovation • Climate control system for HSS pool • Tree maintenance • Demo/replace various park restrooms — Vinewood — Lawrence — Legion • $255 million available statewide - applications due in summer • Must serve either (within half-mile radius): — Low-income (below $51,026 household income) — Little park acreage (Less than 3 acres/1,000 residents) • Up to $8.5 million per grant — No local match — Grant can fund design, project management costs — Projects must be completed by June 30, 2022 — P&R Commission selected Hale, Blakely, Hutchins St. Square, and Lawrence for further study Challenges • Annual increases in minimum wage • CFD fees not covering maintenance costs • Recruiting/maintaining part-time workforce — Laborers — After-school staff — Lifeguards • Impact of homeless on parks • Capital needs/ongoing deferred maintenance • Project backlog and staff capacity PRCS is: — Meeting fiscal challenges — Making significant capital investments with existing operating funds — Addressing capital needs through State grants — Working with partners on facilities/programs • Lodi Chamber Tourism VAT • Rotary Clubs • Tree Lodi • Bike Lodi • BOBS • Lions Club • Kiwanis Club • HSS Foundation