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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - October 22, 2019 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019 A. Roll Call by City Clerk An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, October 22, 2019, commencing at 7:02 a.m. Present: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Mounce, Council Member Nakanishi, and Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne Absent: Mayor Chandler Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, Deputy City Attorney Fukasawa, and City Clerk Ferraiolo NOTE: Council Members Johnson and Mounce participated in the meeting via teleconference. B. Topic(s) B-1 Receive Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Annual Update (PRCS) Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Jeff Hood provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) annual update. Specific topics of discussion included facilities managed by PRCS, groups served, marketing and communications, Fiscal Year 2018/19, fund balance history, current challenges, and looking ahead. In response to Council Member Nakanishi, City Manager Schwabauer explained how Proposition 13 works, as well as the funding structure that sets the property tax rate shared between cities and counties, to demonstrate how little homes pay in property taxes to fund City services. Lodi receives 16 cents on the dollar shared between the City and San Joaquin County at a 20/80 percent ratio, while some communities have a 40/60 percent share or even a 50/50 ratio. Additionally, the majority of Lodi residents own their home and have done so more than the life of Proposition 13. Mr. Schwabauer further explained the City has a Community Facilities District (CFD) to help pay for new homes, which is in addition to the property tax bill. In further response, Mr. Schwabauer explained that all City costs are increasing more than revenues and that cuts may be necessary in order to maintain City parks. Council Member Johnson questioned whether staff has researched some of the PRCS-related costs, particularly how it relates to getting the Boosters of Boys/Girls Sports (BOBS) Organization more involved, and if those costs can be reduced, such as fingerprinting coaches once instead of every two years. He stated he contacted Assemblymember Cooper's Office to ask if he would pursue a change in law that the Department of Justice cut fees on fingerprint checks in an effort to keep recreational programs costs down to encourage more children to participate in programs and stay off the streets. Mr. Hood responded that various recreational organizations, as well as the City's Human Resources Department, recommends coaches be fingerprinted every two years as a best practice. He stated the cost to fingerprint volunteers is not significant; the issue is the time it takes for both PRCS and Human Resources staff to fingerprint roughly 200 individuals annually. There is also staff time involved in hiring officials, creating team rosters, taking in registration fees, etc., that PRCS could use some assistance from BOBS. Mr. Hood stated BOBS is already assisting PRCS with field lining and day-to-day maintenance, especially on weekends, and each year the organization takes on more. Some of the BOBS programs are completely outside of PRCS registration. Lisa Craig, Executive Director for the Historical Society, thanked PRCS for its public outreach efforts to involve the public in its decision-making process and hopes that continues after the 1 retirement of Mr. Hood. She further expressed the importance of respecting the value in a community's culture and the value in its historical places, such as Lodi's oldest park, Hale Park, and the Grape Bowl. She shared with Council a recent survey the Historical Society did to get feedback from residents on their favorite Lodi landmarks and stated that the organization partnered with the City on the Hale Park grant project. She reminded Council of the importance of enhancing parks and its programs, to remember that during budget time, and to consider adding staff to help maintain community parks. Alex Aliferis suggested the City consider utilizing private-public partnerships to accomplish tasks such as landscaping and maintenance at parks. He understands this option could be challenging in California due to government union backlash, but many states outside of California are increasing their usage of private-public partnerships to perform certain services and are successful in doing so. With regard to Proposition 13, he stated he will stand up for that piece of legislation because, without it, the cost of living and rents will increase and low-income families will be negatively affected. Curt Anderson, President of BOBS, thanked Mr. Hood for his time and commitment to BOBS. The organization has existed for 60 years and has a great relationship with the City. He stated BOBS is committed to doing what it can to keep its programs going and has internally discussed taking on additional roles to assist PRCS. BOBS is ready to take on this challenge, and he stated the group looks forward to negotiating with PRCS. Aaron Van Nortwick, member of the Parks & Recreation Commission, thanked Mr. Hood for his time and efforts, stating he leaves behind a legacy of finding smart and creative ways to address financially difficult situations. He stated the Commission wants a parks system that shines, whether it is accomplished through the public sector, private-public relationships, or volunteers. He stated he was pleased to hear that BOBS is willing to continue assisting the City because it is a wonderful organization. He suggested the Grape Bowl could be utilized more, stating it has been many years since a tournament was held at the facility. He stated that having facilities available to do that would increase revenue and bring in greater tax dollars with visitors to Lodi. Mr. Hood reported this is his last Council meeting before retirement and thanked the City of Lodi, current and former City Managers, Council, and the Recreation Commission for all that has been provided to him and his family and for the continued support and confidence that was extended to him. Council Member Johnson recapped all that BOBS has done for the City over the last 60 years, including building Salas Park, contributing to capital projects, and its continued assistance to relieve the burden on the PRCS budget. He further commended Mr. Hood, stating he will be greatly missed. Council Member Mounce also thanked Mr. Hood, adding she was pleased to see Candy Cane Park refurbished and close to completion. Further, she stated she hopes the League of California Cities will take up the issue of cost sharing between cities and counties to encourage legislation that would put this on a more level playing field. Mark Armstrong, Executive Director of the Lodi Grape Festival, commented on the recent fire at Zupo Field, stating that five to six years ago a vibrant league program participated in activities at Zupo, but it was asked to leave, which eliminated a place for local people to play sports. He stated the City should pay the $250,000 deductible, but there should be a cooperative effort among individuals and organizations who know about baseball to discuss how the field should be developed. He stated the current layout of the field is not functional. If money is spent to repair the field, then he believes it should be done in such a way that will get people playing at the field and get Zupo back on its feet. He stated there is more to Zupo Field than baseball and there is likely community organizations or private individuals who would invest to repair the facility. Mr. Schwabauer clarified that he was not attacking Proposition 13 nor does he want it eliminated; rather, his intention was to explain the effects of Proposition 13 and how the share is split between the City and county. Lastly, he thanked Mr. Hood for his many years of service with the 2 City of Lodi and all that he has accomplished, including taking PRCS from a $1 million deficit into the black and paying off the general fund loan to the department. He stated that, while Mr. Hood ruffled feathers by requiring departments and outside organizations to give more money to fix the department, he leaves with significant support from all of them. The City owes Mr. Hood a great debt. All of the Council Members expressed gratitude and appreciation for Mr. Hood's service. C. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items None. D. Adjournment No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 a.m. ATTEST: Jennifer M. Ferraiolo City Clerk 3 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Past, Present and Future October 22, 2019 What We Manage •367 acre park system •28 Community / Neighborhood Parks •58 acres of Natural Area •75 acres underdeveloped park sites •(3) Regional Attractions –Lodi Lake & Nature Area –Hutchins Street Square –Grape Bowl Stadium •Water Recreation – 25 Acre Lake with Access to Mokelumne River; 1 boat launch, 1 swimming beach, 1 fishing dock and 3 pools. •16 Athletic Fields •19 Playgrounds; 14 picnic sites and shelters •13 Indoor Rental Spaces Who We Serve Annually •Lodi Residents and Visitors •500,000+ park visitors •150,000+ program and event participants •30,000+ customers for rentals and park permits •Community Special Events –Art Hops –Music in the Park –Family Egg Hunt –Fishing Derby –Taco Truck Cookoff –Celebrate America –Fourth of July –Blues & Brews –Zinfest / Sandhill Crane Festival –Pigskin Fall Formal –Casino Night –Winter Wonderland Marketing and Communications •In-house, part-time Marketing/Communications Coordinator •PRCS Website – 65+ Pages •32-Page publication – Play Lodi! –Printed 3 times per year –Advertising available •LUSD School-age digital newsletter – Play Today! •Print and Digital collateral materials •Photography and Videography •Social Media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter •Press Releases and Media Alerts •E-communications to 6,800+ households •Community Outreach and Trade Shows •Major accomplishments –Master Plan for DeBenedetti Park –Constructed Glaves playground –Prop 68 outreach •Held 15 public meetings on evenings, weekends –Significant park upgrades under contract •Candy Cane •Kofu/Legion courts –Banned chemical use near playgrounds –Repaired picnic shelters –HSS theater RFP Fiscal Year 2018/19 •Revenues exceeded budget by $90,000 –Total revenues $6,397,079 •Expenses were $95,000 under budget –Total expenses $6,317,035 •Year -end fund balance: $1,097,749.14 Fiscal Year 2018/19 Fund balance history •$50 million in deferred capital projects –Continued use of operational savings to fund urgent projects •Stagnant tax support –$3.3M in 2005, 44 FT; $3.2M today, 24 FT •>40% Cost Recovery (fees/charges); 28% national average •Impact of homeless in parks •89% increase in minimum wage, benefits for PT labor 2013-2020 •Recruiting and maintaining part-time workforce •Project backlog due to organizational capacity issues Current Challenges •Blakely Park Improvements –Sports fields renovations (2020, $882,340 State grant) –New restroom building •Prop 68 – State of California Parks & Water Bond of 2018 –Hale Park - $4.43 million requested –Blakely Park - $5.43 million requested –Lodi Lake Riverfront Trail - $1 million requested •Lodi Lake –Erosion control (2021, $1 million State grant) –Nature Area amphitheater (by 2024, $250,000 State grant) Looking Ahead •2020 Concert Series – HSS Performing Arts Theater •Fate of Zupo Field •Fate of Grape Bowl -- $760,000 turf replacement needed soon •DeBenedetti Park development •Orchard Lane Park •Villa Fiori Park •Rose Gate II •Gateway North •Relationship with BOBS •Customer satisfaction surveys •Leadership transition Looking Ahead Thank you! Q & A