HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - December 17, 2019 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL
SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019
A. Roll Call by City Clerk
An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held
Tuesday, December 17, 2019, commencing at 7:06 a.m., at the Community Partnership for
Families Lodi Family Resource Center, 118 North Church Street, Lodi.
Present: Council Member Chandler, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne
Absent: Council Member Johnson, and Council Member Mounce
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Ferraiolo
NOTE: Council Member Chandler arrived at the meeting at 7:22 a.m.
B. Topic(s)
B-1 Receive Information and Visit the Community Partnership for Families Lodi Family
Resource Center Located at 118 North Street (CLK)
Meredith Baker, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Partnership for Families (CPF) of
San Joaquin County gave a presentation and provided a tour of the Lodi Family Resource Center
located at 118 North Church Street. Specific topics of discussion included overview of CPS, its
resource centers, and services; its move in June 2019 from the previous location on Oak Street to
the facility on Church Street; need for larger facility in Lodi; operation of Centers and other
facilities across San Joaquin County, including Stockton, Tracy, and Lodi; increase in number of
participants needing assistance, as well as the number of service providers; and recent addition
of homeless assistance, which is not funded through homeless funding, such as the Continuum of
Care.
Lynsay Nuss, Site Manager, listed the number of services provided through the CPF Family
Resource and Referral Centers and explained that from 2016 to June of this year, the Center
assisted on average eight homeless individuals a year; however, since the move to the new
location on Church Street, that number has increased to 43, likely because the Center is more
accessible.
In response to Mayor Kuehne, Ms. Baker explained the Cal-Fresh employee training program,
CPF's expansion of the program utilizing both Federal and private funds, and the demanding
steps toward completing the program in order for individuals to get off of government assistance.
With a larger facility, the Resource Center could bring in more agencies. Some agencies currently
have offices in the Center, while other agencies operate programs a few days a week. She stated
the greatest challenge for CPF is space because many of the groups come in at the same time,
which prevents CPF from serving all of the individuals who need assistance.
Ms. Baker reported that the landlord of its facility served CPF with a three-day notice to reduce
the number of clientele and services due to high foot traffic and complaints regarding shopping
carts. CPF is looking into it further. Ms. Baker clarified it is not a notice of eviction; rather, it is a
notice to remedy the situation.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Ms. Baker stated that CPF of San Joaquin County
has a $2.4 million budget, 30 employees, and serves roughly 15,000 clientele a year.
Leah Suelter, owner of the Fashionable You Boutique, stated a group formed the ARCH (Action
to Reduce Crime and Homelessness) Initiative, which works closely with Resource Liaison Officer
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Dan Schiele and toward the goal of getting homeless off of the streets. The group found that CPF
acts as hub and a place for homeless to go during the day to work toward employment. To date,
the group has gotten seven individuals off the street. She stated there are currently 15 members
in the group including two Lodi business owners, police officers from other counties, attorneys,
and Lodi Police Department cadets. The other business owner is from Second Hand Rose. She
provided Council with a log of Lodi ARCH's progress (filed).
Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi stated he supports what the Initiative is doing, but cautioned it can
be controversial because there are some who will look positively on this and others who will not.
Council Member Chandler pointed out the Chamber of Commerce has a healthy community
project and suggested the Initiative seek the Chamber's support.
Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi suggested getting support from the Downtown Alliance as well.
Ms. Suelter clarified that the Initiative is not part of CPF; it simply refers individuals to its facility
for assistance and services.
City Manager Schwabauer stated the lease on the Lodi Adopt-A-Child building ends in spring.
Staff intends to bring forth a Request for Proposals (RFP) in January to entertain interest in using
the facility. To date, Lodi Adopt-A-Child, The Village, and CPF have expressed interest. The RFP
will provide input on each entity's vision and proposal, and Council will ultimately decide which
entity, or entities, to lease the building to.
Matt Teresi with Lodi Adopt-A-Child stated its organization has spent a significant amount of
money dealing with the homeless and he believes CPF has an actionable, organized plan for
addressing it, which is something he supports. He stated he cannot speak for the entire Lodi
Adopt-A-Child Board, but he supports an alliance with CPF on use of the building.
Ms. Baker added that CPF agrees, stating both organizations can support one another with its
programs and its wrap-around services.
"Brian," member of the public, questioned if the Blue Shield property is still vacant, to which
Council Member Chandler replied in the negative.
Mr. Schwabauer further explained that each party submitting an RFP will submit its proposals,
either with no rent but more services or with greater rent, and it will be up to Council on what it
wants for that building and the community. Currently, Lodi Adopt-A-Child does not pay rent on the
building; however, it has spent a significant amount of money toward improving the building.
An unidentified individual representing Lodi Adopt-A-Child added that it also contributes in sales
tax revenue for the community.
Myrna Wetzel, member of the public, questioned if the homeless come to CPF or if staff goes into
the community to help the homeless, to which Ms. Nuss stated that the majority of homeless
individuals are referred to CPS, however, she has done some outreach to the homeless in the
community.
Ms. Baker concluded by stating CPF did not expect such an increase in individuals and service
providers coming to the facility and expressed appreciation to the community for its support.
The meeting concluded with a tour of the facility.
C. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items
None.
D. Adjournment
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No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 a.m.
ATTEST:
Jennifer M. Ferraiolo
City Clerk
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