HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - September 15, 2020 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
The Special City Council meeting of September 15, 2020, was called to order by Mayor Kuehne
at 7:18 a.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, all Council Members
participated in the meeting via teleconference and the meeting was available for viewing by the
public via livestream at https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/ and
https://zoom.us/j/94149116757?pwd=QUdQL3RwNStjc1A4Z1JjckltV09rZz09; the opportunity for
public comment was available through councilcomments@lodi.gov and
https://zoom.us/j/94149116757?pwd=QUdQL3RwNStjc1A4Z1JjckltV09rZz09.
Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi,
and Mayor Kuehne
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Cusmir
Information Technology (IT) Manager Benjamin Buecher provided a PowerPoint presentation
regarding City Council Chambers upgrade. Specific topics of discussion included current system,
benefits of the upgrade, examples of technology used in other chambers, estimated time line,
funding, and estimated cost.
IT Manager Buecher answered questions asked by Mayor Pro Tempore Alan Nakanishi about the
integration of the proposed upgrades and the devices currently used by the Council. Mayor Pro
Tempore Nakanishi stated that the upgrades are much needed.
Council Member Chandler asked how the estimate was developed. IT Manager Buecher stated a
consultant the City has been working with provided a rough estimate and listed the items included
in that estimate.
Deputy City Manager Andrew Keys provided more information about funding of the project, noting
that the City has been setting the restricted funds aside for many years foregoing upgrades to the
Council Chambers. Deputy City Manager Key also spoke about how the proposed upgrades will
help to increase accessibility and transparency.
City Manager Steve Schwabauer explained that the upgrades to the Council Chambers are not
intended to replace the current Council iPads, but are intended to provide Council a new tool to
use at Council meetings, in response to a question asked by Council Member JoAnne Mounce.
Council Member Mounce asked if the ability to attend meetings remotely would be improved and
IT Manager Buecher answered that it would be.
IT Manager Buecher said that he would include translation technology into the scope of the
A.Call to Order / Roll Call
B. Regular Calendar
B-1 Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Upgrade of Audio, Visual and Broadcast System in
Council Chambers (IT)
1
project in response to comments made by Council Member Mounce.
Mayor Doug Kuehne asked that staff research the possibility of having the Council meetings
broadcast via the City's radio channel.
Mayor Kuehne stated that the upgrades are long overdue especially when compared to other
meeting venues in the area.
Deputy City Manager Keys reiterated the direction provided by the Council, staff will be mindful of
the budget, ensure improvements to remote access are included, and research expanding
translation capabilities and other accessibility improvements, as well as adding a bid for the ability
to broadcast over radio.
There were no public comments.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned
at 7:39 a.m.
C.Adjournment
ATTEST:
Jennifer Cusmir
City Clerk
2