HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - May 6, 2020 Public CommentComments were received via email (fled) and read into the record from the following members of
the public:
Kathy Carey Dais - problems with the homeless
Amanda Lee - termination of Lodi Police Officer
Jenny Miller -termination of Lodi Police Officer
Theresa Delp - closure of the parking garage
E. Comments by the City Council Members on Non -Agenda Items
Council Member Mounce stated that she appreciated the comments about the closure of the
parking garage, but the City has already responded and the parking garage is open again. She
further staled that Kathy Dais and other members of Take Back Lodi are the reason the City was
as clean as it was despite having people living on the streets, and she agrees with what Ms. Dais
had to say; the City has made strides to help people living on the street, Mayor Kuehne and
Council Member Chandler have worked hard on this issue but it is not obvious to the public; it is
time to make some visible changes; the City needs to designate City -owned property to fence off
and provide and area with bathrooms and sanitation stations to get the homeless out of
downtown and the parks; and Downtown, Lawrence Park, and the PG&E station are all getting
worse, despite Officer Schiele's hard work.
In response to Council Member Mounce, City Manager Schwabauer stated an item would be
brought to Council at either the second meeting in May or the first meeting in June.
Council Member Chandler stated that he agrees with Council Member Mounce regarding finding
space, but there is no reason to expect that the homeless will not be in other areas of the City as
well. He further stated that citizens are accusing the Council of not opening the City, but the
Council does not have that authority and citizens should contact the Governor's office; City
Council will do everything in their power to open the City but at this time, it is just following orders.
Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi stated he supports the comments regarding the homeless and
looks forward to the report. He noted that the City is in the 7th week of the stay-at-home order
which began March 19; the curve has been flattened and the hospital is empty but there is a loss
of jobs and income, and Council has received many emails and letters demanding the City do
something. He stated that he agrees but the City does not have the authority to overrule the
County and the State, and citizens should write to San Joaquin County Public Health and to the
Governor. He further stated that the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors will be discussing
their plan on Tuesday regarding reopening some types businesses, which is the same plan
advocated by the cities in Stanislaus County in their letter to the Governor; he is in favor of
sending the same type of letter.
Mayor Kuehne stated Council has received a variety of smalls regarding opening the City back
up. He noted that a third of the population wants to open up as 1 nothing had happened, a third
is cautiously optimistic and wants to open things slowly and carefully, and a third wants nothing to
open until there is a vaccine. He stated that he has been communicating with Dr. Park on a
weekly basis about her position and how it affects Lodi; Supervisor Winn contacted him regarding
putting together a protocol or a list of businesses to provide protocols for reopening in preparation
for when County Public Health authorizes reopening. Lodi citizens have done an excellent job of
sheltering in place, and there has been only one death and very few cases, so he is supportive of
staff pressing the issue with the County and is willing to sign a letter to the Governor.
F. Comments by the City Manager on Non -Agenda Items
Kaylee Clayton
From:
kathy dais c�
Sent:
Sunday, May 03,2020 144 PM
To:
City Council Comments
Subject:
The downfall of our beautiful City of Lodi
69 years I have been a citizen of Lodi.
I am a founding member of TAKE BACK LODI, with Mark Armstrong.
For the past 4-5 years, I have been watching the elected officials of our town, tuck their tails
between their legs and do nothing about the filthy, stinking, derelict, druggies, and homeless
vagrants. These pitiful excuses for human beings are wandering our town and shitting right in
front of anyone they encounter. And NOT ONE official or LPD will do anything about it. It's
one thing that there is no shelter, but it is quite another to allow ANYONE to display indecent
exposure and behavior and just drop pants and shit in PUBLIC. For that behavior, they should
be locked up. Open the old barracks, or honor farm or whatever, and place them there.
It's been mentioned, "homeless can sleep wherever" because we as a City, do not have a place
for them to go. Simple statement. Simple solution.... Then designate a piece of City Property
specifically for the homeless. Problem solved. Homeless cannot legally sleep wherever they
wish. Setup some outhouses on site, and a few water stations. Now fence and gate that
specific piece of property off. One way in, one way out. Require cooperation from the
"residents". What is so difficult about this idea? The cost should be minimalized to out
houses and water stations, and the fence.. CITY OWNS THE PROPERTY.
Now we the citizens of Lodi can help return our City to what is once was, a beautiful city,
without the streets full of slobs.
Now LPD will be able to enforce our laws about indecent exposure, littering, squatting in parks
and on peoples property, by moving them to this new designated property, or arresting them
upon denial. Get a family member to take responsibility for them.
I think every statement made by officials, excuses the behavior by diverting the problem to
Newsome's laws. IF WE did the above I laid out, Then we can fix things, using Newsomes laws,
by having a place for them.
I am willing to pull together a group of volunteers to assist in any part of
getting SOMETHING done!
I pay taxes, I vote and I demand changes to this AWFUL situation
Kathy Carey Dais
Citizen of Lodi
LD- Y Q d G� '( -( (-Q' 1)
Kaylee Clayton
From:
M Bonilla �>
Sent:
Tuesday, May 05, 2020 1:33 PM
To:
City Council Comments
Cc:
Steve Schwabauer; Janice Magdich; City Council
Subject:
Public Comment on Non -Agenda Items - Regular Meeting 5/6/2020
I am concerned over the recent termination of a Lodi police officer who, in my opinion, rightfully upheld his peace
officer's oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. I am certain the city council has little, if any,
control over staffing issues at Lodi Police Department; however, I feel compelled to express my disappointment publicly.
I have always held the utmost respect for the officers of Lodi Police, and appreciate Chief Patterson's involvement in my
neighborhoods issues over the years; however, I feel that the termination of this officer not only tarnishes the wonderful
record of the Lodi Police Department, but also it drives a wedge into the relationship between the community and the
police.
I assume that the City Attorney, City Manager, and this Council have given directives to the Lodi Police as to how they
expect officers to enforce the shelter in place order. While it might be easy for you to sit in your offices and write those
directives, I ask that you are mindful of the fact that Lodi's police officers are members of this community. Their friends
and families own businesses, they are parishioners at our churches, they are our neighbors. To ask them to conduct
enforcement that is in many cases contradictory to the Constitution of the United States of America, and their oath to
uphold the constitution, puts an undue strain on every police officer and creates division and an anti -police sentiment in
the community. I encourage the city to find alternative ways to enforce their shelter -in-place order. I also encourage the
city to re -instate the officer in question and remove this blemish from his record.
Sincerely, Amanda Lee
2v12,P-,a(0- -rte uNk-IN yr\�,"
Kaylee Clayton
From:
jennifer lynn ->
Sent:
Tuesday, May 05, 2020 3:19 PM
To:
City Council Comments
Subject:
Public Comment on Agenda Item #Police Week
Council Members, et al,
In honor of Police Week, I think Officer Jordan Duncan should be honored for sacrificing his job for his faith, the
Constitution, and the citizens of this city.
He believes (as do I) according to his Christian faith, that God is the author and inspiration behind the unalienable rights
we are afforded in the Constitution.
He believes (as do 1) the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and as such, should be the plumb line the city and
law enforcement uses in its practices.
He believes (again, as do 1) and stood for, at the risk of losing his job, reputation, and livelihood, the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 14th
Amendments, and so much more.
"Greater love has no man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13).
Officer Duncan was fired for questioning and not being willing to enforce the unconstitutional order and the order to cite
and shut down businesses (people's livelihoods). This is what real sacrifice looks like.
Officer Duncan stood on his oath of office to uphold the Constitution. I'd like to see the rest of the police force and it's
Chief do the same thing.
I think this city owes Officer Duncan a debt of gratitude.
Thank you,
Jenny Miller
Pamela Farris
From:
Ressa Delp
Sent:
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 4:23 PM
To:
City Council
Subject:
Parking garage?
Hi there,
I just saw the post on Faubook in regards to the closure of the parking garage starting this Friday. How does
that make any sense now that some business can reopen? I'm failing to see why closing it now is a smart thing
to do.
Thank you,
Theresa
Thank you, Theresa "Ressa" Delp R. Delp Photography 209-625-9411 Website www.rdelpphotograpiry.com