HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - September 13, 2022 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL
SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held
Tuesday, September 13, 2022, commencing at 7:00 a.m.
Present: Council Member Khan, Council Member Kuehne, Council Member Nakanishi, Mayor
Pro Tempore Hothi, and Mayor Chandler
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and Assistant City Clerk Farris
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Christina Jaromay provided a PowerPoint
presentation regarding the Lodi Lake Nature Area. Specific topics of discussion included Lodi
Lake visitation, calls for service, considerations to mitigate future violations, current signage, and
sample of updated signage.
In response to Mayor Chandler, Director Jaromay stated that the two retired annuitants are for all
of the parks, not just Lodi Lake.
City Manager Schwabauer stated that CalPERS may be changing the rules governing the hiring
of retired annuitants, which will affect those positions.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Director Jaromay stated staff is not recommending the
hiring of any additional retired annuitants at this time.
Mayor Chandler suggested signage in Spanish.
Council Member Nakanishi stated the Nature Area is now crowded and patrons are not following
the rules. He noted that there will be a cost to enforcing the rules and feels the public will need to
start paying to help offset that cost.
Council Member Kuehne concurred with Council Member Nakanishi.
Council Member Khan stated that Lodi Lake is a great place for the citizens of Lodi and he
appreciated the suggestions. He stated the park needs to be kept safe and clean.
In response to Mayor Chandler’s question regarding revenue enhancement, Director Jaromay
stated that she does not have projections at this time but Lodi Lake was considered during the
recent fee study. She stated that in order to have a minimal impact on citizens, the entrance fee
for citizens was raised from $4 to $5 and the annual pass remained at $50. Director
Jaromay stated that staff can return to Council with additional revenue information.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hothi, City Manager Schwabauer stated that the $2.5 million
allocated for the Lodi Lake project included funding for streetscape and storm drainage and did
A.Call to Order / Roll Call
B.Topics
B-1 Receive Information on Lodi Lake Nature Area and Provide Direction to Staff on Next
Steps
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not include fiber optics or other improvements, but the project can be modified.
Council Member Nakanishi stated he would like the project modified to include security.
Jay Bell, member of the public, stated that he has been involved with Lodi Lake since 1986 and
he feels the most important issue to address is the need for stronger enforcement against the
intrusions of dogs in the Nature Area. He further noted that signage does not work.
Julie Gionetti-Wahl, a member of the public, stated that she serves as a docent at Lodi Lake,
questioned whether the difference in the number of calls for service may be related to more
people using the Nature Area and reporting problems, and stated that the dog owners can be
confrontational in the Nature Area.
Lisa Craig, a member of the public, stated that she visits Lodi Lake around four times per month
and noted positive things, such as runners’ groups using the park and the possibility of fiber
optics for camera use in the Nature Area. She expressed concerns about the river, including the
speed of the boats and water skiers at night. Ms. Craig also inquired about the City partnering
with the San Joaquin County Sheriffs for enforcement.
City Manager Schwabauer confirmed that the river is under the County’s jurisdiction and the City
had a partnership in place for about a year, but the County discontinued it. He further stated the
City would reach out to the County about renewing a partnership but he is concerned with the low
staffing levels within the Police Department. He noted that Animal Control makes a daily patrol at
the park.
Mayor Chandler noted that Public Safety is doing a great job at Lodi Lake.
Neil Adams, a member of the public, stated that he spends roughly 30 hours per week at the
Nature Area and that many of the ideas presented are good but costly. He further stated that he
thinks the most efficient way to address problems in the Nature Area is to have staff at the gate to
the Nature Area during peak seasons, approximately five to six months of the year, as having
someone in uniform will deter most of the bad behavior.
Mayor Chandler brought up the possibility of an additional fee being charged at the gate for use
of the Nature Area.
Donna Phillips, a member of the public, stated that she has been involved with Lodi Lake for
many years and expressed concern regarding the number of cars parked within the park,
speeding cars, loud stereos, and large parties. She questioned whether parking could be
established on the west side of the park to cut down on the number of car within the actual park.
She noted the need for a master plan for Lodi Lake and an additional guard shack. Ms. Phillips
noted that she agreed with Mr. Adams’ idea for a uniformed staff member at the gate to the
Nature Area.
Joseph Burino, a member of the public, stated that he often goes to Lodi Lake and that no one is
at the gate or in the guard shack, so patrons are not paying to use the park. He suggested the
use of an arm similar to those used in a parking garage to enforcement payment for use of the
park.
Ms. Gionetti-Wahl returned to the podium to state that the signage contains too many words and
is posted too high for easy visibility.
Council Member Nakanishi stated that he liked many of the ideas presented and asked that staff
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return with information regarding the use of guards at the Nature Area and on parking.
Director Jaromay stated that she appreciated the comments and that she would look into the idea
of a security bike patrol and an arm for the gate at the front of Lodi Lake. She noted that if a
guard shack was established at the front of the Nature Area, the attendant would need to have
some type of authority for enforcement.
None.
No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 a.m.
C. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items THE TIME ALLOWED PER NON-AGENDA
ITEM FOR COMMENTS MADE BY THE PUBLIC IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES.
D.Adjournment
ATTEST:
Pamela M. Farris
Assistant City Clerk
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LODI LAKE NATURE AREACity Council Shirtsleeve Meeting -August 30, 2022
LODI LAKE VISITATION2019 2020 2021 2022Iron ranger 4,048 13,416 13,952 11,174Annual passes 360 4,260 9,000 9,920Entrance passes 58,760 46,614 69,120 52,020TOTAL 63,168 64,290 92,072 73,114
CALLS FOR SERVICEJune 1 – July 2Total of 26 calls for service to the Nature Area17 calls related to Animal Control; 14 self-initiated3 calls – injured cat, dog in Nature Area, injured gooseRemaining callsMan living in a tree (5)Lost child relocated with parentsMale/Female disturbanceGas grill brought to Nature AreaJuveniles lighting fireworksHomeless campJuly 3 – 31Total of 17 calls for service to the Nature Area9 calls related to Animal Control; all self-initiatedMan living in a tree (2)People locked in Nature Area (3)Key theftFamilies picnickingJuveniles lighting fireworks
CONSIDERATIONS TO MITIGATE FUTURE VIOLATIONSEnforcementTwo (2) Retired Annuitant Peace OfficersAdditional Retired Annuitant Peace Officer ~$45,000 for 960 HoursAnimal Control Overtime ~$8,000 (Four (4) hour shifts for 44 days)Surveillance CamerasTrail CamerasIT’s Fiber Optics Cable ProjectTurner Rd/Lake Entrance ~$50,000; will not provide infrastructure needed for Nature AreaSignageVarious signs – overall park rules, no dogs, no wading/boating/swimmingRefresh signage
CURRENT SIGNAGE
SAMPLE UPDATED SIGNAGE
QUESTIONS?THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION