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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - February 21, 2001 Public CommentContinued February 21, 2001 • Mary Pell, 917 Greenwood Drive, Lodi, stated that she is one of a coalition of citizens that favor a 5mph speed limit on Mokelumne River. She understood that the ultimate decision lies with the Board of Supervisors; however, she felt that the Council should take a formal position on the issue and make a recommendation to the County. She recalled that three times in the past, the Council requested task forces and planners to address river use. In 1967 the Community Development Department recommended a 7mph or less speed limit. In 1987 the Parks and Recreation Department Bigler Plan called for disallowing the use of large power boats and determined that wakes from the boats were breaking down the banks of the river, silting it, and destroying trees. In 1992 the Council -appointed Mokelumne River Access Task Force recommended a 5mph speed limit on the river adjacent to City properties. Additionally, this task force encouraged private property owners along the river to petition the County Board of Supervisors to create a 5mph speed limit. She requested that Council place the issue of river safety on a future agenda. Ms. Pell then read a letter from Amy Fritz, 1234 Rivergate Drive, who was unable to attend tonight's meeting, but wished to express her opinion that the river is too narrow for motorcraft and supported a 5mph speed limit. Ms. Fritz also requested that the Council place the matter on a future agenda. • Carol Royal, 1186 N. Ham Lane, Lodi, stated that her family does not use the river because they feel it is unsafe. She pointed out that the river borders Lodi Lake park and the Council has an obligation to recommend how the Mokelumne River is utilized. She requested that the Council place this issue on a future agenda. • Patrick McGuire, 18934 N. Lower Sacramento Road, Lodi, described personal experiences of dangerous boating situations on the river. He stated that the Mokelumne River Safety Task Force's recommendations fall short because the split use time does not ensure safety. He felt that the City has a responsibility to act on this issue because the majority of people that use the river are Lodi residents. Mr. McGuire urged the Council to place this issue on a future agenda. • Jay Bell, 335 Louie Avenue, Lodi, announced that he was a member of the Mokelumne River Task Force. In his opinion, it appears that the City is not willing to participate in the process of placing regulations on the river even though Lodi's northern City limits are defined by the river and an overwhelming majority of citizens wish to have the regulations. He spoke about erosion due to ski boats and jet ski wakes, noise and water pollution. He urged the Council to ask the County to designate the section of Mokelumne River that borders Lodi Lake and nature area as a special use area with a speed limit of 5mph. In response to Council Member Land, Mr. Bell stated that the majority of the task force members had a "joint use mentality' and safety was not addressed. He pointed out that four of the seven task force members had jet skis docked on the river. In reply to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Bell reported that in five instances of public input opportunities with the task force, 75% of the people who spoke were in favor of a 5mph speed limit on the river or the elimination of motorcraft altogether. • Robin Knowlton, 410 W. Oak Street, Lodi, submitted a list of counter recommendations (filed) and requested that the Council place this issue on a future agenda. The Council expressed consensus for scheduling a special meeting to consider Mokelumne River safety issues. K. COMMENTS BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS • Council Member Howard suggested that Council consider an underpass or divider around Lockeford Street to ensure that individuals crossing the railroad tracks are safe. She commented that it was her understanding that Council considered this previously in 1995; however, with the downtown revitalization, she felt it would be appropriate at this time to reconsider the issue. 16 MOKELUMNE RIVER RECOMMENDATIONS February 2001 The Mokelumne River, from Highway 99 to the Woodbridge dam, is a twisting, snag -filled waterway. It serves as the northern border for the City of Lodi bordering luxury homes, the Lodi Lake Nature Preserve, and Lodi Lake rental sites. It is accessible from a boat ramp in Lodi Lake. This river is home to wildlife including, salmon, otters and nesting herons. We urge the Lodi City Council and the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to: 1. Allow boating -- from Highway 99 to the Woodbridge dam, and into Lodi Lake -- at speeds not to exceed 5 mph. 2. Patrol the river for the first year this speed ordinance is in place. We believe that a well-publicized 5 mph zone would be self-regulating after an initial transition period (including leafleting and ticketing of flagrant violators). 3. Engage in a public awareness campaign that would clearly delineate this stretch of the river as a 5 mph zone. Such a campaign might include flyers distributed to boaters by the Sheriff's department as well as visible signage at the Lake's entrance booth, boat ramp, and in strategic locations along the river. We believe that because of the many snags in the river and its twisting course, speeds higher than 5 mph are unsafe, additionally, speeding boats contribute to habitat degradation and accelerate erosion of the river banks. Noise from speeding watercraft are incompatible with the tranquility people seek when using Lodi Lake, its riverside rental sites and the nature area.