HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 29, 2023 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
A.Call to Order / Roll Call
The Special City Council meeting of March 29, 2023, was called to order by Mayor Hothi at 7:00 p.m. at
the LOEL Senior Center, 105 South Washington Street, Lodi.
Present: Council Member Bregman, Council Member Nakanishi, Mayor Pro Tempore Craig, and Mayor
Hothi
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Nashed
B.Regular Calendar
B-1 Interview Applicants and Make Appointment for District 4 Council Seat (CLK)
City Manager Schwabauer provided a brief introduction and announced State of California Certified Court
Spanish Interpreter Rosa Trevizo’s attendance and the availability of Spanish translation. Ms. Treviso
translated the introduction.
Each candidate provided a brief introduction regarding their personal history and qualifications.
The Council was provided with the questions agreed upon at the March 14, 2023 Special Meeting, which
were attached to the staff report posted with the March 29, 2023 Special Meeting agenda. Each member
of Council asked a question to which each candidate provided their answer. The Council Members cycled
through 10 questions.
Mayor Hothi called for public comment.
Joe Ferrari provided public comment regarding the item.
Chris Young provided public comment regarding the item.
Dan Dougherty provided public comment regarding the item.
Lorena Yepez provided public comment regarding the item.
Yina Yepez provided public comment regarding the item.
Monica Valenzuela provided public comment regarding the item.
Rosa Cardenas provided public comment regarding the item.
Sandra Vargas provided public comment regarding the item.
Doug Kuehne provided public comment regarding the item.
Cristina Mercado provided public comment regarding the item.
Angelica Ochoa provided public comment regarding the item.
Mr. Mesa provided public comment regarding the item.
Mayor Pro Tempore Craig thanked the residents that submitted a public comment and thanked the
candidates for applying. She suggested Council take a few days to consider the information provided
before making a decision.
Mayor Hothi advocated for making a decision at tonight's meeting.
Council Member Nakanishi provided a recap of the events of the March 7, 2023 Special Meeting,
reiterated that he favored waiting until the next regular election to fill the seat, that he preferred appointing
a candidate that is not interested in running at the next election, but now that a decision needed to be
made, he preferred waiting until the next Council meeting but would defer to the other member's
preference.
Mayor Hothi called a recess at 9:00 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:07 p.m.
Council Member Nakanishi provided a brief overview of the process and the obligations of the members of
Council.
Mayor Hothi provided a brief statement regarding his support for candidate Ramon Yepez.
Council Member Bregman provided a brief statement regarding the logic behind his decision-making
process.
Mayor Pro Tempore Craig provided a brief statement regarding the logic behind her decision and her
support of Ramon Yepez.
Mayor Pro Tempore Craig made a motion, second by Mayor Hothi, to approve the appointment of Ramon
Yepez to the District 4 Council seat.
VOTE:
The above motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tempore Craig, and Mayor Hothi
Noes: Council Member Bregman, and Council Member Nakanishi
Absent: None
City Council elected to conduct further interview questions with candidates JoAnne Mounce and Ramon
Yepez. Both candidates answered questions regarding development, commitment and community service,
and email vs. person-to-person communication.
Mayor Hothi called for public comment.
Yina Yepez provided public comment regarding the item.
Rosa Cardenas provided public comment regarding the item.
Isabel Ochoa provided public comment regarding the item.
Manuel Zapata provided public comment regarding the item.
Cristina Mercado provided public comment regarding the item.
Lorena Yepez provided public comment regarding the item.
Dan Dougherty provided public comment regarding the item.
Hector Madrigal provided public comment regarding the item.
Maribel Domingues provided public comment regarding the item.
Katelyn Roeduer provided public comment regarding the item.
Resident (no name given) provided public comment regarding the item.
Ria Jones provided public comment regarding the item.
Abel Luna provided public comment regarding the item.
Pat Manly provided public comment regarding the item.
Mayor Hothi made a motion, second by Mayor Pro Tempore Craig, to approve the appointment of Ramon
Yepez to the District 4 Council seat.
VOTE:
The above motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Bregman, Mayor Pro Tempore Craig, and Mayor Hothi
Noes: Council Member Nakanishi
Absent: None
City Clerk Nashed swore in Council Member Yepez.
C.Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 p.m.
ATTEST:
Olivia Nashed
City Clerk