City Council on 2026-07-15 7:00 PM

Lodi, CA · · More Lodi, CA meetings · More California meetings

Transcript

Download: Text · SRT
SOURCE TRANSCRIPT

This transcript is downloaded from the source you provided but we haven't reviewed it for accuracy. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record. You can also request an AI-transcription of the audio file with the button to the left.

[0:58] we're going to return from a
[1:02] closed session at 7:04 P.M.
[1:05] City attorney and you read out
[1:05] no matters to report this
[1:06] evening.
[1:13] Q first we have our invocation
[1:14] session or call to civic
[1:14] responsibility chaplain matt
[1:16] lou.
[1:20] >> good evening greg.
[1:24] Heavenly father, this evening
[1:25] we pray for our nation, state,
[1:28] city and civic leaders.
[1:29] We have them before you asking
[1:31] for your covering hands for
[1:31] wisdom and strength.
[1:35] During this meeting grant them
[1:35] wisdom in the decisions they
[1:39] make in governing us.
[1:39] Summon them with your
[1:40] protection and remind them that
[1:43] their work is noble and deeply
[1:46] valued.
[1:47] MAY they always know that they
[1:51] or that they but the never
[1:51] known as they make decisions
[1:54] governing us in your holy name
[1:54] we pray.
[1:54] Amen.
[1:58] And thank you.
[1:59] >> bill join me for the flags
[2:01] salute.
[2:01] Ready?
[2:02] Salute.
[2:08] I bless the united states of
[2:10] america the reality for which
[2:12] it stands one nation under GOD,
[2:15] indivisible with liberty and
[2:22] justice for all.
[2:23] So this is the regular meeting
[2:25] for JULY 15th convening at 7:06
[2:26] P.M..
[2:28] >> roll call please.
[2:32] Councilmember bregman, your
[2:32] councilmember nakanishi
[2:36] councilmember craig hensley and
[2:36] mayor pro tem jose here.
[2:37] >> thank you.
[2:37] Thank you.
[2:40] are we doing the junior giants
[2:41] recognition?
[2:53] Am I missing a resolution
[3:30] ?
[3:40] MR.
[3:51] .
[3:52] Okay.
[3:55] S here to accept the
[3:56] recognition for junior giants
[3:57] we have deputy director emerson
[3:59] yellen and the junior giants.
[4:03] >> if you wanted to just come
[4:04] up to the podium as I read this
[4:07] out here.
[4:07] Whereas the lodi junior giants
[4:11] provides free baseball and
[4:12] softball opportunities that
[4:14] encourage youth to develop
[4:15] confidence, leadership,
[4:16] teamwork, integrity and help
[4:19] healthy lifestyles while
[4:19] ensuring that every child has
[4:20] the opportunity to participate
[4:21] regardless of financial
[4:23] circumstance choices.
[4:24] Whereas the junior giants is
[4:27] the nation's largest free,
[4:28] noncompetitive youth baseball
[4:31] and softball program serving
[4:31] more than 24,000 young people
[4:32] annually throughout california,
[4:34] oregon, nevada.
[4:38] Through the support sport of
[4:39] support of the san francisco
[4:40] giants community foundation
[4:43] whereas the lodi junior giants
[4:43] has grown into one of the
[4:46] largest junior giants leagues
[4:49] in the entire program and in
[4:52] 2026 provides proudly serves
[4:52] 563 players on 36 teams.
[4:53] Made possible through the
[4:56] dedication of ore than 50
[4:57] volunteer coaches and
[4:58] volunteers as well as three
[4:59] junior giant ambassadors
[5:00] serving through amir corp's
[5:03] program who work alongside the
[5:03] city of lodi parks and rec
[5:04] department.
[5:07] whereas in 2026 a lot of junior
[5:07] giants program reached another
[5:10] milestone by becoming one of
[5:10] the inaugural communities
[5:14] selected to offer a special
[5:14] dedicated special olympics
[5:15] division through partnership
[5:18] with a junior giant in special
[5:18] olympics northern california
[5:20] creating new opportunities for
[5:21] athletes and intellectual
[5:22] disabilities to participate,
[5:25] build friendships, develops
[5:25] skills, experience the joy of
[5:26] being part of the team.
[5:29] Whereas the success of lodi
[5:30] junior giants would not be
[5:31] possible without the dedication
[5:32] of volunteer coaches, team
[5:33] parents, city staff, community
[5:36] partners, families whose
[5:37] service creates long lasting
[5:37] memories and positive
[5:41] experiences for local youth.
[5:41] Now therefore be it proclaimed
[5:44] that the city of lodi does
[5:45] hereby recognize and celebrate
[5:48] the lodi junior giants and
[5:49] extend sincere appreciation to
[5:52] all players volunteers,
[5:52] coaches, families and
[5:53] supporters for their commitment
[5:56] to enriching the lives of lodi
[5:57] youth and strengthening our
[5:57] community.
[6:00] The power of play inclusion and
[6:01] service sign this 15th day of
[6:07] JULY 2026.
[6:11] >> the resolution.
[6:12] Yeah.
[6:19] Thank you.
[6:23] I've never.
[6:23] Thank you all.
[6:34] Thank you
[6:36] .
[6:40] Next we have a presentation of
[6:44] a certificate of appreciation
[6:45] or outgoing city clerk olivia
[6:48] nash said this is her last
[6:48] council meeting with us.
[6:51] olivia I remember vividly
[6:52] sitting on your interview panel
[6:53] back in 2022 and you've always
[6:55] been a very bright spot as far
[6:59] as ur city staff is concerned.
[6:59] I always enjoyed my
[7:00] interactions with you and just
[7:02] you and I think I speak for the
[7:03] entire council when I say that
[7:04] so I'll just go and read off
[7:05] your recognition here.
[7:09] The office of the municipal
[7:10] clerk is one of the oldest
[7:11] offices in public service and
[7:14] serves as the professional link
[7:15] between the governing body city
[7:18] departments elected fficials
[7:18] and residents.
[7:19] We think and appreciate olivia
[7:22] nash head for the outstanding
[7:25] dedication and professionalism
[7:26] she has demonstrated in support
[7:28] of the city of lodi over the
[7:29] past 40 years.
[7:29] Her commitment to the city of
[7:32] lodi and her unwavering
[7:33] integrity have been invaluable
[7:36] and reflect her exceptional
[7:36] character as lodi city clerk
[7:39] and custodian of the city seal.
[7:40] >> the city council staff and
[7:44] community extend our sincere
[7:44] gratitude for her resilience
[7:48] and devotion to the mission of
[7:48] good governance.
[7:49] Her leadership has made a
[7:52] lasting and meaningful
[7:53] difference in the city of lodi.
[7:55] Signed this 15th day of JULY
[8:05] 2026
[8:17] we all set up for the photo.
[8:21] Not everybody thinks she's
[8:23] going to say a few words here
[8:24] to her.
[8:31] Just a thank you to mayor pro
[8:32] tem jose councilmember bergman
[8:33] councilmember nakanishi
[8:35] councilmember craig hensley for
[8:39] the last really memorable four
[8:39] years.
[8:43] but I also want to thank the
[8:43] city staff.
[8:46] I know they've all gone home
[8:50] for the evening but I just want
[8:54] to say a very sincere thank
[8:55] you.
[8:56] I know they serve the city not
[8:58] only with their skills but also
[8:59] with their hearts.
[9:02] I've seen dedication.
[9:02] I've seen resilience.
[9:05] I've seen commitment to serving
[9:09] the city with the best customer
[9:10] service that they can provide.
[9:20] They have taught me so much in
[9:21] the last four years and I will
[9:22] take those lessons with me on
[9:22] my next adventure.
[9:23] >> so.
[9:33] So thank you
[9:52] very
[10:04] very my comments.
[10:05] Oh please.
[10:05] Okay.
[10:09] I'm going to comment because I
[10:12] work so closely with you and
[10:12] maria.
[10:13] When I was serving as mayor and
[10:17] you know it's it's not fully in
[10:17] your job description.
[10:20] >> you know how you serve
[10:20] council.
[10:21] But I will say you have always
[10:24] been there when I asked for
[10:25] something and I didn't ask for
[10:28] small things create a grant
[10:28] program for us.
[10:28] >> olivia.
[10:29] Okay.
[10:32] I want to fill 47 seats on
[10:32] boards and commissions.
[10:35] >> olivia.
[10:36] You took on our my calendar
[10:39] when I was mayor and that's not
[10:39] an easy task.
[10:40] As you understand, in my
[10:42] multiple jobs.
[10:43] So trying to fit in
[10:44] appointments and meetings with
[10:47] constituents and meetings with
[10:47] staff.
[10:51] You did a phenomenal job.
[10:52] You've reorg that department
[10:55] and I think we are set well to
[10:58] go into our our next few years
[11:01] with a very strong set of
[11:02] guiding principles for that
[11:06] department and I'm I just know
[11:09] we're we're going to MISS You
[11:09] but and you're irreplaceable
[11:14] but I get to see you at least I
[11:14] get to talk with mayor marshawn
[11:17] since he sits on my rail
[11:18] commission and I'll give him
[11:21] heck about the fact that he
[11:22] stole your away from us.
[11:23] So thank you for all of your
[11:27] service to our city.
[11:28] >> olivia thank you very much
[11:31] for your resilience and your
[11:32] patience with me and the rest
[11:33] of the council.
[11:35] We appreciate your time to the
[11:39] city and again working for the
[11:40] city f lodi is more than just
[11:41] a job for you and I realize
[11:43] that and recognize that and I
[11:44] think everyone else in the room
[11:47] knows that you only can be good
[11:51] at your job if you have to do
[11:51] it but you can be great at your
[11:53] job if you love it and you
[11:54] absolutely love it and the city
[11:55] loves you oo.
[11:58] So thank you very much and best
[11:58] of luck to you in your
[11:59] endeavors.
[12:02] Thank you, olivia.
[12:03] I've been a mayor.
[12:05] I've been to city council a ot
[12:06] of time.
[12:06] Right.
[12:07] And you're one of the best I
[12:10] must say that we come to you
[12:11] off of you have a smile on your
[12:11] face.
[12:12] You make people feel good and
[12:13] you've done so much for me.
[12:15] Thank you so much.
[12:21] Thank you, MADAM City clerk,
[12:22] for one last time can you
[12:25] present the consent calendar
[12:29] for our consent calendar
[12:30] tonight?
[12:33] While it's very few item there
[12:34] was a lot of minutes and I am
[12:38] proud to say so shout out to
[12:42] pam ferris for all the minutes
[12:42] that she prepared.
[12:44] So we have item c12c3 there are
[12:45] no changes so we submit it to
[12:47] council for your review and
[12:51] approval.
[12:52] Thank you.
[12:52] Actually yeah I'm I'm only
[12:55] pulling c one for just one
[12:56] additional comment.
[12:58] Thank you for providing a
[12:59] comprehensive list of of the
[13:03] back minutes and just as a note
[13:03] I've spoken city manager is
[13:05] going to take a look at these
[13:06] oftentimes there's action items
[13:09] in the minutes that we remind
[13:10] our own selves when we read the
[13:14] minutes about and kudos to ur
[13:14] city manager who is going to
[13:17] take those on and actually
[13:20] continue crafting a list of
[13:21] items pending for response to
[13:25] council items completed for
[13:25] response to council so that
[13:28] will understand that these
[13:29] items have been taken care of.
[13:31] So thank you very much for
[13:32] putting that all together for
[13:32] us.
[13:35] Tat's okay.
[13:40] Any other comments?
[13:41] Seeing none but any members of
[13:43] the public like to pull an item
[13:44] the consent calendar seeing
[13:47] none entertain a motion moved
[13:50] to approve consent calendar
[13:57] second.
[13:58] >> and before I put up the
[14:02] results for the purposes of
[14:02] tonight's meeting the vote
[14:05] that's for ramona pez it's
[14:12] actually mayor pro tem holly
[14:16] motion passes next comments by
[14:17] the public on non agenda items
[14:20] do we have any comments?
[14:23] Yes I do have three comment
[14:24] cards for tonight.
[14:24] The first one I have is from
[14:35] travis castle
[14:45] Thank you for having me.
[14:46] So I'm travis castle and I'm
[14:47] the founder of the path to
[14:48] humanity.
[14:49] We have been running a discount
[14:52] card program this spring and
[14:53] the beneficiaries are going to
[14:56] be receiving their checks so
[14:58] the discount card you scan a qr
[15:01] code, you have access to
[15:01] thousands of discounts
[15:02] throughout the state of
[15:05] california and as you see in
[15:06] your packet we have copies of
[15:09] the checks that are distributed
[15:10] to the beneficiaries.
[15:13] So what happens is the third
[15:16] party vendor takes $7 per card.
[15:16] The remainder goes to
[15:17] nonprofits.
[15:19] As you can see here.
[15:20] And we'll start with the first
[15:33] beneficiary which is oh my so
[15:34] it was a real big privilege to
[15:36] be able to support them.
[15:37] They also they run the access
[15:40] center and they do a lot of
[15:41] really good work for us.
[15:42] Yeah for the city and it's an
[15:44] absolute honor to present this
[15:54] to them
[15:55] And the other beneficiary is
[15:59] the salvation army which is
[15:59] they speak for themselves.
[16:11] They nternational powerhouse
[16:23] the so please feel free to scan
[16:27] the qr code purchase here
[16:30] discount card the funds for the
[16:30] one to spec their benefits to
[16:33] the salvation army directly and
[16:34] you can see the financial
[16:35] breakdown and there are fliers
[16:38] in the back of the room and
[16:41] thank you for your time with
[16:42] GOD and the power of this
[16:43] community we can make the
[16:45] impossible routine.
[16:45] Thank you.
[16:46] Thank you, MR. Castle and the
[16:49] path to humanity for your
[16:50] generous contributions.
[16:50] Appreciate it.
[16:53] Next next public comment.
[17:04] Joseph mcbride well, good
[17:04] evening.
[17:05] Thank you or having me.
[17:08] My name is captain joseph
[17:08] mcbride.
[17:11] I've actually been in this
[17:12] community for about two weeks
[17:12] now.
[17:13] I'm the new corps officer for
[17:15] the salvation army lodi corps.
[17:16] My wife and I have been
[17:18] appointed to this location.
[17:19] It's been the first year back
[17:20] to our home division.
[17:23] We've served in del oro
[17:23] division before.
[17:24] And so we've been an organ for
[17:27] the last nine years and so it's
[17:28] a privilege to be back closer
[17:30] to family closer to home but
[17:31] also to be able to serve in the
[17:31] city of odi.
[17:34] We are excited for what is
[17:35] going to take place here and we
[17:38] continue to ask for GOD's
[17:39] guidance as we continue to
[17:39] serve through the through the
[17:42] ministry in the vehicle of the
[17:42] salvation army.
[17:46] And my nervous yes.
[17:46] But at the same time we know
[17:47] that GOD is going to do some
[17:49] amazing things and we're just
[17:50] excited to come alongside our
[17:52] community and to make the best
[17:53] impact as much as possible with
[17:57] our leadership and we hope that
[17:57] in time when we can look back
[18:01] and see a a love footprint and
[18:01] what we can accomplish here.
[18:04] So thank you for having me.
[18:05] If you're wanting to stop by
[18:08] and visit you know we're
[18:09] relocated and I'd love to meet
[18:09] with you and take some time to
[18:12] really get to know you as well
[18:12] as you get to know me.
[18:13] Thank you very much for having
[18:17] me.
[18:17] Thank you.
[18:21] Welcome to lodi.
[18:22] >> and the last comment card I
[18:22] have is from alex.
[18:31] All fairness.
[18:32] >> hello, everybody.
[18:36] I want to bring awareness to an
[18:39] issue on east locust street.
[18:44] They on the on the street the
[18:46] cross streets of central
[18:47] garfield washington and well,
[18:52] probably what stockton I think.
[18:55] But there's been nasty
[18:56] accidents especially in front
[19:00] of my house because people on
[19:00] garfield are trying to take a
[19:03] left turn.
[19:04] And then you have speeders on
[19:05] east locust.
[19:07] There was a nasty accident.
[19:08] I mean this this there were two
[19:09] cars that got into a nasty
[19:12] accident from near my house on
[19:13] the corner.
[19:15] And they nearly damaged the
[19:16] neighbor across the street.
[19:19] It went on the sidewalk.
[19:20] I mean just imagine if if and
[19:24] there's a lot of kids play
[19:25] around there with their
[19:25] scooters and all that.
[19:26] >> just imagine that there is a
[19:28] kid right there.
[19:29] A kid would have been dead now
[19:29] or even, you know, severely
[19:31] injured.
[19:32] And there's been I, I could
[19:35] just go on and on.
[19:36] There needs to be a four way
[19:37] stop signs on these locust
[19:39] street because they're speeding
[19:39] down there.
[19:42] Then with all these cars parked
[19:42] you cannot see when you're
[19:43] trying to take a left or right
[19:46] turn because you have to go
[19:46] beyond the white line.
[19:53] And also in downtown on west
[19:53] locust street and sacramento
[19:55] street right by five windows
[19:59] you need a4a4 way stop.
[20:02] Because I remember, you know,
[20:05] telling the other the past
[20:06] couple of years ago one of the
[20:06] to the city that there needed
[20:09] to be a stop sign on school
[20:14] street nd west loop and west
[20:14] locust street and they finally
[20:17] put like a four way like a four
[20:19] way stop instead of having a
[20:19] two way stop.
[20:23] And yeah, it it's just it's
[20:26] just getting out of control and
[20:27] there MAY be more accidents
[20:27] down the line.
[20:30] I also want to bring awareness
[20:33] of two propositions that
[20:34] citizens ought to vote yes very
[20:38] few times that you should vote
[20:42] yes yes on prop 43 and yes on
[20:43] prop 39.
[20:46] And I think 43 is regarding we
[20:49] need a voter I.D. In our in our
[20:50] elections.
[20:53] >> and by the way, for those of
[20:56] you don't know, in 1998 the
[20:56] state of california removed
[20:59] voter I.D..
[21:00] So we've had a history of voter
[21:04] I.D. In california and those
[21:04] it's illegal.
[21:06] Everyone has an I.D. To board
[21:07] an airplane.
[21:08] You need I.D. To go on the air
[21:11] on a train to buy tickets
[21:11] online.
[21:13] You got to have an I.D., buy
[21:14] alcohol, marijuana.
[21:17] You need I.D. To buy cigarets
[21:19] you need I.D. To go to a
[21:22] nightclub or to a bar to get a
[21:22] drink.
[21:24] You need to be 21 show I.D.
[21:25] Drive.
[21:29] You should be having an I.D. I
[21:29] know many californians you know
[21:33] are driving on our streets with
[21:34] no driver's license r no
[21:36] insurance and I got hit by one
[21:37] of those guys.
[21:40] And you know, it's bad enough
[21:40] the guy was illegally in his
[21:43] country.
[21:44] >> but yeah, vote yes on a
[21:47] voter I.D. And then vote yes on
[21:50] saving prop 13.
[21:51] The state of california wants
[21:54] to erode prop 13 and over time
[21:58] they've done that for example,
[22:02] prop 13 what it does it sets
[22:03] the property rate at 1% of
[22:06] assessed value.
[22:06] It restricts annual increases
[22:10] of assessed value not to exceed
[22:10] 2% per year.
[22:14] It establishes property value
[22:14] for tax purposes at its
[22:18] purchase price and requires
[22:18] reassessment upon change of
[22:21] ownership.
[22:22] It requires a local special tax
[22:25] increases be approved by voters
[22:26] with a wo thirds vote
[22:29] including partial taxes.
[22:33] And it requires that state tax
[22:34] increases be approved by a two
[22:34] thirds vote of each house.
[22:37] The legislature and as you all
[22:41] know, most of these
[22:42] propositions they put on the
[22:42] ballot it's all about tax
[22:45] increases and I could go on I
[22:46] mean I got a couple seconds
[22:48] here you guys want to know how
[22:49] bad it is in california and
[22:52] these are stuff that I pulled
[22:52] ten years ago.
[22:53] We have the highest individual
[22:56] income taxes of all the 50
[22:56] states.
[22:59] We have the high california
[23:00] corporate tax.
[23:00] >> california has a nice high
[23:03] highest sales tax and governor
[23:08] newsom actually increased it to
[23:09] 11.25%.
[23:12] We have the second highest gas
[23:13] tax in the state.
[23:16] Of course we're probably number
[23:16] one.
[23:17] >> california has a top two
[23:20] highest unemployment rates in
[23:21] the nation.
[23:21] We're worst in the nation for
[23:24] job creation and california is
[23:27] one of the 45 worst states for
[23:27] retirees to live.
[23:31] Everyone wants to go to idaho.
[23:31] Florida.
[23:32] Your republican states.
[23:32] Texas.
[23:32] Nevada.
[23:35] So yeah, we got a lot of stuff
[23:38] going with any other members of
[23:42] the public.
[23:43] Like to make a comment?
[23:45] Seeing none counsel comments on
[23:50] an agenda that's over just a
[23:55] couple a couple of things.
[23:59] Attended this past week last
[24:00] week two rail commission
[24:04] activities one was the san
[24:04] joaquin regional rail
[24:07] commission meeting and
[24:08] pertinent to lodi out of that
[24:11] is that the rail commission has
[24:12] applied for a christie grant to
[24:15] fund the design and planning
[24:19] for the lodi station the west
[24:23] lodi station so off kettleman
[24:23] so whereas that project had
[24:26] taken a pause for a while it's
[24:30] now back in the the that run of
[24:32] activities for the rail
[24:33] commission so that's one thing.
[24:34] The next day we did a ribbon
[24:37] cutting for basically a
[24:40] pedestrian bike bus multimodal
[24:41] as well as landscape
[24:41] improvements, sidewalk
[24:45] improvement, street
[24:45] improvements on the channel
[24:46] street project in stockton.
[24:49] And the reason I bring that up
[24:50] was because of the relevance to
[24:53] our efforts for our area where
[24:54] we have transit and we're
[24:56] trying to connect main street
[24:57] to the rest of downtown.
[25:01] >> so S.J. Cog, the san joaquin
[25:02] council of governments worked
[25:04] with the city of stockton and
[25:05] the rail commission to provide
[25:05] funding for that project.
[25:08] I think that that's something I
[25:11] would look forward to our staff
[25:12] researching some more looking
[25:13] at the options they had for
[25:15] piecing together funding to get
[25:16] that channel street project
[25:19] completed so just two big
[25:19] things and then the last thing
[25:26] I'll say is on friday, JULY
[25:27] 31st at 11 A.M. The chamber of
[25:29] commerce will be sponsoring
[25:30] along with the san joaquin
[25:31] regional rail commission a
[25:33] ribbon cutting and a passenger
[25:34] appreciation day at our transit
[25:38] center because of the gold un
[25:38] or amtrak amtrak line that
[25:41] comes through there around 1130
[25:41] each day now.
[25:44] So just a few things to be
[25:45] aware of with with lodi.
[25:49] So hank you.
[25:52] >> you got a few updates.
[25:53] So number one I have a meeting
[25:57] with the delta protection
[25:58] commission tomorrow which I'm
[25:58] the representative for and
[26:00] current commissioner.
[26:01] We are currently in a lawsuit
[26:04] as well as a few other groups
[26:07] against california to again
[26:08] fight the delta tunnels.
[26:11] I'm very glad to be a part of
[26:12] that fight and of course it's
[26:15] been a year long process or
[26:16] many year long process to
[26:19] ensure that that doesn't happen
[26:19] in general.
[26:22] I do have something for the
[26:23] council to consider for those
[26:26] of you that recognize the name
[26:27] jack fiore, jack was part of
[26:30] a ajor fundraising push back
[26:34] in about 2014 to fix up the
[26:37] great owl.
[26:38] There was some buzz around town
[26:41] when he did pass away a few
[26:42] months ago about renaming the
[26:45] entire great bowl in his honor.
[26:49] My suggestion is we rename a
[26:50] piece of the great bowl after
[26:53] him such as the bleachers open
[26:56] to different ideas on that but
[26:59] at the time he raised about one
[27:00] point no it was I think it was
[27:03] about $2 million and we do have
[27:06] a new committee based on
[27:07] helping fixing to fix up the
[27:10] great bowl.
[27:11] But I think it's a great thing
[27:13] to be able to give appreciation
[27:17] to somebody that gave it as all
[27:18] when it comes to city park.
[27:19] I would love to hear your
[27:22] thoughts on that.
[27:22] Besides that, I served the
[27:25] cabanas pancake breakfast this
[27:26] last 4th of JULY.
[27:28] I think we served around 4000
[27:29] people.
[27:29] It's actually the largest
[27:33] turnout in our history.
[27:33] Pretty efficient.
[27:34] Our hands were hurting
[27:34] afterwards.
[27:36] That's for sure.
[27:37] But thank you for all those
[27:47] that attended and or helped.
[27:48] So that was a great event but
[27:49] again just wanted to reach out,
[27:50] see if council has any opinions
[27:50] over renaming again a piece of
[27:51] the great bill after jack I
[27:52] like it sounds good to me.
[27:56] I know jack I kind of don't
[28:00] know how we'd go through the
[28:01] process and find out if the
[28:02] family for example if they want
[28:04] bleachers named after him or a
[28:05] dedication plaque or yeah you
[28:08] know however it would need to
[28:12] be done so we'll go ahead and
[28:12] reach out and then I'll have
[28:13] them come and council and
[28:15] they'll send off an email
[28:16] saying what they would do to
[28:19] get a good thank you while
[28:23] we're on the topic of naming
[28:23] things, councilmember craig and
[28:24] I had the opportunity to go to
[28:27] john ledbetter yes last week
[28:28] and I did suggest to one of the
[28:30] family members with the access
[28:32] center new facility potentially
[28:33] opening for seven year some
[28:36] sort of a naming thing.
[28:37] But because of john's working
[28:41] in that space and so I think a
[28:41] recognition plaque would be a
[28:44] great thing to incorporate into
[28:45] that center.
[28:51] So yeah, great.
[28:54] No further comments from
[28:54] council.
[29:00] >> we'll move next to g one g
[29:01] one is a presentation on
[29:04] opportunities owens 2.0 program
[29:05] and I'll turn it over to our
[29:08] economic development director
[29:09] luis aguilar for the
[29:13] presentation.
[29:14] Good evening.
[29:15] Maybe pro-tem council members
[29:15] elisa aguilar economic division
[29:16] director.
[29:17] So I have a brief presentation
[29:18] for you tonight on the
[29:19] opportunity zones program.
[29:20] >> the opportunity zones
[29:23] program was established under
[29:26] the tax cuts and jobs act of
[29:27] 2017 to encourage reinvestment
[29:30] of capital gains into
[29:30] economically distressed
[29:31] communities.
[29:34] it offers preferential federal
[29:34] tax treatment for capital gains
[29:35] invested in qualified projects
[29:38] with located within these low
[29:39] income census tracts.
[29:42] Eligible projects MAY include
[29:42] new real estate construction
[29:45] rehab of vacant or
[29:46] underutilized properties.
[29:47] Equity investments in operating
[29:49] businesses and infrastructure
[29:50] or energy related projects
[29:50] among others.
[29:53] The program was designed to
[29:54] reward long term patient
[29:57] capital that generates
[29:58] sustained economic growth, job
[29:58] creation and community
[30:01] revitalization in historically
[30:01] underserved areas.
[30:05] So you MAY recall that there's
[30:06] currently an opportunity zone
[30:09] within lodi and I'll just refer
[30:11] to this as census tract 4403
[30:15] for simplicity and this census
[30:15] tract is bordered by the
[30:18] railroad tracks on the west
[30:23] side that on the west side east
[30:24] the lodi avenue to the north
[30:24] kettleman road it can only link
[30:26] to the south and central avenue
[30:26] to the east.
[30:27] Today there has been no
[30:30] opportunities on investment in
[30:33] this census tract.
[30:34] >> so the program was supposed
[30:38] was originally scheduled to
[30:40] sunset later this year with the
[30:44] passage of the one big bill act
[30:44] in 2025.
[30:45] The program is now a permanent
[30:46] permanent part of the federal
[30:48] tax code.
[30:49] As part of this legislation a
[30:50] new round of opportunity zones.
[30:52] The census tract designations
[30:54] refer to it opportunity zones
[30:55] 2.0 will be introduced so just
[30:58] a little bit of the process the
[30:59] states will have the ability to
[31:03] nominate new a new map send out
[31:03] to the treasury and then
[31:06] treasury certifies the
[31:06] nominations and the maps take
[31:09] effect JANUARY 1st of next
[31:10] year.
[31:13] The duration will remain at ten
[31:14] years and future updates will
[31:17] be every will be efreshed on
[31:20] on the match every ten years
[31:21] going forward.
[31:25] So with the there's new
[31:27] targeting criteria and the
[31:30] governors MAY designate up to
[31:31] 25% of the state's eligible
[31:31] census tract.
[31:36] So for california that is 618%
[31:39] of the 2400 plus eligible
[31:43] census tracks to qualify they
[31:44] must meet a couple of test
[31:47] median family income below 70%
[31:47] of the metro average or
[31:50] statewide average overty rate
[31:55] of 20% or greater plus a newly
[31:55] established median family
[31:58] income cap set at 125% of the
[31:59] applicable state or metro
[32:01] median.
[32:05] So with those new criteria we
[32:05] now have two opportunity zones
[32:08] that are eligible within the
[32:09] lodi community.
[32:13] And again I'll refer 45 or 2
[32:14] and 44 or 3 which is the
[32:19] existing opportunity zone and
[32:20] and this new one actually
[32:23] covers a larger geographic
[32:24] area.
[32:27] Again, it starts at the
[32:27] railroad tracks then goes all
[32:32] the way east to guild and as
[32:33] far as rockford to the north
[32:35] then.
[32:40] And then it's on it's a lot of
[32:42] avenue to the south.
[32:46] So the state has identified
[32:47] certain criteria that you know,
[32:50] they like to see or local
[32:51] jurisdictions in their
[32:54] nomination and those things
[32:55] that the state is looking for
[32:58] is that these census tracks
[32:58] have a housing element size
[33:02] that they support the arena or
[33:03] you know, housing needs
[33:06] assessment goals that there's
[33:07] shovel ready sites as defined
[33:10] by the governor's office that
[33:11] they're located within existing
[33:13] tax increment financing
[33:14] districts that tracks that MAY
[33:17] support strategic sectors as
[33:18] identified by the state's jobs
[33:22] search california just as a
[33:23] blueprint.
[33:25] These include, for example,
[33:26] clean economy, life sciences,
[33:27] manufacturing, health care,
[33:29] housing, education and skilled
[33:30] workforce tourism and outdoor
[33:33] recreation to name a few.
[33:34] Now they're also looking for
[33:37] census tracts that have
[33:37] committed public investment and
[33:38] that could be local, state r
[33:40] federal.
[33:45] >> so with that criteria we we
[33:49] recommended we brought this
[33:50] recommendation to the economic
[33:52] development ad hoc committee.
[33:53] And so our recommendation is to
[33:57] nominate the census track any
[33:58] name for 45 or 2 and the reason
[34:00] being is because this is a sent
[34:01] out of the two census tract
[34:03] eligible this is the one with
[34:03] the highest priority poverty
[34:04] rate.
[34:07] It has a larger footprint which
[34:07] includes a downtown specific
[34:08] plan area and that's downtown
[34:10] downtown mixed rezoning.
[34:14] It includes the cherokee lane
[34:15] corridor or parts of it and
[34:15] that's mixed use corridor and
[34:18] as well as an area within the
[34:22] industrial area or zoning.
[34:25] In addition it has 29 housing
[34:26] element sites and so that's
[34:28] important for the state
[34:29] criteria and it obviously
[34:30] aligns with our economic
[34:33] development efforts.
[34:33] That's you know it also would
[34:36] benefit investment in
[34:37] businesses in and industry
[34:41] sectors and again it aligns
[34:41] with the california jobs first
[34:44] north san joaquin valley
[34:45] regional plan which is covers
[34:47] the three counties in the north
[34:50] valley as the next steps.
[34:51] There is no formal action
[34:54] required from council but we
[34:55] did want to bring it to your
[34:56] attention as this is going to
[34:59] be if if if not if low rise
[35:01] census track is nominated it
[35:02] will be here for the next ten
[35:03] years.
[35:05] And so they were prepared to
[35:09] submit to the state for you
[35:12] know, by their deadline of JULY
[35:15] 20th and there will be an
[35:15] public review period and
[35:19] through that public review
[35:20] period we're able to submit
[35:20] letters of support.
[35:23] So we've already contacted
[35:23] various organizations like
[35:26] working sound looking
[35:27] partnership being circular and
[35:30] just to name a few and they're
[35:33] all willing participants for
[35:34] providing letters of support.
[35:35] And with that I just wanted to
[35:37] bring this to your attention
[35:38] and happy to answer any
[35:41] questions.
[35:42] >> questions council
[35:45] councilmember craig good report
[35:46] Obviously this is reasonable we
[35:48] should do for this is just
[35:52] consider adopting a resolution
[35:53] establishing a city council ad
[35:57] hoc committee to advise I'm
[35:57] going to do that.
[35:58] >> I think that's the wrong
[36:01] item which I really want to
[36:01] win.
[36:02] Okay.
[36:05] Sorry if the presentation is it
[36:07] yes I think this is the right
[36:08] choice.
[36:08] Thank you.
[36:11] Just a couple questions.
[36:15] The tiff so we actually have to
[36:15] establish two.
[36:15] >> is that correct?
[36:18] It's not a requirement but
[36:19] that's one of the things that
[36:20] would be favorable.
[36:22] But that's something that in
[36:23] the application that ask if
[36:27] there's an intent so we can we
[36:28] can indicate do we have to
[36:29] indicate the boundaries of the
[36:31] tip or would it be the entire
[36:32] no, I think in a general sense
[36:34] is identifying whether there's
[36:35] interest to establish a tiff
[36:38] and but then there's a longer
[36:39] process for that because it
[36:41] would involve multiple
[36:42] agencies.
[36:42] >> can you just for councils
[36:46] benefit can you explain the
[36:47] tiff because that is something
[36:47] that we would need to take a
[36:50] council action on.
[36:51] So so it's basically a
[36:52] designated geographic area
[36:54] where there's a tax ncrement
[36:55] financing mechanism.
[36:59] And so basically utilizing
[36:59] those in future increments to
[37:02] to fund to finance
[37:03] infrastructure for example.
[37:06] And so as at the very broad
[37:07] sense but you do have to work
[37:07] with the county because it's
[37:10] going to impact the the future
[37:13] tax of the properties.
[37:14] And I do think it's critical
[37:15] because again those areas in
[37:17] the downtown plan that we've
[37:18] been talking about that go over
[37:21] the road tax infrastructure is
[37:22] an opportunity and a need for
[37:24] that area in order for these
[37:25] opportunities this opportunity
[37:28] zone to be seen favorably.
[37:29] So there there will be that
[37:32] need on letters of support
[37:35] county board of supervisors can
[37:35] you get that?
[37:36] >> yeah.
[37:36] So I've been working with the
[37:39] county economic development
[37:40] association so right so they're
[37:44] there obviously in support of
[37:44] this so okay.
[37:45] >> all right.
[37:45] Thank you.
[37:50] Good work.
[37:51] S we submit the nomination
[37:53] form that goes to go bids and
[37:54] their board correct.
[37:55] They go to go bids and then
[37:57] there's a public review period
[38:00] and then the the governor's
[38:01] office will then determine
[38:05] which of the eligible nominated
[38:06] census tracts are going to make
[38:07] it on the list for california
[38:09] and then they submit to the
[38:10] treasury for certification.
[38:12] But it is pretty competitive
[38:13] because it's only 25% of the
[38:14] eligible census tract.
[38:16] So our thinking behind even
[38:19] though we have to the one that
[38:20] we think has a higher chance of
[38:23] being selected by gold is the
[38:23] one that has he greater reach
[38:27] in terms of zoning and and
[38:27] opportunities and in terms of
[38:31] the housing element sites in
[38:31] the arena.
[38:35] So it takes a lot of the boxes
[38:38] thank you to have any public
[38:42] comments on this item then I'll
[38:45] entertain a motion.
[38:46] Well there's no I think it's no
[38:49] formal action taken so great.
[38:50] All right.
[38:53] Thank you lois g2 g2 is to
[38:56] consider adopting resolution
[38:57] establishing a city council ad
[39:00] hoc committee to advise and
[39:01] make recommendations on the
[39:02] request for proposal for
[39:04] federal and state government
[39:05] relations services and setting
[39:08] committee objectives and tasks.
[39:09] And I will turn it over to our
[39:11] city manager kara reddick for
[39:11] that report.
[39:15] GOD evening mayor pro tem and
[39:16] members of the city council and
[39:18] paramedic, city manager staff
[39:19] is recommending that the city
[39:20] council create a limited
[39:23] limited term limited scope ad
[39:24] hoc committee to devise on the
[39:24] city's upcoming request for
[39:27] proposal or request for
[39:27] qualification process for
[39:28] federal and state government
[39:30] relations services.
[39:31] This is a different approach
[39:34] that is normally taken having a
[39:35] city council member review
[39:35] proposals with staff and
[39:38] provide direction on those
[39:39] initial documents.
[39:41] But often when the city is
[39:42] engaging in legislation city
[39:43] council members are right there
[39:43] at the table.
[39:45] So it's important that any firm
[39:46] selected has a good
[39:49] relationship with our city
[39:49] council members.
[39:52] So I would be looking for two
[39:52] members of the council that
[39:53] would like to serve on this
[39:56] limited committee and myself
[40:00] and myself we've had this
[40:00] discussion so yeah and maybe we
[40:04] can help with the go this thing
[40:05] with lobbying yeah go on here
[40:07] so is everybody okay with that?
[40:10] Yeah right.
[40:10] Oay.
[40:14] The choice just clarify I know
[40:18] we've written up we're being
[40:19] fairly flexible but ou're
[40:22] entertaining the rfq versus the
[40:23] rfp process in this selection
[40:27] process, correct?
[40:28] >> yes, I think we should let's
[40:30] keep it flexible and the ad hoc
[40:31] committee can etermine if it
[40:31] is a request for proposal or
[40:34] request for qualified options
[40:35] and then we can go from there.
[40:35] >> okay.
[40:38] Thank you.
[40:41] So with those nominations I
[40:45] need one vote for both members
[40:46] I'll make a motion for for both
[40:49] members or make the motion any
[40:53] public comment on senior now we
[40:54] have a motion from
[40:57] councilmember brinkman and oh
[40:58] yeah you guys are the right
[41:01] people but you guys also parted
[41:02] opportunities on tuesday as a
[41:05] district and o this isn't just
[41:06] limited to opportunity zones.
[41:09] This is just a larger
[41:09] discussion.
[41:12] I was just saying that it could
[41:12] help with a variety of things
[41:13] including this whole effort
[41:15] around opportunities and it's
[41:16] good.
[41:16] Very good.
[41:19] Okay.
[41:20] And then I need a second second
[41:30] thank you
[41:34] Motion passes.
[41:35] Thank you.
[41:41] G three d's three is to adopt a
[41:44] resolution appointing wilfred
[41:45] solorzano as interim city clerk
[41:48] at a rate of $70.41 per hour
[41:52] and approving the corresponding
[41:52] employment agreement and I'll
[41:53] turn it over to our human
[41:57] resources manager james peavy
[41:57] for that report.
[42:00] Great.
[42:01] Thank you very much.
[42:02] So effective AUGUST 3rd, 2026,
[42:03] the city clerk position will
[42:07] become vacant and during the
[42:07] permanent city clerk
[42:10] recruitment process the city
[42:11] would like to appoint a person
[42:12] with specialized skills
[42:14] qualified to fill the city
[42:15] clerk role on an interim basis.
[42:18] The proposed candidate walford
[42:18] solar runs out has
[42:22] approximately 20 years of
[42:23] public sector experience, was
[42:24] approximately nine years
[42:25] serving in the city clerk's
[42:26] office and the role of either a
[42:29] city clerk and assistant city
[42:32] clerk or a deputy city lerk.
[42:33] At its regular meeting on JULY
[42:36] 1st, 2026, council directed an
[42:37] item to be placed on a city
[42:38] council agenda to consider he
[42:41] appointment and MR. Solar runs
[42:42] out to interim city clerk for a
[42:45] limited duration and he also
[42:45] desires to accept the
[42:48] appointment as the city's
[42:49] interim city clerk and will be
[42:51] compensated at the rate of $70
[42:54] of $0.41 per hour.
[42:54] He will receive the following
[42:57] basic benefits sick leave
[43:00] accrual at the rate of one hour
[43:00] for every 30 hours worked and
[43:04] contribution of the city's
[43:07] employer portion to his calpers
[43:08] account with him also
[43:11] contributing the employee's per
[43:12] portion to his calpers account.
[43:16] The city will not provide other
[43:16] benefits to him.
[43:20] His anticipated start date is
[43:21] JULY 28th 2026, allowing for
[43:24] brief transition period to
[43:24] allow the outgoing city clerk
[43:27] to spend her remaining time
[43:27] transferring institutional
[43:28] knowledge and ensuring a
[43:31] seamless transfer of
[43:32] responsibilities as MR. Sole
[43:35] oronto is currently in the
[43:36] pre-employment background check
[43:38] process at draft interim city
[43:39] clerk employment agreement is
[43:43] provided as attachment one and
[43:46] due to the upcoming vacancy of
[43:47] the city clerk any costs are
[43:49] already considered and the
[43:53] already consider in the current
[43:53] budget and therefore it's
[43:58] recommended that council adopt
[43:58] a resolution appointing watford
[44:01] sole oronto as interim city
[44:04] clerk at a rate of $70.41 per
[44:05] hour and approving
[44:07] corresponding employment
[44:07] agreement.
[44:11] Thank you.
[44:12] The candidate here to
[44:14] potentially make remarks
[44:18] questions in council no
[44:19] questions here seeing none will
[44:22] entertain or public comments on
[44:25] this item seeing none entertain
[44:41] a motion first made second DR.
[44:51] Motion passes each one each one
[44:52] is to waive the second reading
[44:55] and adopt ordinance number 2048
[44:57] amending lodi municipal code
[45:00] title nine by amending chapter
[45:01] 9.18 vending on streets,
[45:02] sidewalks and private property
[45:05] to evise regulations related
[45:05] to mobile food vending
[45:08] including permit requirements,
[45:09] location standards and
[45:09] operational operational
[45:12] regulations.
[45:16] As the city council was
[45:17] presented with this item by the
[45:17] community development
[45:20] department at the last regular
[45:22] city council meeting on JULY
[45:25] 1st and the city council waived
[45:26] the first reading and
[45:27] introduced the ordinance.
[45:30] This is the next step and then
[45:31] the order after tonight's
[45:31] adoption the ordinance will
[45:34] become effective in 30 days.
[45:36] It is recommended that council
[45:37] waive the second reading and
[45:40] adopt the ordinance.
[45:40] Thank you.
[45:44] Council comments councilmember
[45:44] nakanishi thank you.
[45:45] >> is this the same ordinance
[45:48] that increases truck trucking
[45:52] and my question is what's new
[45:53] in this?
[45:56] What other thing is in this
[45:56] beside that I'll turn that
[45:59] overtime.
[46:00] Interim community development
[46:00] director for more information.
[46:01] Okay.
[46:10] What I want to know is what
[46:11] improvement or this make.
[46:11] Yes.
[46:13] So this is the same version
[46:13] that you saw at the last
[46:14] hearing with the first reading.
[46:17] So the general just was when we
[46:18] brought in for council
[46:20] direction back a couple of
[46:21] months ago it was to eliminate
[46:24] the cap on mobile food truck
[46:28] vendors and then also to adjust
[46:29] just slightly some of the
[46:32] location requirements.
[46:33] Is that the location
[46:33] requirement?
[46:37] Does that improve it or did it
[46:37] we were asked and directed by
[46:40] council to restrict the
[46:40] downtown core and only allow
[46:44] food trucks, mobile food trucks
[46:45] or mobile vendors that are
[46:47] towed by vehicle to only be
[46:51] allowed east of main street
[46:51] within the downtown area.
[46:54] So it is to prevent competition
[46:55] within the downtown force and
[46:56] just not allowing them to park
[46:59] mobile food trucks on school,
[46:59] street or church.
[47:00] Thank you.
[47:02] That's not good customer craig
[47:05] I'm I'm I'm going to accept
[47:09] this as it's been proposed but
[47:10] I've discussed with the city
[47:12] manager my greater concern for
[47:13] two areas which is basically we
[47:16] define a conveyance as pretty
[47:16] much anything except for
[47:19] motorized food wagons and
[47:20] vending means a sale of any
[47:21] goods whereas merchandise
[47:25] prepared, prepackaged and
[47:25] prepared of foodstuffs.
[47:28] So we still need to deal with
[47:28] the illegal carts and there's
[47:32] language in here that allows
[47:32] for enforcement of this but I
[47:35] am not sure that this is
[47:36] comprehensive enough when it
[47:37] comes to that.
[47:37] So whether it's peddler's
[47:40] license or whether it's another
[47:41] section in the ordinance that
[47:43] addresses that specifically I'm
[47:44] going to say for the second
[47:45] time I'm tired of reading shift
[47:48] summaries not that I don't want
[47:48] them.
[47:49] I want to see them.
[47:51] Captain can but where we're
[47:52] having crowds gather
[47:55] particularly in downtown and
[47:59] showing colors demonstrating
[48:02] the propensity for violence
[48:03] just too large a crowd and on
[48:06] top of that all our officers
[48:07] are having to monitor that
[48:11] situation during shift changes
[48:11] and that's potentially putting
[48:15] a lot of people in danger.
[48:16] So however that needs to be
[48:19] addressed, I'd like to get an
[48:20] update back to council on I
[48:23] understand from from chief that
[48:24] we're looking at a task force
[48:26] to deal with this issue.
[48:27] I very much appreciate that.
[48:31] I don't want this to appear to
[48:32] those that are in legally
[48:32] binding that this is for them.
[48:35] This is not for them.
[48:36] This is for those food trucks
[48:38] that go through all of the
[48:39] processes permitting that they
[48:42] need to to operate legally.
[48:43] So just distinguishing that so
[48:46] maybe nother future meeting
[48:47] can give us some more.
[48:47] Yes, for sure.
[48:49] So we're creating an internal
[48:50] task force to talk about how to
[48:54] combat illegal food vending
[48:54] that is a different section of
[48:55] the municipal code and we're
[48:58] talking about tonight.
[48:58] So we will return to the
[48:59] council.
[49:01] We have a meeting an early
[49:01] AUGUST.
[49:02] We'll talk about strategies
[49:05] that we can use that are will
[49:06] be effective and then we'll
[49:06] return to council with an
[49:09] update very much appreciate it.
[49:10] And captain kent, thank you to
[49:12] your men and women for hanging
[49:13] in there with us.
[49:14] We do have your back on this so
[49:16] thank you.
[49:16] Thank you.
[49:20] Comments from the public.
[49:21] Seeing none.
[49:24] I'll entertain a motion.
[49:37] First made second motion passes
[49:38] >> great move.
[49:39] I will close this meeting out
[49:42] in honor of our outgoing city
[49:42] clerk living in a shed.
[49:44] Appreciate your four plus years
[49:45] of dedication to this
[49:45] community.
[49:47] During this meeting at 7:53