Lodi Improvement Committee

LODI IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES November 10, 2015 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL BOARD STAFF PRESENT ABSENT Curt Juran (Chair) Joseph Wood, CDD Maria Rosado (Vice-Chair) Kari Chadwick CDD (6:01) Fran Forkas Sunil Yadav Rehana Zaman I. MINUTES “October 13, 2015” MOTION/VOTE: The Minutes for the October 13, 2015 Regular Meeting are available for approval. Motion made by Member Forkas, Yadav seconded to approve the Minutes from the October 13, 2015 Regular meeting as written. The above motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Chair Juran, Mr. Forkas, Mr. Yadav and Ms. Zaman Noes: None Absent: Vice-Chair Rosado II. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS A. Mr. Wood reported that the following is the list of regularly scheduled meetings for the Committee on Homelessness and the sub-committees on both long-range and short- range strategies:  Committee on Homelessness - First Thursday of each month;  Long-Range Strategies Sub-Committee – Third Thursday of each month;  Short-Range Strategies Sub-Committee - Fourth Thursday of each month; All Committee and Sub-Committee meetings are scheduled for 2:30 and will be held in the LPD Community Room. These meetings are open to the public. Mr. Wood added that due to the Thanksgiving Holiday the Short-Range Strategies Sub- Committee will be holding their November meeting this Friday, November 13th at 2:30pm. Mr. Wood wanted to bring attention to the Gang Problem Follow-up item below and the Channel 19 news segment regarding the Mule Creek Program that the Lodi GRIP Program participates in. The segment really highlights how important the program is and all of the good work that it is doing. Mr. Wood stated that he would forward a link to the Channel’s website, but cautioned everyone that the information is in Spanish.  Lodi Improvement Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Page 2 of 5 III. AGENDA ITEMS A. Public Meeting on Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area Mr. Wood stated that the City periodically receives funds from the Federal Government for our Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Unfortunately there are limitations on the percentage of funds received that can be spent in any one area. The largest number of requests for these funds are coming from programs and groups that are focused on the east side of Lodi which is also the highest poverty area for the city. In an effort to better focus community development resources to address conditions of poverty within our community, the Neighborhood Services Division is initiating the process to establish a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area in 2016. Mr. Wood explained that the premise behind a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) is that a concentrated investment of resources in a limited impact area can have a substantial impact for a targeted revitalization area. The designation of a NRSA provides benefits for administering CDBG funding in the targeted area. It also encourages public and private investment in the community, and builds stronger relationships with neighborhood stakeholders including residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, law enforcement, and faith organizations that have a chance to find out that their individual interests often coincide. Mr. Wood stated that there was an error in the census tract numbers on the handout as he went over the numbers. Census tract 45.02 the Total Households should read 1,136 not 5,644. Mr. Wood added that there would be a better use of resources if 44.03 and 44.04 census tracts could also be included in the target area. He stated that it is very important for the community to step forward and provide the information needed to help the community as a hole. Three years of goals will be needed to carry the program out. Mr. Wood added that this will be the first in a number of community meetings that will be held over the next three to four months to bring together our local residents, representatives from local community-based organizations, and local service providers to start the process of identifying the assets, the abilities, the skills, and the strengths that currently exist within the community. Mr. Wood stated that the idea is for the City and the supporting agencies and community organizations to take a step back and support and empower the residents of the community as they identify the solutions to the issues that they face, and as they determine what resources they have on-hand and what additional resources they may need to address the issues of poverty and provide for more sustainable improvements to themselves, their families and the entire community. This will not be a small task by any means. It will take a great deal of dedication of city staff. Chair Juran asked if this program will use all of the block grant monies. Mr. Wood stated that the public service cap is always hit and this should help staff to bring some of those funds back and use them for this purpose. He added that the city is in the third year of the five year consolidated plan and the funds will be helpful in getting Lodi Improvement Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Page 3 of 5 some of the other programs from the plan started such as the Housing Rehabilitation Program. Mr. Juran asked if future funds can be allocated or banked. Mr. Wood stated that the funds are allocated on a yearly basis you cannot bank or ask for future year funds. Mr. Juran asked if this has been presented to the City Council. Mr. Wood stated that it has not been presented to them in this format. It is a part of the Consolidated Plan and the City Council has seen that document. Mr. Juran asked when the fund approval goes to Council. Mr. Wood stated that this item will go before the City Council at the same time that the applications are opened up for acceptance. Mr. Juran encourages people to go to the City Council Meetings and support this program. Mr. Forkas asked what the total population is for the census tract 45.02. Mr. Wood stated approximately 3800. Vice Chair Rosado asked for clarification on the 40% homeownership, she feels that is a little high. Mr. Wood confirmed that the percentage is accurate. Ms. Rosado stated that there must be homes that are in need of rehab funds. Mr. Wood confirmed that to be true. Mr. Yadav asked if census tract 45.01 numbers were included in the 45.02 numbers. Mr. Wood stated that they were not. The numbers did not warrant being included on the report. Ms. Rosado asked to have the chart made available in English and Spanish for the public at the next meeting on January 12th. Joaquin Hernandez, resident, came forward to thank the Committee for the attention that is being given to this problem. It seems that the residences have to do more work as a community to get the attention from the City especially the Police Officers. More communication is needed at the community level. The entire community will need to make the promise to help. Mr. Hernandez stated that he is no longer listened to in the community because he has passed along the past broken promises by the City such as the community center. Mr. Juran stated that the Police Department was represented at the October meeting and the public was absent. Mr. Hernandez stated that he was not in attendance because he needed to spend time with his family. Mr. Juran stated that the public will get the Council’s attention is by attending the meetings. Mr. Hernandez stated that the best way to reach the community is by radio. The stations that come to mind are 1010 and 990 am and 92.1, 100.9, 95.9 and 94.3 fm B. Follow up on Issues from Previous Meetings Follow up on Goals for 2015/16  Address Main Street Issues o Following up with code enforcement, Lodi PD and the Lodi Fire Department to schedule a meeting with the property owner. Mr. Wood stated that there is a rumor that the owner is willing to turn the building into transitional housing. Lodi Improvement Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Page 4 of 5  Cherokee Lane o $75,000 allocated to first phase of ADA improvements along Cherokee Lane. Still waiting on Public Works info. Mr. Forkas asked what the estimated waiting period will be. Mr. Wood stated that they will be starting late spring going into early summer. Mr. Yadav stated that $75000 will not be enough to complete what needs to be done. He asked if there is another fund source for this project. Mr. Wood stated that he didn’t know, but they are taking a large project a bit at a time. Mr. Forkas stated that it can get the job started if they would just start. Mr. Juran stated that a lot of the ADA upgrades that have occurred on Cherokee Lane have been with Transit Funds specifically near bus stops.  Habitat for Humanity o Have approached Jeffrey and Crystal Kirst/Tokay Development regarding a property that they recently purchased on S. School Street and the possibility of working with Habitat for Humanity.  Monitoring Alley Improvements o Continuing to work with Public Works on selection of an alley for the next phase of improvements. They expect to have an alley selected and a project ready to go to bid in the Spring of 2016. Ms. Zaman asked if the survey work has been done for the alleys. Mr. Wood stated that staff will be evaluating the alleys during the winter and should have the answers needed by spring. Mr. Juran stated that the City will be getting a new Public Works Director and Charlie Swimley will be stepping in as the interim director and he has confidence in his abilities to ensure that this is ready in the spring.  Eastside Afterschool Programs and Activities o Junior Giants Program – Program has concluded for 2015. We are beginning to prepare for the 2016 season.  Community Improvement Award/Community Service Award o Still trying to coordinate with property owners of the two properties awarded at the July meeting to schedule a presentation at the properties.  Gang Problem o Our Youth Outreach Worker Ruben Guardiola continues to work with youth at all high school and middle school campuses. o We are using CDBG funding for supportive services from some of our community-based organizations. One in particular, the Community Partnership for Families, is providing follow up with the at-risk youth that we take to the Juvenile Diversion Program (JDP) at Mule Creek State Prison. Those weekly follow up sessions have been working extremely well. o Univision – As mentioned earlier Channel 19 recently did a three-part special report on the Mule Creek Program and our LodiGRIP youth who recently attended the Mule Creek Program. Those segments included one of the Community Partnership’s weekly sessions with the at-risk youth.  Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area o Addressed in previous Agenda item.