Lodi Improvement Committee

LODI IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL BOARD STAFF PRESENT ABSENT Curt Juran (Chair) Joseph Wood, CDD Rehana Zaman (Vice Chair) Kari Chadwick, CDD Fran Forkas Sunil Yadav Vacant I. MINUTES “February 14, 2017” MOTION/VOTE: The Lodi Improvement Committee, on the motion of Member Forkas, Yadav second approved the Minutes of February 14, 2017 as written. The above motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Chair Juran, Vice Chair Zaman, Mr. Forkas and Mr. Yadav Noes: None Absent: None II. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS A. Message from the City Clerk: Annual Conflict of Interest Statements are due to her office by April 1st. B. Lodi’s Committee on Homelessness will be making a presentation to the Lodi City Council at the March 15th regular meeting. Copies of the Summary of Accomplishments have been provided. III. AGENDA ITEMS A. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Mr. Wood stated that this item will be presented at the next meeting. B. Follow up on Issues From Previous Meetings Mr. Wood reported on the following items: Follow up on Goals for 2015/16  Address Main Street Issues o Staff is continuing to work with Paul Zarkas on the S. Main Street project. He is proposing a revitalization project intended to revitalize and redevelop four square blocks of Lodi’s east downtown area from Pine Street, Stockton Street, Oak Street and Main Street. Lodi Improvement Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Page 2 of 4 o The owner of the Main Hotel, 4 S. Main, has met with the Building Official and City Planner about the renovation and transformation of that site into a care facility. Chair Juran stated that if the Mills Act could be enacted it could assist the hotel owners on Main Street with getting it cleaned up. Member Yadav asked how the owner is able to do transitional activity without the benefit of an elevator. Mr. Wood stated that they are planning on doing some major improvements and have spoken with the Building Official and City Planner, now they will need to go back and confirm if it pencils out.  Cherokee Lane o Initial project completed. Will bring up the issue of asphalt gaps to Public Works.  Habitat for Humanity/Housing Authority o Peter Ragsdale, Executive Director of the Housing Authority, is very interested in acquiring properties here in Lodi in order to provide low- income rental housing. He will be getting back with staff in April.  Monitoring Alley Improvements o Working with Public Works to identify the next alley, likely to be funded in 2017-18.  Eastside Afterschool Programs and Activities o The Lodi Junior Giants Program is beginning to ramp up activities for the upcoming 2017 season. Registration will run from April 15 – May 15. The season begins the week of June 12th and ends the week of July 31st.  Community Improvement Award/Community Service Award o The Community Improvement Award yard sign was presented to the owners at 302 E. Oak.  Gang Problem/LodiGRIP o Mr. Wood stated that Mr. Gaurdiola will be taking three young men up to Mule Creek this weekend. He added that Mr. Gaurdiola has been receiving threats from a local youth.  Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) o The Chamber is coordinating a Love Your Block mini-grant program that could provide up to $500 for individuals and/or groups to engage in a variety of projects and activities that will from beautification and betterment to the community and the residents. o We are also working on establishing a Neighborhood Leadership Academy, a five-month long, multilingual program that would provide local residents with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to make a difference in the quality of life in their community. Mr. Wood added that one of the benefits of the NRSA was to free up some of the funds that are designated for Public Service items.  Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area o We are moving away from the idea of establishing a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. We feel we can accomplish the same Lodi Improvement Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Page 3 of 4 results with the current ABCD initiative with the Chamber, and without the additional processes required by HUD.  Nuisance Properties o Properties adjacent to CHD/WorkNet. We have confirmed that the owner of the vacant parcel on E. Pine Street is preparing to develop the site, which will eliminate a nuisance property condition. We are looking for assistance from CalTrans to clear their property directly behind CHD offices. Comments by the Public on Non-Agenda Items  Mikey Hothi from Assembly Member Jim Cooper’s Office stopped by to say hi and introduce himself. Comments from Board Members on Non-Agenda items  Chair Juran stated that a group of kids from Heritage School would like to clean up the alley behind the school on Earth Day, April 22nd. Vice Chair Zaman suggested that it would be nice if the City could offer some incentive for clean- up activities then maybe other schools will want to take on these types of activities. Mr. Juran stated that he bought t-shirts for all of the Earth Keepers and Mr. Wood stated that he might have some string backpacks.  Member Yadav stated that his daughter is in charge of marketing for the new business, Calturas, located at 1333 East Kettleman Lane and wanted to know if the LIC members would like him to invite her to talk at a meeting to give an update of what is happening at the location. The Committee Members stated that they would be in favor of an update on the project. IV. New Business A. Goal-Setting Session  The Goals-Setting Session needs to be scheduled. Unfortunately, weekends are not available in the near future. Vice Chair Zaman stated that CHD is still available for evening meetings. Chair Juran suggested Tuesday, March 28th at 6pm. All members concurred. B. Looking Ahead – Regular Meetings  April 11, 2017 – CDBG  May 9, 2017 – ADA Transition Plan A motion was made by member Forkas, Yadav second to move the election of officers from the April 11, 2017 Lodi Improvement Committee Meeting to the May 9, 2017 Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Chair Juran, Vice Chair Zaman, Mr. Forkas and Mr. Yadav Noes: None Absent: None  June 13, 2017 - Open