LODI CITY COUNCIL
SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022
A.
Call to Order / Roll Call
An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, April 26, 2022, commencing at 7:03 a.m.
Present: Council Member Khan, Council Member Kuehne, Council Member Nakanishi, Mayor Pro Tempore Hothi, and Mayor Chandler
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Nashed B.
Topics
B-1
Receive Information on Proposed Animal Services Facility and Request Council Feedback Regarding Concept Plans and Potential Site Locations. (PW) Public Works Director Charles Swimley provided a brief introduction regarding the proposed Animal Services facility. LPA Partners Consultants Carolyn Natividad and Paris Allen provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the project. Specific topics of discussion included project description and goals, interior and exterior building design, animal care approach, project location, and cost.
Council Member Kuehne stated he loved the concept and that he is thrilled for a new shelter.
Council Member Khan stated that this project has been long overdue and that he is excited to move forward and ensure that the City takes care of the homeless animals.
Mayor Chandler stated that the project couldn’t be soon enough and asked how long will it take to complete. In response, LDA Partners Consultant Natividad stated that the totality of the project will take about 14 months. Public Works Director Swimley stated that the staff’s goal is to complete the project by September 2024, with a rough cost estimate of about eleven to twelve million dollars.
In response to Council Member Kuehne’s question regarding if there will additional storage space for the Lodi Police Department, Public Works Director Swimley responded yes, there will be.
Council Member Nakanishi stated that since this project is mainly due to Measure L, he is recommending that there should be a plaque at the new animal services facility that states that the project was paid for by the people of Lodi. He also asked about the impact on Animal Services from 10 years ago versus today. In response, Animal Services Supervisor Jennifer Bender responded that the City has grown from 24 dog kennels to 48 kennels and that the shelter will help maintain the growth.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi’s follow up question on maintenance costs, City Manager Steve Schwabauer stated that the new shelter will easier to maintain over the next five to ten years.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi’s follow up question on whether 12,000 square feet is the general size, Public Works Director Swimley stated that the size is consistent with other cities similar in size to the City of Lodi and that this size is just preliminary.
City Manager Schwabauer stated that City staff is looking for direction from the City Council regarding the overall concept, whether they desire a medical facility, and a confirmed location. He stated that if the Council wishes to include the medical facility, there were will be no additional funds for park improvements, as was discussed prior.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi’s question regarding whether the money allocated to park improvements at the April 20, 2022 City Council Meeting will be impacted, Deputy City Manager Andrew Keys stated that those one-time funds will not be impacted.
Mayor Chandler asked about the difference between a medical facility within the Animal Shelter and taking the animals to a veterinarian. In response, Animal Services Supervisor Bender and Contract Veterinarian Dr. Elaine Dornton stated that every animal admitted must be neutered before adoption. However, local veterinarians are too busy with their own clients, which delays the neutering and adoption processes. Dr. Dornton stated that fifty percent of the animals have medical needs; if those needs are met sooner, the animals can be adopted sooner.
Council Member Khan stated that the City should look forward to 20 years from now and that he was in favor of having care in the same facility and it will save money.
Police Chief Sierra Brucia thanked Public Works Director Swimley and LDA Partners for their efforts on the project. He stated that the Police Department is currently looking into contracting services with a veterinarian in Elk Grove. He further stated that this would increase costs, staff time, and may require an increase in staffing; this contract would be the future of Lodi Animal Services, if there was no medical facility.
Mayor Chandler asked about the pros and cons of Pixley Park housing the new Animal Services facility. In response, City Manager Schwabauer stated that there will be a park in the vicinity, it will be viewable to residents from the road, and that the location is less industrial. He stated that the con is that the structure will be more constrained than the design suggests.
C.
Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items
THE TIME ALLOWED PER NON-AGENDA ITEM FOR COMMENTS MADE BY THE PUBLIC IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES.
None.
D.
Adjournment
No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 a.m.
ATTEST:
Olivia Nashed
City Clerk