LODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM
305 W. PINE STREET, LODI
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025 ‑ 4:00 P.M.
A. Call to Order / Roll Call
The Special City Council meeting of May 6, 2025, was called to order by Mayor Bregman at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Council Member Nakanishi, and Mayor Bregman
Absent: Council Member Hothi and Mayor Pro Tempore Yepez
Also Present: Acting City Manager Swimley, City Attorney Lucchesi, and City Clerk Nashed
NOTE: Council Member Hothi arrived at 4:01 p.m.
B. Presentations
B.1 Presentation on Draft Lodi Short Range Transit Plan Update (PW)
Transportation Manager Julia Tyack provided a brief introduction. Genevieve Evans, with LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc., and Associate Transportation Planner Frank Huang provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the draft Lodi Short‑Range Transit Plan Update. Specific topics of discussion included definition of a Short‑Range Transit Plan, City of Lodi demographics, Transit Needs Index map, existing public transit in Lodi, weekday GrapeLine routes, weekday express routes, weekend GrapeLine routes, GrapeLine weekday routes historical ridership, GrapeLine weekday express routes historical ridership, GrapeLine weekend routes historical ridership, marginal operating cost per passenger trip, passengers per hour, community and stakeholder input, fixed route survey findings, survey open ended response, overall themes from outreach effort, plan overview, GrapeLine Transit Service Plan elements, GrapeLine Transit Capital Plan Fiscal Year 25/26 to Fiscal Year 29/30, plan summary, and financial plan.
In response to Mayor Bregman, Ms. Evans, Associate Transportation Planner Huang, and Transportation Manager Tyack provided information regarding routes serving the Boys and Girls Club and the One‑Eighty Teen Center and education efforts provided about route availability.
In response to Mayor Bregman, Associate Transportation Planner Huang provided information regarding relocating the bus stop closer to the Boys and Girls Club.
Council Member Craig‑Hensley spoke regarding the projected opening of the ACE train in Lodi and the cost/benefit of some of the GrapeLine Transit Service Plan elements.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Associate Transportation Planner Huang and Transportation Manager Tyack provided information regarding RTD Hopper service to Delta College and regional connectivity.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Transportation Manager Tyack, Associate Transportation Planner Huang, and Public Works Director Charlie Swimley provided information regarding the higher maintenance cost of CNG buses and the potential use of hydrogen cell buses.
Council Member Craig‑Hensley spoke regarding possible future amendments to the Measure K agreement, given the future ACE connection and regional connections with rail, Lodi Transit and RTD.
Council Member Hothi stated he and Mayor Bregman had spent last week in Washington, DC, meeting with officials regarding the hydrogen hub and the funding picture is not encouraging.
In response to Council Member Hothi, Transportation Manager Tyack clarified that Transit is completely grant funded and does not impact the General Fund.
In response to Council Member Hothi, Ms. Evans, Transportation Manager Tyack, and Associate Transportation Planner Huang provided information regarding demographic data taken into consideration when planning future routes and changes.
Council Member Nakanishi stated that he supports the plan and Council Member Craig‑Hensley's suggestions.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Transportation Manager Tyack provided information regarding the significant reduction of school bus service in 2008 by Lodi Unified School District, with the City now providing that service. Associate Transportation Planner Huang provided information regarding student use.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Transportation Manager Tyack provided information regarding Transit State and Federal grant funding.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Associate Transportation Planner Huang provided information regarding funding for student rides to school.
Council Member Craig‑Hensley spoke regarding limitations on funding and upcoming zero‑emission fleet replacement costs.
Public Works Director Swimley spoke regarding the cost of running the Transit system and the efficient management of Transit funds.
In response to Mayor Bregman, Transportation Manager Tyack, Associate Transportation Planner Huang, and Public Works Director Swimley provided information regarding the Transit Financial Plan, the process by which the City receives funds, and the Transit reserve amount.
In response to Mayor Bregman, Transportation Manager Tyack and Ms. Evans provided information regarding the purchase of zero‑emission buses.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Associate Transportation Planner Huang provided information regarding the Short‑Range Transit Plan being a requirement by the Regional Transportation Planning Agency, which is the San Joaquin Council of Governments for Lodi.
No Council action was required on this item.
C. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
ATTEST:
Olivia Nashed
City Clerk