LODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM
305 W. PINE STREET, LODI
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025 ‑ 4:00 P.M.
A. Call to Order / Roll Call
The City Council Closed Session meeting of May 27, 2025, was called to order by Mayor Bregman at 4:03 p.m.
Present: Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Council Member Hothi, Council Member Nakanishi, and Mayor Bregman
Absent: Mayor Pro Tempore Yepez
Also Present: Interim City Manager Lindsay, City Attorney Lucchesi, and City Clerk Nashed
NOTE: Mayor Pro Tempore Yepez arrived at 4:05 p.m.
B. Announcement of Closed Session (Announcement by City Attorney; Comments by the Public)
B.1 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release, Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.
B.2 Conference with Legal Counsel ‑ Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) (On April 12, 2025 an attorney representing City Manager Scott Carney sent the City’s outside Legal Counsel an email making legal arguments concerning certain alleged whistle blowing, and potential retaliation relating to it. The email directed the City to place a “litigation hold” on potentially related documents. This correspondence is a normal step prior to initiation of litigation and is a threat of litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9. The email is available for inspection upon request.)
NOTE: There was no public comment.
C. Adjourn to Closed Session
At 4:05 p.m., Mayor Bregman adjourned the meeting to a Closed Session to discuss the above matters. The Closed Session adjourned at 5:27 p.m.
D. Return to Open Session / Disclosure of Action
At 5:27 p.m., Mayor Bregman reconvened the City Council meeting and disclosed that Council received updates on the investigation. Mayor Bregman thanked those working diligently on the investigation and thanked the community for their patience, as Council is focused on the quality of the investigation rather than the time spent to complete it.
The Special City Council meeting of May 27, 2025, was called to order by Mayor Bregman at 5:27 p.m.
Present: Council Member Craig-Hensley, Council Member Hothi, Council Member Nakanishi, Mayor Pro Tempore Yepez, and Mayor Bregman
Absent: None
Also Present: Interim City Manager Lindsay, City Attorney Lucchesi, and City Clerk Nashed
NOTE: Mayor Bregman left the dais at 5:54 p.m. and returned at 5:55 p.m.
NOTE: Mayor Bregman left the dais at 6:50 p.m. and returned at 6:51 p.m.
E. Regular Calendar
E.1 Receive Presentation Regarding Fiscal Year 2025‑2026 (“FY 2025/26”) General Fund and Measure L Budget, and the General Fund and Measure L Five‑Year Forecast (ISD ‑ BUD)
Budget Manager Jennelle Baker provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding Fiscal Year 2025‑2026 (“FY 2025/26”) General Fund and Measure L budget, and the General Fund and Measure L five‑year forecast. Specific topics of discussion included Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget timeline; General Fund overview; budget balancing measures; fund overview ‑ General Fund revenue; General Fund revenue pie chart; fund overview ‑ General Fund expenditures by department; General Fund expenditures pie chart; General Fund expenditures by category; General Fund expenditures by category pie chart; General Fund expenditures ‑ transfers out; Police overview; Fire overview; Internal Services overview; Public Works (General Fund) overview; City Attorney overview; City Clerk overview; City Manager overview; Economic Development overview; Community Improvement overview; City Council overview; Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) General Fund support; PRCS General Fund support utilization; Library support; Measure L; Information Systems/Computer Replacement Fund; Vehicle Replacement Fund; Unfunded Liability Pension Funding year‑over‑year; Pension Stabilization Policy; pension stabilization; pension funding status; five‑year forecast ‑ assumptions; Memorandums of Understanding term dates; and five‑year forecast ‑ assumptions revenue, assumptions expense, revenue, expenses, fund balance, and risks/opportunities.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Police Chief Ricardo Garcia provided information regarding recruitment strategies for vacant positions.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Budget Manager Baker provided information on Police revenue.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Fire Chief Ken Johnson provided information regarding strike team reimbursements and the grant for paramedic training.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Budget Manager Baker provided information regarding the allocation of Measure L funds.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Budget Manager Baker provided information regarding the percentage allocation of Measure L funds to the various accounts.
In response to Council Member Hothi, Fire Chief Johnson provided information regarding the timing inflows from Advanced Life Support from CenCal.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Public Works Director Charlie Swimley provided information regarding road maintenance funds.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Public Works Director Swimley provided information regarding personnel costs.
In response to Council Member Hothi, Public Works Director Swimley provided information regarding a mower purchase last budget year.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Budget Manager Baker and City Attorney Lucchesi provided information regarding funding for outside legal counsel.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, City Attorney Lucchesi verified that the salary and benefits shown are for the department being fully staffed.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, City Clerk Nashed provided information regarding election costs.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Yepez, City Clerk Nashed provided information regarding specific costs for elections.
In response to Mayor Bregman, Budget Manager Baker confirmed that budget items originally in Economic Development have been transferred, rather than removed from the budget.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Budget Manager Baker clarified that Economic Development is separate from Community Development, which has expenses related to homelessness.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Yepez, Budget Manager Baker confirmed that Community Development will be included with the other Special Funds presentation.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Economic Development Director Luis Aguilar provided information regarding funding for the Economic Development Plan.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Budget Manager Baker clarified that the Economic Development supplies and services is lower, despite the inclusion of the costs for the Economic Development Plan, due to the transfer of other expenses to more appropriate accounts.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Economic Development Director Aguilar confirmed the size of the Economic Development staff.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Community Development Director John Della Monica confirmed that Community Improvement is fully staffed.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Community Development Director Della Monica provided information regarding the upkeep of the property at the old Omelet House restaurant.
Council Member Nakanishi noted the yearly salary of Council Members.
Council Member Craig‑Hensley thanked staff for separating Council expenses from the City Clerk's budget, increasing transparency for the public.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, City Clerk Nashed provided information on Conference Expense.
Council Member Nakanishi stated that Council Members do not get City credit cards.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, PRCS Director Christina Jaromay provided information regarding staffing changes and budgeting of the newly‑increased Lodi Lake fees.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, PRCS Director Jaromay provided information regarding Capital funding and pickleball courts.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Interim Library Director Pam Sloan provided information regarding restructuring in the Library and the need for a new Librarian position.
In response to Council Member Hothi, Budget Manager Baker provided information regarding the reconciled amount of the Fire engine purchase.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Deputy Fire Chief Tim Ortegel provided information regarding the cost of repairing older vehicles/equipment vs. purchasing new vehicles/equipment, the long wait for vehicles/equipment once ordered, and the arrival of the new Office of Emergency Services engine.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Budget Manager Baker provided information regarding the City's pension funding status.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Budget Manager Baker provided information regarding the decline of the Pension Stabilization Fund in the five‑year forecast.
In response to Council Member Craig‑Hensley, Budget Manager Baker provided information regarding CalPERS estimated earnings used in the forecast.
Council Member Craig‑Hensley expressed concern over not budgeting for Access Center operation expenses and the exclusion of the peaker plant revenue.
Mayor Bregman noted that there is an upcoming Council meeting to discuss the Access Center.
In response to Council Member Hothi, Mayor Bregman requested an update on the hydrogen hub project from Electric Utility Director Jeff Berkheimer for presentation at tomorrow's Council meeting.
F. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
ATTEST:
Olivia Nashed
City Clerk