City Council Meeting Overview - Oct 15, 2025
Main takeaway: The Council meets at 6:30 p.m. (Closed Session) and 7:00 p.m. (Regular Session) at the Carnegie Forum. The agenda includes labor negotiations in Closed Session; multiple proclamations and recognitions; a Consent Calendar with contracts, plan updates, funding appropriations, and appointments; a public hearing on Development Code amendments; and Regular Calendar presentations and discussions on library impact, tree removals at American Legion Park, utility benefits, sidewalk vending, school traffic/parking, a volunteer Wine Ambassador role, and Closed Session protocols.
City Council Members
- Mayor: Cameron Bregman
- Mayor Pro Tempore: Ramon Yepez
- Councilmembers: Lisa Craig-Hensley, Mikey Hothi, Alan Nakanishi
Public Comment Options
Public comment may be provided in-person or submitted by email, mail, or hand delivery no later than two hours prior to the meeting. Email: councilcomments@lodi.gov. Submissions are provided to Council and included in the official record but not read aloud during the meeting.
Closed Session Overview (6:30 p.m.)
Conference on Labor Negotiations regarding multiple employee organizations:
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- Lodi City Mid-Management Association
- AFSCME General Services and Maintenance & Operators
- Police Mid-Managers
- Lodi Police Officers Association
- Lodi Police Dispatchers Association
- Lodi Professional Firefighters
- Lodi Fire Mid-Management
- Confidential General Services and Mid-Managers
- Executive Managers and Appointed Employees
Presentations and Recognitions
B.1 — Friends of the Library Week
Proclamation declaring October 19–25, 2025 as Friends of the Library Week, honoring decades of support for programs, fundraising, and community advocacy.
B.2 — Wat Khmer Temple Association
Certificate of Recognition for hosting the first Southeast Asian Night Market and Festival (Aug 29–31, 2025), celebrating cultural heritage and community engagement.
B.3 — “Mayor for a Day” Contest
Recognition of winners and participants from Lodi’s K–12 schools, highlighting student ideas to improve civic life.
B.4 — Retirement Recognition: Charles E. Swimley, Jr.
Honoring the retiring Public Works Director for 24 years of service, including leadership on major infrastructure (e.g., water meter program, Harney Lane Overcrossing) and strong regulatory compliance.
B.5 — Zinfandel Capital Proclamation
Proclamation recognizing Lodi as the Zinfandel Capital of the World, acknowledging historic vineyards and significant share of California’s premium Zinfandel production.
Consent Calendar
The following routine items are typically approved with one motion unless pulled for separate discussion.
| Item | Title | Action | Amount/Term | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.1 | Library Donation | Accept Donation | $1,000 | From Dona Dorothy Platt Trust for classical literature collection development. |
| C.2 | UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Amendment | Approve 2nd Amendment | $3,000 reallocation | Reallocate from equipment to animal behaviorist services to evaluate and improve dog adoptability. |
| C.3 | Sewer System Management Plan Update | Adopt Update | N/A | 2025 SSMP update; City maintains strong performance (spill rate substantially below regional averages). |
| C.4 | LPD Training Facility Phase 1 | Award Contract | $768,816.21 | To A.M. Stephens Construction for 300-yard positions, target berm, and site improvements. |
| C.5 | Public Improvements Agreement — 620 S. Central Ave | Authorize Agreement | N/A | Frontage improvements and sewer main installation related to an apartment project. |
| C.6 | ESRI GIS Enterprise Agreement | Approve Agreement | $180,900 (3 years) | Enterprise GIS licensing shared by Electric, Water, and Wastewater utilities. |
| C.7 | Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Enhancements | Appropriate Funds | $258,000 | SJCOG-funded; 12 curb ramps near George Washington School; 7 Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons. |
| C.8 | 2024 Lodi Lake Improvements | Accept Completion | Final cost ≈ $3.45M | New restrooms, playground, parking reconstruction, Hughes Beach improvements. |
| C.9 | Protocol Account Report (Q3 2025) | Receive and File | $2,477.77 | Council supplies and meeting-related expenses (July–September 2025). |
| C.10 | Finance Committee Appointment | Appoint Member | Term to 11/01/2026 | Appoint Gary Woehl to the Lodi Finance Committee. |
Public Hearing
F.1 — Development Code Amendments
Comprehensive amendments to Titles 15 and 17 to improve code clarity, comply with state law, and reflect community priorities.
- Historic Preservation: Aligns with California Historical Building Code to facilitate preservation.
- Parking: Adjustments including reduced minimums for senior housing (e.g., from 0.75 to 0.5 spaces/unit) and selective requirement tuning.
- Accessory Dwelling Units: Updates for state law compliance and streamlined development standards.
- Tobacco Retailers: Establishes separation/buffering standards (e.g., 500-foot separations) to reduce youth access.
- Alcohol Sales: Location standards introducing buffers from schools/parks (e.g., 500-foot setbacks).
- Religious Facilities: Permitted as conditional use in certain Industrial zones with performance standards.
- Definitions/Administration: Modernized definitions, clearer procedures, and internal cross-references.
Regular Calendar
G.1 — Library Impact Presentation
Board President Brian Campbell presents library performance highlights, fiscal oversight, and future vision.
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Circulations | 178,000 | Indicates strong usage across print and digital formats. |
| Active Cardholders | 37,000 | Broad community engagement and access to services. |
| Program Attendance | 10,667 | Attendance at educational and cultural programming. |
G.2 — American Legion Park Tree Removal
Staff presentation regarding removal of 32 redwood and cedar trees due to structural hazards, proximity to high-voltage lines, and storm-related failures. Historic pruning reduced structural integrity; several trees fell during January 2023 storms. Removals are intended to mitigate risk and protect utilities and park users.
G.3 — Electric Utility Community Benefits
Overview of incentive discounts and benefits available to qualifying nonprofit entities from Lodi Electric Utility, supporting community services and affordability.
G.4 — Sidewalk Vendor Regulations
Informational update on SB 946, SB 972, and SB 635. New constraints include further limits on local enforcement and prohibitions on collecting citizenship or criminal background information from sidewalk vendors. Local code updates aim to balance safety, equity, and compliance with state law.
G.5 — Tokay Street Parking Near Vinewood School
Discussion of congestion during school pick-up/drop-off. A resident requested additional no-parking restrictions. Staff reports minimal complaints since 2014 and anticipates relief after LUSD completes on-site construction by November.
G.6 — Volunteer Wine Ambassador
Proposal for a non-paid volunteer role to provide quarterly wine industry briefings, educational outreach, and collaboration with the Economic Development Director, highlighting Lodi’s regional wine identity.
G.7 — Resolution No. 80-101 Update
Proposed clarifications to City Clerk attendance at Closed Session (allowing Deputy City Clerk as needed) and requiring Council approval of Closed Session minutes for improved governance and record stewardship.
Broadcast and Streaming
The meeting will be broadcast on SJTV Channel 26 and streamed via the City’s website and Facebook page. Public participation is encouraged through in-person attendance or timely submitted written comments.