Lodi City Council - April 1, 2026
City of Lodi — City Council Agenda
Regular Meeting • April 1, 2026
Carnegie Forum, 305 West Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240
Closed Session: 6:15 p.m. | Regular Session: 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Overview
This agenda addresses two high-profile leadership transitions — the appointment of an Interim City Attorney and formal initiation of the November 2026 General Municipal Election — alongside nine consent calendar items totaling over $880,000 in contracts and allocations. The meeting also features three presentations including the Arbor Day proclamation and two non-profit check presentations totaling $11,630.
Council Members: Mayor Ramon Yepez • Mayor Pro Tempore Mikey Hothi • Councilmember Cameron Bregman • Councilmember Lisa Craig-Hensley • Councilmember Alan Nakanishi
Virtual Access: Zoom Webinar — Meeting ID: 896 1185 8270 • Passcode: 905788 • Join via Zoom
Closed Session (6:15 p.m.)
C-2aAnticipated Litigation — Conference with legal counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation in two cases, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2).
C-2bCity Manager Recruitment — Public employee appointment discussion for the City Manager position, pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b). The City appointed an Interim City Manager effective March 2, 2026.
C-2cCity Attorney Recruitment & Interim Appointment — Discussion of both the permanent City Attorney recruitment and the Interim City Attorney appointment, pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b). This item is formalized in Regular Calendar Item G.1.
Presentations (B.1–B.3)
B.1 Arbor Day Proclamation — April 4, 2026
Mayor Yepez will present a proclamation declaring Saturday, April 4, 2026 as Arbor Day in the City of Lodi. The celebration will be held at Legion Park (835 S. Hutchins St.) starting at 9:00 AM, facilitated by City of Lodi staff and Tree Lodi, which celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year.
Lodi has been designated a Tree City USA for 23 consecutive years by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This designation gives the city preference for tree and forestry program grant money and confirms Lodi’s commitment to its urban forest.
Community Partners: Lodi Arts Commission, Lodi Unified School District, West Coast Arborists, A&W, Hollywood Café, Cal Fire, Kona Ice, Omega Nu Lodi, Blue Shield CA, CSU Stanislaus, Master Gardeners, Girl Scouts USA, Boy Scouts of America, Humanitarian Club, and RJQ Landscape & Design.
B.2 Non-Profit Check — Lodi Boys and Girls Club ($4,130)
Council Member Nakanishi will present a check of $4,130 from the District 1 Non-Profit Fund to the Lodi Boys and Girls Club. This allocation was approved on February 4, 2026, via Resolution 2026-014. The recipient must provide quarterly reports to the City Clerk on fund usage.
B.3 Non-Profit Check — Lodi Community Church / “Love Lodi” ($7,500)
Council Member Craig-Hensley will present a check of $7,500 from the District 2 Non-Profit Fund to Lodi Community Church (“Love Lodi”). This was approved on February 18, 2026, via Resolution 2026-018. Quarterly reporting on fund usage is required.
Consent Calendar (C.1–C.9)
All consent items are considered routine and will be acted upon by a single motion. Items may be pulled for separate discussion at the request of a Council member or member of the public.
Chiropractic Benefits Renewal — Landmark Healthplan$130,000
Prepared by: Cristina Gonzales, Interim Human Resources Manager
Renews the City’s stand-alone chiropractic benefit plan with Landmark Healthplan of California for full-time employees and COBRA participants. This is the Third Amendment to the ongoing agreement, separate from the City’s CalPERS medical plans.
Term: Retroactive to February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, with automatic one-year renewals if no termination notice is given. The City may terminate with 30 calendar days’ written notice.
Funding: Benefits Fund appropriations (65522000).
Utility Payment Lockbox Services Extension — Business Recovery Services$138,942
Prepared by: Tarra Sumner, Revenue Manager
Authorizes Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Business Recovery Services Inc. (dba Bank Up Corporation) of Alameda, CA. The City generates approximately 36,000 utility bills monthly, of which roughly 5,000 are paid by check and manually processed.
Contract History: Original contract awarded via competitive RFP in September 2019 (Resolution 2019-190). First amendment approved December 1, 2022 (Resolution 2022-267), extending through September 30, 2025. This second amendment extends the term two additional years to September 22, 2027 and increases the not-to-exceed amount by $45,000.
Services Include: Collection of mailed utility payments, automated check processing, data file generation for posting to financial systems, daily fund deposits, and access to payment and remittance images.
Annual Cost: Estimated at ~$22,500 based on current check volumes, expected to decline as more customers adopt online payment methods. Exempt from bid requirements under Lodi Municipal Code § 3.20.075 (financial services exemption).
Funding: Revenue – Miscellaneous Professional Services account (10020203-72450).
Cash Handling & Armored Transport — Loomis$165,000
Prepared by: Tarra Sumner, Revenue Manager
Establishes a new formal agreement with Loomis, replacing a previously undiscovered evergreen contract. The Revenue Division proposes adding a cash handling and change management machine to existing armored transport services.
Currently, cash collected from payment kiosks, front counters, and various departments is locked in a safe overnight until armored pickup the next business day. The new system automates till dispensing at the start of each day and electronic cash reconciliation at close.
Key Benefits:
- Reduction in staff labor for manual cash handling
- Significant decrease in end-of-day reconciliation time
- Reduced change order frequency via automated denomination recycling
- Elimination of staff bank trips for deposits or change orders
- Faster processing and deposit of funds
- Increased visibility and reporting of safe and cash operations
Fiscal Impact: Incremental cost increase of approximately $25,000 over 5 years, offset by operational efficiencies. Funded from Revenue Division operating budget.
Library Position Reclassification: Literacy & Programs Manager → Librarian II
Prepared by: Jenni Fontanilla, Library Director
Following the retirement of the Literacy and Programs Manager, the Library seeks to reclassify the position to Librarian II. The key change is that the Librarian II role requires a Master of Library Science (MLS) from an ALA-accredited program (versus a bachelor’s degree), better aligning with current needs for reference services, collection development, grant coordination, and direct public service.
| Classification | Minimum Salary | Maximum Salary | Education Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literacy & Programs Manager (current) | $74,757 | $90,868 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Librarian II (proposed) | $77,920 | $94,712 | Master of Library Science |
| Difference | +$3,163 | +$3,844 | — |
The Library Board of Trustees reviewed and supports this reclassification. The salary increase will be absorbed within the Library’s existing operating budget.
Police Department Vehicle Replacements$212,804
Prepared by: Candice Alaniz, Management Analyst
Ratifies and authorizes the replacement of four unmarked Police Department vehicles budgeted in the FY 2025/26 Capital Improvement Plan.
| Vendor | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sanborn Chevrolet Inc. | Two 2026 Chevrolet Equinox ($36,348 ea.) + One 2025 Chevrolet Traverse ($54,150) | $126,846 |
| Lodi Honda (Lodi Motors Inc.) | One replacement vehicle | $40,504 |
| Lehr Upfitters OpCo LLC | Emergency equipment installation | $30,461 |
| Dailey-Wells Communications | Radio equipment | $14,994 |
| Total | $212,805 | |
Funding: PD Vehicle Replacement Fund (64399100.77040). No General Fund impact.
Squirrel Abatement — White Slough WPCF — EagleShield Pest Control$229,827
Prepared by: Interim Public Works Director
Awards a three-year contract to EagleShield Pest Control, Inc. for rodent abatement and maintenance at the White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility (WSWPCF).
Facility Background: The WSWPCF spans 1,040 acres, with 880 acres of agricultural land irrigated by approximately 15 miles of earthen ditches carrying reclaimed wastewater to corn, alfalfa, wheat, and rye crops. Burrowing rodents (primarily ground squirrels) weaken levees and ditches, causing leaks, crop damage, and potential spills into adjacent waterways.
Six proposals were received on February 2, 2026 (RFP issued January 12, 2026); three were deemed non-responsive. EagleShield submitted the lowest cost at $76,609/year ($229,827 over three years).
Funding: Wastewater Operations (53053003.72450). No General Fund impact.
Non-Profit Allocation: Unidos Progresando — District 4$3,500
Recommended by: Mayor Yepez
Allocates $3,500 from the District 4 Non-Profit Fund to Unidos Progresando – Progressing Together, a community organization that provides holiday meals, distributes warm coats to farmworkers, offers bi-weekly ESL classes, citizenship test preparation, and operates a monthly food pantry for food-insecure Lodi residents.
Governed by the Non-Profit Fund Policy adopted July 2, 2025 (Resolution 2025-120), which distributes $100,000 evenly across five council districts ($20,000 each).
Non-Profit Allocation: Beckman Elementary School — District 5$5,000
Recommended by: Mayor Pro Tempore Hothi
Allocates $5,000 from the District 5 Non-Profit Fund to Beckman Elementary School (2201 Scarborough Dr.) for an enhanced student enrichment program focused on government education and civic involvement. Funds will support field trips, educational materials, and visits from community officials. Principal Gina Azevedo submitted the proposal.
Library Board Appointment: Christopher Anderson
Appoints Christopher Anderson to the Library Board of Trustees with a term expiring July 1, 2027. The Mayor reviewed applications and conducted interviews following the vacancy posting on January 7, 2026, as required by Government Code § 54970 et seq.
Consent Calendar — Fiscal Summary
Regular Calendar (G.1–G.2)
G.1 Interim City Attorney Appointment: John Luebberke / Herum Crabtree Suntag
This is one of the most consequential items on the agenda. On March 9, 2026, City Attorney Katie Lucchesi notified the Council of her resignation. She is departing to become the City Attorney for the City of Turlock, with a proposed start date of April 27, 2026. Her departure follows a broader pattern of leadership turnover at Lodi City Hall, which has also seen the City Manager position transition to an interim appointment effective March 2, 2026.
Candidate Background: Council reviewed candidates at its March 18 regular meeting and conducted interviews at a Special Meeting on March 26, 2026, selecting John M. Luebberke of the Stockton-based law firm Herum Crabtree Suntag. Luebberke is a highly experienced municipal attorney who served as City Attorney for the City of Stockton for twelve years before retiring in 2022. His background includes guiding Stockton through its landmark municipal bankruptcy, staff reductions, charter amendments, redistricting, and post-bankruptcy fiscal recovery. He is also a recognized expert in the Brown Act, Public Records Act, FPPC rules, election law, and Proposition 218.
| Role | Rate |
|---|---|
| John Luebberke (Interim City Attorney) | $385/hour |
| Liliana Selke (Associate) | $350/hour |
| Paralegals | $125/hour |
| Communication Fee | 2% |
Effective Date: Upon expiration of Lucchesi’s employment; continues until Council makes a permanent appointment or Luebberke voluntarily resigns.
Funding: Salary savings from the City Attorney’s budget.
G.2 November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election Resolutions
The Council will adopt four resolutions to formally initiate the process for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election for three City Council seats.
| District | Current Incumbent | Term Expiring |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Alan Nakanishi | December 2026 |
| District 2 | Lisa Craig-Hensley | December 2026 |
| District 3 | Cameron Bregman | December 2026 |
The four resolutions cover:
- Calling and giving notice of the General Municipal Election for three four-year Council seats
- Requesting the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the municipal election with the Statewide General Election, per Elections Code § 10403 and the City’s 1988 consolidation ordinance (Ord. 1438)
- Setting policy for ballot measures — directing the City Attorney to prepare impartial analyses (≤500 words), allowing written arguments for/against (≤300 words), and rebuttal arguments (≤250 words)
- Adopting candidate statement regulations — including a 200-word limit for candidate statements and requiring candidates to prepay their pro rata share of printing, translating, and mailing costs as estimated by the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters
The City operates on a 9/80 schedule (offices closed every other Friday), which affects filing deadlines. Election costs will be invoiced by the County and funded in the FY 2026–27 budget cycle.
Key Themes & Context
Leadership Transition
Lodi is navigating simultaneous vacancies in two of its top appointed positions — City Manager and City Attorney — with both roles currently held by interim appointees. The appointment of Luebberke brings significant municipal law experience from Stockton to bridge the gap while permanent recruitments are underway.
Fiscal Operations Modernization
Two consent items (C.2 lockbox services and C.3 Loomis cash handling) represent the Finance Department’s ongoing efforts to modernize revenue processing, reduce manual labor, and strengthen internal controls over daily cash operations.
Community Investment
The Non-Profit Fund Policy continues to serve as a direct mechanism for Council members to support local organizations. This agenda distributes an additional $8,500 in consent calendar allocations. Combined with the presentation checks ($4,130 + $7,500), a total of $20,130 in community allocations is addressed at this meeting.
Election Year
With three of five council seats on the November 2026 ballot (Districts 1, 2, and 3), this meeting marks the official kickoff of the election cycle. Filing periods, candidate statement rules, and consolidation with the county election are all being formalized.
References & Resources
- City of Lodi — Official Website
- Lodi Council Districts Map
- John Luebberke — Herum Crabtree Suntag Attorney Profile
- Meeting Zoom Webinar Link (ID: 896 1185 8270 • Passcode: 905788)
- City of Lodi Public Meetings — YouTube Channel
- City Clerk: Olivia Nashed • (209) 333-6702 • councilcomments@lodi.gov
Report prepared by Lodi411.com • Source: City of Lodi Legistar Agenda Packet, April 1, 2026