Lodi Improvement Committee - April 14, 2026
Lodi Improvement Committee — April 14, 2026 Meeting Summary
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 — 6:00 PM
Carnegie Forum, 305 West Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240
Regular Meeting — Agenda Analysis & Preview by Lodi 411
Meeting Overview
The Lodi Improvement Committee convenes for its regular monthly meeting with five substantive agenda items: a Love Lodi presentation previewing the April 25 citywide volunteer day, a downtown parking discussion referred by City Council, CDBG program updates spanning three fiscal years (including a new $665,236 allocation for 2026–27), a review of the committee's 2026 annual activities and task assignments, and scheduling of future meeting topics for May and June.
All five committee members — Chair Lyndsy Davis, Mono Geralis, Dawson Hayre, Janavi Sharma, and Christine Tran — are expected to attend, along with staff members Neighborhood Services Manager Jennifer Rhyne and CDD Program Specialist Kari Chadwick. The public may participate in person, via Zoom, or by submitting comments via email to LICcomments@lodi.gov no later than three hours before the meeting.
Item 4: Presentation — Love Lodi
A representative from Love Lodi will present on current events and programs. Love Lodi is a citywide volunteer movement now entering its 11th year, having mobilized more than 7,500 cumulative volunteers and invested over $1 million in community service since its founding. Love Lodi Day 2026 is Saturday, April 25 — just 11 days after this meeting — with a pre-project rally at 8:00 AM at Hutchins Street Square followed by 40–50 volunteer projects across the city.
This presentation ties directly into the LIC's Earth Day / Environmentally Responsible Community Collaborations goal (owned by Member Christine Tran). The Youth Commission is also holding an Earth Day-themed Entrepreneur Festival on April 19, creating a full week of civic engagement activity. See Addendum A below for a comprehensive overview of all Love Lodi 2026 projects, benefiting neighborhoods, and LIC goal alignment.
Item 5: Downtown Parking Discussion
The LIC will discuss downtown parking concerns brought to the committee based on a City Council recommendation. This is a new agenda item not previously discussed by the committee. Several parking-related developments are currently active in Lodi:
- Lodi Lake parking enforcement — The City recently began enforcing residential parking permit rules on Laurel Avenue near Lodi Lake, issuing $45 tickets after a grace period in response to neighbors' complaints about blocked driveways.
- Overnight parking fee increase — On February 2, 2026, the City implemented a new fee schedule with higher overnight parking fees, though 3–6 AM enforcement was temporarily suspended through late February.
- Downtown Specific Plan — The ongoing Downtown Specific Plan process raises questions about whether parking minimums will be reduced or eliminated for future downtown development.
- Free parking structure — The City's 330-space parking structure at 4 N. Sacramento Street remains free to the public, with EV chargers on the first floor.
Item 6: CDBG Program Updates
The staff report from Neighborhood Services Manager Jennifer Rhyne provides a comprehensive update on the Community Development Block Grant program across three fiscal years. Notably, the 2026–27 allocation letter was received on April 8, 2026 — just days before this meeting — awarding the City $665,236, a modest increase from the current year's $655,037.
2025–26 Program Year — Fund Distribution
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Capital Projects | $405,000 |
| CBO Projects (15% cap) | $98,000 |
| Administration (20% cap) | $130,000 |
| Total Allocated | $633,000 |
| Carry-over to 2026–27 | $22,037 |
2025–26 CBO Service Awards
| Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Community Partnership for Families — Family Resource Center | $29,500 |
| The Salvation Army — Hope Harbor Operations | $17,500 |
| PREVAIL — Propel Program | $16,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank — Food Assistance | $10,000 |
| LOEL Senior Center — Meals on Wheels | $10,000 |
| Graffiti Abatement Program (Public Services) | $15,000 |
2025–26 Capital Projects
| Project | Amount |
|---|---|
| Public Works Project (City) | $235,000 |
| DCDC/HACSJ — Salas Park | $130,000 |
| Lodi House — Walnut Street Project | $23,000 |
| The Salvation Army — Security Project | $17,000 |
CDBG Allocation Comparison
Key CDBG Notes
- Public Services applications are on a rolling 2-year cycle and will not be collected this year.
- 2024–25 closeout is underway; staff and subrecipients are beginning work on the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER).
- 2026–27 applications opened December 8, 2025 and closed January 27, 2026, with ~$390,000 for capital improvements and ~$90,000 for public services. Final approval is targeted for the June 3, 2026 City Council meeting.
Item 7: 2026 Annual Activities & Task Assignments
The LIC's 2026 goals are organized across four pillars with specific owners and task assignments. Below is a status update on each area based on the March 10, 2026 meeting minutes and the current goals worksheet.
Pillar 1: Informational Updates
Owners: Janavi Sharma & Lyndsy Davis
- Downtown Specific Plan — Planning Division presentation, assignee TBD
- Community Improvement Division — Presentation requested, assignee TBD
- CDBG Funding Awareness & Outreach — Liaison: Janavi Sharma. Sharing CDBG opportunity information during open application cycles to increase nonprofit participation.
Pillar 2: Community Well-Being
Advance Youth Programs — Owners: Dawson Hayre & Lyndsy Davis
- Hayre met with the City's Youth Outreach Worker and placed three kids from the GRIP Program into BOBS officiating trainings — they will assist this season in various capacities.
- Davis is working with the Youth Commission on "Once Upon A Vine" to encourage youth economic growth through business presentations.
- Davis attends Youth Commission meetings and provides updates to the LIC.
Animal Services Support — Owner: Lyndsy Davis
- Davis submitted a records request to the City Clerk's Office and received approximately half the information. A more in-depth report is expected at this April meeting.
Earth Day Community Collaborations — Owner: Christine Tran
- Coordinating with TreeLodi, Parks/Rec, Youth Commission, and Arts Commission on environmental awareness events.
- Youth Commission Earth Day-themed Entrepreneur Festival scheduled for April 19.
Pillar 3: Community Improvement
Owner: Mono Geralis
- Neighborhood Quality & Livability — Monitoring graffiti, blight, potholes, ADA accessibility via the City's Report a Concern portal.
- Community Resources — Distributing the Lodi Committee on Homelessness (LCOH) resource flyer and sharing newly identified resources with the LCOH Chair.
- City Beautification — An alley improvement on the east side was noted as scheduled in March. Davis attending Arts Commission meetings as liaison (next meeting was March 18 at Hutchins Street Square).
Pillar 4: Administration, Transparency & Accountability
Owner: All LIC Members — Led by Janavi Sharma
- City Council presentations — 1st presentation targeted for July (2nd meeting); 2nd presentation in December or January.
- Town Hall — Discussion in March centered on hosting a Town Hall for the May meeting at an alternate location; details TBD.
Item 8: Upcoming Meeting Topics
The committee will determine topics for May and June, both currently TBD. Based on March discussions, there is strong momentum toward hosting a Town Hall-style meeting in May at an alternate location, supporting the committee's Public Awareness goal.
Context: March 10, 2026 Meeting Recap
All five members were present along with staff (Rhyne and Chadwick). The March meeting featured a presentation from BOBS (Boosters of Boys/Girls Sports), a volunteer-run youth sports organization established in 1960 with 18 current volunteers. BOBS president Kim Ruth highlighted the need for updated equipment and snack bars. Chair Davis recommended presenting to local Rotary clubs — specifically Sunset Rotary, whose president advocates for youth activities — for funding support. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.
Addendum A: Love Lodi 2026 — Projects, Parks & Neighborhoods
Love Lodi Day: Saturday, April 25, 2026 — Rally at 8:00 AM, Hutchins Street Square
32 confirmed projects with 10–15 more expected — 40–50 total volunteer opportunities
Love Lodi has mobilized more than 7,500 cumulative volunteers over its 11-year history, representing over $1 million in community service. Each year approximately 700 volunteers contribute across ~60 projects citywide. The day begins with a rally at Hutchins Street Square at 8:00 AM, volunteers disperse at 9:00 AM, projects wrap by noon, followed by a Community Picnic & Nonprofit Fair back at Hutchins Street Square.
Parks & Natural Areas
| Project | Location | Volunteers | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodi Lake Cleanup | Lodi Lake Park | ~50 | Largest project of the day — litter and debris collection, sorted, counted, and weighed at park entrance |
| Softball Complex Cleanup | Softball Complex | 20–30 | General beautification and maintenance |
| Woodbridge Wilderness Area | Woodbridge Wilderness Area | 20–30 | Environmental cleanup and habitat maintenance |
| Tree Planting/Maintenance | Lodi Avenue & Tokay School | TBD | Tree care and maintenance |
Schools
| Project | Location | Volunteers | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nichols Elementary Gardens | Nichols Elementary School | 20–30 | Garden cleanup and beautification |
| Vinewood Elementary | Vinewood Elementary School | 20–30 | Campus beautification and improvements |
Neighborhoods & Streets
| Project | Location | Volunteers | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue Neighborhood Cleanup | Central Avenue area | 20–30 | Multi-volunteer neighborhood cleanup in a core residential area |
| Downtown Lodi Sidewalk Cleaning | Downtown Lodi | TBD | Sidewalk power-washing in the downtown commercial corridor |
| Cherokee Lane Sidewalk Cleaning | Cherokee Lane | TBD | Cleaning along the Cherokee Lane commercial strip |
Community Facilities & Nonprofits
| Project | Location | Volunteers | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Connection Facility | Cherokee Lane | TBD | Installing stepping stones and laying gravel at the back entrance |
| Directions Medical Clinic | Directions Medical Clinic | TBD | Landscaping and property tidying |
| Lodi Police K-9 Grounds | Lodi PD K-9 facility | TBD | K-9 training ground maintenance |
| National Guard Armory | National Guard Armory | 20–30 | Facility cleanup and improvement |
| One-Eighty Center | One-Eighty Center | TBD | Fencing construction for the community support center |
| Senior Rehabilitation Centers (3) | Three local rehab centers | TBD | Entertainment and engagement with senior citizens |
Community Service & Outreach
| Project | Description | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|
| Bracelets of Hope / Olivia's Golden Hope | 1510 W. Century Blvd. — Crafting hope bracelets and care packages for hospital patients. Founded by Olivia Brown, a teenage pediatric brain tumor survivor. | 20 |
| Girl Scouts — Animal Blankets | Creating blankets for rescued animals | TBD |
| Bread of Life Grocery Delivery | Delivering groceries through the Bread of Life ministry | TBD |
Neighborhoods & Areas Benefiting
The 2026 Love Lodi projects touch a broad geographic cross-section of the city:
- Downtown Lodi — Sidewalk cleaning reinforces economic vitality, directly relevant to the LIC's Downtown Specific Plan discussions and the downtown parking agenda item.
- Central Avenue Neighborhood — A core residential area receives a dedicated multi-volunteer cleanup.
- Cherokee Lane Corridor — Both sidewalk cleaning and the Animal Connection improvements serve this commercial and community services corridor.
- Lodi Lake / Lodi Lake Park — The city's premier natural recreation area receives the largest volunteer commitment (~50 volunteers).
- Woodbridge Wilderness Area — Environmental stewardship of the natural habitat southeast of the city.
- School Neighborhoods (Nichols, Vinewood, Tokay) — Campus beautification benefits surrounding residential areas and connects to LIC youth goals.
- West Century Boulevard — Home to the Bracelets of Hope / Olivia's Golden Hope initiative.
Alignment with LIC 2026 Goals
| LIC Goal | Owner(s) | Love Lodi Connection |
|---|---|---|
| City Beautification | Mono Geralis | Downtown sidewalk cleaning, Cherokee Lane cleanup, Central Avenue improvements, tree maintenance |
| Advance Youth Programs | Dawson Hayre / Lyndsy Davis | Olivia's Golden Hope Project, Girl Scouts blanket-making — structured youth volunteer opportunities |
| Animal Services Support | Lyndsy Davis | Animal Connection facility improvements on Cherokee Lane |
| Earth Day Collaborations | Christine Tran | Love Lodi Day (April 25) falls in the same week as Earth Day (April 22) and complements the Youth Commission's April 19 festival |
| Neighborhood Quality & Livability | Mono Geralis | Multiple neighborhood-level cleanups align with "Report a Concern" tracking |
| Public Awareness | All Members | Community Picnic & Nonprofit Fair is a natural venue for LIC outreach and LCOH resource distribution |
Related Upcoming Events
| Date | Event | Organizer | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 19, 2026 | Earth Day Entrepreneur Festival | Youth Commission | TBD |
| April 25, 2026 | Love Lodi Day 2026 | Love Lodi | Citywide; rally at Hutchins Street Square |
| May 16, 2026 | Lift Lodi — 5th Annual Day of Service | Lift Lodi | Projects across Lodi |
Love Lodi Year-Round Programs
- City-Wide Backpack Drive — In partnership with Lodi Unified School District and the City of Lodi, distributed backpacks at National Night Out events at Blakely, Legion, and Hale Parks. The 2025 goal was 1,500 backpacks including 500 purchased JanSport backpacks for middle and high school students.
- Year-Round Volunteer Connections — Love Lodi connects volunteers with local organizations year-round through lovelodi.org.
References & Resources
- City of Lodi — CDBG Program
- Love Lodi — Official Website
- Visit Lodi — Love Lodi Day Event Page
- Lodi News-Sentinel / Yahoo News — "Spreading the love: Volunteers needed for 30+ projects around Lodi" (March 2026)
- CBS Sacramento — Lodi Parking Enforcement at Lodi Lake (March 2026)
- City of Lodi — Parking Information
- City of Lodi — 2026–27 CDBG Application Instructions (PDF)
- City of Lodi — Report a Concern Portal
- LIC April 14, 2026 Agenda Packet (including March 10, 2026 minutes, staff memorandum, and 2026 Annual Goals worksheet)
- Contact: Kari Chadwick, Community Development Program Specialist — (209) 333-6711 | Email: LICcomments@lodi.gov
Prepared by Lodi 411 — lodi411.com — April 10, 2026