Skatepark, bus fares top council agenda

Re-opening Lodi's skatepark will take center stage Wednesday when the City Council decides what to do with the half million-dollar asset. It has been closed for months due to liability insurance issues.

The park, located at Kofu Park on Ham Lane, was shut down last December when the city failed to renew its contract with the former operator, Spohn Ranch, that carried its own insurance.

Lodi can either decide to reopen it as a skate-at-your-own-risk park, close it for good and sell off the equipment, or find a new operator. At a study session earlier this month, council members' opinions seemed mixed.

Also on Wednesday, a public hearing will be held to allow residents wishing to speak out on proposed bus fare increase to do so.

If approved by the council, the existing general public Grapeline fare will go from 50 cents to $1, while the senior fare would increase from 25 cents to 50 cents.

It is the first increase in more than a decade, Transit Director Tiffani Fink said.

Dial-A-Ride costs also could go up. Any changes would go into effect Jan. 1.

In other action Wednesday, council members are scheduled to:

• Adopt the ordinance that establishes the new Lodi Tourism Improvement District. It will collect fees from the city's hotels and motels to fund tourism efforts.

• Approve spending up to $1 million for stand-by power improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant.

• Vote on installing a lighted crosswalk at Lockeford and Calaveras streets at a cost up to $29,000.

• Approve $527,239 in expenses incurred by outside counsel and consultants for the city's ongoing contamination litigation.

• Recognize Firefighter Geremy Quaglia for his life-saving actions during a recent abalone diving expedition.

• Hold a public hearing to consider the Planning Commission's recommendation to certify the Environmental Impact Report and approve the 2003-09 Housing Element.

• Appoint a council member to serve on the San Joaquin Council of Governments' Regional Transportation Impact Fee Policy Committee.

• Approve the Impact Mitigation Fee Program annual report for fiscal year 2003-04.

• Discuss in closed session several lawsuits with Stockton related to that city's proposed sphere of influence plan.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Carnegie Forum, 305 W. Pine St., and is open to the public. For more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at 333-6702.