Redevelopment approved

Despite the mayor's objections and the vow of a small group of citizens to oppose the process, Lodi's City Council voted Wednesday to begin redeveloping the eastern half of the city.

Beginning in January, more than 2,000 city acres will be designated a redevelopment area, meaning that the city will keep a larger share of the property tax in that section. In turn, the tax money will be used for various revitalizing projects, such as improved sidewalks, roads and parks.

A group of Lodi citizens, citing concern that the idea is costly and could ultimately take private property through eminent domain, has vowed to gather enough signatures so the issue will be put to the voters. Mayor JoAnne Mounce agreed that the citizens should decide the matter, and she gave that as her reason for casting the dissenting vote at Wednesday's council meeting.

"We owe it to our citizens to put this to a vote so that they have a say, one way or another, in redevelopment," Mounce said.

If the council had put the matter to a vote, it would have gone on the November ballot; now opponents will likely have to hold a special — and potentially costly — special election if they gather enough signatures.

Council members voted 3-1, with Councilwoman Susan Hitchcock absent, to move forward on the long-discussed redevelopment idea.

Councilman Bob Johnson, before voting for the process, noted that the council has heard from about 20 citizens who oppose it. He said that's not enough public interest to warrant a citywide vote.

Also on the agenda

In other action Wednesday night, the council:

Approved a plan to redesign Lodi Avenue from Cherokee Lane to the railroad tracks. The plan will keep four lanes on the road, which is traveled by 13,600 vehicles daily. Crosswalks will be repaved, lighting will be increased and handicapped sidewalk entrances will be improved. The plan also calls for benches and bicycle parking.

Voted 4-0 to reissue up to $65 million in Lodi Electric Utility bonds that will be insured through a more financially stable company. The bond sale period will start Thursday and close July 24, and the city should save about $950,000, according to a presentation to the council.

Awarded a $1,059,660 contract for various street surfacing to International Surfacing Systems, of Modesto.

Voted 4-0 to approve a $46,000 mural to be created by Lodi artist Tony Segale. The mural, which will be paid for through the Art in Public Places fund, will be located at Security Safe Lock & Key, 209 S. Sacramento St.

Modified a massage parlor ordinance to clarify that manicurists who include hand, foot or calf massages with a manicure or pedicure do not fall under the city's massage-related laws.

Gave a plaque to outgoing Deputy City Manager Jim Krueger, who is taking a job in Garden City, Idaho, after four years in Lodi, where he also served for a time as finance manager.

— News-Sentinel staff

Six years ago, a City Council made up of different members also tried to pass a redevelopment project. It ultimately died when citizens protested the inclusion of eminent domain, which allows the government to take private property for public use.

This time around, eminent domain is not included in redevelopment. City spokesman Jeff Hood noted that not once in California has redevelopment used eminent domain, and that if the city planned such a move, it would have to be laid out publicly.

But opponents worry that future councils could ultimately use eminent domain. They also worry that the plan could be costly.

"I'm concerned that they've failed to inform the public of the extent of their plans," 45-year Lodi resident Marianne Rivera said after the council meeting.

She also addressed the council before their vote, asking members to lay out more precise plans before approving the multi-million-dollar idea. Rivera was part of the group that successfully fought redevelopment six years ago, and she said she is once again talking to her neighbors in Lodi's Eastside.

"This redevelopment process has been something that is frightening the Eastside," Rivera said in her emotional speech to the council. "I promise you that if you persist, you will have a fight."

Eunice Frederich, another Eastside resident who attended Wednesday's meeting, also worries about tax usage. Through redevelopment, Lodi will keep more of the property taxes that would normally go to San Joaquin County, and she noted that the county's hospital desperately needs more funding.

Hood countered that other cities in the county, including Stockton, Tracy and Manteca, already have redevelopment, so they are also keeping more of their own property taxes.

Ultimately, Lodi will get less than 2 percent of the county's overall tax, and the redeveloped area will actually increase the tax base and make that number even smaller, said City Manager Blair King.

The matter will likely be argued and debated plenty in the near future, if opponents hold to their vow of getting enough signatures to put the issue on a ballot.

"We're going to cover the whole town, every precinct," Frederich said.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Observer wrote on Jul 8, 2008 3:24 PM:

" Hey papercutting taxpayer....thanks for the link. Now I know RDA's must be successful if the State wants to get their hands on the money. "

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