Who can really say they know what happens to the stuff that goes down the drain? We all know what we play in sewer bills, but where does the money -- along with that other stuff -- go?
You can find out between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, July 11, in the first public tours of the White Slough wastewater plant.
Public Works staff is holding an open house, and giving tours of the facility, which has undergone a major facelift in recent years. Lodi has spent roughly $50 million in the last seven years on wastewater system improvements, most of them at the plant adjacent to Interstate 5.
If you're interested in going -- and who wouldn't be? -- be sure to RSVP to the Public Works Department at 333-6706. We want to know who's coming, and be sure we get a head count before we lock the gates!
The City press release on the open house is here.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Some comments on fund transfers
There's been some public discussion about the transfer of money from the various utility accounts to Lodi's General Fund, the account used to pay for discretionary services such as fire and police protection, park maintenance, and general government services.
There's been an assertion that Lodi transfers whatever money it wants from the water and wastewater funds to the General Fund, and the amount is arbitrary. It is not.
The transfer is based on a cost-of-services study performed by MuniFinancial, a consulting firm used by numerous cities and other public agencies to determine the cost and funding of various public services. This report was provided to the City Council in September 2007.
If you want to read a 47-page PDF that's thick with tables and explanations, it's been on the City's website for nearly two years and is available here.
The water and wastewater fund stopped paying the PILOT -- short-hand for "payment in lieu of taxes" -- because a transfer from those utilities to the General Fund must be related to the burden on the General Fund.
Anyone in Lodi can learn what it costs to run the City. Simply read the annual budget that is posted online at www.lodi.gov.
There's been an assertion that Lodi transfers whatever money it wants from the water and wastewater funds to the General Fund, and the amount is arbitrary. It is not.
The transfer is based on a cost-of-services study performed by MuniFinancial, a consulting firm used by numerous cities and other public agencies to determine the cost and funding of various public services. This report was provided to the City Council in September 2007.
If you want to read a 47-page PDF that's thick with tables and explanations, it's been on the City's website for nearly two years and is available here.
The water and wastewater fund stopped paying the PILOT -- short-hand for "payment in lieu of taxes" -- because a transfer from those utilities to the General Fund must be related to the burden on the General Fund.
Anyone in Lodi can learn what it costs to run the City. Simply read the annual budget that is posted online at www.lodi.gov.
State Water Board backs off strict order
Moderately good news for Lodi wastewater customers today in what's a complicated issue.
Some background: Lodi operates its White Slough wastewater treatment plant with the permission of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Board dictates how the City treats the waste coming into the plant and how it discharges it onto the ground or into a Delta waterway.
In 2007, the Regional Board issued Lodi a new permit to operate its treatment plant. The nearly 200-page permit provides the parameters by which Lodi operates the plant. In 2008, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance appealed the Regional Board's permit to the State Water Board, saying the permit wasn't strict enough.
The State Water Board's staff largely agreed with the environmental group in drafting a proposed order. But at today's meeting in Sacramento, after hearing strongly critical comments from the City, cannery Pacific Coast Producers, an association of Central Valley wastewater discharges and the head of the Regional Board, the Board voted 4-0 to roll back some of the more onerous language in its proposal.
One of the most effective speakers for Lodi was none other than Pamela Creedon, the executive officer of the Central Valley Regional Board. She went toe-to-toe with her counterparts at the State Board.
"I believe your staff has it wrong and I can not stress this enough," Creedon told the State Board members, adding that the proposal from the State was "poor public policy."
The result is the Regional Board can hear new arguments in reconsidering its 2007 permit. The State Board, however, did create a new interpretation of a State regulation that will have a ripple effect throughout California and result in higher wastewater costs.
Some background: Lodi operates its White Slough wastewater treatment plant with the permission of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Board dictates how the City treats the waste coming into the plant and how it discharges it onto the ground or into a Delta waterway.
In 2007, the Regional Board issued Lodi a new permit to operate its treatment plant. The nearly 200-page permit provides the parameters by which Lodi operates the plant. In 2008, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance appealed the Regional Board's permit to the State Water Board, saying the permit wasn't strict enough.
The State Water Board's staff largely agreed with the environmental group in drafting a proposed order. But at today's meeting in Sacramento, after hearing strongly critical comments from the City, cannery Pacific Coast Producers, an association of Central Valley wastewater discharges and the head of the Regional Board, the Board voted 4-0 to roll back some of the more onerous language in its proposal.
One of the most effective speakers for Lodi was none other than Pamela Creedon, the executive officer of the Central Valley Regional Board. She went toe-to-toe with her counterparts at the State Board.
"I believe your staff has it wrong and I can not stress this enough," Creedon told the State Board members, adding that the proposal from the State was "poor public policy."
The result is the Regional Board can hear new arguments in reconsidering its 2007 permit. The State Board, however, did create a new interpretation of a State regulation that will have a ripple effect throughout California and result in higher wastewater costs.
George Thorogood concert July 24
We've already put out a press release on the Grape Bowl concert with George Thorogood & the Destroyers on July 24, but the latest news is that Lee Rocker, one of the Stray Cats co-founders, will be the concert's opening act.
If you visit www.leerocker.com, you can hear some clips of his music, which are similar to the Stray Cats' rockabilly style. That's him on the left.
For tickets, visit www.loditickets.com.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
MSC Transit Vehicle Maintenance Facility Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The Public Works Department held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at their new 14,000 square foot Transit Vehicle Maintenance Facility located at 1331 S. Ham Lane on Monday, May 18th. Public Works Director Wally Sandelin welcomed guests to the new facility and recognized those companies, individuals and agencies that worked to complete the project. After brief remarks from City Manager Blair King the city council was introduced and had the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Visitors were able to tour the entire facility and interact with shop staff.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Budget vote likely on June 10
Budget presentations by the City's various departments concluded Wednesday, and the City Council eventually decided to push back a vote on adopting the Fiscal Year 2009/10 Budget until June 10.
Various employee groups and others have agreed to unpaid furlough days and the elimination of a 3 percent match by the City to the employees' deferred compensation contribution, which works like a 401(k) match in the private sector. Together, they amount to a roughly 7.6 percent reduction in pay and benefits.
All departments heads and City Council appointees (City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney), along with most other employees, agreed to this for the final four months of the current fiscal year and all of FY 2009/10.
As of Wednesday night, the following bargaining groups had yet to reach agreements with City management: General Services, Lodi Professional Firefighters and Fire Mid-Management.
The City Council decided to give those groups another week to figure out a way to avoid potential layoffs before it votes on the budget in a continuation of the meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 at the Carnegie Forum.
Various employee groups and others have agreed to unpaid furlough days and the elimination of a 3 percent match by the City to the employees' deferred compensation contribution, which works like a 401(k) match in the private sector. Together, they amount to a roughly 7.6 percent reduction in pay and benefits.
All departments heads and City Council appointees (City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney), along with most other employees, agreed to this for the final four months of the current fiscal year and all of FY 2009/10.
As of Wednesday night, the following bargaining groups had yet to reach agreements with City management: General Services, Lodi Professional Firefighters and Fire Mid-Management.
The City Council decided to give those groups another week to figure out a way to avoid potential layoffs before it votes on the budget in a continuation of the meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 at the Carnegie Forum.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Lodi officially opens new boathouse
Here's a nice new feature for Lodi Lake -- a new boathouse to store boats (of course) and related equipment. This one, built with state bond funds and a major donation from Lodi's Meehleis Modular company, is over the waterline, allowing boats to enter the structure.
Another nice feature is the handicap-accessible kayak/canoe launch. People in those types of watercraft can roll up or off on a ramp by using handrails, meaning no worries about tipping over when getting in or out of your canoe/kayak.
City officials and Bill and Carol Meehleis were involved in Thursday evening's dedication and ribbon cutting. Clicking on the pictures will bring them up in a much larger view.
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