Lodi meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Lodi City Council agenda includes new city attorney, $616,700 tree contract

Lodi's City Council met Aug. 19 with an agenda that included appointing a new city attorney, awarding a $616,700 tree maintenance contract, and approving several other spending items. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed. The meeting was one of several held over the past two weeks, covering topics from annexation to homelessness services.

City Council

The council's regular meeting on Aug. 19 included a closed session for litigation and personnel matters, followed by open-session items. The agenda called for appointing Taryn Jones as city attorney effective Sept. 21, 2026. Also listed were:

• Awarding a $616,700 contract for the 2026-2028 Tree Maintenance Project to Elite Maintenance & Tree Service.
• Approving $75,748 for the Armis cybersecurity platform from ePlus Technology.
• Accepting a $37,015.26 donation from the Lodi Police PARTNERS' Foundation for a Chevrolet Colorado pickup.
• Approving $20,000 to the Downtown Lodi Business Alliance for the 2026 Holiday Program.
• Approving $400,000 for sidewalk repair program change orders.

A public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual report was also on the agenda.

Planning Commission

On Aug. 12, the Planning Commission held public hearings on two major items: municipal code amendments to formalize annexation and growth management procedures, and a request to annex 95.3 acres south of West Vine Street for mixed-use and residential development. The commission was scheduled to vote on resolutions recommending these actions to the City Council. The annexation area would be pre-zoned for a mix of commercial and residential uses, and the site would be detached from the Woodbridge Fire Protection District. The code amendments would add an Agricultural Mitigation Fee (Ch. 15.69) and Parkland Dedication fees (Ch. 15.70).

Improvement Committee

The Lodi Improvement Committee met Aug. 11 to discuss its purpose, review 2026 activities, and plan future topics. The agenda included updates on the CDBG program, including the 2025-26 allocation of $655,037, with $405,000 for capital projects, $98,000 for CBO projects, and $130,000 for administration. The committee also discussed a recommended partial funding of one capital project application out of four received, totaling over $419,000 in requests. The Graffiti Abatement Program would receive $15,000 from administration funding. The 2026-27 CDBG allocation for Lodi is $665,263.

Committee on Homelessness

The Committee on Homelessness met Aug. 13 to review July service reports. Providers reported 10 individuals secured employment, 20 transitions to programs, and 21 transitions to housing. The Lodi Access Center recorded 1,124 overnight services, 2,330 day-use services, and 2,325 meals served. Lodi Police reported 11 vehicles towed for abatement, 17 abatement postings, and 81 proactive enforcement calls. Hope Harbor reported all family beds full, with multiple families turned away due to lack of shelter availability. The committee also discussed developing an adult literacy program.

Library Board and Other Meetings

The Lodi Public Library Board of Trustees met Aug. 10 to hear reports from staff, trustees' investments, the Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Library. No action items were listed. The Site Plan & Architectural Review Committee meeting scheduled for Aug. 12 was cancelled.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled for Aug. 26:

• **Planning Commission** – Public hearings on a tentative parcel map to divide one parcel into two at 2001 South Stockton Street, and a use permit for electronic message signs on city property by Rogers Media Company. Comments accepted until 3 p.m. meeting day.
• **Site Plan & Architectural Review Committee** – Quasi-judicial hearing on Rogers Media's request to install three single-sided electronic message signs on city property: on South Hutchins Street, at the City Animal Shelter, and near West Kettleman Lane/Westgate Drive. Staff recommends approval subject to conditions.

Both meetings are open to the public.

Lodi's Recent Meetings Yield No Decisions; Council Eyes $616,700 Tree Contract Next Week

Lodi residents saw no official action from the city's boards over the past two weeks, as multiple meetings were cancelled and the City Council's only session was held behind closed doors. The most consequential business is now queued for August 5, when the Council will vote on nearly $1 million in contracts.

Recent Meetings: Cancellations and a Closed Session

Three regularly scheduled meetings on July 22, 2026 were cancelled: the Planning Commission's regular meeting and the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee's 5:15 p.m. session. No agenda items were considered or decided at either. Staff reports remain available for public inspection.

On July 28, the Lodi City Council held a special meeting. The Council accepted public comments before entering a closed session under California Government Code § 54957(b) to discuss recruitment for the city attorney position. After the closed session, the Council was scheduled to return to public session to disclose any actions taken and then adjourn. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so no outcomes are available to report.

Coming Up: City Council Considers Service Contracts

The Lodi City Council's August 5 meeting carries the heaviest agenda in this cycle. The body is scheduled to vote on several contracts:

• **Tree Maintenance Project (2026–2028):** A contract with Elite Maintenance & Tree Service for $616,700, with an additional $100,000 allocated for potential change orders.
• **Carnegie Forum Boiler Replacement:** A contract with Mesa Energy Systems, Inc. for $94,363.
• **Development Services Operational Initiative:** A professional services agreement with CityWise Strategies, LLC, not to exceed $115,000.
• **Cyber Maturity Support:** A change order with SEL Engineering Services, Inc. for $49,535.
• **Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program:** A $67,896 appropriation for the Lodi Police Department's participation in the CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program.

The Council will also review an ordinance regarding the City Manager's appointment authority, the appointment of a new Community Development Director, and changes to the City Clerk's reporting structure. None of these items have been decided yet.

Parks & Recreation: E-Bike Rules at Lodi Lake

The Parks & Recreation Commission's August 4 meeting has been cancelled. However, a separate commission meeting on August 6 will include a vote on proposed e-bike rules for Lodi Lake Park and the Lodi Lake Nature Area. Staff are recommending that Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes be allowed, while Class 3 and other motorized bikes would be banned. The commission will also consider approving minutes from its June 2, 2026 regular meeting.

Coming Up

• **August 5, 2026 — City Council:** Votes on tree maintenance, boiler replacement, professional services, cyber maturity support, and a police cannabis tax grant appropriation, plus personnel appointments and an ordinance on City Manager authority.
• **August 6, 2026 — Parks & Recreation Commission:** Vote on e-bike rules for Lodi Lake Park and Nature Area, and approval of June 2 meeting minutes.

Lodi City Council to Consider $694,600 Water Facility Contract and Street-Vending Ordinance; Several Committees Meet This Week

The Lodi City Council's July 15 meeting agenda includes a $694,600 professional services agreement for regulatory compliance work at the White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility and an ordinance amending the city's mobile food vending rules. Minutes from the meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

City Council — July 15

The council was scheduled to consider several items, according to the agenda:

• A resolution authorizing a $694,600 professional services agreement with West Yost & Associates, Inc. of Davis for regulatory compliance and permitting at the White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility.
• Ordinance No. 2048, amending Title 9, Chapter 9.18, which governs street-side food vending regulations.
• A resolution appointing Walfred Solorzano as interim city clerk at $70.41 per hour. A second agenda listing refers to the position as interim city secretary; the agenda does not reconcile the two titles.
• A resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to Project Agreement No. 3 with the Transmission Agency of Northern California.
• Approval of minutes from multiple prior council meetings.

The agenda also lists discussion of recruitment for a municipal attorney and the selection process for an interim city secretary. Public comments were to be accepted but not read aloud.

Because the meeting record is listed as "agenda only (minutes not yet published)," the above items reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed outcomes.

Lodi Public Library Board of Trustees — July 13

The board was scheduled to vote on approving the June 8, 2026 meeting minutes and on a proposed change to the library's hours of operation. The agenda also included a Library Report from Director Jenni Fontanilla, a Private-Sector Trustees' Investments Report, and a Lodi Public Library Foundation Report. Minutes have not yet been published.

Committee on Homelessness — July 9

The committee was scheduled to elect a Vice Chair and a COC Subcommittee Chair to fill vacancies. Members were also set to tour reimagined housing on Main Street and review service provider reports from the Lodi Access Center, Hope Harbor, and Lodi House. Additional agenda items included connecting the committee's Facebook page to the LCOH email and planning a Farmer's Market booth on July 16. Minutes have not yet been published.

Lodi Improvement Committee — July 14

The committee was scheduled to discuss 2026 annual activities updates and task assignments, including a presentation for the City Council. A staff report on 2025-26 CDBG program year proposals totaling $633,000 was on the agenda, along with a staff report on adoption of the 2026-27 CDBG Annual Action Plan. Possible August meeting guests listed were Janet Vargas (CPFSJ), Rick Freedman (Lodi Adopt-A-Child), and Baily Caswell. September meeting topics were also to be determined. Minutes have not yet been published.

Cancelled Meetings

The Planning Commission and the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee both cancelled their July 8 regular meetings. No agenda items were discussed or decided.

Coming Up

• **Planning Commission** — July 22, 2026: Regular meeting cancelled. No items will be discussed.
• **Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee** — July 22, 2026, 5:15 p.m.: Regular meeting cancelled. No items will be considered.

No other public meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July 15 City Council meeting and other committee meetings should watch for published minutes.