Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downtown workers press Lodi council over parking, suggest shuttle and safety fixes; TransDev contract touted for transit improvements
Summary
Downtown employees told the council that parking enforcement and safety in Lodi’s parking garage are hurting workers; council directed staff to coordinate with the Lodi Improvement Committee, the DBA and the chamber to explore short-term exemptions for employees, shuttles, enhanced surveillance and to pursue TransDev’s no-cost transit supports under a new contract.
Olivia Miller, a downtown employee, told the Lodi City Council on April 15 that parking enforcement and safety concerns in the downtown garage are harming employees and businesses. “I can’t afford to get a ticket while I’m at work — a $45 ticket might be what I made in a shift,” Miller said, describing break-ins to vehicles she said occurred in 2023 and incidents of harassment when walking to cars.
Miller and Lindsay Davis, another downtown resident and business supporter, said they presented the issue to the Lodi Improvement Committee and urged immediate steps including temporary exemptions for employees (using pay stubs and license-plate lists), better surveillance in the garage and an employee shuttle to link the garage with downtown businesses. Davis also proposed longer-term ideas such as a downtown trolley for shoppers.
During the consent-calendar discussion, Council members asked Transportation Manager Julia Tayak to summarize benefits in the TransDev contract (beginning July 1). Tayak said TransDev will provide management and technical assistance at no additional cost for the city’s fleet-electrification rollout, an IT project, a paratransit app for riders, and a tracking tool (“shadow”) for on‑time performance. Tayak said TransDev will also assist with outreach and education for senior riders.
Council direction: Members agreed to refer the parking and employee-safety proposals to the Lodi Improvement Committee and to pursue further work with the Downtown Business Association (DBA), the chamber and property and business owners. Staff were asked to return with options, to provide the transit division’s budget summaries by email, and to consider whether transportation resources can be leveraged short term for employee safety or shuttle pilots.
Context: Staff said transit operations are largely grant‑reimbursed and the department has roughly $5 million in operating responsibilities, including paying about $20,000 per month for security at the parking structure. Council and staff emphasized balancing cost, feasibility and business-owner interests when considering any new shuttle or surveillance program.
What happens next: Staff and the city manager will work with the improvement committee, the DBA, the chamber and property owners to produce options for council consideration, including cost estimates and a recommended timeline.
