Could a community center replace Joe Serna Jr. School?

The Joe Serna Jr. Charter School is scheduled to move within the next year from its current site at Pine and Central to Houston School in Acampo. But what will happen to the facilities it now occupies, the former First Baptist Church property? Over the years the school has become an anchor to the surrounding neighborhood, writes Alison McGregor of OneEighty Youth Programs. Apparently a secret donor has offered to buy the Serna school site “with the hopes that (it could be) run as a full-scale community center,” according a newsletter McGregor publishes. The proposition is not a sure thing, but is on the table of possibilities.

NUMBER CRUNCH: The city council recently passed a $59 million budget. Check that. That’s just the general fund. The city’s total budget is actually $220 million when you include the various enterprise and special funds. Tucked away within the thick document are a few numbers of note. For example, the city expects to collect over $1 million in utility late fees next fiscal year, according to City Manager Steve Schwabauer. It also anticipates receiving $1.375 million in business license taxes. That amount used to be chump change, but not anymore. It amounts to real money now. Another contributor to the general fund is the electric utility department, which shovels in about $7 million a year, over and above the money it pays for city services from other departments. The electric department has been the city’s “golden goose” ever since the system was purchased from Fred and Ed Cary for $35,000 back in 1906, shortly after the town incorporated. Lodi’s first city council supposedly bought the electric system as a way to make money for the newly-established city. It has certainly done that.

As one would expect, 65 percent of the city’s general fund is spent on public safety. About 41 percent of the fund goes to the police department ($24 million), followed by the fire department ($14.2 million). As advertised, the passage of Measure L (the halfcent sales tax initiative) is keeping the city’s finances glued together. The new budget also reflects a modest amount of stability with the PERS pension beast, at least in terms of the city’s preparedness. There’s currently about $10 million in a special “stabilization” fund that will be used to help the city deal with anticipated pension spikes.

The city estimates an $8 million balance after the next five years, which is good news. Potentially more good news is that PERS has rolled out a new “fresh start” program that “is an option … (that allows) cities to ‘refinance’ their pension payments,” says Schwabauer. Lodi hasn’t bought into it yet, and may not, but the situation is looking modestly better.

However, you won’t hear that from City Manager Schwabauer, as he believes the pension monster is far from being slain. And he’s probably right.

IN THE BEGINNING: Speaking of Measure L, the city has proposed that the first meeting of the Measure L Oversight Committee be held July 15 at 6 p.m. at the Carnegie Forum. Panel members will receive “budget 101” instructions and have a chance to select a committee chair and vice-chair.

Gary Woehl, Terrence Spring, Phillip Pennino, Manmit (Mikey) Hothi, and Spencer Rhoads were appointed to the committee in March. Woehl is a CPA and was appointed by Alan Nakanishi. Spring has served as CEO of Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center and was appointed by Mark Chandler. Pennino is a former

council member and was selected by Doug Kuehne. Hothi is district director for Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) and was appointed by Bob Johnson. Rhoads is a former city council candidate and was appointed by Joanne Mounce.

The purpose of the committee is to ensure the city is spending Measure L funds as promised.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Price Burlington should be somewhere in Colorado right now, pedaling his way across America, as we’ve been reporting.

The only trouble he’s encountered so far is a sinus infection, which he says he’s overcome. The 60-year old Lodian embarked on the 3,500mile trek to honor his late son, Carson, who was killed in a car accident a couple years ago. He also hopes to raise a hundred grand for charity. Burlington plans to ride 60 or 70 miles a day and arrive in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania on Aug. 2. About $43,639 has been raised so far towards his goal.

UPHILL BATTLE: If riding your bike across America isn’t enough to give you jimmy legs, then maybe this will. As reported earlier, in a few weeks —July 13 to be precise — six Lodi guys have signed for the Tour of the California Alps bicycle ride that covers 129 miles, traverses five mountain passes, and involves 15,000 feet of climbing.

They don’t call it the “Death Ride” for nothing. Lodi cyclers Jeff Hood, Jeff Payne, Frank Olagaray, Greg Wright, Robert Fuller, and Chris Brown will attempt to finish the grueling one-day competition. G’luck.

SOUND OF MUSIC :I guess we’ve arrived as a city. Sitting on the corner of Elm and School streets, next to the fire hydrant, was a young lady strumming her guitar for anyone who’d listen, hoping for tips to be dropped in her open guitar case. San Francisco’s got nothing on us now. Except maybe traffic.

CULINARY CORNER: The Sunday morning brunch buffet at the Dancing Fox is very nice, if a little pricy. It features an omelet bar and a wide selection of other pastries and traditional favorites. Definitely worth a try. … Check out the humongous homemade cinnamon rolls at the Village Coffee Shop. Big enough to fill a plate. … California Al’s on the corner of Lockeford and California Streets serves a mean breakfast. Their breakfast burrito is large and very tasty. Stick around for lunch and enjoy one of their massive burgers. … De Vinci’s Delicatessen on Church Street is well known for their Italian fare, but they also make great sandwiches. And they also celebrate Tuesdays with tasty tacos for a buck fifty each. … Remember all the bakeries Lodi used to have? Now, not many left. But one bakery definitely worth checking out is the Corner Scone on California at Holly Drive. It’s just a hole-in-thewall, but they serve up an impressive selection of unique pastries. You’ll know the place by the line hanging out the door. They also serve up coffees and other drinks, and it has become the place to be on weekends, for sure.

VACATION ALERT: Both my readers deserve a break. See you in a couple of weeks.

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