Saturday, March 07, 2009

Parkway JPA Article

Inside Publications has an interview about ARPPS’s position on establishing a JPA for the Parkway in their March Inside Arden issue, pages 13-14.

An excerpt.

"Most Arden Arcade residents would argue that the American River Parkway is a regional jewel, right in our own backyard. Because it is one of the area’s most important natural resources, we need to take care of it.

"That is the philosophy of David Lukenbill, senior policy director for the American River Parkway Preservation Society, whose organization feels the creation of a Joint Powers Authority would protect the parkway and ensure that it’s around for generations to come.

"A JPA would be composed of members from each community that the parkway winds through, Lukenbill says, “This type of governance will give our parkway the dedicated management and fundraising capability that is necessary to retain and enhance its premier local and national status.”

"The JPA could consist of two members apiece from the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the Sacramento City Council, and one each from the Folsom and Rancho Cordova city councils. It also could have a member from the Community Advisory Committee, which itself would be composed of local stakeholder organizations, advocacy organizations, chambers of commerce, neighborhood associations and property owners, Lukenbill says.

"For those unfamiliar with how a JPA works, it is a well-established form of governance that is used a lot in California. Basically, it’s an agreement between local governmental entities to provide a service to the public that can be better delivered jointly. It is especially usefully when a local resource, such as the parkway, spreads across several governmental boundaries."