It is good to see the neighborhood, who knows best the actual situation on the ground—their ground—beginning to speak up about its future.
City, Johnson officials meet on Oak Park sites
By Phillip Reese - preese@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, November 20, 2007
As a small group of protesters marched outside, Sacramento code enforcement officials met Monday with representatives from two development companies run by former NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson, trying to get work started on properties in the heart of Oak Park.
Representatives from St. HOPE Development Corp. and Kynship Development told city officials they would hire an architect to evaluate two buildings: Esther's Bakery, a shuttered brick structure next to St. HOPE's headquarters on Third Avenue; and the old Don Ju's bar nearby, said Ron O'Connor, operations manager for the city's code enforcement department.
"We want to know the condition of the buildings," O'Connor said.
Kynship has owned Esther's Bakery since 1999. A portion of the building's rear has collapsed.
That property is among 37 that Johnson's organizations own in Oak Park. A Sacramento Bee investigation published last month found that half those properties have been cited for code violations in the past decade, some multiple times; many have been vacant for years.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Railyard Development
Georgia developer of the railyards says it will be a wonderful development, if Sacramento approves plans, or it could fail if not approved.
Railyard bonanza for city forecast
Studies say project would bolster Sacramento's budget, add jobs; hearing set tonight.
By Mary Lynne Vellinga - mlvellinga@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, November 20, 2007
When Georgia developer Stan Thomas appears in front of the Sacramento City Council tonight, he'll have good news to tout.
The city released two studies Monday saying Thomas' proposed downtown railyard development will prove a budgetary bonanza for the city, injecting billions of dollars worth of new jobs and spending into the economy.
"This would be an immediate winner for the city," said city Finance Director Russell Fehr.
In an interview Monday, Thomas said the twin studies underscore the potential of the plan for the 240-acre railyard. He said he will urge council members to push ahead with approval of the development by Dec. 11, despite concern from some critics that the process is being rushed.
Tonight is the first of three council hearings on the project.
"We don't feel like it's being rushed after six years of working on it," Thomas said.
He said his company needs to move quickly so it can better compete for state bond money that could be used to defray the projected $300 million cost of building streets, sewers and other infrastructure to serve the first phase of the railyard project – money the cash-strapped city can't provide.
"If we miss this opportunity, the project could be delayed or possibly lost," Thomas warned.
Railyard bonanza for city forecast
Studies say project would bolster Sacramento's budget, add jobs; hearing set tonight.
By Mary Lynne Vellinga - mlvellinga@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, November 20, 2007
When Georgia developer Stan Thomas appears in front of the Sacramento City Council tonight, he'll have good news to tout.
The city released two studies Monday saying Thomas' proposed downtown railyard development will prove a budgetary bonanza for the city, injecting billions of dollars worth of new jobs and spending into the economy.
"This would be an immediate winner for the city," said city Finance Director Russell Fehr.
In an interview Monday, Thomas said the twin studies underscore the potential of the plan for the 240-acre railyard. He said he will urge council members to push ahead with approval of the development by Dec. 11, despite concern from some critics that the process is being rushed.
Tonight is the first of three council hearings on the project.
"We don't feel like it's being rushed after six years of working on it," Thomas said.
He said his company needs to move quickly so it can better compete for state bond money that could be used to defray the projected $300 million cost of building streets, sewers and other infrastructure to serve the first phase of the railyard project – money the cash-strapped city can't provide.
"If we miss this opportunity, the project could be delayed or possibly lost," Thomas warned.
Commuting in America
Many changes are happening and this report covers them.
WASHINGTON -- Commuting trends are changing as baby boomers near retirement age at the same time that a large immigrant population has joined the U.S. labor force, according to Commuting in America III, the latest decadal review of the nation's commuting patterns authored by transportation consultant Alan Pisarski and published by the Transportation Research Board. While the personal vehicle is still the most common way to go to work, transit and carpooling are increasing in many areas, and more commuters are traveling from suburb to suburb rather than from suburbs to central cities, the report says.
"One of the most significant changes will probably come from newly arrived immigrants," said Pisarski. "Unlike most native-born Americans or immigrants who have been in the U.S. for more than five years, many new immigrants either carpool, bike, walk, or use public transportation for their daily commute."
During the coming decades, many baby boomers -- who will start turning 65 in 2010 – will leave the workplace and stop commuting. At the same time, the latest projections from the Census Bureau show that the number of younger people entering the work force will increase; but these new workers will not outnumber those who will retire. Almost 20 million people ages 18 to 65 are expected to enter the work force during the years 2000 to 2010, followed by only about 12 million over the two following decades. But such projections may underestimate the actual number of Americans who will start working, because it is difficult to project how many immigrants will arrive and enter the work force and how many baby boomers will keep working after age 65, the report says.
WASHINGTON -- Commuting trends are changing as baby boomers near retirement age at the same time that a large immigrant population has joined the U.S. labor force, according to Commuting in America III, the latest decadal review of the nation's commuting patterns authored by transportation consultant Alan Pisarski and published by the Transportation Research Board. While the personal vehicle is still the most common way to go to work, transit and carpooling are increasing in many areas, and more commuters are traveling from suburb to suburb rather than from suburbs to central cities, the report says.
"One of the most significant changes will probably come from newly arrived immigrants," said Pisarski. "Unlike most native-born Americans or immigrants who have been in the U.S. for more than five years, many new immigrants either carpool, bike, walk, or use public transportation for their daily commute."
During the coming decades, many baby boomers -- who will start turning 65 in 2010 – will leave the workplace and stop commuting. At the same time, the latest projections from the Census Bureau show that the number of younger people entering the work force will increase; but these new workers will not outnumber those who will retire. Almost 20 million people ages 18 to 65 are expected to enter the work force during the years 2000 to 2010, followed by only about 12 million over the two following decades. But such projections may underestimate the actual number of Americans who will start working, because it is difficult to project how many immigrants will arrive and enter the work force and how many baby boomers will keep working after age 65, the report says.
Klamath Dams
Update.
Feds say Klamath dams can stay
by Nathan Rushton, 11/16/2007
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s final environmental impact statement issued Friday for the relicensing of PacifiCorp’s Klamath River dams stated the best alternative was to leave the controversial dams in place.
Although it does reference key mandatory measures from federal fisheries managers for more fish-friendy ladders and other water quality-improving prescriptions that it states “may need to be included in a new license for this project,” the FERC staff report stops short of actually requiring them as part of its recommendations.
Located on the Klamath River in Oregon and California, Oregon-based PacifiCorp’s J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2 and Iron Gate hydroelectric dams generate 716,820 megawatt-hours of electricity annually.
FERC’s staff’s recommendation for relicensing the four increasingly unpopular dams for the next 50 years incorporates most of PacifiCorp’s proposed environmental measures, including measures to truck migrating salmon around dams in lieu of costly fish ladders.
The staff alternative does add 25 environmental measures on top of PacifiCorp’s proposal, including the implementation of an integrated fish passage and disease management program and adaptive spawning program, according to the report.
West Coast fishermen groups hit hard by declining fish stocks and Klamath River-area American Indian tribes dependent on the river’s once-thriving salmon runs are critical of the report.
Feds say Klamath dams can stay
by Nathan Rushton, 11/16/2007
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s final environmental impact statement issued Friday for the relicensing of PacifiCorp’s Klamath River dams stated the best alternative was to leave the controversial dams in place.
Although it does reference key mandatory measures from federal fisheries managers for more fish-friendy ladders and other water quality-improving prescriptions that it states “may need to be included in a new license for this project,” the FERC staff report stops short of actually requiring them as part of its recommendations.
Located on the Klamath River in Oregon and California, Oregon-based PacifiCorp’s J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2 and Iron Gate hydroelectric dams generate 716,820 megawatt-hours of electricity annually.
FERC’s staff’s recommendation for relicensing the four increasingly unpopular dams for the next 50 years incorporates most of PacifiCorp’s proposed environmental measures, including measures to truck migrating salmon around dams in lieu of costly fish ladders.
The staff alternative does add 25 environmental measures on top of PacifiCorp’s proposal, including the implementation of an integrated fish passage and disease management program and adaptive spawning program, according to the report.
West Coast fishermen groups hit hard by declining fish stocks and Klamath River-area American Indian tribes dependent on the river’s once-thriving salmon runs are critical of the report.
Peripheral Canal
Still the best way to protect the Delta.
Plan suggests canal is crucial to Delta revival
By Mike Taugher
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 11/18/2007 04:29:51 PM PST
Government biologists have concluded the most promising way to save the Delta is to divert water around it through a canal -- an idea often derided as a Southern California water grab that would ensure the destruction of the region.
Wildlife agencies recently told planners that a Peripheral Canal is "the most attractive option" to help quench California's thirst for more drinking and irrigation water while fixing the Delta's dying ecosystem.
Voters rejected the canal in 1982, and opposition was fierce in Contra Costa because of the threat a canal poses to the local water supply.
By siphoning water out of the Sacramento River before it reaches the Delta, the canal would reduce the amount of fresh water near Contra Costa Water District's intakes in the south Delta and increase the concentration of pollution and salt water.
If built, however, a new canal probably would be operated and managed in conjunction with the existing state and federal intakes near Tracy. That would ensure more water stays in the Delta and could help offset the deleterious effects a new canal would have on water quality in the south Delta, the sole water source for 500,000 people.
The call for in-depth study of a Peripheral Canal comes during fast-moving negotiations for a pact to stabilize the state's dwindling and increasingly vulnerable water supplies while also protecting the environment.
Plan suggests canal is crucial to Delta revival
By Mike Taugher
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 11/18/2007 04:29:51 PM PST
Government biologists have concluded the most promising way to save the Delta is to divert water around it through a canal -- an idea often derided as a Southern California water grab that would ensure the destruction of the region.
Wildlife agencies recently told planners that a Peripheral Canal is "the most attractive option" to help quench California's thirst for more drinking and irrigation water while fixing the Delta's dying ecosystem.
Voters rejected the canal in 1982, and opposition was fierce in Contra Costa because of the threat a canal poses to the local water supply.
By siphoning water out of the Sacramento River before it reaches the Delta, the canal would reduce the amount of fresh water near Contra Costa Water District's intakes in the south Delta and increase the concentration of pollution and salt water.
If built, however, a new canal probably would be operated and managed in conjunction with the existing state and federal intakes near Tracy. That would ensure more water stays in the Delta and could help offset the deleterious effects a new canal would have on water quality in the south Delta, the sole water source for 500,000 people.
The call for in-depth study of a Peripheral Canal comes during fast-moving negotiations for a pact to stabilize the state's dwindling and increasingly vulnerable water supplies while also protecting the environment.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Housing First in Los Angeles
The program model we support (partially adopted by Sacramento) for helping the chronic homeless (those who represent the largest group of homeless who camp in the Parkway) is being planned for Los Angeles.
They are also using the preffered scattered site approach (only partially used by Sacramento) where chronic homeless are moved into apartments scattered throughout the city rather than congregated in centers (which Sacramento is directing a majority of its funds towards), which severely degrades residential and commercial neighborhoods as we have seen in Sacramento with the concentration of homeless services.
L.A. County might get new homeless program
Supervisors expected to approve Project 50, which aims to get skid row's most vulnerable people into supportive housing.
By Susannah Rosenblatt
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 19, 2007
Los Angeles County supervisors are poised to approve a program that will identify the 50 most vulnerable homeless people on downtown's skid row and move them within 100 days into apartments with readily accessible support services.
The program, patterned after projects underway in New York City and elsewhere, is not only aimed at saving the lives of those most likely to die on the streets, but also is expected to save taxpayers the millions of dollars typically spent on people who cycle in and out of shelters, jails and emergency rooms.
"A lot of these folks fall through the cracks when they go through the shelters," said Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, a major proponent of the project. "If we can't make this work, then we've got a problem."
On Tuesday, the board will probably approve two contracts with homeless advocacy groups to provide training and housing for the program. Four of the five supervisors have indicated they support the program.
The county has struggled to address the vast homelessness problem. A year ago, supervisors approved an unprecedented $100-million homeless initiative, anchored by five regional assistance centers. But the program faltered after communities balked at the prospect of homeless people coming to their neighborhoods. The county quietly switched gears, deciding instead to fund private organizations and smaller efforts, such as a housing program for families on skid row.
They are also using the preffered scattered site approach (only partially used by Sacramento) where chronic homeless are moved into apartments scattered throughout the city rather than congregated in centers (which Sacramento is directing a majority of its funds towards), which severely degrades residential and commercial neighborhoods as we have seen in Sacramento with the concentration of homeless services.
L.A. County might get new homeless program
Supervisors expected to approve Project 50, which aims to get skid row's most vulnerable people into supportive housing.
By Susannah Rosenblatt
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 19, 2007
Los Angeles County supervisors are poised to approve a program that will identify the 50 most vulnerable homeless people on downtown's skid row and move them within 100 days into apartments with readily accessible support services.
The program, patterned after projects underway in New York City and elsewhere, is not only aimed at saving the lives of those most likely to die on the streets, but also is expected to save taxpayers the millions of dollars typically spent on people who cycle in and out of shelters, jails and emergency rooms.
"A lot of these folks fall through the cracks when they go through the shelters," said Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, a major proponent of the project. "If we can't make this work, then we've got a problem."
On Tuesday, the board will probably approve two contracts with homeless advocacy groups to provide training and housing for the program. Four of the five supervisors have indicated they support the program.
The county has struggled to address the vast homelessness problem. A year ago, supervisors approved an unprecedented $100-million homeless initiative, anchored by five regional assistance centers. But the program faltered after communities balked at the prospect of homeless people coming to their neighborhoods. The county quietly switched gears, deciding instead to fund private organizations and smaller efforts, such as a housing program for families on skid row.
Light Rail
Rail transit works in very high density cities like New York, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco, but is entirely unsuited for suburban cities, where the most effective form of mass public transit is buses, and the continued suburban strategy of “build it and they will come” is just a waste of good money better directed towards buses.
Troubled RT seeks new ways to draw riders, funds
By Tony Bizjak - tbizjak@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Monday, November 19, 2007
Ridership is down. The budget's running on fumes. Complaints are piling up about bad behavior on trains. And the boss just left town.
Sacramento County's principal public transportation agency, Regional Transit, finds itself in an ironic predicament as a difficult 2007 comes to a close: The region is growing, but RT is shrinking. Today, only 4 percent of local commuters use transit.
"It's so frustrating," said board member Roberta MacGlashan, a county supervisor. "All we've been able to do is cut."
Now, amid questions about RT's relevancy, agency officials are launching an effort to boost the profile of public transportation and – against odds – entice the next generation of commuters to leave the car at home.
Troubled RT seeks new ways to draw riders, funds
By Tony Bizjak - tbizjak@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Monday, November 19, 2007
Ridership is down. The budget's running on fumes. Complaints are piling up about bad behavior on trains. And the boss just left town.
Sacramento County's principal public transportation agency, Regional Transit, finds itself in an ironic predicament as a difficult 2007 comes to a close: The region is growing, but RT is shrinking. Today, only 4 percent of local commuters use transit.
"It's so frustrating," said board member Roberta MacGlashan, a county supervisor. "All we've been able to do is cut."
Now, amid questions about RT's relevancy, agency officials are launching an effort to boost the profile of public transportation and – against odds – entice the next generation of commuters to leave the car at home.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
State Infrastructure
Good analysis of the recent bond passage and what needs to happen that hasn’t, as well as a somber reminder (highlighted) of what often happens with new money governments get for ongoing projects; they reduce the general fund expenditures for that project (one reason we don’t support raising adjacent property taxes for Parkway maintenance).
Richard G. Little: State lacks vision for infrastructure
By Richard G. Little - Special To The Bee
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, November 18, 2007
One year after California voters approved the largest bond package in state history to fund infrastructure, most will have the impression that the problem is well under control. However, that's not the case.
A panel of experts convened by the Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy this month highlighted some sobering realities regarding the infrastructure bonds.
Despite $42 billion approved by the voters, only 5 percent of those funds have been released to agencies to spend. Some delay can be attributed to agencies gearing up to spend new money, some to the three-month delay in approving a state budget, but most to lack of any statewide vision for infrastructure…
But as long as bonds [or new taxes] are available to fund infrastructure, they quickly can become the de facto sole source. Revenues allocated to transportation or flood control can be shifted to other programs to cover shortfalls and the loss backfilled with bond [or tax] monies.
Richard G. Little: State lacks vision for infrastructure
By Richard G. Little - Special To The Bee
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, November 18, 2007
One year after California voters approved the largest bond package in state history to fund infrastructure, most will have the impression that the problem is well under control. However, that's not the case.
A panel of experts convened by the Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy this month highlighted some sobering realities regarding the infrastructure bonds.
Despite $42 billion approved by the voters, only 5 percent of those funds have been released to agencies to spend. Some delay can be attributed to agencies gearing up to spend new money, some to the three-month delay in approving a state budget, but most to lack of any statewide vision for infrastructure…
But as long as bonds [or new taxes] are available to fund infrastructure, they quickly can become the de facto sole source. Revenues allocated to transportation or flood control can be shifted to other programs to cover shortfalls and the loss backfilled with bond [or tax] monies.
Political Apathy, Part 1
Good points are raised in this column and I would say that apathy is the issue after many years of less than inspiring leadership, the results of which everyone can see in the lack of progress on just two key issues; the basic preservation of public safety and access in lower K Street and the lower American River Parkway.
Marcos Bretón: Are voters happy – or apathetic?
By Marcos Bretón - mbreton@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, November 18, 2007
Someone should have materialized by now to challenge Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo in her bid for re-election to a third term in June.
No one has, save for bounty hunter Leonard Padilla, who wears stylish cowboy hats while chasing bad guys but has no chance of catching Fargo in a head-to-head run.
A clear path to four more years of Fargo would seem to be a sign of voter satisfaction with her performance as mayor for eight years.
Maybe there is deeper meaning behind a fast-approaching mayoral election with no contest in sight. Maybe Sacramento doesn't care.
Marcos Bretón: Are voters happy – or apathetic?
By Marcos Bretón - mbreton@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, November 18, 2007
Someone should have materialized by now to challenge Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo in her bid for re-election to a third term in June.
No one has, save for bounty hunter Leonard Padilla, who wears stylish cowboy hats while chasing bad guys but has no chance of catching Fargo in a head-to-head run.
A clear path to four more years of Fargo would seem to be a sign of voter satisfaction with her performance as mayor for eight years.
Maybe there is deeper meaning behind a fast-approaching mayoral election with no contest in sight. Maybe Sacramento doesn't care.
Political Apathy, Part 2
In the most high profile downtown issue, executive leadership seems—so far at least—unable to close the deal, and this is one of those details of looming stature if left undone.
Editorial: Unfinished business
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, November 18, 2007
A Friday editorial outlined three issues the Sacramento City Council must address in hearings on the railyard project: realistic financing assumptions, one-way streets and phase-in of housing.
But there's another matter that we'd like to see the city and the developer, Thomas Enterprises, settle before they seek state bond money.
Nearly 25 acres of the 244- acre railyard site lie in the course of the American River as it existed when California entered the Union. Since statehood, nearly all California rivers, including the American River, have changed course because of dams and levees. But the lands formerly under water remain public trust lands governed by what is called "Public Trust Doctrine." All 50 states have "public trust lands."
Public trust land at the railyard has been an issue since 1989, when the city began planning the site's redevelopment. It remains important because the 25 acres lie where the developer proposes a Bass Pro shop, slated as the first development. To avoid unnecessary delays, the issue should be resolved before the railyard seeks funds from the state.
Editorial: Unfinished business
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, November 18, 2007
A Friday editorial outlined three issues the Sacramento City Council must address in hearings on the railyard project: realistic financing assumptions, one-way streets and phase-in of housing.
But there's another matter that we'd like to see the city and the developer, Thomas Enterprises, settle before they seek state bond money.
Nearly 25 acres of the 244- acre railyard site lie in the course of the American River as it existed when California entered the Union. Since statehood, nearly all California rivers, including the American River, have changed course because of dams and levees. But the lands formerly under water remain public trust lands governed by what is called "Public Trust Doctrine." All 50 states have "public trust lands."
Public trust land at the railyard has been an issue since 1989, when the city began planning the site's redevelopment. It remains important because the 25 acres lie where the developer proposes a Bass Pro shop, slated as the first development. To avoid unnecessary delays, the issue should be resolved before the railyard seeks funds from the state.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Counties & Development
An interesting argument that certainly has some merit.
Editorial: Who owns the ranch?
Supervisor should cede on Placer Ranch
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, November 17, 2007
California counties should get out of the business of approving urban development. While counties can reap a quick windfall from such projects, they lack the capacity to provide urban services over the long run.
Want proof? Look at North Highlands. Or swaths of Los Angeles County. California needs to stop growing the Uncity. There ought to be a law.
Until the Legislature passes one, cities and counties must develop a working relationship. Cities need to grow. Counties need a reasonable share of revenues to handle their responsibilities. In Placer County there's an opportunity for Roseville and Placer to firm up this relationship. Alternately, there's a chance of a messy divorce.
At issue is Placer Ranch, a proposed 2,200-acre development on the north edge of Roseville. Developer Eli Broad has long worked with the county on a plan that would include 5,000 homes and sizable commercial and industrial space. It would also include a satellite campus of California State University, Sacramento.
Editorial: Who owns the ranch?
Supervisor should cede on Placer Ranch
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, November 17, 2007
California counties should get out of the business of approving urban development. While counties can reap a quick windfall from such projects, they lack the capacity to provide urban services over the long run.
Want proof? Look at North Highlands. Or swaths of Los Angeles County. California needs to stop growing the Uncity. There ought to be a law.
Until the Legislature passes one, cities and counties must develop a working relationship. Cities need to grow. Counties need a reasonable share of revenues to handle their responsibilities. In Placer County there's an opportunity for Roseville and Placer to firm up this relationship. Alternately, there's a chance of a messy divorce.
At issue is Placer Ranch, a proposed 2,200-acre development on the north edge of Roseville. Developer Eli Broad has long worked with the county on a plan that would include 5,000 homes and sizable commercial and industrial space. It would also include a satellite campus of California State University, Sacramento.
Water Bill & Dams
The obvious need for dams, which Senator Feinstein recently realized and called for state democrats to also accept the obvious, has moved this bill along somewhat, but there is such a resistance to any new dams that some leaders are still seeking a backdoor way to stop them.
One hopes reason prevails and the dams stay, protected from future legislative removal.
Water deal forms, its fate unknown
Dams a key issue; Assembly hasn't weighed in yet.
By E.J. Schultz - eschultz@fresnobee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, November 17, 2007
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Senate's top Democrat are nearing a compromise on a $10 billion water bond for the February ballot, but a fight over who oversees the spending still could scuttle the deal.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said in an interview Friday that he hopes to close the deal today and put it up for a vote the week after Thanksgiving.
"We're very close right now," said Perata, D-Oakland, who only a month ago had abandoned hope of reaching a compromise. "Not everybody gets what they want here, but they get what they need."
Both parties have agreed to make about $3 billion available for dams, which had been a major sticking point. But Democrats, who have a majority in the Legislature, want to be able to oversee the spending on a yearly basis, which Republicans aren't willing to grant.
"We believe that that creates a trap door for them to basically not approve the money for the surface storage projects," said Sen. Dave Cogdill of Modesto, the GOP's lead negotiator on water.
One hopes reason prevails and the dams stay, protected from future legislative removal.
Water deal forms, its fate unknown
Dams a key issue; Assembly hasn't weighed in yet.
By E.J. Schultz - eschultz@fresnobee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, November 17, 2007
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Senate's top Democrat are nearing a compromise on a $10 billion water bond for the February ballot, but a fight over who oversees the spending still could scuttle the deal.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said in an interview Friday that he hopes to close the deal today and put it up for a vote the week after Thanksgiving.
"We're very close right now," said Perata, D-Oakland, who only a month ago had abandoned hope of reaching a compromise. "Not everybody gets what they want here, but they get what they need."
Both parties have agreed to make about $3 billion available for dams, which had been a major sticking point. But Democrats, who have a majority in the Legislature, want to be able to oversee the spending on a yearly basis, which Republicans aren't willing to grant.
"We believe that that creates a trap door for them to basically not approve the money for the surface storage projects," said Sen. Dave Cogdill of Modesto, the GOP's lead negotiator on water.
Klamath Dams
This appears, at first glance, to be a situation actually calling for the removal of dams, but on closer observation at least one serious question arises; where does the 70,000 people now dependent on the power from the dams get their power if the dams are removed.
So, it shouldn’t really be an argument between the cost of fish ladders or dam removal, but between the power people need to live and whether they can pay the extra cost to build fish ladders; and is a federal exemption from the regulation that fish ladders are needed perhaps called for here.
Klamath dam report raises hope of removals
Tearing out barriers cheaper than fish ladders, study says.
By Matt Weiser - mweiser@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, November 17, 2007
A study released by federal regulators Friday confirms that removing four dams on the Klamath River would be far cheaper than fitting them with fish ladders, boosting hopes among Indian tribes, fishermen and environmentalists that the dams are doomed.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released the final environmental impact study as part of its process to relicense the dams near the Oregon border, owned by Portland-based PacifiCorp. The report does not recommend dam removal, but its findings may make that more likely.
The Klamath River was once home to the third-largest salmon run on the Pacific Coast, after the ones on the Columbia and Sacramento. But dam construction, water diversions and the poor water quality that followed have played a role in endangering those runs.
The dams, built between 1917 and 1962, are relatively small power producers, serving about 70,000 customers. The dams do not yield water supplies or provide significant flood control.
So, it shouldn’t really be an argument between the cost of fish ladders or dam removal, but between the power people need to live and whether they can pay the extra cost to build fish ladders; and is a federal exemption from the regulation that fish ladders are needed perhaps called for here.
Klamath dam report raises hope of removals
Tearing out barriers cheaper than fish ladders, study says.
By Matt Weiser - mweiser@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, November 17, 2007
A study released by federal regulators Friday confirms that removing four dams on the Klamath River would be far cheaper than fitting them with fish ladders, boosting hopes among Indian tribes, fishermen and environmentalists that the dams are doomed.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released the final environmental impact study as part of its process to relicense the dams near the Oregon border, owned by Portland-based PacifiCorp. The report does not recommend dam removal, but its findings may make that more likely.
The Klamath River was once home to the third-largest salmon run on the Pacific Coast, after the ones on the Columbia and Sacramento. But dam construction, water diversions and the poor water quality that followed have played a role in endangering those runs.
The dams, built between 1917 and 1962, are relatively small power producers, serving about 70,000 customers. The dams do not yield water supplies or provide significant flood control.
Smog Detection
Now this is a piece of technology that can really do some good, and one most people will probably appreciate very much, with funding to help those whose cars are targeted. Wow!
Smog sensors targeting vehicles in O.C.
The remote monitoring program measures emission levels. The owners of gross polluters will be offered aid.
By Jennifer Delson
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 16, 2007
Big Brother is watching your car.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District is targeting vehicles in Orange County this week, using remote smog sensors to nab gross polluters -- about 10% of all vehicles on Southland roadways.
AQMD officials said that because those vehicles create 50% of the smog, the state would help the owners with repair costs or pay them to scrap the vehicles.
The sensors measure emissions by projecting beams of infrared and ultraviolet light across a roadway, such as a freeway onramp. As a vehicle passes by, its tailpipe emissions absorb some of the light, and a computer calculates the pollution level. At the same time, a camera captures the license plate.
This is the first time Orange County roads have been checked by the AQMD. The district began monitoring in Los Angeles and Riverside counties over the summer.
Gross-polluting vehicles emit 100 times more pollution than average vehicles, typically because of maintenance problems or someone having tampered with the exhaust or emission systems. They aren't necessarily old cars.
The AQMD will send letters to the owners of the polluting vehicles, offering them $500 to help with repairs, or $1,000 to scrap the vehicle. Low-income motorists willing to replace their cars with a low-emission model can get $2,000.
Smog sensors targeting vehicles in O.C.
The remote monitoring program measures emission levels. The owners of gross polluters will be offered aid.
By Jennifer Delson
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 16, 2007
Big Brother is watching your car.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District is targeting vehicles in Orange County this week, using remote smog sensors to nab gross polluters -- about 10% of all vehicles on Southland roadways.
AQMD officials said that because those vehicles create 50% of the smog, the state would help the owners with repair costs or pay them to scrap the vehicles.
The sensors measure emissions by projecting beams of infrared and ultraviolet light across a roadway, such as a freeway onramp. As a vehicle passes by, its tailpipe emissions absorb some of the light, and a computer calculates the pollution level. At the same time, a camera captures the license plate.
This is the first time Orange County roads have been checked by the AQMD. The district began monitoring in Los Angeles and Riverside counties over the summer.
Gross-polluting vehicles emit 100 times more pollution than average vehicles, typically because of maintenance problems or someone having tampered with the exhaust or emission systems. They aren't necessarily old cars.
The AQMD will send letters to the owners of the polluting vehicles, offering them $500 to help with repairs, or $1,000 to scrap the vehicle. Low-income motorists willing to replace their cars with a low-emission model can get $2,000.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Railyards
A lot needs to be worked out that is still just hanging out there.
Editorial: Council needs to nail down details on railyard
All aboard? Not so fast, because the answers about risks and benefits matter
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
Logic would seem to dictate that the Sacramento railyard is a done deal. The Sacramento City Planning Commission recommended approval of the 244-acre project three days ago. The City Council seems supportive and plans three hearings, the first Tuesday.
Yet there are numerous questions hanging over this project, which could bring 12,000 residences, cultural attractions, shops, entertainment and a new transit center to Sacramento over the next three decades.
The City Council needs to insist on solid answers, to ensure that the railyard district lives up to its lofty expectations and fairly balances risks and benefits between the city and the developer, Thomas Enterprises.
As noted before, the railyard is an enormously challenging patch of dirt, complicated by issues of access, toxic contamination, track relocation and financing deadlines. Thomas and the city plan to seek up to $150 million in state bond money to pay for needed infrastructure. Thus they are racing to establish "project readiness" and secure permits by early 2008, even as they try to build a case their plan has been substantially vetted and reviewed by the public.
The truth is somewhere in between. Although Thomas and the city have worked to develop sound design guidelines and strengthen their initial plan for affordable housing, the public didn't see two key documents – the financing plan and development agreement – until late last week. That gave the Planning Commission little chance to hammer issues that need to be nailed down.
Editorial: Council needs to nail down details on railyard
All aboard? Not so fast, because the answers about risks and benefits matter
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
Logic would seem to dictate that the Sacramento railyard is a done deal. The Sacramento City Planning Commission recommended approval of the 244-acre project three days ago. The City Council seems supportive and plans three hearings, the first Tuesday.
Yet there are numerous questions hanging over this project, which could bring 12,000 residences, cultural attractions, shops, entertainment and a new transit center to Sacramento over the next three decades.
The City Council needs to insist on solid answers, to ensure that the railyard district lives up to its lofty expectations and fairly balances risks and benefits between the city and the developer, Thomas Enterprises.
As noted before, the railyard is an enormously challenging patch of dirt, complicated by issues of access, toxic contamination, track relocation and financing deadlines. Thomas and the city plan to seek up to $150 million in state bond money to pay for needed infrastructure. Thus they are racing to establish "project readiness" and secure permits by early 2008, even as they try to build a case their plan has been substantially vetted and reviewed by the public.
The truth is somewhere in between. Although Thomas and the city have worked to develop sound design guidelines and strengthen their initial plan for affordable housing, the public didn't see two key documents – the financing plan and development agreement – until late last week. That gave the Planning Commission little chance to hammer issues that need to be nailed down.
San Joaquin River Restoration
An update looks promising.
House panel OKs river restoration
By David Whitney - dwhitney@mcclatchydc.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
WASHINGTON – Legislation to restore the San Joaquin River cleared the House Natural Resources Committee by a 25-15 vote Thursday, winning cheers from environmentalists but not a single Republican vote.
"We've waited a year for this, and now we have it," said Hamilton Candee, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "This sends an important signal back to the state that this river restoration is going to happen."
"It's good to see it's moving," added Ronald Jacobsma, general manager of the Friant Water Users Association.
The measure would send water down about 27 miles of the river, which often dries up downstream of Friant Dam because the water is diverted. But the deal is far from done.
Republicans balked in unison because it would meet tough House budget rules by balancing the $170 million federal cost with a new tax on non-producing oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill's champion, Democratic Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno, promised that that provision would be changed before the measure hits the House floor.
House panel OKs river restoration
By David Whitney - dwhitney@mcclatchydc.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
WASHINGTON – Legislation to restore the San Joaquin River cleared the House Natural Resources Committee by a 25-15 vote Thursday, winning cheers from environmentalists but not a single Republican vote.
"We've waited a year for this, and now we have it," said Hamilton Candee, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "This sends an important signal back to the state that this river restoration is going to happen."
"It's good to see it's moving," added Ronald Jacobsma, general manager of the Friant Water Users Association.
The measure would send water down about 27 miles of the river, which often dries up downstream of Friant Dam because the water is diverted. But the deal is far from done.
Republicans balked in unison because it would meet tough House budget rules by balancing the $170 million federal cost with a new tax on non-producing oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill's champion, Democratic Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno, promised that that provision would be changed before the measure hits the House floor.
Developers Shrinking
The development presence in Sacramento continues to contract.
Home Front: The walls are closing in on some area home building
By Jim Wasserman - jwasserman@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
Reports continue to come in about Sacramento-area home builders cutting back on overhead, mothballing projects and, now, selling land.
One reason is that banks, with their growing numbers of repossessed homes, are becoming one of the builders' fiercest competitors for buyers in this market.
There's plenty to add to recent reports that Los Angeles-based Pardee Homes, Milwaukee-based Homes by Towne and Nouveau Homes of Rocklin temporarily closed projects in Natomas, Lincoln and Elk Grove rather than slash prices deeper.
Last week came another move in the continuing downsizing of the region's building industry. Arizona-based Meritage Homes closed a Sacramento division it opened in the late 1990s. The builder laid off about a dozen people and merged its operation into the Concord-based East Bay division, said Bay Area region president Dennis Welsch.
"What we did was we had support services in Sacramento, human resources, accounting, purchasing and back shop functions, that we pulled back to Concord," he said.
Sales and construction continue, said Welsch, at the firm's 10 projects in West Sacramento, Lincoln, Elk Grove, Roseville, Plumas Lakes in Yuba County, and Reno and Sparks, Nev.
Meritage, which in recent years has ranked among the capital region's top 15 builders, is among the first big publicly traded builders to close a Sacramento division. Denver-based Richmond American Homes also has closed a local headquarters.
San Jouquin River Restoration
Home Front: The walls are closing in on some area home building
By Jim Wasserman - jwasserman@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
Reports continue to come in about Sacramento-area home builders cutting back on overhead, mothballing projects and, now, selling land.
One reason is that banks, with their growing numbers of repossessed homes, are becoming one of the builders' fiercest competitors for buyers in this market.
There's plenty to add to recent reports that Los Angeles-based Pardee Homes, Milwaukee-based Homes by Towne and Nouveau Homes of Rocklin temporarily closed projects in Natomas, Lincoln and Elk Grove rather than slash prices deeper.
Last week came another move in the continuing downsizing of the region's building industry. Arizona-based Meritage Homes closed a Sacramento division it opened in the late 1990s. The builder laid off about a dozen people and merged its operation into the Concord-based East Bay division, said Bay Area region president Dennis Welsch.
"What we did was we had support services in Sacramento, human resources, accounting, purchasing and back shop functions, that we pulled back to Concord," he said.
Sales and construction continue, said Welsch, at the firm's 10 projects in West Sacramento, Lincoln, Elk Grove, Roseville, Plumas Lakes in Yuba County, and Reno and Sparks, Nev.
Meritage, which in recent years has ranked among the capital region's top 15 builders, is among the first big publicly traded builders to close a Sacramento division. Denver-based Richmond American Homes also has closed a local headquarters.
San Jouquin River Restoration
Bay Spill
The costs begin being tabulated.
Calculating the cost of the S.F. oil spill
By Gilbert Chan - gchan@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
Environmental consultants rank last week's oil spill in the San Francisco Bay, the worst there in nearly two decades, as moderate in terms of its financial repercussions. Dagmar Schmidt Etkin of Environmental Research Consulting in New York estimates the impact will be as much as $155 million, based on an economic model developed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Here is the breakdown:
Socioeconomic impact: $50 million to $100 million
Judging from the past, experts expect a number of ripple effects from the spill.
However, not everything can be anticipated immediately.The consequences include:
• Damage to real and personal property, including pleasure crafts.
• Closure of beaches, parks and other recreation areas.
• Extra expenses and income loss by commercial and sports fishing companies.
At the urging of industry, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suspended the fishing season until Dec. 1, interrupting the region's popular Dungeness crab season, valued at $7.8 million last year. Some fear the spill may threaten the catch in the future. The herring season, which normally begins in December and netted more than $400,000 in 2006, also could be affected. The long-term impact on marine life cannot yet be quantified, environmental toxicology experts said.
• Lost revenue at tourist-related businesses, shipping companies and recreation-oriented ventures. Even though much of the seafood haul sold at Fisherman's Wharf is caught offshore or elsewhere in the Pacific, industry veterans fear the oil spill will color consumer perceptions and decisions.
Calculating the cost of the S.F. oil spill
By Gilbert Chan - gchan@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
Environmental consultants rank last week's oil spill in the San Francisco Bay, the worst there in nearly two decades, as moderate in terms of its financial repercussions. Dagmar Schmidt Etkin of Environmental Research Consulting in New York estimates the impact will be as much as $155 million, based on an economic model developed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Here is the breakdown:
Socioeconomic impact: $50 million to $100 million
Judging from the past, experts expect a number of ripple effects from the spill.
However, not everything can be anticipated immediately.The consequences include:
• Damage to real and personal property, including pleasure crafts.
• Closure of beaches, parks and other recreation areas.
• Extra expenses and income loss by commercial and sports fishing companies.
At the urging of industry, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suspended the fishing season until Dec. 1, interrupting the region's popular Dungeness crab season, valued at $7.8 million last year. Some fear the spill may threaten the catch in the future. The herring season, which normally begins in December and netted more than $400,000 in 2006, also could be affected. The long-term impact on marine life cannot yet be quantified, environmental toxicology experts said.
• Lost revenue at tourist-related businesses, shipping companies and recreation-oriented ventures. Even though much of the seafood haul sold at Fisherman's Wharf is caught offshore or elsewhere in the Pacific, industry veterans fear the oil spill will color consumer perceptions and decisions.
Lake Davis Update
Fish-killing chemicals dissipating
By Jane Braxton Little - Bee Correspondent
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
PORTOLA – Lake Davis and the surrounding forest area are gradually returning to normal since California officials dumped 16,000 gallons of poison into the reservoir to eradicate non-native northern pike.
All of the chemicals are dissipating, said David Spath, who has regularly tested the reservoir water for the state Department of Health Services since the September treatment.
Rotenone, an organic insecticide used to kill all the fish in the lake, is largely gone, Spath said. The chemicals used to disperse rotenone remain detectable, but all levels were reduced when lasted tested Nov. 5, he said. The U.S. Forest Service has lifted a portion of the public closure imposed before the poisoning.
Lake Davis, its shoreline and all roads leading directly to the reservoir will remain closed to the public until officials determine the area is free of rotenone and its constituent chemicals, said Michele Jimenez-Holtz, a spokeswoman with the Plumas National Forest.
Spath had no estimate of when the chemicals might all be gone.
The California Department of Fish and Game has promised to stock Lake Davis with 117,000 rainbow trout once it is free of chemicals.
Department officials conducted the $16.7 million poisoning project to prevent the invasive pike from migrating downstream into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, where they feared they would decimate the state's native and commercial fishery.
By Jane Braxton Little - Bee Correspondent
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
PORTOLA – Lake Davis and the surrounding forest area are gradually returning to normal since California officials dumped 16,000 gallons of poison into the reservoir to eradicate non-native northern pike.
All of the chemicals are dissipating, said David Spath, who has regularly tested the reservoir water for the state Department of Health Services since the September treatment.
Rotenone, an organic insecticide used to kill all the fish in the lake, is largely gone, Spath said. The chemicals used to disperse rotenone remain detectable, but all levels were reduced when lasted tested Nov. 5, he said. The U.S. Forest Service has lifted a portion of the public closure imposed before the poisoning.
Lake Davis, its shoreline and all roads leading directly to the reservoir will remain closed to the public until officials determine the area is free of rotenone and its constituent chemicals, said Michele Jimenez-Holtz, a spokeswoman with the Plumas National Forest.
Spath had no estimate of when the chemicals might all be gone.
The California Department of Fish and Game has promised to stock Lake Davis with 117,000 rainbow trout once it is free of chemicals.
Department officials conducted the $16.7 million poisoning project to prevent the invasive pike from migrating downstream into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, where they feared they would decimate the state's native and commercial fishery.
Oak Park Development
The ongoing tragedy of this story is very sad, from such promise a short time ago.
Oak Park wants action
Kevin Johnson fails to show up for meeting about progress in his renovation plan for properties.
By Terri Hardy and Phillip Reese - thardy@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
For a month, Oak Park community leaders anticipated a presentation from representatives of former NBA all-star Kevin Johnson, detailing plans for resuscitating his flagging economic development efforts and fixing his dilapidated properties.
They're still waiting.
Johnson was a no-show at Wednesday night's meeting of the Oak Park Redevelopment Advisory Committee, and top officials from his St. HOPE Development Corp. who did attend provided scant details, drawing criticism from the committee and audience.
"Let's get real and stop acting like you are better than everybody else," scolded committee Chairwoman Edenausegboye Davis.
Al Williamson, who oversees commercial properties for St. HOPE and lots and other properties for Johnson's for-profit Kynship Development, insisted progress was being made. He alternately dismissed and sidestepped findings from an October Sacramento Bee investigation that half of Johnson's organizations' 37 Oak Park properties have amassed city violations in the past decade and many have been vacant for years.
Oak Park wants action
Kevin Johnson fails to show up for meeting about progress in his renovation plan for properties.
By Terri Hardy and Phillip Reese - thardy@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 16, 2007
For a month, Oak Park community leaders anticipated a presentation from representatives of former NBA all-star Kevin Johnson, detailing plans for resuscitating his flagging economic development efforts and fixing his dilapidated properties.
They're still waiting.
Johnson was a no-show at Wednesday night's meeting of the Oak Park Redevelopment Advisory Committee, and top officials from his St. HOPE Development Corp. who did attend provided scant details, drawing criticism from the committee and audience.
"Let's get real and stop acting like you are better than everybody else," scolded committee Chairwoman Edenausegboye Davis.
Al Williamson, who oversees commercial properties for St. HOPE and lots and other properties for Johnson's for-profit Kynship Development, insisted progress was being made. He alternately dismissed and sidestepped findings from an October Sacramento Bee investigation that half of Johnson's organizations' 37 Oak Park properties have amassed city violations in the past decade and many have been vacant for years.
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