Trash rates - Foster City style

Two issues:  1) apparently Foster City does consider trash pick-up a Proposition 218 issue; and 2) cost is less, probably in conjunction with the city contract (lower franchise fees), the land is flat, the city economy is good (and sustainable).   

"Sweet deal" Cookie Monster!

From The Daily Journal, 11/29/11. "The Foster City Council approved a 6.4 percent increase to garbage rates last night in a special Proposition 218 public hearing. The hearing allowed residents to officially protest the increase and if a majority did, the council would have had to figure out another way to pay Recology the money it lost this year and expects to lose next year based on residents migrating to smaller 32- and 20-gallon cans.

Only 10 residents sent in protests but more than 3,600 were needed to prevent the rate hike in accordance with Proposition 218 which allows residents who are assessed a fee a chance to protest it. The approval means residents will see the increase in their next bill, which will be mailed out next Wednesday for the months of December, January and February.  The increase will be reflected for the months of January and February.  The monthly cost for a 20-gallon can will rise from the current rate of $11.11 to $11.82 next year and from $17.78 to $18.92 for the 32-gallon can. Foster City Manager Jim Hardy called the increase “modest” compared to other cities who contract with Recology through the South Bayside Waste Management Authority, which represents most cities in the county.

The increase did not get unanimous approval, however, as Councilman Rick Wykoff voted against it. “I have a real problem with the rate increase so soon after joining the service,” Wykoff said. In February, the council approved a 29.5 rate hike to cover the cost for Recology’s expanded service, improvements to the Shoreway Environmental Center and expected migration to smaller cans.

Wykoff is not thrilled with state mandates that call for 75 diversion rates by 2020. He called Assembly Bill 341, which set the diversion rate, a “baseless law.” The law calls for cities to divert garbage out of landfills by 75 percent through recycling or composting efforts or face stiff penalties. Wykoff said that even though the city only received 10 protests does not mean that more are against the hike. “I don’t want staff to assume there is no objection to this. There’s more than 10 that object to this,” he said." Read more...."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

History lesson reminder - move away from radical environmentalism

One wonders why Pacifica is going broke, scrambling to extort new infrastructure repairs out of the public, and in the crosshairs of every radical enviro group in the state. Can you imagine if this biodiesel albatross had been hooked into our "State of the Art" waste water treatment plant!  

Pacifica City Councilman Jim Vreeland is not up for re-election next year, but just thought I would remind people of just one of his failed projects that cost the City of Pacifica and its citizens.   Satirical Video, 4:52 minutes.  Pacifica Mayor Vreeland at the Coastal Commission.  flaky, potentially dangerous project for our WWTP.

Coastal Commission Staff Report and recommendations,7/11/08 hearing (large report).

Coastal Commission approval article, Pacifica Tribune article/Jane Northrop, 7/16/08.

Biodiesel project tanks (4/09), scroll down for more detail, All Business News.

Submitted by Jim Wagner
Posted by Kathy Meeh 

Attend Public Hearing Monday, Dec. 5, 10 A.M., S.F. City Hall, RM. 250: Oppose Avalos Ordinance to Close Sharp Park

Attend Public Hearing Monday, Dec. 5, 10 A.M., S.F. City Hall, RM. 250:  Oppose Avalos Ordinance To Close Sharp Park The long-threatened public hearing on Supervisor Avalos' Close-Sharp Park Golf Course Ordinance, is scheduled for public hearing Monday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. in Room 250, S.F. City Hall, before the City Operations & Neighborhood Services Committee.  (Room 250 is the big legislative chamber at top of the grand staircase). The Avalos Ordinance would direct the Rec & Park Dept. to offer to close Sharp Park Golf Course and enter exclusive negotiations with the GGNRA to take over Sharp Park.  The GGNRA has already announced it will not operate a golf course at Sharp. NOW is the time for golfers and their friends and families to come to the aid of affordable public golf and the legacy of Alister MacKenzie at Sharp Park.  Bring your friends, family, and foursomes.   Be early.  If you plan to attend, PLEASE RSVP via Email by clicking here.  Please include your name and phone number. Spread the word! Save Sharp Park!! Donations are greatly appreciated. To donate, please visit our website: Donations Page

We are on Twitter (@SFPublicGolf), Facebook and our website   Submitted by Richard Harris

Sharp Park legal victory for San Francisco and Pacifica

The Wildly Equitable Biodiverse Litigants for Ecological Extortion and Deep Untruths (WEBLEEDU) just lost another battle in the Sharp Park Golf War.

The San Francisco Public Golf Alliance has the story:

"Federal Judge Susan Illston today issued an Order Denying Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction at Sharp Park Golf Course. The plaintiffs, "a collection of non-profit conservation groups" led by the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity, had sought an order to halt mowing on Holes 9-18 and to halt winter flood-relief pumping at the 80-year-old golf course. Noted architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. submitted a declaration to Court, saying that if granted, the relief sought by the plaintiffs would effectively mean destruction of the Alister MacKenzie-designed course.

In a 15-page ruling, Judge Illston said she denied the motion because she found that the plaintiffs "failed to establish the likelihood of irreparable harm" to the California red-legged frog or the San Francisco garter snake. Judge Illston, a veteran Federal Judge who last year presided at the Barry Bonds case, heard oral arguments in the Sharp Park case on November 18. Trial in the case is scheduled for July 16, 2012.

To read a copy of Judge Illston's opinion, click here [PDF]."

For those keeping score:

• WEBLEEDU failed to elect SF Supervisor John Avalos mayor of San Francisco, after he cravenly secured their support by promising to give away 400 acres of beautiful coastal park land that belongs to the people of San Francisco (I know. Really. Only in EssEff.)
• WEBLEEDU failed to make the scientific case to close Sharp Park based on a specious threat to endangered species who have thrived at the park since it was created over 70 years ago.
• WEBLEEDU failed to close the park by promoting false and misleading statement about the financial status and popularity of golf at the park.
• WEBLEEDU failed (thus far) to intimidate The City into closing the course with threats of patently absurd and pointless lawsuits.
• WEBLEEDU failed to stop the funding of a job-creating, stimulus-subsidized, PUC-sponsored, cities of San Francisco and Pacifica supported project to bring recycled water to supply the course (Yes - this coalition of ostensible "environmentalists" were really fighting to stop a project to use recycled water instead of potable Hetch-Hetchy reservoir water at Sharp Park.)

With the latest win, by my count, the current score:

People of SF and Pacifica - 6
WEBLEEDU Axis - 0

Of course, this latest decision is only the most recent skirmish in a series of legal battles. That's ok. We may have a lot of problems in the City, but a shortage of really good lawyers is not one of them. No judge is going to rule to close a historically important landmark golf course in the face of a good faith plan to enhance the habitat for protected species that is sponsored by the most environmentally progressive City government in the country. It is purely an intimidation and EAJA compensation ploy. That's what WEBLEEDU does - environmental bullying of cash strapped municipalities. The City must stand up to them, and so far we have done exactly that.

They will lose the legal battle. Less predictable in San Francisco is what happens on the political front. The next political battle starts this Monday December 5th in a public hearing with the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee to discuss Supervisor Avalos' ordinance to give away Sharp Park.

The WEBLEEDU's will be there in force. Any Pacifica or San Francisco citizen interested in protecting this landmark city treasure should be there too. As I've said before:

"John Avalos is advocating giving Sharp Park away to the federal government. This is political suicide, or should be. Where else in the world could a politician run for mayor on a platform of giving away 400 acres of incredibly valuable and beautiful coastal park land that contributes millions in revenue to the city and belongs to the people of that city?

Sharp Park is a unique gem that belongs to the people of San Francisco. We choose to share our park with the Bay Area and the world.

The 80-acre golf course was designed and built by Alister MacKenzie, the game's most important architect. The 400-acre park itself was landscaped by John McLaren, the godfather of San Francisco parks. The park was a gift to the city in 1917 and represents a historic legacy entrusted to the people of San Francisco. The park and golf course are important historic landmarks by any standard.

This civic jewel of a park is a treasure that is our common San Francisco heritage and is a legacy for us to leave to future generations of San Franciscans.

Unless some clueless politician manages to give it away."

Cross Posted from MW Mobile Blog.
UPDATE: Fixed link


Mike Wallach
Fix Pacifica Foreign Correspondent
San Francisco Bureau

Sewer revenue bonds, the price bite just went up

This bankruptcy will affect the price of the 50 million in new sewer infrastructure bonds the city wants to float.

Comment from the Wall Street Journal/Kelly Noland, 11/29/11, "Muni Market Sounds Alert". The bankruptcy filing of Jefferson County, Ala., has caused alarm bells to ring in the municipal-bond market. Lawyers for the county, which in November filed for what could become the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, are arguing that holders of $3 billion in debt used to finance a sewer project should be forced to wait for their money along with other creditors. That has caused a stir in the market because the sewer bonds are classified as revenue bonds. Those bonds are considered among the safest to own because they are backed by a specific revenue stream.

Submitted by Jim Wagner

Posted by Kathy Meeh

"The cost of doing business" - not so fast....

Unfortunately this move -to-trial judicial decision will be appealed, but its a good start. 

From the New York Times/Edward Wyatt, 11/28/11.  "WASHINGTON — Taking a broad swipe at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s practice of allowing companies to settle cases without admitting that they had done anything wrong, a federal judge on Monday rejected a $285 million settlement between Citigroup and the agency.....

The agency in particular (the SEC), Judge Rakoff argued, “has a duty, inherent in its statutory mission, to see that the truth emerges.” But it is difficult to tell what the agency is getting from this settlement “other than a quick headline.” Even a $285 million settlement, he said, “is pocket change to any entity as large as Citigroup,” and often viewed by Wall Street firms “as a cost of doing business.” According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Citigroup stuffed a $1 billion mortgage fund that it sold to investors in 2007 with securities that it believed would fail so that it could bet against its customers and profit when values declined. The fraud, the agency said, was in Citigroup’s falsely telling investors that an independent party was choosing the portfolio’s investments. Citigroup made $160 million from the deal and investors lost $700 million."  Full article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Planning Commission meeting agenda for December 5

http://www.cityofpacifica.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=4654 

Amendment, pages 1, 2.

Only in Pacifica, they try to shut down a businesses with outdoor seating(Gorilla BBQ) that was on a National TV show(Diners, Drive In's & Dives)!!!

Submitted by Jim Alex

Brown Act study session, Wednesday night, 11/30/11, 6 - 8 pm

Want to learn more about how the Brown Act works in government, and what constitutes good government vs. violations?  There will be a special Study Session for the Planning Commission  at City Council Chambers, 2212 Beach Boulevard, this Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 6 pm.  Take this opportunity to attend.

Submitted by Jim Wagner

Posted by Kathy Meeh

New studies suggest global warming less severe, but...

Washington Post/Andrew Freedman, 11/28/11.  "New research takes some of the most dire global warming projections off the table. A study published last week in the journal Science concludes that the more extreme climate change scenarios, which involve temperature increases of up to 10°F are implausible. Instead, the study finds, we are likely in the midst of a more manageable, but still potentially dangerous, shift in the planet’s climate.
In fact, this study’s projections still warm the planet to the highest levels in human history.
According to the study, if atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), the most important global warming gas, were to double, the global average surface temperature would increase by between 3 to 4.7°F, with a median value of 4.1°F (or 1.7 to 2.6°C, with a median value of 2.3°C). This is a narrower range, with a lower upper estimate, than other studies have concluded. .....

Submitted by Jim Wagner 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Fish and Game deer capture and tag December 2 - 15, 2011,

Highway 280, between Woodside and San Mateo  - look out for the walk-in deer traps and rifle dart guns. 

Mercury News/Jason Green, 11/23/11.  "A San Jose woman's concern about the number of dead deer cropping up on Interstate Highway 280 has sparked an 18-month study of ways to reduce collisions between the animals and vehicles.  Next month, the state Department of Fish and Game will help a team of researchers from UC-Davis capture 15 deer along I-280 -- between Woodside and San Mateo -- and fit them with radio tracking collars. When the devices fall off six months later, a second group of animals will be studied.  Ultimately, the team plans to use the collars to figure out where the deer are crossing and present potential solutions to the California Department of Transportation, the agency responsible for the highway. 

"The cheapest solution is to get people to slow down. I always pick that as solution No. 1. Solution No. 2 is directional fencing and underpasses," said Fraser Shilling, the project's lead scientist and co-director of the UC-Davis Road Ecology Center, which studies the impacts of roads on wildlife. "If we can avoid one person getting killed because we put these underpasses in, then it's worth it," he added.

On Sept. 22, San Jose resident Daniel Strickland, 27, suffered fatal injuries in a crash that occurred after his car hit a deer on I-280 near Alpine Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Strickland stopped on the highway after the collision and was struck from behind by another driver. About 300,000 collisions between vehicles and wildlife take place nationwide every year, resulting in 26,000 injuries and 200 deaths, according to a 2008 Federal Highway Administration report to Congress. The costs associated with deer strikes alone add up to $8.5 billion annually. "Deer just don't respond well to headlights and fast-moving metal," Shilling said.

A San Jose resident who goes by the pseudonym of Rose Isarose out of privacy concerns said the idea to study wildlife strikes came to her two years ago as she drove down a stretch of I-280 littered with deer carcasses. "My daughter is going to be driving soon," she said. "And there's no way I want a deer to go through her windshield."  Isarose said she reached out to Caltrans officials, who quickly warmed to the idea of studying deer movement along the highway. With their support, she pulled together the UC-Davis research team and landed a $320,000 grant through the federal Transportation Enhancement program. "She was persuasive with us, with Caltrans. She really got the ball rolling," said Shilling, noting the project's unusual genesis.

Between Dec. 2 and 15, motorists may see Department of Fish and Game officials pulled over on the side of I-280 to check walk-in deer traps and possibly firing rifle-like dart guns on nearby roads. "All captures will be conducted from specially marked California Department of Fish and Game vehicles, but at a glance the dart guns may look like rifles and we don't want to alarm motorists," research team member Clara Laursen said in an email advising the CHP of the upcoming study."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Rincon Hill dog park a result of community efforts

Another reminder about how Pacifica is the city that can't get anything done.

John King, Chronicle Urban Design Critic

Saturday, November 26, 2011

At last count, there were six residential towers approved but unbuilt on Rincon Hill near the Bay Bridge. Pre-2008 visions of a bustling high-rise district seem as distant as ever.

But one must-have for urban neighborhoods is nearly in place: a dog park.

Construction is down to punch-list items on the landscaped space with a black metal fence that runs alongside the foot of the Bay Bridge at Beale and Bryant streets. The city agreed this week to lease the land from Caltrans. Supporters have a month to raise the $5,000 necessary for the 10-year lease.

These are small steps toward the sort of amenity that more settled districts take for granted. They're also reminders that neighborhoods evolve not just in the sky but on the ground, often in ways more subtle than mapped out by planners or economists.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/25/BA3V1M3OR8.DTL#ixzz1ercJE000

Posted by Steve Sinai

San Carlos hills - don't build hiking trails in my backyard

San Mateo County Times/Kristen Marschall, 11/24/11.  "A plan to expand and connect nearly a mile's worth of trail segments in four areas of the San Carlos hills is encountering some early resistance from hillside residents as well as logistical problems involving land ownership and a gate. Already, two of the four study areas in the San Carlos Hillside Trails Plan have been "red-lighted" due to the complications, a city official said Wednesday.

Noting that nothing has been done to hillside trails for seven years, Parks and Recreation Director Doug Long said the plan proposes to add trails to Big Canyon and Eaton parks "to make it a little more interesting for the people who hike in there."  The new trails would be loops with foot bridges and stairs, providing different vantage points for hikers. Because both trail sites are city-owned property and have cleared early environmental studies, no issues are anticipated, Long said.

But farther north, a proposal to connect Devonshire Canyon with Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve through Vista Park could be blocked by a gate. Hikers would cross Crestview Drive and venture up Los Vientos Way, where "there is literally a gate there with a lock on it," Long said. The gate belongs to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, which would make the call on whether to open it, he said.
Nearby neighbors who don't want foot traffic likely would weigh in. "Los Vientos was going to be a hot-button item," Long said. "They've been very vitriolic about the whole thing. It will influence (the district's) decision whether they consider it or not."

The reception isn't any warmer for another trail proposed to connect the Devonshire trail system to Crestview Drive. Because the trail site is privately owned, Long said the Crestview Park Homeowners Association can dictate its fate. "The people who own the land don't want a trail," he said. "People are leery about trails. The biggest concerns are fire hazards and nefarious activity." An easement is available on the corner of the parcel farthest from residents and that's all the city needs to make the trail work, Long said. The city is awaiting a vote from the homeowner's association on whether the land could be purchased, but Long said he is not optimistic. If the association rejects the proposal, imminent domain is an option, "but that's never a popular thing," he added.

Since Long came to San Carlos three years ago, he said he has received few calls demanding more trails. "Even though our trail system is only nine miles, we do have access to many more miles just beyond San Carlos," he said. About $3,000 has been budgeted for the Big Canyon and Eaton trails. Long said that's a "relatively low budget" made possible by a volunteer trail builder. After the plan is reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission, it likely will go to the city council in March. If approved then, the trails could be ready by summer, Long said. The draft versions of the plan will be discussed at a 7 p.m. Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at City Hall on Dec. 7."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Enjoying the Holidays already?

 
This article is a good place for emotional Holiday whining, and complaining about irresponsible, criminal, unfair, unethical behavior, or general bad news.  And, oh well, if you must report some good news, have at it.  Only about 39 days until the Holidays are over and we begin to get back to normal.  And, that's really okay from the view of some of us. 

To start off with, here's a couple of articles about capturing swell Black Friday shopping bargains. 

US News, 11/25/11: 2 shot, 15 others pepper-sprayed. This is a rolling news report. Submitted by Jim Wagner.

Yahoo News, 11/25/11: Woman pepper-sprayed other shoppers, another version of "dirty tricks" to get ahead. Submitted by Jim Alex. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Mountain Lion sighting in Pacifica

At 08:00  AM, today a possibe mountain lion was seen in the vicinity of San Pedro Valley Park (600 Oddstad Blvd) in Pacifica, California. The mountain lion was approximately 2 miles into the park walking along a trail. 
 
If you see a mountain lion DO NOT APPROACH IT, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. 
 
Here are a few tips: 
 
Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, and at night. 
 
Keep a close watch on small children. 
 
If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. 
 
Pick up small children. 
 
For more information about mountain lions click here www.keepmewild.org

Sent by Joe Sheridan to Pacifica, Sheriff's Office Command Staff, Montara (E-mail accounts, Wireless devices) through SMC Alert

City Council Agenda, Monday, November 28, 2011

Attend in person, 2212 Beach Boulevard, 2nd floor.  Or, view on local channel 26, also live feed internet www.pct26.com.  The meeting begins at 7pm (but usually starts a few minutes late).   

One burnt turkey after another.

 

Agenda 11/28/11, 1-92 pages.

Closed Session

1)    Public employee appointment:  City Attorney.

2)    Labor negotiations Teamsters union locals Miscellaneous 856, Management 350, Waste Water 856. 

Consent Calendar (pass through), pages 1-2.

1.     Approval of Disbursements
2.     Approval of Minutes
3.     Street pavement rehabilitation Federal Aid project completion, resolution. 
4.     Adoption of wastewater and industrial wastes code amendment  ordinance, chapter 13, title 6 (regulation of sewer laterals).
5.     Beach Boulevard consultant services agreement with Leland Consulting Group,  Phase 3, 1st amendment.
6.     Senior bus replacement, purchase contract authorization: 80% cost reimbursed from C/CAG, City 20% from Fund 72 reserve.

Special Presentation - none  

Public Hearing, page 2.
7.     Appeal denial of outdoor uses permit at 800-1046 Palmetto Avenue (10/17/11 Planning Commission denial).  
8.     Adoption of  Recology of the Coast rate increase from 1/1/12 through 12/31/12, 4.99%. 

Consideration - none

Posted by Kathy Meeh

The misuse of sewer fees

Pacifica Tribune My Turn article, 11/23/11, page 7A, "Re: point of sale clause" by Tod Schlesinger.

Enlightened Pacifica property owner

"Let’s say you’re driving along Highway 1 and another car plows into your car.  There’s a lot of damage.  When the media interviews the other driver, at first he says there was no accident, the noise you heard was . . . well, “sound balls” . . . now let’s say the police department and insurance companies investigate the crash, and determine the other driver is at fault because his car was not functioning properly because he had neglected to replace his tires which were worn from years of neglect, and his steering column was broken but he decided not to fix it.

Follow me so far?  It’s a slam dunk, you’re not at fault and his insurance will pay for it.  Except . . . he negotiates a settlement with YOUR insurance company without your knowledge or consent that YOU will pay to fix YOUR car.  And he only informs you of you’re right to protest the settlement on a late Friday afternoon when the settlement is due to be signed on Monday.  Does that sound fair?

Of course not, and that is exactly what the City Council of Pacifica just did to the homeowners of Pacifica.  After allowing 7.5 million gallons of sewage to spill out of the Calera Creek Waste Treatment Plant in 2008 (mostly due to their neglect and mismanagement of the plant), the City Council has negotiated a settlement to pay for their fines by passing a point of sale clause in all future home sales in Pacifica which says homeowners must now inspect and upgrade THEIR sewer laterals.

Here’s the facts:  in late January 2008 the City of Pacifica allowed 7.5 million gallons of mostly untreated sewage to spill out of the plant and into the ocean.  Weeks later, at least 2 council members (Vreeland and Dejarnatt) claimed the spill and clean up were due to “tar balls”.  It was only after a private citizen dug a little and discovered it was a massive sewer spill that the City Council finally admitted it to the public.

What caused the spill?  According to the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the plant was overloaded with I and I (inflow and infiltration) from a heavy rainfall.  But the sewer plant has 5 “Sequence Batch Reactors” to process this heavy flow.  However, one of those SBRs had been down for repairs since October 2007, and was not scheduled to be repaired until March 2008 . . . AFTER the heaviest rainfalls!!  The plant was only functioning at 80% capacity as it headed into the wet season.

The same report also said the city should have been spending about $1 million per year on sewer main and sewer line upgrades, but instead was spending about $100,000.  Where did all that money go?  Money the homeowners and businesses paid as part of their ever increasing sewer fees?  Why, the city council and their no growth supporters decided it was better to discourage new housing and businesses in Pacifica, and they transferred that money from the sewer fund to the general fund to plug gaping financial holes in the city’s budget.  This was a practice the Big Horn decision later ruled was illegal.

So after the city received a record fine by the RWQCB and was sued by the environmental organization Our Children’s Earth, they negotiated a settlement by which the problem would be solved . . . or rather paid for by a point of sale ordinance they snuck on to a recent agenda at the last minute.  The ordinance passed unanimously 4-0 (Councilman Vreeland was unable to attend the meeting for unknown reasons).  Only 6 people spoke to oppose this ordinance, including members of the San Mateo County Association of Realtors.  Too little too late, in my book.  They had the opportunity to endorse 2 Realtors for City Council in 2008 and balked.

Bottom line is that millions of dollars will be paid by the homeowners over the next 20 years to pay for a mistake that falls squarely on the shoulders of the longest termed council members.

Think of my story, and replace the car with a giant truck barreling down Manor Drive, or Fassler.  And there you homeowners are at the bottom of the hill completely unaware you’re about to get crushed."

Submitted by Jim Alex

San Jose leaders paint grim budget picture without pension reform

By John Woolfolk

jwoolfolk@mercurynews.com

Posted: 11/22/2011 08:55:14 PM PST

Updated: 11/22/2011 10:59:51 PM PST

With life hanging in the balance, San Jose police and firefighters will take minutes longer to respond to emergencies. City libraries and community centers, some newly built, will sit locked and empty. There will be no more city recreation programs, and roads will continue to deteriorate.

That was the ugly picture of San Jose's future that city leaders laid out Tuesday as they unveiled their case for declaring a "fiscal and service-level emergency" to justify rolling back the soaring costs for city workers' pensions.

"We are in a fiscal crisis," City Manager Debra Figone said. "Unless the city acts now to reduce these costs, the only choice will be to further reduce services to unacceptable levels. Further reductions of the magnitude necessary to pay retirement costs will cause the health, safety and well-being of our residents to be placed in critical and unacceptable risk."

San Jose's years-long battle over rising retirement costs will reach a crucial juncture Dec. 6, when the City Council is expected to vote whether to declare a fiscal emergency and set in place a March special election on a pension reform ballot measure championed by Mayor Chuck Reed.

"Our employees are dedicated, hardworking people, but if we fail to act, the ultimate consequences would be severe and devastating cuts to our workforce and to our services," Reed said in a statement. "Placing these reforms on the ballot will allow the people of San Jose to decide critical matters that will have a dramatic impact on their quality of life. After six months of discussion, debate and negotiations, it is time to act."

Read more...

Submitted by Todd Bray

Thanksgiving Day - debunking the myths

For the "top 10 Myths about Thanksgiving", evolution of the holiday, see History Network. 
 
From National Geographic Daily News/Brian Handwerk, 11/22/11.  "Thanksgiving 2011 Myths and Facts".  Did you know:  "...the first "real" U.S. Thanksgiving wasn't until the 1800s"; and, "In 1941 President Franklin Roosevelt established the current date for observance, the fourth Thursday of November." (70 years ago).

Bad day for turkeys:  "An estimated 248 million turkeys will be raised for slaughter in the U.S. during 2011." Read more...

Happy Holiday, enjoy!  A good good day to reflect on what we have have to be thankful for. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Pacifica sewer lateral replacement ordinance effective January 1, 2012

LOCAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Pacifica Clarifies Implementation/Application of POS Sewer Lateral Inspections

SAMCAR (as well as the City of Pacifica) has received numerous telephone calls regarding which properties will be affected as well as when/how Pacifica’s mandatory Point-of-Sale mandate for sewer lateral inspections (adopted Nov. 14) will take effect.

According to Brian K. Martinez Sr., Collection System Manager for the city, “I have been receiving calls from REALTORS® who believe that it (the ordinance) affects properties that are currently listed. That is not the fact.

“The ordinance will begin implementation on January 1, 2012 and will only affect new property listings and new permit applications from that date forward. There will not be any retroactive enforcement of the ordinance. We are currently developing the policy and process documents and they will be available on the City’s website when completed.”

The new ordinance will require property owners to obtain a “Lateral Compliance Certificate” when any of the following occur.

1.            Transfer of property ownership

2.            When there is remodel or addition that cost $50,000 or greater

3.            When adding any plumbing fixtures

4.            When a change in water service is requested (change of meter size or adding second meter)

According to Martinez, the process for obtaining a “Lateral Compliance Certificate” will be handled by the Waste Water division. When any of the previously noted conditions occur, the property owner will be required to submit a video of their existing lateral sewer. If the lateral shows no apparent defects or leaks the property will receive a Lateral Compliance Certificate that will be valid for 7 years from the date of issuance.

If the lateral sewer shows signs of defects and/or leaks, the city will require replacement prior to allowing the sale to close/transfer of title. When the Compliance Certificate is obtained as a result of complete replacement of the sewer lateral, the Compliance Certificate shall be valid for 20 years from the date of issuance.

In conversations with Martinez, he asked that if any SAMCAR members have any questions regarding this or any other ordinances that involve the Sanitary Sewer System, to please contact him directly. His contact information is: Brian K. Martinez Sr./Collection System Manager/City of Pacifica/(650) 738-4669/Fax-(650) 355-5721/martinezb@ci.pacifica.ca.us

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Respectfully, Paul Stewart, Government Affairs Director, San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®

850 Woodside Way / San Mateo, CA 94401, paul@samcar.org. (650) 696-8209 / (650) 342-7509 (fax).

“Pettiness-a need to dimish others in order to to make one feel feel superior.”

Submitted by Jim Wagner  

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Belmont mayor: Garbage hike stinks

November 22, 2011, 03:34 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

Belmont Mayor Coralin Feierbach has been encouraging residents to officially oppose a 22 percent increase to garbage rates that the council is set to vote on tonight.

“I’m not only encouraging them, I’m telling them how to do it,” Feierbach said regarding Proposition 218 notifications sent out to Belmont residents.

The notifications allow the public to protest the increase, needing a majority to keep the rates from going up.

Feierbach wants to see the increase be below 15 percent.

“I’m looking for as low as I can get it. I’m not going to vote for the 22 percent,” she told the Daily Journal yesterday.

She proposes a variety of ways to get the rate increase lower, including using one-time funds set aside to pay off an old debt to Allied Waste, the company that formerly provided garbage service to most cities on the Peninsula through the South Bayside Waste Management Authority until Recology was awarded a contract in 2010.

Allied contends Belmont owes it $1.1 million that must be paid by September 2012. Belmont has about $600,000 set aside to pay off that debt, although Feierbach said at least a portion of the $600,000 can be used to lessen the burden on residential ratepayers.

Councilman Warren Lieberman, however, thinks that is a bad idea.

In fact, he said, it is the council’s fault Belmont residents are facing such an increase and not Recology’s.

“There is an overwhelming misperception that Recology will get a 22 percent increase. That is not the case. They will actually only be getting about a 1 percent increase in revenue,” Lieberman said.

The rest of the increase is needed to pay Recology what Belmont owes it based on a rate structure that Lieberman calls “too progressive.”

The council approved a rate structure that guaranteed Recology $5.9 million for 2011 but because Belmont residents migrated to smaller cans, the city only raised about $5.1 million from its commercial and residential ratepayers for the year, Lieberman said.

About 14 percent of the proposed increase is to cover about $730,000 in losses that Recology suffered related to customers migrating to smaller cans at a greater rate than was expected.

Recology also estimates it needs to add about $365,000 in cost related to Belmont residents migrating to smaller cans in the next two years.

That attributes about 7 percent of Recology’s requested 22.26 percent increase for 2012 as it agreed to spread those charges over a two-year period.

Read more...

Submitted by Jim Alex

Judge hears arguments, takes Sharp Park case "under submission"

Golf Digest:  Both Sides Optimistic after Court hearing on Sharp Park Both sides in the ongoing dispute over Sharp Park Golf Course, expressed optimism following arguments in a hearing in Federal District Court in San Francisco Nov. 18 about the future of the Alister Mackenzie-designed municipal course.  At the conclusion of oral arguments by attorneys for environmentalist groups, the City of San Francisco, and the Public Golf Alliance, Judge Susan Illston took the matter "under submission," saying that she would file her written decision at a later, unspecified time.  For the complete story, as posted by Bill Fields November 19 in the Golf Digest "Local Knowledge" blog, click here.  San Francisco Public Golf Alliance will publish the Judge's written opinion as soon as it becomes available.   Donations are greatly appreciated. To donate, please visit our website: Donations Page

We are on Twitter (@SFPublicGolf), Facebook and our website   Submitted by Richard Harris

"Our environment is our economy" - Not exactly

From San Mateo County, another view of adding more "open space" and parkland.  Not enough money to fund. 

Conversation on the trail

Article from Half Moon Bay Review/Charles Russo, 11/16/11:  "More land than money saps county parks".  County parks will be taking on stewardship of more land in the coming years. The system is on the hook to pay about $2 million in 2013 to open a bike and pedestrian trail on Devil's Slide after the highway tunnels open up. That project is expected to also require hiring a new ranger and more maintenance, costing about $700,000 more each year.
 
Officials are indicating the 15,680-acre parks system is overburdened with too much land to cover and might have to close parks unless more money can be made available. They are requesting the Board of Supervisors provide as much as $2.1 million to keep the parks operating at "minimal" levels.

Delivered last week to the county Environmental Quality Committee, the news could spell trouble for the county's landmark parklands on the Coastside, including Pillar Point Bluffs, Quarry Park and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. In their report, Public Works officials say the $8.2 million parks system this year acquired responsibility for more properties and trails even as it was simultaneously losing staffing and funding. They system faces immense challenges, said Neil Merrilees, a Coastside resident and Parks and Recreation commissioner. "There's just a couple rangers that go around and manage everything," he said. "It's a tremendous amount to cover."

For this fiscal year, the county Board of Supervisors eliminated the parks department's top director and merged the system into Public Works as a way to save money. The parks' budget was reduced by more than $500,000. Those cuts came soon after the county acquired the 140-acre Pillar Point Bluffs near Princeton.

Reeling from a lack of resources, San Mateo County earlier this year closed a youth camp at Memorial Park near La Honda and Flood Park on the Bayside. Supervisor Dave Pine indicated at a meeting last week that he would try to allocate more money to reopen those parks. County parks will be taking on stewardship of more land in the coming years. The system is on the hook to pay about $2 million in 2013 to open a bike and pedestrian trail on Devil's Slide after the highway tunnels open up. That project is expected to also require hiring a new ranger and more maintenance, costing about $700,000 more each year."

Additional reference: Montara Mountain pictures.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Devils Slide and the headlands after the tunnel is completed

From Marin Independent Journal/Aaron Kinney, 11/18/11.  Devils Slide, one of the Bay Area's most notorious stretches of road, is on the verge of a family-friendly transformation.  This landslide-prone section of Highway 1 that has claimed at least 12 lives in car crashes since 1990 will become a bicycle and pedestrian trail as early as 2013. Locals envision the new park as a jewel that will outshine virtually every other recreation spot on the Peninsula.

With the completion of twin bypass tunnels in late 2012, Caltrans will hand over the treacherous ribbon of asphalt to the San Mateo County Parks Department, which will embark on a yearlong project to turn it into a park offering breathtaking views of the ocean and coastline.  It's a once-a-generation addition to the county parks system. The problem is, the department already is strapped for cash. "The timing couldn't be worse," said Dave Holland, the former head of parks who is now assistant county manager.

The park will have multiple draws for outdoors enthusiasts. It will provide a link between McNee Ranch State Park and Gray Whale Cove State Beach to the south and the Pedro Point Headlands to the north. The headlands, a rugged promontory on the southern boundary of Pacifica, will be accessible to the public as never before.  But with Caltrans out of the picture, the county likely will not have enough money to clear the new trail in the event of a major slide, meaning it could ultimately be cleaved in two, barring north-south access. If that occurs, the full glory of Devils Slide may turn out to be a spectacular but temporary experience.  More, including comments from Pacifica Activists... 

Submitted by Jim Wagner

Posted with picture chosen by Kathy Meeh

Judge Hears Arguments From Frog Fans Over Sharp Park Golf Course Maintenance

 Julia Cheever, Bay City News

A federal judge in San Francisco heard arguments today but deferred ruling on a bid by six conservation groups for a preliminary injunction that would limit pumping and mowing activities at the Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica.

The golf course covers part of the 417-acre Sharp Park in Pacifica. The park is owned by the city of San Francisco, which has operated it as an 18-hole public golf course since it opened in 1932.

The environmental groups claim maintenance activities at the golf course harm two imperiled species: the San Francisco garter snake, which is listed as an endangered species, and the California red-legged frog, a threatened species.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston took the case under submission after hearing arguments and did not say when she will rule.

Read more...

Posted by Steve Sinai

Atherton trash pick-up rates increase 88% for 2012-13

Surprise, it costs money to pick-up residential trash, greenwaste garbage, and to recycle.  Recology takes over another failed-cost contract, this one from Allied Waste.  

San Mateo County Times/Bonnie Eslinger, 11/18/11.  "Atherton residents overall will pay 88 percent more for trash pickup than they did in 2010.And it could have been worse."We tried to make the rates as low as we could," Vice Mayor Bill Widmer Widmer said Thursday. The new rates that the city council unanimously approved Wednesday will take effect Jan. 15. They are 31 percent higher than current rates that were increased a few months ago in July.

The council had postponed approving another rate increase so officials could investigate why it had to be so steep.  Because a set price for the pickup service had already been established, however, Widmer said bills in 2012 and 2013 will incorporate amounts that weren't collected during the delay -- a total of roughly $500,000 to $600,000. Other costs that factored into next year's higher rates include a consumer price index-based contract increase to the hauler that took over in January -- Recology San Mateo County -- pay raises, higher disposal and processing fees, and debt owed to the previous vendor, Allied Waste.

Widmer said Atherton's rates also are high because residents generate large amounts of green waste and compost. The town has been taking a loss because while each green container costs $19.35 per month to pick up, residents were given two free bins and charged only $1 each for any extra ones until July, when the charge went up to $6. Next year, the charge for a third and fourth green container will be $10 each, and each container after that $15. "We've got one resident who has 35 of these barrels," Widmer said. "Another has 25 and one 23." The new prices approved for 2012 should finally help level out the overall costs so residents won't be hit with substantial price hikes in coming years, Widmer said."

Cost reference in article, source:  Town of Atherton.

Trash "2010 rates July 2011 Approved 2012 Change 2010 to 2012

20 gallon bin $17.31 $ 20 $ 26 + $8.69 (50%), 32 gallon bin $ 27.69 $ 44.01 $ 55 + $27.31 (97%), 64 gallon bin $ 55.38 $ 101.23 $105 + $49.62 (90%), 96 gallon bin $ 82.18 $ 163.29 $155 + 72.82 (89%)
Compost (green) containers 2010 rates July 2011 Approved 2012 Change 2010 to 2012
Two cans Free Free Free + $0 (0%), 3+ $1 each $6 each $10 each + $9 (900%), 5+ $1 $6 $15 each + $ 14 (1400%)."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Californians moving to Texas in record numbers

Jeannie Kever, Houston Chronicle

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The food? Too heavy. The traffic? Not so bad. The weather? Don't get transplanted California residents started. There are a lot of them in Texas these days.

More than 363,000 Californians moved to Texas over the past five years, helping the state grow more than twice as fast as the nation as a whole since 2000, census figures show.

California has sent more new residents to Texas than any other state in recent years. But the pipeline is tightening, part of a national slowdown in migration - from one house to another, from one county to another, and from state to state - that demographers say is a lingering sign of the recession.

California's population is still growing, up 10 percent between 2000 and 2010, thanks to a strong birth rate. But for the past decade, more people have moved out than in.

In 2010 alone, almost 70,000 Californians moved to Texas. Lloyd Potter, director of the Texas State Data Center, said there historically has been movement back and forth between the two states.

Texas' relatively strong economy - with 8.5 percent unemployment compared with 11.9 percent in California - gets most of the credit, he said.

It drew California natives Sandra Zalman and Ted Rubenstein, who moved to Houston from Los Angeles in 2009.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/15/MNRI1LVMFJ.DTL#ixzz1e2UYYDtm

Submitted by Jim Alex

Chamber of Commerce & Rotary Mixer, Evening of Friday, Nov. 18

Submitted by Susan Vellone

Sharp Park / Golf Digest Photo Essay / Federal Court Hearing Friday, Nov. 18

GOLF DIGEST POSTS PHOTO ESSAY ON SHARP PARK Golf Digest reporter / photographer Bill Fields, who was in San Francisco in October to cover the Schwab Cup, headed over to Sharp Park with his camera on a couple of days, and produced a beautiful 30-picture photo essay on Sharp Park and its golfers. Do not miss this one.  It is posted online at Golf Digest.com:  click here to see this wonderful photo essay. FEDERAL COURT HEARING FRIDAY, NOV. 18, 9:00 a.m. The motion of Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity and other environmentalist groups for a Preliminary Injunction to halt all mowing on Holes 10-18 and halt all pumping at Sharp Park -- measures which would effectively destroy the golf course, according to famed golf architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. -- will come up for hearing in the San Francisco courtroom of Federal Judge Susan Illston next Friday, November 18, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.  The court proceedings will be open to the public at the Federal District Court, Northern District of California, in the Federal Building, 450 Golden Gate Ave. (one block north of Civic Center, at the corner of Polk St.), 19th Floor, Courtroom 10.  Court papers of the Public Golf Alliance and City of San Francisco can be found on the Alliance website, by clicking here. Donations are greatly appreciated. To donate, please visit our website: Donations Page

We are on Twitter (@SFPublicGolf), Facebook and our website Submitted by Richard Harris

Millbrae to outsource police - Pacifica next?

November 16, 2011, 12:34 AM By Heather Murtagh Daily Journal Staff

Millbrae will begin negotiating to contract with the Sheriff’s Office for police services — a decision that could save the city $1.1 million to $2 million annually but that split the opinion of those at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

San Bruno and Millbrae currently share Neil Telford, who acts as police chief for both cities until Nov. 18 when he will return to San Bruno full time. On Tuesday, Millbrae official voted 3-2, with councilmembers Paul Seto and Nadia Holober dissenting, to begin negotiating a contract for services to be provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. The vote came after more than two hours of discussion with community input that raised concerns about adequate staffing, volunteers and the future for non-sworn employees.

The timing of the decision was another topic that split those in attendance. Both Holober and Seto advocated for waiting until the newly elected council took office before the end of the year to make the decision.

“I’m voting no because it goes against the overwhelming majority of our community,” Holober said.

Others on the council disagreed.

“We have to make a decision and sadly, I don’t think we have enough facts,” said Councilwoman Gina Papan, who added Tuesday’s decision allows for negotiations to start so remaining questions can be answered.

Mayor Dan Quigg and Vice Mayor Marge Colapietro both pointed to the city’s financial challenges as a reason the sheriff’s proposal made sense. Quigg added many of the expressed concerns and questions were answered Tuesday before the vote.

For example, Undersheriff Carlos Bolanos said the plan includes positions for all the department employees — sworn and non-sworn, that can be tweaked to accommodate the city’s robust volunteer program, and the city can maintain any property it would like. Items like vehicles and other equipment to be used through the new partnership will result in a credit toward the upstart costs, he said.

The city’s current annual budget for the department is $4.258 million. When the budget is changed to include vehicles, safety equipment, overhead costs and other costs, the annual budget is raised to $7.27 million.

Should the city want to maintain its own department, Telford suggested increasing staffing levels by 2.5 full-time equivalent employees — a cost of $410,000 annually — that would raise the number of employees to 32 FTEs.

Advocates for maintaining an independent department questioned the rush to make a choice while also noting the additional cost seemed minimal.

“We should not risk the safety of our residents for a $410,000 deficit,” said resident Joe Chen.

Chris Co, special services coordinator for Millbrae police, asked the city to consider maintaining the current department staffing adding only a full-time chief and slowly building to the preferred levels. She also suggested asking the city’s electorate for money through a joint safety assessment that would support both the police and fire departments. Co’s suggestion was one Telford couldn’t recommend.

Read more...

Submitted by Jim Alex