State and local issues

Downtown Sacramento Christmas Lights Photos

2011-12-23T20:57:51Z

It’s that special time of year on Capitol Mall and Old Sacramento, Christmas lights are up inviting people to walk a few blocks and the Capitol Christmas Trees decked out in all its splendor. Over the last several years, it appears as if more lights have gone up to enrich the overall experience as an inviting destination to visit and enjoy. The Wells Fargo Center has done a fantastic job with a beautiful tree in the lobby and twinkling lights inside and out.

Merry Christmas!

Disclosure: Read more at: http://livinginurbansac.blogspot.com/ or http://zwahlenimages.com/blog/

Sacramento Zoo Feasibility Study

2010-07-16T21:08:06Z

This Tuesday the City Council will look over a two year study by the Community Development Department Zoo feasibility study. The Sacramento Zoological Society Long Range Planning Committee had identified Sutter's Landing Regional Park as their preferred site for a modest expansion of the zoo, but alternative sites have also been located for a future zoo.

Cost Premium of Construction on former landfill:
Construction costs will be significantly higher (to account for ground settling and special drainage treatment); thus, it is expected that construction of a zoo on this site would cost $625K/acre ($30 million total for a 50 acre zoo) above the "normal" costs of constructing a zoo on a site without landfill issues.

In addition to Sutter's Landing Regional Park, the consultant conducted preliminary evaluations of other potential sites:
• Natomas Joint Vision: This land area has no land use entitlements or habitat conservation permits.
• Arco Arena area: This site is part of the Convergence proposal
• Job Corps / Delta Shores Regional Park: The southern portion of the Job Corps site has not yet been surplused by the federal government
• North Natomas Regional Park: Already programmed for other uses
• Haggin Oaks Golf Course: This would require reconfiguration of the existing golf course and there may be competition from other potential users
• Cal Expo: This site is part of the Convergence proposal
• Granite Regional Park - east basin: This site is.difficult to evacuate in the event of drainage pump failure
• Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course: This site would require reconfiguration or elimination of the existing golf course.

The study emphasized that:
• The decision and actions to move forward with a zoo of the future are long range planning activities (a 20 year timeframe).
• There are no imminent plans to move or expand the zoo; options are provided for preliminary consideration.
• The community and PRC workshops are an important step in exploring those options for the long term future of the zoo.

The Feasibility Study concluded that:
• The current 14 acre site of the Land Park zoo is not sustainable for the future. The changing exhibit requirements, increasing operating costs, and stagnant revenues, are resulting in a zoo that offers fewer exhibits. Parking is limited and cannot fully accommodate visitors on weekends or during busy seasons.
• Sutter's Landing Regional Park is not well suited for a zoo. The site poses a number of tough challenges (e.g., building new access roads and constructing zoo facilities on a former landfill).
• Initial findings are that other sites are potentially better suited for a future zoo.
• Physically, Land Park could potentially accommodate a modest expansion.

Water Meter Installation in Sacramento

2009-09-07T04:38:38Z

This Tuesday the Sacramento City Council will approve authorization for a $20 Million grant/loan funding the first phase of the Water Meter Retrofit Project. The Project will retrofit approximately 11,000 to 13,000 residential and commercial properties within the City of Sacramento with the first phase of the project retrofitting approximately 1,735 services with meters.

Back in 2005, Assembly Bill 2572 (AB 2572) requires the installation and use of water meters by 2025 across the state, including in the City of Sacramento. This law supersedes the City charter. Signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 29, 2004, the water meter retrofit program affects about 120,000 City of Sacramento residential customers.

All metered properties will receive one calendar year of comparative billing before being switched to a metered rate. The first phase will start in the south Sacramento west of Center Parkway and south of Cosumnes River Blvd.

100 Miles of Visibility Photos

2009-03-18T04:24:46Z

These are some photos I took last week when the skies were clear with 100 miles of visibility. It’s really stimulating to see the Sierra Mountains rise up behind the city creating a backdrop to the skyline.

More than just a sales tax increase

2009-03-13T00:53:40Z

Back in February Gov. Schwarzenegger and the legislature passed a state budget that included a temporary one-cent hike in the state sales tax, well now the time has come to pay up. On April 1st the one-cent-on-the-dollar increase will take effect and will expire on either July 1, 2011, or July 1, 2012 depending on voter’s approval of the proposed Budget Stabilization constitutional amendment in a statewide election to be held on May 19, 2009.

If Proposition 1A, also known as the Spending Cap Amendment passes on May 19th, more than sales taxes will be raised. Expect to see an additional 5% surcharge on state income taxes, an increase in the vehicle-license fee from 0.65% to 1.15%, $15 billion reduction in government spending, including $8.6 billion from education, and an elimination of two state holidays for state workers to enjoy. The deal also includes automatic spending restraints and new powers for governors to cut programs whenever the state falls into the red. If passed it would raise more than $5 billion per year. So far, no coordinated opposition has formed against 1A, but labor unions are discussing whether to mount an attack against the proposition.

Now we all get to pay for the mistakes our legislators have been making over the years. For years and years out state legislators have tried to fill budget gaps buy borrowing money in bonds, but now the state is in such a financial mess with lots of debt and a downgraded bond rating to the lowest in the nation that they have no choice but to get their house in order to attract investors.

Sacramento Asbestos Prevention & Removal Key to Healthy Home

2009-02-06T18:12:49Z

California is no stranger to asbestos problems. Since the late 1800’s until the early 1980’s, asbestos was regarded as the ideal method of insulation and piping in industrial applications throughout the world.

With its qualities as flame and heat resistant, it was not only versatile, but extremely durable. Although there is evidence showing that companies and manufacturers knew of asbestos’ health hazards, it wasn’t until 1990 when the California Air Resources Board began to regulate the amount used in surfacing applications.

In the Sacramento housing industry, there are many things to consider. Homes and buildings built prior to 1980 can potentially contain asbestos-materials. If you are a potential home buyer or are seeking to remodel an older home, you should be aware that frequent asbestos exposure can cause many serious health concerns.

Asbestos exposure can cause a debilitating lung ailment known as mesothelioma. This asbestos-related illness is one of the hardest for physicians to diagnose for a variety of reasons. Mesothelioma metastasis can occur when the illness spreads through the lymph nodes or the blood stream. This can occur in the disease later stages as it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, making it extremely difficult for physicians to accurately diagnose this disease.

The high number of asbestos-related incidents in the last century has lead to many mesothelioma attorney firms protecting and advocating victims’ rights. Manufacturers were clearly aware of the toxic qualities of asbestos, but continued shipping the substance anyways. Asbestos industries have been involved in a century old scandal, concealing information on the dangers associated with asbestos.

The California Department of Health Services has set standards and regulations in regards to asbestos use and abatement. Despite knowledge of the state’s asbestos problems, many communities throughout California still find themselves constructed atop asbestos deposits. The inspection and removal of toxic substances must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are trained in handling dangerous materials.

Due to a steady progression of technology and green sustainable methods, there are many ways to ensure your home or property is free of harmful chemicals and materials. Once the area is asbestos free, environmentally sustainable materials should be considered including cotton fiber, cellulose and lcynene, water based spray polyurethane foam that can reduce energy costs annually. These new healthy options allow homeowners to live healthy and clear of health polluting substances.

Contents of article provided by Jesse Herman of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center