Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Steve Cohn

DISTRICT 3 NEIGHBORHOOD & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION UPDATES

2011-03-03T22:01:46Z

Alkali & Mansion Flats Historic Neighborhood Association. Meetings are generally held on the Second Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 1117 G Street. For more details contact Luis Sumpter at luis@luissumpter.com
Ben Ali Neighborhood Association - Board Meetings are held the First Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Higher Learning Academy campus (formerly Ben Ali Children’s Center). For more information, contact Sondra Betancourt at 837-3339.
Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association (BPNA) - For BPNA updates, see www.boulevardparkna.org. For more information, contact Asha Jennings at ashajennings@gmail.com or call 803-7409.
Capitol R Street Association – Meetings held the Fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at Hot Italian, 16th & Q Streets. For more information, contact Lynne Freeman at lfreeman@acis.com
East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce: Second Wednesday of each month at various locations, 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Cost $15. For more information on the Chamber, call Lisa Schmidt at 457-2721 or visit http://www.eastsacchamber.org/
East Sacramento Improvement Association (ESIA) - Board Meetings are held the First Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the East Sacramento Room in Clunie Community Center. Next General Membership Meeting: Wednesday, March 30th, 7:00 p.m. at David Lubin Elementary School, 3535 M Street. For more information, contact Paul Noble at Noblep5@comcast.net
East Sacramento Preservation, Inc. (ESP, Inc.) – Board meetings held the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the East Sacramento Room, Clunie Community Center, 601 Alhambra Boulevard. For more information, email Will Green at contact@eastsacpreservation.org.
Hagginwood Community Association: Next meeting – Wednesday, April 6th, 6:00 p.m. at the Kinney Police Station, 3550 Marysville Blvd. For more information, contact Jody Adcock, dale.a2@att.net or 922-8700.
Marshall School New Era Park Neighborhood Association – For information on upcoming meetings or events, contact mhefling@H2consultinggroup or julieamurphy28@gmail.com
McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA): Board meeting open to the public held the First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park. Contact: Nancy Cornelius at nancycornelius@sbcglobal.net
Midtown Business Association - Board Meetings open to the public and generally held the Third Wednesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 1400 29th Street. For more information or confirm meeting date, call 442-1500.
Midtown Neighborhood Association – Board meeting held the second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM at the Chateau on Capitol Ave - 2701 Capitol in the first floor lounge/ lobby just inside the front door. MNA provides complimentary pizza and soda for attendees. For more information and for updates visit http://www.sacmidtown.org/

Mark Your Calendar for Pops in the Park and Screen on the Green

2011-03-03T22:01:29Z

Pops in the Park Concert Schedule:

Saturday, June 4th - Tom Rigney & Flambeau at McKinley Park
Saturday, June 11th - The Q-Balls at Glenn Hall Park
Saturday, June 18t h – SwingMasters at Bertha Henschel Park
Saturday, June 25th – Mercy Me at East Portal Park

For more information visit www.eastsacpopsinthepark.com

Screen on the Green Movie Schedule:

Saturday, August 6th – Despicable Me at Stanford Park
Saturday, August 13th – Shrek Forever After at Hagginwood School Soccer Field
Saturday, August 20th – Secretariat at East Portal Park
Saturday, August 27th –Toy Story (1995) Glenn Hall Park

For more information, visit www.sacscreenonthegreen.com

Mercy General Hospital Construction Update

2011-03-03T22:01:20Z

Construction is progressing on the Alex G. Spanos Heart & Vascular Center at Mercy General Hospital. To celebrate completion of structural steel, Mercy General hosted a topping off event on February 17, 2011, during which the last piece of steel was put in place.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the residential housing project is expected to be released in late Spring 2011. Permitting is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2011 with construction starting in early 2012.

At the February 22, 2011, Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) meeting held in Mercy General Hospital’s Main Auditorium, community members learned about, questioned and discussed a wide range of topics including but not limited to:

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) mandated that as of January 1, 2011, all of their facilities were required to adhere to a smoke-free and tobacco-free campus. All patients, guests, physicians, staff and volunteers are not permitted to smoke anywhere on hospital grounds. I expressed concern to Denny Powell that the effect of the policy has been to push smokers onto its neighbors.

Mercy Hospital administration reports that they will be taking the following steps:

Offer a six-week smoking cessation program, “No Ifs, Ands or Butts” available at a reduced rate to employees and neighbors. Call 453-4268 for more information on this program.
Continue to have ongoing communication with staff about being respectful to neighbors and choosing alternative locations for smoking in public areas;
Employees are asked to remind each other should they see a fellow employee smoking in front of a nearby home;
Purchase of several concrete receptacles that will be placed in public areas on the perimeter of the campus but not near homes in the hopes that smokers will be directed to those areas.

I am not optimistic that the above actions will solve the problem, but we will continue to monitor the situation and ask Mercy to work on cooperative solutions with neighbors.

Neighbors also shared concerns about vendors utilizing the center turn lane on J Street for unloading and loading. Ron Yasui of the City of Sacramento’s Development Services Department noted that such usage is citable and the Sacramento City Police’s non-emergency number should be called to rectify any such violation.

Angie Louie of the City of Sacramento’s Traffic Engineering Division provided an update on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Project (NTMP) traffic calming measures enacted as a condition of approval for the project and are being installed and overseen by the City of Sacramento. In short, work is progressing and should be completed by this fall. Improvements include a pedestrian island on H Street at 42nd and Mission Way; five enhanced pedestrian crossing signs with pedestrian-activated flashing LED borders; and four-second crossing advance at the traffic lights on J and H Streets at 39th
Street. For questions or more information on the NTMP for the area, contact Debb Newton at 808-6739 or dnewton@cityofsacramento.org.

Shred-it, the vendor that comes to the Mercy General Hospital campus on a regular basis to shred private documents related to patient care had been performing its duties within the curtilage of the hospital campus on J Street. The act of shredding was loud; neighbors expressed concern about the noise it generated. In response, Mercy General Hospital has relocated the Shred-it truck to the interior of the hospital campus to alleviate the noise spilling over to private residences.

Standing water at the site of the old Sacred Heart Parish School was brought to the attention of Carmine Faro, CHW Area Manager, Design and Construction. Working with the Sacramento Vector Control, measures have been implemented to ensure existing standing water is filtered and discharged to the storm drain system, and as rains cause future puddling, the Team will work to drain any/all standing water.

The next NAC meeting will be held at a date and time to be determined in May, 2011. In the meantime, should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call Mercy’s Construction hotline at 552-6931 or email mghconstruction@chw.edu.

2011 Water Conservation Workshops

2011-03-03T22:00:57Z

Water Conservation can help you save water and money! Learn how to find ways to save water and money in and around your home at the City of Sacramento’s Water Conservation Workshop! Get FREE water conservation tips and tools, discuss how much water your landscape needs to be healthy, learn about rebates for water saving devices and City water conservation rules and services. Attendance at the Water Conservation Workshop can also waive fines for water conservation violations. For questions or further information, please visit www.sparesacwater.org.

April 9, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
June 25, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.*
July 30, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
August 27, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.*
October 22, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
*These workshops will also contain Water Conservation Ambassador Training.

Event location: City of Sacramento Department of Utilities Water Conservation Office, 2260 Glen Ellen Circle, Sacramento.

Glenn Hall Park Volunteer Work Day – April 2nd

2011-03-03T22:00:46Z

The next volunteer work day at Glenn Hall Park will take place on Saturday, April 2, 2011. Work will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be completed by noon. River Park resident Jeff Harris hopes to organize work days four to five times a year as needed for the next few years. To get on the distribution list for information about upcoming work days or if you have questions, contact Jeff at cadence@surewest.net

McKinley Park Work Day - March 12th

2011-03-03T22:00:28Z

The next volunteer work day at McKinley Park will take place on Saturday, March 12th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The group will be working in the playground. This will include spreading new chips and evening out existing chips, sweeping the sand and chips from the toys and sanding the model of the Alhambra.

The April work day will take place on Saturday, April 9th with focusing the health of the trees (newer trees first and then moving on to the older ones). The group will be spading or aerating around each tree, laying weed cloth and then spreading a layer of mulch 2 to 3 feet around each tree.

East Sac residents Steve Swindel, Rich Clowdus and Patty Wait have organized a volunteer group for the Friends of East Sacramento to assist with landscape maintenance of McKinley Park. For more information, contact friendsofeastsac@aol.com or call 452-8011.

Sacramento Fire Department Awarded $5.6 Million Grant

2011-03-03T22:00:11Z

Through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, the Sacramento Fire Department was awarded $5,606,864 to hire 27 firefighters and restore two fire companies. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District was awarded $5,470,824 to hire 24 firefighters. The SAFER grant is awarded annually through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial assistance to help fire departments increase their cadre of frontline firefighters. The goal is to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities so they may respond to emergencies whenever they occur, assuring their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.

Hagginwood Community Association Receives Sacramento Tree Foundation/Cal FIRE Grant

2011-03-03T21:58:29Z

The Hagginwood Community Association (HCA) was awarded a $14,470 grant from the Sacramento Tree Foundation and Cal FIRE to beautify a spot in Hagginwood and to educate the community about the importance of green space and the urban forest. The grant will be used to plant shade trees, install irrigation and give us Sacramento’s first “community orchard”. The orchard will be a resource for people throughout the region to visit and see the type of trees that can be planted in our region and that the Sacramento Tree Foundation offers for free! The group has one year complete their project.

Several years ago, I worked with the group to clean up and plant trees in the “parklette” located at Del Paso and Ripley. The grant money will be used to do several things including installation of irrigation to be done this spring. The new irrigation system will save water and time as neighbors have been hand watering the site. About 10 to 15 shade and fruit trees will be added to the 16 fruit trees that were planted three years ago and the 25 shade trees that have been planted since 2005. A walking information map for the parklette will be created and information will be posted at each tree to identify the species of tree, leaf type, fall color, and other information about the tree. HCA hopes to enlist students from Grant High School to assist with the project. HCA also plans to hold composting training in the spring and fall as well as tree planting demos and fall pruning. Three newsletters will be done throughout the year to keep the community up to date as well as distribute information on gardening and tree care.

The progress of the group will be filmed by the Sacramento Tree Foundation, one of about three or four other projects selected for filming.

19th & Q Street Neighborhood Park Site Community Meeting – March 23rd

2011-03-03T21:57:45Z

Please join me along with City of Sacramento Parks and Recreation staff to begin discussion on the cleanup and future
design of the 19th and Q Street Neighborhood Park site. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 6:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the CADA Courtyard, 1322 O Street. The meeting will include information on an EPA Brownfield Grant
that was awarded to clean-up the future park site and we will begin discussion on what neighbors would envision for the future park. We encourage you to bring children to this meeting! For more information, contact Tin-Wah Wong at 808-5540 or twong@cityofsacramento.org.

Redistricting Update

2011-03-03T21:57:11Z

The City Council revises Council district boundaries every ten years following the U.S. Census. Districts must be as equal in population as is practicable. The 2010 Census data will be released on or about April 1, 2011, Council must complete the redistricting process within six months of the release of the Census “block data” figures for the June 2012 election.

It is estimated that the 2010 census will show that the City’s population has grown from 407,000 to 470,000. District 1 in particular is expected to be 40,000 people over its pro-rata share. Given the anticipated significance of change to existing districts, the City needs to insure clear communication, encourage widespread participation, and provide tools and information to facilitate understanding throughout the process. To that end, on February 8, 2011, the City Council adopted a resolution approving a Sacramento Redistricting Citizens Advisory Committee (SRCAC) that will represent the diversity of Sacramento. The SRCAC’s purposes are to review, organize, analyze, and refine the redistricting proposals submitted to the City, as well as to recommend to the City Council preferred redistricting. The SRCAC will advise but not replace the Council’s responsibility for the final selection and adoption of district boundaries. The committee will be composed of thirteen-members. On March 8, 2011, the Mayor and each councilmember will announce their selected candidate. After that date, the remaining four (4) members will be appointed through the usual Personnel and Public Employee (P&PE) nomination process.

Public participation will be encouraged at the SRCAC meetings. Additionally, City staff has prepared a redistricting website at www.cityofsacramento.org/redistricting/ . The site is designed to provide general information, updates, and access to relevant redistricting data. Currently the site includes a high level description of redistricting, maps, and links to downloadable geographic (GIS) data such as 2009 population estimates. The website will continue to expand and will include more information, maps, and data as they become available.

The city held four community meetings in February about the redistricting process. Committee and Community meetings will be held again in April after the release of the final census data. Additional meetings will be held in May to answer technical and logistical questions and members of the public will be asked to submit their proposal to the Planning Department for review sometime in May. In June the City Council will be asked to select proposals for staff analysis. Then, in beginning in late July and through August, Council meetings will be held to discuss and ultimately approve boundaries in September.

Kings/Arena Update

2011-03-03T21:56:41Z

As anyone knows who either lives in Sacramento or follows our media, the Kings have asked the NBA for a six-week time extension of the March 1 deadline to file a request to move the Kings to Anaheim. As Mayor Johnson said, “this means one thing: They are trying to cut a deal to leave. They don't have a deal yet, but they hope to in the next few weeks.” Time will tell whether this is the end of Sacramento’s partnership with the Kings. If so, it’s been quite a ride. Since opening night on October 25, 1985, at the original, temporary Arco Arena, through the 1988 opening of the current arena, until February 28, 2011 when the last game was played in “Arco Arena” (now “Power Balance Pavilion”), it has been a roller coaster ride for the team and our community. For more than a decade, this community sold out each and every home game, despite consistent last-place finishes, some forgettable lineups, and only two playoff appearances in 14 years. Then in 1999, the Kings started a run of playoff years that reached a peak in 2002, when the Kings were indisputably the best team in the NBA, and but for poor officiating and free throw shooting, would have won the NBA Championship. Not even the most casual of Sacramento sports fans will ever forget the glory team of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Bobby Jackson, Peja Stojakovic and a great cast of bench players who would dive to the floor for every loose ball and fight for every rebound. They were a team that Sacramento could truly be proud of, playing unselfishly and harmoniously, making the collective whole so much greater than the sum of its parts. A reflection of our community, which may not be as photogenic and glamorous as our big coastal city brethren, but is the most livable big city in America. Who in Sacramento hasn’t said when defending our fair city that we may not be the best place to visit, but we are the best place to live?

Yet even during the team’s heyday, there were signs that Camelot was not going to last forever. First, it was the former owners’ unsavory demand for favors that led to the Council’s approval of a $73 million loan in 1997. (To set the record straight, the Kings have made every payment on that back-loaded loan, though the balance remains at $67 million). Then there were several failed attempts to finance a new Downtown arena, culminating in the disastrous Measures Q/R in 2006. Although the sales tax measure was decidedly one-sided in favor of the Kings, the Maloofs still weren’t satisfied and through a series of public relations gaffes, indirectly helped defeat the measure by an astounding 80-20 margin.

Those of you who have followed my career on the Council know that I opposed the Council loan and Measures Q and R. I have not taken a religious position that forever would prohibit the use of public funds for an arena, but I have consistently stood up for taxpayers to ensure that any arena financing deal show clear benefits to the City and its taxpayers, and not a hand out to pampered professional team owners or players.

So where does Sacramento stand now? I agree with our Mayor and others who say that the goal here is bigger than basketball. Today, we will work hard to keep the Kings, using every remedy short of public subsidies possible. That’s why I shared a magical moment with 17,000 other Sacramentans who sold out the Kings game on February 28th and showed the Maloofs what a real home town advantage can be.

But the path to a new entertainment and sports complex will not be an easy one. On Tuesday, February 8, 2011, Council unanimously agreed to select the ICON-Taylor development team to take the next three months to work with city staff to analyze and come up with a finance plan for a new sports and entertainment complex. Council also gave direction that a plan would need to take the Natomas community into consideration. If a new arena were to be built somewhere other than Natomas, there would need to be a project to make up for the loss in that area. The Council did not approve a development contract or location. I believe that the best team was chosen to get straight answers on financing. I reiterated at the February 8th Council meeting that for me it comes down to financing. I’ve never been convinced that an arena can be built without some public financing. The development team plans to move forward even with the most recent news that the King’s ownership are in talks to move the team to Southern California.

ICON is a Denver based company that has built several arenas and sports facilities throughout the world. David Taylor, a local developer has been the driver of much redevelopment in Downtown Sacramento, including the U.S. Bank Tower on Capitol Mall, new City Hall, Esquire Plaza and the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. The team also includes New York based Turner Construction, Populous, a Kansas City, Missouri sports architecture firm and Dan Meis, who designed the Staples Center in L.A.

I’ll keep you posted on these arena developments, but as always, I welcome your ideas as well.

City Audit Committee Invites the Public to Join Discussion on the Utilities Audit

2011-03-03T20:58:02Z

March 8th Meeting to allow public input for the Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings Audit of the Department of Utilities

The City of Sacramento Audit Committee invites residents and business owners in Sacramento to share their views and opinions of the audit being conducted for the Department of Utilities at its March 8, 2011 meeting. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers, New City Hall, 915 “I” Street at 12:15 p.m. "Public input is vital to this audit and to helping to rebuild trust in our Utility Department,” said Council Member Steve Cohn, chairman of the City of Sacramento Audit Committee.

On February 22, 2011, the City Council authorized the City Auditor to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Public Financial Management, Inc. (PFM) to conduct an operational efficiency and cost savings audit of the Utilities Department. The review will evaluate whether the department is managing resources in a responsive, economical and efficient manner. To assist the Department, City Manager and Council in planning for the department’s finances, the first phase of the audit will focus on identifying the 3 to 5 best opportunities that may result in immediate cost savings, efficiencies and operational improvement. The audit will also include the following components:

• Identification of “best practices” through the comparison of operations with other similar municipalities.
• Identification of alternative service delivery options.
• Identification and recommendations for operational, statutory or regulatory changes to
improve service and/or reduce costs.
• Identification of budget or cost implications, anticipated timeline to achieve savings, and challenges/issues relating to implementing each significant recommendation or initiative.

Recognizing the importance of continuous improvement, the Department of Utilities is performing the following studies which will inform the Department, City Council and PFM as they move forward:

• Cost of Service (Rate) Study – FCS Group (Ongoing)
• CIP Programming Guide – FCS Group (Ongoing)
• Infrastructure Financing Study– Treasurer’s Office/Banking Community (Ongoing)

The City Council also approved the City Auditor’s 2011-12 Audit Plan which includes an audit of the Department of Utilities’ billing processes. This audit will evaluate the department’s system of internal controls, test the accuracy of its bills, and assess the City’s ability to recover billed amounts.

Comments regarding this item on the Audit Committee’s Agenda can also be made electronically using the eComment feature at
http://sacramento.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=21.

For questions or for more information, contact Jorge Oseguera, City Auditor at 808-7270.

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Steve Cohn on "”OLD SOUL” ALLEY PROJECT RECEIVES MAJOR BOOST"

2009-12-17T01:10:51Z

Thanks for your suggestion. We’ll definitely look into that with the City Traffic engineer and the adjacent businesses. Those types of things are expensive.

”OLD SOUL” ALLEY PROJECT RECEIVES MAJOR BOOST

2009-12-16T22:25:25Z

On Tuesday, December 15, 2009, the Sacramento City Council authorized the use of $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for infrastructure improvements for a “Pedestrian First” pilot alley project between Capitol Avenue and L Street from 17th to 18th Streets. Many readers know this as the alley where “Old Soul” Coffee House resides. Private contributions of in-kind services and dollars have also been raised for design and enhancements.

This pilot “Pedestrian First Alley” project will include pedestrian-oriented safety features such as way-finding signage, accessibility improvements, and traffic mitigation; beautification features such as enhanced pavement, lighting, landscaping and outdoor furniture; and replacement of century-old combined sewer and storm drains, and other utility lines. The City’s recently adopted General Plan recognizes the tremendous unfulfilled potential that Central City alleys present as pedestrian thoroughfares, residential front-doors, small business locations and possible restaurant and café designations. In contrast, most alleys in the city now function as service areas for trash disposal, vehicle access to garages and rear/side entrances of abutting property and emergency service access.

For the past few years, a group of Central City residents, property owners, architects, builders, city staff and other stakeholders formed the Alley Activation Committee, meeting regularly to discuss how to transform selected alleyways in the Central City from back-of-house service entrances and potential crime zones to vibrant spaces that contribute positively to the Central City’s ambiance and livability.
On August 11, 2009, the Alley Activation Committee introduced three different pilot project ideas to the City Council: (1) “Pedestrian First Alley”; (2) “Alley Oriented Residential Uses” in which the City promotes higher density by allowing more housing units on the back portion of a parcel fronting on an alley than would normally be allowed under the applicable zoning ordinance; and (3) “Restaurant Uses” such as including outdoor seating. All of these ideas were well received and Council directed city staff to work with the Alley Activation Committee to develop pilot projects, including the Old Soul Alley project described above, look for potential funding sources and increase community outreach.

Since August, the Alley Activation Committee have focused on the Old Soul Alley project, in conjunction with a land use application filed by Jeremy Drucker for a four-unit residential project fronting on the same alley. Many of you know Drucker as the innovative, green builder who successfully developed the area’s first LEED-certified residential project, “9 on F” (a nine-unit townhouse project at 14th &F). Both Drucker and members of the Alley Activation Committee have spoken directly to all property owners on this pilot alley, and they have been notified of public hearings on the Drucker project. In addition, presentations on alley activation have been made to the Midtown Neighborhood Association, the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAG), SOCA, ECOS, the City Disabilities Advisory Commission, the Midtown Business Association, and the Downtown Partnership.

The Q Balls Hold Fundraiser for Pops in the Park - November 14th

2009-11-12T19:25:10Z

Sacramento rock-n-roll band, The Q Balls, will play a benefit show on Saturday, November 14th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Torch Club, 904 15th Street, Sacramento. The event is Free with donations taken at the door. Proceeds will go to Pops in the Park and in turn be used for East Sac and River Park parks. In 2009, Pops in the Park funds were used to leverage funds raised by the community to help restore swim pool hours cut through the City's budget at Bertha Henschel Park, Glenn Hall Park and McKinley Park. The Q Balls manager Sol Siler said: "The Q Balls are really looking forward to the November 14th gig at the Torch. All members save one were born and raised in the East Sacramento area and this opportunity to lend a helping hand to East Sac parks and Pops in the Park means a lot to the band. We're spreading the word and hope to raise some righteous bucks at the benefit." A big thank you to The Q Balls for supporting our parks!

October 2009

2009-10-01T21:20:31Z

INCLUDED IN THIS E-NEWSLETTER:

• Burr’s Fountain Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary – Today
• Charter Review Committee Town Hall Meetings
• My Views on Reforming the City Charter
• McKinley Rose Garden Master Plan Update
• SHPS/ Mercy Construction Update

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Alkali Mansion Flats Neighborhood Clean Up – October 3rd
• Ben Ali Neighborhood Clean Up – October 3rd
• Compost Seminar- October 3rd
• Sacred Heart Parish School Fall Festival – October 3rd
• Albie Aware Blues for Life Event – October 4th
• Friends of Grant Park Midtown Children’s Fair – October 4th
• Theodore Judah Harvest Festival – October 23rd
• California Montessori Project Harvest Festival – October 24th
• Friends of the River Banks – October 24th
• Midtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat – October 31st

NEIGHBORHOOD & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NEWS

Burr’s Fountain Celebrates its 20th Anniversary – Today

On October 1st, Burr’s Fountain celebrates its 20th anniversary celebration. As a thank-you for all the years of customer loyalty, Jim Burr, founder and owner of the old-fashioned ice cream soda fountain is offering up opening day-priced kiddie cones for $0.75 and 20% off all dine-in bills on October 1st. Join me in congratulating the good people of Burr’s at 5:00 p.m. when I present a City Council Resolution.

It was the summer of 1989, when Jim Burr noticed that the shop on Folsom Blvd. and 49th street was vacant and inquired about the property. He wanted to sell Vic’s ice cream and have a similar-style shop to the Land Park landmark but also add a few things to the menu. Initially, he wanted to call the place “Vic’s” but someone told him to put his own name out front and to take pride in what he was doing. It was mere coincidence that his name happened to conjure up thoughts of all things cool. Since then, Burr’s Fountain has become a cornerstone of the East Sacramento community, acting for many families as a surrogate home kitchen. Most patrons are relatives, friends, and neighbors so it’s never a surprise to run into familiar faces. The friendly workers are an assortment of high school and college students who grew up with sunbursts and grilled cheese sandwiches, literally “Burr’s kids.” Burr’s gives back to the community, participating in community events including our very own Pops in the Park concert series. Burr’s has donated thousands of dollars in proceeds for improvements to our East Sacramento parks and neighborhood.

Charter Review Committee Town Hall Meetings

In February 2009, the Sacramento City Council adopted a resolution creating the Review Committee and directed them to review the current City Charter and make recommendations for possible amendments. The Sacramento Charter Review Committee has developed a Draft Report recommending changes to the Sacramento City Charter. They want to hear your input and have already held several Town Hall Meetings. Several more will be held in October. The meeting scheduled in Council District 3 will be held on Thursday, October 8th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Caleb Greenwood School, 5457 Carlson Drive in River Park.

The Committee is scheduled to present their final report to Council on November 3, 2009. A first supplemental report with recommendations regarding the issues of Full Time Mayor, Full Time Council, and Ethics Commission will be presented to Council on December 1, 2009, and a second supplemental report regarding the Elections Process including ranked choice voting, instant run-ff voting and proportional representation will be presented to City Council on January 19, 2010. For more information about the Charter Review Committee or for additional meeting dates visit www.cityofsacramento.org/charter

My Views on Reforming the City Charter

Here in Sacramento, there has been a tremendous amount of public interest in reforming the City Charter. Similarly, an increasing number of people want to see major reform of the State Constitution. Two reform camps have emerged in both cases. Of course, all of this is taking place against the backdrop of tremendous economic upheaval and debate over fundamental policy issues like health care and climate change at the federal level.

At the local level, Mayor Johnson’s committee has collected enough signatures to qualify a so-called “Strong Mayor” ballot initiative for the June 8, 2010 Primary Election. Meanwhile, the City Council appointed a Charter Reform Committee, composed of citizens appointed by each Councilmember and the Mayor plus two at-large appointees, who are scheduled to make recommendations to the Council on a possible alternate charter reform ballot measure in November.

At the state level, one group is pushing a series of constitutional amendments geared towards resolving the perennial legislative gridlock. Key features include reducing the budget vote threshold from two-thirds to a majority or 55%, creating an open non-partisan primary, and taking legislative redistricting away from the partisan Legislature. A second group is pushing a more radical restructuring that would involve the convening of a State Constitutional Convention. The convention delegates would be determined randomly in the same manner that jury pools are chosen. Pretty much any and everything that does not violate the U.S. Constitution could be up for grabs at such a Convention.

Because I was elected as your City Councilmember, I’ll leave for another time and place the discussion of state issues and focus instead on City Charter reform. Besides, the Mayor’s proposal has generated enough controversy to fill this column and more. Even the question of when the initiative should be scheduled for a vote was controversial. But the state budget and state laws and regulations certainly have a major impact on local government and our communities, and cannot be ignored.

Because I voted with the Council majority to schedule the “Strong Mayor” initiative for the June 2010 ballot, some people mistakenly believed I support the initiative. That is not true. I do not support the current initiative because it does not provide adequate checks and balances on Mayoral power. In particular, I am concerned about the initiative’s giving the Mayor authority to hire and fire up to 800 City employees and to oversee all contracts. Another issue is term limits. Most cities with strong mayors, other than Chicago, have term limits for the Mayor.

But the merits of the initiative were not the issue before Council. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the initiative, it automatically qualified for the ballot by obtaining at least 32,433 (15%) valid signatures of duly qualified electors of the City. In fact, over 60,000 signatures were gathered, and the County Registrar verified that the petition exceeded the minimum threshold of valid signatures. Therefore, the only issue before the City Council was the timing of the election. The established process in California is for a qualified initiative, whether state or local, to be placed on the next scheduled election. This is a time-honored policy in a direct democracy state like California. The initiative supporters initially tried to gather signatures in time to put the initiative on a special ballot in 2009. However, given the high cost of a special election (roughly $1 million), the supporters slowed down their signature gathering process and instead turned in their petition with a request for the next regular election, which is June 2010. Meanwhile, initiative opponents argued that the initiative should not be scheduled until the November 2012 election.

Both the City Clerk and the City Attorney stated at the City Council meeting on August 6, 2009, that in the history of California, there was only one known example of a qualified ballot initiative that was not placed at the next regularly scheduled election. In that case, the Huntington Beach City Council placed a ballot measure on the next general election in November, rather than the primary election in June. Their decision was upheld in court as being legal because the timing of the election was not important to the initiative and there were valid public reasons for waiting 5 months until November. There were no known cases of a ballot measure ever being deferred four elections, as was recommended by initiative opponents.

Another reason for voting on the Strong Mayor Initiative in 2010 is that people should know what system is in place when they next vote for Mayor in June 2012 when the next Mayoral election occurs. At that time, Sacramento voters will know whether they’re voting on a strong Mayor or a traditional Mayor under the weaker, shared Council-Manager form of government. If we wait to hold the election until 2012, we won’t know when we next vote for Mayor which system will be in place.

Finally, if a ninth Council district is added as recommended in the Strong Mayor Initiative, we can use the 2010 Census numbers to develop district boundaries in time for the 2012 election.

In conclusion, I look forward to a vigorous debate at Council over the recommendations of the City’s Charter Review Committee. Hopefully, a community consensus can develop around an alternative measure to counter the Strong Mayor Initiative that has already qualified for the June 2010 ballot. After 100 years, I am sure there are some charter changes that are appropriate for Sacramento. After all, the City’s population was only a fraction of what it is now, and Oak Park, Curtis Park, Land Park and East Sacramento were the far-flung suburbs back when our current governance structure was created. I hope you will join me in that effort.

McKinley Park Rose Garden Master Plan Update

The McKinley Park Rose Garden Master Plan is scheduled to be heard by the Parks and Recreation Commission on Thursday, October 1st, 7:00 p.m. at Historic City Hall Chambers. The item is tentatively scheduled to go to Council on Tuesday, October 27th, 6:00 p.m. For more information about the Master Plan, visit http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/parks/sites/mckinley_rg_plan.htm

Mercy/SHPS Construction Update

Soil remediation of Chlordane and Dieldrin on the school site was completed in
mid-September. Classroom building rough in of electrical, mechanical and fire
sprinkler system took place. Site underground utilities and framing and rough in
of the Multipurpose Building started at the end of September, and winterization of the site will begin soon in preparation for the rainy season. At Mercy General Hospital, tunnel work between the Mercy Medical Plaza and Hospital is expected to be completed November, 2009. An Ambulance Canopy on the northeast corner of the Hospital also is expected to be completed November, 2009. Excavation for the south part of the Alex G.
Spanos Heart & Vascular Center basement will begin shortly thereafter.

The last Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) meeting for 2009 is November 17th at 5:30 p.m. at the SHPS Cafeteria.

For updates on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan (NTMP) visit
www.cityofsacramento.org/transportation/traffic-engineering/mercy-ntmp.html or contact Debb Newton at 808-6739 or dnewton@cityofsacramento.org. For questions or concerns regarding construction, please feel free to call the construction hotline at 552-6931.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Alkali Mansion Flats Neighborhood Cleanup – Saturday, October 3rd

The Alkali Mansion Flats Neighborhood Association are also sponsoring a clean up On Saturday, October 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers will meet at Globe Mills between 8:45 am & 9 am. Coffee and donuts will be provided by the neighborhood. For more information, contact Janine Martindale at 808-7186.

Ben Ali Neighborhood Clean Up – Saturday, October 3rd

The Ben Ali Neighborhood Association will be sponsoring a cleanup on Saturday, October 3rd at 9:00 a.m. The meeting place is the Plover School. Neighbors will focus on cleaning up around the school as well as debris and trash in the ditches around the neighborhood. For more information, contact Verlene Castoreno at funyun501@juno.com

Compost Seminar – Saturday, October 3rd

A free Compost Seminar will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Southside Park Community Garden (5th & W Streets). Learn how to turn yard waste into compost and improve the health of your soil. This free seminar includes a how-to lesson, a special compost recipe and the ability to purchase a Biostack compost bin for $65 (retails for $129). The seminar will also feature a special lecture on various topics that will help your garden continue to flourish all year long. Composting is great for flower and vegetable gardens and can help conserve water and recycle yard waste. No reservations are required for the seminar.

Sacred Heart Parish School Fall Festival – October 3rd

The Sacred Heart Parish School Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 3rd from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at 3933 I Street. The festival features games for people of all ages, musical entertainment, great food and a raffle.

Albie Aware Blues for Life Event – October 4th
Join the Albie Carson Breast Cancer Foundation celebrate 10 years of helping women diagnosed with breast cancer by attending the Blues for Life Event, on Sunday, October 4th from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Torch Club, 904-15th Street, Sacramento and adjacent parking lot in the rear. The event will feature 10 live bands, Pasta Cook Off with Local Italian families, Celebrities, professional Chef Judges, People's choice Awards, Raffle, and Silent Auction. Tickets can be purchased for $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the Door. For ticket information, call 443-2797 or 927-1592.

Friends of Grant Park – Midtown Children’s Fair – Sunday, October 4th

The Midtown Children’s Fair in Grant Park will include crafts, music and a show presented by an exciting puppet troupe, “Voice of the Woods” and will be held on Sunday, October 4th, 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. For questions, contact friendsofgrantpark@yahoo.com

Theodore Judah Harvest Festival, October 23rd

The Harvest Festival at Theodore Judah Elementary, 3919 McKinley Boulevard, will take place on Friday, October 23rd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and promises to be more exciting and bigger than last year! There will be carnival games, scarecrow contest, live entertainment, balloons and face painting and plenty of other activities for the kids of all ages. This is a fun family event to share with the family, neighbors and friends. Roxie Deli will be selling grilled premium aged steak sandwiches as well as hamburgers and hot dogs. This year there will be community services information to benefit all families. All the teachers’ booths will be offering different games to play. Admission is free. All the games cost 25¢ or 50¢ each. The proceeds will go toward the student’s classroom supplies and classroom field trips.

California Montessori Project Harvest Festival – October 24th

The California Montessori Project 3rd Annual Harvest Festival will take place on Saturday, October 24th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 2718 G Street.

Friends of the River Banks – October 24th

This month Friends of the River Banks will meet on Sunday, October 24th at 10:00 a.m. at Sutter’s Landing Park to welcome the salmon back to the American River. Special guest, Rick Adams, a tribal historian and museum cultural specialist from the Maidu Interpretive Center, will entertain with story-telling and Native dance, song and music. There will also be river craft activities. As always, remember to dress appropriately for waterside activities and bring a snack and bottled water. For more information, contact Robert Sewell at rlsewell@earthlink.net

Midtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat – October 31st

The Midtown Business Association will sponsor the annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat event around Sacramento’s Midtown shops and businesses on Saturday, October 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Look for posters displayed designating businesses as a place to stop to trick-or-treat in the area from J to L Streets, 16th to 27th Streets. Entertainment and activities will located at Relles Florist at 2400 J Street and the 1801 L Street Lofts courtyard (enter through the stairs at the middle of the block on L between 18th and 19th Streets). The City has provided a parking “freeze”: free parking at metered spaces and no time limit enforcement. However, red and loading zones, fire hydrant and handicap spaces WILL be enforced. Fore more information visit www.mbasac.com

NEIGHBORHOOD & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NEWS

Alkali & Mansion Flats Historic Neighborhood Association. Meetings are held on the Second Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Boys & Girls Club, 1117 G Street. For more information contact Sean Wright at (916) 806-8198.

Ben Ali Neighborhood Association – Next meeting: General Membership on Tuesday, November 24th, 6:00 p.m. at Plover School Cafeteria.

Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association (BPNA) and Marshall School Neighborhood Association – Board Meeting – Second Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact Rob Sperling at 444-8147.

East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce: Second Wednesday of each month at various locations, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Cost $15. For details call Lisa Schmidt at (916) 457-2721.

Hagginwood Community Association: Next meeting: Wednesday, September 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Joe Mims/Hagginwood Community Center, Tower Room, Meeting Room 1. For more information contact: Bill Maynard, Chair, 508-6025, sacgc@ulink.net or Barbara Stanton, Vice Chair, 927-7446, barbs992@earthlink.net.

McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA): Board meeting open to the Public, First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park. Contact: Joe Chavez at chavezjoseph@comcast.net

Midtown Business Association (MBA) Board Meeting – Third Wednesday of each month - 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – 1400 29th Street. For more information, call 442-1500.

River Park Neighborhood Association – Third Thursday of each month, Block Captains 6:30 p.m., RPNA Board 7:30 p.m. at Geneva Room in the Fremont Presbyterian Church at Carlson Drive and H Street. See www.riverparksacramento.net

Midtown Neighborhood Association – For Updates visit www.sacmidtown.org

Area 1 NRT – Next meeting: Monday, November 16th, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (preceding NAG) at Hart Senior Center, 915 27th Street.

Area 1 NAG – Next NAG meeting: Monday, October 19th, Pizza at 6:15 p.m. at Hart Senior Center.

Area 4 Community Partnership Meeting – Next meeting: Monday, November 9th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Robertson Community Center.

Area 4 NRT – Monday, November 9th, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (preceding Community Partnership meeting) at Robertson Community Center.

Councilman Steve Cohn's Monthly E-newsletter

2009-09-02T21:58:02Z

INCLUDED IN THIS E-NEWSLETTER:
• Alley Activation Introduced to Council
• Central City Alley Naming Standards Adopted by Council
• Park Restrooms Reopened
• District 3 Residents Come Together to Raise Funds to Keep Pools Open for Recreational Swim
• Friends of McKinley Park Tennis Raise Money to Resurface Courts
• Welcome to East Sacramento Signs Pop up Around the Neighborhood
• SHPS/ Mercy Construction Update

UPCOMING EVENTS
• Friends of Grant Park Upcoming Events
• Friends of the River Bank - Second Saturday
• Sacramento Fire Department Open Houses
• SOCA Home Tour – September 20th
• Cops & Community Celebration– September 26th
• East Sacramento Home Remodeling Tour – September 27th
• Design Dialogue re: K Street – September 30th

Alley Activation Introduced to Council
A group of Central City residents, business owners, architects, developers, city staff and other stakeholders (Alley Activation Committee) have been meeting regularly for the last year or so to discuss how to transform selected alleyways in the Central City from garbage dumping and criminal hideout zones to vibrant livable mixed use places that contribute positively to ambience of the Central City.
Most Central City alleys currently function as service areas for trash disposal, vehicle access to garages and rear/side entrances of abutting property and emergency service access. However, examples from other cities and a few right here in the River City have shown the tremendous potential that alleys present as pedestrian thoroughfares, residential front-doors, small business locations and even restaurant and café designations.
On August 11, 2009, the Alley Activation Committee introduced three different pilot project ideas to the Council:
(1) “Pedestrian First” Alleys look at ways to beautify alleys to encourage their use by pedestrians while maintaining vehicular access. Improvements would include porous pavements, way-finding signage, ADA requirements, solar/LED festival lighting, landscaping (e.g., almond trees in containers) and some street furniture. Two potential “pilot alleys” are located between 17th and 19th, L Street and Capitol Avenue.
(2) “Alley Oriented Residential Uses” was encouraged in the General Plan as a way to increase density within the Central City without affecting the existing streetscape or threatening historic resources. Locating units on an alley provides a public benefit of “eyes on the alley”. There are some existing alleys that have small carriage houses, cottages and small apartments above garages. Several newer developments have also been accomplished already, such as the highly touted “9onF” townhouses (15th & F St). Most recently, the first application for a “Stitch Development” (three condominium units at the rear of an existing 40’x160’ lot) was submitted by Jeremy Drucker, the 9onF developer, to the City Zoning Administrator for review and approval.
(3) “Restaurant” alleys can be seen in scenic cities throughout the world, including San Francisco’s Belden or Maiden Lanes; however, Sacramento has little experience locating restaurant and café seating within alleys. The City currently has an application on file for a “Restaurant Row” located within the alley bounded by I and J Streets, 16th and 17th Streets (adjacent to the Memorial Auditorium). This project is expected to move through the process and to the Council within the next few months. Another project called Meridian II, located between the Convention Center and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel at 15th and L, is proposing to limit vehicular access in favor of pedestrian oriented uses on the alley during the day.
These ideas were well received by Council, which directed city staff to continue to work with the committee on the pilot proposals, look for potential funding sources and increase community outreach. The Alley Activation Committee plans to form a nonprofit organization that will better position the group to access a broader base of funding sources including grants and charitable giving organizations.

I recently put forth a challenge to the Alley Activation Committee to get a “Pedestrian First” pilot alley done within the next year. I have committed $100,000 in District 3 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which was made available when a streetlighting project came in under budget, provided that the committee can raise matching funding for the enhancements.

I look forward to continuing to work with this creative group to resolve all of the issues raised by city technical staff (fire, transportation, drainage, solid waste, etc.) and neighbors (noise, parking, traffic, etc.). Sacramento could have one of the most attractive and interesting alley districts anywhere in the world. Imagine an “Almond Blossom Festival” in the spring to celebrate the wonderful nexus between Midtown’s urban flair and tasty restaurants and the Central Valley’s rural cornucopia of find food and wines.

Central City Alley Naming Standards Adopted by Council

Several years ago I introduced the idea of naming our Central City alleys and I’m happy to report that on August 11, 2009, the Council adopted standards for naming those alleys and directed staff to look at the theme of historic names and places. A special thanks goes to William Burg who came up with a comprehensive list of historic names that could be considered. A consistent alphabetic addressing system will allow for quicker response time for emergency services, assist with postal and general delivery services and provide more efficient delivery of City services. This will be especially important as we begin to activate more of our alleys. An example of how this would work is that the name for the alley between I and J would begin with an “I”, the name for the alley between J and K would begin with a “J”, etc.

Park Restrooms Reopened

Although the City Department of Parks and Recreation have cut a number of services, including closing pools and recreation programs, and reducing park maintenance and garbage pickup, City staff heard loud and clear from residents throughout the City that keeping restrooms open is a high priority. Furthermore, after evaluating the capabilities of park maintenance operations since the reductions were implemented, the department has determined that maintenance efforts can be re-focused and as of Friday, August 21st, all restrooms were re-opened. Unfortunately, until the economy and the City budget turn around, this will come at the expense of further reductions in trash pick up, mowing, blowing, edging and general park cleanliness.

District 3 Residents Come Together to Raise Funds to Keep Pools Open for Recreational Swim

Due to extraordinary fundraising efforts by the River Park and East Sacramento communities, recreational swim hours were restored at Glenn Hall Pool, Bertha Henschel Wading Pool and Clunie Pool at McKinley Park. With a $500 Pops in the Park grant, neighbors of the Bertha Henschel Wading Pool raised an additional $500 to fully restore pool hours through the end of the season (August 23rd). Likewise, the McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association donated $500 and with a Pops in the Park match, Clunie Pool will be open on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Glenn Hall Pool was slated to be closed to recreation swim beginning on Monday, July 6, 2009. However, through a concerted community effort, we were able to raise enough money to keep open through the end of the pool season (August 23rd). First, I announced a $3,000 grant from Pops in the Park. Then, the River Park Neighborhood Association, River Park Mother’s Club and Caleb Greenwood PTSO, the Fremont Presbyterian Church, and others came forward in a big way to raise over $13,000, including $4,150 through a car wash and bake sale sponsored by the above groups plus the Caleb 4th R, Glenn Hall Swim Team & Coaches, Selland’s Market, and City of Sac Lifeguards. Finally, the Fremont Presbyterian Church contributed an additional $6,000, the River Park Neighborhood Association $2,000, and various other donations through the City’s Gifts to Share Program totaled over $1,000. A big THANK YOU to everyone who made this possible.

Friends of McKinley Park Tennis Raise Money to Resurface Courts

Thanks to another tremendous community effort, the City will be able to resurface the McKinley Park tennis courts and make other related improvements to the facility this fall. The project cost estimate is $250,000. The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) announced a grant of $35,000 and a hardy group of tennis enthusiasts called the Friends of McKinley Park Tennis banded together to host a tennis tournament and do other fund raising totaling over $10,000, including a $3,100 contribution from Spare Time, Inc., which owns Rio Del Oro and other tennis/swim clubs in town.

I was able to cobble together the remaining $200,000 from a variety of places, including remaining bond capital dollars, Alhambra cell tower revenue and district funds. If we can raise more private money, we will be able to invest even more in enhancements, such as a practice backboard, new bleachers and renovated tennis office/shack. For more information on this project, contact Susan Vieth at 808-1575.

The Friends of McKinley Park Tennis have partnered with Paragary Restaurant Group for a fund raising event on Wednesday, September 2nd. On that date, you can bring the attached flier and mention that you are a “friend” of McKinley Park Tennis. Twenty-five percent of all food purchases will be donated to the effort to improve the tennis facility. If you wish to make a contribution to this project, checks should be made payable to Friends of McKinley Park Tennis and mailed to PO Box 19463, Sacramento, CA 95819-0463.

Welcome to East Sacramento Signs Pop Up Around the Neighborhood

In partnership with the East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, East Sacramento Improvement Association (ESIA) and McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA), we were able to raise about $13,000 to design, fabricate and install “Welcome to East Sacramento” signs at seven entry locations: 30th Street & J Street, 30th Street & Capitol Avenue, 39th Street & R Street, 56th Street & H Street, 57th Street & J Street, 65th Street & Folsom Boulevard and 65th Street & Q Street. Both MENA and ESIA used funds donated by Union Pacific Railroad in 2007 as a thank you for neighbors’ patience during the round-the-clock reconstruction several years ago of the burned railroad trestle on the north bank of the American River. The East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce requested that their sponsorship dollars for Pops in the Park be used toward the project as well. We hope to add more signage as funds become available in the future.

SHPS/ Mercy Construction Update

Soil remediation on the school site almost is complete. Foundational footings have been dug for the new buildings, and steel framework has been built. Tunnel work between the Mercy Medical Plaza and Hospital is expected to be complete by September 2009. An Ambulance Canopy on the Northeast corner of the Hospital is being built, and structural steel bids have gone out to be used for construction of the Alex G. Spanos Heart and Vascular Center building, which will begin with some preliminary foundation work this fall. The last Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) meeting for 2009 is November 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the SHPS Cafeteria.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friends of Grant Park Upcoming Events
“Crafty Kids at the Park” – Thursday, September 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Save the date for the annual Midtown Childrens Fair in Grant Park – Sunday, October 4th, 2:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. For questions, contact friendsofgrantpark@yahoo.com

Friends of the River Bank
Friends of the River Bank sponsors a gathering at the American River each Second Saturday at 9 am at Sutter's Landing to encourage people, especially families and children, to enjoy and appreciate the wildlife and to spend a little time with nature. For more information, contact Laurie Litman at llitman@pacbell.net

Sacramento Fire Department Open Houses
The Sacramento Fire Department invites you to come by to meet your firefighters and take a station tour. A very successful open house was just held on Saturday, August 29, at Station 4 behind Safeway on Granada Way. The Department is holding several more open houses throughout the city, including the following for District 3 residents:

September 12th – Station 19, 1700 Challenge Way
September 19th – Station 8, 5990 H Street, 2pm-5pm

For more information call 808-1347 or visit www.sacfire.org

SOCA Home Tour – September 20th
This year’s SOCA home tour will be held in historic Boulevard Park on Sunday, September 20 (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Tickets may be purchased in advance at several local businesses ($18.00) or at the street fair on the esplanade on 21st Street between F and G Streets on the day of the tour ($20.00). Bicyclists will get a dollar discount ($19.00). Ticket-holders will be given an illustrated brochure with detailed information about the homes and the neighborhood. As in past years, the street fair will feature artisans and information booths. Restored antique cars will be on display throughout the tour’s neighborhood, courtesy of the Sacramento Capitol A’s Model A Club.

The Boulevard Park neighborhood incorporates a mix of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century homes, ranging from single-family residences to the distinctive courtyard-style arrangement of cottages that can be found throughout the city of Sacramento. The homes also vary in size, having served a wide cross-section of Sacramento society, ranging from railroad and cannery workers to doctors, bankers, and businessmen. The core of the neighborhood is a development by a local building firm, Wright and Kimbrough that was constructed on the former site of the city’s race track in the early 1900s. In fact, 2009 marks the centennial for many of the houses in the original Boulevard Park neighborhood, which was bordered by B, H, 22nd, and 20th Streets. The greater Boulevard Park neighborhood also includes some handsome Victorian and Queen Anne residences from the late 1800s. Several homes from the original and greater Boulevard Park neighborhoods have been selected for the 2009 tour. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Joann's Elegant Gifts (1019 L Street), Collected Works Books & Other Fine Gifts (4524 Freeport Blvd.), 57th Street Antique Mall (875 57th Street), and The Avid Reader (16th & Broadway). For more information visit http://sacoldcity.org/?cat=10

Cops and Community Celebration – September 26th
A celebration of Cops & Community working together will be held on Saturday, September 26th from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at The William J. Kinney Police Facility, 3550 Marysville Boulevard. North Area neighbors are encouraged to attend this event that will feature Children’s activities, great give-aways, police demonstrations, childrens’ fingerprinting, free hot dogs and hamburgers and much more. For more information, contact Jeannette Bonner, Judy Kovanda or Kurt McCray at 566-6401.

East Sacramento Home Remodeling Tour – September 27th
The East Sacramento Home Remodeling Tour, sponsored by Friends of East Sacramento, will be held on Sunday, September 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Featuring six remodeled homes, the theme for the 2009 tour is “Honoring Tradition, Making it New.” While enlarging spaces inside, the homeowners have honored the tradition of the house. Tickets go on sale beginning September 1st and proceeds will go to support neighborhood parks and beautification projects in East Sacramento. For more information, call 452-8011 or email eastsaclife@aol.com

Design Dialogue re: K Street – September 30th
The Urban Design Alliance and Sacramento Downtown Partnership will host a Design Dialogue regarding K Street will take place on Wednesday, September 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Crest (main theater) – doors open at 5:30 p.m.. Featured will be a panel of three experts re: (i) urban design and streetscape issues; (ii) circulation (including whether or not to bring cars back to K Street); and commercial/retail development appropriate to K Street. If you would like to receive email announcements about this event please send your email address directly to marquart-policy@comcast.net

Councilmember Steve Cohn's Monthly E-newsletters - July 2009

2009-07-06T22:21:29Z

INCLUDED IN THIS E-NEWSLETTER:

• City 2009/2010 Budget Adopted
• Sidney Pope Memorial Orchid and Onion Awards Presented at Pops in the Park
• Screen on the Green – August
• McKinley Rose Garden Proposed Enhancements Update
• Free Hours of Bike Rentals
• SHPS/ Mercy Construction Update
• Sacramento Fire Department Open Houses

UPCOMING EVENTS
• Neighborhood Services Department Community Hours
• July 4th Fun and Run in River Park
• Friends of the River Event- July 11th
• Taste of East Sacramento – July 12th
• Friends of McKinley Park Tennis Tournament – August 1st and 2nd
• National Night Out – August 4th
• Blood Drive in River Park, August 9th
• St. Mary’s 78th Annual Festival – August 16th
• SOCA Home Tour – September 20th

NEIGHBORHOOD & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NEWS

City 2009/2010 Budget Adopted

The City Council adopted the final budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2009. In closing a $50 million gap, the Council reduced expenditures by $41.7 million, used $8.3 million in one-time resources, and reduced staffing levels by 383 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. By reaching agreement with the Sacramento Police Officers Association to extend their collective bargaining agreement by 3 years, the City was able to close its funding gap in the Police Department without reducing any police officer positions. Also, on July 3rd the Sacramento Firefighters, Local 522 approved a deal to freeze their salaries for 30 months and delay a 5 percent raise scheduled to take effect July 14 until January 2012, by doing this, they will save the city $10.8 million. Unfortunately, attempts to do likewise with the other union representing most non-safety departments, including Parks and Recreation, were unsuccessful, and as a result the City will be instituting layoffs.

Sidney Pope Memorial Orchid & Onion Awards Presented at Pops in the Park

We enjoyed unseasonably cool temperatures at the first three Pops in the Park concerts this year. Held each Saturday in June, record numbers of people enjoyed free family events with four different genres of music including oldies, blues, swing and country rock. The East Sacramento Improvement Association (ESIA) announced their annual Sidney Pope Memorial Orchid and Onion Awards at the Bertha Henschel concert on June 20th. The Orchid Award was given to 38th Street Neighborhood for their work on the new Setback Ordinance and their “diligence” in maintaining the historical context of the East Sacramento community. In the fall of 2008, a proposal was submitted to demolish an existing home on 38th Street (south of Folsom Blvd) and replace it with a new home that would have extended significantly closer than virtually all of the houses on the street. The new language proposed by the 38th Street neighbors and adopted by Council will trigger design review whenever a house is proposed to be built or expanded in East Sacramento that would be closer to the street than the average setback of the two houses on either side. Also nominated for the Orchid Award were the Neighborhood Retail Center at Alhambra and Folsom Boulevard, home of Peets Coffee and FedEx, which closely followed design guidelines and historical context for this boulevard, and the beautiful new townhomes that Dyer Construction built at the corner of Mission and J Streets, which look like they were built in the same 1930s era as the quads along I and J Streets.

The Onion Award was given this year for the third time to the blighted site of Express Furniture at 5108 Folsom Blvd. Also nominated was the site of Luis Mexican Restaurant building at 1218 Alhambra Blvd. This award is meant to be a good-natured nudge to folks to spruce up their properties.

Screen on the Green - August

Mark your calendars for Screen on the Green free movies in August at four of our District 3 parks.

August 1, 2009 – East Portal Park, 51st & M Streets - Babe
August 8, 2009 – Grant Park, 21st & C Streets – Bee Movie
August 15, 2009 – Babcock Park, 2498 Cormorant Way – Beauty and the Beast
August 22, 2009 – Glen Hall Park, Carlson Drive and Sandburg Drive – The Parent Trap (1961 version)
All movies begin at Sundown
For Details visit: www.sacscreenonthegreen.com

McKinley Rose Garden Proposed Enhancements Update

A second community meeting was held at the McKinley Rose Garden on Saturday, June 20, 2009, to present the proposed enhancements to the McKinley Rose Garden. The enhancements shared by Parks Staff were the result of suggestions and feedback received to date from a previous community meeting as well as many emails and calls. The plan will preserve the Frederick N. Evans Memorial Rose Garden as closely as possible to its existing, historic condition while updating the irrigation system, improving accessibility, and removing diseased or dying roses. The proposed enhancements include an accessible walkway from H Street to the Tiny Tots building, a new rose garden map (accessible), accessible benches with center armrest, wheelchair spaces, an additional (accessible) drinking fountain, concrete planter curbs, bubbler irrigation system and a new brick entry sign. Located in one of the most heavily used parks within the city, the last major known renovation to the garden was in 1973. After an initial meeting generated controversy, I was very pleased to see a renewed spirit of cooperation among neighbors, the City staff, families of memorial plaque holders, and the Sacramento Rose Society. I look for this to generate a renewed volunteerism to help restore the Rose Garden’s luster. Of course, we’ll need to raise most of the money for the renovations from private funds, including increased wedding fees. For more information, contact Jonathan Rewers at 808-7590 or jrewers@cityofsacramento.org

Free Hours of Bike Rentals

Bikes and Bites located at 1013 12th Street, rents bikes to locals and out of town guests to ride around and enjoy Sacramento and all it has to offer. Recently, the Sacramento Air Quality Air District agreed to underwrite 1000 hours of bike rentals. Renters will now receive one hour of free bike rental, when they rent a minimum of two hours. The bike rental programs will lower Sacramento's carbon footprint while creating economic stimulus in the local businesses. For more details go to www.BikesandBites.com

SHPS/ Mercy Construction Update

Soil remediation on the school site continues and is nearing completion. Upon completion, foundational footings will be dug for the new buildings. Tunnel work between the Medical Plaza and Hospital is expected to be complete by August 2009. This month the hospital intends to go out to bid for the structural steel to be used for the Heart Center building and this fall some preliminary foundation work is expected to begin. Future Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) meetings are scheduled as follows: August 18, and November 17.

For updates on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan (NTMP) visit
For more information on the NTMP, visit www.cityofsacramento.org/transportation/traffic-engineering/mercy-ntmp.html or contact Debb Newton at 808-6739 or dnewton@cityofsacramento.org. For questions or concerns regarding construction, please feel free to call the construction hotline at 552-6931.

Sacramento Fire Department Open Houses

The Sacramento Fire Department invites you to come by to meet your firefighters and take a station tour. They are holding several open houses throughout the city. Open Houses still to be held for District 3 residents are:

August 29th – Station 4, 3145 Granada Way (off Alhambra)
September 12th – Station 19, 1700 Challenge Way
September 19th – Station 8, 5990 H Street, 2pm-5pm

For more information call 808-1347 or visit www.sacfire.org

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Neighborhood Services Department Community Hours

For your convenience, Neighborhood Services continues to hold community hours in the neighborhood. Feel free to drop by to ask questions, raise concerns and discuss city issues. The following dates and times are scheduled:

Tuesday, July 14th
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Clunie Clubhouse, 601 Alhambra Blvd.

Tuesday, August 11th
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hagginwood Community Center, 3271 Marysville Boulevard

For more questions, please contact Janine at 808-8193 or jmartindale@cityofsacramento.org

July 4th Fun and Run in River Park

Start your morning with the 33rd Annual Free 4th of July Fun Run in River Park. This is a 5-mile run that winds its way through the River Park neighborhood. The runs starts and ends near Glen Hall Park. There is a half a mile kids run (under 10) that starts at 7:45 a.m. and then the 5 mile runs begins at 8:00 a.m. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. Then mid-morning enjoy the Fire Cracker Parade, the Mere Mortals band, food, games and prizes from 10:00 a.m. until Noon. The parade begins at Caleb Greenwood School at 10:00 a.m. (arrive at 9:30 a.m. to line up). Hot dogs, ice cream and sods will be sold. RPNA is still looking for volunteers for that day. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information about the event, contact lcortez916@yahoo.com.

Friends of the River Event – July 11th

Friends of the River Banks sponsors a gathering at the American River each Second Saturday at 9 am at Sutter's Landing to encourage people, especially families and children, to enjoy and appreciate the wildlife and to spend a little time with nature. On Saturday, July 11th, Greg Kareofelas will lead a “Dragonfly Walk” where you may also see damselflies and butterflies. Binoculars and insect nets will be available for use. Greg will give pointers on how to use nets properly – a useful skill for budding entomologists of all ages. Recommended pre-walk reading: the “California Natural History Guide on Dragonflies” by Tim Manolis. For more information, contact Laurie Litman at llitman@pacbell.net

Below is an inspiring piece written by one of our 10-year old Midtown neighbors:

Come With Me
by Paloma Freitas

What are you doing on this hot summer day? If you like exploring and having fun, get off that couch and come with me to the American River.

We can swim in the cold water, take a hike, play on the beach, and look for baby clams. If we go on a hike, we can look at all of the beautiful plants. If we go at night, we may spot a coyote, if we are lucky. If we take a hike in the daytime, we might see otters, turtles or birds.

If you go swimming, you will have a lot of fun, but you'll have to be careful. Some parts of the river are deep. If we play in the shallow water, we can look for clams under the sand.

The American River is a great place. It's the best place in Sacramento to have fun. So what are you waiting for? Let's go.

Taste of East Sacramento – July 12th

The East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce presents “Taste of East Sacramento” on Sunday, July 12th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Shepard Garden and Arts Center. The event will feature wine tasting along with a taste of some of the best food East Sac has to offer. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Selland’s Market Café, 5340 H Street for $25 or at the door for $30. Proceeds will benefit Pops in the Park. For more information call 452-8011. (note: Limited tickets are available for the event)

Friends of McKinley Park Tennis Tournament, August 1st and 2nd

Support efforts to raise funding for the resurfacing and upgrades to the McKinley Park Tennis Courts. A tournament will be held on August 1st and 2nd at the McKinley facility. Your $75 tax deductible donation includes tournament fee, lunch and a shirt. Checks should be made payable to Friends of McKinley Park Tennis and mailed to PO Box 19463, Sacramento, CA 95819-0463. For more information about the tournament call (209) 483-8430.

National Night Out – August 4th

Join your neighbors and be a part of a nation-wide event against crime on August 4th. National Night Out is a community-police partnership held the first Tuesday of every August. It aims to increase awareness about police programs in communities, promote neighbor to neighbor interaction, and send a message to criminals that they are being watched! If you would like to organize a celebration with your neighbors, please contact Officer Alana Henley, Crime Prevention Specialist, at ahenley@pd.cityofsacramento for more information.

Blood Drive in River Park – August 9th

A Blood Drive will be held in River Park on Sunday, August 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 5458 Carlson Drive across from the school. Join the group for coffee, donuts and a BBQ.

St. Mary’s 78th Annual Festival – August 16th

St. Mary’s 78th Annual Festival will take place on Sunday, August 16th from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with lots of attractions for the whole family including arts and crafts, festival booths, bingo, rock climbing, laser tag, water slides, shopping mall, chicken/pasta dinner and other great foods as well as two popular bands, the Q-Balls and Miller Hi Lites.

SOCA Home Tour – September 20th

This year’s SOCA home tour will be held in historic Boulevard Park on Sunday, September 20 (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Tickets may be purchased in advance at several local businesses ($18.00) or at the street fair on the esplanade on 21st Street between F and G Streets on the day of the tour ($20.00). Bicyclists will get a dollar discount ($19.00). Ticket-holders will be given an illustrated brochure with detailed information about the homes and the neighborhood. As in past years, the street fair will feature artisans and information booths. Restored antique cars will be on display throughout the tour’s neighborhood, courtesy of the Sacramento Capitol A’s Model A Club.

NEIGHBORHOOD & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NEWS

East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce: Second Wednesday of each month at various locations, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Cost $15. For details call Lisa Schmidt at (916) 457-2721.

Hagginwood Community Association: Celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4th , location tba. Next meeting: Wednesday, September 2nd at Joe Mims/Hagginwood Community Center, Tower Room, Meeting Room 1. For more information contact: Bill Maynard, Chair, 508-6025, sacgc@ulink.net or Barbara Stanton, Vice Chair, 927-7446, barbs992@earthlink.net.

Midtown Business Association (MBA) Board Meeting – Third Wednesday of each month - 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – 1400 29th Street. For more information, call 442-1500.

Midtown Neighborhood Association (formerly WPCANA) – For Updates visit www.sacmidtown.org

Area 1 NRT – Next meeting: Monday, July 20th, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (preceding NAG) at Hart Senior Center, 915 27th Street.

Area 1 NAG – Next NAG meeting: Monday, July 20th, Pizza at 6:15 p.m. at Hart Senior Center.

Area 4 Community Partnership Meeting – Next meeting: Monday, July 13th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Robertson Community Center.

Area 4 NRT – Monday, July 13th, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (preceding Community Partnership meeting) at Robertson Community Center.