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Thanks
for reading our eNews! We welcome your
feedback. Share your concerns and questions by email or call the
office:
Fairfield Office (9-5, Mon-Fri)
Phone: (707) 784-3031
Fax: (707) 784-6665
675 Texas Street, Suite 6500
Fairfield, CA 94533-6352
Benicia Open Office Hours (1st & 3rd Mon., 5-6:30pm)
Benicia City Hall, Conf.Rm 1
250 East L Street, Benicia
Email Linda
ljseifert@solanocounty.com
District Representative
Catherine M. Ritch
Phone: (707) 784-2974
Hours: Wednesday, 1 to 5pm, Thursday - Friday, 9 to 5pm
cmritch@solanocounty.com
District Representative
Roger D. Straw
Phone: (707) 784-2974
Hours: Monday - Tuesday, 9 to 5, Wednesday, 9am to 1pm.
rdstraw@solanocounty.com
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Gree
tings
from Linda ...
Dear Constituents and Friends,
School is back in session just as the Legislature takes its
break. Once again, our Sacramento leaders are leaving town
without a final budget. The angst that creates within cities
and counties impacts all of us - because our ability to project and
plan is so severely hampered. A good example of how our
community is harmed by the lack of information as well as the
proposed cuts was evident this month when Supervisor Barbara Kondylis
and I held a special community forum, attended by approximately 100
people on August 18, 2010, to assess the impact of budget reductions
on our county's child welfare programs.
As
background, last year Governor Schwarzenegger blue-penciled over $133
million from the State budget from Child Welfare Services, the
program that provides services to abused, abandoned and neglected
children in the state. Those cuts have hit Solano County's kids
and families that rely on the services extremely hard. So I was
not surprised when over 25 representatives of the county's child
welfare non-profit organizations testified and told us that the
systems improvements that had been made in the last ten years are
reversing themselves. Programs which helped youth
transition out of foster care placements, parent visitation programs,
and family reunification programs, and transportation services have
been hit the hardest. While the County still provides its
mandated services to protect abused and neglected children, court
cases are taking longer and reunification services are delayed as our
staff is stretched to the max.
We
had the privilege of hearing from Cathy Senderling, Deputy Executive
Director of the California Welfare Director's Association, and
learned that the Legislature has restored the cuts. The
continuing concern - one that will continue until the budget is
passed and signed by the Governor - is that the Governor will once
again slash those funds. We have requested that our elected
representatives contact the Governor to keep the money in, and
you can help as well.
There
is a organization called Protect
Our Children; Protect Our Future at protectourchildrenca.org which has organized an email and a postcard campaign to restore the
cuts. Their goal is to have over 5000 postcards and emails
going to the Governor when the State budget passes. Please take
a moment to visit their site and make your voice heard.
Linda
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County Budget
The Board of
Supervisors has scheduled more workshops to explore ways to further
reduce County spending to better match projected revenues as well as
to react to potential funding cuts resulting from State budget
solutions.
The first budget workshop was held on Aug. 31, and two more are
scheduled for Sept. 21 and Oct. 26 at the County Event Center, 601
Texas St. in Fairfield (old County library in front of the County
Administrative Center). The all-day workshops begin at 9
a.m.
The adopted Fiscal Year 2010/11 has an identified General Fund
structural deficit of $18.7 million, which is being financed with $6
million from the General Fund Reserves and $12.7 from other one-time
revenue sources.
In the first two workshops, the Board will review the County's
mandated and discretionary programs. In October, the Board will focus
on establishing program priorities that clarify the County's funding
commitment toward these programs.
Supervisor Seifert extends an invitation to you to come and be heard
on your issues!
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Proposed National
Heritage Area includes Carquinez Strait
In July, our office
was contacted by the Carquinez Strait Preservation Trust, asking if
we could encourage the Board to recommend including the Carquinez
Strait in proposed legislation being drafted by Senator Feinstein to
establish a Delta National Heritage Area. If the legislation is
adopted, this would be the first heritage area on the west
coast. We did our homework, and got a victory!
The impetus for this action is the desire to identify the Delta as a
special place that deserves identification, recognition and
preservation. A National Heritage Area [NHA] is a "place...where
natural, cultural, historic and recreation resources combine to form
a cohesive, nationally-distinctive landscape arising from patterns of
human activity shaped by geography." [Solano County
Board agenda, 8/24/10] An NHA is administered by the National
Park Service, but is typically managed by a state or local entity,
and can be important in branding and marketing for economic
development as well as efforts to preserve a distinctive natural
environment.
Since 1984, 49 NHAs have been created. The Carquinez Strait
Preservation Trust has been looking into the possibilities for many
years, but the current NHA designation for the Delta was proposed in
2008 by the Governor's Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, and did
not include the Suisun Marsh or the Carquinez Strait. The
designation was sought as a way to provide federal assistance for
economic development and resource protection activities. In
2009, the Delta Protection Commission initiated a feasibility study
for a Delta Heritage Area. Now, Senator Feinstein's proposed
legislation would put the project on a fast track.
The Solano County Board of Supervisors agreed by a 5-0 vote on August
24 to approve in concept the Senator's proposed legislation for a
Delta NHA designation, and recommended boundaries that would include
the Suisun Marsh and the Carquinez Strait.
There is a possibility the bill could be enacted this year if it does
not encounter opposition.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is one of the largest estuaries in
the United States, second only to the Chesapeake Bay. The
estuary is significant for its remarkable aquatic landscape and
habitat, its rich California history, and its inland water-based
commerce and recreation. The Carquinez Strait plays a central
part in this great Delta story. The essential link between the
Delta and the Bay, we in Solano County are as much (or more) Delta
people as we are Bay Area people.
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Solano 360
"Fairground of the Future" news
The Board of Supervisors voted on August 10 to revise
its plans for the Solano fairgrounds to consider only proceeding with
an environmental impact report on the portion of the project dealing
with the "Fair of the Future" and delay full consideration
of other commercial development on the 149 acre site. The City
of Vallejo City Council would like to see the plan proceed as
originally scheduled. The issue will return to the Board on
September 14 for further discussion.
A
number of economic and environmental concerns with full development
of the site have been expressed along with a number of alternative
use plans. Among the concerns are [1] that a Big Box Store or
Entertainment Retail that requires significant compensation to the
tenant will be included, [2] that a better alternative would be to
create a soccer "Field of Dreams," and [3] that little
attention has been paid to restoration of Lake Chabot. The
division of sales tax and other revenue between the City and the
County from the project has also been raised as a concern. I
continue my own investigation of these issues and will continue to
express concerns as the project develops. After all, the County
spent millions a few years back with Mills Corporation and that
effort led nowhere.
Your
views are important to me so I would request your comments by return
email and thoughts about the Vision 360 process, the Specific Plan
regarding it, as well as the alternatives proposed.
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I-80/I-680/SR12
Interchange improvements
A Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental
Impact Statement for a project to improve the I-80/I-680/SR12
interchange is ready for viewing and comment.
To
review the documents, go to http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/envdocs.htm.
or view them at STA Office, One Harbor Center, Suite 130, Suisun
City. To submit comments (before October 11, 2010) send to
Howell Chan, District 4 Branch Chief, P.O. Box 23600, MS-8B, Oakland,
CA 94623-0660 OR BY EMAIL to Howell_chan@dot.ca.gov.
Attend the public meeting on September 23rd, 6-8pm, Solano County
Administration Building, 1st floor, 675 Texas St., Fairfield, CA.
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Green Valley News
Woodcreek Subdivision to go forward
The proposed Woodcreek rural subdivision near Rockville Hills Park
won approval from the Board of Supervisors on July 27 over my NO
vote. A homeowner's group has given notice of its intent to
file lawsuit to require an EIR that will further examine the
feasibility of this project.
Woodcreek
is currently planned to be 33 homes on 33 acres west of Suisun Valley
Road and south of Rockville Road. The Planning Commission on Feb. 18
endorsed a previous version, but the county Board of Supervisors on
March 23 wanted changes to create a more rural atmosphere.
Our
office met with both developer and homeowners in an effort to create
a project scaled to the rural culture of the Suisun Valley and
respect the concerns of the community while nevertheless permitting
the project to proceed. Our efforts were not successful and at
the Board meeting I voted not to approve the project. More
Water project on Rockville Road
Most of us who live in Green Valley cannot help but have noticed the
traffic delays and the construction along Rockville Road. As we
reported here last month, this project is sponsored by Solano
Transportation Agency and will replace most of the water
pipes for Green Valley and Suisun Valley residents. The project
is being paid by STA and Caltrans as part of their North Connector
project, which will provide a bypass to the I-80/ SR 12 along
Business Center Drive in Cordelia. The new pipes will replace pipes
that are over 80 years old thereby increasing the reliability of the
water system at no cost to the homeowners. Construction is
anticipated to end in late October.
Middle Green Valley Specific Plan approved by Board; intent to sue
sent to County
On July 27, 2010 the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve the
"Middle Green Valley Specific Plan" and certify the
associated Environmental Impact Report. On August 10, 2010, the
County received a notice of Intent to Sue for CEQA violations filed
on behalf of local homeowners by three separate law firms.
The MGV Specific Plan is a development plan funded by
Solano County with standards for the approximately 1905 acres located
in the central region of Green Valley. With nearly 85 per cent of the
land planned to remain in agriculture and virtually no development in
front of the creek, I supported the project. The successful
planning process was the result of collegial and cooperative efforts
of representative landowners and GVLA members. Many hurdles are
still required before the project can proceed. The plan was
written by Hart-Howerton, a San Francisco planning firm.
The county is expected to recover the approximately
$1.5 M spent to develop the plan when the project is underway.
I opposed the motion setting the repayment structure because interest
rates were set at a maximum of six per cent interest that will not
begin to accrue until the third anniversary following the effective
date of the Master Development Agreement [or tentative map
approval]. With public funds expended that provide only
marginal benefit for most citizens, my view is that the county should
do what it can to recoup its investment sooner rather than later and
do all it can to assure that the full investment is repaid.
For more information, see the County's "Agendas,
Minutes and Videos" page. (Click on 2010 Board of
Supervisors Meetings, find "Board of Supervisors Meeting Jul 27,
2010," and click on Agenda or Video. Jump to
Agenda Item 36.)
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Benicia Veterans
Memorial Building remodel gets additional funding
The
County's General Services Department has located an additional
$475,000 for the Benicia Veterans Memorial Building improvement
project. The additional money will allow the County to bring needed
upgrades to the project (new elevator, new toilets, etc.) and brings
the total project budget to approximately $2 million. Work on the
project was refocused and the schedule adjusted to allow the County
to appropriate the necessary additional funds. Renovation is
scheduled to start in late March or early April next year and should
be completed by early December 2011.
Architect Paul Roberts and General Services staff are meeting with
representatives of the Veteran's Groups to develop plans for the
renovation. With the approval of the Veteran's Groups, the Veterans
Building will close operations for the most part to help expedite the
renovations. The County will work with the contractor to focus work
on the downstair's lounge area (bar) to allow it to begin operation
while the rest of building continues renovation, which will help to
minimize the impact to the Veterans operations.
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Lynch Canyon - new
hours
The County's budget constraints have had a severe
impact on Lynch Canyon's hours of operation.
At the Board's Budget Hearing on June 29, 2010, funding for Lynch
Canyon was severely cut, but not eliminated. $60,000 was
removed from the 2010-11 budget for Parks & Recreation, such that
the operating hours of Lynch Canyon were cut approximately 60%, from
3 days per week year-round to 2 days a week (weekends only),
from Presidents' Day to Labor Day (approximately 7 months per
year). The new operating hours for this coming year are 9
a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. & Sun., July 3, 2010 thru Sept. 5, 2010
and February 12 - thru - June 26, 2011.
The reduced Parks & Recreation budget included $11,700 for a
Lynch Canyon Volunteer & Education Coordinator. An
additional $12,000 was allocated on June 29, 2010 to increase that
coordinator's responsibilities to include Lake Solano Park. The
new coordinator was recently hired. Her name is Natalie DuMont,
and she can be reached at the Land Trust, (707) 432-0150, x200, volunteers@solanolandtrust.org.
We are pleased that Lynch Canyon will remain open to the public, even
at these reduced hours.
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Volunteer Center of
Solano County
Whether you are a potential volunteer or a non-profit
leader in need of volunteers, you will want to check out the new
Solano Volunteer Center! Log onto their website, volunteersolano.org,
and search for an opportunity or list your organization's need - you
will be glad you did!
"In 2009, an Advisory Council of local nonprofit leaders,
community members, and business representatives was convened to raise
the necessary funds to launch the Center. In April 2010, the
Volunteer Center of Solano County was launched....Whether you are a
student, senior, business, group or an individual - the Volunteer
Center of Solano County will help everyone get involved, get
connected, and serve the community. Volunteering in Solano County is
a great way to give back to the community." [more]
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Rescue stretcher
for Cordelia Fire Department
A recent letter from Cordelia Fire Chief Jay Huyssoon
thanked the Board of Supervisors for our District 2 community service
grant of $500, approved last May. Chief Huyssoon wrote,
"We have purchased a brand new rescue stretcher with that donation
and have put all our personnel through training with it. This
is a valuable piece of equipment as we have done rescues in various
areas of our Fire District - such as Rockville Park and some of the
creek areas."
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Appointments
Citizens serving Solano District 2
Two new District 2 appointments were made since the
last newsletter:
Susannah McDevitt has been appointed to the Area Agency on
Aging Napa-Solano. Susannah resides in Benicia
with her husband and one child. She has over eight years
experience serving the needs of homecare and nursing workers and
their elderly and disabled clients. Currently, she is Public
Affairs Director for Planned Parenthood Shasta-Diablo. Previously
she was Director of Bargaining and Member Services for 200,000
California homecare and nursing home workers, with the United Long
Term Care Workers Union.
Patricia Renfro has been appointed to the Solano
Partnership Against Violence. Pat has a long and distinguished
history of employment and volunteer service in the mental health
community in Solano County. She has served as a mental health
volunteer in the Solano County Jail for the past seven years and
spent 33 years as a member of the Solano County Mental Health
Services Department team. Ms. Renfro also served on the Board
of Directors of the Community Treatment Center.
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Upcoming Events
9/11 Save the Dream
Foreclosure Prevention Event, 10am-2pm, Solano
Association of Realtors, 1302 Springs Rd., Vallejo
9/14 Board of Supervisors
meeting, 9am, 675 Texas St., Fairfield. Come and
be heard on issues of concern.
9/18 Forrest Deaner
Native Plant Botanic Garden, dedication of new panels,
10am, Benicia State Rec Area.
9/21 Board of Supervisors
Budget Workshop, 9am, 675 Texas St., Fairfield.
Come and be heard on issues of concern.
9/25 California Coastal
Cleanup Day or call Sue Alfeld, CCD Coordinator,
980-1895, or Brad Harms, City of Benicia, 746-4337.
9/28 Board of Supervisors
meeting, 9am, 675 Texas St., Fairfield. Come and
be heard on issues of concern. We will be honoring Solano's
centenarians at this meeting - if you know a Solano resident who is
100 or older, let us know so we can honor them!
10/5 Board of Supervisors
meeting, 9am, 675 Texas St., Fairfield. Come and
be heard on issues of concern.
10/9 Mustang Days,
10am-5pm at Nut Tree Airport,
Vacaville. [map]
10/19 Board of Supervisors
Budget Workshop, 9am, 675 Texas St., Fairfield.
Come and be heard on issues of concern.
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Where We've Been,
What We're Doing
A picture is worth a "thousand" meetings?
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Clockwise from top left: With Norma Lisenko and
Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson at Cooking With Kids grand
opening; visit to the Global Center for Success; National Night Out
Vallejo for Fighting Back Partnership; With Linda Grebmeier,
Benicia artist, at new Solano Events Center celebrating the
installation of her work.
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Factoids...and
Interesting Info
Odd stuff we come across in our work. Did you know ...
- Five
minute showers (instead of 10) save 12.5 gallons with a low flow
showerhead, or 25 gallons with a standard 5.0 gallon per minute
showerhead. More at http://www.saveourh2o.org.
- An
Economic Stress Index created by the Associated Press and
recently published by the Contra Costa Times, cited Solano
County as the Bay Area County most stressed by the current
recession....This year there are 108,553 children in Solano
County. Children from low socioeconomic households
experience maltreatment at five times the rate of other
children. (From Children's
Network 2010 Children's Report Card)
- ABC's
of Solano County: A is for Armijo - José Francisco Armijo was
one of the first Mexican settlers to come to the area now known
as Solano County. A native of New Mexico, he traveled as a
merchant selling hides and brandy. In 1839, José Armijo
asked General Vallejo for a piece of land known as the Tolenas
Land Grant. He raised cattle on the land and built adobe
houses. Armijo High School is named for him.
- Sugar-sweetened
beverages are the single largest contributor to the obesity
epidemic, and are the primary source of sugar in U.S.
diet. There are 17 teaspoons of sugar in a 20 ounce
soda.
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