Thanks for reading our eNews! We're eager to hear from you. 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
Vallejo Office (9-noon, Fridays)
Phone: (707) 553-5364
401 Amador Street
Vallejo, CA 94590
Note NEW Benicia Open Office Hours (1st & 3rd Mon., 5-6:30pm)
Benicia City Hall, Conference room 1
250 East L Street, Benicia
Email Linda
ljseifert@solanocounty.com
District Representative
Catherine M. Ritch
Phone: (707) 784-2974 Fairfield or (707) 553-5364 Vallejo
Hours: Wednesday, 1pm to 5pm, Thursday - Friday, 9 to 5 (Friday, 9-noon in Vallejo office)
cmritch@solanocounty.com
District Representative
Roger D. Straw
Phone: (707) 784-2974 Fairfield or (707) 553-5364 Vallejo
Hours: Monday - Tuesday, 9 to 5, Wednesday, 9am to 1pm.
rdstraw@solanocounty.com
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Greetings from Linda . . .
 My favorite September Board of Supervisors Meeting celebrated the lives of Solano County's Centenarians. Almost twenty 100 plus residents attended and shared stories of their early years and the secrets to their longevity. Remaining active both mentally and physically seemed to be the common theme shared. Not all of the last month's board meetings were as celebratory. We were forced to make a very difficult decision to pay punitive damages assessed by a Sacramento federal court jury against our District Attorney. To have done otherwise could have placed employees at risk in the future and I was convinced of the wisdom of taking a very unpopular action to ensure staff safety. We have made more staff cuts in order to address the continuing decline in the economy and the long term financial forecast for the county. We watched the State Legislative Session come to a close with no solutions on water - and a continued risk that what water policy is ultimately adopted will not protect the interests of our great county. As we near year's end, our financial situation will continue to be at the forefront. And for every dollar that Solano County is short, there is a larger and more significant loss for many of our non-profits that struggle every day to sustain the health and social service needs of the community. I continue to savor the work that you all elected me to do and welcome your comments, questions and advice. Please never hesitate to let me know if your District 2 staff can be of help. Be well. Linda |
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Another round of budget cuts
With the legislative session at an end, the County continues with its final adjustments to the budget. The news is not good. The reductions the State took resulted only in cuts in eligibility benefit programs (i.e. MediCal, In Home Supportive Services, CalWORKS) or in "temporary borrowings" from counties and cities for which the State has again offered further rather shaky IOU's. Back in June during budget hearings, funding shortfalls impacted a number of our program staff and contracts. At that time, staff was asked to renegotiate with our employees a number of cost reduction measures including deferral of previously-negotiated cost of living increases [COLAs], implementation of lower retirement tiers for future County employees, modification of the County's benefit plan, and the institution of mandatory furloughs. Further, the Board cut existing management incentive adjustments by 33 percent and deferred their three percent COLA for up to 12 months. Despite these actions, the Board received further bad news at our meeting in early September that because of the State's reductions, the County faces a structural deficit of $18 million unless more ongoing programs are reduced or eliminated. |
Low-cost Opportunity for Financing Residential Energy Upgrades
 Sometimes a good idea just seems to drop at one's feet - one that benefits the public and simultaneously supports the environment. We directed staff to evaluate a Solano County Energy Conservation Program and to return to the board with an implementation plan. The program will help Solano County property owners install energy upgrades such as solar equipment, water conservation measures and other energy efficiency improvements. The County would act as the funding agency, loaning the money to the homeowner, who then would repay to the County over time as part of the property tax payment process.
We hope for a March 2010 implementation date.
Similar programs are underway in Berkeley and Palm Desert. Sonoma County also recently started a program and authorized almost $18 million of upgrades in the first four months of the program.
The program furthers the goals of California Assembly Bill 811. This bill changed the Streets and Highways code to authorize cities and counties to establish voluntary contractual assessment programs to fund conservation and renewable energy projects proposed by property owners. |
The Delta - Water Issues
 Statewide water policy has been on the forefront this year and is likely to come before a Special Session of the legislature later this month. We had hoped to bring you a brief article on the issue outlining the current discussions. The issues are incredibly complex and nuanced in regards to California's drought and the system that delivers water to our diverse state as well as case law and legislation that predates current legislative considerations. Needless to say, a quick overview is simply not possible in this format.
What we can do is highlight the importance of the current discussions on long term water supply, storage and conveyance. Water is said by many to be THE most important issue for planners, a critical need for all Californians, threatened not only by drought but by political considerations and the need to share equitably and sustainably.
If you want more information, below are a few sources that you might access:
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Veterans Town Hall Meeting
Benicia and Vallejo Vets Gather on October 15
 Supervisor Seifert, in conjunction with the Vallejo Veterans Memorial Council and the Benicia Veterans Council, will be holding a Town Hall Meeting for veterans on Thursday, October 15, 2009, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Vallejo Veterans Memorial Building in Vallejo.
The meeting will feature expert State and local speakers on a wide variety of topics including survivor benefits, burial services, health care, property taxes, employment, college opportunities and mortgage assistance. Veterans will be able to ask questions and provide feedback during the evening as well.
The Vallejo Veterans Memorial Building is located at 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane in Vallejo.
Admission is free. |
Solano's Green Businesses Certified
Solano County looking for more!
 Several more local businesses joined the ranks of certified green businesses recently.
The following Solano businesses have been certified:
- Triangle Digital INX, Dixon
- Triangle Digital INX (Warehouse), Dixon
- Vineyard RV Park, near Vacaville
- 7 Flags Car Wash, Fairfield
- Center for Right Relationship, Benicia
- A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air, Inc., Vallejo
- 7 Flags Car Wash, Vacaville
The comprehensive Green Business Certification requires:
- Compliance with all federal, state and local regulations
- Meeting Bay Area Green Business Program standards for conserving energy and water, preventing pollution and minimizing waste
- Onsite inspections from experts in energy conservation, water consumption and waste reduction to verify compliance with the comprehensive industry-based checklist.
For more information about the Green Business program, or if you are seeking Green Program recognition, go to greenbiz.ca.gov or contact your Solano County coordinator, Narcisa Untal,
(707) 784-3172, nuntal@solanocounty.com.
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Hard Times ...
Sad notes on a struggling economy
 Property values - The State Board of Equalization shows a drop in assessed values for properties in Solano County of 9.4% below last year. This represents a loss of over $4 billion in taxable Solano properties.
"Under water" and "upside-down" - As of last month, more than 60 percent of all Solano County homeowners are paying on
homes worth less now than when they bought them, according to a real estate
industry study released by the California Association of Realtors.
Out of work - Our Solano County labor force includes 216,200 people. Of those, about 25,200 of us, (11.6%) are unemployed. This according to the latest (August) figures from California's Employment Development Department.
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Wildfires, Smoke and YOU
Air Quality Advisory
 We still have the potential for some hot, dry weather ahead, and you can be sure there will be more wildfires. If you smell or see smoke, individuals should take the following actions:
- Everyone should avoid outdoor activities if you can see or smell smoke, even if you are healthy.
- Children, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions should be particularly careful to avoid exposure.
- Stay indoors with doors and windows closed as much as possible.
- Asthmatics should follow their asthma management plan. Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms you believe to be caused by smoke.
- Those with heart disease should especially limit their smoke exposure since particulate matter (PM)* can cause heart attacks. *Fine particles of solid matter or liquid droplets from smoke, dust and fly ash.
While all persons may experience varying degrees of symptoms, the more sensitive individuals are at greatest risk to experience more aggravated symptoms which may include, but are not limited to coughing, scratchy throat, watery and itchy eyes and
difficulty breathing.
A good source of timely information: Firescope.org.
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Appointments & Volunteers
Citizens Serving Solano District 2
 Green Valley resident Grant Kreinberg has been appointed to the Solano County Animal Care Advisory Board. Kreinberg is the principal owner of Water Resource Consultants. He has over 40 years of professional
consulting experience in environmental engineering focused on water
resources planning design, construction financing and program
management.
Kreinberg is a 21 year resident of Solano County,
and has been a dog and cat owner for many years. He is strong
advocate of spay and neuter programs, and a supporter of the organized
animal rescue organizations. He has a soft spot for German Shepherd
dogs and currently owns three: Linus, Nora and Strider.
Benicia resident Rick Ernst has been appointed to the Solano County Fair Board. Ernst works at the Pipe Trades Association as a compliance officer ensuring worker safety on public construction projects according to Federal State and local laws and regulations.
Ernst has a long history of community service in Benicia. In 2006 he was appointed to the Benicia Planning Commission. He also participated in founding the Benicia Cultural Commission, the Benicia Sustainability Commission, and the Benicia Email Notification System. He also served as the former President and Board Member of the Benicia Old Town Theatre Group from 1994-2000.
Appointments pending: Maternal Child Adolescent Health Advisory Board, and the Library Advisory Council.
Additional vacancies: Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board, Senior Coalition of Solano County, Solano Partnership Against Violence. Applicants must live in Solano County's Second District, including Benicia, approximately half of Vallejo (area south of Tennessee Street to Oakwood Street and south of Georgia Street as well as the waterfront including Mare Island), the Cordelia and Green Valley area of Fairfield, and the unincorporated areas of Green Valley and Home Acres. To apply, send a letter of interest and a resume to Supervisor Linda Seifert, Solano Board of Supervisors, 675 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533. Applications will be received continuously until the vacancies are filled.
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We take this opportunity once again to thank our volunteers, Sonia Bradeson and Char Archibald. Sonia and Char attend meetings and help out occasionally in the office. Thanks!
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Get to know your Solano County
Solano County among top digital counties
 Have you checked out the Solano County website lately? (www.solanocounty.com)
Solano
County is one of the top technologically advanced county governments in
the United States, receiving a top 10 ranking in its population
category in a national survey conducted by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACO).
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Where We've Been, What We're Doing
August-September, 2009
AUGUST
- Vallejo Govt'l Affairs & Political Advocacy Committee
- LAFCo
- Yolo-Solano Air Quality Board
- Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board
 Solano County Water Agency- Benicia Open Office Hours
- Local Mental Health Board
- HSS & Family Justice Subcommittee
- Solano County Bar Association speaker
- State Fair Awards Ceremony
- Vallejo Home Ownership Preservation Clinic
- New H&SS building in Vallejo - Jobsite Lunch
- Partnership Healthplan Board
- Women's Equality Day celebration
- Meeting with Vallejo constituents regarding the Fairgrounds
- Meeting with General Services - Benicia Veterans Hall
SEPTEMBER
- Vallejo Govt'l Affairs & Political Advocacy Committee
- Meeting regarding land preservation talks
- Meeting with consultant regarding clean-up of the Mare Island Strait
- Board of Supervisors - Special Session
- Bay Area 2009 Clean Air Plan - Public Workshop
- Bar Association "Meet Your County & Local Gov't Officials"
- Labor Day breakfast, Benicia
- Benicia Chamber Legislative Affairs Committee
- Yolo-Solano Air Quality Board
- Heather House Opening
- First 5 Solano meeting
- Women's Leadership Forum/AirForce Week
- Solano Co. Water Agency & Sol. Irrigation District
- Mission Solano 9th Annual Rays of Hope Banquet
- G V Cellars Harvest Festival
- University Society Luncheon
- Arts Benicia Dinner and Auction
- LAFCo Board
- Local Mental Health Board
- Benicia Veterans Hall - walkthrough and meeting
- HSS & Family Justice meeting
Evening in the Valley - Advocates for the Arts Law Library Board of Trustees Tri-City & County Governing Board & Citizen Advisory Council Regional Health Summit, San Rafael STA Transportation Impact Fee Committee Meeting Napa Solano Building Trades Reception Youth & Family Services Anniversary Fundraiser
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Upcoming Events
October, 2009
5 - Benicia Open Office Hours, 5-6:30pm
6 - Board of Supervisors meeting, County Bldg, Chambers, 9am
13 - Board of Supervisors meeting, County Bldg, Chambers, 9am
15 - Benicia/Vallejo Veterans Town Hall, 6:30pm, Vallejo Veterans Memorial Building (more information above)
19 - Benicia Open Office Hours - JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING with Assembly Member MARIKO YAMADA (time/location TBA)
22 - The Solano Reentry Council is holding a Discharge Planning Summit, noon-4pm, Joseph Nelson Center, 611 Village Drive, Suisun City (RSVP required)
 27 - Board of Supervisors meeting, County Bldg, Chambers, 9am
30 - Senior and Disabled Transportation Summit II, Joseph P. Nelson Community Center, 611 Village Drive, Suisun City, 8:30am-1:30pm
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National Preparedness Month
 Did you get prepared? September was National Preparedness Month according to our County Office of Emergency Services.
Being Ready includes: getting an emergency supply kit; making a family emergency plan; being informed about emergencies and their appropriate responses; and getting involved in community efforts such as Citizen Corp.
For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit the Ready Web site, www.ready.gov.
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Factoids and Interesting Information
Bits & Pieces ... Did You Know ...
 Californians' enthusiasm for cutting climate-warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 has fallen from 73 percent last July to 66 percent today
- The average office worker throws out about 150 pounds of paper per year.
- The average McDonalds employee stays with the company for 3.1 years, on par with national averages.
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