On July 4th Oakley celebrated not only the 4th of July but also 10 years on City-hood with a fireworks extravagance that delighted the crowd of over an estimated 6,000
July 4, 2009
The following links are just news items and opinions that pass my desk throughout the week. I don’t necessarily support or advocate any of the items they are just interesting reads.
E-mails indicate EPA suppressed report skeptical of global warming
Brown vs. Newsom: The Tale of the Tape
July 4, 2009
Governor Schwarzenegger has called a special election on Nov. 3 to replace Rep. Ellen Tauscher in the 10th Congressional District. There will be a blanket primary election on Sept. 1. Under a blanket primary all candidates from all parties would appear on the ballot. If someone receives a simple majority, 50% plus 1, than that candidate is declared the winner and the Nov 3 election is canceled. If there is not a winner the top two will have a runoff in November.
July 4, 2009
July 3, 2009
July 7th – Mt. Diablo Region YMCA Focus Group
Posted by Kevin under Community EventsLeave a Comment
The Mt. Diablo Region YMCA is holding three sessions to accommodate a wide range of community stakeholders. The purpose is to allow everyone to share thoughts and experiences that will help us design a future for the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA that will be dynamic and purposeful. Discussion will focus on issues that affect our communities and provide information about our current Y programs. The input we received during these
meetings will play a fundamental role in shaping the next five year plan for the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA. You are invited to attend any one of the meetings listed below. The Oakley meeting is Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at the Delta Family YMCA, 1250 O’Hara Avenue, Oakley, from 4:00‐5:30 pm.
July 2, 2009
My Mom asked me the other day if I thought the state, in its frantic search for additional revenue, would change Prop 13. It’s been over 30 years and it’s still a lighting-rod whenever the topic of property taxes is broached. Although generally despised property taxes are essential for the functioning of local governments and school districts and despite its universal disdain, the property tax is still the only tax common to all 50 states.
Property taxes are a tax on “real property” as opposed to “personal property”. Real property is generally defined as land and the things permanently attached to the land. Things that are permanently attached to the land, also referred to as improvements, include homes, garages, and buildings. Property taxes are unavoidable. If you own property, you will pay the taxes.
Prior to Proposition 13, the tax rate throughout California averaged a little less than 3% of market value, and there were no limits on increases either for the tax rate or property value assessments. Some properties were reassessed 50% to 100% in just one year and their owners’ tax bills jumped correspondingly. During the seventies, the real estate market experienced dramatic growth, which lead to a rapid escalation in the value of homes. Because assessors were required to keep assessed values current, property taxes were skyrocketing at a substantial rate. Taxpayers rebelled. On June 6th, 1978, nearly two-thirds of California’s voters passed Proposition 13, reducing property taxes by about 57%.
Proposition 13 amended the state constitution and sharply limited property taxes. The property tax rate was set at a 1% cap. This means that the amount in property taxes you have to pay can only be up to 1% of the assessed value of your home. Subsequent annual adjustments in assessed value were limited to the rate of inflation, not to exceed two percent per year. However, once sold, the property is reassessed at 1% of the new market value with the 2% yearly cap placed on this new assessment. Now we have the inequity that allows identical homes on the same street to be taxed at completely different levels based on nothing more than a calendar.
Proposition 13 also shelters industrial and commercial property. Generally speaking, property owned by a corporation or partnership will not be reassessed until more than 50% of the ownership of the corporation or partnership changes hands. If real property was owned by a corporation or partnership prior to the passage of Proposition 13, it will never be reassessed, barring a sale, unless there is a shift of control of the corporation or partnership to a single individual or a single entity. That means, for example, that property owned by PG&E prior to the Proposition 13 passage will essentially never be reassessed, since no one person or entity is likely to ever gain control of PG&E by owning more than 50% of its stock. Prop 13 has shifted the burden of paying property taxes for commercial property to homeowners.
Property taxes are collected by the County and distributed to the cities based on a formula determined by the state. Based on this formula Oakley receives about 6 cents for each dollar collected. That amount is between 2 and 25 cents less than any other city in the county. State wide, cities, on average, receive 11 cents out of every property tax dollar collected, counties receive 19 cents, schools 52 cents, and other districts 18 cents. Through a convoluted process that begins with Prop 13 the city receives roughly the same portion that the county was using to provide services to the Oakley area in 1978.
For the first time in the state’s history, the state was put in charge of allocating the proceeds of the locally levied property tax, with the rate and base defined by the statewide initiative. In past tight financial times, the Legislature and governor have shifted significant amounts of property taxes to education in order to ease the strain on the state budget. Cities, counties, and special districts have had to cut or find alternate means to fund their budgets.
Getting back to the original question; Mom, no one will mess with Prop 13.
July 1, 2009
Bank of America said Wednesday that it will accept IOUs from the State of California from its customers through July 10.
July 1, 2009
It’s not unusual for a City Council meeting to end with a “closed session”. In a previous post I discussed Council meeting decorum and briefly described why a closed session is necessary.
The Brown Act regulates when, how, where and why meetings can be held. The Brown Act specifically authorizes a City Council to meet in closed session to consider (including taking action on) the appointment, employment, performance evaluation, discipline, complaints about or dismissal of a specific public employee or potential employee and 2) in connection with litigation or the attorney-client privilege.
In the closed session, generally, the only persons who may attend are the members of the City Council and any City staff that is needed to assist the Council in its deliberations. Persons without official roles should not attend.
Closed session discussions are confidential and may not be disclosed by anyone, including Council members, without the formal approval of a majority of the Council (and even then, not in personnel matters).
In order for the Council to meet in closed session, the item(s) must be listed on the agenda, the item(s) that will be discussed in closed session must be announced publicly prior to going into a closed session and after the closed session has been completed, the Council must reconvene in open session, where it may be required to report votes and actions taken in closed session. If a lawsuit or other proceeding (e.g., an arbitration) has been filed, the name of the case must (except in very narrow circumstances) be listed on the agenda or announced.
Under What Circumstances May Closed Sessions Be Held?
Personnel Exception
The Brown Act allows a City Council to meet in closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline or dismissal of a public employee. An employee does not include elected officials, independent contractors or a member of a legislative body.
Pending Litigation
A City Council is allowed to meet in closed session with City Attorneys (or with private counsel retained by the City to provide special legal services) to discuss pending litigation when a discussion of the matter in public would prejudice the City. This section is applicable only when (i) litigation has been formally initiated; (ii) the Council is meeting to decide whether to initiate litigation, or (iii) in the opinion of the Council and its attorneys there is a significant exposure to litigation.
Real Estate Negotiations
A City Council may meet in closed session to discuss the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for the local agency. The final price and payment terms must be disclosed when the actual lease or contract is discussed for approval.
Labor Negotiations
A City Council may meet in closed session to instruct its bargaining representatives on employee salaries and fringe benefits.
June 30, 2009
511 Contra Costa is funding a promotion for Route 300, Delta Express and BART
- Route 300: If a customer purchases a $32 Tri Delta Transit punch pass, they will receive a second $32 punch pass and a $20 BART ticket free. See more info at http://www.trideltatransit.com/promo_bart_300.aspx
- Delta Express: If a customer buys a $160 monthly pass, they will receive a second $160 monthly pass free. See more info at http://trideltatransit.com/promoDXfree.aspx
This offer, funded by 511 Contra Costa, is for tickets purchased between June 22 and July 31.
June 29, 2009
The Nacho Ladies Review – Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Posted by Kevin under Movie ReviewLeave a Comment
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Isabel Lucas and Ramon Rodriguez
2 hr. 24 min.
Rated: Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, language, some crude and sexual material, and brief drug material.
Sam Witwicky again joins with the Autobots against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons. – Yahoo! Movies
Mary’s Review – I will give this movie 2 nachos it was just o.k. not great but it was a fun Saturday afternoon, nothing else to do movie. With lots of great special effects this fast paced movie will fare well…..I actually liked the 1st one better but my daughter was all about this one.
June 29, 2009
This is from an email I received Saturday night from BART officials:
Late Saturday, BART management agreed to extend the contracts of the two largest unions representing BART employees until July 9, 2009. As you know, contracts with the five BART unions were set to expire on June 30; this action provides additional time to reach agreement on contract terms to close our budget deficit.
This action will also keep our trains running without the threat of a union strike – at least until July 9.
June 27, 2009
The following links are just news items and opinions that pass my desk throughout the week. I don’t necessarily support or advocate any of the items they are just interesting reads.
Mind Your BlackBerry or Mind Your Manners
June 26, 2009
If you live in the following Cities and unincorporated areas in the 10th Congressional District: Alamo, Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Canyon, Concord (portion), Dixon, El Cerrito, Elmira, Fairfield, Isleton, Kensington, Knightsen, Lafayette, Livermore, Locke, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon (portion), Suisun City, Travis AFB, Walnut Creek and Walnut Grove, you have a special election coming in the near future.
Yesterday, Thursday, June 25, the U.S. Senate confirmed our current Congresswoman, Ellen Tauscher, to a top State Department post. More specifically she is the new Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. In this role she will serve as Senior Adviser to the President and the Secretary of State for Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament.
Once she resigns Governor Schwarzenegger has 14 days to call an election. The date for this special election must be set no less than 112 days and no more than 126 days from the Governor’s notification.
A number of candidates have already declared their intention to run for the open seat.
Democrats: Tiffany Attwood , Tony Bothwell, Joan Buchanan, John Garamendi, Adriel Hampton, Mark DeSaulnier and Anthony Woods;
Republicans: Nick Gerber, David Harmer and Catherine Moy;
Green: Jeremy Cloward;
Independent: Gino VanGundy
The winner will face re-election in 2010.
June 26, 2009
Liberty Union High School District EIR for 4th High School
Posted by Kevin under SchoolsLeave a Comment
LUHSD released a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for 45‐day public review period regarding the 4th High School proposed on Delta Road and Sellers Avenue. The Draft EIR is posted on the District’s website. A public hearing is scheduled for July 15th at 5pm at the LUHSD at 20 Oak Street, Brentwood, (925) 634-2166
An EIR is the planning document which describes the environmental impacts associated with a project. Typical impacts may include: traffic, air quality, noise, city services, and land use, among others. The EIR discusses these impacts and determines which ones are significant. It also describes mitigation measures to reduce the impacts to an appropriate or acceptable level.
Site Concept Plan
June 25, 2009
The June 17th ribbon cutting ceremony for the Big Break Shoreline Park was a well‐attended and successful event. The ceremony, hosted by East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and Delta Science Center, officially dedicated the bridge that connects the trail system along the shoreline, and initiated construction of Phase 3a of the regional park.
Phase 3a of the park was approved by the City Council on March 24, 2009, and depicts $2.5 million in park improvements. EBRPD currently has $1.5 million in grant funds from the River Parkway and Coastal Conservancy grants. As a result in the interim shortfall of funding, EBRPD has reduced the scope of the initial construction of Phase 3a. The initial improvements will include the trail system, kayak storage building, vault restroom structure (instead of permanent restroom building with sewer connection), fish bike rack, 7 of the 12 picnic tables, 1 of the 8 BBQ, 15‐gallon trees instead of 24‐inch box, a scaled‐back children’s play area with a dinosaur dig site. EBRPD plans to build out the remainder of the improvements when additional funding is secured. Remaining improvements include the future fish cleaning station, and additional picnic tables, benches, standard bike racks, and BBQs. The 3‐dimensional Delta Map feature is being funded by a separate grant and is on track for construction with Phase 3a.
EBRPD also informed City staff that the $2.6 million from Measure WW is still earmarked for the Delta Science Center building and interpretative and
educational features at the shoreline park.
June 24, 2009
A recent newspaper headline read “$2.9M maintenance tax approved”, implying that the Oakley City Council was raising taxes instead of performing a mandatory annual review of the City’s Landscaping and Lighting Districts.
In 1972 the State Legislature passed the Landscaping and Lighting Act (Streets and Highways Code §22500 through §22679) to provide local governments a tool to pay for landscaping, lighting and other improvements and services in public areas. This tool simply allows local governments the ability to form Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts for the purpose of financing the costs and expenses of landscaping and lighting public areas. The many approved uses include installation and maintenance of landscaping, statues, fountains, general lighting, traffic lights, recreational and playground courts and equipment, and public restrooms.
So, how is a new district formed? Generally, a developer comes to town and wants to build homes or commercial/industrial developments. The developer and the city will work together to determine what level of amenities, parks, street landscaping, traffic lights, medians, etc., are required for their particular development. City engineers then develop a report that proposes the formation of a district or annexation to an existing one and then levy assessments. Affected property owners are then notified, (in most cases it is only the developer) and a vote is taken. If approved by a majority of the property owners, assessments will be placed on property tax bills each year to pay for the maintenance and improvements.
Generally, these public improvements are constructed by developers as a part of the conditions permitting the developer to construct new housing or commercial/industrial developments. However, the ongoing operation and maintenance of these various improvements are financed through the District. The District is composed of Benefit Zones “Zones” to ensure the operation and maintenance of the improvements are specifically paid for by those property owners who directly benefit from the improvements.
By law (Prop. 13), benefit assessments cannot be based on the value of property. Instead, each district establishes a benefit formula and each parcel in the service area is assessed according to the benefit it receives from the services and improvements.
Proposition 218, called “The Right to Vote on Taxes Act”, was formed in part to counteract concerns surrounding 1972 Act Districts. Under Prop. 218, to increase an existing assessment, the City must give written notice to all affected property owners, hold a public hearing and an assessment ballot vote. A majority vote is required to approve the rate increase. If a majority vote is not received, the increase cannot be applied. Contrary to the implication of the newspaper article, the City Council did not propose any increases to the rates and could not approve an increase anyway – those must be voted in by the residents of the District.
When the City incorporated in 1999 it formed the Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1 and transferred the responsibility of the park and recreational, street lighting and landscaping improvements from the County to the City. The District is divided into 3 zones.
Benefit Zone 1 consists of all the parcels that benefit from community parks and recreational facilities. Zone 1 has two sub-zones. Zone 1-A includes parcels that benefit from new parks and facilities. Zone 1-B includes parcels benefiting from Summerlake Community Park. All three zones have different assessment values. Although the parks are open for use to everyone, the benefit derived from having a park in your neighborhood, i.e. the value added to your property, is greater than those neighborhoods without parks. People living in Zone 1-B are not subsiding Zone 1. The taxes collected in Zone 1-B are used for parks and facilities in Zone 1-B.
Benefit Zone 2 consists of all those parcels that benefit from street lighting facilities. Zone 2 also has a sub-zone; Zone 2-A includes all those parcels that benefit from new street lighting facilities.
Benefit Zone 3 consists of 26 sub-zones that provide landscaping maintenance with their development. As new properties are developed, they are required to annex into an existing sub-zone of form a new sub-zone. Those people living in the newer developments are paying higher assessment because they have more amenities than those living in the older areas of the City.
When we incorporated there was one City park, Crockett and a couple of joint-use facilities, O’Hara Park and Oakley Elementary. We now have over 30 parks and numerous landscaped streets and medians. Great strides have been taken to beautify Oakley and the formation of lighting and landscape districts has made this possible.
June 23, 2009
You’ve seen them at the County Fair with their animals on display. But, beyond that what do you know about 4-H?
The historical roots of 4-H are spread throughout the late 1800’s when there was a growing concern about educating the country’s youth and a need for advancing agricultural technology. In 1902, A. B. Graham, an Ohio school superintendent, organized a boys’ and girls’ club with a home project based on corn. This became the first “4-H” club.
Boys and Girls Crop Growing Contest became very popular and spread to farming communities across the nation. County, regional and statewide competitions evolved. The idea spread, applying the same principles, to animal care and growing, food preservation and preparation, sewing, etc.
The first 4-H emblem was a three-leaf clover, introduced sometime between 1907 and 1908. The three “H’s” represented head, heart and
hands. In 1911, at a meeting of club leaders in Washington, a fourth “H” representing health was added and the current 4-H four-leaf clover emblem was approved. It is protected by the U.S. Congress.
- HEAD stands for clearer thinking and decision-making. Knowledge that is useful throughout life.
- HEART stands for greater loyalty, strong personal values, positive self concept, and concern for others.
- HANDS stand for larger service, workforce preparedness, useful skills, science and technology literacy.
- HEALTH stands for better living, healthy lifestyles.
In 1914 Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act that created Cooperative Extension Services (CES) in connection with land-grant universities – those that received federal lands for the purpose of teaching agriculture and other subjects. The CES, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers funds to county extension services, which include agricultural, home demonstration, and 4-H programs.
The 4-H Youth Development program is the youth education component of the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension. 4-H is an organization for youth, ages 5-19, that promotes hands-on learning and is based on parent and volunteer participation. Nationally, the program serves more than six million young people each year. Locally the Delta-Diablo 4-H includes members from Oakley, Pittsburg and Antioch.
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is a cooperative venture between county, state, and federal partners. The UCCE provides $3.2 million to Contra Costa County to deliver Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Nutrition, and Youth Development (including 4-H) programs. Contra Costa County provides $385,152 for these same programs. Although a little over 10% of the funding it’s a very important 10%. Without these matching funds from the County serving as a trigger, the $3.2 million is not provided by the UCCE.
Proposed budget cuts initially targeted the County’s matching dollars. But, through the work of Oakley Councilman Jim Frazier they have managed to keep the 4-H program funded through September 30, 2009. After that, the 4-H program must seek other funding mechanisms to continue.
For more information on 4-H check the website- http://groups.ucanr.org/ccc4h/
June 22, 2009
Starring: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Oliver Platt, David Cross, Hank Azaria
1 hr. 40 min.
Rated: PG-13 for crude and sexual content throughout, brief strong language and comic violence.
When a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers are banished from their primitive village, they set off on an epic journey through the ancient world. – Yahoo! Movies
Mary’s Review – I will give this movie 1 nacho and a jalapeño. I went to see this movie with a group of teens who really enjoyed this movie but as for me, not so much. Although there truly were some funny scenes I for the most part wanted it to end…I did see the light in Jack black’s eyes a few times that made me remember why I like him so much. I am also a fan of Michael Ciera and he always makes me laugh with his dry speech and weird sense of timing. If you want a mind numbingly dumb yet mildly amusing film then maybe you should go see it, otherwise wait for video…..If it is Jack Black or Michael Ciera you want to see catch” Nacho Libre” or “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Play List.”
June 20, 2009
The following links are just news items and opinions that pass my desk throughout the week. I don’t necessarily support or advocate any of the items they are just interesting reads.
Don’t Buy Computers This Month
Real ID opposition sparks revisions to national driver’s license standard
Legislators Framing Climate Bills Hold Energy Stock
