CaliforniaCityNews.org

Desert Cities Cautioned To Take Up Water Conservation before Its Too Late

Desert aquifers are drying up at a quick pace as water thirsty cities scramble to meet the needs of their residents. Valley water won't last, say officials -- Las Vegas and Victorville pay residents to tear out their turf. Long Beach and Monterey County restrict how often residents can water their lawns. The worst drought along the Colorado River in about 500 years has convinced communities throughout the Southwest to restrict how they use an increasingly scarce resource, water. Jake Henshaw and Keith Matheny in the Desert Sun -- 1/28/08

The City of Gridley Examines Medical Marijuana Issues

The city of Gridley has asked its city attorney to do some fact finding on California and Federal law as it relates to medicianl marijuana and how the two bodies of law interact and where theyre in conflict. Northern California cities have grappled with the issue to a greater extent than most - though large urban centers have had their fill - and can prove to be an interesting testing ground for city ordinances.

An interesting read if the issue has come before your city...or is likely to.

As Foreclosures Rise, Mayors Brace For Fallout

Local governments are on the front lines of the sub-prime mortgage meltdown. The Wall Street Journal takes a look at what cities are gearing up for nationally.

While the immediate impact is, of course, financial - there are going to be other longer lasting effects of this financial crisis. Abandoned homes, increasing crimes and transiency, lost sales tax revenue on top of property tax shortfalls - call it the "mortgage meltdown multiplier" - and to this point little more has been done than a calling of town hall meetings on how to deal with your lender if your facing foreclosure.

Please.

Rent Control vs. Eminent Domain Reform - 2008 Smackdown

Well it's official.

Both the eminent domain reform measure sponsored by local governments, environmentalists and business concerns will be facing off with landlords and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association, a group that advocates for abolishing rent control. The showdown will crescendo in June of 2008 on what will otherwise be a sleepy ballot with expected low turnout.The Secretary of State issued ballot numbers Propositions 98 and 99.

Propostion 99, the eminent domain reform measure, protects homeowners from having their homes taken for economic development purposes. A salient, straightforward message that gets to the heart of the now famous Kelo supreme court decision. Word on the street is the measure polls very well and will have a deep and broad based coalition from conservatives, and business groups on the right to progressives and environmentalists on the left.

Proposition 98, the measure designed to eliminate rent control is a typical special interest ploy hiding a politically unpopular (eliminating rent control) provision under a more popular banner. Unfortunately for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association, the ruse didnt even last until the measure qualified with a huge in depth expose in the LA Times shining light on the deceptive measure.

"The Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association - A Shill for greedy landlords?"

So there you have it. In between two historic elections in February and November will be a battle about two related, but different issues. Rent control and tenants rights advocates have already begun to make this issue a key test in Democratic primaries (certain to drive turnout up) and Republicans in open seats are likely to fall all over themselves to show support in protecting homeowners from eminent domain takings (also likely to help turnout). Might not be such a boring election after all.

How is the Bear-ish Market Affecting CALPERS?

The Sacbee took a look at how the sell-off on Wall Street has hit pension funds, notably for all of us: CALPERS and CALSTERS.  The long and the short of it -- CALPERS Chief Investment Officer is quoted in the piece: "Our portfolio is down 3 percent. We have been in a relatively defensive position." 

No kidding.  With the Presdient set to give his final State of the Union tonight and with economic stimulus expected to be a major focus, it will be good to keep an eye on how he discusses the financial markets, as the lull in the economy starts to ripple a lot farther than your weekly dining-out budget. 

Stockton to Host All Star Game

Event seen as opportunity for city to show off

The City of Stockton is set to host the ECHL minor league ice hockey all star game this week, and as the Stockton Record reports, this is a chance for an oft-maligned city to shine. 

As the article points out, Stockton has often finished low on scorecards that examine things like literacy and crime statistics, but the efforts of the city to redevelop and push economic development resulted in the 2005 ECHL expansion team, the Stockton Thunder.  Now three years later, in an area not known much for winter sports the Thunder are a routine sellout at the new Stockton Arena, and are something to cheer about in this Central Valley city forging a positive identity. 

Mayor gets e-mail blast over foghorn on the fritz

The Insider

Article Last Updated: 01/19/2008 07:01:22 AM PST

FOSTER CITY Mayor Pam Frisella has learned that you've got to pay the cost to be the boss.

Frisella's inbox filled up this week with e-mails from aggravated Foster City residents after the foghorn on the San Mateo Bridge malfunctioned yet again.

Speaking Thursday from Sacramento where she was attending a League of California Cities conference with City Councilwoman Linda Koelling and City Manager Jim Hardy, Frisella said she's already learned something about her new position: When you're mayor, people take their problems directly to you and assume you'll be able to fix them.

"Apparently, I was the only one who was lucky enough to get those e-mails," Frisella said cheerfully. "That's the price you pay for being the big mayor."

Frisella said she even got a call from Millbrae Mayor Gina Papan, who was hearing about the foghorn problems from her friends in Foster City.

The horn was blasting away last weekend, even though the weather was crisp, sunny and clear. The signal had the same problem last October. Caltrans officials say the horn's automatic fog detector is broken and it will be replaced in 30 to 60 days.

Susannah Cantrell, who lives on Gull Avenue, contacted Frisella about the foghorn and was grateful to receive a prompt reply, even though the mayor couldn't offer a solution.

Whatever Happened To AB 2987?

Remember the mother of all telecommunications battles AB 2987? Whatever happened to the outrage and concern? For all the hubub it seems this fight has crawled away not with a bang but a wimper. What's happening to Public Access Channels? At least one city is examining options. The city of Santa Clarita is carfully considering what it can do one year after the dust has settled.

Farewell Steve Anderson - La Habra City Councilman

California Cities recognize the passing of councilman Steve Anderson and his commitment to the community of La Habra and the broader interest of local government.

Over 1,000 friends, family and well wishers attended the funeral services. Read the Orange County Register Obituary here. Farewell friend.

Los Angeles County Passes On Plastic Bag Ban

Curious that so many cities throughout the state have been pressing to ban plastic bags and water bottles from their city shopping lists while the states largest county - Los Angeles - punts on a similar decision. We pass no judgement on the county of Angels. But we do question why the weakest of 5 alternatives was chosen to be adopted by the County Board of Supervisors.

hmmmm...read more.