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The Show Will Go On: Indio OKs Coachella's Return

Despite concerns from neighboring La Quinta and its city council about detrimental effects to the environment and local residents, the five-member city council of Indio almost unanimously agreed to allow Coachella to continue existing at the Empire Polo Club. The festival, which sold out in one week in 2010, will be expanding to two back-to-back weekends in 2012. 

Promoter Goldenvoice has proposed that an independent third party monitor air quality, traffic and noise for next year’s concerts, which made La Quinta happy. The show is set to kick off on April 13, 2012. Goldenvoice also puts on country-themed Stagecoach, which will also rock the Empire Polo Club from April 27-29, 2012. 

Indio Mayor Lupe Ramos Wilson said “Goldenvoice is as important to us as any other business.” The city will pocket $2.33 for every weekend pass sold, which could spell out as much as half a million dollars for the city. For more information about Coachella, see here. 

 

Three Beach Cities Vow to Get Healthier

Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach are all about to undergo a serious makeover—for health. This project, dubbed Vitality City, will encourage residents to live healthier by doing small things like walking or biking to school and work and being aware of empty calories they consume. Any businesses that sign on to Vitality City receive free pedometers and free smoking cessation classes. 

Kids in Manhattan Beach have started riding the “Walking School Bus”—a yellow bus-shaped sign that they carry as they walk to school escorted by adult supervisors. Manhattan Beach has also planned bike paths, and the mayor hosts public hours in the form of walking meetings. Body Glove, a water sports brand, has gotten rid of the candy and chips in the office, replaced by sliced fruit. The same has happened at AAMCOM in Redondo Beach, a call center where some workers have gained up to 50 pounds since working there. 

Experts don’t necessarily blame individuals, as explained in the story by CNN:

“As Americans grow bigger and unhealthier, [Dan] Buettner, an author of books about longevity and happiness, doesn't chalk it up to people being dumber or lazier. The blame for the obesity crisis cannot fall squarely on the shoulders of personal responsibility -- there's a bigger factor, he posits.It's the environment, he said Thursday at TEDMED, a conference discussing innovations in health. ‘We are all part of a system. We need to address the system.’”

Read more about Vitality City on their website here.

 

Cities Statewide Turn to Voters for Pension Reform

After Thursday’s release of Governor Jerry Brown’s pension plan and the beating the public pension system took during the recession, cities are planning to ask voters to help conquer the public pension problem.

In San Diego, city leaders and reformers submitted plenty of signatures to qualify an initiative to change the way the city calculates pensions, which will appear on the June ballot if it qualifies. San Jose’s mayor has said his goal is to put retirement reform before voters in a March special election. And San Francisco has now said it will appeal to voters to help with the pension problem, which is now one of the biggest causes of municipal budget shortfalls. 

While the economy was booming years back, pension funds were so flush that some city employees didn’t have to pay into their retirement programs at all. Now, in a time when such a concept is unfathomable, pension reformers say voters support efforts to roll back enhanced retirement benefits. 

Pension reforms have been difficult to make, however, because courts have consistently defended existing retirement contracts, citing employees’ vested rights. Negotiations are possible, but difficult, as described in the San Jose Mercury News: 

“The state requires public employers to negotiate in good faith with their employees under the Meyers-Milias Brown Act. Even if a union agrees to concessions, cities often have charters that dictate how retirement benefits are accrued and handed out. Those kinds of changes require voters to weigh in, driving a string of local ballot measures.”

Voters in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, and Redding have all approved pension cost measures, and in November, San Francisco voters will be able to choose between two pension proposals. The two proposals have many differences, but aim toward the same goal: current city workers should contribute a larger portion of their salaries now. 

Read more about Governor Brown's proposal here. 

 

Lawmakers Tell Obama Administration to Lay Off Medical Marijuana in California

Despite promises to leave medical marijuana laws to the states, federal officials have recently begun cracking down on cannabis dispensaries throughout California. Some shops are facing possible shut downs, while others have been slapped with huge IRS bills and other sanctions. After last Tuesday’s protest in San Francisco by hundreds of marijuana advocates, the San Francisco City Operations Committee considered an emergency resolution at 10:30 am on Monday morning.

The emergency resolution was sponsored by Supervisor David Campos and co-sponsored by a handful of San Francisco elected officials, including board president David Chiu, who issued the following statement: 

“Medical marijuana dispensaries are providing safe access to treatment options that many Californians depend on to live a comfortable, pain-free life. With its recently announced ‘crack down’ on these dispensaries, the federal government has proposed a solution in search of a problem, while California law supports allowing these distribution centers to give patients the medicine they need. I am very disappointed in Attorney General Holder’s decision and hope that the U.S. Attorney’s office in San Francisco focuses on more important issues than restricting access to legal medical treatment.”

Not only San Francisco local elected officials but also nine members of the U.S. Congress are protesting the administration’s handling of dispensaries. The following representatives have written a letter to President Obama to end federal crackdown on dispensaries in the Golden State:

• Barbara Lee (D-CA)
• Pete Stark (D-CA)
• Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
• Sam Farr (D-CA)
• Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)
• Steve Cohen (D-TN)

Three more reps joined these signatories in their disapproval of the administration’s actions. Senator Mark Leno has also publicly criticized the Obama administration over its crackdown efforts, who says the feds “have bigger worries than prescription pot.” 

 

Oakland Gears up for Wednesday Strike; Occupy Oaklanders Rebuild Camp and Get a Visit from Michael Moore

On Wednesday, more than 10,000 estimated workers in Oakland will go on a city-wide strike, including members of the SEIU (the city’s largest labor union) and a handful of other labor groups. The protesters plan on also disrupting the night shift at the Port of Oakland, which is the nation’s fifth busiest port and supports about 50,000 jobs in Northern California, 827,000 jobs nationwide. 

Both Occupy Oakland protesters and city officials are preparing for the strike. Mayor Jean Quan’s spokeswoman, Sue Piper, said the city will remain open for business, but “employees who want to participate can use their work furlough time, not sick leave, and they have to get approval from their supervisor.” 

Mayor Quan promised to returned all medical supplies that were taken during last Tuesday’s early morning raid to the Occupy Oakland encampment. A nurse interviewed by SF Weekly had the following to say: 

“The cops took everything we were using,” said Clara Barton, an Oakland RN. "First they lied about sanitary conditions in the camp, then they stop the people who were trying to do something about it."

Protesters have largely rebuilt their temporary home, Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, after police forced them out last Tuesday. On Friday, radical filmmaker, political activist, and protester extraordinaire Michael Moore stopped by the Occupy Oakland camp to address the crowd.

Saturday was a whirlwind of a day for Oakland and especially Mayor Quan, with an anti-police rally and the circulation of a fake letter and website from Mayor Quan by a yet-unnamed person. The hoax website and letter (on city letterhead) were both so professional-looking that many believed they were from the mayor herself. 

Scott Olsen, the 24-year-old two-time Iraq War veteran who suffered head injuries (video here) by a supposed tear-gas canister fired by police on Tuesday, gave a “thumbs-up” to supporters after his roommate told him about all the attention he has received across the US. 

More information about Occupy Oakland, including the strike, is on their website here. 

Road Work: San Jose Weighs a Parcel Tax for Street Maintenance; $600 Million Needed?

According to San Jose’s Transportation Director, the city is around 85 percent short when it comes to funding that is needed to maintain local roads over the next decade. Consequently, the cash-strapped local government may look to a parcel tax as a way to generate revenue. It is projected that San Jose will need to raise around $600 million out of $1 billion in costs over the next 10 years to address the city’s poor road conditions because state funds will only cover a small portion. Under a parcel tax, some property owners would have to contribute as much as $400 a year. While the transportation committee has not made a final decision on the matter, some council members have spoken strongly in favor of the tax. Street maintenance has been neglected in light of the city’s 10 straight years of large budget deficits. The question is whether or not voters will support such a tax, as two-thirds approval is necessary. Mercury News reports:

“City officials noted that voters a decade ago approved bond measures totaling $599 million to pay for new police and fire stations, parks and libraries. ‘Time and again, when projects are a clear benefit to the community, taxes do get approved,’ Councilman Ash Kalra said. […] San Jose officials surveyed city voters four years ago and found 58 percent might support a $100 million parcel tax for road maintenance. That was still short of the two-thirds margin needed for passage and before the nation plunged into an economic recession.”

The transportation committee will discuss further the parcel tax at its meeting in March. The city’s roads have already been ranked as some of the worst in the Bay Area. San Jose officials are sure to have their eye on the outcome of a bond measure in San Francisco that would fund street maintenance. Voters will decide its fate during the November 8th election.

Judge Orders Release of Critical Memo on Forcing Localities into Secure Communities Program

Several cities, counties, and states have been vocal about their desire to opt out of the Secure Communities program, which collects fingerprint data at local jails and then sends it to the FBI for criminal background checks and information is also forwarded to ICE for immigration scans. ICE and Homeland Security originally told local and state governments that the system was voluntary, but they backtracked on that claim and later stated it was mandatory. State and municipalities that have objected to the mandate argue that immigration falls under federal responsibility. Over the summer ICE announced that the program would be imposed upon several states that said they would reject involvement. In an update, civil rights groups and immigrant advocates filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain a memo that explains why the federal government eventually deemed the program mandatory. U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin has ordered the government to release the memo. KQED reports:

“The memo was completed four days before Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told a news conference on Oct. 6, 2010 that the Secure Communities program was mandatory. The judge said the analysis in the memo ‘seems to be the only rationale that the agency could have relied upon and adopted as the legal basis for the policy.’ The judge justified her decision to force the document's release in part by quoting an earlier appeals court ruling in which the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said an agency's view ‘that it may adopt a legal position while shielding from public view the analysis that yielded that position is offensive to FOIA.’”

The judge dismissed the government’s claims that attorney-client privilege protect the memo from public scrutiny. The judge pointed out that the memo had been shared with others and since the policy has already been adopted, deliberation about its implementation cannot be shielded. Consequently, the memo must be released by November 1st. The following statement was released by plaintiffs in the case in response to the judge’s ruling:

“Our organizations, along with a chorus of advocates and elected officials across the country, have been seeking to uncover the truth behind ICE's decision to compel states and localities to participate in its dangerous Secure Communities program," according to the statement. "The memorandum ordered disclosed is the only document to date that comprehensively describes the legal authority claimed by ICE in support of its position mandating state and local participation in the controversial program - a deportation dragnet that has raised concerns about racial profiling, due process, the ensnarement of U.S. citizens, community policing, privacy, and other issues."

Watsonville Council Ponders Takeover of State Highway to Revitalize City’s Downtown

The Watsonville City Council has agreed to take a journey down a long road, as the city will study whether or not it should take over a state highway that runs through the city’s downtown. Known as Main Street, the four-lane Highway 152 has been an impediment to revitalizing the city’s core, and advocates of the takeover suggest it could lead to a revitalization of the business and residential district. However, since city offices are only open 4 days a week to save money, there are concerns that the local government cannot afford to take on the maintenance of a highway (though the state would surely be glad to drop the cost of handling it due to its own money woes). Control would also require money for changes to traffic flow and pedestrian access as well as beautification programs. There is also risk involved because if the city spends the money to control the road, it is not guaranteed that businesses will set up shop after changes are implemented. Patch reports:

“Less than a mile of Highway 152 is within the downtown corridor, but the city will ask the state for the entire stretch of highway that falls within Watsonville. That will mean the city is responsible for maintenance and liability but also gets the property rights. The city council needed to make a resolution and write a letter of intent, then introduce legislation to the California Transportation Commission. The commission takes up requests for relinquishing in September, so the issue won't actually be decided until next fall. Still, city leaders were excited about the possibilities.”

Mayor Daniel Dodge acknowledged there were concerns to be had but also pointed out that the idea is still in the initial stages; he commented that “We're only entering into the discussion stage. This is a vision entering Watsonville into 2012 and beyond." Grants could also help with the funding process. Time will tell if the takeover will be the road to ruin or the road to glory.

Another OC Councilmember Calls for Withdrawal from ACC-OC; Cites Political Retaliation

In early July we relayed that during budget discussions in the city of Lake Forest, some members of the council advocated that the city should withdraw its membership from the Association of California Cities due to the $16,000 annual membership fee as well as doubts about the efficacy and influence of the organization. City Councilwoman Marcia Rudolph was particularly vocal about the withdrawal and argued the city would be better off aligning itself with the League of California Cities due to its prominent efforts to save redevelopment and protect cities' interests.

We’ve pointed out previously that the Association of California Cities-Orange County started during the first part of 2011 and 25 of Orange County’s 34 cities have joined the association. Advocates contend the group will protect Orange County taxpayers and enhance the collective voice of the region’s cities through a separate entity that is true to the region's conservative leanings. It is legally and financially separate from the State League and is a rival of sorts in terms of membership dues and policy pursuits.

Now another Orange County city councilmember is also advocating withdrawal from the ACC-OC. This time it is Laguna Hills Councilwoman Barbara Kogerman, as the official is accusing the ACC-OC of using political retaliation. If Kogerman’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she was involved in the release of a report in 2010 that collected and compiled pay data on Orange County city managers. Kogerman teamed up with Fred Smoller, a Brandman University professor, as well as two graduate students and the compensation report gained a lot of attention at the time (and Kogerman won a seat on the council, as she was a candidate at the time the report was released).

More controversy around the report has erupted after all this time because Professor Smoller recently resigned from his position and rumors have swirled that the university was pressured into getting rid of Smoller because cities were upset with his studies. For its part, the ACC-OC has completely denied any involvement in pressuring the university about Smoller.

But Kogerman has called the ACC-OC “vindictive” in a report about the matter and is therefore calling for the city’s withdrawal in membership. The OC Register also reports that “Kogerman also sees ACC-OC membership – at $9,981 a year – as redundant. The city retains its membership in the LCC, if not the O.C. division, and pays $11,736 annually. In addition, the city contracts with a lobbyist for $34,800 a year.” Cal Watchdog has also covered the controversy around Smoller’s resignation, which you can read here.

Residents and Protesters Lash Out Against Mayor Quan; Recall Campaign Gains Momentum

Tension has been simmering between the city of Oakland and protesters who are a part of the Occupy Wall Street movement, as police recently started using tear gas to break up the demonstrations. In response, residents and protesters are lashing out at Mayor Jean Quan, thereby adding to the palpable tension between officials and angry citizens. Thrown in the mix is the orchestration of a recall campaign to send Mayor Jean Quan packing. The recall petition cites a lack of focus on public safety as a primary motive for the effort as well as a lack of leadership when it comes to job creation. However, it is Quan’s decision to use 500 police officers in a pre-dawn raid on the protesters that may tip the scales against her and propel residents to rally in favor of the recall.

Mayor Quan’s first public statement about the recall petition was as follows:

“I haven't had a chance to read it. I've only been mayor for about 10 months. I understand they are criticizing me on a couple points, and all I can say is that I am working really hard and have been fairly successful in getting new funds for Oakland and organizing the community. But right now, quite frankly, I'm too busy. ... I haven't even had a chance to look at the petitions.”

If you want a taste of the anger that Quan is facing, then her Facebook page is a telling sign. Thousands of people have posted negative comments on a post made by Quan that commends the efforts of police to close the protest encampment. One commenter posted “In a city with real crime, what a waste of police resources. You are irresponsible and should be ashamed!”

Another Facebook commenter wrote, “Shame on you! I'm sorry I voted for you. I'll sign any petition calling for your ousting.” Nearly 5,000 comments have been posted on Quan’s page. You can see the Mayor’s Facebook page here.

If initial recall signatures are verified, then recall proponents will have permission to begin collecting 19,800 signatures. Mayor Quan is currently in Washington D.C. to lobby for federal funding. She isn’t likely to receive a warm welcome upon her return.