I serve as the Emeryville representative on the board of Stopwaste.org, the agency in Alameda County that supports increased diversion from the landfill of valuable materials, such as recycling and green waste. This board has 17 representatives from the cities, towns, county and sanitary districts in the county. Next month ( on Dec. 14), Stopwaste.org is considering 2 ordinances that will move Alameda County to the next level in terms of waste diversion. We are voting on a county-wide ordinance to ban plastic bags at many retail stores and to mandate recycling and composting to businesses and multi-family residences. Plastic bags are one of the greatest sources of pollution, as they easily blow around, even at the landfill, they create a real problem. They end up in the Bay and the ocean.
Both of these ordinances are designed to be phased in over time. Member agencies (the cities, towns, etc.) can opt-out of these ordinances if they wish, but I am hopeful that Emeryville will stay on board with both of these (City Council will consider this item on our Dec. 20 agenda), and see the amount of waste we landfill diminish as a result. By Stopwaste.org providing the outreach and legal documents, Alameda County jurisdictions gain from an economy of scale.
Both ordinances are supported by an Environmental Impact Report, which will also be adopted at that time. The plastic bag ban will require stores that provide a paper bag to charge a dime for the bag (the store keeps the dime), to provide an additional incentive for shoppers to remember their own reusable bag. It takes time and sometimes a nudge to change habits.
There will be a year of education and outreach surrounding this implementation. The support voiced at our public hearing last week, and in emails I have received, has been strong. We join a number of forward looking cities around the state and country. Our county-wide goal is to divert 75% of all waste out of the landfill. We are around 69% now (Emeryville is just above the county average at 70%). Eventually, we want to reduce the amount of recyclable and compostable material going to the landfill to be no more than 10%. In other words, if we can keep the "good stuff" out of the landfill, we can see economic benefits and job creation.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Small Business Saturday, Nov 26
You have probably heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In between there is now Small Business Saturday on November 26, 2011. On this day, shop at a store that keeps revenue in the area. Frequent small businesses to give them a boost! Go to the website to see a video.
With the movement recognizing the 99%, we know that small businesses fall mostly in that category . Speak with your wallet. It is your decision how you spend your money! Support independent businesses.
Looks like American Express is the proud sponsor of this, which is a surprise to me. The City of Emeryville City Council proclaimed November 26, 2011 "Small Business Saturday" at our Oct. 4 city council meeting.
With the movement recognizing the 99%, we know that small businesses fall mostly in that category . Speak with your wallet. It is your decision how you spend your money! Support independent businesses.
Looks like American Express is the proud sponsor of this, which is a surprise to me. The City of Emeryville City Council proclaimed November 26, 2011 "Small Business Saturday" at our Oct. 4 city council meeting.
Serve your community: Vacancies on City Committees
The city has posted a list of committees with vacancies. Every year the public is informed of opportunities to provide input, serve your community and become involved in Emeryville decisions. Most of these committees are advisory to the City Council. Please consider applying! The applications can be done online, but must be completed by Monday, November 28 at 5:00 pm.
2012 Advisory Body Vacancies:
1. Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Subcommittee of Transportation Committee
2. Child Development Center Advisory Committee
3. Commission on Aging (4-year term, ending 12/31/15)
4. Fire Service Task Force
5. Housing Committee (3-year term, ending 12/31/14)
6. Marina Committee
7. Park Avenue district Advisory Committee
8. Public Art Committee (2-year term, ending 12/31/13)
9. Zoning Update Steering Committee
Here is a link to the full information on the city's website.
2012 Advisory Body Vacancies:
1. Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Subcommittee of Transportation Committee
2. Child Development Center Advisory Committee
3. Commission on Aging (4-year term, ending 12/31/15)
4. Fire Service Task Force
5. Housing Committee (3-year term, ending 12/31/14)
6. Marina Committee
7. Park Avenue district Advisory Committee
8. Public Art Committee (2-year term, ending 12/31/13)
9. Zoning Update Steering Committee
Here is a link to the full information on the city's website.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Emeryville Center of Community Life Community Design Workshop 4
On Saturday, November 19, from 9:30 to 12:30 at Emery Bay Village's Community Room (off of 53rd St. between Hollis and San Pablo Ave.), all are invited to attend the 4th design workshop for the Center of Community Life. The project is moving quickly, with an additional $15 million of school bonds sold in October, and a fall 2014 opening planned for the first phase (2 years earlier than originally planned). Community input is shaping the form and structure, and I encourage all stakeholders to attend and add your voice to the project. There has been strong turn-outs at the previous 3 workshops, and the evaluations are high! Go to emeryvillecenter.org for more information.
The plan for the project and timing is evolving as the economy continues to challenge communities. Originally, the $120 million project was to be funded in one phase with $95 million from school bonds authorized by Measure J in November 2010 and $25 million from the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency. Redevelopment Agency funds are currently on hold while the state's take-away from summer 2011 is challenged in court. We should know the outcomes and how to move forward by January 2012. As for the school bonds, $40 million have been sold, with the last $15 million at a very favorable interest rate for the property owners in Emeryville, and a shorter maturity (which saves on interest in the long-run). The remainder of school bonds cannot be sold at this time as the assessed value of property in town has taken a hit (declined by 7%, not as bad as the 11% hit we had feared) due to vacancies in commercial real estate primarily the Watergate Office Towers, which were foreclosed on last year. The good news is that businesses are moving into those offices now, and the vacancy rate is declining, so in the next few years there is a strong chance that the assessed value for Emeryville will bounce back.
In the meantime, the ECCL project is being altered to consider doing the construction in 2 phases: the first phase for the existing number of K-12 students (approximately 800 students) and the second phase for an increased number of students projected into the future, beginning to grow cohorts starting in Kindergarten in 2015. This way we will only enter into phase 2 once the funds are available and the demand is established. This seems like the fiscally prudent way to continue.
As always, if you have questions, feel free to contact me, visit the website for the project, or contact staff at EUSD.
The plan for the project and timing is evolving as the economy continues to challenge communities. Originally, the $120 million project was to be funded in one phase with $95 million from school bonds authorized by Measure J in November 2010 and $25 million from the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency. Redevelopment Agency funds are currently on hold while the state's take-away from summer 2011 is challenged in court. We should know the outcomes and how to move forward by January 2012. As for the school bonds, $40 million have been sold, with the last $15 million at a very favorable interest rate for the property owners in Emeryville, and a shorter maturity (which saves on interest in the long-run). The remainder of school bonds cannot be sold at this time as the assessed value of property in town has taken a hit (declined by 7%, not as bad as the 11% hit we had feared) due to vacancies in commercial real estate primarily the Watergate Office Towers, which were foreclosed on last year. The good news is that businesses are moving into those offices now, and the vacancy rate is declining, so in the next few years there is a strong chance that the assessed value for Emeryville will bounce back.
In the meantime, the ECCL project is being altered to consider doing the construction in 2 phases: the first phase for the existing number of K-12 students (approximately 800 students) and the second phase for an increased number of students projected into the future, beginning to grow cohorts starting in Kindergarten in 2015. This way we will only enter into phase 2 once the funds are available and the demand is established. This seems like the fiscally prudent way to continue.
As always, if you have questions, feel free to contact me, visit the website for the project, or contact staff at EUSD.
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