--
Jennifer West
Mayor of Emeryville
emeryvillewest@gmail.com
blog at http://emeryvillewest.
(510) 420-5795
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
State of the City Town Hall, Senior Center, Thursday, April 19, 7:00 pm
Thursday evening, April 19, at 7:00pm, at the Senior Center (4321 Salem St.) I will be sharing with you a "State of the City" report. Emeryville's City Manager, Pat O'Keeffe, and I will do a presentation, followed by time for your questions and concerns. Please come to the Senior Center next Thursday evening to hear about what is happening in town, and to have a chance to share your thoughts. This event is open to all, and I hope you will invite your neighbors along!
--
Jennifer West
Mayor of Emeryville
emeryvillewest@gmail.com
blog at http://emeryvillewest.
(510) 420-5795
--
Jennifer West
Mayor of Emeryville
emeryvillewest@gmail.com
blog at http://emeryvillewest.
(510) 420-5795
Friday, April 13, 2012
Capoeira in the Community
Years ago, as a parent at Head Over Heels, the fabulous gymnastics organization in town, I met Malandro. He has coached at HOH over the years, and was a favorite of my then 3 year old daughter. She is now 11, and Malandro is now one of the leaders in the area for teaching and playing Capoeira. In case you are not familiar with this Brazilian dance/martial arts, it is amazing to watch and clearly takes incredible strength to do. Please consider supporting Malandro and his group.
His group uses the Emeryville Senior Center for some of their events. See more info at
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1044871629/from-brazil-2-the-bay-2012-united-by-resistance
I am proud of the variety of groups here in Emeryville, and hope that we can learn from each other through our crafts.
His group uses the Emeryville Senior Center for some of their events. See more info at
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1044871629/from-brazil-2-the-bay-2012-united-by-resistance
I am proud of the variety of groups here in Emeryville, and hope that we can learn from each other through our crafts.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
ECAP - Emeryville's service for folks who need help
Emeryville Community Action Program (ECAP) is located on San Pablo between 36th and 37th St. and passes out food and clothing to people who do not have enough to get along. Sometimes when I bike or drive by I see a line down the street that turns the block. Nellie Hannon, who has run ECAP for a long time, used to serve on the Emeryville City Council. The council will recognize her contributions to the community at this Tuesday's City Council meeting (4/3, 7:15pm, City Hall, 1333 Park Ave.).
For years the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency supported ECAP by paying the lease on their building and the cost of utilities. It cost the Redevelopment Agency about $45,000 per year. There was an additional donation from Community Development Block Grants in the amount of $2,000 per year for holiday baskets. With the end of the Redevelopment Agency in February, the financial support for ECAP disappeared.
At the same time, ECAP lost its tax-exempt status due to lack of filing papers. A new entity, Ohana Community Outreach, has stepped in to help support ECAP and keep the doors open. They are working on plans to sustain the current services and expand them as well. They have applied to regain the tax-exempt status for the organization as well.
My question to the community as we plan for our next two year budget cycle, is whether the City of Emeryville should renew its support for ECAP (or another entity) that provides these services? Right now, money is very tight with redevelopment funds gone. At the City we are potentially cutting staff and shrinking our own services. But within our $28 million General Fund, is there room for the $45,000 that the RDA gave over the years for ECAP? We provide a rent-free location to the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce. Can/should we arrange something similar for ECAP?
Please send me an email at emeryvillewest@gmail.com to let me know your opinion.
For years the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency supported ECAP by paying the lease on their building and the cost of utilities. It cost the Redevelopment Agency about $45,000 per year. There was an additional donation from Community Development Block Grants in the amount of $2,000 per year for holiday baskets. With the end of the Redevelopment Agency in February, the financial support for ECAP disappeared.
At the same time, ECAP lost its tax-exempt status due to lack of filing papers. A new entity, Ohana Community Outreach, has stepped in to help support ECAP and keep the doors open. They are working on plans to sustain the current services and expand them as well. They have applied to regain the tax-exempt status for the organization as well.
My question to the community as we plan for our next two year budget cycle, is whether the City of Emeryville should renew its support for ECAP (or another entity) that provides these services? Right now, money is very tight with redevelopment funds gone. At the City we are potentially cutting staff and shrinking our own services. But within our $28 million General Fund, is there room for the $45,000 that the RDA gave over the years for ECAP? We provide a rent-free location to the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce. Can/should we arrange something similar for ECAP?
Please send me an email at emeryvillewest@gmail.com to let me know your opinion.
Trees in Emeryville
Maybe it is my Mid-West upbringing, or my appreciation for natural beauty, but I am always wanting to see Emeryville do the best we can to preserve mature trees -- and work to plant more trees. Do you feel the same way?
As a result, I am disappointed in 2 items that have recently been considered or will be considered by the City Council at public hearings (the second one is this Tuesday 4/3 at 7:15pm at City Hall). Both have to do with a new development project called "Parkside" which is located on the block bordered by Powell and Stanford, Hollis and Doyle. This project will have 169 units of rental residences, and includes some retail space and a small park with a dog run. I actually do not get to vote on any aspect of this project as a City Council member, as I live and own property just a block away.
This Tuesday the council will consider whether to allow the developer to take out all of the street trees located along the south side of Powell on this block. The staff report and the arborist report can be reached by these links. The arborist suggests, "Costs related to demolition, construction and planting site preparation will be significantly reduced if all trees are replaced." The information that is not included is what it would take to retain the mature trees, rebuild sidewalks next to them as part of the project, and perhaps enhance the environment for the trees to make them grow and thrive in this spot. It also does not mention that the trees on this block are the same as the trees along Powell for 3 blocks, and make a cohesive feel along that part of Powell.
Additionally, 2 weeks ago, the City Council was to consider this item, but then it was pulled from the agenda. The change in those two weeks is that instead of asking the developer to pay $52,100 for the removal of these mature trees as provided by our Urban Forestry Ordinance, now 9 out of the 10 street trees have been declared "nuisance trees" and the developer will have the fees reduced to $4,447 (to pay for the one tree that does not constitute a "nuisance").
I am glad to read that the staff has changed their recommendation to replacing the 10 trees with 12 new trees, larger than previously recommended two weeks ago, but the loss of mature trees is still a problem.
When will we start to ask developers to work around existing trees? When will we ask for the appropriate fees to help fund the planting of more street trees (as I have heard of some residents who request trees and don't get them)? Why is the staff trying to reduce the importance of the trees and the fees that we have in place to deter cutting these trees down?
On the same project, on February 7, the City Council approved the design of a new park, and the removal of 33 mature trees to accommodate it and the parking lot. All of those tall trees that are around the parking lot, on the Stanford side of the project will be taken down to make room for a park. I find it surprising that the park could not be designed to incorporate and enhance the mature trees that are already on the site. When I look at the project, I see that some of the trees simply could not remain with the plans for construction, but there are others that might have been retained with careful planning. If the developer and architect don't value the trees, or see keeping them as a costly measure, at least the city council, who must approve the removal of all trees, should see the value in keeping them. Again, I did not vote on this project as I live so close to it.
I know that arborists have come a long way in the past decades in terms of concensus on proper soil volume needed for trees to thrive. According to staff, most of the trees in Emeryville planted longer ago than 5 years were not planted properly, and therefore, removing them and replacing them with properly planted trees would in the long run make our community better. I agree with that to some degree, but would like to see the city show a real interest in trees, and recognize that a gradual replacement might be better than a complete overhaul. Leave some of the mature trees and plant new ones with better practices. Then, as those trees mature and grow large, remove the older ones. Also, commit to maintaining our current trees and sidewalks in recognition of the value trees bring to our community.
I know that community meetings were held on this project, and these views would have been better shared at that time, but I bring them up now.
I ask that staff invite our City Arborist to come and speak to the council on an overall strategy on how to maintain our street trees so that they are not in the future considered "nuisance trees" that can be cut down without a penalty. Let's see Emeryville become a place where mature trees are valued, as I believe their value enhances our town and our properties.
As always, I invite your comments sent to me directly at emeryvillewest@gmail.com.
As a result, I am disappointed in 2 items that have recently been considered or will be considered by the City Council at public hearings (the second one is this Tuesday 4/3 at 7:15pm at City Hall). Both have to do with a new development project called "Parkside" which is located on the block bordered by Powell and Stanford, Hollis and Doyle. This project will have 169 units of rental residences, and includes some retail space and a small park with a dog run. I actually do not get to vote on any aspect of this project as a City Council member, as I live and own property just a block away.
This Tuesday the council will consider whether to allow the developer to take out all of the street trees located along the south side of Powell on this block. The staff report and the arborist report can be reached by these links. The arborist suggests, "Costs related to demolition, construction and planting site preparation will be significantly reduced if all trees are replaced." The information that is not included is what it would take to retain the mature trees, rebuild sidewalks next to them as part of the project, and perhaps enhance the environment for the trees to make them grow and thrive in this spot. It also does not mention that the trees on this block are the same as the trees along Powell for 3 blocks, and make a cohesive feel along that part of Powell.
Additionally, 2 weeks ago, the City Council was to consider this item, but then it was pulled from the agenda. The change in those two weeks is that instead of asking the developer to pay $52,100 for the removal of these mature trees as provided by our Urban Forestry Ordinance, now 9 out of the 10 street trees have been declared "nuisance trees" and the developer will have the fees reduced to $4,447 (to pay for the one tree that does not constitute a "nuisance").
I am glad to read that the staff has changed their recommendation to replacing the 10 trees with 12 new trees, larger than previously recommended two weeks ago, but the loss of mature trees is still a problem.
When will we start to ask developers to work around existing trees? When will we ask for the appropriate fees to help fund the planting of more street trees (as I have heard of some residents who request trees and don't get them)? Why is the staff trying to reduce the importance of the trees and the fees that we have in place to deter cutting these trees down?
On the same project, on February 7, the City Council approved the design of a new park, and the removal of 33 mature trees to accommodate it and the parking lot. All of those tall trees that are around the parking lot, on the Stanford side of the project will be taken down to make room for a park. I find it surprising that the park could not be designed to incorporate and enhance the mature trees that are already on the site. When I look at the project, I see that some of the trees simply could not remain with the plans for construction, but there are others that might have been retained with careful planning. If the developer and architect don't value the trees, or see keeping them as a costly measure, at least the city council, who must approve the removal of all trees, should see the value in keeping them. Again, I did not vote on this project as I live so close to it.
I know that arborists have come a long way in the past decades in terms of concensus on proper soil volume needed for trees to thrive. According to staff, most of the trees in Emeryville planted longer ago than 5 years were not planted properly, and therefore, removing them and replacing them with properly planted trees would in the long run make our community better. I agree with that to some degree, but would like to see the city show a real interest in trees, and recognize that a gradual replacement might be better than a complete overhaul. Leave some of the mature trees and plant new ones with better practices. Then, as those trees mature and grow large, remove the older ones. Also, commit to maintaining our current trees and sidewalks in recognition of the value trees bring to our community.
I know that community meetings were held on this project, and these views would have been better shared at that time, but I bring them up now.
I ask that staff invite our City Arborist to come and speak to the council on an overall strategy on how to maintain our street trees so that they are not in the future considered "nuisance trees" that can be cut down without a penalty. Let's see Emeryville become a place where mature trees are valued, as I believe their value enhances our town and our properties.
As always, I invite your comments sent to me directly at emeryvillewest@gmail.com.
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