12/18/2009 Transit, DUI, Bone Marrow, Galleria

Transit Center Status: An internal review of the plans and specifications for the new Transit Center at the 75% completion level took place this week. Staff is now focusing on the parcel exchange needed with the South Bay Galleria to complete the project as configured and in securing a Federal Transportation Administration approval for the exchange.

Plans for the South Bay Galleria reinvestment. The project was approved by the Planning Commission last night. Forest City is planning on starting the project in 2010 and has commitments with tenants for the three anchor spaces.

The Police Department will be conducting a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoint from 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2009. The checkpoint will be located in the 1800 block of Artesia Blvd.

Bone marrow drive for Maya, a 4 year old, Redondo Beach resident desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant. You may participate online at:

www.marrow.org/JOIN/Join_Now/join_now.html

Enter promo code: marrow4maya. See a glimpse of Maya's story in the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-donor6-2009dec06,0,488526.story

12/15/2009 Meeting Announcement, Green Line Extension, Fight State Thefts, Lagoon, Pot

MTA Meeting a Success: The MTA voted unanimously to fund the Environmental Impact Report for the light rail extension to LAX and to the Galleria. Thank you to residents who took time to attend and speak at the meeting.

Signature Gathering for Save our Cities Initiative begins Jan 4th: Stop State theft of local revenues. In yet another example, last week the State Legislature "stole" the recycling money generated by the can deposits to help balance the State's Budget. Therefore, many recycling programs are suspended and/or terminated by the illegal theft of the funds. The State is being sued over their actions.

Regional Water Quality Control Board actions threaten Seaside Lagoon: The Seaside Lagoon technical report and proposed conditions from the Regional Water Quality Control Board's staff was released. The report is unfavorable to continued operation of our water recreation venue. We are working with our lobbyist Mike Arnold to discuss potential State legislation to exempt the Lagoon from the crazy set of water regulations. New standards cannot be met unless a multi-million dollar treatment plant is constructed for the water pollutants.

Legalization of Marijuana to be on November ballot:

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/Pot-Legalization-Headed-for-2010-Ballot-79304947.html

12/9/2009 Metropolitan Transit Agency Meeting Action Alert

Support the Green line extension to the South Bay and to the Airport.

Join us on a Chartered bus from the Marine Station of the Green Line at 8 am this Thursday, December 10 to take people to and from the Metro Board meeting to support the Green Line extension to the Airport and the South Bay.

Ladies and Gentlemen: In a fervent effort to improve our quality of life with better public transportation, please join me and others at the Metro Board Meeting 9:30 am, Thursday, December 10, 2009 at One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles. We have an opportunity to let our voices be heard in support of a $1.3 billion dollar project with a new light rail system to extend the Green Line to the Airport and to the South Bay. Many public meetings were held and now it is time to express our interest before the Metro Board. The vote on that day will determine the fate of this project.

Transportation will be made available as noted above and will depart around 8:00 am. We need to get to the Metro Board Room and fill the seats. Stickers will be provided once we get inside the board room to show our strength and commitment that we support light rail in our community instead of Rapid Transit Bus Service.

I look forward in seeing you Thursday, December 10, 2009 in the Metro Board Room where our voices in unison will make a difference!

11/2/2009

Election: Tuesday November 3rd is an important election in Redondo Beach. Remember to vote. I support Measure UU. But more importantly we need to know your opinion -- yea or nay. Please vote Tuesday.

Dine Around Artesia: Thursday November 5th 6:30 to 8:30 A bus will continually circulate, picking up and delivering diners to the various cuisines: Middle Eastern, Italian, Mexican, American, Japanese, Greek, ... cost $15 each or $25 for two. For additional information or to purchase wristbands contact Kathy Swift weekdays at (310) 658-6456 or swift_k@hotmail.com

http://www.nrbba.org/organizations/dinearound/dine_around_artesia_flyer2009.pdf

Artesia Median -- With the holiday season rapidly approaching we will be placing twinkle lights on the trees along the Artesia Blvd. median immediately after West Coast Arborists complete their tree pruning of the median trees and palm trees along Artesia Blvd. West Coast is expected to begin their tree pruning next week and finish the pruning within approximately 7-10 days. We are working closely with NRBBA and have contacted Clark Adams to give the businesses a heads up about the tree pruning and to avoid any disruptions to any businesses along Artesia.

9/17/2009

Monthly Community Meeting Saturday Sept 19 from 9 to 11 am will be at the Bike Path on Nelson at Phelan. This will be a combined District 4 and 5 meeting with Matt Kilroy (Councilmember District 5) featuring a demonstration of a wireless surveillance system. Location: the 2500 block of Nelson Ave in Redondo Beach 90278 at the North Redondo Beach Bikeway under the power lines near Phelan.

Dodger Day is almost here! Discount tickets are available at the websites below. Pick your favorite charity and get a discount for the Dodgers vs. the Giants on Sept 20th. The Dodgers will donate to your chosen community group. All sites are case sensitive and I want to try and eliminate any confusion moving forward.

• Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce www.dodgers.com/rbcc (Promo Code: RBCC)
• North Redondo Beach Business Association www.dodgers.com/nrbba (Promo Code: NRBBA)
• Redondo Beach Library Foundation www.dodgers.com/rblf (Promo Code: RBLF)
• South Bay Children's Health Center www.dodgers.com/sbchc (Promo: SBCHC)
• Seeds of Joy Village www.dodgers.com/sojv (Promo: SOJV)
• Redondo Beach Art Group www.dodgers.com/rbag (Promo: RBAG)
• Friends of Redondo Beach Arts www.dodgers.com/frba (Promo: FRBA)
• Redondo Beach Education Foundation www.dodgers.com/rbef (Promo: RBEF)
• Redondo Beach Community Emergency Response Team www.dodgers.com/rbcert (Promo: RBCERT)

If there are any additional questions you can contact Matt Rousso of the Dodgers directly at 323-224-1433.

8/31/2009

Redondo Beach Dodgers Community Day Sept 20th vs the SF Giants. Purchase tickets at a discount. Support local charities. Join your neighbors at Dodger Stadium. Go to www.Dodgers.com/redondobeach to purchase tickets in the name of participating charities. (Note that this site's address is case sensitive -- it's all lower case.)

Other news:

• New Trash Contract info and public meeting dates.
• Mayor Gin and City Manager Bill Workman met again with Mayor Bobko and Hermosa City Manager Steve Burrell about the potential consolidation of fire services.
• The initial designs for the proposed new Transit Center are done. A series of illustration boards from the architects are available for presentation at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept 1st.
• The City Council is scheduled for a meeting on Tuesday with a Closed Session on property disposition concerning 750 Inglewood and 200 PCH at 5:00 PM and the Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM. The short agenda includes a Public Hearing to be continued on a proposed cell tower and updates on Seaside Lagoon, the Transit Centers design and reducing the Commission meetings to every other month.

8/21/2009

Redondo Beach Dodgers Community Day Sunday Sept 20th vs the SF Giants. Purchase tickets at a discount. Support local charities. Join your neighbors at Dodger Stadium. Go to www.Dodgers.com/nrbba to purchase tickets. Other participating charities are the Chamber of Commerce (/rbcc), Library Foundation (/rblf), South Bay Children's Health Center (/sbchc), Seeds of Joy Village (/sojv), Redondo Beach Art Group (/frba), Education Foundation (/rbef), and Community Emergency Response Team (/rbcert). [See Easy Reader 8/27/2009 page 10.]

Major Issues:

• AES UUT Pubic Vote to levy tax on AES power plant usage of Natural Gas.
• Trash Contract Public Input being sought now. [See 8/6/2009 below.]
• State of California budget is a phantom budget. Expect more attempts to raid local government and attempts to raise taxes.
• MLPA Marine Life Protection Act - Local Coastline threatened by State with closure to fishing stakeholder meetings ongoing.

Save the Date: Library Ground Breaking Aug 25th at Green and Artesia Finally construction will commence.

8/18/2009

On Tuesday night August 18, 2009, the Redondo Beach City Council will consider a City Staff and Planning Commission recommendation to NOT relax the portable sign prohibition in Redondo Beach.

Portable signs, commonly referred to as "A-Frame" type signage" are considered an effective way of providing businesses a way of increasing their expose, thus increasing their number of customers and protecting needed jobs in Redondo Beach.

The Chamber will attend the City Council meeting to urge City staff to reconsider their recommendation and move forward with developing reasonable guidelines for businesses who are located within areas zoned as commercial to be allowed to display portable signage for the next six months.

8/17/2009 Citizen Police Academy September 9, 2009

The first Redondo Beach Citizen Police Academy began in the Spring of 1994. The goal of the program is to provide members of the community with a working knowledge of the Police department along with the roles and responsibilities of its members. This is accomplished through lecture, hands-on training, demonstrations and a ride-along with a Police Officer.

The program is part of an on-going effort to improve Police-community relations. It is strongly believed that the more information the public has about the Redondo Beach Police Department, the less likely they will be suspicious, fearful or hold any misconceptions about Police operations. Many conflicts are caused simply by a lack of understanding. The graduates of the Academy not only become better informed, but they can bring back a solid foundation of information back to the community. The result is a closer and more positive relationship between the Police department and the community we serve.

• The program works toward the concept of Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (C.O.P.P.S.). The graduates provide an informed community base for input into the partnership between the community and the Police department.
• The class is typically comprised of Redondo Beach community members, including residents and business people. It is anticipated that the class participants will be a cross section of residents throughout Redondo Beach.
• Class size is limited and filling up fast.
• The class consists of fourteen sessions over twelve Wednesday nights and two Saturdays mornings.
• Topics include Police training, S.W.A.T., traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, K-9, gangs and narcotics.
• A graduation for the attendees is held at the conclusion of the class.

To obtain an application, log onto www.redondo.org/police or contact Community Police Officer Ian Miesen at ian.miesen@redondo.org or 310-379-2477 x 1-2493.

8/6/2009 Trash Service Rate

• The time is approaching to contract for trash service. This is ~$10M per year contract and has a big impact on our neighborhood. The attached August 4, 2009, City Council Presentation on Solid Waste RFP Process and Public Outreach Plan summarize the contract-award process. [In particular, the current flat-rate system is only one option. Other rate options have large waste generators paying more; low waste generators paying less.]

6/10/2009

• http://www.saveyourcity.net Redondo Beach asking for 6% wage concessions from employee bargaining groups as State seeks to take local government revenues.  Emerging from a tense meeting with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a group of California mayors warned Tuesday that they may have to lay off police officers and make deeper cuts in vital services if the state siphons off gas taxes and property taxes to help resolve the state's fiscal crisis.
• San Pedro girl kidnapped, sexually assaulted in Redondo Beach: A 16-year-old Port of Los Angeles High School student was kidnapped at gunpoint this morning in San Pedro and then driven to Redondo Beach, where she was bound and sexually assaulted, police said. (Daily Breeze Article http://www.dailybreeze.com/latestnews/ci_12561564)
• Mandatory water conservation plan intended to reduce water use by 10%-15% over a 12-month period Beginning July 1, 2009, by the Metropolitan Water District and West Basin Municipal Water District.  Retail water agencies will be expected to live within an allocated supply enforced through penalty water rates for excess use.  For more information regarding mandatory conservation or messaging, please contact either Ron Wildermuth, Manager of Public and Government Affairs, at 310-660-6258, ronw@westbasin.org.

5/31/2009

• There is still an ongoing criminal investigation, but Thursday night we were able to arrest several people believed to be part of a larger robbery ring operating in the South Bay. The initial crime incident began at Aviation Blvd and Dufour Ave. Assistance was requested from surrounding agencies. We also called in a helicopter to aid the foot pursuit.
• The Governor's Budget proposal has cities losing nearly $900 million under the Proposition 1A financial emergency trigger. Redondo Beach would have to pay a $2,085,000 "tribute" to the State of California. This was not contemplated in the proposed Annual Budget sent to you May 15. Budget Response Report #2 recommends that the Council authorize the payment to the State by the following means: Vehicle Replacement Fund $1,600,000; Ford – Marshallfield Storm Drain CIP Project $200,000; State Gas Tax Fund CIP Projects $200,000; Traffic Mitigation -Target Store Neighborhood CIP Project $85,000: Total $2,085,000.
• AES to re-power: AES Plan Manager Buck Hunt led an informative tour of the power plant. He explained the long term plans for the site include modernizing the generation capacity. Old generation units would be replaced with smaller yet more powerful gas turbines. Some portion of the power plant site could be made available for other uses. AES would appeal to the community for ideas for use of vacated space.

5/7/2009

District 4 news and information bulletin from Redondo Beach Councilmember Steven Diels. Fun local events:

• May 9 Fire Service Day Open House: The Redondo Beach Fire Department extends a cordial invitation to residents to stop by Fire Station 1 and 2 for Fire Service Day on Saturday, May 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• May 9 Redondo Beach Police K-9 Competition Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Redondo Union High School Free to the public
• May 13 CIGAR NIGHT: More info at http://www.neighborhoodgrinds.com/events_cigarnight.html
• May 16 Redondo Beach Fire Department Cooking and Serving: A Community Spaghetti Dinner at the Woman’s Club of Redondo Beach’s Historical Club House 400 S. Broadway, R.B.
• Don’t forget Mother’s Day is Sunday May 10!

3/27/2009

Quake Warning: See full text at the bottom of this bulletin.

Stimulus Watch: Cool website referred to me by Janice http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_state/CA

Strategic Planning: See Strategic Plan February 2009 Part 1 for City Priorities.  The following North Redondo Beach items were added to the City Strategic Plan this week:

• April 21st – the City Engineer will present to the City Council the action plans and specs for the North Branch Library.
• May 19th – the City Engineer will recommend to the City Council for action the award of a design contract for the first phase of the transit center.
• May 31st – the Transit Director will present to the City Council for action the design and schedule for repair, replacement or removal of bus shelters throughout the City.
• July 31st -- the City Engineer will complete the installation of North Redondo Beach Bike Path lighting.
• June 1st  -- the Planning Director will provide the draft EIR to the City Council regarding the South Bay South (i.e., Galleria South) Project.
• June 1st – The Audit committee will review the budget and financials and report the results to the City Council.
• July 14th – Planning director will report to the City Council the parking standards and their impact on commercial operations throughout the city and present options.
• Sept 1st – Asst City Manager will present to the City Council for action a lease for the Marine Ave site.
• Sept 1st – Asst City Manager and the Public Works Director will report to the City Council on the feasibility of suing the vacant I405 at Inglewood gas station as a CNG station.
• Sept 15th – City Manager working with Artesia Stakeholders will create an Artesia working group with the purpose of aiding the creation of and Artesia Business Improvement District and initiating a strategic Plan for the Artesia corridor.

Please be prepared.  Below is an advisory from the California Emergency Management Agency:

PREPAREDNESS ADVISORY

To: Operational Areas in the Southern Region
From: California Emergency Management Agency, Southern Region Operations Center
Subject: Today's Earthquake & Preparedness

As you may know, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred three miles south of Bombay Beach, Imperial County at 4:55 am this morning. There have been no reports of damage or injuries associated with this event.

The U.S. Geological Survey has been tracking an unusual sequence of small earthquakes (50+) that have been clustered about 1 to 3 kilometers southwest of a projected extension of the San Andreas Fault just south of Bombay Beach, in the Salton Sea area.  The majority of the magnitudes have been less than 2.5.

As a precaution, the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (CEPEC) met by teleconference this morning to discuss the recent seismic activity. Based on scientific data, and the fact that these most recent earthquakes have been in close proximity to the San Andreas Fault, there is increased concern that these earthquakes could trigger a large earthquake (M7.0 +) on the San Andreas itself.  Historically, a major earthquake on this southern portion of the San Andreas Fault has not occurred in over 300 years, so the probability of a large earthquake is thought by seismologists to be higher than on portions of the fault that have ruptured more recently (e.g., in 1857 and 1906).

CEPEC believes that there is a 1% to 5% chance of a large earthquake (magnitude 7.0 or greater) on the San Andreas Fault over the next few days. However, as each day passes the risk of a large San Andreas earthquake decreases. This assessment is based on methodology developed for assessing foreshocks on the San Andreas Fault.

The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) will continue to monitor the situation and keep in contact with CEPEC scientists over the next few days.  Cal EMA recommends that operational areas reach out to agencies and jurisdictions within their operational area to raise their awareness of today's events.  It is a good time to ensure the readiness of systems essential to emergency operations and remind the public about the importance of being prepared for earthquakes.

3/24/2009

NRB Library update: Since the ceremony on Feb. 3rd: Bookdrop placed at Perry Park.   The design plans are 95% complete.  Volunteers moved and stored the books.  The School District last week removed the old metal shelves for reuse at two of the schools.  The City Council awarded the bid for the demo.  The City Attorney's Office and Risk Management are finalizing the contract and the insurance with the demo contractor.

CalPERS warns of Rate Hike: Nearly a third of the value of the California Public Employees Retirement System investment portfolio was wiped out by last fall, possibly leaving the big fund far short of the money needed to pay projected retirement costs in the decades ahead. CalPERS warned that the annual pension contribution that must be paid by state and local governments could increase by nearly a third — starting July 1, 2010, for the state and schools and July 1, 2011, for local government agencies.

Tomorrow is the City Council's Strategic Plan Workshop.  Below is the staff's 2009 "Big List" items from earlier this year.

Proposed “Big List” Priorities for 2009

• UUT Election
• Implementation of Measure DD
• Fiscal adjustments and Budget balancing in recessionary economic times
• RFP for New Refuse Contract
• RFP for New BTC Contract
• Harbor Revitalization Activities, Business Plan and Shade Hotel Lease
• School District-City Property Leases and Land Use Plans
• Galleria Expansion Plans
• North Branch Library, Transit Center & Harbor Patrol Bldg. Construction
• Seaside Lagoon Final Plans
• March Council Elections
• Circulation & Housing General Plan Elements
• Organizational Development, Productivity and Customer Service

DC Report:  Mayor Gin, City Manager Bill Workman and Transit Director  spent 2 days in DC meeting with Federal representatives and staff.  Meetings were cordial.  Results are pending.  (We weren’t the only ones there asking for money for Cities)  The process is no guarantee of success, but not participating guarantees no success.

AES Power Plant update: AES General Manager Buck Hunt called to invite the Mayor and Council Members to tour the AES Redondo Beach Plant. In summary: 

1. AES intends to produce power at the plant at least through 2018 but very likely beyond that date.  
2. The property on which the AES plant sits is not for sale.  
3. The Redondo Beach AES plant site is an important location for integration of future renewable energy on the electrical grid.  
4. Depending upon the timing of new State/Federal regulatory rules, AES plans a re-powering/rebuilding project of their plant within the next 5-10 years using new technology.   They intend to construct around the existing, old generation equipment which will eventually be retired.  
5. At the end of their re-powering/rebuilding project (5-10 years from today), AES may be willing to talk about potential public uses at their site on what they might identify as "unusable" space on their property.  AES would be the ones to determine what might be deemed available "unusable" space on their property after the re-powering/rebuilding project.  AES would determine what potentially might be acceptable public uses on their property if they have identified any such "unusable" space after their project is completed. 

RBPD Meeting: The Redondo Beach Police Department will be hosting a community meeting on March 28, 2009.  The meeting is designed to provide information to residents and business owners on the services the Police Department provides to the community, along with soliciting feedback on the current level of Police service.  Items to be discussed include Neighborhood Watch, Crime Prevention, Smoking on the Beach Ordinance, Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parking Ordinance and Graffiti Abatement. The meeting will be held at: Franklin Community Center807 Inglewood Ave on Saturday 3/28/094:00 PM.

For further information, please contact Community Police Officer Ian Miesen at 310-379-2477 x1-2493 or via email at ian.miesen@redondo.org.