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Davisite Banner. Left side the bicycle obelisk at 3rd and University. Right side the trellis at the entrance to the Arboretum.

Month: March 2020

  • Davis Cherry Blossom Festival postponed

    (From press release) The Davis Cherry Blossom Festival, originally scheduled for April 4-5, has been postponed, likely till October.

    The annual free, all-ages weekend includes music, food, art, culture and beer, presented by the nonprofit Davis Cherry Blossom Festival, Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan, and Sudwerk Brewing Co. Like many events in Yolo County, it draws a substantial crowd. The Yolo County Health Department is asking organizers to hold off on gatherings of 150 people or more, to increase “social distancing” and thwart community spread of the coronavirus.

    The Japanese hanami tradition celebrates spring’s flower blooms, especially the cherry (sakura) trees. By moving it to October, the festival will celebrate another Japanese observance, tsukimi: viewing and honoring of the autumn moon.

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  • Ramos ARC Double Speak

    2020-03-15_11-46-10Mace Business Park developer pushes for development while so many others are concerned for the effects of Covid-19 on Davis, California and beyond.

    By Colin Walsh

    While our community reels from school shutdowns and unprecedented uncertainty, as there are runs on essential foods at the stores, as many fear for their health or their paychecks, while we are experiencing significant economic disruption, Dan Ramos pushes on with his massive Business Park development project.

    Ramos chose this time, of all times, to publish  an opinion titled, "Commentary: ARC would improve traffic conditions" in the Davis Enterprise.

    Ramos chooses now to lie to us that 24,000 more vehicles from the business park on Mace every day will “improve our traffic.” Just look at all of these factors that will make the traffic so much worse from page 33 of the just released Supplemental EIR in this image.

    Traffic

    Ramos chooses now to claim that, “local road improvements associated with the project’s buildout will improve traffic flows.” What is he talking about? The project description offered no road improvements to existing roads at all, and notice Ramos doesn’t claim the project will fund any improvements either.

    Ramos chooses now to tell us that the non-existing affordable housing plan will bring “unprecedented construction of new affordable housing.” False – I was there at the Commission when Ramos’s representative said they hoped to pay in lieu fees and/or locate any affordable housing outside of the project area.

    Ramos chooses now to claim that, “It will generate millions of dollars in new revenue for city needs and services,” but there is no analysis yet of the revenue generated by the current proposal.

    Ramos, please for the sake of the community, give it a rest.

    We don’t have time for your smoke and mirrors right now.

    Mr. Ramos, there is just no time for this silliness. No time to counter all of your blatant fallacious Orwellian misinformation.

    Your misleading propaganda piece today clearly demonstrates that your project must be put on hold until it can be properly vetted.

     

  • City Seeks Comments on Mace ARC Business Park Subsequent Environmental Impact Report

    Notice of Availability of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) and Notice of Public Meeting to Provide Comments on the SEIR

    ARC-SEIR-NOA(From press release) The Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) (SCH # 2014112012) for the Aggie Research Campus (ARC) Project is now available for review. Public comment on this document is invited for a 45-day period extending from March 13, 2020 through April 27, 2020. More information is provided below. 

    PROJECT LOCATION: The annexation area is located northeast of Mace Boulevard and Interstate 80, on both sides of County Road (CR) 32A, within unincorporated Yolo County, east of the City of Davis city limits. The approximately 229-acre annexation area consists of:

    •  187-acre privately-owned ARC site (Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 033-630-009 and 033-650-009);
    •  25-acre City Parcel (APN 033-650-029-6);
    •  16.5-acre Mace Triangle site (APNs 033-630-006; -011; and -012).

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  • DJUSD SCHOOLS CLOSING THROUGH 4/12/2020

    School closed
    URGENT: ALL DJUSD SCHOOLS CLOSED MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020
    Posted on 03/13/2020
    [Press Release from DJUSD]

    Dear DJUSD Families:

    Today, in an effort to proactively slow the spread of COVID-19, I am announcing that all Davis Joint Unified Schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, through Sunday, April 12, 2020. Additionally, all events, extracurricular activities, athletics practices and competitions, and performances are cancelled during the closure.

    The Board of Education, senior staff and I met today in an emergency meeting to address this matter. In a unanimous vote, the Board adopted a motion which states, “In consultation with Yolo County Public Health Department and legal counsel, the Board of Education reaffirmed the Superintendent’s authority to effectuate school closures in light of COVID-19.”

    In support of this decision, Board of Education Trustees provided the following comments:

    • Board President Cindy Pickett strongly supported Superintendent Bowes' decision to close schools temporarily.  She stated, "We have been diligently monitoring the COVID-19 situation conferring with Yolo County Public Health Department and other partners.  This is the right time for this decision.  It is important to be proactive rather than reactive. It will help to save lives."
    • Vice President, Joe DiNunzio offered, “The District is working under very difficult circumstances with changing facts by the day. While no known student or staff member in Davis Joint Unified School District has been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of today, we believe that the growing spread will likely result in more cases in Yolo County or possibly our school district. This decision by the Superintendent is the right call and supported by all Trustees.”
    • Trustee Bob Poppenga shared, “The decision to close schools for this duration is not taken lightly, but we need to do our part to support the public health recommendations to mitigate the community spread of COVID-19.”
    • Trustee Alan Fernandes stated, “Our top priority is always the health and safety of our students and staff. Our efforts to promote social distancing is an important start, and today’s action supports our greater community goal of protecting the most vulnerable.”
    • Trustee Tom Adams added, “We carefully considered the effects of closing schools and we continue to be committed to addressing the needs of students and their families who rely on schools for essential services. ”


    I want our DJUSD families to know that we recognize the significant impact this extended closure will have on our entire community, students, families, and on our staff. We acknowledge the anxiety this may cause our students, especially our high school seniors who are focused on graduation and those students who depend on DJUSD for important services, including school meals.

    Below are some important facts about what we will be doing during this closure:

    Deep Cleaning of Campuses and Classrooms
    While school is out, deep cleaning of all campuses will occur, including sports equipment, play structures, and a thorough cleaning of all surfaces throughout the District.

    Specifics of Closure
    All Programs:
    This closure also means that athletics, professional development, school events, and extracurricular activities scheduled between, Monday, March 16 through through Sunday, April 12, 2020, are canceled or may be rescheduled. In alignment with our school closures, all before and after school programs at school sites will be closed for the same duration. Essential administrative and support staff will be available to answer questions throughout the closure. The District Office will be open until Spring Break for enrollment and other support services.

    Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences
    Parent-Teacher conferences that were planned for next week are canceled and may be rescheduled once school resumes. Information about rescheduling will be provided by school sites once school resumes.

    Student Meals
    DJUSD will continue to provide meals to students during school closures. Beginning on Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 3, breakfast and lunch service for students Monday through Friday will occur across the District at Marguerite Montgomery Elementary, Harper Junior High, Davis Senior High and Patwin Elementary from 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Meal packages will include lunch for the current day and breakfast for the next morning. Updates will be posted at the Student Nutrition Services website.

    Some Work Will Continue
    Some District departments, such as Personnel and Fiscal Services, Maintenance and Operations will continue to operate during the school closures in order to make sure the District grounds are maintained, employees are paid and buildings remain in good repair.

    While this situation continues to evolve, our goal has been and will continue to be to coordinate closely with Yolo County Department of Public Health. I want to thank again our DJUSD teachers and staff for their tremendous work and continued professionalism as we work through a challenging time. I also thank our greater community for your patience and sensitivity to the evolving nature of this outbreak and the greater goal of doing our part to protect our most vulnerable communities.

    It is likely that we are not at the end of this, but rather just embarking on this challenging road. We will get through this, but it will take all working together for the greater good of our community.

    In the meantime, DJUSD will continue to stay in close conversation with the city, state, and local officials, and partners as our entire region responds to new guidance and a call to take an active role combating COVID-19. Please expect regular updates during the closure. In the meantime, please continue to check the DJUSD Coronavirus webpage for new information. Any important updates will be shared as quickly as possible with our school community by email and available on the DJUSD website as well as on District social media. Questions may be directed to communications@djusd.net.

    Thank you for your partnership and understanding.

    Sincerely,

    John A. Bowes, Ed.D.
    Superintendent

  • DJUSD Emergency School Board Meeting

    There will be an Emergency Meeting of the Davis Joint USD today, March 13, 2020 9:00AM.

    The meeting will take place in the District Office, Large Conference Room, 526 B Street, Davis, CA 95616. 

    The Agenda is fairly cryptic but there can be little doubt what is being considered – the board will likely be deciding on whether or not to keep DJUSD schools open in light of the Covid-19 virus.

    The Agenda includes the following:

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  • Davis Farmers Market continues, adds precautions

    Davisfarmersmarket(From press release) The Davis Farmers Market continues its regular schedule while taking additional precautions in light of COVID-19 concerns. [Note: this is an updated announcement that contains the current no-samples policy].

    The market added a third hand-washing station, and remains vigilant about cleaning all surfaces and vendor tablecloths. Sellers stay home if they are ill.

    “Shopping outdoors is a relatively low-risk environment, and our farmers and producers look forward to sharing their weekly harvest and fresh products,” Executive Director Randii MacNear said. Those who have concerns about being in crowds are encouraged to shop the first hour of the market when it’s less crowded, and to maintain an arm’s length distance from others.

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  • What’s wrong with City staff’s new burrowing owl policy

    A response to Ash Feeney

    Feeney-with-owlsBy Roberta Millstein

    A few days ago I learned of a new policy from City staff concerning the 25 acres outside of Mace curve, aka Mace 25, prime farmland that was purchased with citizen tax dollars from the open space fund.  According to this new policy, the City will not be mowing areas in which burrowing owls are already nesting, instead allowing the owls to be “naturally displaced from the site… by allowing tall dense vegetation to grow along the western edge.”  By not mowing, the City will be “doing what it can to prevent the owls from using the site.” Burrowing owls prefer short grasses (e.g., native short prairie grass or grass that is kept short through mowing) so that they can see their predators coming, and they will leave an area if the grasses aren’t short.

    At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, I along with a number of other citizens attended to protest this new policy and to ask the City Council to direct staff to promote burrowing owl habitat at that site.  Burrowing owls, it should be noted, have been designated as a Species of Special Concern by the State of California, and their numbers have been declining dramatically over the past 10 years in the Davis area.  No action was taken at the meeting, although I have since learned that at least one Councilmember is in favor of taking up this issue at a future meeting.

    What did happen at the meeting was that Assistant City Manager Ash Feeney defended the new policy.  He has apparently issued a statement summarizing his views, published on the Davis Vanguard (staff could not confirm this by the end of yesterday’s business day).  Unfortunately, this response contains false and problematic statements.

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  • SAVE OUR BURROWING OWLS

    IMG-0691
    *** ACTION ALERT – SAVE OUR BURROWING OWLS ***

    The City of Davis is Intentionally Driving Burrowing Owls Out to Make Room for the Proposed Aggie Research Complex Business Park

    by Alan Pryor

    __________________________________________________________

    Please Come Down to the City Council Meeting TONIGHT,  Tuesday, March 10 to Express Your Outrage during Public Comments.

    __________________________________________________________

    Background on Mace-25 and the Aggie Research Complex Business Park

    Mace-25 is an 25-acre City-owned site purchased by the City of Davis with Open Space tax revenues. The Open Space Ordinance passed by the voters of Davis says such lands purchased with tax monies are to be kept in perpetuity as open space.  Up until now, Mace-25 has been leased only for dry-land farming for a nominal annual amount or lay dormant. Directly adjacent and northwest of this site on County-owned land on the Mace curve are where Burrowing Owl burrows have been established and maintained for at least a decade. Mace 25 is in the middle of an historic burrowing owl breeding colony. At least one of the burrows  is currently occupied by a nesting pair of Burrowing Owls – one of the few remaining breeding pairs in Davis. These burrows have been repeatedly used year-after-year while using the Mace-25 land as foraging habitat.

    Directly south and east of Mace-25 and north of I-80 are approximately 200 acres of farmland which is proposed to be annexed into the City and converted to a business park by the local developer and oil distributor, Ramco. Ramco's original development proposal in 2016 included building on all of the Mace-25 land for inclusion in the business park. Public outcry over this taking of city-owned and taxpayer-funded open space, however, caused the developer to withdraw the idea of including all of Mace-25 as buildable land when they revised their proposed project in 2019. Now they only want to "take" about 9.2 acres of theMace-25 City-owned land and use it for their "agricultural buffer" required under Davis zoning laws affecting new development bordering existing ag lands.

    Complicating even this new plan, however, was the ongoing presence of the Burrowing Owls directly adjacent to Mace-25. If the developer's plans could theoretically impact the Burrowing Owl population (which likelihood MUST be quantitatively addressed in the forthcoming Environmental Impact Report on the project), then the developer could be forced into expensive and time-consuming mitigation measures.

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  • Corona virus presentation to Board of Supervisors by Dr. Ron Chapman, Yolo County Health Officer TODAY

    In case you missed it, today the entire meeting which included Dr. Chapman's presentation was live streamed and recorded: https://yolocountyca.swagit.com/play/03092020-1208

    Suggest you give yourself a little time to sit down and listen to Dr. Chapman's presentation…. it is one of the best organized, most accessible presentations on the matter that I have heard or read anywhere.

    We are fortunate to have Dr. Chapman and his staff working on our behalf in Yolo County.  He is an excellent Public Health Officer and our Yolo County Department of Public Health is really doing a great job of informing the public and working with a variety of stakeholders including other health care providers, schools, cities, adult day health, senior centers, etc to get the word out in a calm, professional manner so that we will know the risks, hear good advice on what to do/what not to do and to carry on our lives in the midst of a public health threat.

    Our Public Health Department is the "go to" place for this kind of information and guidance.  

    Thanks, Dr. Chapman!

    John Troidl

    PS  Supervisors Provenza and Saylor can be heard on the re-play of the live stream asking some really good questions and helping guide the discussion on ways that are meaningful for the public.  Check it out!

  • Davis Cherry Blossom Festival blooms April 4-5

    CherryBlossom2019 1

    Gregory Wada performs with Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan at the 2019 Davis Cherry Blossom Festival. Robin Fadtke/Courtesy photo

    (From press release) Save the date for the fifth annual Davis Cherry Blossom Festival, April 4-5 at Sudwerk in Davis.

    Presented by the nonprofit Davis Cherry Blossom Festival, Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan, and Sudwerk Brewing Co., the free, all-ages weekend includes music, food, art, culture and beer. The event is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 5 at The Dock, 2001 Second St. in Davis.

    In its fifth year, the weekend is evolving into a regional music festival and cultural celebration. Activities feature music and lots of traditional Japanese drumming on two main stages and a new, intimate third stage. There will be food and arts vendors, a local artists’ gallery, interactive educational and cultural demonstrations, games and more.

    More than 30 musical acts will perform over the two days, including Jessica Malone, The Brothers Reed, Lillian Frances, Katgrüvs and Big Sticky Mess.

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