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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.

Author: davisite2

  • Sierra Club Presents Awards to Diana Almendariz and Adelita Serena for Outstanding Service to Communities and the Environment

    Diana and Adelita

    Diana Almendariz and Adelita Serena (Photo credit: Juliette Beck).

    (From press release) The Sierra Club, the nation’s largest and oldest environmental organization, is pleased to recognize two outstanding environmental justice leaders – Diana Almendariz and Adelita Serena – for their dedication to protecting and enhancing the local environment for people and nature in the Yolo bioregion.

    The Sierra Club Yolano group’s geographical reach extends from Southern Colusa County through the entirety of Yolo County to Northern Solano County and is within the ancestral homeland of the Patwin-Wintun people. The awards were granted by the Yolano Group to the two indigenous women for their work to engage community members in protecting the ecological health and sustainability of the region.

    Diana Almendariz is a Cultural Practitioner of Maidu/Wintun and Hupa/Yurok traditions, heritage and experiences. She is a visionary culture-bearer, storyteller, naturalist, educator and visual artist who has been dedicated to the cultural and ecological revival of her Native homelands for over three decades.

    Almendariz teaches homeland-based ecological stewardship using traditional materials such as tule – a wetland reed – to make baskets, mats, cordage, dolls, and boats, blending arts, culture, and ecology into the learning.

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  • Four California Bills to Punish Free Speech and Academic Freedom at Schools and Campuses Are About to Become Law

    Being heard in California State Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees Today

    Silenced

    By Scott Steward

    Three of the four bills are unbalanced and likely to increase the punitive environment (and the cost) of our California universities, state universities, and community colleges and send a "shut up or else" message to about 2.5 million mostly young adults, their instructors and administrators.

    Unfortunately, Dodd already voted to pass the two Senate bills to the Assembly, which is very sad for our college campuses.  Aguiar Curry already voted to pass the assembly bills, which is sad for our high schools.  I'll assume that Democratic majorities are all in on these bills. The bills are now being heard by the appropriations committees of the opposite houses today. Floor votes for the AB bills are likely in the Senate and floor votes are likely for the SB bills are likely in the Assembly soon. 

    That said – I would propose you let Dodd and Aguiar-Curry to recommend

    For Aguiar-Curry:

    NO on senate bills SB 1277 Pupil instruction: genocide education: the Holocaust.

    NO on senate bills SB 1287 Equity in Higher Education Act: prohibition on violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination.

    For Dodd:

    NO on assembly bill AB 2918 Pupil instruction: ethnic studies.

    And a "not encouraged by" AB 2925.  AB2925 Equity bill was more balanced, but there is concern over the vague nature of who would be implementing anti-discrimination training and what guardrails would be put in place to make sure that anti-discrimination training was developed inclusively – specifically that training included Palestinian voices along with other voices.

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  • Comments from Sierra Club Yolano Group on scope of environmental review for Eastside project

    The following comments are the Sierra Club Yolano Group's response to the call for comments on the proposed scope of environmental review of the proposed Eastside (misleadingly called "Shriners") project. See earlier article for details: https://newdavisite.wordpress.com/2024/07/14/notice-of-preparation-nop-for-so-called-shriners-property-project/ .

    Apologies for the weird numbering on the list — the SCYG Management Committee's intent should be clear.

    From: Sierra Club Yolano Group
    To: Dara Dungworth, Principal Planner
    Re: Eastside NOP Comments
    Date: August 7, 2024 

    Transmitted via email: <DDungworth@cityofdavis.org>

    Ms Dungworth – Regarding the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and the upcoming preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the “Eastside” housing project (formerly referred to as “Shriners”), the Sierra Club Yolano Group offers the following comments and recommendations.

    1. Alternatives
      1. City staff has recommended that one the Alternatives to be analyzed in the EIR should have “Higher Number of Units – Same Footprint,” but it does not specify the number of units to be analyzed. We recommend that a minimum of 1500 units be analyzed and that the design of this Alternative incorporate a substantial co-op model (perhaps similar to Dos Pinos or Muir Woods) that prioritizes alternative modes of transportation, especially bicycling.  This Alternative would better achieve the following goals: more traffic/transit efficiency, better for minimizing negative impacts to air quality and climate change, more equitable and affordable, better able to serve underserved populations.
    1. Biological Resources
      1. We recommend the then current leasehold farmer not perform any cultural activities resulting in soil disturbances in environmentally sensitive areas, including planting of cover crops, until all of the biological studies are completed.
      2. In the analysis for rare plants, we recommend all historical records be consulted.
      3. We recommend all surveys performed for determination of Biological Resources be performed by specialists approved or certified to perform such studies under CEQA guidelines and performed in accordance with CDFW protocols.
      4. We recommend environmental evaluation also be performed considering the Yolo Regional Resource Conservation Investment Strategy/Land Conservation Plan (RCIS/LCP) in addition to the Yolo Habitat Conservation Plan & Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP).
    1. Traffic
      1. We recommend the traffic impact analysis be studied for cumulative impacts of all the four proposed properties on Covell and the Mace curve including this project, Village Farms, Palomino Place, and On the Curve, as would be done in an East Covell – Mace Curve Specific Plan to assess cumulative impacts.
      2. Below is a diagram which illustrates the relationship between the developments by indicating the ¼ mile walking distance of each proposed project. We recommend the proposed transportation mitigation be developed in light of these findings to minimize walking distance to public transit.
      3. We recommend a study to determine long it would take to evacuate the residents of the 1800 units from the two exits in case of fire, flood, etc., and whether that could provide for a safe evacuation.
    1. Air Quality
      1. Given that development is almost adjacent to the Open Space for Public Health and Safety housing exclusion zone around the landfill and sewage treatment plant, we recommend that an EPA-approved air dispersion modeling tool be employed to investigate potential harmful or nuisance odorous or particulate matter or other vectors be performed to determine the extent of possible exposure of residents of Eastside to emissions emitted from the Yolo County Landfill or the Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant.

    Excerpts from Davis General Plan re Exposure to Odors and Vectors from Landfill

    Section V: Community Facilities and Services Davis General Plan

    Chapter 9: Parks and Open Space May 2001/ Amended Through January 2007 (p. 228)

    “The land within one mile of the landfill and sewage treatment facilities is designated “Open Space for Public Health and Safety.” The intent is that residential development is prohibited within this area due to public health concerns including vectors and odors. In addition, this area poses a hazard to aircraft because of the large number of birds that congregate in the vicinity of the landfill.”

    1. Hazards and Hazardous Materials–
      1. We recommend a Public Health Vector Control analysis be performed as a result of the proximity of the development project to the Open Space for Public Health and Safety housing exclusion zone. Concerns could include vectors such as mosquitoes (from the wetlands by the wastewater plant) as well as rats and seagulls potentially carrying dangerous impacts (feces, West Nile virus, etc.) toward the new development.
    1. Hydrology
      1. Given the 100-year floodplain extends into the property, we recommend the potential impact of peak flows and volumetric capacity on the project and downstream system be studied using a 200-year flood event in the Drainage Report in addition to using a 100-year flood event.

    Map of 100-year Floodplain Extending into Property

    1. Noise
      1. We recommend noise analyses be performed to evaluate potentially loud noises from adjacent uses which have occurred in the past, e.g., sound guns to scare off birds from the landfill to the north of the property and from agricultural land to the north-east of the property.
    1. Cultural Resources
      1. We recommend that the Yoche Dehe Wintun Tribe and other tribal groups be consulted with more than a certified letter to notice them of the upcoming DEIR and consultations opportunities.

  • Fight for Our Future: A Yolo-Wide Election Kickoff

    Sunday, August 25, 4-5 p.m., Veterans Memorial Center in Davis

    Vota
    Volunteers canvassing in the Central Valley earlier in 2024 will be returning as election nears

     (From press release) Local progressive activists are saying, “We’re not going back!” 

    Winning the White House, restoring a House majority, and holding the Senate and key State House races will be front and center Sunday, Aug. 25 at 4  p.m. when Sister District Yolo and Indivisible Yolo, along with Democratic Party partners, host a Yolo-wide election rally. 

    Speakers include Michael Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton and candidate for California Lieutenant Governor, and Rep. Jasmine Clark, a top target for the GOP in the critical swing state of Georgia.

    Co-sponsoring groups include the Yolo County Democratic Party, West Sac Democratic Club, and Davis College Democrats.

    “It’s time for Yolo County to step up our voter outreach to elect President Kamala Harris and give her a Congress she can work with. We are delighted to have Michael Tubbs as our featured keynote speaker not just because of his outstanding work on behalf of populations often left behind, but also his Central Valley roots,” said Steve Murphy of Indivisible Yolo. “Come learn how you can take action, no matter how much time or resources you have.”

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  • Will City & County Prioritize Yet More money for I-80?

    Missing funds may continue to compromise transit

    Image001 1699

    Map of what’s planned: : Phase I of Yolo80 widening will only be west of the 50/80 split in West Sacramento- We are missing $265 Mil

    By Alan Hirsch 

    This is a report on the untalked about short falls in funding on I-80Yolo projects (plural), changes to the freeway from Dixon across the Sacramento River bridges for both US 50 and I-80. We are told the freeway here is in crisis (Like the climate crisis?)

    Other have noted the short thinking of funding highway widening continue to “crowd out” funding of substantial transit improvements and that keeps us from addressing climate change and providing travel choices to driving.

    For example, on I80 Yolo the total bill is a jaw dropping $745 million- 40 times the Yolobus budget.

    Caltrans and freeway proponent all through the decision-making process on I80 have not make clear its full cost and long term impacts. They have instead  levered an initial $86 Million federal grant – which we are told we dare not give back – to lock us into spending hundreds of million more. A sum that effectively  crowd out investment in transit.

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  • New Commissions are Opportunity for more public participation and Innovation

    By Alan Hirsch, Davis Lorax

    The controversial city council plan for commission consolidation and refocus is going into effect this summer. This is a rare opportunity for reform I hope is not missed. 

    Let us begin by restating the overarching goals council set forward in this reform: 

    Davis Council Resolution 24-079 May 2024

    Guiding Principle for New Commission Structure

    . City Commissions should act at all times with the understanding that guiding principles are at the core of their work.

    1. Promote and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion
    2. Prioritize environmental and social justice
    3. Make space for community engagement
    4. Balance environmental and fiscal sustainability
    5. Strive for innovation and human progress

    The first meeting of the new Climate and Environmental Justice Commission on 7/22 Monday is precedent setting as it can begin to put implementation meat on the bone of these principles by:

    1. Better Prioritize Environmental  Justice than in the past  (principal B)
    2. Change meeting practices to allow more public participation. (principle A & C)  
    3. Speed surfacing of new ideas and follow through on their implementation.  (principle E

    As a first step in embracing council principles for this reorganization,  I suggest the  commission’s pass a resolution to  establish these ground rules for operation

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  • Farmer’s Kitchen Cafe Energy Prices Force it Out of D Street Location

    Farmers-kitchen-cafeby Scott Steward

    My brother came over from the Bay Area, where they have a lot of great dessert shops, and we sat down on my mom's west Davis back patio for a picnic lunch.

    I had stopped at previously at the Farmer’s Kitchen Cafe and picked up a beautiful (gluten-free) crust strawberry and raspberry pie, which we had with a small amount of ice cream, following our humus and vegetable platter with potato and green salads.

    But the pie! "Best pie I've had," my brother exclaimed, and his wife agreed and the seven of us present were able to eat half of the large 12" diameter desert. 

    This is the kind of consistently tasty and inspired eating you get from the Farmer's Family Cafe. Roseanne and her family have served sit-down no hurry service, and have provided a subscription menu, for years from the D Street location, but no more as of this July.

    In the last eight months, Roseanne has had to pay PG&E $36,000 in energy bills. Energy bills have always been high for the businesses renting in the conspicuously inefficient 11,400 sq ft D Street building (est. built in the 60s), but the last 8 months are different. $36,000, and Roseanne—who is not one to want to move—is moving to a new location to be announced once all is settled.

    Two systemic problems forced Roseanne's hand, and she is just one of the majority of businesses that have seen profits reduced by high utility bills. Not since Enron in 2000 have utilities increased so much in such a short period of time. The owners of these old buildings keep on collecting rent checks and do nothing about what it costs tenant businesses to keep buildings cool and food hot.

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  • Ten Ways to Get the Yolo CAAP Back on Track

    By Juliette Beck, Yolo climate justice advocate

    Yolo County recently reduced their draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) – potentially the most important document to guide Yolo County residents, businesses, farmers and decision-makers in our collective response to climate breakdown. 

    As a member of the Yolo Climate Emergency Coalition that set this planning process in motion, I commend the hard work and thoughtfulness of hundreds of people that contributed their energy, time, thoughts, ideas and hopes. Our goal was – and still  is – to mobilize a Just Transition to an ecological, equitable, resilient county. 

    The draft plan offers a number of important and valuable actions, but the county’s consultants – Dudek – fail to chart the just transition strategies needed to avert catastrophic climate change and the accelerating impacts.

    Add your response to the draft CAAP by July 10 through the comment portal at yolocaap.org. Here are some recommended changes:

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  • SF Mime Troupe’s AMERICAN DREAMS – A New Musical – comes to Davis

    Poster for e mailiing American Dreams SFMT summer 2024 1(From press release) The Tony Award-Winning San Francisco Mime Troupe Opens their 65th Season with: AMERICAN DREAMS – A New Musical – Was Democracy Just a Dream? July 4 – Sept. 8, 2024. They will be appearing for one show on Thurs. July 25, 2024 at  7:00 pm (Music starts at 6:30pm) at the Davis High School, Richard Brunelle Performance Hall (Indoor show) – 315 W 14th St., Davis. Ticket are FREE – but RSVP for tickets required / RSVP: sfmt.org/rsvp-davis

    ($20 suggested donation)


    The San Francisco Mime Troupe (SFMT) are pleased to announce the full cast and creative team for their new show for Summer 2024 – AMERICAN DREAMS – A New Musical. – Was Democracy Just a Dream? – written by Michael Gene Sullivan, Music and Lyrics by Daniel Savio, Directed by Velina Brown, Music Director – Dred Scott.

    SFMT American Dreams Summer 2024 group shot 1AMERICAN DREAMS – A New Musical features a four-person cast that includes veteran SF Mime Troupe collective members: Andre Amarotico (Oliver, Harold); Michael Gene Sullivan (Gabriel Pearse, Chancellor Quisling); and features Lizzie Calogero (Meliae Higgins, Emma); Mikki Johnson (Paine Pearse).

    SFMT Band: Caroline Chung (Bass); Daniel Savio (Keyboards); and Dred Scott (Drums, Percussion, additional keyboards).

    The American Dream. It used to mean a job, a house, a car, a spouse, 2.5 kids, and a .4 dog. But what does it mean now? For Gabriel Pearce, a Black man tired of liberal failures, on the day after the presidential election it means victory! Giving up on progressivism wasn’t easy, but casting his vote for a Conservative who promises to be grateful could mean a dream come true. However, for his daughter Paine – a teacher at a university caught between protesting students and threats to funding – it’s a nightmare! Or was the lost election just a dream? Or will A.I. catch fire, like Paine’s boyfriend Oliver sees in his nightmares? Do androids dream of electronic voting? Can we create the utopia of justice activist student Emma hopes for, or is the present just a dream within a dream within a dream? But whether you’re asleep or Woke what some see as nightmares others see as… American Dreams.

  • Letter: No Confidence in the Council

    By Elaine Roberts Musser

    I was appalled with City Council’s response to the apprehension many expressed at the City Council meeting on June 4 about the proposed midterm city budget and 1% sales tax increase. Concerned citizens were gaslighted, accused of seeking revenge for the commission mergers and engaging in hyperbole. (Gaslighting in this context is manipulating citizens into questioning their own perception of reality to avoid accountability for questionable behavior.)

    The fact of the matter is we only pointed out things the Finance & Budget Commission would’ve zeroed in on, were it still in existence (but hasn’t been for almost a year). But as we know, the current City Council (minus Councilmember Neville) voted to eliminate this commission in favor of a more generic Fiscal Commission that has not yet met, now manned with new commissioners who are mostly commission inexperienced.

    Here are the problems we highlighted:

    • No city audit in three years;
    • A general fund reserve of 7.5%, half the 15% it should be;
    • One time gimmicks/delays: suspension of paying down $42 million in unfunded liability of employee healthcare benefits; reduction of $1.5 million originally intended for pavement management;
    • A 1% sales tax increase, to offset general fund reserves and to pay for additional services/programs. What new services/programs is purposely vague.

    In other words, the City Council wants us to approve a 1% sales tax increase, in essence a blank check with virtually no accountability, insisting we trust them to make responsible decisions. Their conduct has hardly inspired confidence!