Category: Uncategorized

Before the Tree Commission: 2nd & G Street Downtown

Davis’s 60 year old tradition come to an end

By Alan Hirsch, the Davis Lorax

Value seem to have changed: Tree Commission will likely be ended by City Council Tuesday

Tree advocacy & policy work will be subsumed into the Natural Resources Commission that will be renamed the “Climate and Environment Justice” commission.  (Seems pollution and consumption of natural resources out of style). 

The husk of the Tree Commission work will be retained in an ironically renamed “Tree Removal Commission.” per the staff memo summarizing one year of behind the scenes work by Josh Chapman and Bapu Vaitla.

This signals an historical shift in vaiues for Davis:  The 60 year old Commission is one of oldest in city. It was founded 1963 as the “street tree committee”. Davis was a leader in municipal arboriculture at the time and was one of the first “Tree Cities” designated by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The city passed on of  first Parking Lot Shade ordinance in the county (1979).  This in not surprising as Davis , located next to the foremost arboricultural research universities in the world.   LINK to tree history of  Davis  

However this move might also be seen as consistent with city management failure to enforce and update the Code section 37 Tree Protection Ordinance. It might also bode poorly for role of Trees in the proposed rewrite of the city general plan= the city planner failed to put enforceable promises about tree in the recently approve Downtown Plan despite much input form public, Tree Davis, and the Commission.

This move was a surprise to the Commission members, so seem not to have been surveyed. Deputy City manager Kelly Stachowicz  share this likely decision with Tree Commission for the first time on Friday at 5pm council.

The council  agenda item on this and elimination of two other commission will be heard 7:20 pm  or later:  Member of public can attend or call in their thought  (2 minute)   Tuesday between Noon and 4 Tuesday 530-757-5693. https://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/CityCouncil/CouncilMeetings/Agendas/2024/2024-01-30/05-Commissions-Subcommittee-Recommendations.pdf

Thoughts of the Lorax based on my attending 14 years of tree commissions meetings; 

1. It seems to me; elimination of the Tree Commission subverts Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) call for more community participation.
2. Bodes poor for Trees in the General Plan: We all can remember Trees were not including in the DT Plan other than with platitudes and unenforceable promises.
3. Reflects current Culture of city hall staff relative to citizen participation: Peter Drucker said: “Culture eat strategy for breakfast.”

UNPACKING

1. I have long though there needs to be a rethinking of commissions structure and specifically the  role of Tree Commission. See this article I wrote almost exactly a year ago:  Rethinking Our Failing Davis City Processes  How can we build more durable consensuses?
2. UFMP: How is elimination of the Tree Commission (TC) consistent with the $250K Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) we just completed?
3. Decrease Community Engagement with Tree. Most of us have thought city recommitment to urban forest involved more community involvement, not just adding one person to small staff of 5 managing over 30,000 trees.  We can learn from history about the  effect of the subsuming of tree Commission into the Natural Resource Commission. About 8 years back the  Bike Commission was combined with the Traffic, Parking and Street Safety Commission Is now BTSSC.  Bike  commissioner members were all enthusiastic ats time, but for the first 12 month this combined commission had not a single bike item on its agenda– staff control the agenda recall. The amount of attention to bike/active mode has dramatically declined from before the new combined commission. 
4. This reorganization likely signals diminished role of trees for the new General Plan rewrite. City Council did not put tree in the DT Plan building code despite many letters from many stakeholders. And council has failed to follow up on promise to remedy this in a separate DT tree plan. With elimination of Tree Commission this bodes poorly for anything more than unenforceable platitudes in a new General Plan.
5. How will UFMP be assured of implementation with ending of consistent  accountability & visibility . There are ~120 goals in UFMP to do over the next 40 years yet there is  no 3- or 5-year plan milestones -  so where is the mechanism for accountability the UFMP will ever be implement? We are now moving toward an “urban Forest czar” model like in most cities; their  actions are largely invisible to public only the city manager see it.  This relegates trees to feel god performative plantings. We need policies to grow and protect tree, not just plant them.
6. Good Intents won’t counterbalance lack of check and balance: Urban Forester Charlie Murphy has good intentions, but his action will  be invisible and beholding to city manager as tree stakeholders will no longer have a seat at the table — i.e. the UFMP will likely go the way of similar plan in cities like Woodland. Developments also will proceed without proper consideration of tree. The Sutter Hospital tree debacle was caused by City management short cutting public process.  just like city decision to allow removal 50 tree at Cannery (50 people show up at council one night to complain night). Expedient decisions on trees are made behind  closed door by  top city management who override the city arborist and wave fines when trees are cut illegally.  The decision like to lack of trees in DT plan and failure to enforce tree ordinance will go unnoticed without a Tree Commission who are consistently involved and charged with “speaking for the trees”.
7. Signals Participation and Expertise of Community Not Appreciated: Our city has a wealth of expertise on Tree as we are sight next to one of foremost arboricultural research institute in the world,  yet this has never been used by the city. And when It is, it is ignored:  A grad students have contract do to research paper on tree protection ordinance (2012) but this was ignored.   There have been hundreds of volunteer hour put in by the TC members – in three different attempts (2015 2017,2021) — to revise the tree ordinance- All were all ignored by top- city management and set to council  even for feedback.
8. Davis City Hall Culture override UFMP and Council City Tree Promises   Maybe this proposal is just making it official: the onoy consistent role I have seen for  Tree Commission only role  consistently used by city staff over my 15 year was as the   “Tree Removal Commission.”  This, ironically,  is the only husk of the now 60-year-old commission (founded 1963)  that is being retained. LINK to history:  

Davis City Council Members,

The travel corridor connecting the Bay Area and the greater Sacramento Area could continue to expand as an automobile corridor, or alternately as a greatly-improved rail corridor. Caltrans is steering Davis towards accepting a new lane to further expand the highway, but as developers continue to build out and densify the region, the increasing population will strain our ever-busier freeways.

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Caltrans wants to turn the Davis Climate Plan into a just a carbon offset

By Alan Hirsch

On Tuesday January 9^th council meeting there will be a discussion on DEIR for I-80 widening.

Please show up to the Davis Council and object to this project that won’t fix congestion for long…but will destroy Davis Climate plan by turning it into a carbon offset- An offset so others can drive more on the wider freeway.   Toll lanes also create social inequity as it allows the richest to buy out of congest so there is no incentive to work for good public transit system.

Housing costs are also impacted- by allowing others to live in Davis and commute even further — remember the Cannery homes was advertised for sale in the Bay Area.

Key ask: City should ask that Caltrans “recirculate the corrected DEIR as  it is deeply flawed.

Local elected officials (Josh Chapman) continue to stand with Caltrans-and deny science from UC Davis… because they have been in effect bribed by congress with $86million in free starter money to give up our climate plan- trouble is $200 million is missing.    (Congress was likely lobbied by business interests in Sac, Bay Area and Tahoe rich folk who love a toll lane so they can opt out of traffic.)

Three Ways to Comment to Council Tuesday

1. In person at council chamber agenda -8pm agenda item : https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/city-council/city-council-meetings/agendas   Staff report (see City staff Draft letter to Caltrans which affirm  below concerns ) https://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/CityCouncil/CouncilMeetings/Agendas/2024/2024-01-09/08-Yolo-80-Manged-Lanes-Draft-EIR.pdf
2. Leave voice mail (12-4) on Tuesday JAN 9^th: 530-757-5603 (2 minutes)
3. Send a message to council: citycouncilmembers@cityofdavis.org

Issues with Caltrans Draft Environmental Impact Report

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This is a letter in PROTEST OF THE WASTEWATER RATE ADJUSTMENT as it is proposed.

The rate structure is based on a 60% fixed and 40% volumetric cost for those who use ~ 10 ccf per month, but the average usage is 6 ccf.  The more wastewater used the lower the fixed rate, and the less wastewater used, the higher the fixed rate.  Households using greater-than-average volume is why the system has to be as large as it is and have the fixed costs it does.  While I should pay for the opportunity to use the system, this proposal raises the rates unfairly.

Since the fixed rate would go up and the volumetric rate would go down, the more you use, the less proportionally you’d pay.  How unfair and unnecessary a way to generate the needed revenue. If you use 9ccf or more your bill will actually go down; if you use less than 9ccf, your bill will go up.  Since the average use is 6ccf, or 74% fixed at that level of use (not the 60% stated), this will generate more total revenue on the backs of the lower-volume users. Since more revenue needs to be generated, anyone who uses less has to make up for high users’ costs actually going down, and then some, to generate more revenue overall. This incentivizes waste.  Again, the heavier users, 9ccf and up, will actually pay less than they do now.

I fully understand that a significant component of the rate structure has to be fixed to cover infrastructure and administrative costs of the system, but

the fixed component of the proposed new rate structure is too large a proportion as to be fair for those who conserve, as I do. Look at these numbers. A user of 6ccf now pays $40.98 and at the first adjustment would pay $42.51.  A user of 10ccf now pays $53.50 and at the first adjustment would pay $50.47.  No bill should be going down when we need to generate more revenue.  The volumetric rate should not be going down and decreasing revenue generated, going the wrong direction.  Then if the current volumetric rates do not produce the needed revenue, the fixed rate can be raised, but much less.

At my 0-1 ccf monthly usage (let’s use 1 for the calculation) my single family rate is currently 3.94+18.26+3.13=$25.33 or 88% fixed.  In the new rate structure this would be $32.56 of which 94% would be fixed, and this high fixed rate continues year after year. By 2028, my $41.56 bill would increase 64%. Just this year my bill would increase by 35%.

These kinds of restructuring and increases DO NOT minimize the impact on rate payers who use the system proportionally little (as stated by the consultant).  Rather it impacts them and me greatly and unfairly. These kinds of restructuring and increases also DO NOT distribute costs equitably between customer classes. Even a duplex drops into the multifamily category and lower rate structure (similar to what my single family home currently is) while many duplexes are as large or larger than my single family home and have more inhabitants.

In conclusion, this proposed new rate structure for wastewater is unfair to those who conserve, raises revenue solely on their backs, incentivizes waste, and should NOT be adopted.

Submit a protest letter to the city by January 16th, or rates will be raised for anyone using less than 9ccf/month.

Donna Lemongello

Thursday December 7th  at 7pm, Davis Community Church 413 4th street

(From press release) The first (and only) public discussion of the pros and cons of the widening of the I-80 freeway is set for this coming week. The discussion has been organized by the Davis Futures Forum with help from Cool Davis. The public will learn about the Draft Environment Impact Report (DEIR) just released.

The hybrid meeting will include a background by project advocates Yolo Transportation District staff, followed by a keynote from UC Davis Professor Susan Handy, the renowned Director of the National Center for Sustainable Transportation.  This will be followed by a diverse response panel and a Q&A for those in person.

• Autumn Bernstein YoloTD – history of project.
• Nailah Pope-Harden, ClimatePlan, (equity issues, transit)
• Stephen Wheeler, UC Davis Professor – DEIR issues; alternatives
• Don Mooney, CEQA Attorney — writing effective DEIR comments.
• Moderator: Daniel Sperling, formerly of California Air Resources Board

This is a hybrid event.  Sign up at Cool Davis for advance materials and a link to the YouTube live/recording site. Please note that the registration link is in the upper right corner.

(From press release) To encourage area residents to support local businesses this holiday season, Davis Downtown will give some shoppers a prize for doing so.

For the three days after Thanksgiving, many merchants in downtown Davis will celebrate Shop Small Weekend. The promotion begins on Black Friday, Nov. 24 and continues through Sunday, Nov. 26. Those who make purchases at participating businesses can turn in tickets toward prize drawings worth up to $500.

Dozens of downtown businesses will take part in the event. Shoppers receive a ticket for every $10 they spend at a participating merchant. Each customer may earn up to 10 tickets per business*. Prizes range from $50 to $500.

“Bring your family to downtown Davis to kick off your holiday shopping,” DDBA Executive Director Brett Maresca said. “You’ll feel good knowing your money stays local, and supports small businesses that give so much to our community year-round.”

Check the Davis Downtown website at www.davisdowntown.com/shop-small-2023 for more information as it develops. That’s where interested shoppers will find a list of participating businesses, family-friendly activities and entertainment in downtown Davis over the Shop Small Weekend.

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Stated during general public comment at the City Council Meeting 2023-10-04

The Davis Police Department issued a statement on recent events (https://www.davisvanguard.org/2023/09/police-chief-responds-to-bomb-threats-warns-of-criminal-prosecution/)  I agree with much of the statement, but a few things disturbed me:

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21^st Annual Request for Proposals

Proposals due October 20, 2023

(From press release) Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit applications to the Biberstein Social Action Fund for grants in support of projects addressing poverty, discrimination, abuse and neglect, and the promotion of social justice in Yolo County.

The Biberstein Social Action Fund was established in 2002 by the Board of Directors of Congregation Bet Haverim to honor Ernie and Hannah Biberstein, who are among the founding members of CBH, and who devoted much of their lives to community service and social justice. Hannah passed away in April 2011. This is the 21st Anniversary of the Fund.

The goal of the annual awards made from the Biberstein Social Action Fund is to help Yolo County organizations in their efforts to meet unfulfilled needs. “In light of all the budget cuts in social services, we hope that grants like ours can make a difference,” Hannah Biberstein had said. “It means a lot to us that real individuals benefit from our grants.” Special consideration is given to new and/or innovative projects.

An annual Call for Proposals is released each Fall. Grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 are awarded in December. The Biberstein Fund members review the proposals. Current Biberstein Fund members include Congregation Bet Haverim partners Ernie Biberstein, Amy Abramson, Anne Gieseke, Sandy Jones, Joan Sublett, Shoshana Zatz, and Rabbis Bess Wohlner and Jeremy Simons.

Information about the Biberstein Award, including a link to the application, is available on the CBH website: https://www.bethaverim.org/engage/committees/biberstein-social-action-fund/

Grant proposals must be submitted no later than October 20, 2023. Questions may be directed to the Biberstein Social Action Fund at: cbhbibersteinfund@gmail.com. Awards will be announced in December 2023.

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NOT "REAL" – PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE IS – "NOT REAL"  (It is my "duty" to tell you that 😉 )

This was produced in about 3 seconds by ChatGPT.  The input to ChatGPT to produce this fake press release follows below.  At the Davis Vanguard they give you a real press releases produced by real people using real quotes.  Here at Al's Corner, we give you a false press release produced by artificial intelligence!  Because we care.

[Joint Statement]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Joint Statement From The Davis Joint Unified School District, Davis City, and Yolo County, Regarding and Condemning The Bomb Threats of September 20, 2023

[Davis, CA, September 21, 2023] – The Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD), the City of Davis, and Yolo County stand united in condemning the series of bomb threats that occurred on September 20, 2023, targeting educational institutions and public spaces within our community. Such acts of terror have no place in our society, and we are committed to working collaboratively to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents, especially our students and educators.

This shocking incident has not only disrupted our peaceful community but has also instilled fear and anxiety among our residents. We want to assure everyone that we take these threats seriously, and our law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the matter to identify those responsible. The safety and security of our community remain our utmost priority.

We call upon our community members to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity promptly, and support one another during these trying times. Together, we will stand strong and resilient against such threats to our cherished community.

Statement by DJUSD Board of Education President Lea Darrah

"As President of the DJUSD Board of Education, I am deeply saddened by the events that unfolded on September 20th. Our schools are meant to be safe havens for learning and growth. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the security of our students and staff, and we stand with our community against acts of violence."

Statement by Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza

"Yolo County condemns these despicable acts in the strongest possible terms. Our community is founded on principles of peace, unity, and compassion. We are committed to supporting law enforcement in bringing those responsible to justice and will provide resources to help our community heal."

Statement by Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs

"As a representative of Yolo County, I am appalled by the threat to our community's safety. We must remember that unity and resilience are our strengths. We will emerge from this challenge stronger than ever, determined to protect our residents and maintain the harmony we hold dear."

Statement by City of Davis Mayor Will Arnold

"Davis is a community that values education, inclusivity, and peace. The recent bomb threats are an affront to these principles. Our city stands shoulder to shoulder with DJUSD and Yolo County, committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens and the preservation of our shared values."

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INPUT:  "ChatGPT, please write me a one page press release that is A Joint Statement From The Davis Joint Unified School District, Davis City, and Yolo County, Regarding and Condemning The Bomb Threats of September 20, 2023. Include a joint statement for about half the page, and then individual, 2-3 sentence statements from four persons: DJUSD Board of Education President Lea Darrah, Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza, Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs, City of Davis Mayor Will Arnold. Make each individual statement unique and in their style of making statements. Have each individual statement in a paragraph under a title in bold that includes each of the four people’s name and title. Place each of the individual statements within the bounds of quotation marks."