FOREfront--Working for the People of
Volume 02, Issue
4, July 1999
LAND
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS – A GLITCH
By and large the approval system for land development in
The approval
system to that point works quite well. THEN comes the
GLITCH. Although a public hearing notice is mailed to every property owner
within 300’ and published in The Press-Tribune 10 days prior to the meeting,
the staff report is not available until
A staff report
available two weeks before the meeting would be reasonable. Also, there is not
enough time allotted for the public to discuss projects at those meetings.
Individual members of the public are limited to five minutes while people
representing groups’ of citizens may be given more time. Developers however,
are most often given unlimited time. Where is the fairness? We all realize that
the city is under pressure to approve developments. What happens then is that
the concerns of the public are put aside or ignored. To rush approval of
development at the expense of citizen input and concerns is not in the best
interest of the community. Too bad if developers can’t get action on their
projects quickly; they should "take a number and get in line." Most
of the developers are out of towners and there should
be no rush to help them to the detriment of current residents. ELIMINATE the
GLITCH.
SUIT AGAINST
CITY’S FEES – ALIVE AND WELL
The City has
retained a Sacramento law firm to fight the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
law suit regarding the 4% "In Lieu Franchise Fee" charged on your
water, sewer, and trash bill which is transferred into the general fund. The
lawsuit is based on the city’s non-compliance with Proposition 218, the Right
to Vote on Taxes Act.
The
"The
mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground." (Author unknown)
"COMMON
SENSE WORKS"
Where have you
heard the saying "common sense works?" It was a campaign slogan of a
candidate for the
Whether individually or collectively, common sense evidently is
eluding our council members.
Four cases in point. More could be cited but you will get the point.
First case. The racquet-ball court on
Second Case. Over development on the Northeast corner
of
Third case. Development on the Southeast corner of
Pleasant Grove and
Fourth case. The council restricted public discussion at a council
meeting to alleged vandalism. To wit: Painting a non existant
curb red and painting out a parking space marker which were not part of an
agenda. The city staff prepared a 52-page report that backed up what the
discussion was to encompass; however, the public was restricted to discussing
only the painted red curb and painting out of a parking space marker. Common
sense tells us that if you have an agenda item with a 52-page report the public
has a right to address the entire issue as noted on the agenda. The majority of
residents who spoke on the issue lost. However, the court has ruled "…
discussion was held on a matter not noted on the agenda to wit, their vandalism
of property." That means the council violated the Brown Act.
As we total the
large number of residents that "common sense" has recently pushed
aside, we see that the taxpaying voting public has lost control of the
instrument (city council) they created. Sadly, most of the losses are in favor
of development.
"We
thought, because we had power, we had wisdom." (Stephen Vincent Benet)
ROSEVILLE’s HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS
Government
rules, at times, are complex or confusing, especially to our seniors. Are you a
low income senior citizen over 62 years of age who needs repairs to
rehabilitation program which may help you. FORE,
working with the Roseville Housing and Redevelopment department on behalf of a
senior citizen, has found that the program in understandable when taken one part
at a time.
All parts of the
program are separate and each may be used to have repairs made to your
electrical, plumbing, roofing, doors, etc.
Part one is the
Handyman Program. It is FREE. Call 782-6247 for what can be done.
Part two is a
GRANT of up to $5,000.00 for repairs the Handyman Program can not take care of.
The grant is FREE. Call 774-5270 for details.
Part three is a
rehabilitation (repair) loan. You can get up to $40,000.00 at 3% interest for
15 years. A deferred loan of up to $40,000.00 at 0% interest is available if
you own and occupy the home and is due upon sale of the home. The loans are
secured by a Deed of Trust. Call 774-5270 for your options. There is a waiting
list for grants and/or loans.
You would have
to decide if you want, in effect, to mortgage your home to get such loans. From
people we have spoken to, the Handyman Program and grant program usually are
enough. So judge carefully your needs and your options. Call 774-5270 for more
information.
Seniors will be
pleased
HOSPITAL
GRANTS FUND
The city council
has indicated that city departments’ projects should be funded by general
funds, not by the hospital grants fund. We applaud that. They also will amend
the ordinance the Grants Advisory Commission follows to specify how the fund
interest not granted can be rolled over to another year and to determine the
eligibility and worthiness of those applying for grants. We applaud that too.
FORE’s position, articulated the past two years, is
that hospital grant money not be used for projects the city should fund. The
reason is there is more than enough general funds money to cover such projects.
Last year the city had $11 million more general fund money than needed for
police, fire, library, parks and recreation and general government operations.
Money going from the hospital grant fund into city projects means more money
for city buildings. We believe that actually is "laundering" the
hospital funds.
People tell us
that they want to have a say on how excess general funds are used since most of
that money comes from "In Lieu of Franchise Fees" and "Utility
Users’ Taxes."
A quote for the 1990’s. "If you don’t like the road you’re
on, find another road home." Harry Crabb, Jr,
MAIDU INDIAN
CASINO
The Maidu Indians propose to build a casino near the
It is apparent
from that meeting that each person in
FORE plans to hold
a forum August 31st at
People need to
be aware of some facts as they personally decide on this issue:
*Gaming is a
legal and legitimate business in
*Proposition 5
passed overwhelmingly (67%) in last year’s election.
*The Maidu tribe has a legal right to build their
casino in
*Neither the
county nor the cities can approve or disapprove the casino.
*Of the 140 +
people at the Woodcreek Oaks Neighborhood Association
meeting, 93.1% opposed the casino, according to Jeanine Lendl,
president.
While the county
and
FORE FUND
RAISING
The response to
help at our Downtown Tuesday Night booth has been outstanding. A crew sets up
at
If you haven’t
been called to volunteer, don’t feel slighted. Call 784-1907 and Lucia will
gladly give you an assignment. You would be surprised at the nice people you
will meet. Most of those people show a genuine interest in FORE when they
receive our literature and a number of people have become members on the spot.
Come and have fun with us.
"Every
truth has two sides, it is well to look at both,
before we commit ourselves to either." (Aesop)
UTILITY
RATES/ISSUES
TRASH (GARBAGE):
This July the city council approved a 7% increase in your trash (garbage) bill
(nearly $1.25 per month). While regrettable, FORE believes the increase is
justified and did not oppose it. This increase is expected to hold rates level
for the next 2 to 3 years. Each of us can help keep costs down by recycling
newspapers, junk mail and cardboard in the
ELECTRIC BILL
RATE RESTRUCTURED. The council also approved staff’s recommendation this July which
eliminated the winter and summer rates, creating a single year round rate. The
impact to your total annual cost should be the same unless you increase or
decrease your usage for the year.
"UNBUNDLING" YOUR ELECTRIC BILL. The council rejected a
suggestion by a FORE representative and approved "UNBUNDLING" as
recommended by staff and the Roseville Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Staff
and the PUC recommended five areas to be shown on your bill as we explained in
our May FOREfront newsletter. Those were A fixed customer charge, a distribution charge, an energy
charge, a competitive transition charge and a public benefit charge.
Embedded in the
distribution charge is the 4% "In Lieu Franchise
Fee" and an approximate 2% fee for maintenance and operation of street
lights and signal lights. Of course, you pay a 5% utility users tax on those
fees. Your real tax (fee and taxes) on your electric bill is – 11.5%. Council
rejected the request that these two "fees" be taken out of the
distribution charge and be listed separately. After all, they have nothing to
do with the cost of providing distribution of ELECTRICITY. Is it to keep you
ignorant of the true taxes you pay?
Do you have
questions/comments on utility issues? Call/FAX Fred at 782-9349.
NEWSLETTER
DISTRIBUTION LIST: If you receive a newsletter addressed to you personally, you are
one of many people FORE believes is concerned about
It would be
great if you became a FORE member, but should you just want the newsletter, we
ask that you make a nominal donation to cover the cost. Please send your
donation to: FORE,
FORE’S
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
While roads and
roadway intersections are high priority items for the committee, they are
working on two other important issues: commuter rail and railroad crossing
safety.
The California
High Speed Rail Authority will be deciding on the routes of the future high
speed trains in
Rail crossing
safety is tied in with train horns and whistles. You do not need trains to
sound their horns and whistles when railroad crossings are impenetrable.
Drivers who zigzag through the single arms at crossings place themselves and
the railroad in jeopardy. Quad arm barriers prevent drivers from circumventing
the crossing. Two things then happen. Drivers are safe and the whistles and
horns don’t need to be sounded – security and tranquility. Contact Judy at
783-3570 for an update.
CAMPAIGN REFORM. Council member Randy Graham said he was appalled
by the large campaign contributions most candidates got this last election. He
wants to address campaign reform. A few years ago Harry Crabb
also wanted campaign contribution reform. Maybe Graham needs to look at the
record on what was instituted, because Crabb has
changed his mind about campaign money.
Copyright 1999 FORE,
WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF
FORE,
916-783-9891 or 916-783-7632 FAX 916-783-9349
Friends of