FOREfront--Working for the People of Roseville

Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2000

OAK TREES – GOING, GOING, GONE

Roseville’s beautiful and bountiful oak trees are biting the dust – more than literally speaking –the dust of the developer’s graders and bulldozers. Over 900 oaks have been destroyed in the past year with more to go as land development relentlessly marches on.

Parcels to be developed are being given the green light to knock down even more of our precious oak trees. For example, the Roseville Planning Commission’s May 13, 1999, agenda approved removing 31 native oaks on the Arbor View project on the Southeast corner of Foothill Blvd and Pleasant Grove RD and also gave approval to remove 575 more oak trees on seven other development projects.

Roseville, the All American City of the 1970’s, is becoming just another city as it loses its uniqueness and small-town atmosphere because of heavy development and the loss of oaks. People complain, as did one gentleman, about the loss of only one oak tree on Wailea Way. His question was, why? If an oak tree is on a private lot, the owner can take it down. However, when there are trees on lands designated for development, that is another issue and trees can be SAVED by the planning commission or city council. As we have seen, neither body is inclined to stand in the way of a developer’s wishes.

Back to the Arbor View project. The residents near the proposed project appealed the planning commission’s decision to the city council. The residents pointed out the May 10, 1989, Northwest Roseville Specific Plan which recognized ‘…Tree preservation … parcels 15, 18 and 19 are heavily wooded and the developable area allowed … may be less than otherwise achievable … The square footage yields on these parcels, therefore, may be limited through the site review process to less than normally expected given the acreage.” The plan also stated, “Buildings shall generally be limited to mot more than 6,000 square feet.”

The council ignored the more than one hundred residents at the appeal hearing who cited the specific plan and the adverse effects the proposed project would have on the neighborhood and the city. So, 31 more oak trees will go and the village type setting called for in the specific plan will also give way to two 40,000+ sq ft buildings, one to be three stories and another gas station. There now will be six gas stations within three miles of one another. How many do we need on the east side of town?

There’s still time to keep Roseville from becoming just another big city, but people need to work at it and let the city council know in no uncertain terms that it is not business as usual, but that it’s the people’s business.

CITIZEN ACTION “ when Hitler came for the Jews. . . .I was not a Jew, therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the Catholics, I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the unions and the industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned. Then, Hitler attacked me and the Protestant Church – and there was nobody left to be concerned.” Pastor Martin Niemoller, Congressional Record.

CITY CHARTER TO CHANGE

Roseville by law, is a Charter City which means Roseville sets its own laws on how it will operate. Some cities in California are formed as Administrative Law cities and they operate under the administrative rules of the State. Charter and General Law cities both must comply with State laws, but charter cities set their own rules. Those rules are published in a charter (which is the municipal code) that the electorate of the city has approved by their vote in an election.

This November, Roseville voters will be asked to approve or disapprove a number of charter amendments. Presently, the Charter Review Commission is preparing its recommendations to the city council. FORE has appeared before the commission and stated its position on the recommendations the commission will make. Each recommendation the council approves to amend the charter will appear as a separate item on the November ballot.

Some of the more important amendments that the city council may place on the ballot are:

· Compensation of council members and mayor. Pay $500 per month if population is between 50,000 and 75,000 persons; $600 per month if population is between 75,001 and 150,000 persons; $800 if population is between 150,001 and 250,000 persons. Mayors to receive $50 monthly extra in each case. [Does this mean the city will annex Westerly and expand? It does to us.]

· Enactment … and repeal of ordinances. The statement, “no private property be taken for public use” is to be deleted. It is a chilling thought that private property can be taken.

· Bids for contracts. The minimum $10,000 per item bid is to be raised to $100,000. We believe the limit should be $25,000. Businesses will be out of the competition loop if the limit is too high. In any case, the city can set aside the bidding process in an emergency. The fewer items put to bid, the greater the temptation placed on city employees.

· Franchises. To be added. “City owned utilities may pay an in-lieu of franchise fee to the City’s general fund.” Such fee would exceed the cost of service. It is a tax and it is money the City does not need for police, fire, parks and recreation, libraries and general operations.

· Allow the city manager to fix utility rates and charges for other than residential users. Such authority would deny the public the opportunity to comment and could cause residential utility rates to go up if business rates were lowered without public scrutiny.

ELECTION BY DISTRICTS

The commission discussed election by districts; however, they will not recommend election by districts. FORE will support and work for an initiative to be placed on the November ballot.

There will be a number of “Ministerial” changes recommended to the council. Should those “Ministerial” changes make it to the ballot, the voters should look long and hard at them and what the underlying reasons really are for the changes.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION LIST

If you receive a newsletter addressed to you personally, you are one of many people FORE believes is concerned about Roseville. The cost of the newsletter is borne by the member of FORE. We would like you to continue to receive the newsletter because we feel the issues FORE writes about are the issues you want to know about and what is being done about them.

It would be great if you became a FORE member (people are joining every day), but should you just want the newsletter, we ask that you make a nominal donation in whatever amount you wish. Please send your donation to: FORE, 305 Hemphill Way, Roseville, CA 95678.

“Eternal Vigilance is the price of liberty.” Thomas Jefferson

ROSEVILLE’S SLUSH FUND *

General Fund 1997-1998

	Budget	Actual	Variance
Revenues
Taxes	29,224,450	32,779,535	3,555,085
Licenses & Permits	1,785,100	2,365,373	580,273
Charges for Services	3,878,063	4,282,933	404,870
Subventions & Grants	4,142,175	2,953,340	(1,189,835)
Use of Money & Property	424,260	898,250	473,990
Fines, Forfeitures and Penalties	66,855	67,305	450
Miscellaneous Revenue	108,900	224,844	115,944
TOTAL REVENUES	39,630,803	43,571,580	3,940,777
EXPENDITURES
Current:
General Government	14,616,907	10,684,363	3,932,544
Public Works	9,283,750	8,330,762	952,988
Public Safety	18,822,129	17,908,183	913,946
Library	1,921,318	1,787,070	134,248
Parks and Recreation	7,552,763	6,300,621	1,252,142
Housing Assistance Program
Capital Outlay:
Debt Service
Principal	1,308,349	1,319,205	(10,856)
Interest	425,634	263,639	161,995
TOTAL EXPENDITURES	53,930,850	46,593,843	7,337,007
EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER EXPENDITURES	(14,300,047)	(3,022,263)	11,277,784

General Fund 1998-1999

	BUDGET	ACTUAL	VARIANCE
Revenues
Taxes	34,520,960	36,493,563	1,972,602
Licenses and Permits	2,390,310	2,274,709	(115,601)
Charges for Services	5,095,228	5,866,546	771,318
Subventions and Grants	4,026,090	3,456,955	(569,136)
Use of Money and Property	675,380	892,315	216,935
Fines, Forfeitures and Penalties	67,200	66,658	(542)
Miscellaneous Revenue	180,349	420,327	240,078
TOTAL REVENUES	46,955,417	49,471,072	240,078
EXPENDITURES
Current:
General Government	16,235,803	15,453,854	781,949
Public Works	18,884,403	9.691,170	9,193,233
Public Safety	20,539,448	19,579,783	959,665
Library	2,116,325	1,971,818	144,507
Parks and Recreation	7,833,852	6,810,633	1,023,219
Housing Assistance Program
Capital Outlay:
Debt Service
Principal	1,894,782	1,204,209	690,573
Interest	247,561	235,109	12,452
TOTAL EXPENDITURES	67,752,174	54,946,576	12,805,598
EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER EXPENDITURES	(20,796,757)	(5,475,504)	15,321,253

Let’s look at the EXTRA money Roseville had in its Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 General Fund.

Fiscal year 98. General fund revenues were underestimated by $3.94 million and expenditures were overestimated by $7.33 million. EXCESS FUNDS -- $11.27 million.

Fiscal year 99. General fund revenues were underestimated by $3.76 million and expenditures were overestimated by $12.81 million. EXCESS FUNDS -- $16.57 million.

Fiscal year 99. Utility user’s tax and In Lieu Franchise Fee collected on your electric, water, sewer, trash, electric bills, telephone and cable bills transferred to the general fund, about -- $11.2 million.

You figured it out, didn’t you? That is, in both years, the city had more money than they for police, fire, public works, parks and recreation, libraries and general government operations and that the utility user’s tax and In Lieu Franchise Fee is only a part of the SLUSH FUND you call PORK!

Where is the PORK going? The city had two bond initiatives on the ballot in 1993. One to improve the Douglas-Sunrise intersection and the other to improve flood protection. Both worthy endeavors, but shamefully, they failed miserably. However, a measly $1 million was put into fold control while over $25 million has gone into new city buildings. Were you given a chance to vote on the $14 million set aside for the new civic center or the new city buildings put up in past years?

The city council continues to cry poverty when asked to drop the utility user’s tax and Ind Lieu Franchise Fee from your utility bills.

It is not their money or their city. It’s your money and it’s your city.

THAT’S YOUR MONEY IN THE ROSEVILLE SLUSH FUND

*Source: City of Roseville Annual Financial Reports for the years ending June 30, 1998 and 1999.

ABOUT YOUR UTILITIES

Roseville Electric (RE). On January 14, Roseville Electric officially opened their doors to competition for sale of electricity from outside suppliers. Not all customers will be able to choose another supplier immediately. The opportunity to “choose” will be phased in over a five-year period and by 2005 all customers will be included. RE residential customers may apply for “choice” by calling 774-5600, ask for Bev.

You might wonder, “If I enroll for ‘choice,’ will I be hounded by salesmen peddling electricity?” The answer is “no.” Although 4 or 5 companies responded to the opportunity, none has applied to market electricity in Roseville. Why? Apparently, there is no profit to be made except perhaps from the largest industrial users and Roseville’s two largest users (HP and NEC) are under long-term RE contracts. Perhaps it also indicates Roseville Electric’s rates are competitive.

Water and Water Meters. Yes, water meters are coming to Roseville. Roseville’s primary water supply, Folsom Lake, is controlled by the US Bureau of Reclamation. The Bureau has mandated water meters for all Federal water recipients. (Another unfounded mandate!) Since 1992, new construction in Roseville has been fitted with water meters and a few homes, those with very large lots, are paying at a metered rate. Our major problem is those homes without meters and how to pay for the installation of their meters.

Roseville staff have estimated the average cost to purchase and install meters is between $750 and $800 per dwelling. The details – when, how to fund – have not been worked out. Within the next two months, watch for public workshop announcements on this issue. If you don’t attend and express your concerns, check the mirror for whom to blame. You can also provide input at the Roseville Public Utilities Commission meetings. The commission meets every 4^th Tuesday of the month at City Hall on Vernon Street at 7:00 pm. Those meetings are aired live on Channel 11. The commission, using staff and public input, will make recommendations to the city council. If you wait until the issue comes before the city council, you will have missed your best change to have an impact on public policy. Questions/Comments: Call or FAX Fred at 782-9349.

DRIVE BY MAIL BOXES – PROGRESS, HOPEFULLY

Mr. Paul Leahy, the acting postmaster of Roseville, is very concerned that the people of Roseville do not have at least one drive by mail box, driver accessible. He will ask the owners of the old Shugart complex -- off of North Sunrise and Sierra Gardens Blvd – to have a driver accessible mail box placed in the parking lot. He is also planning to place drive by mail boxes in the Galleria Shopping Mall parking lot.

A drive by mail box near the post office on Vernon Street poses many problems. One solution would be to have Grant Street one way between Vernon and Atlantic Streets. Another solution may be to cut out part of the landscaped are on Oak Street between Washington Blvd and Lincoln Street as a “Duck out.” That would allow vehicles to get out of the traffic lanes on Oak Street to deposit mail from the driver’s side. That would cost about $10,000 and the postal department does not believe it can stand the cost.

Mr. Leahy and FORE welcome your suggestions to solve this community problem.

LAWSUIT AGAINST CITY TO BE HEARD

The lawsuit brought against the city by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association to repeal the 4% In Lieu Franchise Fee on your water, sewer and trash bills will be heard this March 21^st. Written briefing is nearly complete. Jarvis argues that rates must be limited under Proposition 218 to the amount needed to provide the service. The City argues that it is entitled to earn a profit from ratepayers. The court is expected to take the matter under submission.

PROGRESS – TRAIN HORNS MAY GET QUIETER

Progress is being made in our efforts to quiet train horns that disturb the sleep of many residents. Two City Council members and city staff met recently with representatives of our State Senator and Assemblyman. As a result, Senator Leslie will sponsor legislation to permit use of supplemental safety measures, such as automated horns, as an alternative to locomotive horns.

Also on a recent trip to Washington, DC, the Mayor and Housing and Redevelopment director met with Federal Railroad Administration officials to discuss other potential options that may provide relief to cities coping with railroad noise. The city will support Senator Leslie’s legislation and work with State and Federal officials to find the appropriate measures to ensure safety at our rail crossing while taking the concerns of residents about noise into consideration.

The favorable results of the city’s negotiations with State and Federal officials are very encouraging. FORE members will attend a Federal Railroad Administration public hearing in Costa Mesa this month to comment on the agency’s proposed rules on sounding locomotive horns.

WHO’S MINDING THE STORE?

Roseville may need a charter amendment on how many city council meetings a council member can miss in one year that are not caused by illness (doctor verified) or out of state travel on official city business to remove a council member from office.

Three city council meetings have been cancelled in the past two months due to lack of a quorum and the year has just begun. When people schedule their busy lives and arrive at a meeting only to be told that meeting has been cancelled, they do get perturbed. When those same people are inconvenienced three times, in a short period of time, they lose faith in their city council.

If you are elected to a county political office (Democratic or Republican Central Committee e.g.) and miss four duly noticed meetings in a calendar year without a valid excuse, you are removed from office.

Can we expect less of our city council members? Our city council members have a far more reaching job that impacts the lives of every Roseville resident and business than does a political central committee member. City council members do not receive a lot of money for doing their jobs, but they should mind the store. That’s what they are elected for and have pledged to do.

BIG SHOT BILLIARDS – CLOSING THE BOOK

Rumor has it that Big Shot Billiards is moving out at the end of March. Evidently, the long and contentious two-year fight is coming to a close. However, it does show what can be done when residents and the public stick together and fight for their rights. FORE is proud that it played a small role to help resolve a problem which never should have been permitted to exist.

FLOOD PROTECTION BECOMING DEVELOPERS’ DREAM

Recently, the issue of large amounts of mud and dirt being washed into Miner’s Ravine Creek off North Sunrise and Roseville Parkway in front of the Sutter Roseville Hospital from development of the Stoneridge Specific Plan was brought to the city council’s attention.

Conditions are placed on developers by the city to protect the environment (creeks, trees, vegetation, animals, etc.) before being granted the right to develop property. Obviously, someone was asleep at the switch in overseeing that conditions of approval were adhered to. The large amount of dirt and mud that was washed off the street by a tanker truck directly into the creek could not have been an approved method of removing the mud and dirt from the street. The creek now has huge pockets of sediment in the creek beds. What is the penalty for doing something like this?

The Engineering Department’s response in part is, “The Stoneridge Specific Plan is probably the most challenging site in the City to contain runoff during intense downpours, and it is solely the contractor’s responsibility to prevent discharge of sediment from the site to any watercourse, drainage system, or adjacent property. The project is in a constant state of review, and as concerns arise, immediate action is taken by the responsible parties to mitigate the problem.”

Our creeks are our storm-drain receptors, but developers are not penalized for misusing them. On top of that the city’s plan to widen, expand, “stabilize,” channelize and riprap the creeks under the guise of “flood protection” is simply to accommodate the huge runoff from development the city council has already approved. Developers’ dream, you betcha.

FORE ANNUAL MEETING –Monday, March 20, Lyman Leak Community Center behind Bel Air and Gabrilli Fire Station off Sunrise and Cirby. Dinner 6:00 pm free to members and a guest. Four directors and four officers to be elected. Call 786-9414 or 783-3570 for your dinner seat.

Copyright 2000 FORE, Roseville, CA

WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF ROSEVILLE

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