Login

Governor chops redevelopment funding

Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown won a major political battle. For the past year, the governor has been trying to eliminate the state's 400 redevelopment agencies so he can redistribute their monies elsewhere. In early 2011, Brown signed Assembly bills 1X 26 and 1X 27 in an attempt to reach his goal. Though the California Redevelopment Associaton and the League of California Cities challenged both bills' validity in court, the California Supreme Court upheld their legality on Thursday, Dec. 29. What the ruling's effect will be on Alameda redevelopment projects has yet to be determined.

"We are in the process of currently evaluating all of the potential impacts of the court ruling on the development of Alameda Point," Jennifer Ott, the chief operating officer of Alameda Point said. Ott could not give a specific date as to when the city will know all the ruling's effects. Community Development Director Lori Taylor was also uncertain about the impact of the court ruling.

The elimination of the redevelopment agencies is expected to save the state $1 billion this fiscal year. The redevelopment monies will be redistributed to local municipalities, so they can fund, among other things: schools, fire departments, police departments and road restorations.

Seaplane Lagoon cleanup enters new stage

This month, the Navy will be continuing their cleanup of Alameda Point with the chemical cleaning of the Seaplane Lagoon.

Navy cleaners will be removing sediments within the northwest corner of the Seaplane Lagoon that may contain harmful chemicals. They will also conduct post-cleanup sampling to confirm the effectiveness of the cleanup, dewater dredged sentiments, and then sample the dewatered sediments before properly disposing of them.

The northwest cleanup will begin in mid-to-late January and is scheduled to be completed by March 15. Roads are not expected to be closed during the cleaning, but there is expected to be significant traffic during the postcleanup waste management and disposal stages between March and September, when numerous truck trips will transport and dispose of project waste.

The Navy assures Alameda residents the Seaplane area will be surrounded by a turbidity curtain to prevent the release of sediment in the air. Water quality near the lagoon will be closely monitored to make sure dredging does not adversely impact water outside the contained area.

The cleanup is being conducted in accordance with the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and the Comprehensive Environmental Responsive, Compensation and Liability.

PG&E gas rates change

Whether the price of Pacific Gas & Electric Company's (PG&E) natural gas is going up or down this month depends on perspective. Average rates for residential gas customers will dip 0.3 percent when compared to January 2011 rates. However, this marks an increase of 1.8 percent over December 2011 rates.

Rates that customers pay cover the utility's costs of buying energy, investing in new plants and equipment and paying for state mandates such as special programs to help income-qualified customers.

According to PG&E, costs stemming from the San Bruno explosion have not affected rates. The utility's shareholders are bearing that cost.

Volunteers wanted

Here are a few events and volunteer opportunities for people to take advantage of in the New Year.

• The city of Alameda's Hoop Shoot Contest will be held tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 6. Alameda Recreation and Park Department conducts this event, which is sponsored locally by the Alameda Elks Lodge #1015. The contest gets underway at 6 p.m. at the Alameda Point Gym, 1101 West Red Line Ave.

• Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan and the Haight School Community are sponsoring a day of volunteering on Saturday, Jan. 14, to create a school garden. Those interested in helping out should RSVP by Friday, Jan. 13, to https://sites.google.com/site/haightgardenvolunteer/

• Alternatives in Action is currently seeking submissions from Bay Area youth filmmakers for Project YouthView 2012. Entry forms will be available soon. Learn more at projectyouthview@alternativesinaction. org.

Smoking Ordinance Now in Effect

On Monday, the city of Alameda's new Secondhand Smoke Ordinance went into effect. The main thrust of the ordinance is that smoking is now prohibited in public spaces.

The city now prohibits smoking in all outdoor public places, including dining areas, recreation areas, service areas such as bus stops or ATMs, shopping malls, outdoor events, commercial-area sidewalks, and within 20 feet of any enclosed area where smoking is prohibited.

The ordinance also prohibits smoking in all indoor and outdoor areas of employment, including owner-operated businesses open to the public and all vehicles used as a worksite such as taxis, tractors and trucks.

Because ventilation, air cleaning, or the separation of smokers from non-smokers cannot actually prevent the dangers of second-hand smoke, the ordinance has been designed to provide protections for residents of multi-unit buildings. The ordinance prohibits smoking in 100 percent of new multi-unit rental and common interest complexes, including on balconies and porches.

Managers of multi-unit rental and common interest complexes may designate their own smoking areas in outdoor common areas at least 20 feet away from enclosed areas.

Additional restrictions for multi-unit housing will take effect in January 2013.

"This is a significant step in protecting the public from the health dangers of secondhand smoke," said Mayor Marie Gilmore. "That's why we directed staff to prepare an A+ ordinance. The public needs to be protected."

A summary of the ordinance can be read at the city of Alameda's website with downloadable signs reading "No Smoking" in English, Spanish and Chinese.