From Livingston annexation appears on fast track
THE WATER HAS BEEN BROWN TO RED SINCE THE LATE 60′S TO MID 70′S. THE OLD PIPES IN CERTAIN PARTS OF TOWN HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. EVERY NEW CITY MANAGER THAT CAME IN AND LEFT, DID NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS. . EXCERPT FROM A COMMENT BY KARMA ON“DIRTY SMELLY WATER ON TAP IN LIVINGSTON” – MERCED SUN STAR (EMPHASIS MINE)
Oh and the manager also favor’s gallo too much. He wants the rancho san miguel to come in along with a slave mart. Those to are way too expensive for the locals and will not bring any outside taxes to the city. Terrible decicions. Yep those two stores won’t be packed. Hope they go away too. – Comment by Karma – Wal-Mart drops plans for supercenter in Livingston
Have to admit…sometimes I really wonder how some people’s minds work.
More on that a little later. But first: It’s been a while since we’ve peeked into Delta Bravo Sierra Land…….
There’s strange, than there is “Army Strange” out in Delta Bravo Sierra Land: courtesy of Damon Shackelford: furious scribbler of military cartoons
Ding! Dong! “Redevelopment” is Dead
Redevelopment Agencies that is..
And the California Supreme Court just said the State of California can abolish those Agencies (and scarf up a bunch of tax money for itself – which is a whole ‘nuther issue)
Now..for purposes of discussion here, I am not focusing on the “legal technicalities” or “financial technicalities” or “tax/revenue consequences to the City”, or on which City Council member owns property within the confines of Livingston’s Redevelopment Agency.
I’m just focus on what the actions of a Redevelopment Agency might “look like” to the average person.
Say, for example, there are some “Old Run Down Buildings” on a Main Street.
The Redevelopment Agency “buys” the land and buildings from the Property Owner than sells it to a New Owner who is supposed to build something Bright, Shiny, and New.
Like a Rite Aide.
Or…let’s say you own a House in the area of town zoned “Downtown Commercial”. You’re living in it (or renting it to someone who is living in it) and the City thinks it’s time for that house to turn into something “better, bright, shiny, and businessy”: like a Dentist Office, or…a Coffee Bar, or an Organic Bistro….or whatever…
The Redevelopment could “buy” your house, than sell it to the Business Person who wanted to turn it into a Commercial Operation, Business, whatever…
But…notice how I put “buys” in quotation marks?
That’s cuz there was an “ugly underside” to the whole Redevelopment biz.
That being…not everyone wanted to sell when Redevelopment Agencies came around looking to buy.
And some Redevelopment Agencies had no problem with declaring even nice homes and parts of town as “blight” and using the power of Eminent Domain to make that sale happen.
Which earned Redevelopment Agencies the wrath of Property Rights Groups like The Castle Coalition. :Who argued that under California’s vaguely written Redevelopment Law, virtually any Property could be declared “Blighted”
So, while City Governments may be bemoaning the demise of Redevelopment Agencies, those property owners in the paths of Redevelopment Projects(ie: the ones that DON”T want to sell) are probably sighing in relief.
I Thought Those “Outrageous” Attorney’s Fees Were All Supposed to Go Away after the recall.
I was looking through the December 28, 2011 Warrant Register when I noticed the following……
See that line Item of 11/11 plng? The one for “Sperry legal services”?
In the amount of $12,274.20? Yep…that one..
At the November 08, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting, Mike Sperry gave a Presentation Concerning a Parking Plan for 444 Main Street (The Tequila Club). What the presentation ended up amounting to was a request to waive all parking requirements, for the club, for at least 3 years.
At the end of this meeting The Planning Commission agreed, by consensus, to bring back CUP 2001-16 (Mr. Sperry’s application) to their next meeting of Tuesday, December 13, 2011, for discussion and action.
This was the Agenda Item for that meeting on December 13th
There was also supposed to be a “field trip” to the building. But…lo and behold…it was announced that evening that that item was being postponed until (at least) the next Planning Commission Meeting.
Now I did a little Math and calculated that the $12,274.20 of Attorney’s Fees for the Sperry Application works out to about 56 “billable hours” of Attorney Time for an Agenda Item that was postponed at the last minute.
And I can’t help but wonder if the people who were so incensed about “high attorney’s fees” before the recall will be even half as angry now
While I am still somewhat in the subject of “Pre Recal vs. Post Recal Logic and Reasoning”
Back when the Recall Effort was in full swing, folks like Karma bashed the (then) City Manager (and certain Council Members) for just about anything and everything. If the Certain People at the time were for something it, they were against it. And visa versa.
BEFORE the Recall, Karma said "the (City) manager also favor’s gallo too much”.
NOW there is a New Council and New City Manager, he calls Gallo’s project a Visionary annexation.
Makes me wonder if he, and those like him, really have their own opinions about Projects Like These, or if they are only Political Toys to be used to enhance their own Political Agendas.
Now, I want to be clear about my point: each and every project that comes before the Public, the Planning Commission, and the City Council deserves to be heard and discussed upon it’s own individual merit.
It’s when they become Political Clubs used to beat up upon Political Opponents, that it just creates a Great Big Mess
And we, the taxpayers, end up footing a Big Part of The Bill.
Now, on to the
![clip_image002[3]](http://thegardeningsnail.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/clip_image0023.gif "clip_image002[3]")
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
JANUARY 3, 2012
CLOSED SESSION: 6:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION: 7:00 P.M.
Notice is hereby given that the City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on January 3, 2012, at the City Council Chambers, 1416 C Street, Livingston, California. Persons with disabilities who may need assistance should contact the Deputy City Clerk at least 24 hours prior to this meeting at (209) 394-8041, Ext. 121. Any writings or documents pertaining to an Open Session item provided to a majority of the members of the legislative body less than 72 hours prior to the meeting shall be made available for public inspection at Livingston City Hall, 1416 C Street. The Open Session will begin at 7:00 p.m. The Closed Session will be held in accordance with state law prior to the Open Session beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Closed Session will be held in the City of Livingston City Hall Conference Room located at 1416 C Street. The agenda shall be as follows:
Closed Session
1. Call to Order.
2. Roll Call.
CLOSED SESSION“Closed” or “Executive” Session of the City Council or the Livingston Redevelopment Agency may be held in accordance with state law which may include, but is not limited to, the following types of items: personnel matters, labor negotiations, security matters, providing instructions to real property negotiators, conference with legal counsel regarding pending litigation. The Closed Session will be held in the City Hall Conference Room located at 1416 C Street, Livingston, California. Any public comment on Closed Session items will be taken before the Closed Session. Any required announcements or discussion of Closed Session items or actions following the Closed Session will be made in the City Council Chambers, 1416 C Street, Livingston, California
A.
1. Public Employee Appointment
(Government Code Section 54957)
Title: Chief of Police
2. Conference with Legal Counsel—Potential Litigation
[(Government Code Section 54956.9(b)(1)]
Number of Cases: 1
3. Conference with Labor Negotiator
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager Jose Antonio Ramirez
Employee Organizations: All Represented and Unrepresented City Employees
Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER Next Resolution Number: 2012-1
Next Ordinance Number: 598
Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call.
Closed Session Announcements.
Changes to the Agenda.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
Supervisor John Pedrozo Announcements and Reports.
City Staff Announcements and Reports.
City Manager Announcements and Reports.
City Council Members’ Announcements and Reports.
Mayor’s Announcements and Reports.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Resolution Conditionally Approving Site Plan/Design Review 2011-01 for the Taco Bell Project.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
This section of the agenda allows members of the public to address the City Council on any item NOT otherwise on the agenda. Members of the public, when recognized by the Mayor, should come forward to the lectern, and identify themselves. Comments are normally limited to three (3) minutes. In accordance with State Open Meeting Laws, no action will be taken by the City Council this evening. For items which are on the agenda this evening members of the public will be provided an opportunity to address the City Council as each item is brought up for discussion.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine or non-controversial and will be enacted by one vote, unless separate action is requested by the City Manager or City Council Member. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the City Council or City Manager request that specific items be removed.
3. Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on December 5, 2011.
4. Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on December 6, 2011.
5. Approval of Warrant Register Dated December 14, 2011.
6. Approval of Warrant Register Dated December 28, 2011.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
7. Resolution Reappointing Luis Enrique Flores to the Planning Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
And for those of you who want to immerse yourself in Livingston’s Political History
A FEW FORM 700’S ABOUT WHO OWNS WHAT AND WHERE IN LIVINGSTON
2012 CITY COUNCIL Agendas and Meeting Minutes If you click on this link, you will be taken to a page where not only can you access the Agenda Packed, but also individual pages on each Agenda Item
2011 CITY COUNCIL Agendas and Meeting Minutes (I’ve got a few more things “linked up” since my last post. Might want to check and see if there is anything in the History that interests you.)
POLICE CHIEF RECRUITMENT CITY OF LIVINGSTON
The “Mission of the Utility Rate Stakeholders Committee” Series
- February 15, 2011 Discussion: Utility Rate Stakeholders Committee
- In Which the idea was first proposed for a Stakeholders Committee in which members would work with City Staff and Consultants
- April 05, 2011: Discussion of Utility Rate Stakeholder Committee Member Appointments
- In which the people who would be working with City Staff and Consultants were chosen
- June 07, 2011 Discussion of Utility Rate Committee Meeting
- In which it was revealed that the people who would be working with City Staff and Consultants already had their first “get together”. But the public was not invited.
- December 06, 2011 Change of Utility Rate Study Consultant Discussion
- In which it was revealed the City Manager ended the Contract with the “Council Approved” Consultant and sent out a Request for Proposal to look for a Brand New One.
Out with the “Consultant #3, In with Consultant #4” Series
And Don’t Forget There’s a Search on for this Additional Consultant too…
The “Brief History of How We Got Into This Mess” Series
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 1—1995 through 2002
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 2—2003 through 2007
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 3—January 2007 through February 2008
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 4— January 2008 through October 2008
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 5— October,2008 through June 2009
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 6— Some Background Information and a Brief Recap of What Happened Between 1995 and June 2009
- *A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 7: Some Enterprise Funds Basics, Meeting Highlights: July 7, 2009 through December 01, and a City Council Agenda
- A Brief History of Time About Utility Rates Part 8: A Change of Consultants: An Illegal 42’ Sewer Pipe; and a Special Planning Commission Meeting
A FEW LETTERS, SUN-STAR & AND MIKE MCGUIRE ARTICLES ABOUT LIVINGSTON POLITICS (AND A FEW OTHER THINGS WORTHY OF NOTE) (THE LINKS HERE GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE 2008 ELECTION CYCLE)
The 1995 Water Rate Resolution (Do you see anything in there that says “Industrial”?)
California Department of Health Sept. 2010 Letter on Water System Funding
Well #15 Enforcement Letter & Staff Report
Well #15 Manganese Enforcement Letter Discussions
How They Voted in 2011 (It’s still a Work In Progress. But I’m Working on it!)
City Council Draft Meeting Minutes for 2010
City Council Draft Meeting Minutes for 2009
City Council Draft Meeting Minutes for 2008
City Council Meeting Minutes for 2007
City Council Meeting Minutes for 2004
2010-2011 Merced County Grand Jury Final Report
2009-2010 Merced County Grand Jury Final Report
