Friday Update on April Fools Day 2016
All,
I thought up some rather clever announcements for this week’s update to try and prank everyone on April Fools, but I decided to go straight and avoid needing to correct the vicious rumors I would saddle myself with.
- This weeks City Council Meeting includes a Closed Session for Real Estate Negotiations, a FEMA grant to add firefighters, Public Works Stand Specifications, a second look at water fountain designs for the Downtown mid block, investment and fund balance reports and a review of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
- Staff has received a “sidewalk café” permit request from Preserve on Railroad Ave which can be reviewed and approved on an administrative basis. It is in process now!
- Public Works is beginning street striping around town, so get ready for our annual session of “drivers training” in and around the cones. I am always impressed how people can squeeze the big duly trucks through the tight cone spaces so they can drive through the fresh paint. We certainly have some impressive drivers!
- The Downtown Hotel will kick into full gear at the end of April according to the developer. The site will need some more dirt, then it will be full scale construction.
- Groundwater Management was the hot topic in town on Wednesday with an information session co-sponsored by the Yolo Farm Bureau and the Yolo Water Resources Agency (WRA). The State passed legislation requiring the formation of “Groundwater Sustainability Agencies” (GSA) to develop “Groundwater Sustainability Plans” (GSP). There have been three informational meetings which have been held to packed houses. The legislation is loose, but there are significant hammers for those who do not meet the demands. We have an incredible group at the WRA and Yolo Flood Control who are leading the implementation, but they about ready to start kicking over the proverbial hornets nests.
- Farmers are not happy when people start messing with their water and my guess is that the messing is just about to begin. My prediction is that future meetings will be held at Raley Field or the new Downtown Sacramento Arena. The old adage that “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting” will apply. Get ready because this is going to be ugly!
- Animal Services is on my agenda and we have some folks in Yolo County looking to lead a fundraising effort for a new animal shelter.
Finally, yesterday was the observance of Cesar Chavez’ birthday. He was truly a California Hero and one of the most influential people in the history of our great state!
Over the years (in high school and college), I had an opportunity to meet Cesar Chavez and I was always amazed at what a gentle, yet confident man he was. His advocacy for farmworks was just part of a legacy which really represented empowerment on many levels including social, economic and the advancement of basic human rights and principles. In the nonviolent model of Martin Luther King, Jr., he demonstrated a civil disobedient approach to the empowerment of people and the ability to generate economic opportunity for thousands of California families.
The most amazing aspects of Cesar Chavez is that he led his life by an extremely high moral and ethical code. The principles which guided him made him a role model and someone whose legacy lives on today.
Have a nice weekend!
John