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Monday, 25 December 2023

How Sunnyvale tackles its biggest issues

(BCN) -- Sunnyvale's process for proposing new policies is complex, so we're breaking it down step by step.

Sunnyvale's "study issue" and "budget proposal" process is how the city sets new city policies and services, respectively. The city uses this process to allocate employee responsibilities and budgetary resources, and each proposed project is ranked by priority. Those rankings are then used to determine which projects are researched, deferred contingent on resources or dropped.

Members of the public can propose study issues by reaching out to the Sunnyvale City Council, city manager, or a city board or commission, but it must be sponsored by one of them to become an official study issue. An example of a publicly proposed item becoming policy is the city's decision to permanently close historic Murphy Avenue to traffic. City officials said they received numerous requests from residents to permanently close the avenue after its temporarily closure during the pandemic.

Councilmembers, the city manager or any city board or commission can also propose study issues. For study issues proposed by councilmembers, at least two members must provide sponsorship for it to move forward. Councilmembers are not allowed to propose study issues within three weeks of the annual study issue workshop, unless the issue being proposed was introduced by the public less than three weeks before.

An annual timeline

Study issues are proposed throughout any given year and held until the next cycle, which begins each January. The city holds public hearings on study issues and budget proposals, so residents have an opportunity to give feedback and suggest ideas.

The public hearings are followed up by workshops in February, where the city council will rank proposals by priority.

The city manager then determines the city's capacity to research these projects. Usually, that includes outreach to residents and stakeholders, such as businesses or consultants.

While researching the impacts of closing historic Murphy Avenue, city employees engaged with business owners, the Sunnyvale Downtown Business Association and residents to discuss potential long-term effects.

The city holds its budget workshop in May, and any project that requires a budget allocation is discussed in that meeting.

Topics that do not receive priority can be deferred to the next year's process or dropped by a majority council vote. If a project is dropped, it cannot return unless sponsored by another majority council vote.

A study issue can take more than one year to resolve, as city employees conduct research and community outreach. The city has 25 active study issues, with 15 officials hope to resolve next year, including options for emergency family housing and establishing a guaranteed basic income program.

Looking toward 2024

So far, there are 24 proposed study issues for 2024. Throughout January, the city's boards and commissions will rank their study issues. The city council is slated to discuss its own issues and budget proposals on Jan. 23, which will include a public hearing.

All of these proposed projects will be further discussed at a city workshop on Feb. 15, where each councilmember will rank the proposed study issues by priority. The budgetary cut off date for proposed study issues has yet to be determined, but will be provided by the city manager in March.

Learn more about how to be engaged in the city's policy creation process here.

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San Rafael fallen tree causes power outage, road closure Sunday night

(BCN) -- A fallen tree caused a power outage and road closure in San Rafael on Sunday night, according to police.

Around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, a tree along Vineyard Drive fell onto power lines, police said. This knocked out power service in the immediate area of Vineyard Drive, Coleman Drive, and north into some parts of Terra Linda.

The portion of Vineyard Drive between Coleman Drive and Prospect Drive was also shut down.

According to San Rafael police, crews determined there was no fire danger and PG&E already assessed the situation.

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Sunday, 24 December 2023

San Carlos traffic collision shuts down El Camino real in both directions

(BCN) -- El Camino Real is blocked in both directions in San Carlos on Sunday morning because of a traffic collision, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office wrote on social media shortly after 8:15 a.m. about the collision on El Camino Real between Howard and Belmont avenues but did not provide further details.

There is no estimate for when the roadway will reopen and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

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Animal shelter offering half-price on all pet adoptions during holiday season

(BCN) -- The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is offering half-off on all adoption fees through Jan. 3.

The shelter, located at 1001 Rodriguez St., is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. but will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Puppies under six months old will be $105 to adopt during the discounted holiday period. The fee for adult dogs will be $75.

Kittens can be adopted for $60 and adult cats for $50. Rabbits can be adopted for a fee of $35.

The fees cover vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery and a microchip.

Hundreds of pets are currently available at the shelter.

More information can be found on the animal shelter's website at scanimalshelter.org.

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Saturday, 23 December 2023

SFFD: 3 food truck workers in Union Square injured after stove ruptured

(KRON) -- Three food truck workers in Union Square were taken to the hospital Saturday evening after an incident in the kitchen, the San Francisco Fire Department said. The three workers suffered burn injuries after a stove inside the truck "ruptured."

SFFD said the food truck was in the area of Stockton and Geary streets. There was no fire and no danger to people near the food truck.

Video from the Citizen App shows the scene of first responders tending to the incident. Watch in the media player above.

SFFD first tweeted about the incident at 8:28 p.m. No other information was immediately available.

Earlier in the day, police advised the public to avoid Union Square due to protestors committing crimes that range from assault to damage to property. That scene has since been cleared, and several suspects were arrested, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

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8 arrested for running cocaine delivery service in Southern California

(KTLA) -- A total of eight men were taken into custody in connection with a widescale narcotics delivery service operating in parts of the Southland.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team detectives first learned of the delivery service operating in parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties in July, authorities said in a press release.

Their five-month investigation found that a “transnational drug trafficking organization” was using an elaborate system of drivers and dispatchers to supply Ventura County residents with cocaine.

“Drug trafficking organizations like this...are structured to sell their drugs to as many customers and across as wide of geographical area as possible,” VCSO officials said.

Traffickers tend to organize their operations in similar ways, authorities said, employing a chain of command that ranges from delivery drivers all the way up to what is known as the "Cell Head."

Preliminary investigation revealed that two men – 40-year-old Joel Cruz Ayala and 28-year-old Elmer Ayala-Ayala, both of Bakersfield – were working for the organization as “full-time dispatchers,” and another man from Panorama City, identified as 33-year-old Luis Cruz, served as the “dispatch house manager” who had direct communication with high-ranking members of the organization in El Salvador, according to law enforcement officials.

Multiple drivers were observed delivering drugs to multiple customers throughout Ventura County, deputies said, and investigators were able to determine that the delivery system was supplying cocaine to hundreds of residents daily.

Five of the drivers were arrested after search warrants were executed on Thursday at several residences in Panorama City and North Hills.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office identified them as:

Wilfredo Mauricio Benavides Castillo, 24, of North Hills
Lisandro Moreno, 22, of Panorama City
Kevin Bonilla, 20, of Panorama City
Jose Samuel Ayala Hernandez, 40, of North Hills
Noel Ovidio Cruz Alfaro, 31, of Panorama City

All five men were each found in possession of a large amount of pre-packaged cocaine that was “ready to be delivered,” deputies said.

8 arrested for running cocaine delivery service throughout Southern California — In addition to the arrest of the eight men, over five pounds of cocaine, five firearms and “a significant amount” of suspected drug proceeds were seized, authorities confirmed. (VCSO)

According to VCSO, Joel Cruz, Elmer Ayala-Ayala and Luis Cruz were all located and arrested at various locations in Bakersfield.

“A significant amount of evidence was located exposing their large-scale transnational drug trafficking organization,” officials said. “Including money transfers to higher-ranking members of the organization in El Salvador.”

VCSO is still investigating other leads with the aim of completely dismantling the narcotics delivery system and acknowledged that while their recently finished probe “will greatly disrupt [the] organization,” they know that their work is not over.

“While the Sheriff’s Office recognizes the public health threat posed by the current opioid crisis, we also remain vigilant against the damage caused to our communities by all other forms of illegal narcotics, including cocaine,” law enforcement officials said.

In addition to the arrest of the eight men, over five pounds of cocaine, five firearms and “a significant amount” of suspected drug proceeds were seized, authorities confirmed.

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Campers must now enter a lottery to stay at this Bay Area campground: How it works

(KSWB) — California has implemented its first lottery system for campsite reservations at a state park in San Francisco after a bill that enacted changes to make it easier for campers to book a spot was signed into law earlier this year.

The State Parks Department announced on Tuesday that the highly sought after Steep Ravine Cabins at Mount Tamalpais State Park, about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, has implemented the pilot program, allowing people to apply for a free reservation drawing.

The drawing was one of the components of Assembly Bill 618, introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) to make amendments to the state's campsite reservation system that would free up spots for campers that would otherwise go unused and ensure equitable access to coveted sites.

Under the bill, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October, State Parks would also be directed to implement a lottery system for five of the most popular campsites in the state, determined by booking interest six months in advance to a reservation date.

According to state parks, the Steep Ravine Cabins have long been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to experience a unique camping experience.

The storied structures, which are perched on the western edge of Mount Tamalpais, overlook the park's coastal bluffs. Each cabin has a small wood stove, picnic table, sleeping platforms and an outdoor barbeque. However, none have running water.

Under the new reservation lottery system, State Parks says guests interested in reserving one of the cabins will have the chance to do so by entering a free drawing through the reservation portal, ReserveCalifornia.

Visitors who would like to enter will apply for the dates that they would like to stay in one of the cabins. According to State Parks, the dates for stays through the pilot begin in the summer of next year.

If selected, applicants will then be notified that they will need to claim and pay for the reservation within 30 days to keep it. Any unclaimed cabins will be released for reservation six months in advance.

"This approach eliminates the rush and competition that often accompanies traditional booking processes, allowing more individuals and families to access the cabins at the park," State Parks officials said in a release. "The lottery system provides an equal opportunity for anyone interested to secure a reservation, regardless of their location or previous booking history."

Since the pilot program launched in October, nearly 3,400 people have signed up for the drawings, according to state officials. Under AB 618, the State Parks department is required to expand the lottery system for all five of the most popular sites by 2025.

Other amendments to the policies regarding campsite booking made by the new law, such as new measures to deter no-shows and cancellations, will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

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