July/August 97-Issue No. 29

Power Pool Update

NATURAL GAS POOL POSTS 7 PERCENT SAVINGS!


Sign-Up Now for Both Natural Gas and Electricity Purchasing

The first year savings report is in for ABAG's natural gas program -- and it looks great! The program, which currently purchases gas for 32 local government agencies, posted a strong 7 percent savings.

In total, the program saved participants $192,000 -- savings achieved by purchasing natural gas for less than PG&E's cost, rebrokering pipeline capacity, using stored gas to supplement winter usage, and earning interest on the Pool's cash-flow.


Next Year Looks Good, Too: 5 to 8 Percent Savings Forecast

In 1997-98, ABAG estimates the Pool will provide savings in approximately the same range, 5 to 8 percent. The supplier for the program will continue to be Enserch Energy Services, Inc., a Houston-based firm which submitted the low bid in ABAG's May 1997 RFP process. ABAG's contract with Enserch will feature a two-tiered pricing mechanism designed to provide participants with a form of price insurance against the high gas prices forecast for this coming winter.

Under this mechanism, 60 percent of the program's natural gas supply will be purchased at a fixed price, with a provision for the supplier to share savings when the price falls below a set floor price. The remaining 40 percent of the supply will be purchased at PG&E's indexed price minus 2.2 cents.

In addition to savings on the price of gas, ABAG estimates savings will also be obtained in 1997-98 through commodity management and a reduction in intrastate transportation charges available only to PG&E customers in programs like ABAG's.

In 1997-98, ABAG will expand its natural gas offerings to include "noncore" gas (i.e. large volume accounts). ABAG's noncore offering will include a contract price based on the lower of 90 percent of PG&E's price or the Gas Daily price, which is an industry index, minus a margin.



Announcing ABAG's Electric Team

ABAG has selected three suppliers and two service providers to form the core of its electric supply team. The suppliers are Seattle City Light with CNG Energy Services, PG&E Energy Services, and Pacificorp. The service providers are the Northern

California Power Agency, which will serve as the Pool's Schedule Coordinator, and Arizona Public Service, which will serve as the Pool's consolidated billing agent.

With the Electric Team in place, ABAG is ready to accept Pool members into the program. Local governments recently received detailed instructions on how they can sign up. Because power supply arrangements and pricing cannot be finalized until a group of committed buyers is in place, ABAG will be presenting a purchase agreement with an estimated savings rate of 3 to 4 percent.

The estimated savings rate is based on the results of ABAG's competitive bid process, which ABAG believes, based on its experience with natural gas, that it can match or improve upon over the course of the first year of operation. The term of the agreement will be one year.



Sign Up By September 30, 1997

Both programs represent easy and effective ways to reduce energy costs with minimal effort or risk.

The deadline for signing up for the ABAG Power Purchasing Pool for either natural gas or electricity purchasing is September 30, 1997.

For more information, contact Patty Spangler at 510/464-7933, or e-mail PatriciaS@abag.ca.gov


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Update on Census 2000

Accurate Numbers Equal City and County Revenue

The U.S. Census Bureau is changing the local review process for the year 2000 census.

The process will be entirely different -- cities and counties need to be aware of the changes in order to take actions necessary to produce the most accurate numbers.

Only local review will occur before the census.

Cities and counties need to budget staff time by the end of 1998 to locate, review and prepare their list of local addresses. These lists must be address lists and not parcel numbers from the assessor's office; and they must use occupant addresses, not the addresses of property owners.

Cities and counties will receive draft address lists from the Census Bureau approximately January 1, 1999 for local review. Each jurisdiction will have only a few weeks to compare its own list to the Census Bureau's list. Local governments must research and document discrepancies between the lists in order to seek corrections.



What's the Issue?

In general, single family homes are not problematic in terms of counting.

But correct local address lists are vital to accurate counting in:

  • apartments
  • mobile home parks
  • live workspaces
  • housing above retail
  • high growth areas


What's at Stake?

Population numbers and other information derived from the census are of vital importance to every city and county. Accurate numbers provide an opportunity for higher subventions that can result in: millions of dollars in state and federal funding for transportation, social services and other programs; realigning electoral districts; and population thresholds for federal grants.

Recent ABAG workshops on this issue attracted 72 jurisdictions. Make certain your city or county maximizes its opportunities in the next census.

For more information, contact Patricia Perry at 510/464-7957 (or e-mail PatriciaP@abag.ca.gov) or Hing Wong at 510/464-7966 (HingW@abag.ca.gov)




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New Tools to Support Affordable Housing

Non-Profit Housing Presents a Virtual Housing Tour on Video

A video to impress the skeptics!

Housing advocates know that the best way to turn around a skeptic of affordable housing is to take that person on a tour of successful developments. Since this isnít always possible, a new video allows the next best approach: a virtual tour from your office or council chambers.

The Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH) recently premiered a short, 9-minute video which profiles several attractive multi-family developments in suburban communities around the Bay Area, dispelling the most common myths about affordable housing and its residents.

Good design, quality construction, and professional management are hallmarks of the featured developments, reinforcing the idea that affordable housing, created in public- private partnership, conveys important benefits both to the immediate neighborhood and to the community at large.

Along with footage of contemporary affordable housing developments around the Bay, the video presents interviews with residents, local elected officials, a police officer, a business representative, and apartment managers.

These testimonials and visual images show how well-planned and managed developments can be a positive addition to any community-- and every community.

A concise "primer" of printed materials complements the video. It provides context, supporting data, color images, and answers to questions such as: What is affordable housing? (Rent and utilities should cost no more than 30% of monthly household income, by federal definition.); Who needs affordable housing? (Teachers, city and county employees, secretaries, fire fighters, seniors on fixed incomes. . . . probably someone you know!).



Help get the word out!

The video is an excellent means of beginning a discussion on affordable housing in your community. Representatives of NPH are available to make presentations in conjunction with the video




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ABAG News

San Francisco Bay Trail Maps Now Available in Convenient New Packaging

The San Francisco Bay trail is a 400-mile recreational trail system around the shoreline of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. It provides access to and along the Bays' shoreline for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Existing and proposed Bay Trail routes are shown on nine overlapping 11-by-17 inch full-color maps. Now available in convenient new packaging, these maps are water-resistant and are folded to pocket size. For better organization and easier access, each map now has its own individual pocket in a flexible clear vinyl tri-folded (conventional map size) holder.

Maps with the newly designed packaging will soon be available in local Bay Area bike shops and bookstores, or you may purchase them through ABAG by calling Publications at 510/464-7900. The nine-map package through ABAG costs $10.95 plus tax (shipping is included). You may purchase individual maps for $1.50 plus tax.

For Bay Trail updates or to take a virtual tour, check out our website at:

http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/baytrail/baytrail.html


ABAG Delegation Provides EPA-Funded Training in Taipei

ABAG Vice President and Alameda County Supervisor Mary King led an ABAG delegation on an April training mission to Taipei for a workshop on Construction Pollution Mitigation in Taiwan, funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.




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Bay Area Clean Air Partnership Kicks Off
New Spare The Air City Campaign

The Bay Area Clean Air Partnership (BayCAP) is a voluntary, public-private partnership established to help improve air quality. Members include The Bay Area Council, the Santa Clara Valley Manufacturing Group, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, city and county transportation coordinators, transit agencies, and private employers.

For the past seven years, BayCAP has promoted the Spare the Air campaign, a successful effort to reduce air pollution on high smog days. The Spare the Air program includes over 600 Bay Area public and private employers who notify their employees of Spare the Air days and ask them to cut back on polluting activities. The Association of Bay Area Governments and 41 cities in the region are among the participating employers who are contributing to cleaner air.

Now Bay Area cities have been invited to take Spare the Air even further by becoming a 1997 Spare the Air City! The 1997 Spare the Air City campaign is intended to increase awareness of transportation-related and other air pollution issues not just by municipal employees, but by residents and businesses throughout entire cities. A city that meets the following Spare the Air criteria will receive the designation of 1997 Spare the Air City: 1) adopt a Spare the Air resolution; 2) register as a Spare the Air employer (if not already registered); 3) pledge to participate in specific Spare the Air activities (selecting from the menu of options listed in the sample resolution); and 4) promise to encourage and recognize local businesses that participate in Spare the Air.

Becoming a Spare the Air City is easy! BayCAP has mailed information and registration forms to every city manager in the Bay Area. Spare the Air kits and informational brochures are available free of charge.

For more information, contact Summer Brenner, Transportation Projects Specialist for West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee, at 510/215-3008, or Dana Du Verney, Inter-City TSM Authority Program Manager, at 415/377-3442.






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Attention City and County Members:
Vote-By-Mail Postal Alert

Vote-By-Mail is becoming an increasingly convenient option for voter registration and ballot return. Local post offices would like to partner with cities and counties in the region to help them efficiently prepare for this option of voting.

Why should cities and counties consider the Vote-By-Mail option?

This method of voting has proven to save on election costs, is ideal for people who commute or are too busy to stand in line at a polling booth, and gives the elderly and physically challenged a better opportunity to vote.

Recent special elections in the Bay Area that were held entirely by mail resulted in significantly higher voter turnout than in previous special elections. In addition, Proposition 218, passed in 1996, requires that elections for the establishment or extension of certain special property assessment districts be held exclusively by mail.

To assist in the implementation of Vote-By- Mail, the Postal Service strongly recommends that city and county officials work with them in advance to ensure that all requirements are met.

If you would like to further examine the Vote-By-Mail option, you should:



  • contact your local Post Office to make arrangements to receive information or assistance regarding the requirements and regulations;


  • ask for their assistance with mail piece design for outgoing and return envelopes, registration, and/or ballot forms;


  • investigate the option of courtesy reply mail versus business reply mail.


For additional information or assistance, please contact your Postal Business Center. In ZIP codes 945,946, 947, and 948, call 510/874-8600. In the 956 ZIP code area, call 916/923-4357. In ZIP codes 949, 954, and 955, call 707/778-5248. In ZIP codes 940, 941, 943, and 944, call 415/550-5715, and in ZIP codes 950 and 951, call 408/723-6262.

If you would be interested in attending a workshop to discuss Vote-By-Mail in greater detail, call the Postal Business Center in Oakland at 510/874-8600.




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Focus On: Sonoma County

Sonoma County's Projections

Between 1995 and 2015, Sonoma County will have the third highest rate of growth in population (31%), second highest growth rate in the number of households (35%), and the second highest growth of employed residents (44%) of all counties in the region.

Over the same time period, the total county population is predicted to increase by 133,900 residents. Santa Rosa will gain 43,600 new residents, an increase of 29%, followed by Petaluma with 16,500 (+33%), Windsor 15,000 (+77%), and Rohnert Park 8,000 (+19%).

ABAG projects that over the next 20 years, 93,020 new jobs will be created in the county. Sonoma County will rank third in the region with a 57% increase in employment.

At least 13,100 new retail jobs are anticipated, an increase of 39%. Manufacturing and wholesale trade will increase by approximately 25,500 new jobs (+88%). Services jobs will grow by 35,530 (+65%).

Santa Rosa will gain the most new jobs (41,530). The rate of residential growth will be highest in Cloverdale, with a 92% increase in population. The rate of job growth will be highest in Windsor, with a jump of 399%.



Urban Growth Boundaries


Sonoma Countyís urban growth boundary initiative, Measure D, was adopted in last Novemberís elections. This measure was one of five such ballot measures in Sonoma County. Measure D requires that county government deny development applications on lands outside any city that adopts an urban growth boundary and that meets certain qualifications. If a city qualifies, the county will freeze community separators (open space between communities).

Growth boundary measures setting a 20-year limit on a cityís outward expansion were passed in the cities of Santa Rosa (Measure G), Healdsburg (Urban Growth Initiative), and Sepastopol (Measure O). The city of Rohnert Park narrowly passed Measure N, a four-year growth boundary limit. (In this case, the county will not freeze community separators because the initiative does not meet the 20-year minimum growth boundary criteria.)

Other cities in the county, such as Petaluma, Windsor, Cloverdale, and Sonoma, have also shown interest in adopting growth boundaries. The protection under Measure D is in effect for 20 years, therefore it will not have to be voted on again if other cities pass urban growth boundary initiatives during that time.




Transportation and Land Use Study

The Sonoma County Transportation Authority, Marin Countywide Planning Agency, and Caltrans have sponsored the preparation of the Sonoma/Marin Multi-Modal Transportation and Land Use Study.

The study was conducted to determine the most efficient approach to spending public money on transportation improvements and to create land use patterns that work most efficiently with transportation options while maintaining a high quality of life.

Over the past 15 months, a team of consultants has been working with the public and a Joint Executive Committee consisting of elected officials from both counties.

Four future scenarios and a Base Case have been analyzed. Three of these alternatives were existing and two were new compact and mixed use development.

The chosen scenario is a balanced mix of land use and transportation improvements and addresses short-term needs through investments in Highway 101 and other roads. It provides a mixture of HOV lane additions, and highway, train, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements.

Approximately 60% of the transportation improvements would be funded by a 1/2 cent sales tax. A sales tax measure would be put on the ballot in each county as soon as November 1998. Other financial sources would include local, state, and federal funds, and a percentage of operating costs from bus and rail fares.






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Pedestrian Lights


In 1993, the City of Santa Rosa initiated a new proactive pedestrian warning system for crosswalks in uncontrolled intersections after experiencing a significant number of injuries and fatalities. An Experimental Pedestrian Crosswalk Device system, designed by Lightguard Systems, Inc., warns approaching motorists of a crossing pedestrian by flashing lights embedded in the crosswalk.

Recently, the California Traffic Control Devices Committee (CTCDC) endorsed testing the device in six additional cities in California to determine if it should be recommended to Caltrans for standardization. The additional participating cities include Petaluma, Orinda, Lafayette, Fort Bragg, Willits, and West Hollywood. The California Office of Traffic and Safety and the Federal Highway Administration are funding these tests.

Tests show these "flashing crosswalks" provide a greater level of safety and a cost- effective alternative to traditional traffic signals. Evaluation results thus far show a fairly significant increase in crosswalk awareness among drivers, and braking distances increase when the system is activated.

Test results will be presented to the CTCDC in July, with recommendations to follow.






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Heads Up

Citizen's Guide to Urban Growth Boundaries

The Greenbelt Alliance has just published a citizens' guide to Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs) entitled Bound for Success. The newly available guide provides information on how UGBs can be used to create more livable communities and protect open space throughout the state.

To order a copy of this publication for $7.00 (includes shipping and handling), contact the Greenbelt Alliance at 415/543-4291.




Two Informational Websites


SILICON GRAPHICS presents simulated images of the designs for the new eastern span of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge. Visit:

http://www.sgi.com/Overview/newsroom/bridge_lib.html


The U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY maintains a program of research and observation in the San Francisco Bay. Their website includes regular measurements of water quality along a 145-kilometer length of the entire estuarine system, from the South Bay to the Sacramento River. Data includes measures of salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and chlorophyll concentration. Visit:

http://sfbay.wr.usgs.gov/access/wqdata/index.html


Public Workshops: San Francisco Bay Wetlands

The San Francisco Bay Wetlands Ecosystem Goals Project is developing wetlands goals that may be used voluntarily by decisionmakers involved in land use planning, private landowners wanting to improve wetlands on their properties, government agencies planning wetlands restoration, and others who work on or near Bay wetlands. All interested are invited to attend public workshops in July:


Tuesday, July 15, 1997

7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Don Edwards - S.F. Bay National

Wildlife Refuge

Fremont (near Dumbarton Bridge)



Thursday, July 17, 1997

7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Joseph Room, Main Library

505 Santa Clara Street

Vallejo


For more information or to be placed on the mailing list, please call the Goals Project hotline at 510/286-1221.




Now Available on Video:



ABAG's Spring 1997 General Assembly:

"Linking Land Use and Transportation in the Bay Area"





Currently available for loan:


Segment 1:

"Linking Land Use and Transportation in the Bay Area" (Morning panel discussions.)

Segment 2:

"Local Success Stories in Linking Land Use and Transportation in the Bay Area" (Slide Show by ABAG's Planning Director, Gary Binger.)


Segment 3:

"Pioneering a New Vision"
Keynote Speaker Address
Gordon Price, City Councillor, City of Vancouver, British Columbia


For further information on availability and how to borrow a copy, contact Margo Yetemwork at 510/464-7947.




Save the Date!

Fall 1997 General Assembly

Friday, November 21

St. Francis Hotel,

San Francisco




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National Trails Day

The Bay Trail Project was honored to host a National Trails Day Outdoor Festival at Robert Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda on Saturday, June 7. The American Hiking Society selected the Bay Area as one of the five locations featuring Outdoor Festivals going on around the nation, celebrating trails and the growing need for them.

The event featured a Bay Trail sign dedication along the trail at Crown Beach. Doug McConnell, host of KRON Channel 4ís Bay Area Backroads, and Senate President Pro Tempore Bill Lockyer (whose legislation started the Bay Trail 10 years ago) kicked off the celebration talking about their personal support of the Bay Trail.

Doug McConnell, Mayor Ralph Appezzato of Alameda, and Dr. Carol Severin, member of the Board of Directors for East Bay Regional Park District, completed installation of the Bay Trail sign, and the festivities began.

Jay the Juggler amused one and all. Musical entertainment, such as the Zydeco Flames, drew large crowds, and bike, power walk and nature tours were given on the trail along the beach throughout the day.

Special thanks goes to co-hosts: East Bay Regional Park District ñ especially Ann Rockwell, and the City of Alameda; and sponsors: American Hiking Society, Backroads Active Vacations, Brunton, Pur, and REI for their generous contributions.




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July/August Calendar Items



JULY

July 2 - 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Heads Up Seminar

MetroCenter Auditorium


July 17 - 3:30 p.m.

Legislation & Governmental Org. Committee

ABAG Room 106B, MetroCenter


July 17 - 5 p.m.

Finance & Personnel Committee

ABAG Room 102A, MetroCenter


July 17 - 7:30 p.m.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

MetroCenter Auditorium


July 30 - 3 p.m.

Bay Trail Board

Mare Island



AUGUST

August 20 - 11 a.m. (Tee Time)

ABAG PLAN Corporation Board of Directors

Golf Tournament

Rock Springs Golf Course (West), Vallejo


August 21 - 3:30 p.m. (tentative)

Legislation & Governmental Org. Committee

ABAG Room 106B, MetroCenter




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Internet Workshops:


Data Mining on the Internet

July 8, Oakland, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

July 9, Fairfield, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

July 10 Oakland, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

August 4, Santa Rosa, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

August 5, Menlo Park, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

August 6, San Jose, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.


Data Tools & Mapping for Web

July 8, Oakland, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

July 9, Fairfield, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

July 10, Oakland, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

August 5, Menlo Park, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

August 6, San Jose, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

$35.00 per workshop. Call ABAG at

510/464-7900 for more details.




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About Service Matters


Councilwoman Charlotte Powers
President


Supervisor Mary King
Vice President


Supervisor Mary Griffin
Immediate Past President


Eugene Y. Leong
Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Director


Michelle Fadelli
Editor


Margo Yetemwork
Production Coordinator and Contributing Writer





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Association of Bay Area Governments
P.O. Box 2050
Oakland, CA 94604-2050
Phone: 510/464-7900
Fax: 510/464-7970
E-mail: info@abag.ca.gov

abagOnline: http://www.abag.ca.gov

Copyright © 1997 ABAG.  All rights reserved.
du 6/25/97