  |
|
- Alameda and Napa Counties Are Turning Green
- Green Business Program Partners
- ABAG News
- Focus On: San Francisco
- Heads Up: Power to the People
- Sept/October Calendar Items
- About Service Matters
Alameda and Napa Counties Are Turning Green
Celebrating at the Alameda County Green Business recognition ceremony are (left to right): Ayn Weiskamp, President of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority; Ted Patterson, Ed's Auto Clinic; Patti Critchfield, Patti & Steve's Auto Care; Bruce Hatekeda, San Leandro Tire & Auto Service; Bruce Ackerman, Ackerman's Auto; and Greg Gordon, President of the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board.
Alameda County
Left to right: Glen Bales (employee), Patti Critchfield (owner) and Steve Kahn (owner), in front of Patti and Steve's Garage in Albany, displaying the Green Business Program's logo.
Alameda County is turning "Green!" ABAG's Hazardous Waste Management Facility Allocation Committee recently honored five Green Businesses in Alameda County for their outstanding achievement in environmental practices.
At the spring meeting of the Economic Development Alliance for Business (EDAB), the following auto repair businesses were the first to be recognized as Green Businesses in the county: Ackerman's Auto in Berkeley; Ed's Auto Clinic in Fremont; Andrade's Auto Service in Hayward; San Lorenzo Tire & Auto Service in Hayward; and Patti & Steve's Auto Care in Albany. Ayn Weiskamp, President of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Gordon Greg, President of the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board, were on hand to present plaques and green logo emblems to the honored automotive businesses.
"It's exciting to support businesses that display the green logo sticker. That ensures us that the business is operated by owners who care about the environment," said Weiskamp. Participants were: Keith Carson, Alameda County Supervisor and EDAB Chair; Mark Green, Mayor of Union City; Guy Houston, Mayor of Dublin; Pat Kite, Union Sanitary District Board; Gus Morrison, Mayor of Fremont; Jonelle Zager, Fremont City Council; and Becky Dennis, Pleasanton City Council Member and representative of Alameda County on the Regional Hazardous Waste Management Facility Allocation Committee. In its next phase, Alameda County's Green Business Program will focus on the printing and dry cleaning industries.
Napa County
Jeff Oster of Maier's Garage in Napa is surrounded by containers of used oil and anti-freeze designated for recycling.
The first four automotive Green Businesses in Napa County were recognized for their efforts in environmental compliance and excellence in pollution prevention and resource conservation.
Napa County Supervisors Mike Rippey and Mark Luce participated in the ceremony to honor Maier's Garage, Storck's Garage, MJM Jobe's Auto Repair and Wine Country Motors as Napa's first Green Businesses. Rippey, who was instrumental in bringing the Green Business Program to Napa County, said "We are proud of the first Green Businesses and hope that Napa consumers will reward them for their efforts."
Jill Pahl, Napa County Environmental Health Manager said, "The Green Business Program has evolved from a tremendous effort among the volunteering businesses and regulatory agencies. This is the first such cooperative program in Napa and we are happy to be recognizing the first Green Businesses."
Jeff Oster, Manager of Maier's Garage said, "All of our employees are proud to be part of the program. We are especially proud to help pave the way for other automotive shops."
The automotive repair industry is the first business sector to be involved with Green Business.
Napa is poised to launch its Green Business Program with the wine industry later this year.
Additional service industries will follow to expand the program in the county so that consumers will be able to patronize environmentally responsible businesses.
Napa customers can recognize a "Green Business" by the logo prominently displayed at their establishment.
Program sponsors include: the City of Napa, and the City of American Canyon, the Napa Sanitation District, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, state and federal Environmental Protection Agencies, the Napa Valley College Small Business Development Center, Pacific Gas & Electric, and the Association of Bay Area Governments.
What It Means to be GREEN
The Bay Area Green Business Program, now in its second year, is a successful regional partnership of federal, state, and local government agencies and service organizations which recognize businesses that have demonstrated environmental excellence.
Bay Area businesses are encouraged to come into full compliance with environmental regulations and to implement energy and water conservation, solid waste reduction and recycling, and pollution prevention practices. Participating businesses that meet and exceed current environmental standards are recognized as “Green Businesses" by the Hazardous Waste Management Facility Allocation Committee under the auspices of the Association of Bay Area Governments.
Alameda and Napa counties were the first Bay Area Green Business pilot programs in the Bay Area. The program is expanding to include all nine Bay Area counties in the next few years.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded a Pollution Prevention Incentive to States (PPIS) grant that will assist local agencies with expanding the Green Business Program to the printers/graphic arts industry in the Bay Area.
Green Business Program Partners
The Bay Area Green Business Program is a project of the Bay Area Hazardous Waste Management Facility Allocation Committee (BAHWMFAC), administered by ABAG. Chaired by Mayor Rosemary M. Corbin, from Richmond, the committee meets every two months to set policies for the program.
Formed in 1990, the Committee is comprised of approximately 70 elected officials from the nine Bay Area counties and a Technical Advisory Committee representing the public, businesses and local government staff who oversee hazardous waste planning and waste reduction efforts. The Bay Area Green Business Program is a partnership of public and private entities working together for a cleaner environment.
Both "Sonoma Green Business" and the "Palo Alto Clean Bay Program" served as models for the Bay Area Green Business Program.
Sonoma Green was the first multi-media environmental compliance program in the Bay Area, with over 100 participating auto shops. The Palo Alto Clean Bay Program currently has over 300 auto shops in compliance with water regulations.
The Committee hopes to expand Green Business to all nine Bay counties by the year 2000.
Visit the Green Business Program on the Internet
Visit our website via abagOnline at
http:// www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/enviro/gbus/gb.html
ABAG News
ABAG Projects Take Gold
CMA Recognizes ABAG PLAN's Mobile Police Training Unit for Excellence
Congratulations to ABAG's Pooled Liability Assurance Network (PLAN) on being selected a winner of the 1997 ICMA Public Safety Program Excellence Award for the Mobile Police Training Unit. The training unit includes computerized driving simulators and a combined video/laser weapons system, which are transported to PLAN members around the Bay on a tractor-trailer rig. The award of excellence will be presented at the International City Managers Association (ICMA) annual awards luncheon on Tuesday, September 16 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
APA Awards ABAG's Subregional Planning Project as Exemplary
The American Planning Association recently awarded its 1997 Exemplary Economic Development Planning Award to the "Oakland/San Leandro Joint Revitalization Plan." This project seeks to invigorate the struggling border area between these two communities. Partly funded by an ABAG sub-regional planning grant, the "OakLeandro" revitalization project was just one of several successful subregional projects coordinated by ABAG. In addition to well-deserved recognition, the award includes a cash award of $500 for the project.
Earthquakes and Transportation Report
Past earthquakes have only been "driver's training" for emergency transportation response planning in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to ABAG Earthquake Program Manager Jeanne Perkins. After months of research and multiple discussions among participating agency representatives, Perkins is preparing to release the latest ABAG report on earthquake-related issues. The report entitled, "Riding Out Future Quakes," will be presented on Wednesday, October 15 at an open house of ABAG's earthquake project.
The report offers "pre-earthquake planning" for recovery of our regional transportation system following a significant quake on a number of faults around the Bay.
The report will detail the variety of "disruptions" expected in future earthquakes, review key transportation used in emergencies, summarize the current preparedness activities of Bay Area transportation providers, and provide a checklist of recommendations.
Plan to attend the open house for ABAG's Earthquake Preparedness Program on October 15, 1997 in the MetroCenter Auditorium in Oakland. For information, call ABAG at 510/464-7900. View other earthquake data via abagOnline at http://www.abag.ca.gov.
Focus On: San Francisco
Embarcadero's Waterfront Plan
In 1990, voters passed Proposition H requiring a comprehensive land use plan for the San Francisco waterfront. On June 24, 1997, the Port of San Francisco adopted it's Waterfront Land Use Plan and waterfront design and access element, following a six-year planning process with over 100 public meetings.
Under the recently adopted plan, the City would promote mixed-use commercial development between the Bay Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf, as well as actively restore the Ferry Building. Development of the cargo shipping business would be consolidated at Piers 48 to 96, south of China Basin. The Embarcadero roadway redevelopment on Grand Waterfront Boulevard would include a roadway with a light rail street car in the median and a broad pedestrian promenade (which is part of ABAG's San Francisco Bay Trail).
The Bay Trail Project, which follows the Embarcadero shoreline, is marked by several bronze Bay Trail plaques embedded in the sidewalk with notations of wildlife native to the Bay habitat.
Projects anticipated to receive prompt attention include renovation of the Ferry Building and the addition of a Grand Plaza, a $17 million expansion to the ferry terminal at the Ferry Building (which will include routes to Treasure Island and the new Giants ballpark), a recreational boating facility with nearby shops and a restaurant at Pier 38, and development of seawall lots at South Beach and north of Broadway.
Currently, the north and south sections of the waterfront are completed and the central area is set to go under construction in early 1998 and should be completed by 2000.
Third Street Lightrail
Proposition B, instituting a half-cent sales tax dedicated for transportation projects in the City, passed in 1989. Third Street/Bayshore was one of the priority corridors for a new "fixed guideway" investment.
After an initial study which considered ten different transit modes on three alignments, MUNI focused on a surface light rail connecting Visitacion Valley and Bayview Hunters Point with downtown San Francisco via Third Street.
During the initial phase, the Third Street line would use the existing tracks on the Embarcadero to connect into the Market Street Subway. The target opening date for the initial phase is July 4, 2003. In the ultimate phase of the project, the proposed lightrail line would continue north on Third Street, enter a new Central Subway, and terminate in Chinatown.
This phase is currently unfunded, but the City is exploring a variety of funding options. With reasonable progress, the City expects to begin construction in 10 to 15 years.
Treasure Island New Developments
Beginning October 1, 1997, the City of San Francisco will take over management of Treasure Island, although the Navy will still remain the property owner from two to five years.
A long term reuse plan for Treasure Island was endorsed by the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and Citizens Reuse Committee in mid-1996 promoting visitor-oriented recreational, educational and entertainment uses accessible by ferry and transit.
The Board of Supervisors recently created a Treasure Island Development Authority, with members appointed by the Mayor, which will undertake leasing, property transfer, and other conversion and development activities. Pending state legislation would give the Authority the ability to use state redevelopment authorities and to act as Trustee of Treasure Island under the Tidelands Trust.
This fall, the Job Corps will develop a residential job training facility that will educate and train 850 youths between the ages of 18 and 24. Also, a Fire Training school was recently constructed on the island. Another development under consideration is a restaurant proposal which was submitted on August 1, 1997.
Revisions to the reuse plan, including consideration of the question of adding housing on the island, will take place this fall.
Citizens Guide to CEQA Available
A Citizens Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) published by the Planning and Conservation League Foundation (PCLF) is now available for purchase. This 35-page guide, written by noted environmental attorney J. William Yeates, provides easy-to-read updated information on how to take advantage of CEQA's mandatory public review and comment process.
To purchase your copy of this publication for $15.00, contact the PCLF at 916/444-8726. Quantity discounts (over 20) are available. The guide may also be ordered via the publications section of the PCLF Web Page at http://www.pcl.org/pcl.
Bay Area Travelers Information
TravInfo is the San Francisco Bay Area's advanced traveler information system developed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). Travelers may access information such as up-to-the-minute traffic reports, connections to some additional public transit services, and construction updates on several Caltrans projects. Also, information about special transit services for disabled travelers; park-and-ride, and which bridges allow bicycle usage is available.
Travelers may access information 24 hours a day, seven days a week by dialing 817-1717 in any area code around the Bay. If calling from outside the Bay Area, use one of the following regional area codes before the number: 510, 415, 408, and 707. The TravInfo Web Site is located at http://www.travinfo.org.
Ahwahnee Community Livability Awards 1997
The 1997 Ahwahnee Awards, which recognize exemplary projects that move toward more livable, pedestrian-oriented, transit-based communities, will be presented at the Local Government Commission conference on November 14-15th called, Putting Our Communities Back on Their Feet: The Road Less Traveled," held at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The Local Government Commission's Center for Livable Communities and The American Institute of Architects, California Council will present the awards to the top winners of the following categories:
1. Projects built in the last decade
2. Classic models of livability
3. Government-adopted or approved plans
4. Community programsTo receive additional information about the Ahwahnee Awards, call Jean Lamming at the Local Government Commission at 916/448-1198.
Heads Up: Power to the People
Announcing ABAG's Power Conference III
Power to the People
Community Aggregation Options for Local Governments
Friday, September 19 Holiday Inn, Emeryville
Topics include: • An Overview of Aggregation Options for Local Government • Currents of Change: Local Government Aggregation Initiatives • Economic, Legal, and Regulatory Considerations • Updates on What's Happening at the CPUC, ISO, PX and ABAG Registration Deadline: September 5, 1997 Please contact Debbi Nichols at 510/464-7965 for a brochure and registration information.
September/October Calendar Items
SEPTEMBER
Sept 3rd - 1:30 p.m.
Regional Planning Committee
MetroCenter Auditorium
Sept 3rd - 3:30 p.m.
Legislation & Governmental Org. Committee
ABAG Room 106B, MetroCenter
Sept 5th - 10:00 a.m.
S.F.Estuary Project Implementation Committee
Fairfield Community Center, Fairfield
Sept 18 - 3:30 p.m.
Legislation & Governmental Org. Committee
ABAG Room 106B, MetroCenter
Sept 18 - 5 p.m.
Finance & Personnel Commiittee
ABAG Room 102A, MetroCenter
Sept 18 - 7:30 p.m.
EXCUTIVE BOARD
MetroCenter Auditorium
Sept 19 - 8 a.m.
ABAG Power Conference
Holiday Inn, Emeryville
Sept 25 - 10 a.m.
ABAG PLAN - Loss Prevention Committee Meeting
MetroCenter Auditorium
OCTOBER
Oct 15 - 10 a.m.
Earthquake Preparedness Program Open House
MetroCenter Auditorium
Oct 16 - 3:30 p.m.
Legislation & Governmental Org. Commiittee
ABAG Room 106B, MetroCenter
Oct 16 - 5 p.m.
Finance & Personnel Commiittee
ABAG Room 102A, MetroCenter
Oct 16 - 7:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
MetroCenter Auditorium
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
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
Copyright © 1997 ABAG. All rights reserved.
wz 10/15/97