Highlights from "The Week in Review"

Here are some excerpts from this week's "The Week in Review" (TWIR). The full version of the TWIR, including previous issues, can be accessed from the right side of this page.

Public Works:
Atherton Landscape Repair Complete: This week, the contractor completed replacement of the damaged sod on Atherton Road across from the Promenade Center. The contractor will be responsible for maintaining the new sod for 30 days, and then maintenance responsibility will return to the two parties responsible for permanent maintenance. Approximately one half of the area will be maintained by the developers of the Tera Bella subdivision, and the remainder will be maintained by an existing Landscape Maintenance District.

Union Road Improvements: Work has resumed on Union Road, now that the poles have been removed. This week the contractor will complete preparation for the permanent median curb, which should be complete by early next week. Shortly after that, the final paving and striping will be completed. Once this work is complete, the ramp traffic signals will be energized.

Solid Waste Division: For the first five months of the calendar year, household garbage tonnage is down 8%, compared to a decrease of 5% in the same months last year. Green waste tonnages did not change significantly (down 1.5% this year after a 2% increase last year). Interestingly, recycling tonnages increased 12% this year, after a 3% drop last year. This is largely due to a change in the way the numbers are reported to us by the vendor that processes our recyclables, and staff believes recycling tonnages have really not changed much. Overall, the tonnage collected is down 2% compared to last year. Since disposal costs are a large portion of the division’s costs, the reduction in tonnages will provide some savings. The Solid Waste Division operates as an enterprise fund, so these savings cannot be used to help balance the General Fund budget. They can, however, help to offset a decrease in revenue from vacant houses, delinquent accounts and reduced construction waste service.

Parks and Recreation:
· Park maintenance staff has assumed maintenance responsibilities of the Landscape Maintenance Districts, as was announced in the June 12, 2009 Week in Review. Maintenance staff has also implemented service level reductions in park maintenance. Level I parks, such as Woodward and Northgate, will continue to be mowed weekly. However, with service level reductions, neighborhood parks will now be mowed every other week. All parks will continue to receive priority service levels, as it relates to health and safety.

· The Baccilieri Park playground installation was completed this week and is open to the neighborhood for use. Playground design input was collected at a community meeting held with residents living in the neighborhood surrounding the park. Other improvements included in the installation were new sidewalks, picnic tables, benches and drinking fountain. All improvements were funded from Federal Community Development Block Grants.

Community Development:
The following is a summary of some of the activities under way in the Community Development
Department:
-Work is continuing on the new one-stop permit center project. Staff anticipates completion in early August.
-The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Master Plan for the CenterPoint project is underway and on schedule.
-A second workshop on the updated Housing Element was held on July 1 at the senior center. This workshop focused primarily on policy options designed to increase the supply of affordable housing in the community.
-The new, alternate member appointed by the City Council to serve on the Planning Commission had an orientation with staff and attended the Planning Commission meeting on June 23.