[00:00:05]
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO
[Roll Call]
THE BOARD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE OF EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT.WE'RE MEETING TODAY ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD, AND WE'RE BEGINNING AT 11:04.
MADAM RECORDING CLERK, WILL YOU TAKE A ROLL, PLEASE?
>> ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL JASON ROSENBERG?
>> ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER ALLISON BROOKS?
>> TODAY'S MEETING IS BEING HELD PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT.
STAFF IS PROVIDING LIVE AUDIO AND VIDEO STREAMING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT MAY DO SO BY PROVIDING A COMMENT IN-PERSON, JOINING LIVE VIA ZOOM WITH THE LINK PROVIDED ON THE AGENDA LOCATED ON THE PARK DISTRICT WEBSITE.
IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEETING PROCEDURES, WE WILL BEGIN.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS IS THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES, AND WE HAVE NO MINUTES TO APPROVE.
WE'LL MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THE ZOOM ROOM OR HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK?
>> THANK YOU. THEN WE'LL MOVE TO THE ACTION ITEMS BEFORE US,
[Action Items]
WHICH ARE RECOMMENDED SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION. GOOD MORNING, ERIC.>> WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE, YOU'LL WANT TO TURN THE PODIUM CAMERA ON.
>> THANK YOU. ERIC FELLER, DIVISION LEAD FOR GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.
JUST A FEW FEDERAL BILLS TO CONSIDER TODAY.
TWO OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO WILDFIRE, AND TANGENTIALLY, THE THIRD ONE IS RELATED TO WILDFIRE REGARDING CLIMATE ADAPTATION.
FIRST BILL IS REALLY MORE OF A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF WILDFIRE RISKS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
THAT WOULD BE THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WITH THE US FOREST SERVICE, AND THEN ACTUALLY HOMELAND SECURITY ASSESSING THE RISKS EVERY YEAR ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND PROVIDING A REPORT TO CONGRESS THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO AGENCIES LIKE OURS TO UNDERSTAND THE MORE GLOBAL PICTURE, AT LEAST IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EVERY YEAR FOR WILDFIRE RISK.
REPRESENTATIVE HARDER IS A LEAD HOUSE CO-SPONSOR.
THIS REALLY PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR ON THE GROUND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.
THE $30 BILLION FUND IS FOR FEDERAL LANDS, BUT THERE IS A $3 BILLION FUND FOR COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE THAT WE COULD QUALIFY FOR OR WORK IN A COALITION WITH OTHER AGENCIES IN THE EAST BAY TO APPLY FOR A GRANT.
SENATORS PADILLA AND SCHIFF BOTH SUPPORT.
THEN THE LAST IS A BILL THAT WE'VE CONSIDERED IN THE PAST AND SUPPORTED, REALLY BORROWING ON THE IDEA OF WAR BONDS DURING WORLD WAR II.
THIS WOULD CREATE A SET OF CLIMATE BONDS THAT THE PUBLIC COULD BUY AND PURCHASE.
THAT FUNDING WOULD GO INTO A FUND THAT WOULD BE ALLOCATED FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, AND THE PARK DISTRICT WOULD QUALIFY FOR GRANTS THROUGH THAT FUND.
THOSE ARE OUR THREE BILLS FOR TODAY, AND ASKING FOR A SUPPORT POSITION.
>> THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THESE?
>> I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON 2039.
I REALLY JUST HAVE TO SAY I LIKE THE BALANCE OF THIS ONE, THE INTER-AGENCY.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE ASKED ABOUT HERE WITH SOME OF OUR WORK.
I'D LOVE THAT THE PARTNERSHIP AGENCIES ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSERVATION COALITION AND THE NATURE CONSERVANCY.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A NICE BALANCE WHERE WE'RE REVIEWING HOW ARE WE DOING ON FIRE, BUT LET'S NOT FORGET HOW WE'RE RESTORING BECAUSE IF DONE WRONGLY, WE END UP WITH NOTHING BUT POISON OAK AND INVASIVE BROOM UNDERNEATH THE TREE.
ANYWAY, I THANK YOU FOR THAT SUMMARY AND THAT.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO SEE WHO'S SUPPORTING THE BILL AND WHO'S IN THE BILL.
THANK YOU, ERIC. I THINK THAT LOOKS LIKE A NICE BALANCED ONE.
[00:05:03]
>> THANK YOU, ERIC. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THE 2298, THE WILDFIRE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES ACT.
IT SAYS THAT IT WOULD REAUTHORIZE THE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE DEFENSE GRANT.
HAVE WE EVER BEEN A RECIPIENT OF THAT GRANT?
I THINK THAT'S A RELATIVELY NEW PROGRAM FROM THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.
BUT WE CAN CHECK WITH THE GRANTS TEAM.
THEY'RE NOT WITH US TODAY, BUT WE CAN CHECK WITH THEM AND FIND OUT.
>> AS I READ FURTHER, TO PERMANENTLY REAUTHORIZE THE COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROGRAM AND CREATE A COUNTY STEWARDSHIP FUND, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE PAYMENTS TO COUNTIES FOR STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTS ON FEDERAL LAND.
LOTS OF OUR LAND IS ADJACENT OR THEORETICALLY ON FEDERAL LAND, WOULD WE BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANYTHING LIKE THAT?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO. I THINK THAT'S DESIGNED MOSTLY FOR MORE RURAL COMMUNITIES AND WELL, ACTUALLY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, BUT CERTAINLY IN OREGON AND SOME OF THE CENTRAL MIDWESTERN OR CENTRAL PLAINS STATES, WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF FEDERAL LAND IN COUNTIES WHERE THE POPULATION BASE ISN'T SUPER HIGH, SO THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.
SIMILAR ISSUE WITH EDUCATION AS WELL.
THERE'S SPECIFIC PROGRAMS FOR THOSE COUNTIES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
>> THEN JUST OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, I HOPE YOU KNOW THIS.
I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.
BUT I WAS WONDERING AS I'M READING THROUGH THIS, WE SPONSOR A NUMBER OF BILLS EVERY YEAR, AND THEY'RE ALL BASED ON OUR PRINCIPLES THAT WE ADVOCATE.
HOW MANY BILLS ARE INTRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EVERY YEAR? CALIFORNIA IS LIKE 15,000 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> LAST CONGRESS, IT WAS OVER 7,000.
IT MAY HAVE EVEN BEEN CLOSER TO OVER 8,000.
>> THERE'S NO LIMIT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
WHEN YOU HAVE A SITUATION LIKE LAST YEAR WHERE SOME THINGS WERE TRYING TO GET PUSHED THROUGH TOWARDS THE END, A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST INTRODUCED WHAT WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY CONSIDERED A SPOT BILL HERE IN CALIFORNIA AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND THERE'S NO LIMIT FOR HOW MANY A MEMBER CAN INTRODUCE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
>> NO PUBLIC COMMENT. EXCUSE ME.
>> IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION.
THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM TO RECOMMEND TO THE FULL BOARD SUPPORT OF THESE BILLS. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO?
>> A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ERIC.
>> WE'LL MOVE NOW TO THE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.
[Informational Items]
OUR FIRST ITEM IS AN INFORMATIONAL UPDATE ON THE LOCAL ACTIONS TAKEN BY OTHER JURISDICTIONS.>> GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.
BRIAN HOLT, DIVISION LEAD FOR PLANNING, TRAILS, CULTURAL RESOURCES, AND GIS.
SHALL I GO FULL SCREEN ON THIS ONE? THERE WE GO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING.
HERE TO PRESENT THE ACTIONS BY LOCAL JURISDICTIONS REPORT.
JUST AS A REMINDER FOR THE PUBLIC, OR NEW STAFF, OR BOARD MEMBERS, AS PART OF THE WORK OF THE INTERAGENCY PLANNING GROUP WITHIN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WE REGULARLY GO THROUGH AND MONITOR ALL OF THE AGENDAS, REFERRALS, VARIOUS PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE 33 OR SO LOCAL CITIES WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION, TWO COUNTIES AND THE MANY SPECIAL DISTRICTS THAT WE WORK WITH.
WE'RE ALWAYS MONITORING THOSE ACTIONS AND WE BRING BACK SOME KEY ONES TO THIS COMMITTEE, JUST A REPRESENTATIVE ACTIONS THAT WE'RE MONITORING THAT ARE HITTING KEY MILESTONES.
TODAY, WE'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A SHORELINE THEME FOR YOU ALL, AND STARTING WITH MARTINEZ CITY COUNCIL.
I'VE GOT A PRESENTATION ON VISION AND REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THE MARTINEZ MARINA AND WATERFRONT,
[00:10:04]
AS MARTINEZ CITY COUNCIL LOOKS TO ENTER INTO AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT FOR THEIR MARINA AND WATERFRONT PARK AREA.AS YOU CAN SEE IN THIS MAP HERE, THE MARTINEZ REGIONAL SHORELINE, THE TED AND KATHY RADKE, MARTINEZ REGIONAL SHORELINE IS A PARK DISTRICT FACILITY, BUT WE SURROUND, ESSENTIALLY, THE CITY OF MARTINEZ WATERFRONT PARK, WHICH IS ON THE WATERFRONT ALONG WITH THEIR MARINA.
IF YOU'VE BEEN DOWN TO THE MARINA, WHICH I THINK THE BOARD WAS ON A BOARD TOUR THERE NOT TOO LONG AGO, LOTS OF MARINAS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY HAVE STRUGGLED WITH PROBLEMS WITH SILTATION AND JUST LACK OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
THEY'VE LOOKED AT DIFFERENT REUSE PROPOSALS THERE.
THEY HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY A FIRM THAT LARGELY HAS WORKED OUT OF SAN DIEGO AND DONE VARIOUS REVITALIZATION PROJECTS IN THE SAN DIEGO AREA, AND THIS FIRM PRESENTED A VISION FOR THE WATERFRONT TO THE CITY OF MARTINEZ, AND THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED MOVING FORWARD WITH A EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT WITH THIS FIRM.
THIS IS A BIT OF A SCHEMATIC DESIGN, CONCEPTUAL, STILL LOTS OF THINGS TO WORK OUT DOWN HERE.
THEY'RE IN THE VERY EARLIER STAGES OF ENVISIONING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN DOWN ON THE SHORELINE DOWN HERE.
I WOULD CONSIDER THIS ON THE FAR HIGH END OF WHAT COULD BE DONE THERE.
WE'LL SEE AS IT CONTINUES TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.
THEY HAVEN'T FORMALIZED THE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT, SO THEY HAVEN'T STARTED ANY ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS YET.
THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY PUBLIC PROCESS THAT HAS REALLY STARTED YET.
THERE'S NO REAL TIMELINE FOR THEM TO ENTER INTO AN ENA, BUT THAT'S EXPECTED PROBABLY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS OR SO.
THEN ONCE THEY DO, IT WOULD PROBABLY GO INTO ABOUT A 24-MONTH SPECIFIC PLAN PERIOD, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE ALL THE SQA REVIEW AND EVERYTHING ELSE THERE.
I WILL SAY CITY STAFF DID REACH OUT TO PARK DISTRICT STAFF EARLY ON ON THIS JUST TO GAUGE OUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT OR CONCERN.
OBVIOUSLY, WE SURROUND THE SITE, SO IT'S OF INTEREST TO US.
ANY ACCESS TO THE SHORELINE WOULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT OR IMPROVE, WHO KNOWS, OUR ACCESS TO THE SHORELINE.
AT THIS POINT, WE'VE REALLY JUST COMMITTED TO STAY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.
WE CERTAINLY SUPPORT ACTIVATION OF THE SHORELINE AND ANYTHING THAT SUPPORTS CONNECTING DOWNTOWN MARTINEZ TO THE SHORELINE.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS AND ADDRESS ANY DESIGN CONCEPTS THAT POTENTIALLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE PARKS AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR PARK CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PURPOSES THAT IT'S SERVED.
>> I WANT TO ADD SOME CONTEXT TO THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PARK DISTRICT TO HAVE THIS ON OUR RADAR NOW.
BRIAN, COULD YOU OUTLINE WHAT PIECES OF LAND THERE HAS ALL TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL CONVEYANCE FROM THE CALIFORNIA LANDS COMMISSION, I BELIEVE.
BUT THERE IS A PORTION OF THE AREA CURRENTLY OPERATED BY THE CITY.
>> SPECIFICALLY, I GUESS IT'S THE BALL FIELDS AREA.
THE BOCCE COURT, THEY OPERATE UNDER A LEASE FROM THE PARK DISTRICT.
>> AS OPPOSED TO A PORTION OF THE LAND THAT IS THEIR LAND, SO TO SPEAK.
>> YEAH. THE AREA IN LIGHT GREEN IS OWNED IN FEE BY THE PARK DISTRICT.
IT'S NOT DELINEATED ON HERE, BUT THERE'S THIS AREA WHERE IT SAYS JOE DIMAGGIO BALL FIELDS ON THE I GUESS IT WOULD BE THE EASTERN PORTION OF THE WATERFRONT PARK AREA, THAT IS LEASED TO THE CITY OF MARTINEZ FOR WHAT I WOULD SAY IS MORE ACTIVE PARK TYPES OF USES.
THERE'S A BASEBALL DIAMOND THERE.
THE WELL LOVED BOCCE COURTS ARE THERE AS WELL ALONG WITH I THINK THERE'S
[00:15:02]
A DOG PARK AND SOME OTHER USES IN THIS PORTION OF THE PARK.THE AREA IN GRAY IS IT'S OWNED BY THE CITY OF MARTINEZ, BUT IT IS TIDELANDS TRUST LANDS, SUBJECT TO THE STATE LANDS COMMISSION.
THEY RECENTLY DEVELOPED TIDELANDS USE PLAN WITH THE STATE, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE TO GENERALLY GUIDE USE OF WATERFRONT LANDS THERE.
ALL OF THIS IS TEARING OFF OF THERE.
THIS PROPOSAL LARGELY INVOLVES THE AREA THAT'S OWNED BY THE CITY OF MARTINEZ, BUT AS THE DETAILS COME OUT, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT IMPACTS THEIR LEASE AREA AS WELL.
>> THE POINT THAT I WAS HEADING TOWARD WAS IN THE GREEN ON THE EASTERN END OF THE WATERFRONT THERE.
THAT'S UNDER OUR LEASE TO THE CITY.
THE PARK DISTRICT ACTUALLY APPROVES NEW USES IS MY MEMORY.
>> I REMEMBER BEING INVOLVED WHEN THEY WANTED TO ADD LIGHTS ON THE BALL FIELD, THE PARK DISTRICT HAD TO GIVE ITS APPROVAL AND WE WENT ON AND HIRED EXPERTS TO SEE WHAT THE IMPACT OF THE LIGHTS WERE ON THE LOCAL HABITAT.
IT'S A SIGNIFICANT ROLE WE HAVE IN TERMS OF LAND USE APPROVALS IN THAT AREA AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT APPROVAL RELATIONSHIP AS A TENANT WITH THEIR WATERFRONT PARK AREA.
LARGELY, AS YOU DESCRIBED, THE SUBJECT OF THIS CONCEPT THAT'S BEEN PROPOSED.
I JUST WANTED TO PUT IT IN THAT CONTEXT AND WHAT THIS HAS GENERATED.
THE OTHER CONTEXT TO ALL OF THIS, AS YOU BRIEFLY MENTIONED, IS THEIR HARBOR, WHERE THE BOAT DOCKS ARE HAS BEEN SILTED LARGELY, I THINK ABOUT HALF OF IT ISN'T ACTUALLY USABLE NOW, AND SOMETIME LAST YEAR, THEY LOST THEIR OPERATOR.
THEY HAD, UNDER CONTRACT, A MARINA OPERATOR, A PRIVATE COMPANY THAT HAD MAINTENANCE AND INVESTMENT OBLIGATIONS OF SOME SORT.
THAT OPERATOR LEFT, AND SO THE CITY IS NOW OUT OF GENERAL FUNDS AND WHATEVER REVENUES THAT THE BOAT HARBOR IS GENERATING IS TRYING TO OPERATE THIS, AND THEY ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY.
I GUESS THE PUN IS APPLICABLE.
>> THEY'RE LOOKING FOR OUTS, OTHER PARTNERS, OR WAYS TO ALLEVIATE THAT BURDEN.
I JUST WANT TO MENTION FOR MY COLLEAGUES THAT ONE OF THE CONCEPTS THAT IS NOW CIRCULATING AS A RESULT OF THIS IS THE THOUGHT AMONG SOME MARTINEZ ACTIVISTS, IN PARTICULAR, VERY ACTIVE RESPECTED MARTINEZ PUNDIT YOU MIGHT DESCRIBE IN LAZER.
CRAIG HAS SUGGESTED THAT THIS ALL REALLY SUGGESTS THAT THE MARINA AND THE HARBOR ISN'T ECONOMIC, ISN'T VIABLE.
SUGGESTS THAT THAT WHOLE PORTION OF WHAT THE CITY OF MARTINEZ CURRENTLY OPERATES, AND THIS IS THE POINT I'M GETTING TO IS, HE HAS SUGGESTED THAT THAT OUGHT TO ALL BE CONVERTED TO PARKLAND.
IF YOU ENVISION ALL THAT GREEN, IF THAT HARBOR ISN'T VIABLE, IF THE YACHT HARBOR BOAT HARBOR ISN'T VIABLE ISN'T PRODUCING ENOUGH REVENUE.
THEY HAVE LOTS OF OVERHEAD FOR THAT PIER AS WELL.
MAYBE WHAT OUGHT TO HAPPEN IS THE ENTIRETY OF THAT FRONT END SHOULD REVERT TO PARK.
THEY WOULD STILL HAVE THEIR BALL FIELDS AND BACH COURTS AND SUCH UNDER THE LEASE.
BUT THAT'S WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN THE CITY, AND I'M NOW GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FROM ACTIVISTS THERE ABOUT WHAT DO YOU THINK OUGHT TO HAPPEN AT THERE? THE OTHER MAJOR CONTEXT IS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS NO EASY ACCESS INTO THAT WATERFRONT.
THERE IS A RAILROAD STATION THAT ESSENTIALLY BLOCKS IT OFF, AND TRAINS AT ANY GIVEN TIME, DEPENDING ON THEIR SCHEDULES, BLOCKS OFF ACCESS INTO THE WATERFRONT TO DEVELOP AS AMBITIOUS AS THERE.
THAT DEVELOPMENT PLAN YOU'D HAVE TO BUILD AN OVER CROSSING OF SOME SORT.
THERE'S A LOT THAT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN THERE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
I'M JUST EXPECTING AS THIS PROGRESSES, THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE TALK THAT WE SHOULD BE PREPARED
[00:20:02]
FOR WHAT DO YOU THINK IF THAT ALL REVERTS BACK TO PARKLAND? THAT MAKES SENSE AROUND SHORELINE ACTIVITIES UP THERE THESE DAYS.ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED YOU FOLKS TO HAVE THAT CONTEXT.
>> I WOULD AGREE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE DISCUSSION AROUND THIS SITE, AND THERE HAS BEEN FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROPOSAL THAT WE'VE SEEN FOR DEVELOPMENT ON THE WATERFRONT THERE, SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE ENGAGED, CONTINUE TO MONITOR, AND WATCH THAT.
>> LINDA, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PARDON ME?
>> JUST ONE THING, BRIAN SIDELIGHT.
I WAS TOLD THAT ON THE CITY MARTINEZ SIDE OF THAT PARK, THERE'S A LAKE POND, SOMETHING DEDICATED TO BILL NICHOLS. IS THAT TRUE?
>> THERE WAS THE DUCK POND THAT WAS WITHIN THE SHORELINE AREA, AND BILL NICHOLS' FAMILY, AFTER HIS PASSING, HAD APPROACHED THE PARK DISTRICT ABOUT NAMING THAT DUCK POND AND APPROACHED THE MARTINEZ CITY COUNCIL AS WELL.
THAT DUCK POND HAS BEEN NAMED THE BILL NICHOLS MEMORIAL DUCK POND.
>> HAD THAT GONE THROUGH THE PARK DISTRICT PROCESS?
>> WELL, WE CAN DISCUSS THIS OFFLINE.
IT WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF OUR NAMING POLICY ALLOWS IT TO GO THROUGH A STAFF NAMING AND THAT THING.
MARTINEZ OWNS HALF OF THE DUCK PONDS, SO THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF, WHO'S ON FIRST SITUATION?
>> I KNEW IT WENT THROUGH THE CITY, AND I'M FINE WITH IT.
IT HADN'T OCCURRED TO ME THAT THAT HADN'T BEEN FINALIZED ON OUR END.
>> WE TRIED TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT AND DID SO RELATIVELY.
>> CERTAINLY APPROPRIATE GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF TIME HE SPENT AROUND THERE.
>> MOVING DOWN OTHER END OF THE SHORELINE DOWN TO HAYWARD, A QUICK HASPA UPDATE.
IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR, OR NOT FAMILIAR, HASPA STANDS FOR THE HAYWARD AREA SHORELINE PLANNING AGENCY.
THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A WHOLE SEPARATE SHORELINE PLANNING AGENCY THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE 70S OR SO, THAT HAS TRADITIONALLY HAD THREE PARTIES, EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT, CITY OF HAYWARD, IN THE HAYWARD AREA RECREATION DISTRICT AS MEMBERS UNTIL RECENTLY, WHERE THAT MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN.
BUT THE ADMINISTRATION OF HASPA HAS BEEN SHARED BY THE THREE AGENCIES.
THE PARK DISTRICT HAS ADMINISTERED THE AGENCY SINCE 2022, AND A LOT OF CREDIT TO DEVON REEF PRINCIPAL PLANNER, WHO'S BEEN PRETTY MUCH OPERATING THIS AGENCY FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT OPERATES SOMEWHAT OUT OF SIGHT OF THE PARK DISTRICT. I SHOULDN'T SAY OUT OF SIGHT.
IT'S ALL VISIBLE, BUT IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY GET AS MUCH ACKNOWLEDGMENT AS SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DEVON HAS LED IS BRINGING ON AN OUTSIDE ADMINISTRATOR AS HASPA HAS GROWN TO ADMINISTER THE AGENCY.
THEY DID APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH REGIONAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES TO BEGIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF HASPA.
YOU SEE A MAP OF THE HAYWARD REGIONAL SHORELINE THERE, BIG MIX OF OWNERSHIP ALONG THE SHORELINE.
PARK DISTRICT IS A LARGE OWNER, ALONG WITH HARD, THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF HAYWARD, ALONG WITH ORO LOMA SANITARY DISTRICT.
THERE'S BEEN LIKE I SAY, AN EFFORT TO TRY TO BRING IN THE OTHER AGENCIES TO SERVE ON THE HASPA BOARD.
BUT PART OF THE NEED FOR MORE ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES IS REALLY DUE TO THE ADOPTION IN 2021 OF THE HAYWARD REGIONAL SHORELINE MASTER PLAN.
IF YOU RECALL, THIS WAS A LARGE ADAPTATION STRATEGY FOR THE HAYWARD SHORELINE, INCLUDED SOME 20-PLUS DIFFERENT CAPITAL PROJECTS ALONG THE WHOLE HAYWARD SHORELINE THERE.
PROJECTS TOTALED, THIS SAYS 1 BILLION, I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY CLOSER TO 2 BILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS THAT WERE IN THERE.
THREE OF THOSE PROJECTS ARE NOW IN DESIGN AND PERMITTING.
ONE OF THOSE IS OUR HAYWARD MARSH RESTORATION PROJECT, LED BY CHRIS BARTON IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
THAT'S A BIG PROJECT, A BIG SHORELINE ADAPTATION PROJECT MOVING FORWARD DOWN ON THE HAYWARD SHORELINE.
[00:25:03]
BUT WITH THE THE GROWTH OF THESE PROJECTS AND THE GROWTH OF THE AGENCY, THE NEED TO BRING ON AN OUTSIDE ADMINISTRATOR WAS IDENTIFIED AS WELL AS APPROVED A CONTRACT WITH A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE FIRM SCAPE, WHICH WAS ALSO THE FIRM THAT DEVELOPED THE MASTER PLAN TO ESSENTIALLY START TO DEVELOP A PRIORITIZATION STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY AROUND HOW TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF THOSE $2 BILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS.THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SEE OFTEN ON A LOT OF THESE SHORELINE PROJECTS.
THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD RISK ASSESSMENT AND A GOOD STRATEGY IN TERMS OF DEVELOPING AND DESIGNING WHAT THE ULTIMATE PROJECT IS.
BUT ONE THING THAT WE'VE ACKNOWLEDGED IS THAT THERE'S AN INTERIM NEED TO DEVELOP IMPLEMENTATION AND PRIORITIZATION STRATEGY BECAUSE THESE ARE MULTI-AGENCIES AND REALLY LONG-TERM PROJECTS, AND DELINEATING WHO DOES WHAT WHEN, WHAT NEEDS TO GO FORWARD FIRST VERSUS WHAT ARE YOUR SHORT-TERM PROJECTS VERSUS LONG-TERM PROJECTS? THAT'S REALLY WHAT SCAPE IS GOING TO BE SCOPED WITH THERE.
ANY QUESTIONS HERE ON HAYWARD SHORELINE?
>> COULD YOU HUMOR ME A BIT AND GO INTO THE THREE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN DESIGN PERMITTING STAGES.
>> I CAN SPEAK TO THE HAYWARD MARSH.
DEVON, DO YOU WANT TO COME UP AND ADD MORE? THE HAYWARD MARSH.
>> HAYWARD MARSH RESTORATION, YOU PROBABLY KNOW MORE OF THE DETAILS THAN I DO, BUT IT IS ONE OF THE OLD UNION SANITARY DISTRICT'S WASTEWATER PONDS THAT WE'RE NOW CONVERTING OVER TO TITLE HABITAT? GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD MORNING, DEVON REEF, PRINCIPAL PLANNER, AND STAFF TO HASPA.
AS BRIAN MENTIONED, THE PARK DISTRICT HAS THE FIRST BIG PROJECT, WHICH IS THE HAYWARD MARSH RESTORATION.
IT'S ALMOST FULLY PERMITTED, ALMOST FULLY DESIGNED AT THIS POINT NOW.
I THINK THE FUNDRAISING PART HAS BEGUN.
THE OTHER TWO PROJECTS IS WHAT IS CALLED THE FIRST MILE LEVEE.
IT'S A HORIZONTAL LEVY IN THE ORO LOMA MARSH, WHICH IS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SHORELINE AT THE TOP PART OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THIS MAP HERE.
THAT IS IN 30% DESIGN WITH A GRANT TO GET IT TO 60% DESIGN.
BASICALLY, IT'S A MILE-LONG ECOTONE LEVEE THAT WOULD PROTECT SAN LORENZO AND SAN LORENZO RESIDENTS AND THE SAN LORENZO COMMUNITY PARK, WHICH IS RIGHT ADJACENT FROM THE EFFECTS OF SEA LEVEL RISE.
THE THIRD PROJECT IS THE CITY OF HAYWARD HAS ITS OWN WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT THAT IT HAS SURPLUS PONDS THAT THEY WANT TO CONVERT TO RESTORATION AND HABITAT AS WELL.
THOSE ARE THREE PROJECTS THAT WERE ALL IN THE MASTER PLAN.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
THEN LASTLY, SOMETHING THAT WE THINK IS PRETTY EXCITING.
IF YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE DUTCH SLOUGH RESTORATION PROJECT.
THIS IS PROBABLY A 20-PLUS-YEAR RESTORATION PROJECT UP IN THE BIG BREAK AREA OFF OF THE SHORELINE OF OAKLEY ON WHAT WAS CALLED THE OLD EMERSON DAIRY SITE.
WHAT THAT PROJECT DID WAS ESSENTIALLY BREACHED A NUMBER OF LEVEES AND CREATED SOME NEW MARSHLAND HABITAT ALL THROUGH THIS AREA.
THIS AERIAL PHOTO THAT YOU'RE SEEING IS THE RESTORED CONDITION WITH THE BRAIDED WATERWAYS GOING THROUGH HERE.
THIS WAS A DWR DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES PROJECT, LIKE I SAID, THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR 20 YEARS OR SO, AND BAKED INTO THE PROJECT EARLY ON WAS A TRAIL PLAN AND A PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN, THAT 20 YEARS AGO, THERE WASN'T NECESSARILY A WHOLE LOT OF THOUGHT OR CONSIDERATION PUT INTO WHO WOULD END UP OPERATING THAT.
IT WAS JUST INCLUDED IN THE DESIGN.
AS THE RESTORATION PROJECT HAS BEEN FINALIZED AND IS SUCCESSFUL.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES CAME TO CITY OF OAKLEY AND THE PARK DISTRICT TO INITIATE DISCUSSIONS ON WHO WOULD OPERATE RECREATIONAL USE OF THIS AREA.
THERE IS ABOUT 3.6 MILES OF TRAILS THAT WIND THROUGH THIS PROPERTY.
NATURALLY, IT'S ADJACENT TO BIG BREAK.
MAKES A LOT OF SENSE FOR THE PARK DISTRICT TO HAVE A ROLE THERE.
BUT WE'RE ALWAYS RELUCTANT TO VOLUNTEER TO MANAGE OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTIES WITHOUT FUNDING ATTACHED TO IT.
[00:30:04]
WE DID SUGGEST THAT WE WOULD NEED TO IDENTIFY A FUNDING SOURCE THERE.SUBSEQUENTLY, THE STATE RELEASED THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM, SOME OUTLINES OF A COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM RELATED TO THE DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT.
WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A GRANT PROGRAM OF $200 MILLION TO LOCAL AGENCIES TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE DELTA.
THIS SEEMED LIKE A REALLY GREAT PROJECT, AND WE WERE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO WORK SOME WITH DWR STAFF TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL.
WE'VE PROVIDED THAT PROPOSAL TO DWR STAFF WHO IN CONCEPT, ARE SUPPORTIVE OF IT, THAT WOULD PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE PARK DISTRICT TO OPERATE THESE 3.6 MILES OF TRAILS THAT CONNECTS TO THE MARSH CREEK TRAIL AND CONNECTS INTO BIG BREAK REGIONAL SHORELINES.
FOLKS WOULD BE ABLE TO PARK AND ACCESS THE AREA FROM BIG BREAK, AND THIS WOULD JUST ESSENTIALLY EXPAND THE TRAIL NETWORK AT BIG BREAK PRETTY SUBSTANTIALLY, AND ALSO PROVIDE AN EXPANDED TRAIL NETWORK THROUGH MARSH CREEK, THE MARSH CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL.
LIKE I SAID, IT'S BEEN ACCEPTED IN CONCEPT.
WE'RE NOW DEVELOPING, LET'S SEE WHAT I BELIEVE IS AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE THAT WILL COME BACK TO THE BOARD AT SOME POINT SOON, PROBABLY EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR, AND THEN WE'LL SUBMIT THAT, AND THEN IT'S REALLY WAITING UNTIL THIS COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM GETS FUNDED THROUGH THE DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT TO SEE AS THAT MOVES FORWARD.
BUT WE'VE BEEN ENGAGED WITH THEM, AND THE STATE JUST RECENTLY RELEASED THEIR ACCOUNTABILITY ACTION PLAN ON THE DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT.
I WANTED TO REPORT BACK TO YOU THAT WE ARE INVOLVED AND ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS AS WELL.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ON THE DELTA ITEMS, I WILL JUST MENTION, THESE ARE LIKE I SAY, A SNAPSHOT OF A COUPLE OF THE SHORELINE PROJECTS THAT THE PARK DISTRICT IS ENGAGED IN.
THESE ARE EACH PROJECTS THAT ARE LARGELY LED BY OTHER AGENCIES THAT THE PARK DISTRICT IS INVOLVED IN.
THESE ARE BY NO MEANS THE ONLY ONES.
WE'RE INVOLVED IN PROJECTS ON THE RICHMOND SHORELINE DOWN IN THE EMERYVILLE CRESCENT ALONG OAKLAND ALAMEDA.
DEVON'S BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH THE OAKLAND ALAMEDA.
SEA LEVEL RISE COALITION DOWN IN THAT AREA.
A LOT OF WORK GOING ALONG THE SHORELINE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE 55 MILES OF SHORELINE THAT THE PARK DISTRICT OPERATES.
WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR TAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON FUTURE TOPICS. THANK YOU.
>> COULD YOU PUT THAT MAP BACK UP?
>> I THINK YOU FIGURED THAT OUT JUST AS YOU WERE PUTTING.
>> I SAW THAT LOOK. BRIAN, AS YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS NOW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
EVER SINCE WE GOT THAT LETTER FROM I THINK IT WASN'T DWR GENERATING IT AS MUCH AS DWR HAVING COMPLETED THE PROJECT SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
I CONTINUED TO USE CONSULTANTS.
I'M THINKING OF JOHN KAINE, AND I THINK IT'S AMERICAN RIVERS?
WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING 20 YEARS ON THIS WONDERFUL PROJECT.
IT IS AMONG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MARSH RESTORATION I'VE EVER SEEN.
AT THIS POINT, I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME DOWN THERE.
BUT THEY KEPT TALKING ABOUT, WELL, WE THINK THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT WOULD BE THE NATURAL OPERATOR FOR THIS NEW PARKLAND.
IT IS BASICALLY CONTIGUOUS WITH BIG BREAK.
IF YOU LOOK AT A MAP AND THE MAPS THAT WE HAVE HERE, YOU WOULD SIMPLY ENVISION THAT WHOLE 1,200 ACRES BECOMING PART OF BIG BREAK.
IF YOU WERE JUST LOOKING AT PARK OPERATIONS FROM A GEOGRAPHIC POINT OF VIEW, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THE STATE DOESN'T HAVE ANY PARK INFRASTRUCTURE OUT THERE OR RESOURCES OUT THERE, STATE PARKS WON'T COME AND OPERATE NEW LANDS.
THE PARK DISTRICT HAS OUR VISITOR CENTER AND OUR ACTIVE NATURALIST PROGRAMS FROM THE EMERSON PARCEL LOOKING OVER INTO BIG BREAK.
[00:35:03]
YOU CAN SEE OUR FACILITY OVER THERE.>> PARK DISTRICT EAST COUNTY TRAILS OFFICE AND CORPORATE YARD IS RIGHT NEXT DOWN THERE.
OUR RANGERS ALREADY BASICALLY GO IN AND PATROL THE AREA TO KEEP MOTORCYCLISTS AND OTHERS WHO AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE THERE OUT OF THERE.
WE ALREADY HAVE AN ACTIVE ROLE ASSISTING THE STATE WITH MAINTENANCE OF THOSE LANDS.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A FUNCTION OF, DWR, THAT ALL MAKES SENSE.
EVERYBODY LOOKS AT THIS, IT MAKES SENSE.
WE DON'T GET PROPERTY TAXES OUT OF OAKLEY AND BRENTWOOD BY REASON OF THE, WE GO INTO THAT HISTORY, BUT BY REASON OF THE TIMING OF THE ANNEXATION OF THOSE COMMUNITIES TO THE PARK DISTRICT.
HOW DO WE COVER OUR OVERHEAD, WHICH OBVIOUSLY WOULD BE THERE.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I'M AWARE OF WHERE THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE COULD BE SOME DOLLARS THAT FLOW FROM THIS.
I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT TALKING ABOUT THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACTION PLAN AND THAT COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAM ARISING FROM THE CONVEYANCE GIVEN HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE FOR THE STATE TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNOR'S TUNNEL PLAN.
WE ALL KNOW THE LONG HISTORY OF THOSE CONVEYANCE PLANS, GOING BACK TO THE PERIPHERAL CANAL DEBATE ON UP TO THIS DEBATE OVER TUNNELS OR NOW TUNNEL.
THAT'S AN ISSUE FOR ME, AND I WOULD AGGRESSIVELY KEEP PURSUING IT BECAUSE AT SOME POINT DWR MIGHT BE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT SOME INTERIM FUNDING THAT THEY COULD COME UP WITH BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE A LOT OF FUNDING BASED ON THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH CENTRAL VALLEY AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER INTERESTS.
IN ANY EVENT, I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THIS GOING FORWARD AND MOVING FORWARD.
THIS IS A RESULT OF THEM ASKING FOR PROPOSALS.
FROM THE CONVEYANCE ACTION PLAN.
ULTIMATELY, THERE ARE TWO MORE PARCELS THERE THAT AREN'T ON THIS MAP, BUT ONE OF THEM IS THE EMERSON AND THE OTHER IS GILBERT? THE GILBERT, CORRECT. AND BURROUGHS.
MY MEMORY FROM WALKING AROUND THERE IS THERE ARE ALSO TRAILS OF CONTEMPLATED FOR THOSE OTHER PARCELS.
AND I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY, SINCE THE CTRACSTA CAL GOES BY THERE, I THINK THERE'S THE CONCEPT OF A REGIONAL TRAIL GOING THROUGH THERE AND CONNECTING, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> I DO NOT THINK THAT THERE WAS ANY PUBLIC ACCESS PROPOSED IN THE GILBERT AND BURROUGHS PARCEL.
I THINK YOU HAVE A LEVEE SYSTEM AROUND THERE AND OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE ROADS THERE FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES.
>> WHAT'S WHAT I'M SEEING THE STATE'S CONCEPT WOULD THEN BE THAT THESE ARE HABITAT PRESERVATION.
>> YEAH. CORRECT. AND SO PUBLIC ACCESS.
IN THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS FOCUSED AROUND THE EMERSON PARCEL BECAUSE OF THE CITY OF OAKLEY'S PROPOSAL FOR THEIR CITY PARK IN THIS AREA, WHICH IS A WHOLE ANOTHER CONVERSATION THAT THIS IS NOT OUR PROPOSAL.
BUT THE IDEA THAT THE CONTRA COSTA CANAL TRAIL OR IF I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S THAT OR THE MCCUNE AQUEDUCT TRAIL THAT COMES THROUGH HERE WOULD CONNECT THERE.
YES, THERE ARE REGIONAL TRAIL CONCEPT.
>> I JUST ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE VIABILITY OF THE CITY'S PARK TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT THE FUNDERS THAT IT WOULD BE PART OF A REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM.
ANYWAY, THAT'S JUST ONE THOUGHT.
LASTLY, AS I THINK YOU LOOKED AT.
THIS IS THE MARSH CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL CURRENTLY DEAD ENDS WHERE YOU SEE THAT LIGHT WHAT IS THAT A LIGHT GRAY AREA.
IT DEAD ENDS THERE. THERE'S A FENCE.
AND IF YOU GO STRAIGHT DOWN, AND THIS IS IF YOU GO UP THERE WITH ME, THIS IS WHERE WE'LL TAKE A HIKE.
BUT YOU TAKE A HIKE DOWN THIS LAST, IT'S A LITTLE SHORT OF A MILE WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THAT POINT.
RIGHT AT THAT POINT, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAS BUILT A BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE RIGHT
[00:40:04]
OVER THE NEW MOUTH OF MARSH CREEK, AND THE TRAIL CONTINUES AROUND.THE PARK DISTRICT, INDEPENDENT OF THIS PROPOSAL, BRIAN, THE PARK DISTRICT HAS IN ITS MASTER PLAN AND OVER THE COURSE OF YEARS, COMMITTED TO OPERATING AN EXTENSION OF THE MARSH CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL, SUCH THAT THE TRAIL WILL BE TAKEN ALL THE WAY DOWN TO DUTCH SLOUGH.
THAT IS THE NATURAL TERMINUS FOR THE MARSH CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL ENVISION, IF YOU WOULD, THAT WOULD BE IN THEORY, THE START OF THE TRAIL ON THE DELTA, THE END OF THE TRAIL WILL BE WHERE WE ARE PROPOSING A FOUR MILE EXTENSION FROM BRENTWOOD ON INTO ROUND VALLEY.
THE PARK DISTRICT'S CONCEPT FOR THE MARSH CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL IS THAT ONE DAY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HIKE OR ESPECIALLY BIKE RIDE FROM THE DELTA ALL THE WAY TO ROUND VALLEY AND ULTIMATELY MOUNT DIABLO? THE TWO GAPS IN THE MARSH CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL ARE THIS RATHER SMALL ONE, AND THEN THE SEVERAL MILE ONE FROM WHERE IT CURRENTLY ENDS AT JOHN MARSHA'S HOME SITE, OUT IN BRENTWOOD, AROUND MARSH CREEK ROAD TO ROUND VALLEY.
THAT'S ANOTHER LARGER CONTEXT.
DOES THIS PROPOSAL THAT OUR FOLKS HAVE SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACTION PLAN, DOES THAT CONTEMPLATE THAT THERE WILL BE FUNDING FROM THE STATE OR OTHERWISE TO COMPLETE THE MARSH CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL EXTENSION THERE?
>> THERE IS A PROPOSAL THAT THE MARSH CREEK WOULD CONTINUE ALL THE WAY AROUND HERE.
I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY COMPLETE? THERE WE WOULD PAVE.
THAT'S WHY I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO ASK.
I THINK AT THIS POINT WE'RE SHOWING RESURFACING UP TO HERE.
I WOULD NEED TO GO BACK IN AND CHECK WITH ALEX WHO'S OUR PLANNER TO SEE IF IF WE'RE INCLUDING PAVING ALL THE WAY OUT THERE AND IF NOT, WHY NOT? I CAN GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT.
YEAH, I KNOW THAT'S COME UP BEFORE.
>> SURE. IT'S A DECENT TRAIL AS IS.
IT'S GRAVEL RIGHT NOW, BUT TO BE AN ACTUAL REGIONAL TRAIL WITHIN WHAT YOU PLANNERS ACTUALLY HAVE IN TERMS OF THE STANDARDS FOR REGIONAL TRAILS.
IT WOULD NEED TO BE PAVED AND THAT WAS THE CONCEPT I BELIEVE THAT WE'VE ALWAYS HAD.
MY POINT BEING, IF THIS PROJECT THAT YOU'VE OUTLINED NEVER OCCURS BECAUSE OF THE CONVEYANCE NEVER OCCURS, OR WHATEVER, WE'RE STILL COMMITTED TO DOING THE EXTENSION UNDER OUR MASTER PLAN.
HOW FUNDS ARE RAISED TO DO THAT IS LEFT UNSAID, BUT WE'RE COMMITTED TO OPERATING A COMPLETION OF THE MARSH CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL AT LEAST TO THE MOUTH OF MARSH CREEK.
I'VE ALWAYS ENVISIONED THAT AS BEING A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE AND THE CITY IN SEEKING FUNDING TO INCLUDE THAT SEGMENT.
THAT'S JUST AGAIN, ADDITIONAL CONTEXT TO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE ABOUT IT.
>> LIKE I SAID, THIS ONE SHOULD BE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD AT SOME POINT PROBABLY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
>> EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO GO OUT THERE.
I'LL GO OUT AND MEET YOU OUT THERE AT THAT FENCE.
WE HAVE THE KEYS. THE STANDARD, WE JUST NOTIFY JOHN KING, THEIR CONSULTANT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE EXPLORING, AND THEY'RE FINE WITH THAT.
>> HOW MANY TOTAL ACRES IS THIS?
>> WELL, THE TOTAL ACREAGE IS, I THINK IT'S ABOUT 1,500 ACRES FOR THE WHOLE EMERSON PARCEL, AND THEN IT'S ABOUT 3.6 MILES OF TRAILS LOOPING AROUND THERE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? CLERK?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BRIAN. APPRECIATE IT.
>> WE'LL MOVE NOW TO THE STATE ADVOCATES UPDATE.
ERIC FELLER, DIVISION LEAD FOR GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.
WE'RE JOINED TODAY BY RED ADDIS FROM EEC OUR CONSULTANTS IN SACRAMENTO.
BUT BEFORE WE HAVE READ COMMENT ON GGR F AND PROP FOUR, DID WANT TO COMMENT THAT OUR EAST BAY HILLS LEGISLATION HAS PASSED AND WAS ORDERED TO BE ENROLLED,
[00:45:02]
THAT OCCURRED ON FRIDAY.THEN OUR PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE ARTICLE 3, BILL IS STILL PENDING A VOTE IN THE SENATE, BUT WE'RE NOT ANTICIPATING ANY CHALLENGES AT THIS TIME.
I'M LITERALLY WATCHING RIGHT NOW THEY'RE VOTING ON AB 769.
SO BY THE TIME YOU'RE DONE WITH YOUR DISCUSSION, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU THE VOTE COUNT.
>> AWESOME. WANT TO GIVE SOME CREDIT TO JENNIFER GIL HOUSE WITH REED'S FIRM AND OBVIOUSLY, LISA BALDENER, HERE AT THE PARK DISTRICT FOR ADVANCING BOTH OF THESE BILLS SO SUCCESSFULLY AND WORKING WITH THE AUTHORS OFFICES AND SENATOR GRAYSON ASSEMBLY MEMBER WILSON.
JUST A QUICK REPORT ON OUR DUE DILIGENCE WITH ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER BROOKS AND MYSELF, AND LISA, WE'VE MET WITH SENATOR GRAYSON. ASSEMBLY MEMBER WILSON AND ALSO SENATOR MCNERNEY REGARDING GGRF AND PROP FOUR, AND WE'VE HAD HIGH LEVEL OF STAFF CONVERSATIONS WITH THE REST OF OUR DELEGATION, INCLUDING ASSEMBLY MEMBER BOWER [INAUDIBLE] WHO'S ON ONE OF THE WORKING GROUPS.
WITH THAT, READ, IF YOU WANT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON GGRF AND PROP FOUR, AND THEN MAYBE BY THE TIME YOU'RE DONE, THE VOTE WILL BE COMPLETED ON ARTICLE 3 BILL.
>> YES. THEY ACTUALLY JUST CONCLUDED AT LEAST PART OF THE VOTE, YOU HAVE PLENTY OF VOTES TO GET OFF THE SENATE FLOOR.
THEY MAY HAVE HELD IT OPEN FOR ADDITIONAL SENATE VOTES, BUT ALL VERY GOOD SIGN AND VERY TIMELY FOR TODAY'S REPORT.
HAPPY TO THEN TALK ABOUT GJ F AND PROP FOUR.
AS ERIC MENTIONED, YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN HEAVILY ENGAGED DURING THIS SUMMER BREAK FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO TRY TO ADVANCE, ESPECIALLY PROP FOUR.
THERE WAS, UNFORTUNATELY AN EFFORT BETWEEN THE POLITICS BETWEEN THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY TO MAYBE HOLD UP PROP FOUR APPROPRIATIONS THIS YEAR.
THAT WORK OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAS REALLY LOOSENED UP THAT CONVERSATION AND THE ASSEMBLY, I THINK IS NO LONGER GOING TO BLOCK PP FOUR APPROPRIATIONS.
WE'RE FEELING VERY POSITIVE ABOUT THAT EFFORT.
THOUGH, WE WILL NOT ABSOLUTELY KNOW FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND A HALF IF ALL OF THAT IS IN THE CLEAR AND IT'S A FULL GREEN LIGHT.
BUT THINGS ARE TRENDING IN A MUCH BETTER DIRECTION.
AGAIN, THANKS TO MANY OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS HERE FOR REACHING OUT AND TALKING TO THEIR DELEGATION.
THE TWO REMAINING ITEMS AROUND POP FOUR THAT WE'RE MONITORING AND POTENTIALLY COULD BE AN ISSUE.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, I THINK I RAISED THIS IN OUR LAST MEETING, BUT I WANT TO CONTINUE TO SAY THESE TWO ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN DEALT WITH YET.
ONE IS, IT'S POSSIBLE THERE COULD BE A TRAILER BILL.
THAT'S A TERM WE USE UP HERE THAT WOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROP FOUR APPROPRIATION IT MIGHT MAKE TWEAKS, IT MIGHT CHANGE DEFINITIONS AND MIGHT HAVE LANGUAGE IN THERE TO ALLOW CERTAIN LEGISLATORS SPECIAL PROJECTS TO GET FUNDED.
WE MAY NOT LIKE SOME OF THOSE ELEMENTS THAT WOULD GO IN A TRAILER BELL.
HOWEVER, WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET.
IT MAY NOT GO FORWARD, BUT WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK AND A HALF, IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A TRAILER BILL ASSOCIATED WITH IT, WE WILL SEE IT, AT THE VERY LEAST YOUR TEAM WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE IT WITH YOU.
I WANT TO WARN YOU, HOWEVER, THE WAY THE PROCESS WORKS AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IF A TRAILER BILL HAS STUFF IN THERE THAT WE'RE NOT HAPPY WITH, IT MAY BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO ADVOCATE AND ASK FOR CHANGES BECAUSE THE TIMING THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL USE TO PASS THAT MEANING, THERE WILL BE VERY LIMITED TIME FOR US TO ENGAGE THE LEGISLATURE TO ASK FOR A CHANGE.
THE OTHER PIECE OF PP FOUR THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THAT THE SENATE IS SUGGESTING THAT WE NOT CONFORM TO THE TRADITION AROUND WHAT IS AN APA EXEMPTION THAT MOST BONDS HAVE HAD THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT THIS APA EXEMPTION MIGHT NEED TO BE REVIEWED PROGRAM BY PROGRAM OR AGENCY BY AGENCY.
WE HAVE NOT SEEN THEIR FRAMEWORK OF WHAT THEY MEAN BY THAT AND WHAT THE DETAILS ARE.
IN GENERAL, I WILL RAISE I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES, POTENTIALLY DECIDING WHAT PROGRAMS GET GUIDELINES AND WHAT PROGRAMS WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH A VERY LENGTHY REGULATORY PROCESS.
WE WILL KNOW IN THE NEXT HOURS TO DAYS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND WHETHER THERE'S ANY CONCERNS THERE AND WE'LL BRING THAT TO YOUR TEAM. THAT'S PP FOUR.
AGAIN, I THINK ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, THE CONCERNS WE HAD OVER THE SUMMER ABOUT THE ACTUAL MONEY BEING HELD UP
[00:50:04]
SEEMS TO HAVE GIVEN WAY TO COOLER HEADS WHO ARE GOING TO ALLOW THE APPROPRIATION TO OCCUR.BUT WE MIGHT HAVE THESE ASSOCIATED POLICIES AROUND APA EXEMPTION AND CARVE OUTS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE CONCERNS OR FRUSTRATIONS WITH AND WE'LL BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION.
BEFORE I MOVE TO GGRF SHOULD I PAUSE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS AROUND PROP FOUR?
TRADITIONALLY, NATURAL RESOURCE BONDS HAVE HAD A PROVISION IN THEM THAT WOULD ALLOW AGENCIES TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES.
THEY HAVE TO ISSUE EVERYTHING IN A PUBLIC WAY, THEY HAVE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS, BUT THE FINAL PRODUCT OF THAT IS A GUIDELINE THAT THEN DIRECTS THE AGENCY HOW TO EXPEND THE DOLLARS.
I THOSE PROVISIONS AREN'T IN A BOND LIKE THEY WEREN'T IN PROP FOUR.
WHAT IT MEANS IS AN AGENCY MAY HAVE TO GO THROUGH A FULL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS FOR EACH OF THEIR PROGRAMS. THEY WOULD HAVE TO CREATE REGULATION VERSUS GUIDELINES.
AND THAT REGULATION HAS A WHOLE HOST OF EXTRA ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH IT, AND PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPLICATION FOR AGENCIES LIKE YOU, IS THAT IT COULD REQUIRE AN EXTRA YEAR LONG DELAY AS THE REGULATION WORKS THROUGH ITS LEGAL PROCESS.
SO AN APA EXEMPTION ALLOWS YOU TO SAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO A REGULATION, YOU CAN DO A GUIDELINE AND THE GUIDELINES MOVE MUCH QUICKER.
>> AND THE TECHNICAL ANSWER, I GUESS, I'M SORRY.
THAT WAS A LONG WINDED WAY OF SAYING, APA STANDS WHERE I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS?
>> I WOULD. WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE PROCEDURE OF STAYING ON TOP OF THIS.
I KNOW THE GUTTING OF PROP FOUR WAS REALLY IN THE NEWS AND I FOLLOWED IT AS BEST AS I COULD.
IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO KEEP PUSHING FOR THOSE FUNDS TO BE RELEASED TO US.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND OUR CONSULTANTS WORK AND ALL OF THAT.
I HAVE A QUESTION ON HOW, I THINK IT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT BEING ENGAGED, CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS.
I'M JUST CURIOUS WHEN A LETTER GOES OUT.
I THINK I SAW SOMETHING ONCE THAT SOMEONE FORWARD.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS NAMES ARE ON THEM VERSUS IS THERE ANOTHER LEVEL MORE FORMAL THAT WE WOULD SOMETIMES GO TO STAFF CLEARLY IS DOING A GREAT JOB.
I GUESS I DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS.
I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT MY EXACT QUESTION IS, BUT AT SOME POINT, DO WE TAKE A HIGHER LEVEL WHERE OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS TAKE A HIGHER POSITION OR SIGN A LETTER, OR I'VE SEEN LETTERS THAT GO OUT THAT OUR NAMES ARE AT THE BOTTOM.
HOW DO WE DO OUR BEST TO KEEP ELEVATING THIS OR HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ELEVATING IT TO DO THE GREAT JOB YOU'VE BEEN DOING IT? SO IMPORTANT FOR THE VOTERS, THE INTENT OF THE VOTERS TO USE THIS MONEY WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE USED.
JUST WONDERING IF WHAT LEVEL WE USE AND IS THERE ANOTHER LEVEL THAT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR THIS COMMITTEE COULD PLAY AT SOME POINT?
THE SHORT ANSWER IS PERSEVERANCE THAT WE JUST KEEP AT IT.
BUT SECONDARILY, WE ARE PART OF A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT COALITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN TERMS OF ADVOCATING ON PROP 4 AND ON GGRF.
ONE IS THE CLEAN WATER NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARKS COALITION THAT STARTED FOR PROP 68, AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO DO GREAT WORK.
THEN THANKS TO REID TEAMS ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE AND STRATEGIC GUIDANCE ON THAT.
THEN PART OF TOGETHER BAY AREA, WHICH IS A VERY LARGE REGIONAL COALITION THAT'S BEEN ADVOCATING LARGELY FOR COASTAL CONSERVANCY FUNDING, BUT FOR PROP 4 AS A WHOLE AND ALSO THE GGRF ALLOCATION FOR NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS.
THOSE ARE TWO WAYS TO ELEVATE, JUST IN TERMS OF HOW WE'VE CONTINUED WORK FROM OUR OWN AGENCY'S PERSPECTIVE.
WE HAVE BEEN PRIMARILY DOING A LOT OF WORK AT THE STAFF LEVEL.
I DO THINK THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO BE MEETING WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS DIRECTLY, AND I THINK IF WE SEE SOME INCLUSION OF GGRF IN THAT INCLUDES NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS.
WE WOULD DEFINITELY BE CALLING ON YOU ALL TO HELP DO AROUND WITH OUR DELEGATION, AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, STILL PLANNING ON A LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY IN SACRAMENTO FOR NEXT YEAR.
THAT PROCESS IN TERMS OF ACTUALLY TRYING TO SECURE SOME OF THAT FUNDING.
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, READ, BUT THAT WOULD STILL TAKE SOME TIME.
[00:55:02]
AND SO WE WOULD HAVE TIME TO GO BACK AND TALK TO LEGISLATORS AFTER THEY ADJOURN AND WE COULD USE THE BOARD SUPPORT IN THAT.>> IS THERE A OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE? I GUESS I STILL DON'T HAVE A FULL UNDERSTANDING IF THERE ARE SOME FORMAL LETTERS THAT GET SENT OUT WITH OUR NAME, OUR LOGO, IN CONJUNCTION WITH TOGETHER BAY AREA OR OTHERS, MIGHT WE GET COPIED ON THEM OR SEE THEM AS THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE? IT'S A PROCESS THAT INTERESTS ME GREATLY.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY I THINK THAT PROP 4 HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF ATTENTION.
I'D JUST BE INTERESTED IF THERE'S FORMAL LETTERS, MAYBE THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.
WE GET A LOT OF NEWS BRIEFS AND THINGS.
IT'D BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE LETTERS THAT WE ARE SENDING OUT OR CO AUTHORING OR CO SIGNING.
WHEN THE PARK DISTRICT TAKES A POSITION, OUR RESOLUTION THAT THE FULL BOARD ADOPTS BASICALLY ALLOWS OR ENABLES OUR GENERAL MANAGER TO WEIGH IN ON LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND ON TESTIMONY AND ANYTHING THAT WAS DEEMED APPROPRIATE TO ADVANCE EITHER LEGISLATION OR POLICY, WHATEVER WE'VE TAKEN A POSITION ON.
THOSE LETTERS WHEN WE DO SEND SOMETHING FROM THE PARK DISTRICT, RCC, TO THE BOARD, NOT JUST THE COMMITTEE.
WE DID DO SOMETHING RELATIVELY RECENTLY ON PROP 4 THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A COPY.
SO IF YOU DID NOT, LET US KNOW AND THEN WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT OUR PROCESSES IS MOVING PROPERLY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. MAYBE I MISSED THAT, BUT I APPRECIATE BEING INVOLVED AND REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT. THANK YOU.
>> DID I MOVE ON TO THE CLIMATE PROGRAM UPDATE?
I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS UPDATE, THOUGH.
IT'S A HALF WIN BECAUSE WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY LAND THE PLANE FOR THIS TO BE A FULL WIN.
I'LL EXPLAIN WHAT I MEAN BY THAT.
YOUR TEAM FOR MANY MONTHS HAS BEEN SOCIALIZING WITH THE LEGISLATURE, THE NEED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS BEYOND PROP 4, AND ONE OF THE SOURCES OF FUNDING THAT SEEMED APPROPRIATE THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IS THE GGRF, THAT'S THE SPECIAL ACCOUNT OF FUNDS THAT ARE GENERATED FROM THE STATE'S CLIMATE PROGRAM.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO CRACK THE DOOR OPEN ON WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS THE IDEA THAT SOME OF THAT REVENUE IN A SOMEWHAT CONSISTENT WAY SHOULD BE DEDICATED TO NATURAL AND WORKING LAND PROGRAMS AND OTHER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THAT WE LIKE.
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, WE HAD A BREAKTHROUGH.
THAT EFFORT WAS SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE ASSEMBLY TO ACTUALLY PUT FORWARD A PROPOSAL ON HOW TO SPIN GGRF MONEY THAT DOES CONSIDER VARIOUS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL AND WORKING LAND PROGRAMS. I WANT TO WARN YOU, IT DOESN'T SAY NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS PER SE, BUT IT HIGHLIGHTS THAT THERE SHOULD BE FUNDS.
THOSE FUNDS SHOULD MOVE FORWARD IN THREE TO FIVE YEAR COMMITMENTS AND THAT VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT WE WOULD BENEFIT FROM ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
THIS AGAIN, IS A BREAKTHROUGH THAT WE FINALLY HAVE SOMEBODY OFFICIALLY SAYING, SOME OF OUR CONSERVATION PROGRAMMING SHOULD BE FUNDED FROM GGRF.
WE HAVE NOT SEEN A PROPOSAL FROM THE SENATE YET.
I KNOW THE SENATE IS ACTUALLY MEETING AS A CAUCUS RIGHT NOW TO TALK ABOUT, WELL, ACTUALLY, NO, THEY'RE NOT.
THEY'RE STILL ON THE FLOOR, BUT THEY WILL BE MOMENTARILY MEETING IN TWO CAUCUS TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY WANT TO HANDLE THE CAP AND TRADE GGRF PROGRAM, THE CLIMATE PROGRAM THIS YEAR.
THERE'S A LOT OF TENSION RIGHT NOW BETWEEN THE HOUSE, THE TWO HOUSES, BETWEEN THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE.
BECAUSE THE ASSEMBLY HAS THIS PROPOSAL THAT IS OUT.
IT'S THE PROPOSAL WE LIKE BECAUSE IT'S PUTTING US OUT THERE.
THE ASSEMBLY IS COORDINATING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS, WE BELIEVE BASED ON OUR INTEL ALSO COORDINATING AND CLOSE WITH THE ASSEMBLY.
HOWEVER, THE SENATE IS RAISING ISSUES, RAISING QUESTIONS, AND IT DOES NOT HAVE A COUNTERPROPOSAL.
THERE'S A LOT OF TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO HOUSES LITERALLY AS WE SPEAK.
IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, IF THE TWO HOUSES CAN RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND IN RESOLVING THEIR DIFFERENCES
[01:00:02]
THAT THEY CONTINUE TO ADVANCE THIS GGRF FRAMEWORK THAT HAS US IN IT.I WILL JUST SAY, IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT IF THEY CANNOT AGREE TO EVERYTHING AND IF THEY'RE REALLY STILL HAVING A MELTDOWN, IF YOU WILL, BETWEEN TWO HOUSES ON THE POLICY, IT'S POSSIBLE THEY COULD ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF THE CLIMATE PROGRAM AND MAYBE NOT THE GGRF EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK THAT WE LIKE, AND WE MAY NEED TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THIS OVER THE FALL INTO NEXT YEAR.
BUT AT LEAST FOR RIGHT NOW, I'M POSITIVE THAT WE ARE IN AT LEAST ONE HOUSE'S PROPOSAL, AND THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP WORKING ON THAT.
HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT WEEK AND A HALF THOUGH, IT'LL BE RESOLVED AND YOUR TEAM CAN REPORT TO YOU THAT WE WERE SUCCESSFUL.
IF NOT, THIS MIGHT BE SOMETHING WE NEED TO CONTINUE WORKING ON NEXT YEAR.
>> THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THAT?
THIS IS JUST SO MUCH TO LEARN AND DIGEST.
YOU GUYS ARE SUCH EXPERTS ON THIS AND DEAL WITH IT EVERY DAY.
BUT THE NAME ITSELF, THE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION FUND LEADS ME TO WONDER IN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVOCATE FOR CONSERVATION FOCUS INVESTMENT OF SOME OF THAT, THE CAP AND TRADE MONEY.
BUT WOULD WE NEED TO BE FURTHER ALONG IN HAVING OUR OWN GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY OR SEQUESTERING DATA IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY DELIVERABLES OF RECEIPT OF THAT TO JUSTIFY THE REDUCTION? I DON'T THINK RIGHT NOW WE CAN SAY HOW MANY CO_2 EQUIVALENTS, HOW MANY GREENHOUSE GASES REDUCTIONS WE WOULD HAVE.
I KNOW WE JUST YESTERDAY ARE LOOKING AT A LOCAL HEADERS MITIGATION PLAN THAT'S GOING TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT MORE INTO OUR ACTIONS, OUR PLANS.
BUT TO GET THIS MONEY, WOULD WE NEED TO BE FURTHER ALONG BEYOND THIS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE IN MEASURING THAT? OR IS IT TWO SEPARATE? THEY GET THEIR CAP AND TRADE AND DECIDE WHERE TO INVEST THE MONEY, OR DO WE HAVE TO? AM I EXPLAINING WHERE DO WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR OWN MEASURABLE ON THE SIDE OF IT?
>> I THINK I DO UNDERSTAND AND THERE'S TWO SEPARATE, I THINK ANSWERS TO THAT.
ONE IS, IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE INVESTMENTS, REID SPEAKING TO THAT FUNDING IS A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBLE THAN SAY BOND MONEY THAT JUST GOES TO A CAPITAL PROJECT.
IT CAN BE USED FOR CLIMATE STEWARDSHIP.
FOR THINGS LIKE RESTORATION OF CULVERTS OR OTHER AREAS WHERE WE KNOW IT'S A NET BENEFIT TO THE CLIMATE FOR THE PARK DISTRICT TO BE TAKING ACTION.
THE SECOND PART OF YOUR QUESTION, I THINK PROBABLY DOES LEND ITSELF FOR AN ADDITIONAL REVIEW.
WE DID HAVE A ASSESSMENT DONE BY NOW, MAYBE TEN YEARS AGO OF HOW MUCH CARBON OUR LAND IS SEQUESTERING.
I DON'T HAVE THE DATA POINT FRESH IN MY HEAD RIGHT NOW, BUT WE DO HAVE THAT, BUT IT COULD BE APPROPRIATE, ESPECIALLY IF THESE FUNDS ADVANCE TO DO AN UPDATED ASSESSMENT OF THAT.
I THINK READ, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I THINK THERE IS ALSO DATA AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT WE'VE BEEN USING TO DEMONSTRATE THE NET BENEFIT, AND THAT'S WHERE WE CAME UP WITH THE 15% FIGURE, I BELIEVE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. NO, ERIC, YOU'RE RIGHT.
THIS MONEY TECHNICALLY CAN BE SPENT ON ANYTHING.
IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE EXISTING INVESTMENTS, REALLY IT'S NOT A STRONG CLIMATE CONNECTION.
HONESTLY, THE WAY THE DOLLARS ARE DERIVED, THEY CAN BE SPENT ON LITERALLY ANYTHING.
HOWEVER, AS ERIC MENTIONED, THE FOCUS IS TO INVEST IT IN CLIMATE BENEFICIAL PROJECTS, AND YOU GUYS CAN MAKE A LOT OF POSITIVE ARGUMENTS ABOUT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT HAVE A NET, CLIMATE BENEFIT, HAVE A CARBON SEQUESTRATION BENEFIT, SO ON AND SO FORTH.
HAVING SAID THAT, AS YOU MAYBE HAVE MORE INTEL DETAIL MEASUREMENTS OF YOUR OWN WORK, THAT CAN ALWAYS BE HELPFUL, BECAUSE IF ALL OF THIS WORKS AND THIS MONEY ACTUALLY BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR US, I'M SURE IT'LL BE COMPETITIVE.
THE MORE INFORMATION YOU HAVE ABOUT YOUR PROJECTS, THE BETTER, BUT TECHNICALLY THERE'S NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT.
>> THANK YOU. THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. THANKS.
>> IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS OR NO ONE FROM THE ZOOM ROOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, REID, AND THANK YOUR STAFF.
>> THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD ONE.
>> TAKE CARE. WE'LL MOVE NOW TO THE UPDATE ON THE PARK DISTRICT FEDERAL ADVOCACY MEETINGS.
[01:05:37]
>> THANK YOU. ERIC FELLER, DIVISION LEAD FOR GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD AND OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR THEIR PATIENCE ON WORKING THROUGH FEDERAL ADVOCACY FOR 2025 AS WE STATED ALL THE TIME IN OUR MATERIALS THAT THE WORK OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS IS ALWAYS CHANGING EVERY TWO YEARS.
SO TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND DO A REASSESSMENT OF WHERE THINGS ARE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WAS VERY HELPFUL AND APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S PATIENCE.
BUT WE DO HAVE A PLAN TO ADVANCE SOME ADVOCACY MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON, DC.
OCTOBER 13 WOULD BE THE FLY IN DAY.
MEETING IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, PRIMARILY WITH SENATE STAFF AND ONE OR TWO OTHER STAFF FROM REPRESENTATIVE HARDER AND REPRESENTATIVE KONA'S OFFICES, AND THEN ON WEDNESDAY, WHICH WOULD BE OCTOBER 15, MEETING WITH OUR DELEGATION.
SO OUR REPRESENTATIVES SWALWELL, SIMON, GERMAN DE, AND I'M FORGETTING ONE OF THEM, BUT THE FOUR CORE THAT WE MEET WITH EVERY YEAR.
AND SO WITH THAT, WE'VE BEEN PREPARING BACKGROUND MATERIALS FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO REVIEW.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR CONSULTANTS, KDCR, WHO ARE ON THE SCREEN TO SCHEDULE THE MEETINGS, AND WE'VE COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT'S A LITTLE MORE CONCISE THAN I THINK WE TYPICALLY HAVE DONE.
BUT GIVEN OUR TIME CONSTRAINTS FOR BOTH THE DAYS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO US IN WASHINGTON, WHERE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE IN TOWN, AND THEN OUR OWN SCHEDULES HERE AT THE PARK DISTRICT, WE'RE LIMITED TO BEING AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE.
SO WITH THAT IN MIND, WE HAVE THREE MAIN DELEGATION WIDE PRIORITIES THAT WE DO WANT TO SHARE WITH OUR ENTIRE DELEGATION.
AND TO START WITH, I THINK DIRECTORS COFFEY AND WASP WERE WITH US WHEN IN 2020, THE SENATE WAS VOTING ON THE GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT WHEN IT PASSED, AND THAT ACT WAS ACTUALLY SIGNED INTO LAW BY THEN PRESIDENT TRUMP.
THAT HISTORIC LEGISLATION DID PROVIDE PERMANENT FULL FUNDING OF THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND AT 900 MILLION ANNUALLY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS FUNDING IS NOT TAX DOLLARS.
THIS IS FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE LEASES OF OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS.
AND THE LEVEL OF 900,000 HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CURIOSITY TO ME.
IT WAS MEMORIALIZED AND I BELIEVE 1978, AND IT'S NEVER BEEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.
AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THE RECEIPTS FOR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FROM THE LEASES IS ABOUT TRIPLE OR QUADRUPLE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT GOES INTO THE ACQUISITION SIDE OF LWCF.
>> THERE'S THREE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IN TERMS OF HOW WE WANT TO LOOK AT LWCF THIS YEAR AND THE SITE VISIT.
ONE, AND I KNOW LINDSEY CAN SPEAK TO THIS FROM KDCR, BUT IS THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS.
EVERY YEAR, CONGRESS IS SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH ALL 13 SPENDING BILLS AND PASS ALLOCATIONS FOR FUNDING.
THIS IS PERMANENTLY AUTHORIZED AT 900 MILLION, AND THERE IS DIRECTIVE LANGUAGE FOR IT TO BE FUNDED AT 900 MILLION, BUT CONGRESS CAN ALWAYS DIVERT SOME OF THE FUNDING IF THEY SO CHOOSE BY THEIR OWN VOTE.
AS OF NOW, 900 MILLION IS IN THE BILL, BUT IT IS ALWAYS VULNERABLE UNTIL IT'S ACTUALLY SIGNED INTO LAW.
THE SECOND COMPONENT THAT WE WANT TO THINK ABOUT IS THERE IS A POSSIBLE SECRETARIAL ORDER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR WHERE THE SECRETARY WOULD ESSENTIALLY DIVERT LWCF FUNDS THAT ARE INTENDED FOR ACQUISITION
[01:10:05]
AND PRESERVATION OF NATURAL LANDS TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR BASICALLY THEIR ONGOING WORK.THAT'S ANOTHER POTENTIAL CHALLENGE TO LWCF FUNDING.
THEN THE THIRD COMPONENT IS THE OUTDOOR RECREATION AND LEGACY PROGRAM, ORLP.
THAT PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND, BUT IT'S A COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE THAT THE PARK DISTRICT, ACTUALLY THE PARK DISTRICT TESTIFIED IN SUPPORT OF CREATING THE PROGRAM, AND THEN WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING SOME FUNDING.
THROUGH THAT, PARTICULARLY FOR THE TIDEWATER BOATING AREA AT MARTIN LUTHER KING REGIONAL SHORELINE.
THAT FUNDING IS ALSO TIED UP IN WHETHER OR NOT THE FULL 9,900 MILLION IS AUTHORIZED.
SINCE 2020, PARK DISTRICT HAS RECEIVED 11 MILLION AND LWCF FUNDING, 1 MILLION OF THAT WAS ORLP FOR THE TIDEWATER FACILITY THAT WE MENTIONED.
THEN, WE CURRENTLY HAVE TWO RELATIVELY LARGE LWCF GRANTS PENDING, $6 MILLION FOR DEER VALLEY AND $6 MILLION FOR THURGOOD MARSHALL REGIONAL PARK HOME OF THE PORT CHICAGO 50 SOUTH THE BAILEY ROAD PROJECT.
BOTH OF THOSE ARE IN THE QUEUE, AND THEY POTENTIALLY ARE GETTING CAUGHT UP IN SOME OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE OTHER THREE ITEMS THAT WE MENTIONED, AND I WILL NOTE THAT ON THE ORLP PROGRAM, THOSE GRANTS HAVE BEEN ESSENTIALLY SUSPENDED WHILE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REVIEWS THE CRITERIA OF HOW THEY WILL BE AWARDING THAT FUNDING.
THEY'RE NOT USING THE CRITERIA FROM LAST YEAR, THEY'RE SEEKING TO CREATE NEW CRITERIA.
SORRY, ABOUT THE ASK FOR THAT IS WE WILL BE ASKING FOR THE FULL FUNDING OF 900 MILLION, AND THEN ALSO FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE ORLP PROGRAM AND THE CRITERIA TO SPEAK TO WHAT THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO DO, WHICH IS ACTUALLY FUND PARKS AND MORE URBANIZED AREAS, SUCH AS THE EAST BAY.
THEN SECOND DISTRICT WIDE PRIORITY IS TO REALLY EMPHASIZE THE WORK WE ARE DOING AT SOUTH OF BAILEY ROAD FOR THURGOOD MARSHALL REGIONAL PARK, HOME OF THE PORT CHICAGO 50.
WE HAVE THAT $6 MILLION GRANT PENDING.
WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED $3 MILLION EARLIER FROM BOTH SENATOR GRAYSON FOR THE SOUTH OF BAILEY ROAD PROJECT AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND ADDITIONAL 3 MILLION FROM REPRESENTATIVE DALE FOR THE VISITOR CENTER POTENTIALLY TO BE PLANNED THERE.
THIS YEAR, REPRESENTATIVE DESAL ASKED FOR A $2 MILLION A COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUNDING TO GO TOWARDS SOUTH OF BAILEY.
FORTUNATELY, IT'S ADVANCING, BUT IT IS ADVANCING AT A LOWER LEVEL OF 850,000.
THAT FUNDING IS CAUGHT UP INTO THAT APPROPRIATION CYCLE THAT WE WERE SPEAKING TO EARLIER.
THEN WE MAY CONSIDER FOR NEXT YEAR, AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THIS DISTRICT WIDE PRIORITY, BECAUSE OF THE PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, BECAUSE OF THE NATIONAL AND I WOULD ARGUE INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HISTORY OF THIS SITE.
IT IS FITTING FOR A DISTRICT WIDE COMMUNITY BENEFIT ASK.
IN TERMS OF THE ENTIRE DELEGATION WEIGHING IN FOR FUNDING FOR THIS, OUR PROSPECTS ARE HEIGHTENED WHEN MORE THAN ONE MEMBER IS ASKING FOR THE SAME THING.
THAT IS SOMETHING TO CONSIDER AND WOULD BE ASKING FOR THAT CONSIDERATION NEXT FOR 2026.
THEN THE LAST ITEM THAT WE WANT TO CHECK IN WITH IS THE DISTRICT PLAN.
WE DO WANT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE OF WHERE THINGS ARE WHEN WE ARE IN DC BY OCTOBER 13 OR 14TH.
LETTING OUR DELEGATION KNOW WHERE THINGS ARE CURRENTLY AND WHAT WE'RE HEARING, BUT ASKING THEM PERSONALLY FOR ADDITIONAL INPUT.
THEN ALSO ASKING HOW THEY CAN SHARE AND GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE INPUT THAT WE'RE SEEKING TO GATHER, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS THAT DON'T TRADITIONALLY COMMUNICATE TO THE PARK DISTRICT, AND OUR DELEGATION CAN BE GOOD CHAMPIONS FOR US IN THAT REGARD IN TERMS OF USING THEIR PLATFORMS TO COMMUNICATE OUR INTEREST IN HAVING ADDITIONAL INPUT.
[01:15:01]
THOSE ARE THREE MAIN ISSUE ITEMS. WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF NOTABLE THANK YOUS TO ADD IN.ONE, OBVIOUSLY TO REPRESENTATIVE SALN AND SENATOR SCHIFF OFFICE FOR THE FUNDING BEING ADVANCED FOR SOUTH OF BAILEY ROAD.
ANOTHER ASS THAT WAS CHAMPIONED THIS YEAR WAS BY REPRESENTATIVE LATIFA SIMON FOR THE TIDEWATER DAY USE FACILITY.
WE HAD A WE REQUESTED $2 MILLION FOR THAT PROJECT, AND CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW, 1.1 MILLION IS ADVANCING, BUT VERY PLEASED TO BE WORKING WITH THAT OFFICE AS SHE IS A RELATIVELY NEW MEMBER IS A NEW MEMBER TO OUR DELEGATION.
THEN REPRESENTATIVE GARAMENDI DID NOT INCLUDE A NEW ASK, A COMPLICATED SYSTEM, BUT LAST YEAR, NONE OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROJECTS ADVANCED BECAUSE CONGRESS PASSED A CONTINUING RESOLUTION THAT JUST KEPT CURRENT BUDGET LEVELS THROUGH TO THIS YEAR.
BECAUSE OF THAT, NONE OF THOSE PROJECTS ADVANCED.
SOME MEMBERS WHO WERE ALREADY IN IN CONGRESS DIDN'T OPEN UP THEIR PORTALS FOR NEW REQUESTS THIS YEAR, REPRESENTATIVE GARAMENDI DID NOT DO THAT, BUT RESUBMITTED OUR RICHMOND BAY TRAIL PROJECT ASK.
CURRENTLY, RIGHT NOW, $250,000 IS ADVANCING FOR THAT PROJECT.
YOU'LL NOTE THE NUMBERS ARE LOWER THAN EVEN LAST YEAR, AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ALLOCATION RATIO BETWEEN ESSENTIALLY WHAT MEMBERS OF OUR DELEGATION GET VERSUS SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MAJORITY WAS THE RATIO IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.
WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE STRONG PARTNERS IN OUR DELEGATION ADVANCING SOME OF THESE REQUESTS, BUT THE MONEY IS FAIRLY TIGHT THIS TIME AROUND.
WITH THAT, I BELIEVE THE AGENDAS, AS WE JUST DISCUSSED, WE WILL PROVIDE YOU ALL WITH ESSENTIALLY ASSIGNMENTS, IF YOU WILL.
MAYBE THAT'S THE WRONG TERM, BUT JUST WHICH MEETINGS WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO ATTEND, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE SENDING FOLKS IN GROUPS OF THREE.
THERE'LL BE FOUR OF US ON STAFF WORKING WITH YOU, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER BROOKS, MYSELF, LISA BOLDINGER, AND MAX CORTON DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER.
TWO OF US WILL BE WITH THREE OF YOU IN EACH OF THE MEETINGS, AND THIS WILL BE OUR AGENDA FOR EACH MEETING.
OBVIOUSLY, WHEN WE GET TO TALKING ABOUT THE DISTRICT PLAN THAT DOES OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH THE MEMBERS OF OUR DELEGATION ABOUT OTHER ITEMS THAT THEY'RE HEARING FROM IN THEIR COMMUNITY THAT COULD BE BENEFICIAL TO OUR WORK.
WITH THAT, I WOULD ASK FLORA TO GO THROUGH WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT EACH OF THESE MEMBERS IN OUR RECENT INTERACTIONS.
>> HELLO, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, FLORA CONTOSH, LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT.
LET'S JUMP RIGHT INTO OUR DELEGATION.
SENATOR SCHIFF WHO TOOK OFFICE VERY RECENTLY.
WE HAVE ENGAGED ON A STAFF LEVEL WITH HIS OFFICE A NUMBER OF TIMES IN 2025, VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON.
HIS OFFICE ALSO SENT STAFF TO A US SENATE SITE TO THAT OUR TEAM ORGANIZED AT THURGOOD MARSHALL REGIONAL PARK, HOME OF THE PORT CHICAGO 50.
IT WAS THEIR FIRST TIME VISITING THIS SITE AND A GREAT CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THIS VALUABLE, INCREDIBLE PLACE.
WE HAVE LOANED SOME FRAMED PHOTOS TO HELP WITH THE OPENING OF HIS DISTRICT OFFICE, SOME PHOTOS OF PARK DISTRICT LANDSCAPES.
AS WAS MENTIONED, THE SENATOR SUBMITTED A COMMUNITY PROJECT BENEFIT FUNDING REQUEST FOR SOUTH OF BAILEY ROAD THIS YEAR.
MOVING ON TO OUR OTHER SENATOR, SENATOR ALEX PADILLA.
HIS STAFF HAS ALSO WORKED WITH OUR TEAM A NUMBER OF TIMES THIS YEAR.
WE'VE HAD SOME VIRTUAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, AND THEIR STAFF ATTENDED THREE OF THE FOUR ELECTED OFFICE SITE VISITS THAT OUR TEAM HOSTED, AND ALSO JOINED THE US SENATE STAFF TOUR OF THURGOOD MARSHALL REGIONAL PARK, HOME OF THE PORT CHICAGO 50.
THE SENATOR SUCCESSFULLY SECURED A COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION IN 2022.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN GARAMENDI.
HE MET DIRECTLY WITH THE PARK DISTRICT DELEGATION LAST YEAR, AS SOME OF YOU MAY RECALL.
MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF HAVE ATTENDED OFFICE SITE VISITS THIS YEAR.
THEN MOST RECENTLY, A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE POINT MOLATE TRAIL EXTENSION GROUNDBREAKING EVENT.
THE REPRESENTATIVE SUCCESSFULLY SECURED FUNDING FOR THE MARTINEZ BAY TRAIL GAP CLOSURE IN 2024, AND THIS YEAR, AS MENTIONED, ALSO SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR THE RICHMOND BAY TRAIL GAP CLOSURE.
[01:20:04]
REPRESENTATIVE JOSH HARDER, WHO TOOK OFFICE SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN 2019.OUR STAFF, OUR TEAM HAS ENGAGED WITH HIS OFFICE, HAD A VIRTUAL DISCUSSION ON FOCUSED TOPICS FOR 2025 TO DISCUSS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THIS YEAR.
REPRESENTATIVE DE SONE MET DIRECTLY WITH THE PARK DISTRICTS DELEGATION LAST YEAR IN WASHINGTON, DC.
HE WAS THE 2023 RADKE CHAMPION ADVOCACY AWARD RECIPIENT.
HIS STAFF HAS ENGAGED WITH OUR TEAM NUMEROUS TIMES, A COUPLE OF VIRTUAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT DIFFERENT ISSUES THIS YEAR.
HE HOSTED AN ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE FAIR AT BIG BREAK AND WE'LL HAVE A WALK AND TALK THIS SATURDAY, ABRIONAS REGIONAL PARK.
SUCCESSFULLY SECURED COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING FOR THE PORT CHICAGO VISITOR CENTER IN 2022.
HE SUBMITTED A FUNDING REQUEST THIS YEAR FOR SOUTH OF BAILEY ROAD AND HAS HAD ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE CAMP PARKS TRAIL EASEMENT FROM THE ARMY REGARDING THE TASEHAR CREEK TRAIL.
THEN ROUNDING OUT THE DELEGATION WITH THE LAST FEW FOLKS, REPRESENTATIVE SIMON, WHO TOOK OFFICE THIS YEAR.
STAFF HAS ENGAGED WITH HER DISTRICT TEAM AND HAD AN IN PERSON DISCUSSION TO DISCUSS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2025.
HER OFFICE REQUESTED FRAMED PHOTOS FOR BOTH HER WASHINGTON DC OFFICE, WHICH WE HOPE TO SEE HANGING IN THE OFFICE WHEN FOLKS VISIT NEXT MONTH.
HER OAKLAND OFFICE ALSO HAS A FEW FRAMED PHOTOS OF PARK DISTRICT LANDSCAPES.
SHE SUBMITTED A FUNDING REQUEST FOR TIDEWATER BOATING CENTER THIS YEAR.
REPRESENTATIVE ERIC SWALWELL MET DIRECTLY WITH THE PARK DISTRICT DELEGATION LAST YEAR.
STAFF OUR TEAM HAS ENGAGED WITH HIS DISTRICT OFFICE SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR, INCLUDING TO HOST HIS WALK AND TALK AT LAKE CHABOT, AND A NUMBER OF HIS TEAM HAVE ATTENDED ELECTED OFFICE SITE VISITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL.
THE REPRESENTATIVE SUCCESSFULLY SECURED A FUNDING REQUEST FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION AT ANTHONY CHABOT IN 2023.
OUR FINAL REPRESENTATIVE, RO KHANNA, WHO TOOK OFFICE IN 2017, AND HAS ALSO BEEN OPEN TO STAFF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND WHO HAD STAFF FROM HIS OFFICE MEET WITH THE PARK DISTRICT DELEGATION LAST YEAR.
THAT ROUNDS OUT TODAY'S BRIEFING AND THE OVERVIEW OF OUR DELEGATION, WHICH, AS ERIC MENTIONED, JUST HAVE HAD SUPPORTIVE INTERACTIONS AND STRONG RELATIONSHIPS. THANK YOU.
>> THIS COULD BE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR QUESTIONS, BUT WE DO HAVE LINDSEY AND LISA FROM K DCR ON THE SCREEN IF YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM THEM ABOUT ESSENTIALLY THE PLAN FOR THE ADVOCACY DAYS, BUT ALSO JUST THE GENERAL CHALLENGE OR SITUATION OCCURRING IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW.
QUESTIONS FIRST, OR WE COULD ALSO HEAR FROM LINDSEY AND LISA?
>> IT IS YOUR PLEASURE, ANYONE? LET'S HEAR FROM [INAUDIBLE] WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK THE TEAM HAS DONE A REALLY NICE JOB OF ALREADY PULLING TOGETHER THE BRIEFING MATERIALS AND GIVING AN UPDATE ON WHERE THINGS ARE WITH THE FUNDING PROCESS FOR THE COMMUNITY FUNDING PROJECTS.
WE ARE, AS ERIC SAID, BUILDING OUT THE SCHEDULE FOR YOU ALL AND ANTICIPATE THAT YOU'LL GET IN SAFELY ON TIME ON MONDAY AND WE WILL KICK THINGS OFF WITH A COLLECTIVE BRIEFING AT OUR OFFICES IN DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON, DC, AND WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO GO OVER ANY LAST MINUTE QUESTIONS OR UPDATE YOU ON NEW THINGS THAT HAVE EMERGED OR SITUATIONS THAT HAVE CHANGED SINCE YOUR BRIEFING BOOKS, AND THEN WE WILL DO A DAY OF MEETINGS ON THE HILL.
THEN WE'RE GATHERING WE JUST PUT THE FINAL ARRANGEMENTS TOGETHER FOR A DINNER WITH THE WHOLE GROUP TUESDAY EVENING AT 5:30.
WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO CONNECT AFTER THAT.
THEN FOR THE SECOND DAY ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, AGAIN, WE CURRENTLY ARE HOLDING TIME FOR A MEETING WITH ERIC SWALWELL, AND THEN WE DO EXPECT THAT TO BUILD OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE.
WE GOT A REALLY GOOD EARLY START ON THE REQUEST OF THE MEETINGS,
[01:25:02]
BUT A LOT OF CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES WERE AVAILING THEMSELVES OF THE AUGUST RECESS IN DC, AND SO WE'RE STARTING TO SEE MORE RESPONSES COME IN JUST THIS WEEK AS CONGRESS HAS RECONVENED AS OF YESTERDAY.THOSE ARE THE PIECE PARTS OF THAT.
I KNOW LINDY HAS BEEN WORKING, HAVING RECENTLY JOINED US FROM THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE JUST BUILDING OUT SOME OF THE BACKGROUND THAT ERIC TOUCHED ON ON THE LAND WATER CONSERVATION FUND AND THE ORLP.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS WITH THAT, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.
ALTHOUGH ERIC DID A REALLY NICE JOB OF FRAMING ALL THOSE THINGS.
>> PROVIDING JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE BACKGROUND COLOR ON LDVCF.
THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PROPOSED TO MAKE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO LDVCF, PARTICULARLY INSTEAD OF USING ANY OF THE MONEY FOR FEDERAL LAND ACQUISITION, THE BUDGET PROPOSED TO USE THAT MONEY FOR OTHER NON TRADITIONAL USES.
LIKE ERIC MENTIONED, THE 900 MILLION IS PERMANENT AND MANDATORY.
BUT THE PROCESS STILL GOES THROUGH THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND THEY HAVE FINAL SIGN OFF ON THE LIST OF PROJECTS THAT ARE FUNDED BY SOME MONEY.
ANY CHANGES TO HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT COULD IMPACT THINGS LIKE ORLP OR OTHER PRIORITIES THAT YOU WILL HAVE.
TO DATE, BOTH THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES HAVE REJECTED THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET, BUT ERIC MENTIONED, I THINK IT'S STILL AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION FOR US TO HAVE WHEN YOU GUYS ARE HERE AND ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY THAT IS THERE AND THAT HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED FOR THESE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS IS BEING SPENT IS ACTUALLY GOING OUT THE DOOR.
EVEN WITH IT BEING A MANDATORY PERMANENT PROGRAM, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF MOVING PIECES THERE THAT WILL BE TRACKING BEFORE YOU GUYS GET HERE AND IT'LL BE GREAT TO TALK TO YOUR MEMBERS ABOUT.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? MISS FORKS.
>> CAN YOU JUST BACK UP ON THE LAND WATER CONSERVATION FUND? YOU SAID 2 MILLION WERE PENDING FOR TWO PROJECTS, THURGOOD MARSHALL, AND WHAT WAS THE OTHER ONE?
>> DEER VALLEY. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY, NOT FOR DISCUSSION FOR OUR TRIP COMING UP NECESSARILY, BUT HOW PROJECTS GET ON TO THE PRIORITY LIST.
AGAIN, I'M STILL THE NEW FRESHMAN ON BOARD.
SOME PEOPLE TELL ME IT'S GOING TO TAKE ME A YEAR OR TWO TO COME UP TO SPEED, BUT I'M CURIOUS HOW COLLINS, TWO, THREE, FOUR.
HOW A PROJECT GETS ONTO THESE LISTS WITH ADVOCACY, WHEN WE GO TO DC, WHEN WE GO TO SACRAMENTO, WE'VE HEARD A LOT RECENTLY.
I HAVE AND LAST NIGHT YESTERDAY ON TEMI SCALE, FOR INSTANCE AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE WORRYING ABOUT SAVING THE LITTLE MONIES WE HAVE.
HOW WOULD A PROJECT LIKE THAT START TO GET KEYED UP AT DC AND UP THE CHAIN? BECAUSE I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT PROJECT LOW INCOME AREA, HIGH URBAN USE.
ANY COMMENTS ON WHERE'S THAT PROCESS START FOR OUR NEXT VISIT TO THE DC AREA?
>> THE IDENTIFIED ITEMS THAT WE MAKE ASKS FOR ARE PART OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, THAT THE FIVE YEAR PROJECT LIST.
THESE ARE INCLUDED, WELL, ACTUALLY, THE TWO LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS, APPLICATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT IN, SO WE'RE ADVOCATING TO ESSENTIALLY PROTECT FUNDING FOR THIS YEAR SO THAT WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF SUCCESS FOR THOSE APPLICATIONS.
BUT THEY HAVE WE WOULDN'T HAVE SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS HAD THEY NOT BEEN CLOSER TO PROJECT READINESS TO MOVE FORWARD.
TEMI SCALE IS CERTAINLY A PRIORITY AND IS A AREA OF ECONOMIC NEED FROM PROBABLY ALL STATE FEDERAL LOCAL SOURCES.
BUT THE IDENTIFIED PROJECT THERE IS A LITTLE LESS AS CLEAR AS WE HAVE AT DEER VALLEY AND A THOROUGH SOUTH OF BAILEY.
THERE IS EXISTING FUNDING FOR THOSE TWO PROJECTS NOW, SO WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE FUNDING GAP.
BUT THE SHORT ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, I BELIEVE, IS JUST THAT IT'S PART OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN,
[01:30:01]
AND THAT LIST IS, I THINK, 400 PROJECTS [LAUGHTER]>> WE'RE DOING THAT ON OCTOBER 3, I BELIEVE, IS OUR CIP REVIEW.
TIED TO THAT BECAUSE MEETING IS ALSO OCTOBER 3, WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE DISTRICT PLAN, AND I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT WE LET OUR MEMBERS IN DC KNOW THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THE DISTRICT PLAN, THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT.
I'M A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE GIVING AN UPDATE WHEN WE DON'T REALLY EVEN HAVE A VERY ROBUST WEBSITE YET AND WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT IT ON OCTOBER 3 AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN OURSELVES AN OUTLINE.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO AT LEAST HAVE A MORE ROBUST WEBSITE AS WE GO UP LOBBYING TO DC.
THERE'S NO ENGAGEMENT PLAN, NO MEETINGS PLANNED.
IF WE'RE GOING TO GO THERE AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THIS, I JUST THINK IT'D BE NICE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE THEY WE'RE GOING TO GO TOUT IT AND THEN THEY GO TO OUR WEBSITE.
>> WELL, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE WEBSITE, BUT WE WILL HAVE THE WORKSHOP ON THE THIRD, THAT I THINK WILL DIG INTO SOME OF THE DETAILS AND WE ARE WORKING ON AN ENGAGEMENT PLAN THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU IN MORE DETAIL ON THE THIRD.
IF WE LOOK AHEAD, WE'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME MORE INFORMATION, CERTAINLY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP THE TALKING POINTS THAT WE WANT TO SHARE ON THE 13TH, 10 DAYS LATER.
TO ERIC'S POINT, PART OF THIS IS TO GET THEIR INPUT.
WE'RE STILL IN THIS INFORMATION GATHERING PHASE WHERE WE CAN HEAR FROM OUR LEGISLATORS ABOUT WHAT THEY HEAR AND WHAT THEY SEE AS PRIORITIES, AND WE CAN FACTOR THAT INTO OUR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY AS WELL.
>> WELL, WE'VE DONE SOME BOTTOM UP AND SOME TOP DOWN AND EAGER TO GET IT OUT TO THE VOTERS WHO SUPPORT OUR PARK.
I REALLY APPRECIATED LAST TIME WE WENT TO SACRAMENTO, THE ONE PAGERS, AND WHAT I ALSO REALLY APPRECIATED WAS THE MAPS OF THEIR DISTRICTS.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN PUT THAT IN OUR ACTION PACKET OR IF YOU ALREADY WERE PLANNING THAT.
BUT THAT REALLY HELPED ME A LOT TO OVERLAY OUR PARKS TO SEE WHICH ONES, WHICH AS I INFORM MYSELF.
BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
YOU THINK THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE SOME TIME TO SIT DOWN WITH ME WHILE I'M THERE IN DC? I HAVE A FEW THINGS I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THEM [LAUGHTER]
>> I'LL LEAVE THAT TO YOUR OWN SCHEDULING.
>> CAN I ASK A QUESTION FOR AT LEAST ONE FELLOW BOARD MEMBER? YOU FOLKS IN DC, AT LEAST ONE BOARD MEMBER IS CONCERNED ABOUT GOING TO DC FOR SAFETY.
I JUST WANT TO ASK WHAT YOUR OPINION IS ON THAT FOR A FELLOW BOARD MEMBER AND ANY OTHERS WHO MIGHT HAVE THE CONCERN WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD RIGHTFULLY SOME PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ABOUT THAT.
>> WELL, IF I COULD SPEAK TO THE MATERIALS THAT WE THAT WE'RE PLANNING TO DISTRIBUTE TO YOU ALL AND THEN PERHAPS LINDSEY AND LISA COULD COMMENT MORE ON AS THEY'RE ON THE GROUND IN DC IN TERMS OF SAFETY AT ISSUE.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FINALIZING A BOOKLET.
I THINK WE HAD ONE OF THOSE FOR SACRAMENTO, SO IT'LL BE VERY SIMILAR IN FORMAT.
WE DO INTEND TO BRING THE MAPS.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY VERY, AS YOU PROBABLY RECALL FROM SACRAMENTO, THEY'RE VERY USEFUL, JUST IN TERMS OF DRAWING PEOPLE'S ATTENTION TO, WHERE'S THAT PROJECT AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO MY DISTRICT? WE WILL BE BRINGING THOSE.
AT THIS TIME, WE'RE NOT INTENDING TO BRING ONE PAGERS BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT WELL, A, WE'RE FLYING THEM ACROSS COUNTRY TO HAND OUT.
BUT B, IT DOES GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY AS STAFF TO FOLLOW UP WITH LEGISLATIVE STAFF WITH A MORE SPECIFIC DIRECTION IN THE FOLLOW UP AFTER THE MEETING.
WE WILL BE REACHING BACK OUT AFTER OUR MEETINGS WITH SPECIFICS TO WHATEVER ISSUES THAT LEGISLATIVE STAFF OR MEMBERS RAISE, BUT WE AREN'T PROACTIVELY PLANNING ON DOING HANDOUTS FOR EVERY ISSUE.
IT SHOULDN'T BE TOO COMPLICATED TO SHARE THAT, AND WE CAN ALSO WORK WITH KDCR IF THERE IS A NEED TO DO SOME PRINTING OUT OF SOMETHING WHILE WE'RE ON THE GROUND.
THEN LISA OR LINDSEY, WOULD EITHER OF YOU LIKE TO SPEAK, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE SITUATION WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD?
>> I WILL SAY AS SOMEONE WHO HAS LIVED IN THIS AREA FOR SINCE '89, IT'S PRETTY UNCOMFORTABLE AND THE PRESENCE IS FELT.
[01:35:07]
MOST OF THE TIMES THAT I HAVE SEEN THE AUGMENTED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL THEM. SECURITY FORCES, DEA.THEY'VE BEEN JUST STANDING AROUND IN A MASS.
I THINK THERE ARE MORE, YOU WILL PROBABLY NOTICE FROM PAST TRIPS TO DC AROUND THE CAPITOL COMPLEX.
THERE ARE MORE POLICE VEHICLES JUST PARKED THERE WITH THEIR LIGHTS GOING.
BUT I GUESS I WOULD SAY IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT.
IT'S AN UNPREDICTABLE TIME IN AN UNPREDICTABLE YEAR, BUT I FEEL LIKE EVEN JUST TODAY, THE MAYOR MADE A STATEMENT SAYING THAT SHE WAS DIRECTING HER POLICE FORCE TO WORK WITH THE FEDERAL OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO THE DISTRICT AND THAT SHE WOULD WELCOME THEIR ASSISTANCE FOR AS LONG AS THEY WERE GOING TO STAY.
I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO REDUCE TENSION.
I WOULD NOT ANTICIPATE ANY DIFFICULTIES MOVING AROUND FROM THE HOTEL TO THE MEETINGS TO THE RESTAURANT.
I DON'T KNOW IF LINDSEY HAS ANY OTHER WISDOM TO OFFER.
>> I AGREE WITH LISA. IT'S DEFINITELY NOTICEABLE.
IT'S NOT AS IF YOU WOULD COME HERE IF THE SITUATION IS THE SAME IN THE MONTH AS IT IS NOW THAT YOU WOULDN'T NOTICE THE INCREASED PRESENCE.
BUT THERE ARE TWO SMALL KIDS AND LIKE, WE HAVEN'T CHANGED OUR MOVEMENT IN AND OUT AND AROUND THE CITY.
WE STILL DO THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE DONE, FEEL SAFE TAKING MY KIDS TO DO THINGS AROUND HERE AS I WOULD IN ANY OTHER LARGE CITY.
EVERYONE HAS TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS FROM THERE, BUT WHILE THE PRESENCE IS FELT, IT HASN'T CHANGED AT LEAST FOR US, HOW WE HAVE OPERATED WITHIN THIS.
ERIC, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ABBREVIATED VERSION OF WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, AND I'M WONDERING HOW THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT OUR WORK THERE IN COMPARISON TO THE PAST.
IN THE PAST, WE HAVE HAD MEETINGS OVER THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS, USUALLY, I THINK.
WE'VE MET WITH ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES WHEN THEY ARE PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE GOING RANGING FROM NATIONAL PARKS, OBVIOUSLY TO THE ARMY ON OCCASION.
WE'VE ALSO MET WITH NONPROFITS.
WE HAD A REALLY INTERESTING SESSION WITH THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND FOLKS.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS LAST YEAR OR YEAR BEFORE.
THEN THE NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION, WHICH WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE I HAD SOME THINGS WRONG AND THEY CORRECTED.
IN COMPARISON, WHAT I'M HEARING, THOUGH, THERE'S NOT BEEN A LOT ABOUT IT.
THIS TRIP, THE FOCUS IS GOING TO BE ON THOSE CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES THAT WE'VE HIGHLIGHTED, AND WE'RE NOT DOING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES OR NON PROFITS THIS YEAR, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YEAH. AGAIN, LINDSEY AND LISA COULD SPEAK TO THIS, BUT OUR SURVEY OF ANY AGENCY THAT WOULD BE PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THE PARK DISTRICT.
IT MAY WELL, FOR ONE THING, NOT ALL THE POSITIONS ARE FILLED.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE WHERE SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT WE HAD SPOKE TO IN THE PAST ARE NOT THERE.
JUST BEING EFFICIENT WITH OUR TIME AND ALSO TRYING TO BE EFFECTIVE AND STRATEGIC.
WE JUST FELT, AND KNOWING THAT SOME BOARD MEMBERS DO WANT TO RETURN FOR THE FRIDAY SITE TOUR, WE DO HAVE A FAIRLY ABBREVIATED OR CONCISE TRIP PLAN AND WE ARE REALLY HOPING TO GET THROUGH THE MEETINGS IN TWO DAYS TO ENABLE TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH.
>> YOU TRIGGER THE THOUGHT, WE'VE IN THE PAST FREQUENTLY MET WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OVER WHATEVER ITERATION OF WHAT USED TO BE TIGER OR BUILD.
IS THAT PROGRAM EVEN IN EXISTENCE ANYMORE OR IS IT JUST FROZEN, WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE?
[01:40:07]
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A QUESTION.
I'M NOT CERTAIN ABOUT LINDSEY OR LISA, DO YOU KNOW IF IT WENT FROM TIGER TO BUILD TO RAISE AND I DON'T I DON'T KNOW IF IT STILL EXISTS IN SOME FORM FROM COMPETITIVE PROGRAM WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION?
>> TO PRACTICE TRANSPORTATION, WE SOUGHT FUNDING FOR TRAILS.
>> I BELIEVE THAT IT IS BACK TO BEING BUILT NOW.
I THINK IT WAS TIGHTER THAN BUILD THEN RAISED AND NOW, I THINK IT'S BACK TO BUILD.
I THINK LAST UPDATED IN JULY, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY JUST PUT OUT SOME BILL AWARDS.
YES, IT IS STILL IN EXISTENCE.
HOWEVER, THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION REAUTHORIZATION PROCESSES IS UNDERWAY.
THAT WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF A YEAR FROM NOW, BASICALLY.
THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE JUST STARTING NOW.
BUT IT THEY ARE FINISHING UP SPENDING THE MONEY FROM THE LAST BILL THAT WAS FOR YEARS AGO, THAT ONE.
>> TO ME, THAT WAS AMONG THE MOST USEFUL MEETINGS TO HAVE IN ORDER TO SHAPE OUR APPLICATIONS BECAUSE WE WERE SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS EVERY YEAR.
WE HAD VERY GOOD TRAIL PROJECTS.
WE STILL DO THE SAME TRAIL PROJECTS, AND THOSE MEETINGS WOULD HELP US, IF NOT, GET ACCEPTANCE OF OUR APPLICATIONS, BUT TO JUST THE IDEA OF HOW YOU FRAME THEM AND WHAT LANGUAGE YOU USE AND SUCH.
THAT KIND OF MEETING ALWAYS MADE THAT TRIP VERY VALUABLE TO ME, ACTUALLY.
TO BE ON IT, I'M WEIGHING THAT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES.
WE'RE VICTIMS, SO TO SPEAK, OF THE CHANGE IN DC, THE CHAOS IN DC, AND THE LACK OF REAL ENTHUSIASM IN THIS ADMINISTRATION FOR STUFF THAT WE DO.
THE CORRESPONDING ABILITY OF OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO GET THINGS DONE BEYOND MAYBE THE REDUCED COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAM APPLICATIONS.
THEY'RE STILL THERE IN THEORY.
THERE'S A LOT OUT THERE TO CONTEMPLATE AND YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND YOU'RE DOING THE WORK AND GETTING THIS UP AND TRYING TO GET IT GOING AGAIN IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I DO. I VALUE IT, AND I'M HAPPY THAT YOU'RE DOING IT AND YOU'RE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB OF IT.
I'M RAISING CONCERNS THAT I THINK WE ALL SHARE, AND I'M JUST THINKING OUT LOUD IN THE FACT ABOUT HOW TO DO THIS AND WHAT THE EFFICACY OF IT WILL BE.
MOVING TO THAT, JUST THE PURE LOGISTICS OF IT, YOU FOLKS WILL BE DOING HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS, BUT WE NEED TO, AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST, DO OUR OWN AIR, AND IF SO, WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT.
I HAD TO ASK IF YOU'VE ALREADY GIVEN US SOME KIND OF BRIEFING ON THAT.
>> WE WILL SEND OUT THE SPECIFIC HOTEL.
IT'S THE WASHINGTON PLAZA, AND THE ROOMS ARE BOOKED AND TAKEN CARE OF, SO EVERYONE HAS A ROOM.
THE AUTHORIZATION FOR OUT OF STATE TRAVEL IS ON ONE ON THE NEXT BOARD AGENDA, SEPTEMBER 16, I BELIEVE, AND THAT'S CORRECT ABOUT AIR TRAVEL.
YES. WE'LL SEND THOSE DATES AND FOLKS CAN GET IT LINED UP AS SOON AS THEY CAN.
>> THANK YOU. [NOISE] JUST TO BE CLEAR THAT FROM THE PARK DISTRICTS RESPONSIBILITY, WE BOOKED A BLOCK TO ACCOMMODATE THE FOLKS THAT WE KNOW ARE PLANNING TO OR HAVE SUGGESTED THEY ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND.
IF THERE IS AN INTEREST IN EXTENDING THAT STAY OR BEING EARLY, THAT WOULD BE UP TO BOARD MEMBERS TO TALK DIRECTLY TO THE HOTEL.
THEN THE SECOND ITEM JUST TO SHARE IS THAT WE DO PLAN
[01:45:05]
TO MEET AT THE KDCR OFFICES FOR EACH OF THE TWO MORNINGS.WE CAN PROVIDE A MAP AHEAD OF TIME, SO WE WILL DO THAT.
BUT MY RECOLLECTION IS IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT FOUR BLOCKS.
IT'S ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE BLOCKS FROM THE HOTEL TO WHERE THEIR OFFICE IS.
>> THAT WOULD BE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY MORNING.
>> MONDAY EVENING. LISA, DIDN'T YOU SAY WE WERE GOING TO MEET WITH YOU ON MONDAY EVENING OR BRIEFING?
>> I THINK MONDAY IS THE FLYING DAY.
THEN TUESDAY MORNING, WE MEET.
TUESDAY EVENING, WE HAVE DINNER, WEDNESDAY MORNING, WE CAN MEET, AND THEN WEDNESDAY, WE HAVE MEETINGS, AND THEN WEDNESDAY EVENING, EVERYONE IS ON THEIR OWN, AND THEN THURSDAY WAS A POSSIBLE FLY OUT DATE.
>> SO NO BRIEFING MONDAY NIGHT?
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE ARRANGEMENTS? I HAD JUST A QUESTION.
I SIMPLY WOULD AGREE WITH DIRECTOR OF COFFEY, AND I'M SURE THIS PHONE CALL.
YES, THIS PERSON DOES ALSO. PARDON ME.
THERE'S THREE. GENERALLY, I THOUGHT WE USUALLY HAD A LITTLE MORE.
I HOPE WE CAN KEEP FOLKS KEYED IN, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DISTRICT PLAN, WHICH ONCE AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT.
I GUESS WE'LL KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT IT SOMEDAY.
BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WILDFIRE AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION AND WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION, AND ESPECIALLY OUR WHOLE BIOCHAR PROGRAM, WHICH AS I REMEMBER LAST YEAR, WE MET WITH AN OUTSIDE AGENCY, FOR WHO WAS THAT INTERIOR OR THAT WONDERFUL, NICE GENTLEMAN THAT GREETED US IN THERE AND THEN WE MET WITH ONE OF HIS SUB GUYS WHO WAS JUST EXCITED AS HECK ABOUT BIOCHAR AND EXCITED AS A HECK ABOUT OUR CARBONIZER.
THIS STUFF'S NOT GETTING ANY LESS EXPENSIVE.
WHEREAS WE EXPAND OUR OPERATION AND ANTHONY SHABA AND OTHER PARKS AROUND.
WE'RE VERY LUCKY THAT IT'S NEW AND THAT PEOPLE ARE GIVING US A LOT OF MONEY.
BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ONGOING THING.
>> THEY WERE VERY GOOD, AND THEY TOLD US NOT TO EXPECT THERE TO BE DEVELOPED ANY MARKET FOR IT.
WHICH I THINK WAS ALSO INCONSISTENT WITH SOME OF OUR THINKING.
>> I WILL BROADLY SHARE OUR FINDINGS WITH THEM.
I THINK WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIS PROGRAM.
WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT ONE OF THE COMPONENTS IS WELL, NOT ONLY DOING THE WORK, BUT RESTORATION, WHICH IS FAIRLY NEW AND NOT DONE EVERYWHERE, BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT WE CAN PUBLICIZE WHAT WE'RE DOING AND GET YOU KNOW, JUST MAKE IT PART OF THE SCIENTIFIC RECORD THAT WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THIS, AND IT IS A WAY OF DEALING WITH SEQUESTERING CARBON AND DEALING WITH LARGE PLANTATION FORESTS THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY DEAD AND STANDING THERE.
WE'VE GOT ANOTHER SIERRA CITY BURNED TO THE GROUND.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE RIGHT, ESPECIALLY OCTOBER 13.
THAT'S THE HEAD OF FIRE SEASON.
THIS WHOLE STATE MIGHT BE BURNING UP THEN, AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN BROACHED IT.
I DON'T KNOW. I THINK IT WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY.
>> IT'S ALWAYS TIMELY TO DISCUSS VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, PARTICULARLY AS WE DISCUSSED WITH REED EARLIER THROUGH SOME OF THE STATE PROGRAMS THAT ARE HEAVILY INVESTING IN THAT WORK.
I THINK THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE INVESTMENTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME FEMA GRANTS THAT WE'RE WORKING TO SPEND DOWN AND HOPING TO RECEIVE THE FULL ALLOTMENT.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF THE MESSAGING ON THE NEED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
THEN JUST TO ADD THE FOREST SERVICE FOLKS THAT WE MET WITH, THAT PROGRAM IS NOT WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE DIRECTOR RETIRED, WHICH WAS THE PERSON THAT CAME FROM REGION 9 IN CALIFORNIA, AND THEN THE PROGRAM ITSELF IS NOT BEING SUSTAINED AT THE LEVEL IT WAS WHEN WE WERE THERE BEFORE.
>> IT'S GOING TO BE TWO STAFF AND THREE BOARD MEMBERS SEPARATING AND GOING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, AND THAT'S BASED ON SOME BROWN ACT IDEA.
>> WELL, OUR PERSPECTIVE IS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOU IN THE MEETING WITH SWALWELL AND THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN YOUR AREA,
[01:50:05]
AND SO, LIKE COLIN.WELL, COLIN AND OLIVIA COULD END UP IN A MEETING TOGETHER WITH JOSH HARDER BECAUSE OF THE DELTA ISSUE.
BUT WE'RE TRYING TO IDENTIFY YOUR WARDS IN COMPARISON TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, AND WE DO HAVE THAT PRETTY WELL BROKEN OUT, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING WITH KEDR ABOUT IT TOMORROW.
>> DO I GET TO GO WITH SWALWELL AND SONIA?
>> I DON'T REMEMBER THE LIST, BUT I THINK SO.
>> HE'S GOING TO BE MY CONGRESS MEMBER PRETTY SOON HERE.
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE THAT AFFECTS, BUT ANYWAY, SOUNDS GOOD.
HOW MANY BOARD MEMBERS HAVE SUGGESTED THEY'RE GOING TO COME?
>> I BELIEVE SIX ARE CONFIRMED AT THIS POINT.
>> I WANT TO BUILD ON, I MEAN, YOUR COMMENT IS A GOOD ONE ABOUT THE WILDFIRE.
I MEAN, I'D GO EVEN BEYOND, BUT I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S SUSTAINABLE AT THE FEDERAL BUDGET MINDSET LEVEL, BUT THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE AND THE WILDFIRE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND IT'S LIKE WE'RE NOT REALLY TOUCHING ON SOME OF THESE BIG TOPICS.
IS IT JUST BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH OUR TIME RIGHT NOW WITH THE FEELING IN DC OR I DON'T KNOW, WILDFIRE ISSUES AND SETTING THE STANDARD FOR NOT JUST FUELS MANAGEMENT, BUT BACK TO THE EARLIER COMMENTS, SEQUESTERING, MANAGING LANDS, CONSERVATION.
I MEAN, THAT'S ALL IMPORTANT STUFF.
EVERYONE'S TIPTOEING AROUND THE REASON WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM IS CLIMATE CHANGE.
JUST NOT GOING IN THERE WITH THIS FEDERAL TEMPERATURE WE'RE FEELING OVER THERE.
>> WELL, I GUESS THERE'S TWO THINGS.
ONE IS I THINK OUR DELEGATION IS FULLY AWARE.
IN FACT, I THINK FROM OUR PREVIOUS PRESENTATION, AT LEAST THREE, MAYBE FOUR OF THEM HAVE GOTTEN US DIRECT MONEY FOR OUR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, SO THEY'RE VERY WELL AWARE OF OUR WORK AND OUR NEED.
[OVERLAPPING] WE CAN CONTINUE TO REMIND THEM OF THAT.
I THINK FUTURE INVESTMENT FOR THIS YEAR IS OUR RESOURCES ARE BETTER SPENT AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND ALSO TRYING TO SECURE THE FEMA MONEY THAT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN ESSENTIALLY AWARDED.
THEN I THINK GOING INTO THE EARLIER PART OF NEXT YEAR, THERE MIGHT BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS AND THE FEDERAL BUDGET PROCESS HAS LAID OUT FOR US IN TERMS OF WHERE WE WANT TO EXTEND RESOURCES FOR WILDFIRE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT FUNDING.
>> WELL, I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER SQUISHING ME INTO ANY MEETING THAT I CAN ATTEND THAT DOESN'T OVERLAP.
I JUST KNOW THAT THAT'S OUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT EXPOSURE.
WE DON'T VOTE JUST ON OUR AWARDS.
WE VOTE FOR THE PARK DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.
WE ARE THE NATION'S LARGEST, AND I WOULD ASK EVEN OUR COUNCIL TO THE BROWN ACT REASON TO KEEP US SEPARATED.
I'D JUST LOVE TO BE AT THE TABLE AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
WE'RE GOING ALL THAT WAY FOR TWO DAYS.
THIS IS OUR BIG CHANCE, AND I'D LIKE TO BE IN AS MANY MEETINGS AS MY SCHEDULE ALLOWS.
>> FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ERIC AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> LOOK FORWARD TO IT. OUR NEXT ITEM IS ANNOUNCEMENTS.
[Announcements]
ANYONE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER OR ANYTHING? JUST ONE THING.YESTERDAY, WE AGREED TO AWARD THE RAKE AWARD TO LAURIE WILSON AS A FOLLOW UP.
I KNOW THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT, IT'S VERY HARD TO PINPOINT IT, BUT HAVE WE GOT A DATE YET? WILL WE INVITE THE ENTIRE BOARD? YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING HERE ERIC. EVERYBODY ELSE KNOWS.
IS IT GOING TO BE A FUN TIME OR IS IT GOING TO BE ONE OF THESE WE'RE GOING TO MEET FOR 10 MINUTES WHEN THEY GOT A MINUTE UNDER A BRIDGE SOMEWHERE? I'M NOT BEING CRITICAL OF ANY OF THAT.
I KNOW IT'S VERY HARD TO GET THESE GUYS TOGETHER, BUT I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT DEAL.
SOME OF THE ONES WE'VE DONE, WE'VE HIT IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK, DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB AND SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN A LITTLE LESS.
I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY PROMOTE THIS AWARD.
>> DIRECTOR WAESPI, I WILL ALWAYS VALUE YOUR OPTIMISM.
[01:55:05]
WE LITERALLY JUST INFORMED THE OFFICE YESTERDAY AFTER THE BOARD VOTE.WELL, THERE'S ABOUT NINE DIFFERENT THINGS THE GOVERNOR HAS PRIORITIZED FOR THEM TO GET DONE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 12.
TRYING TO SCHEDULE THIS RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT REALLY THE RIGHT TIME, BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE REACHING OUT TO THEIR SCHEDULER TO TRY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED IN TERMS OF WHERE AND WHEN AND WHAT TIME OF YEAR.
WE'RE JUST IN VERY EARLY STAGES ON THAT.
>> OKAY. WHAT IS THE POLICY? I ALSO NOTED THAT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE CONSOLIDATED TO OUR DELEGATION.
SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE THE ONLY PEOPLE ELIGIBLE.
WHEREAS IN THE PAST, WE'VE DONE EDUARDO GARCIA, AND ANOTHER STATE WIDE PERSON, I REMEMBER IN THE PAST, I THINK.
IS THERE A WRITTEN CRITERIA? HAS THERE EVER BEEN ANY THOUGHT POSSIBLY INCLUDING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE IN THE DELIBERATIONS AS TO WHO WE CHOOSE?
>> YEAH. ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER BROOKS AND DIRECTOR DESHAMBAULT HAD CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THAT AND WE WILL BE LOOKING IN TERMS OF CRITERIA.
BUT JUST IN SHORT, THE AWARD IS PRESENTED TO SOMEBODY FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS THAT YEAR.
IT'S NOT THEIR OVERALL CAREER OR.
IT'S INTENDED TO BE SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY HAS DONE OVER THE COURSE OF THE ANNUAL AWARDING OF THE RAKE AWARD.
BUT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT, HOW DOES THAT FIT INTO THE WORK PLAN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND HAVE IT BE SOMETHING THAT'S DISCUSSED EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND THEN AGAIN LATER IN THE YEAR.
WE'LL BE WORKING TOWARD THAT FOR 2026.
ANYBODY ELSE, COMMENTS OR ANYTHING? IF NOT, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR GREAT PRESENTATIONS, OOPS, AND THEY'VE LEFT.
THANK LISA FOR US AND HER CREW.
ANYWAY, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.