Sacramento plans to pull out trees near Convention Center during renovation

By Theresa Clift

November 27, 2018
Updated November 28, 2018

The Sacramento Bee

Leading up to the meeting, members of Trees for Sacramento and other residents told Hansen they were alarmed by a document on the city website that said city staff was asking the council to cut down 96 trees for the projects. The real number is actually 51, Hocker told the council at the meeting. The higher number included some large shrubs.
Judith Lamare, of Trees for Sacramento, said the city should have considered tree removals at the time the council was asked to approve the design plan for the projects, when there was still time to make changes without wasting a lot of money.
“That way we wouldn’t get in the position we’re in tonight,” Lamare said.
Paul Andrews said the lost trees would mean about 22,000 square feet of shade lost downtown, which will make it harder for people to be outside in the summer.

Click here to read the full article.

CA regions ‘moving in the wrong direction’ to meet climate goals

By Sophia Bollag

November 26, 2018 04:30 PM
Updated November 27, 2018 11:43 AM

The Sacramento Bee

California has some of the most ambitious clean air goals in the country, but a report the state’s Air Resources Board released Monday shows communities are not on track to meet them.
California law requires regions to develop plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through land use and transportation policies. But communities aren’t actually implementing those plans, according to the report.

Click here to read the full article.

Click here to read the report from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

City of Folsom Officially Joins the Sacramento Regional Transit District

November 14, 2018

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) and the City of Folsom has formalized an annexation agreement that will officially bring the City of Folsom into the District as a member entity effective Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

“By expanding the District to include Folsom’s bus service, SacRT will link more people to resources and opportunities region-wide,” said SacRT Board Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “The integration of Folsom Stage Line service is a great step toward making the system truly regional.”

This move continues a strong partnership between the City and SacRT that brought light rail to Folsom in 2005. Earlier this year, SacRT expanded evening light rail service hours to better serve the Folsom community. In addition, SacRT was recently awarded $85 million in state grant funding that will help accelerate the modernization of the light rail system and pave the way for double tracking on the Gold Line, a project that will increase light rail service frequency to 15 minutes to Folsom stations.

“The action taken by Council is a testament to the dramatic turnaround that has taken place at SacRT over the last couple of years,” SacRT Boardmember and Folsom Councilman Andy Morin said. “I believe this will be a seamless transition that will provide numerous benefits to Folsom residents.”By annexing into the SacRT District, Folsom will benefit from SacRT’s transit expertise as the largest public transit provider in the region. SacRT’s economy of scale will result in improved operational and administrative efficiencies that will save money, and allow the region to become more competitive for grant funding in the future. Initially, SacRT will operate Folsom Stage Line at the same cost to ride and same level of service as it operates today.

“Joining the Sacramento Regional Transit District results in improved efficiencies both operational and administrative, while maintaining the high quality service, low costs, and friendly staffing Folsom Stage Line riders enjoy today,” said Mayor Steve Miklos. “By operating one seamless system it will provide better opportunity for Folsom residents to travel car free, reducing congestion and improving air quality.”

Annexation also provides the City of Folsom a larger voice on the SacRT Board shaping the future of public transit service in the region. This expanded partnership will provide residents with more transit services and resources that can help keep up with demand. The City of Folsom joins the Cities of Sacramento and Rancho Cordova, along with the County of Sacramento as member entities to SacRT.

“I could not be more excited and confident in the future direction of mobility solutions in the region,” said Henry Li, SacRT General Manager/CEO. “Our overall strategy is to engage, inspire and encourage people to value public transportation. Through collaboration, open dialogue, and a shared goal with our partners, we will advance SacRT’s value in providing a world-class regional mobility network to better serve our growing and changing communities.”

As part of the agreement, SacRT is committed to a seamless transition with no impact to current riders. Service levels will be maintained or improved, and there are no short term plans to make changes to the existing bus service, Stage Line branding, or fares. All current Folsom Stage Line staff will be offered similar positions within SacRT during the transition.

Use the Surplus Land Act to Build More Affordable Housing

By Scott Thomas Anderson

November 1, 2018

Sacramento News and Review

Housing advocates tell mayor his administration is skirting the California Surplus Land Act

One thing is certain: Sacramento’s wheeling and dealing of public land to market-rate developers happened during a crisis that hurts low-income renters more than anyone.
The controversial land sales were brought to Steinberg’s attention in July when the Sacramento Housing Alliance and the Environmental Council of Sacramento sent him a joint letter* expressing concern. Specifically, the two organizations questioned whether the city is in compliance with the Surplus Land Act, a law that requires prioritizing surplus government land for affordable housing. One case that the nonprofits found particularly “alarming” was the city’s sale of 4722 Ninth Avenue and 4601-4625 10th Avenue, near Stockton Boulevard.

This week, Steinberg said his office is looking into the issue Sacramento Housing Alliance and ECOS raised.

“The Surplus Land Act is an important law and the city should absolutely comply with it,” the mayor told SN&R.

Click here to read the full article.

*The letter to the Mayor Steinberg from the Sacramento Housing Alliance and the Environmental Council of Sacramento that is referenced in this article was sent on July 9, 2018.

Click here to read the letter.

Creating Sustainable Communities and Landscapes

Recommended practices and tools for local collaboration on climate-smart growth

Published: October 8, 2018

By the Strategic Growth Council

The State of California has a rich history of environmental leadership. With some of the most beautiful landscapes and fertile soils in the country, we have much to protect and conserve. As the State’s population grows towards fifty million people, infrastructure demands place intensified levels of stress on California’s agricultural and natural wealth. In order to address these challenges, California has led the charge nationally to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, because we recognize that this battle is not only about the environment – it is also about protecting the well-being of our families and communities. To ensure the prosperous future of our State, we must shift to a more conscientious approach to land use planning in California – one that balances the needs of conservation and development. In order to balance these priorities, the State has put new laws in place for new housing and infill development, community resilience, economic growth in urban and rural areas, and set an ambitious target for carbon neutrality by 2045 that relies upon efficient and orderly growth across California.
Developed through a collaboration among the Strategic Growth Council, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions (CALAFCO), this paper is intended to help support coordination among local entities to advance efficient growth and conservation of natural resources. The document highlights case studies in which LAFCos, cities, counties and special districts successfully partnered to reduce suburban sprawl and increase the conservation of natural and working lands, while also considering how to improve community resilience. It also aims to raise awareness of available tools and resources that can be used to create more environmentally and economically sustainable communities throughout California.
California, State of. “AnnouncementCreating Sustainable Communities and Landscapes: Recommended Practices and Tools for Local Collaboration on Climate-Smart Growth.” CA.gov, Strategic Growth Council, 8 Oct. 2018, www.sgc.ca.gov/news/2018/10-08.html.

Read the paper by clicking here.

Sacramento Regional Transit District Lowers Fares

Effective Monday, October 1, 2018

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is investing back into the community. Effective Monday, October 1, SacRT will lower bus and light rail fares for the first time in its 47-year history.

The basic single ride will decrease by 25 cents from $2.75 to $2.50, and the discount single ride will decrease by 10 cents from $1.35 to $1.25. The basic monthly pass will decrease by $10 from $110 to $100, the discount monthly pass will decrease by $5 from $55 to $50, the paratransit single ride will decrease by 50 cents from $5.50 to $5, and the super senior fare will decrease by $2 from $42 to $40. In January, SacRT lowered the student monthly pass from $55 to $20 for students in grades K through 12.

In addition, transfer tickets will be re-implemented. For just 25 cents, riders who purchase a single ride ticket with cash can transfer between bus and light rail, light rail to bus or bus to bus. Riders are already able to transfer for free using electronic fare media such as ZipPass or Connect Card.

“SacRT has spent the past three years tightening its belt and implementing cost-cutting measures,” said Henry Li, SacRT General Manager/CEO. “The hard work of our staff has paid off, and now the Sacramento community will receive the benefits.”

Prepaid tickets that were purchased prior to the fare reduction will not be exchanged or refunded; however, customers can continue to use prepaid tickets in the future until the expiration date.