Vallejo Independent Bulletin - Vallejo City Council Highlights

Community Land Trust Moves Forward—Vallejo Station: An Ode to Public Works

Osby has an Epiphany

Mayor Calls Unions Out for LYING

Also May 16-22 is designated as safe boating month. Don't drink a six pack, fire up the engines and go play chicken with some dweeb in a kayak. It never ends well. Yikes!

Bob Miller was recognized for his commitment to youth through his work in juniors golf. Thanks Bob.

Council regular Sam Kurshan announced that he is changing his ways. “I've been a very angry person for most of my life.” said Kurshan. He continued to describe the transformative nature of his experience participating in the City Park playground build and spoke of the need to “take back something in the city that represents a rebirth of sorts”.

Bob Schussel brought an article in the Wall Street Journal to the attention of the council. The article describes cities which have successfully brought charges against banks who have allowed foreclosed homes to fall into disrepair. He suggested Vallejo look at implementing a similar ordinance.

Schussel continued to ask if the city has retained a search firm to look for a new City Manager since Joe Tanner is on the way out. The answer was NO. Schussel concluded that the council was guilty of “paralysis by analysis” and that “nothing is happening when it should be”.

Douglas Smith suggested that the city look at re-using some of the older housing on Mare Island to help satisfy the city's affordable housing needs.

The construction of Vallejo Station is moving forward. The controversial downtown Bus Transit Center will be bounded by Sacramento and York Streets. You can get a look at the concept drawings HERE

Grant monies are in place for the project, and it, along with the rest of the Vallejo Station project will be the only major public works effort in Vallejo's foreseeable future.

Many people think the downtown bus station will be a crime magnet and safety problem. The proximity of the troubled apartment housing at 201Maine St. is often pointed to as a possible source of undesirable activity.

Councilmember Gomes was very clear: “I don't support the bus transit project.”

Robert Rowe also addressed the council stating his support for Gomes and urged the council “to vote no”

Public works director Gary Leach warned that if the city does not move forward with the project, which has been delayed, there would be a loss of credibility with the funding sources.

Remember, this thing is being largely done with transportation grant monies. They are a “use it or lose it” commodity.

The resolition was approved 4-1. Gomes opposed. Schivley out sick. Wilson recused.

The idea of a Community Land Trust has its appeals. The concept of a self perpetuating and self renewing ownership based model for affordable housing makes some folks nervous though. It does not fit with the predatory capitalism that has been practiced in the real estate market in recent years. We know where that has got us. If you can get past the fear and consternation over something some might consider “socialism” there may be some real benefits.

Pride of ownership for those who could not otherwise qualify etc. And, considering the resources Vallejo has seen put into very low end housing, this might be a welcome diversification.

On the other hand, the devil is in the details. The question of how much of our resources to allocate to a land trust at one time has to be carefully considered. Of course with house prices being at record lows—now is a great time to get a lot of bang for our buck.

The balancing act between the number of affordable housing units produced, versus the quality and long term results of the program is what is under examination here. Considering how well our current affordable housing programs have worked out in Vallejo (NOT) it seems like the land trust concept might be worth a try...as long as it is implemented in a balanced fashion. That's it in a nutshell.

The Community Land Trust is the brainchild of Dianna Lang and Jennifer Wilson. You can see an interview VIB did on the topic HERE.

Reverend Ray Bernardes of the Christian Help Center urged the mayor and council to “pass this resolution”. He continued to indicate that local agencies would be “very much interested” in participating in the project.

Carol Hardy of VNHS(Vallejo Neighborhood Housing Services) spoke in favor of the program. Her organization hopes to be chosen to administer the land trust.

Jennifer Wilson spoke to dispell what she considers misconceptions regarding the percentage of affordable housing funds allocated to the land trust. She cited a letter by City council candidate Marti Brown and disputed Brown's interpretation of percentages of the funds allocated.

Marti Brown spoke calling the land trust “A great model.” but continuing to explain that she does not feel that the trust provides nearly enough units to meet Vallejo's needs for low income housing. “We will not be able to reach people at the lowest end of the economic ladder.” she said, adding that she considers the land trust, as proposed to be “not good affordable housing policy”.

Diana Lang spoke in favor of the project and made it clear that she, as a real estate agent, will see no personal gain from the it. Lang sounded a note of warning regarding out of town investors who are buying up foreclosed Vallejo properties as we speak: “the slum lords of tomorrow” she said.

Councilmember Tom Bartee seemed to have a hard time wrapping his head around the idea that the land will never be for sale. He ultimately supports the idea.

Sam Kurshan addressed the council regarding people he believes to be on section 8 put up in Vallejo hotels. He described the hotels as “satellites of crime”. Melinda Nestlerode of the Vallejo Housing Authority indicated that section 8 does not ever put people in hotels. There seems to be a possibility that Solano County may be putting people up in Vallejo Hotels. This is unconfirmed—expect VIB to look into it.

Katy Miessner raised concerns over the use of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds for the land trust. She is worried that these funds will not be available for other improvement projects.

Councilmember Gomes supports the idea, calling it “a really different approach”.

“We need to move forward with doing something with affordable housing for people in this community” said Mayor Davis. He called for the vote.

In the final minutes of the meeting Tom Bartee announced that Lennar Mare Island has closed a deal with French firm Allston to refurbish rail cars on Mare Island. This is good news as it represents jobs and revenues.

In comments regarding the hearing on AB 155 in Sacramento FULL VIDEO, Mayor Davis talks about how he was “shocked” and “disturbed” by the “distortions” and “outright lies” by representatives of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) . He says he was "blown away".

Kind of supports a lot of the things we have been saying at VIB for a while. Glad you finally got it Osby. Just wish it had been sooner.

The Mayor continued to call for all California cities to oppose this legislation which seeks to place obstacles in the path of cities considering bankruptcy. He described AB 155 as “an attempt to obtain legislatively what the unions could not obtain judicially” His comments were responded to by applause.