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Belding’s holiday celebration wraps up – Sentinel

As part of the 2012 holiday festivities in and around the city, the Belding Area Chamber of Commerce coordinated a decorated tree contest to encourage a festive atmosphere to the Covered Village Mall and participating businesses.

The nearly month-long event also served as a way to promote donations of food and clothing which have been delivered to the area food pantries that serve Belding and the surrounding area.

This is the third year for the event and 13 area businesses and organizations participated, including B.C. Pizza, Belding Arts Council, Candlestone Golf and resort, Chemical Bank, Dr. Charles Barker, DO and Staff, Firstbank, Girl Scouts, Independent Bank, Metron of Belding, Millie’s Family Restaurant, Nature’s Need Landscaping, Preferred Federal Credit Union and Rite Aid.

Citizens were encouraged to visit the mall and businesses and organizations which had trees on display at their locations, and vote for the trees they like the best by donating food, to place under the trees of their choice. This year, the results proved once again the generosity of Belding residents as hundreds and hundreds of food items were donated.

In addition to the non-perishable food items, several pairs of gloves and mittens, hats, scarves and ponchos were also donated. A cash donation of $100 was also received and split between the two pantries. The “People’s Choice Award” was earned by Dr. Charles Barker’s medical office, with more than 275 items collected. Leppink’s Grocery store in Belding provided a huge boost to the effort by donating another 300 food items valued at more that $500.

The Belding Area Chamber of Commerce is grateful for the many sponsoring organizations and the hundreds of area citizens who took part in the event by visiting the trees and making donations. Many great ideas to improve and expand the event for next year have been recommended and the chamber is looking forward to a great event in 2013.

For additional information about the event or the Belding Area Chamber of Commerce, please contact Mike Verdun at (616) 794-1300.

Ideas start to turn into more for Vision 2020 – Post

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Austin’s Vision 2020 effort is taking shape, with projects ranging from adding a fishing spot to building more high-speed Internet infrastructure.

In April, the top 10 ideas for the community project were announced from a pool of more than 4,000 that were submitted by community members.

The Vision 2020 process is an open, all-inclusive community visioning process designed to keep our community vibrant and growing.

Once the ideas were revealed, citizens had the chance to be part of the different idea committees. Those committees have met regularly to figure out the specifics of the vision statements, which are just guidelines. Committees have looked into the where, when and how of the ideas.

Here are the 10 ideas, along with updates from the committees:

Revitalization of Austin Utilities building.
The group is working on a business plan, looking into grant funding and has formed subcommittees for potential building tenants.

Business-friendly environment.
They have scheduled an entrepreneurship exchange event for January, where a speaker and local entrepreneurs have been invited.

Capital’s landscaping to be developed on modern lines

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Saturday, December 29, 2012 – Islamabad—The soft landscaping of the capital city would be transformed on modern lines and new varieties of flowers would be introduced to help enhance the beauty of the federal capital, said Chairman Capital Development Authority. “Flowers are the most attractive gift of nature, which make the life of individuals charming and depict the aesthetic of the residents,” Syed Tahir Shahbaz said this while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of the Autumn Flowers Show – 2012 organized by CDA in collaboration with Islamabad Horticultural Society.

He said the green character, beautiful landscape, and colourful flowers are the hallmark of Islamabad, which make it unique in the modern capitals of the world.

The CDA chief said the flowers are the part and parcel of our life as they add beauty and fragrance to our gardens, homes as well lives.

Tahir Shahbaz directed the Environment Wing of the Authority to increase the number of sapling of flowering plants during spring and monsoon tree plantation campaigns. He also stressed for focusing on indigenous species of trees, as it will further beautify the city in harmony with the climate condition of the city.

The chairman said the Authority was endeavouring to plant environment friendly new indigenous varieties of flowers and trees on the highways, roads, bridges and green areas. He said that the increased participation of the private sector in the flowers exhibition reflects the efforts of the people from different walks of life who really care for the environment.

Syed Tahir Shahbaz distributed prizes and trophies amongst the winners of the three days flowers show.

City Council roundup

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Posted: Friday, December 28, 2012 2:55 pm
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Updated: 2:56 pm, Fri Dec 28, 2012.

City Council roundup

by Alana Garrigues

The Beach Reporter

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Restaurants must close at scheduled time on New Year’s Eve

Last month, Councilman Peter Tucker sought an urgency ordinance to allow a dozen restaurants in Hermosa Beach to stay open until 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve to allow patrons to ring in the new year. But at the Dec. 11 council meeting, Tucker pushed away from his idea and apologized for asking staff to study it. He then made a motion to not allow restaurants to stay open later than their normal operating hours on Dec. 31.

His original recommendation was shunned by the planning commission and discouraged by city staff and the police and fire departments, who argued that it was incongruent with recent efforts by the city to decrease late-night alcohol sales through a “no intensification” code that sets a limit for 36 late-night alcohol establishments. The commission, police and fire departments also expressed concerns about safety and police services on a busy holiday night that already leaves emergency responders stretched thin. In addition, of the 36 restaurants in the city that could have potentially stayed open later, 24 would have been required to close earlier by their ABC liquor license, which trumps city ordinance, and would have been subjected to fines if they had elected to stay open late.

Tucker watched the planning commission discussion and said he wanted to apologize for making the proposal, after seeing how contrary it appeared to the recent “no intensification” policy.

The council unanimously voted against the proposed ordinance, although Councilmen Howard Fishman and Michael DiVirgilio both said they would be interested in discussing incentives in the future for restaurants in good standing that may want to stay open late for a special event by negotiating CUP terms on a case-by-case basis.

Street paving plan and sewage

After the city council voted 3-2 against authorizing Blue Zones to conduct an Aviation Boulevard bicycle lane study on behalf of Hermosa Beach, Public Works Director Frank Senteno quickly developed a street paving plan and sewage management plan to show the city council that those immediate priorities would be met by city staff. He also met with Blue Zones to ask them how much staff time would be required to work on the bicycle lane study.

Senteno brought the proposal back to the city council because he was assured it would be a time commitment of approximately five hours per month, manageable for the public works department, and Blue Zones would work within the city’s master bike plan and in conjunction with the city council and Aviation Boulevard/Pacific Coast Highway commission priorities.

The council voted unanimously to approve Senteno’s plans and authorize Blue Zones to investigate grant opportunities and initiate preliminary engineering studies along Aviation Boulevard.

City adopts “Living Streets” policy

The city council voted unanimously to adopt a “Living Streets” policy to provide guidance to future councils and planning commissions and to work toward Blue Zones certification. In doing so, the city completed the Blue Zones Community Policy Pledge.

“Living Streets” is a method of city planning that looks at sustainability, pedestrian avenues, bike paths, street widths, lighting and storm drainage as well as how to incorporate users of all ages and abilities into street design. It also includes plants, benches and landscaping to create a space that is user-friendly and encourages people to spend time there, which in turns creates economic sustainability.

In the same broad sweep, the council unanimously chose not to pursue healthy vending standards in public buildings and parks, healthy food and beverage policies at city-sponsored youth sporting events, a worksite breastfeeding policy and land-use protections for community gardens and farmers markets. The council agreed that it would be most appropriate to look at those policies once council goal-setting sessions are complete to ensure their vote falls within council priorities.

City Manager Tom Bakaly will look into the worksite breastfeeding policy to see if federal law already provides policy instructions for municipalities and return to the council with that information.

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Friday, December 28, 2012 2:55 pm.

Updated: 2:56 pm.

A gift for Mother Nature: recycled Christmas trees

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Katie Klauber and her mother, Diane, helped recycle Christmas trees last year with Troop 10406.

The holiday season may be coming to a close, but Girl Scouts in Sonoma Valley have a final gift-giving suggestion: turn the household Christmas tree into a present for Mother Nature.

Beginning this weekend, troops in the valley will pick up Christmas trees for recycling into nutrient-rich mulch and compost that ultimately help other plants and flowers thrive. The centerpiece of the holiday season can then live on in gardens and landscaping throughout the community.

“In Sonoma Valley, the Girl Scouts have been providing this service for more than a decade,” said Jill Valavanis, a Cadette troop leader and coordinator of the recycling program. “It has become a local tradition that the girls are proud of and the community enjoys supporting.”

Girl Scouts from Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops work in conjunction with Sonoma County Waste Management Agency, Sonoma Garbage and Redwood Empire Waste to collect trees in a way that’s environmentally friendly.

In addition to assisting Mother Nature, the recycling program helps Girl Scouts fund community service projects, scouting programs and activities and cultural-understanding trips abroad.

In June, just after earning their high school diplomas, a troop of three teens traveled with two chaperones to England, France, Italy and Switzerland. They met with Girl Scouts from around the globe at the Pax Lodge World Centre in London – a trip made possible through years of recycling Christmas trees and selling Girl Scout cookies.

Valavanis said girls learn valuable skills from the program, from goal setting and time management skills to working with the public and the meaning of physical labor loading and unloading the oftentimes heavy trees.

The tax-deductible suggested donation for the service is $10 per tree.

Girl Scouts can’t accept flocked trees, wreaths or garland. To ensure that trees are ready for recycling, they must be free of stands and all decorations.

Girl Scouts will visit neighborhoods throughout the valley only once per weekend on Dec. 29 and 30 and Jan. 5, 6, 12 and 13. Trees should be curbside by 9 a.m. Saturday on the preferred weekend of removal. Trees will be picked up by 6 p.m. each Sunday.

Reservations are necessary only from residents of rural areas of the valley.

Donations should be left under doormats. In rural areas, donations should be left in mailboxes. For those living in condominium or apartment complexes, notes should be attached to trees directing Girl Scouts to condo or apartment numbers to retrieve donations under doormats.

Checks are preferred, made payable to Sonoma Girl Scouts. Donations beyond $10 are greatly appreciated, Valavanis said.

To schedule pick-up in rural areas or to call if your tree was overlooked on a pick-up day, call 205-1233.

For more information or to download a flyer, visit SonomaGirlScouts.com/xmas.

– Dianne Reber Hart

Make some gardening resolutions

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SALISBURY — The new year is just around the corner; have you made any resolutions? The annual gesture of self-improvement and moderation often fails quickly, especially with home gardeners.

Gardening is complex, truly dependent often on situations we cannot control. However, below are some resolutions that will improve the odds of success for the new gardening year.

Don’t guess with fertilizers — Most homeowners guess how much fertilizer, especially lime, to apply on their lawns, shrubs and vegetable gardens. Soil sampling is a free service provided by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. The results are now online in an easy-to-understand format. The soil sampling kits and information are available at the Extension Center on Old Concord Road in Salisbury. Homeowners mail soil samples to the N.C. Department of Agriculture in Raleigh.

Start a file of garden tips and information — File away bits and pieces of useful information. There are a number of gardening and calendar apps for tablets and computers to document your gardening endeavors — good or bad. Make the file or tablet readily accessible to periodically update or delete out-of-date information.

Am I supposed to prune now? — Many homeowners prune fruit trees, vines and shrubs with no knowledge of exactly why they are pruning. Know why apple trees are pruned to a central leader and peach trees as an open vase. Correct pruning techniques can increase yields, produce better quality fruit and reduce pesticide sprays. Correctly pruned shrubs will produce more flowers and berries. Pruning is mandatory for quality fruits and healthy shrubs, but it must be done correctly.

Maintain equipment — Take time this winter to maintain power equipment with an oil change or tune-up if needed. Sharpened, well maintained mower blades reduce engine wear, improve the turf’s appearance and reduce the incidence of disease. Jagged leaf blades from dull blades look bad and increase incidence of foliar disease problems. Replace all seals and gaskets in hand pump sprayers now so you will be ready when the pests of spring arrive.

Have a plan — Impulse buying and planting without a plan can produce nightmares later as the landscape develops. Overgrown plants, improperly spaced plant material, diseased or non-adapted plant material are typical problems associated with impulse planting. Solicit the help of reputable and qualified nurserymen or landscapers before initiation of a landscape planting.

”We always plant Silver Queen corn” — Home vegetable gardeners and flower gardeners often plant the same varieties each season. While it makes sense to “stick with a winner,” there are new varieties of vegetables and flowers that warrant a homeowner test. All-America Selections are usually a good choice, whether it’s a vegetable, fruit or flower selection. Be sure to correctly label new varieties and make notes about growth, development and other pertinent characteristics during the growing season. These notes will be instrumental in selection of next season’s crop.

Implement IPM in your garden (Integrated Pest Management) — Scout for insects and diseases on a routine basis. Can you live with the problem? Use only the softest pesticides first to control the problem. Read and understand the label and use pesticides only when needed.

IRS Offers Tax Tips for ‘The Season of Giving’

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The following is from the Internal Revenue Service:

December is traditionally a month for giving generously to
charities, friends and family. But it’s also a time that can have a
major impact on the tax return you’ll file in the New Year. Here are
some “Season of Giving” tips from the IRS covering everything from
charity donations to refund planning:

Contribute to Qualified Charities: If you plan to take an
itemized charitable deduction on your 2012 tax return, your donation
must go to a qualified charity by Dec. 31. Ask the charity about its
tax-exempt status. You can also visit IRS.gov and use the Exempt
Organizations Select Check tool to check if your favorite charity is a
qualified charity. Donations charged to a credit card by Dec. 31 are
deductible for 2012, even if you pay the bill in 2013. A gift by check
also counts for 2012 as long as you mail it in December. Gifts given to
individuals, whether to friends, family or strangers, are not
deductible.
What You Can Deduct: You generally can deduct your cash
contributions and the fair market value of most property you donate to a
qualified charity. Special rules apply to several types of donated
property, including clothing or household items, cars and boats.
Keep Records of All Donations: You need to keep a record of
any donations you deduct, regardless of the amount. You must have a
written record of all cash contributions to claim a deduction. This may
include a canceled check, bank or credit card statement or payroll
deduction record. You can also ask the charity for a written statement
that shows the charity’s name, contribution date and amount.
Gather Records in a Safe Place: As long as you’re gathering
those records for your charitable contributions, it’s a good time to
start rounding up documents you will need to file your tax return in
2013. This includes receipts, canceled checks and other documents that
support income or deductions you will claim on your tax return. Be sure
to store them in a safe place so you can easily access them later when
you file your tax return.
Plan Ahead for Major Purchases. If you are making major
purchases during the holiday season, don’t base them solely on the
expectation of receiving your tax refund before the bills arrive. Many
factors can impact the timing of a tax refund. The IRS issues most
refunds in less than 21 days after receiving a tax return. However, if
your tax return requires additional review, it may take longer to
receive your refund.

For more information about contributions, check out Publication
526, Charitable Contributions. The booklet is available on IRS.gov or
order by mail at 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Helen Yemm’s container gardening tips

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Really big containers are even better: within them you can come up with some
really interesting plant combinations. A winner that has trucked on for
years in my garden is a rusty old iron cattle trough with a convenient crack
in it (providing drainage). Bronze fennel dominates, Hakonechloa macra
‘Aureola’ (a weepy, golden-stripy grass) and a brown/yellow Viola ‘Irish
Molly’ are permanent, shorter, colour-coordinated residents, and in late
spring I add September-struck overwintered cuttings of pale yellow Argyranthemum
‘Jamaica primrose’, with Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ to
sprawl through the lot.

Another coffin-size container in my driveway – in full view of passers-by, the
planting in it needs to demonstrate that I at least know how to keep things
alive if I am to preserve some sort of reputation – is home to that most
voluptuous of herbaceous geraniums, Geranium palmatum (not hardy in the
north). Stalk loads of pink flowers are carried above its glossy leaves for
weeks in the summer. With a bit of tidying up, the shuttlecock of foliage
endures all winter (even perking up last week after being “wilted” by recent
frosts). You might think that bit-part players in this drama have a lean
time of it. But a small self-seeded colony of Bowles’ golden grass (Milium
effusum) and dusky Origanum laevigatum ‘Herrenhausen’ perform
with understated efficiency. And while the geranium itself will be short
lived, it has conveniently self-seeded within the trough.

Container planting doesn’t all have to be high impact and in your face. “Best
in Show” at Yemm Towers last summer came about somewhat by chance. Fearing
that after several years’ service in my shady woodland patch, a mature Hellebore
x sternii ‘Silver Dollar’ (with biennial flower stems) was on its last
legs, last spring I bought a new young plant “to bring on” as a replacement.
I realised that the very large plastic container into which it was repotted
(in John Innes No 3 plus leafmould) would fit neatly into a vacant urn
outside my kitchen window, so there I plonked it.

Virtually maintenance free – such a large pot needed little watering – the
hellebore’s jagged leaves grew larger and ever more beautiful during the
summer, and there it sits right now, with dusky-pink tinged flower buds just
developing on the shoot tips. Maybe it will get planted out in the garden as
planned. Maybe it won’t. I could just cut its flowering shoots back in early
summer, and let it put in a repeat performance in its pot next year. And
maybe I will be here to tell you about it.

Rehoboth’s Italian garden approved

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Rehoboth Beach — Visitors and residents of Rehoboth Beach will soon have access to an Italian-style garden in Cranberry Park along Lake Gerar.

Rehoboth Beach Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve The Garden of the Navigators, with benches, walkways, greenery and a cement compass at the center.

The park, which could cost up to $100,000, will be funded by Rehoboth Beach Sister Cities Association, which promotes Rehoboth Beach’s relationship with sister-city Greve in Chianti, Italy.

Mayor Sam Cooper cast the tie-breaking vote to approve the garden. Before the vote, Cooper spoke in opposition to the garden, saying he was in favor of protecting open spaces. “Natural areas are good. We ought to have a darn good reason to plow them up,” he said. “I don’t want more and more of these.”

Commissioners Patrick Gossett and Pat Coluzzi also voted in favor of the proposal. Coluzzi said she was shocked at Cooper’s vote.

Coluzzi presented a final draft of the garden to Rehoboth Commissioners at the Dec. 21 meeting. Coluzzi said landscape architect Ray Zebrowski revised the design based on requests from the commissioners.

Commissioner Stan Mills was the first to voice opposition to the design. “I’m not against the garden,” he said. “I think the scale should be much, much smaller.” Mills also said he did not like the Cranberry Park location. Mills was the only commissioner who voted against the garden’s location at the Nov. 5 meeting.

Commissioner Lorraine Zellers said the garden seemed too formal, and she was disappointed with the final design.

Commissioner Bill Sargent said he hoped the architect would have removed the cement compass as part of the compromise. “I can’t support the current design,” he said.

Commissioner Mark Hunker, who voted to approve the garden, said Zebrowski took some of the more formal parts of the proposed garden, such as walls and a terracotta patio, out of the final design. “When does it become acceptable?” Hunker asked. “This is the third compromise already and it gets smaller and smaller and back and back,” he said.

Hunker and Coluzzi said they had received more letters and testimony in support of the garden than against it. Coluzzi asked Sargent who he was representing by voting against the garden.

“Believe me, there are an awful lot of people,” Sargent said. “The perception is a small group of people have forced this on the town.”

Hunker said Cranberry Park is currently a place where people walk their dogs and do not clean up after them. “I just can’t imagine how people don’t think this is an improvement,” he said.

Of Sargent’s opposition to the circle, Hunker said, “I don’t understand how that is formal – a piece of cement.”

About six residents testified against the park. Longtime residents of Olive Avenue, such as Jean Cochran and former Commissioner Bitsy Cochran, said the garden would encroach on the open space of the park. “I’d like to see that park stay the way it is,” Jean Cochran said.

Another handful of business and property owners testified in favor of the park. Tom Romando of Henlopen Avenue said the garden would enhance the open space of the park, and the proposed garden contains structures that already exist in front of the Convention Center and Rehoboth Beach Museum. “I don’t understand what the controversy is,” he said.

Resident Tony Sharp said discussions about the park began in September. “This horse, to me, is way out of the barn,” she said. Sharp said commissioners should put personal preferences aside and vote with the majority opinion. “I already think you have your win,” she said.

The sister cities agreement between Rehoboth Beach and Greve was signed in 2010. The agreement was meant to promote tourism and foster cultural, artistic and educational exchange.

In April, Coluzzi visited a garden in Greve honoring Rehoboth Beach. City officials hope to have The Garden of the Navigators ready before a delegation from Greve is scheduled to visit in June.

State of the City: Manhattan Beach

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I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all Manhattan Beach residents for the honor and privilege of serving our wonderful community as your Mayor. As we end the year, I want to reflect on the accomplishments of 2012, our City’s 100th Anniversary, and look toward the continued success of the next 100 years.

Safety and Improving our Quality of Life

Our City had a wonderful community parade and picnic in May to honor our 100th Anniversary. The parade route along Manhattan Beach Boulevard was crowded with thousands of spectators and, similar to the one held for our 75th Anniversary, involved hundreds of parade participants with floats representing local community organizations, businesses, youth groups, older adults, marching bands and former Mayors. Special thanks to former Mayor Jan Dennis and all of the community volunteers for making the parade a huge success.

We also had a very informative 100-year historical symposium entitled “Reflect on the Past, Give Meaning to the Future,” initiated by Mayor Pro Tem David Lesser, which included local nonprofit community organizations and a distinguished panel of Manhattan Beach historians. Thank you to the Mayor’s Youth Council and our community who participated in the break-out sessions.

Our City’s Anniversary events culminated with a spectacular encore fireworks display to celebrate “100 Years of Sun, Sand and Sea.” Thanks to all of the local businesses and individuals who underwrote the cost of the magnificent fireworks. Shop and dine in Manhattan Beach!

This year saw a change of schedule for our City’s 6-Man volleyball tournament. The 51st Annual Charlie Saikley 6-Man Volleyball Tournament moved to mid-week, which helped end the unwelcome partying that had evolved. The changes successfully returned the event to its roots as a community sporting event that was safe and fun for all who participated or watched.

My initiative to extend our City’s smoking ban to include The Strand and the greenbelt, preventing the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, was approved by my City Council colleagues.

Thank you to Police Chief Eve Irvine, Fire Chief Bob Espinosa and their personnel in ensuring public safety and improving already excellent emergency response times. I also want to commend our outstanding education system, which I believe is second to none.

Maintaining our Infrastructure

Our City completed a $3.6 million project to renovate the Joslyn and Manhattan Heights Community Centers, including new flooring, paint, interior fixtures, audio/visual equipment, heating and cooling system, a new kitchen, renovated restrooms, windows, doors, fire sprinklers/alarms and more. This also brought the facilities up to the latest building and fire code standards, as well as handicap accessibility. This project also included upgrades to the Begg Pool locker room including new lockers, floors, paint, windows and doors.

Our Capital Improvement Program also included structural rehabilitation to our 92-year-old pier, the centerpiece icon of our City. Most importantly, we expedited the replacement of 60- to 80-year-old aging infrastructure, including the completion of over 3.3 miles of sewer mains and 4 miles of water main rehabilitation or replacements. Of course, we also performed substantial ongoing maintenance of our roadways, pedestrian pavement and recreation facilities.

Looking ahead, we are anxious to see work begin on the new high-tech state-of-the-art Manhattan Beach County Library Project. The new construction, slated to begin in summer 2013 with an estimated budget of $22.5 million, is funded from Manhattan Beach property taxes that are being collected and set aside by Los Angeles County for improvements to our local library. The 21,500-square-foot building will include adult reading areas, a teen area, and early childhood area, with dedicated programming space, a homework center, a 100-seat community meeting room, public access computers and technology wiring/capability for today and for the future.

Protection of our Beach and the Environment

I am very proud to have led the successful opposition that prevented Broad Beach (Malibu) residents from dredging 500,000 cubic feet of indispensable offshore Manhattan Beach sand to replenish their sand erosion problem. We averted potentially adverse impacts to our marine ecosystem and our beach.

In May, through a partnership with Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2012, new sustainable landscaping was installed at the Manhattan Beach Post Office near 15th Street and Valley Drive. This project raised over $40,000 in private donations to transform an outdated area into a highly visible and educational garden, which is both visually inviting and environmentally responsible.

Recently, our City received the United States Conference of Mayors “2012 Mayor’s Climate Protection Award” and the Wyland Foundation’s “2012 National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation” award. Environmental (green) sustainability initiatives have resulted in substantial economic savings for our City and our residents.

Open and Inclusive Government

Since January 2012, our City’s Ad Hoc Open Government Subcommittee has brought forth many recommendations to the City Council for improvements to government transparency and increased citizen involvement. Among these included the addition of the upcoming meetings schedule to every agenda and more timely meeting minutes and agendas.

My initiative to remove the 15-minute total time limit for audience participation at public meetings was implemented. Now everyone has the opportunity to be heard and contribute to the local government process. Our City Council not only welcomes but encourages public participation.

Our City Council also adopted other changes to the management of public meetings, including an earlier start time of 6 p.m. and a meeting end time of no later than 11 p.m. to keep the meeting length reasonable and more inviting for the public to attend.

My Mayor’s Town Hall Series was inaugurated this year. This has included such topics as “Earthquake Safety/Preparedness” and “Meet the City: Everything You Want to Know About Your City Government.”

Financial Stability and Accountability

Once again this year our City received an “unqualified” financial audit opinion from the City’s independent auditing firm, meaning there were no qualifications or reservations expressed about the City’s financial reporting (the highest level of audit opinion given). Our City’s General Fund ended Fiscal Year 2011-2012 on June 30 with a surplus of $3.1 million, all while maintaining substantial financial and economic policy reserves (i.e., “rainy day” contingency funds), exemplary municipal services and with no tax increases.

Our City again received a triple-A credit rating, the highest rating attainable (only one of two California cities to receive this from all three credit rating agencies). Recently, we refinanced City bonds, saving a total of $2.8 million and will be refinancing more bonds, saving an additional $1.8 million.

Other City Accomplishments

Other City accomplishments this year were: adoption of a three-year City Strategic Plan, a balanced Operating Budget without any tax increases, update of a Comprehensive Traffic Safety Management Plan (which included our schools), review of potential electric vehicle charging station locations and implementation of free holiday parking at City meters for four weeks. We’re working persistently in the current labor negotiations to obtain pension reform and control unsustainable pension costs.

For city news and updates, please visit the City of Manhattan Beach website at www.CityMB.info. Always feel free to email me your suggestions, ideas, comments and concerns at wPowell@CityMB.info, or come along on one of my Mayor’s Walk ‘n Talks.

Here’s wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous New Year! And to each, a great Manhattan Beach!

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