City of San Luis Obispo, Council Notes DATE: March 20, 2015 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Katie Lichtig The Rotary Club Daylight contacted Ron Combs asking how they might be able to contribute to the beautification of the Laguna Lake Commemorative Grove. After brainstorming with the Urban Foresters, Ron left the project in the capable hands of Mike Johnson, our designated Grove Manager. Mike identified several key ways they could help, including replacing dead trees and damaged or missing commemorative plaques. Work Day at the Commemorative Grove Michael Alamo, with the Rotary Club, responded with a generous donation to purchase twenty 15 gallon replacement trees, gopher baskets, a yard of planting mix and several replacement plaques. Michael Alamo, also a neighbor of the lake and retired Parks & Recreation Director for the City of San Luis Obispo, wanted to do more than just write a check. With help from the City s Urban Forest staff he helped organize a work day in the Grove coordinating with his friends, neighbors, the Rotary Club Daylight and The Grizzly Youth Academy. On Sunday, March 8 th, all parties converged in the Grove. Under the supervision of Mike Johnson and Anthony Whipple, trees were planted, tall weeds were pulled and loads of wood chips were spread around the base of the trees. As a way of thanking the Grizzlies for their help, a Coast Live Oak was planted in their honor. The City of San Luis Obispo would like to thank the Rotary Club Daylight, the Grizzly Youth Academy and all the neighbors who joined together for this positive community effort.
Council Notes 2 March 20, 2015 Public Works and Community Development Interns Take the Capitol by Storm! Two City of San Luis Obispo interns were selected by Cal Poly President Jeffery Armstrong to be recognized on the floor of the California State Senate and State Assembly on March 9 th for their remarkable achievements in their respective fields of study and contributions to Cal Poly. They, along with 16 other Cal Poly students, spoke to key leaders in the state capitol about the importance of higher education and issues in their fields of study. Leaders included Lieutenant Governor Gavin Lieutenant Gavin Newsom with interns Kaylinn Roseman and Juan Alberto Bonilla Newson, Senator Bill Monning, staff in the Office of the Governor, and their home State Assembly and Senate members. Kaylinn Roseman, transportation engineering intern and master s student in Civil Engineering, was recognized for her work with her professional organization, Institute of Transportation Engineers. She served as president of the Cal Poly ITE student chapter which took home the honor of International Chapter of the Year last year and she was named Outstanding Student of the Year. Public Works intern Kaylinn Roseman speaking with Assemblyman Patrick O Donnell (Long Beach) Juan Alberto Bonilla, Community Development intern and City and Regional Planning senior, was recognized for placing second in the 2014 Bank of America Affordable Housing Challenge, where he and his interdisciplinary team of students designed an affordable housing development with retail and a permanent farmers market for residents who work in downtown San Luis Obispo. Both represented Cal Poly and the City of San Luis Obispo very well and the Public Works and Community Development Departments are proud to call them one of their own. Congratulations, and keep up the good work, Juan Alberto and Kaylinn! Community Development intern Juan Alberto Bonilla with Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (San Diego)
Council Notes 3 March 20, 2015 The Lights Are Back On The City recently responded to a report of a street light being knocked down. Replacement is often completed by a contractor; however, contractors were unable to respond. Signal and lighting staff worked together with Water Resource Recovery Facility staff to borrow a crane and expeditiously replace the light pole and get the lights back on. A great team partnership! The Historic Jack House (536 Marsh Street) received a little facelift with the addition of period specific wallpaper and drapery donated by the Jack House Foundation and installed by J.C. Coverings of Cayucos. In January, the City Council approved a donation of new wallpaper and drapery for the Historic Jack House. The current wallcovering was in poor condition (last updated in the 1980 s) and further deterioration of the wallcoverings could have led to exposure of drywall resulting in significant repairs if not addressed. The generous donation was valued at $9,270 in materials and donated labor. Historic Jack House Receives Facelift The wallpaper renovation and new drapery has been completed and is a great improvement to the Historic Jack House. They both enhance and celebrate the residences original character. For information about the Historic Jack House, volunteering or tours, contact the Community Services Supervisor, Dave Setterlund, at (805) 781-7067.
Council Notes 4 March 20, 2015 Laurel Community Gardens Volunteer Clean-Up Day Over 30 volunteers came out on Saturday, March 7 th beautify the Laurel Lane Community Gardens. to help The Garden clean-up was a community based project that has many benefits. Not only does the physical clean-up of the gardens help to brighten the spirit of the neighborhood but also helps deter illegal lodging, reduces impact on native plants and establish a greater sense of community within the community. The direct result of the project is a more manageable garden that reduces unwanted impacts and looks great! Laurel Lane Community Garden As the work day came to an end, the volunteers expressed a sense of achievement while viewing all of their hard work restoring the entryway and pathways for the Community Garden. Local residents expressed their appreciation for the improved aesthetics. Laurel Lane Clean-Up Day For information about Community Gardens or volunteering, contact the Community Services Supervisor, Dave Setterlund, at (805) 781-7067 or email at dsetterlund@slocity.org It s Happening!! San Luis Obispo Skate Park Grand Opening Several thousand community members showed up on Saturday, February 28, 2015, to witness the grand opening of the longawaited, much anticipated, SLO Skate Park. The day s festivities included an official ribbon cutting, 32 skate-centric vendors, live music, DJ, yummy food, pro skater demonstrations and tons of skateboarding! City Council (past and present) and numerous City employees Eddie Elguera, Professional Skater were in attendance at the ribbon-cutting. The ceremony was brought to a close with a passionate speech from 20 year old Spencer Crotty. Spencer has been a long-time supporter of the skate park, has grown up in the Parks and Recreation afterschool programming since the 2 nd grade and eventually became a City employee. He has been a part of the SLO Skate park dream for the majority of his life and his passion for a new state of the art facility was evident!
Council Notes 5 March 20, 2015 Following the ceremonial ribbon cutting, hundreds of skaters enjoyed the new Skate Park. Several Pros (including legendary skater, Eddie Elguera) skated amongst the huge crowds throughout the day. The 15,500 sq.ft. facility was designed by Wormhoudt Design and was engineered by RRM Designs. The project was constructed by ProWest in conjunction with California Skate Parks on skate specific design build. The Skate Park also incorporates functional public art with custom skateboard deck tiling, streetscape murals and shade trees (designed by local artists, Jed Joyce & John Jones). The four concrete and steel trees provide shade for the park and have skate-able tree trunks. THANKS to the many Skate-Holders, City Council, Public Works Engineering, Parks Maintenance, Utilities, Transit, Parking, Police, Fire, Park and Recreation staff that helped make the Grand Opening such a great event! A SPECIAL THANKS to the Public Works Construction Inspector, Mark Williams, for managing the entire project from start to finish and keeping everyone on-track, on-time and on-budget! For more information about the about the SLO Skate Park, or to volunteer at the Park, please contact Dave Setterlund, Recreation Supervisor, at (805) 781-7067 or email at dsetterlund@slocity.org. Skating Demonstrations Skaters Enjoying the Park Next City Council Meeting: Tuesday, March 31 st, 2015 Special Meeting, 4:00 p.m. Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m. Council Chamber