Welcome to lame duck season on local government boards. The results of the Nov. 3 election aren't yet certified as official, so even though the winners are known, they don't take their seats until December. We're hoping the newcomers will be in the audience even though they don't yet get to vote.
Meanwhile, one of the key meetings of the week won't result in any immediate decisions but is nonetheless important. It is a public workshop on proposed changes to Modesto's General Plan, set for 6 p.m. Wednesday in the basement of Tenth Street Place.
Long-range planning hasn't — and shouldn't — come to a halt because voters rejected all five advisory measures on the Nov. 3 ballot. In fact, this lull in building is the best time to plan for the future.
The City Council eventually will have to decide whether to overrule some of the Nov. 3 advisory votes. That could be part of the discussion Wednesday. Too often, citizens ignore a workshop such as this, waiting until a specific project is proposed in their neighborhood. This is really the better time to learn about and comment on long-range growth plans.
In other meetings this week:
The Modesto City Schools Board of Education, meeting at 6 tonight, considers two proposals to name athletic facilities. Former students of longtime Downey High teacher and coach Lyle "Ivy" Iverson want to name the school's gymnasium in his honor, while Philip Mastagni submitted a letter asking that the varsity baseball field at Gregori High be named for his family. The Mastagnis have been long active in Modesto schools and athletics. They also own Acme Construction Co., the general contractor for Gregori, which has a lease-leaseback arrangement with the district for the campus, due to open next fall. Acme is contributing improved dugouts for Gregori's baseball and softball fields. Both namings are appropriate, although the second is a bit awkward, given Acme's financial relationship with the district. Meeting is at 425 Locust St.
The Modesto Planning Commission, meeting at 7 tonight, will hear a presentation on recycled water from Nick Pinhey, director of utility planning and projects. Modesto hopes to be able to sell recycled water from the tertiary treatment, a plus for the city budget and for farmers and others hurting for water. Basement, Tenth Street Place.
The Modesto Irrigation District board, meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, will get updates on various water topics, including the relicensing for Don Pedro Dam and water legislation. Also on the agenda is discussion and possible adoption of the 2010 budget. 1231 11th St.
The Turlock Irrigation District board, also meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, will adopt its 2010 budget, including setting water and electricity rates. 333 East Canal Drive.
The Turlock Unified School District board has scheduled a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the $2.8 million upgrade for the track and field at Joe Debely Stadium at Turlock High School. Meeting location: Performing Arts Building at Turlock High School, 1600 E. Canal Drive.
The Stanislaus County Employees' Retirement Association board is holding an educational workshop for "stakeholders" at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the basement chambers of Tenth Street Place. The presentations will include the preliminary audit for 2008-09 and forecasts on the funding levels and potential investment returns.
The retirement board has a special closed-door meeting set for 9 a.m. today to decide whether to appeal the judge's ruling saying the board must release the names and pension amounts of the public service retirees receiving $100,000 or more per year. The board refused to release the information last summer, prompting The Bee to file a suit seeking its release. The judge ruled earlier this month.
Neither the Modesto City Council nor the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors meets this week.
RSS
E-Mail
Print
reprint or license
