July 2011

J U LY 2 011 |

The Monthly Magazine of the League of California Cities

Evaluating Green Fleet Options p.14 Challenges of Plug-In Electric Vehicles p.19 Local Leadership in Sustainability p.9

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,EAGUE 0ARTNERS

Platinum

AT&T2 Aleshire & Wynder, LLP1,2 American Fidelity Assurance Company Best, Best & Krieger LLP1,2 Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc.2 CalPortland Company2 Cardiac Science2 Chevron Global Water FATHOM HdL Companies Honeywell Building Solutions IBM Johnson Controls2 Kaiser Permanente Keenan & Associates2 MuniServices2 Northern California Carpenters Regional Council PG&E Corporation2 Republic Services, Inc.2 Richards, Watson & Gershon1,2 SDG&E/Southern California Gas Company/The Sempra Energy Utilities2 Siemens2 Southern California Edison2 State Farm Insurance Willdan2

Gold

American Public Works Association Southern California Chapter2 Bank of America Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP1,2 DW Development2 Hanson Bridgett1,2 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore1,2 Loeb & Loeb, LLP2 Macerich Management Company2 Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai, LLP1,2 Union Pacific Railroad Wells Fargo

Silver

Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin2 Arnold and Associates2 Athens Services2 Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. Classic Communities2 Comcast2 DART Container Corporation2 Food 4 Less2 Gonsalves & Son2 Interwest Consulting Group, Inc. ITRON, Inc. Jason Machinery2 Jones & Mayer2 Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard1 The Lewis Group of Companies2 Meyers Nave1,2 Noble & Company, LLC2 Northrop Grumman2 Piper Jaffray2 Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians Donations & Contributions2 SEIU Local 7212 Starbucks Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-TIAA CREF2 Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations2 Vulcan2 Wareham Development Corp.2 David Wiener Trustee of the Wiener Family Survivor’s Trust2 Wells Fargo West Coast Arborists, Inc.2

Bronze

California Contract Cities Associates PAC2 California Water Service Co. Citizens for Housing Opportunities2 Compass Energy Solutions Cox Communications2 Bill Emmerson2 Hae Park2 Hill International2 Johnson & Johnson Kosmont & Associates, Inc.2

Laborers’ Int’l Union of North America Local 300 Issues Committee2 MarBorg Industries2 Marion Ashley for Supervisor2 McKinstry Morley Brothers, LLC2 Morongo Band of Mission Indians2 Optony Inc. Pacific Development Group, Inc.2 PARS PBS&J PERC Water Prime Healthcare Services, Inc.2 Prometheus Real Estate Group, Inc.2 Recology Inc.2 Regis Homes of Northern California2 Rosenow Spevacek Group2 Janice Rutherford2 San Bernardino Police Officers Association San Manuel Band of Mission Indians2 Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc.2 Swinerton Management & Consulting TCM Group2 Trane, Inc. VPS, Inc.2 Young Homes, LLC2

Basic

ARJAX Railroad Association2 Charles Abbott Associates, Inc.2 Willard Mac Aloney2 Amador Valley Industries, LLC2 Arnaiz Development Co., Inc.2 Berliner Cohen Best Way Disposal2 Blue Line Transfer2 Bob Buster for Supervisor2 C&C Development Co., LLC2 C+S Engineers, Inc. California Hotel & Lodging Association City National City Ventures Civil Justice Association of California2

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Classic Communities2 Construction Industry Force Account Council Nicholas Conway2 David Bohannon Organization2 Ecology Auto Parts2 EDGE Development, Inc.2 EMS Management LLC Daniel Frank2 Fresno Police Officers Association Daniel Furtado2 General Mills2 Gonzalez Goodale Architects GreenWaste Recovery, Inc.2 Griffin Structures, Inc.2 HDR Engineering Harris & Associates Terry Henderson2 Jones Hall2 Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP2 Majestic Realty Co.2 Marchetti Construction, Inc.2 Bob Murray & Associates Premier Medical Transportation, Inc.2 Quad Knopf2 Clint Quilter2 Susan Reynolds2 River Islands @ Lathrop2 Robson Homes LLC2 Santa Monica Police Officers Association South Bay Recycling LLC2 Southern California Concrete Producers Southwest Water Company2 Swinerton Builders2 The Sobrato Organization2 A.G. Spanos2 Specialty Solid Waste and Recycling2 Summerhill Homes LLC2 Tierra West Advisors Transtech2 Waste Management2 Western Manufactured Housing Communities Assn.

William Avery & Associates, Inc.2 Zanker Road Management, LTD.2 Partial list as of 6/1/2011

CONTENTS 2

Calendar of League Events

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Executive Director’s Message

14

By Yvonne Hunter Cities and counties throughout California are considering adopting policies and programs to “green” their fleets by purchasing fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles.

Is the Bell Tolling for Pension Reform?

By Chris McKenzie Rapidly rising pension costs threaten the delivery of public services, compromise budgets and will push some cities to the brink of fiscal collapse.

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Collaborative efforts are under way with utilities, state and local policy-makers and manufacturers to address a wide range of issues related to plug-in electric vehicles.

Plan Your Time at the Annual Conference Now!

By Eva Spiegel

9

News from the Institute for Local Government

Recognizing Leadership Learn about the Institute for Local Government’s sustainability and climate change recognition program, the Beacon Award.

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Sustainable Cities

Recycled Tire Products Offer Safe, Green and Durable Construction Solutions

By Mark Leary Local governments are reaping benefits by using products made from recycled tires.

Meeting the Challenges of Plug-In Electric Vehicles

By Eileen Tutt

City Forum

It’s time to start thinking about how to make the most of this educational opportunity.

Evaluating Green Fleet Options

20

Job Opportunities

27

Professional Services Directory On the Cover: The City of Santa Monica shows a few of the many green vehicles in its fleet.

Photo: William Kidston Correction: In the June issue, a website URL in the “Meet Twitter” article was incorrect. In the sidebar “Basic Twitter Glossary” under “Hashtag” the correct URL is www.hashtags.org.

Register Now for the League’s Annual Conference!

The League of California Cities 2011 Annual Conference & Expo will be held Sept. 21–23 in San Francisco. Visit www.cacities.org/AC for program information and to register online.

President Jim Ridenour Mayor Modesto

1400 K Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 658-8200 Fax (916) 658-8240

First Vice President Michael Kasperzak Vice Mayor Mountain View

Second Vice President Bill Bogaard Mayor Pasadena

Immediate Past President Judy Mitchell Council Member Rolling Hills Estates

Executive Director Chris McKenzie

For a complete list of the League Board of Directors, visit www.cacities.org/board.

leaguevents

Magazine Staff Editor in Chief Jude Hudson (916) 658-8234 e-mail: <editor@westerncity.com> Managing Editor Eva Spiegel (916) 658-8228 e-mail: <espiegel@cacities.org>

21 – 22

Advertising Sales Manager Pam Maxwell-Blodgett (916) 658-8256 e-mail: <maxwellp@cacities.org>

Board of Directors Meeting, Long Beach The League board reviews, discusses and takes action on a variety of issues affecting cities, including legislation, legal advocacy, education and training, and more.

Classified/Website Advertising and Subscriptions Sara Rounds (916) 658-8223 e-mail: <info@westerncity.com>

21 – 23

July

Contributors Yvonne Hunter Kyra Ross Jennifer Whiting

September

League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo, San Francisco This conference offers dozens of educational sessions, numerous professional development opportunities, hundreds of exhibits and a chance to participate in the League’s policy-making activities at the Annual Business Meeting.

Associate Editors Carol Malinowski Carolyn Walker Design Pat Davis Design Group, Inc.

21 Policy Committee Meetings, San Francisco The League’s policy committees review issues of interest to cities statewide and make recommendations to the League board of directors.

22 (tentative) Western City (ISSN 0279-5337) is published monthly by the League of California Cities, 1400 K St., Sacramento, CA 95814. Subscriptions: $39.00/1 year; $63.00/2 years; student: $26.50; foreign: $52.00; single copies: $4.00, including sales tax. Entered as periodical mail January 30, 1930, at the Post Office, Los Angeles, CA 90013, under the Act of April 13, 1879. Periodical postage paid at Sacramento, Calif.

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Postmaster: Send address changes to Western City, 1400 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Western City Trademark Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. ©2011 League of California Cities. All rights reserved. Material may not be reprinted without written permission. This issue is Volume LXXXVII, No. 7.

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Legal Advocacy Committee Meeting, San Francisco The committee reviews cases and recommends friend-of-the-court efforts on cases of significant statewide interest to California cities.

23 Board of Directors Meeting, San Francisco The League board reviews, discusses and takes action on a variety of issues affecting cities, including legislation, legal advocacy, education and training, and more.

Event and registration information is available at www.cacities.org/events.

For the latest information on League conferences and events follow us on Twitter @CaCitiesLearn.

For legislative and policy updates and more, follow @CaCities.

Join Us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/westerncity www.facebook.com/LeagueofCaCities

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Executive Director’s Message by Chris McKenzie

Is the Bell Tolling for

Pension Reform?

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

— John Donne, Meditation XVII

When I first tried to recall who wrote “the bell tolls … for thee,” I thought of Ernest Hemingway’s famous novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls. A little research led me to the correct source: John Donne, the 16th-century Englishman of letters, prolific author and product of the Renaissance. Donne’s passage provides a proper, broad context for understanding why a policy issue like pension reform is a matter affecting the public good and not just public employees.

Whether it is the greed of Wall Street financiers, the repackaging of imprudent and unsupportable home mortgages by mortgage bankers or the abusive compensation practices of a few local officials, we are prompted by our in-born suspicion of privilege in this country to sniff out anything fishy and unfair. That is exactly why the bell seems to be tolling for public employee pension reform in California.

Common Values

How bad is the pension sustainability problem? In a recent draft Pension Reform Action Plan, the League’s City Managers Department wrote that the rapidly rising pension costs for cities over the next few years will threaten the delivery of public services, compromise General Fund budgets and push some cities to the brink of fiscal collapse. The managers point out that “a California

Donne wrote eloquently about the values and goals that bind us together as a community and how they are affected by the fate of one of its parts or members. These connections include not only our common moral values that form the basis of our system of criminal and civil laws, but they also implicate the values of fairness and sustainability in the financing and delivery of our public services.

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Unsustainable Costs Concern the Public

continued Western City, July 2011

3

Is the Bell Tolling for Pension Reform?, continued

Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) actuary warned that by 2014 it will be common for local governments to budget 50 percent of police officers’, 40 percent of firefighters’ and 24 percent of miscellaneous employees’ salaries for pensions; contributions that are fiscally unsustainable.” And this problem does not even include what may be the far more important issue facing local governments: unfunded liability costs for retiree health care.

Voters have indicated that they are also concerned about public pensions. A Public Policy Institute of California poll in January 2010 found that three out of four Californians view the amount of money being spent on the public employee pension systems as a problem. The percentage calling it a “big problem” grew 10 percent since January 2005. A poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times and University of Southern California in April 2011 showed that 70 percent of California voters support caps on pensions for current and future public employees, and nearly the same number support raising employee contributions to their retirement plans.

Seeking Solutions: A Promising Start

The good news is that cities and their employees are joining together to tackle this serious problem before it gets even worse. A League survey conducted earlier this year revealed that about 25 percent of responding cities have adopted a new pension tier for new employees. Almost 40 percent of the responding cities reported they have increased cost-sharing with employees picking up more, if not all, of the employees’ share of the contribution rate. Some are actually negotiating agreements for the employees to pick up anywhere from 1 to 4 percent of the employer’s contribution rate. Finally, 12 percent of the cities reported that they have negotiated changes in the final average earnings (FAE) calculation, with most increasing it from the single highest year to an average of the three highest years.

In his book, The Tipping Point, author Malcolm Gladwell explains how a combination of factors — including who delivers a message, how it is delivered and the context in which it is delivered — can cause an idea to take on “epidemic” proportions and become “sticky” or “hot” to public opinion. Clearly the same message about pension reform has been received

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Building Plan Review & Inspection

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costs for cities over the next few years will threaten the delivery of public services, compromise General Fund budgets and push some cities to the brink of fiscal collapse. differently during times of economic prosperity than in times of fiscal pain. For years a few voices have been sounding the alarm about the need for action, but it took the worst recession since the Great Depression to galvanize public opinion and for decision-makers to respond.

Working in Partnership with Local Communities

(888) 794-2016

Rapidly rising pension

Salinas

Gladwell’s analysis suggests that the public interest in pension reform is fueled also by the messenger. The fact is that four and even two years ago the only people who were talking about the need to reform pensions were either soothsayers or antitax advocates. Consider who the common messengers are today, and you will find that city council members and mayors, city managers, some labor leaders and business leaders are all part of the chorus.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that one of continued on page 6

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Is the Bell Tolling for Pension Reform?, continued from page 4

the League’s three strategic goals this year is pension reform for greater sustainability.

One of the ways you can tell an idea like pension reform is getting “sticky” is to listen to labor union officials who have an extremely important role to play in helping ensure the survival of a fair and sustainable public employee retirement system — fair to the employees and to the public. To their credit, a growing number of public employee labor unions are becoming part of the solution to the pension sustainability problem in many cities, suggesting approaches and agreeing to substantial changes in benefits and increases in employee cost-sharing responsibilities. Those who do not will likely face deep staff cuts and an increasingly irate electorate that is primed to approve drastic changes to traditional defined benefit pensions.

Taking a page from John Donne, no public employee retirement system is an island any more than it is an employee entitlement. Its health and its very existence require that it first serve the public welfare and not require drastic reductions in public staffing levels and services to finance unsustainable benefits for the public servants. No public employee would defend such a system either. Each of them came to work in the public sector out of a strong desire to serve their community and state. At the end of the day, we are going to solve this problem together or it is going to bury us. I hope it is the former.

The bell is tolling. Let’s get to work on reforming pensions. n

Three out of four Californians view the amount of money being spent on the public employee pension systems as a problem.

Committed to ... helping California public agencies to fulfill their mission.

NAPA SANITATION DISTRICT “Napa Sanitation District believes that recycling water is an environmentally responsible way to conserve scarce water supplies in the Napa Valley. Meyers Nave’s assistance in assuring compliance with Federal and State regulatory schemes in this area has been invaluable.” ~ Jill Techel, Chair K <> E >K^ E' > ^

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Plan Your Time at the Annual Conference Now!

by Eva Spiegel

The League of California Cities 2011 Annual Conference & Expo is just two and a half months away, and it’s time to start thinking about how to make the most of this educational opportunity. City officials and staff will come together Sept. 21–23 at the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco to connect with colleagues from throughout California, participate in League policy-making and learn from experts about the latest developments affecting cities. The conference covers a broad range of timely issues designed to provide information and resources that you can put to use in your city immediately. Here’s a sampler of some of the 40-plus sessions that you won’t want to miss.

CEQA and Greenhouse Gases: Lay Perspectives on New Regulations

Paradigm Shift: Transparency, Sustainability and Accountability In Public Sector Employee Compensation

Learn about the requirements of the new California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) implementation guidelines released last year. Topics that will be covered include how to determine whether a project’s greenhouse gas emissions are significant, appropriate mitigation measures and how to streamline the process.

Transparency and accountability are on everyone’s mind following the salary scandal in the City of Bell last year. This session will cover recent trends driven largely by the Great Recession and the new scrutiny given to public sector compensation. The panelists will engage attendees on the issues of transparency and fiscal sustainability related to employment compensation.

Current Developments in Finance Law and Policy

Gain an expert understanding of the newly passed Proposition 26 and how it affects municipal finances. This session also covers Propositions 13, 62 and 218 as well as other developments related to current finance policy at the state level that directly impact local government.

Funding Strategies to Reduce Floodplain Properties and Flood Insurance Costs

Put this session on your agenda to learn how to lower the number of FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) parcels in your city by improving flood control facilities. You’ll discover how to secure funding to help pay for new flood facilities. And reducing the number of SFHA parcels also lowers insurance costs for your residents.

Smart Grid: What Cities Can Expect

California’s power grid is changing dramatically in 2011 with the three investor-owned utilities filing the required plans to make it more reliable, efficient and technologically advanced. Come to this session to explore how electric vehicles, smart meters, renewable energy and energy efficiency will affect California cities and your residents.

Using Council Protocols to Build Consensus and Make Ethical Decisions

In an environment with growing public distrust, local government needs powerful tools to help build consensus and respect as well as establish guidelines for ethical conduct and decisionmaking. In this session, you’ll learn about transparency, communicating with residents, public decision-making and much more.

Leadership Strategies in Times of Economic Meltdown

With city budgets cut to the bone in recent years, leaders face a new set of challenges in responding to the needs of their communities. The Institute for Local Government helped plan this session, which focuses on practical approaches city leaders can use to address the problems associated with current fiscal conditions.

Register Now to Attend

Early registration has closed, but it’s not too late to register for the annual conference and hotel accommodations. You’ll find options to register for the full three-day conference as well as for a single day at www.cacities.org/AC. We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco! n

Eva Spiegel is communications director for the League and can be reached at <espiegel@cacities.org>.

www.westerncity.com

Western City, July 2011

7

News from the Institute for Local Government

Recognizing Leadership Cities and counties throughout California are participating in the Institute for Local Government’s sustainability and climate change recognition program, the Beacon Award: Local Leadership Toward Solving Climate Change. Launched in August 2010 as the first of its kind in California, the Beacon Award recognizes and celebrates cities and counties that: • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions; • Save energy; • Adopt policies and programs to address climate change; and • Promote sustainability.

Currently, 19 cities and counties are Beacon Award program participants, working toward achieving one of three award levels. ILG invites all cities and counties to participate as a way to highlight their local leadership and accomplishments with their residents and share best practices with other communities.

There is no deadline or fee to participate in the Beacon Award program; the program is ongoing.

Ventura Mayor Carl Morehouse says, “The Beacon Award program is a great initiative, and we encourage other cities throughout the state to get involved.”

Noting her city’s 15-year history of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting local green economic development, Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox says, “The Beacon Award will provide an opportunity for Chula Vista to exchange ideas and lessons learned with other local governments, community partners and energy utilities.”

Citrus Heights Mayor Jeannie Bruins sums up her city’s participation: “The

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city decided to participate in the Beacon Award program because we realize what an important issue sustainability is. And as we take a leadership role, we are setting an example for our community as well as for other communities.”

Participating cities and counties can highlight their agencies’ accomplishments on their own individual participant pages on the ILG website and showcase key projects through the ILG resource pages for best practices in climate action and sustainability.

Besides striving for the silver, gold and platinum Beacon Award levels, participating cities and counties are eligible to receive statewide recognition for interim accomplishments. For example, reducing energy use by 5, 10 or 20 percent in agency facilities through energy efficiency retrofit projects makes a city or county eligible to receive interim recognition.

Highlighting interim accomplishments helps participating cities and counties demonstrate their leadership locally and statewide while working on reaching the silver, gold or platinum award levels.

Beacon Award participants agree that sharing information with colleagues and local residents is an important element of the program. “It’s not just about getting the award as much as it is giving cities an opportunity to learn from each other about the types of things they are doing that protect the environment and help out the local economy,” says Ken Pulskamp, city manager of Santa Clarita, a Beacon Award program participant.

Yolo County Supervisor Matt Rexroad concurs. “When we started looking at this through our General Plan process, we discovered tremendous things that our

staff were doing on their own,” he says.

“It was good financially, it was good for the environment, and it was just the right thing to do.”

The Beacon Award program is funded

by California utility ratepayers and administered by Southern California Gas Company, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Southern California Edison, under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. n

Beacon Award Program Resources Visit www.ca-ilg.org/BeaconAward for details about the program, links to participants’ pages, and resources including an easy online application, sample resolution and staff report. Hear directly from Beacon Award program participants at www.ca-ilg.org/Beacon Award/Testimonials.

Western City, July 2011

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Fremont renovated six parks using porous recycled rubber surfacing, which allows rainwater to percolate through and helps recharge aquifers below.

Recycled

Tire Products Offer Safe, Green and Durable Construction Solutions

by Mark Leary

California generates more than 40 million scrap tires every year. While about 75 percent of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discarded tires are recycled, the rest end up in landfills and illegal stockpiles or dumped in urban and rural areas. Illegally dumped tires and tire stockpiles are more than an eyesore â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they threaten public health and safety through fire risk and the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Every dumped or landfilled tire represents a wasted resource.

Recycled tire rubber can be used in a wide variety of applications and products, from road surfacing to lightweight construction fill, landscape mulch and playground surfaces. Such products are proven to be extremely effective and long lasting. Recycled tire rubber has better impact absorption than many other materials

and greatly improves safety for children and adults when used for recreational surfaces. It can also provide a flat surface that increases accessibility for visitors with disabilities and parents with children in strollers. Local governments that use tire-derived products reap economic and environmental benefits.

Mark Leary is acting director of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

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League of California Cities

www.cacities.org

The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District used recycled tire material under playground equipment to provide shock absorption and a surface on which a stroller can easily roll.

Firebaugh installed paving bricks made from recycled tires in Dunkle Park. City Manager Jose Ramirez says, “The pavers are sturdy enough for wheelchair access but soft enough to stand on comfortably.”

Green Building Uses

California firms working to develop new products made from recycled tires.

Using recycled tire products can help builders meet stringent environmental requirements. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building rating system awards points for environmentally friendly construction features. Playground and facility planners can use recycled tire products to qualify new construction for LEED points in several categories: • Recycled Content — for building materials that incorporate recycled content materials; • Regional Materials — for building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within 500 miles; • Stormwater Design — for reducing impervious surfaces that contribute to stormwater runoff; and • Water-Efficient Landscaping — for limiting or eliminating the use of potable water.

In the landscaping category, mulches and artificial turf made from recycled tires help reduce potable water use. Mulch helps hold irrigation water near the plant roots, and artificial turf does not need to be watered.

Examples of Local Uses

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) helps divert discarded car and truck tires from the waste stream and into useful products. During the past four years, CalRecycle has provided assistance to more than 40 www.westerncity.com

CalRecycle provided $3.3 million in grants during the 2009–10 grant year to help 37 schools and local governments purchase and install tire-derived products. The following examples illustrate how communities put this funding to work.

The Conejo Recreation and Park District in the City of Thousand Oaks recently completed a 0.6-mile jogging trail at Northwood Park using a recycled tire surfacing product known as “pour in place,” which is a mix of shredded recycled tire material from trucks, SUVs and cars blended with a clear polyurethane binder. The trail surface is a half-inch thick and the exercise stations along the trail use 2.5 inches of material.

The project diverted 3,100 tires from the waste stream. Grant amount: $41,990.

Paving bricks made from recycled tires are used for surfaces around and under picnic benches in the City of Firebaugh’s Dunkle Park. City Manager Jose Ramirez says he likes them because, “The pavers are sturdy enough for wheelchair access but soft enough to stand on comfortably.” If ground movement or tree roots make the surface uneven, city staff can pull up the pavers and adjust them. Grant amount: $150,000.

The City of Fremont has renovated six parks using pour-in-place granulated rubber surfacing. On top of this 3.5-inch layer is a half-inch layer of virgin material. Landscape architect and Project Manager Andrew Mayes notes that, in addition to recycling, continued

Western City, July 2011

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Recycled Tire Products Offer Safe, Green and Durable Construction Solutions, continued

Bark made from recycled tires is used for landscaping at Redding’s Recycling and Transfer Station. Public Works Supervisor Christina Piles says, “The recyled tire bark is more vibrant, lasts longer and looks cleaner and neater.”

another environmental benefit is that the surface is porous, and rainwater percolates through to help recharge aquifers below. Grant amount: $145,884.

ing product. It’s easy to clean, and we’re happy to participate in a project that helps our city be even greener.” Grant amount: $149,994.

The City of Lemoore installed recycled tire rubber matting in its children’s recreation center, an indoor walking track and one of the city’s maintenance shops. These projects diverted 39,000 tires from landfills. Parks and Recreation Department Secretary Sheila Taylor says, “We are thrilled with the recycled floor-

The City of Lindsay used a grant from CalRecycle, in part, to purchase a recycled tire product known as loose-crumb rubber for McDermont Field House, an indoor sports facility. As the name suggests, loose-crumb rubber is composed of small pieces of recycled tire material.

At the sports facility, it is used at the base

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League of California Cities

of an indoor climbing wall to cushion falls. The grant also helped purchase loose-crumb rubber for 60 tree wells in the downtown business district. Grant amount: $27,123.

The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District is constructing park facilities in an underserved, high-density section of town. Grant money was used to purchase recycled pour-in-place material for the solid rubberized surface under playground equipment. The surfacing provides shock absorption for younger children as well as a stable surface on which a stroller can easily roll. Grant amount: $25,426.

The City of Redding is developing a demonstration project using recycled tire products at its Recycling and Transfer Station. “Bark” made from recycled tires has been installed around the entryway and administration building, along public exits and on islands around the scale. Public Works Supervisor Christina Piles says, “The old style bark was faded and just never covered very well. The recycled tire bark is more vibrant, lasts longer and looks cleaner and neater.”

Grant amount: $65,496.

The City of Palmdale installed mulch made from recycled tire loose-crumb rubber around its softball complex at Marie Kerr Park. The loose-crumb rubber trail runs around the perimeter and replaces www.cacities.org

More Resources Online For more information and links to related resources, read the online version of this article at www.westerncity.com.

The Santa Clara County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academy training center uses mulch made from recycled tires on its obstacle course to prevent weeds and provide cushioning for falls.

planted landscaping. This saves the city money on watering costs, weed abatement and other landscaping maintenance expenses. This project diverted 462,000 pounds of tires from landfills. Grant amount: $148,570.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academy training center uses recycled tire loose-crumb rubber mulch under the monkey bars and pull-up bars on its obstacle course. Deputy Sheriff Devin Fontana says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are located right against the foothills near a county park, and the landscape generates weeds very quickly. This mulch prevents weeds from growing and provides cushioning for falls.â&#x20AC;? The sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office is using recycled tire mulch throughout the campus to replace much of the traditional wood bark mulch, which blows around or is dug up by animals. The project is diverting 10,500 tires from the landfill. Grant amount: $41,370.

To learn more about tire-derived products, tire cleanup and the full range of tire grants available through CalRecycle, visit the tire management home page at www. calrecycle.ca.gov/tires. n www.westerncity.com

Your cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best resource for legal solutions Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;ÇŻÂ&#x2022; Â&#x2019;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;ÇŚÂ&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2019;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201E;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026; Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2122; ƤÂ&#x201D;Â? Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6; Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;ÇŻÂ&#x2022; Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2021;Â&#x161;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â?Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D; Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2122; ĆŹ Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D; resources practices.

CEQA / NEPA Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021; Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021; Č&#x20AC; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2022; Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013; Â?Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â?Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D; Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2030;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x192;Â&#x201E;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021; Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2030;Â&#x203A; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x152;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2039;Â&#x2030;Â&#x160;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022;ÇĄ Â&#x2014;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x203A;ÇĄ Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?

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Western City, July 2011

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Evaluating

Green Fleet Options

by Yvonne Hunter

Santa Monica’s fleet includes 566 vehicles that run on alternative fuels.

Cities and counties throughout California are considering adopting policies and programs to “green” their fleets by purchasing fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles. While many agencies already have experience in this area, some local officials have questions regarding green fleet options.

Yvonne Hunter is program director of the Institute for Local Government’s Climate Change Program and can be reached at <yhunter@ca-ilg.org>.

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www.cacities.org

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) conducted a survey in 2010, through its climate change program, that asked local officials what questions they have regarding green fleet options. ILG used the survey results to develop information to help local officials evaluate their options related to green fleets. The project was funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah.

Defining the Terminology Fuel-efficient vehicles get better than average gas mileage, though they may still run on petroleum-based fuels, such as gasoline and diesel or a combination of petroleum-based fuel and another power source.

Alternative-fuel vehicles run on non-petroleum-based power. Some of these alternative fuels are produced domestically, reducing dependence on imported oil, and some are from renewable sources. Alternative fuels typically cost less than petroleumbased fuel and produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel.

Flexible-fuel vehicles, another type of alternative-fuel vehicle, can run on gasoline or a gasoline-ethanol blend of up to 85 percent ethanol, also known as E85.

Key Questions to Consider

Benefits of Green Fleets Taking steps to make agency fleets greener has other benefits in addition to potential fuel and cost savings and lessening dependence on foreign oil. Because transportation is the largest generator of greenhouse gas emissions, reducing fuel use helps to decrease such emissions.

Can public safety departments use fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles?

Fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles can be used for a variety of public safety purposes. Generally, most alternative-fuel vehicles do not meet the high performance standards needed by most public safety departments for pursuit vehicles. However, at least one public safety agency in California utilizes flexible-fuel vehicles as pursuit vehicles. Cities and counties typically use fuelefficient or alternative-fuel vehicles in their public safety departments for administrative or non-pursuit purposes. For example, in one city, police detectives who do not drive pursuit vehicles use hybrid vehicles.

Can we purchase fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles through the California Department of General Services’ Master Vehicle Contract program and still work with local auto dealers?

Local agencies generally prefer to buy locally when possible. But they also like to take advantage of opportunities to save money and use taxpayer dollars wisely. While many local agencies find

www.westerncity.com

Local agencies’ green fleet vehicles range in size from small pickups to waste collection trucks.

the potential cost savings of using the Department of General Services’ (DGS) purchasing power attractive, they also want to support local auto dealers. In some cases, it’s possible to do both.

DGS maintains Master Vehicle Contracts that cities and counties can use to purchase fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles at lower prices than might otherwise be available. DGS develops continued

Western City, July 2011

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Evaluating Green Fleet Options, continued

specifications for different types or classes of vehicles, such as hybrid sedans, and awards contracts to specific dealerships for a single model in each class. DGS awards contracts to two dealers for each class of vehicles; one dealer (based in Sacramento) covers Northern California, and one (based in Los Angeles) delivers to Southern California. While the DGS Master Vehicle Contracts apply only to selected dealerships, the contract specifications and pricing are publicly available.

Using these publicly available resources as a starting point, local agencies can explore purchasing opportunities through local dealers.

What if our agency cannot afford to convert 100 percent of its fleet at one time?

Most agencies do not have the resources to convert their entire fleet to fuelefficient or alternative-fuel vehicles at one time. However, many adopt policies to phase in the purchase of green vehicles, thus incrementally increasing the number of green vehicles in their fleets over time.

Do fleet maintenance staff need special training to work on fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles?

Local agency mechanics generally need some special training to work on hybrids and other alternative-fuel vehicles. When evaluating options for policies to acquire alternative-fuel vehicles, it’s a good idea to include the cost of training mechanics if the agency is considering maintaining the vehicles itself.

Lessons Learned From Public Agency Experience Based on their experience, public agencies report the following key lessons learned about green fleets: • Leading by example helps local businesses and residents understand the green vehicle options available to them; • Implementing a green fleet policy involves some trial and error to under-

An employee refuels one of the City of Santa Monica’s cars that run on hydrogen.

stand which vehicle types are the best fit for an individual agency; • Contrary to popular opinion, some alternative-fuel vehicles can be used for public safety pursuit vehicles. Others are best suited for administrative purposes;

Streetlight Upgrades: Energy Savings Offset Costs Advances in technology are creating more energyefficient options for streetlights. The City of San Diego recently launched a project to convert nearly 80 percent of its sodium-vapor streetlights to broad-spectrum lights. The project is expected to produce annual energy and maintenance cost savings of $2.2 million.

To read this article, visit www.westerncity.com and click on “Web Exclusive.”

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• Alternative-fuel vehicles may have higher initial capital costs, but the longterm benefits — especially fuel-related savings — outweigh the costs; and • The evolving green vehicle technology and availability make long-term investment decisions challenging.

Highlights of Green Agency Fleets Alameda County began integrating alternative-fuel and fuel-efficient vehicles into its fleet in 2002. Since then, the county added more than 130 hybrid vehicles and explored a variety of alternative-fuel technologies, including biodiesel, waste

www.cacities.org

vegetable oil, compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.

Culver City has a CNG fleet that includes 605 on-road and 15 off-road vehicles used by all city departments. A newly remodeled and expanded CNG fueling station supports the vehicles.

and CNG, to power its fleet, as well as hybrids and flexible-fuel vehicles that can use gasoline and ethanol. The county’s fleet comprises 112 flexible-fuel vehicles, 140 hybrids and 46 CNG vehicles.

Contra Costa County’s Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Policy provides guidelines for continued

Contra Costa County uses a variety of alternative fuels, including biodiesel

Keenan & Associates introduces Futuris, a comprehensive program that provides all your GASB 43 and 45 compliance needs from a single source.

For more information please contact Steve Gedestad at 800.338.5247 901 Calle Amanecer, Suite 200, San Clemente, CA 92673 www.keenan.com License No. 0451271

Alternative fuels typically cost less than petroleumbased fuel and produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel.

Innovative Solutions. Enduring Principles.

“Pervious concrete has the advantage of meeting multiple design requirements for storm water runoff management in Santa Barbara County.”

— Cathleen Garnand, Civil Engineering Associate, County of Santa Barbara Water Resources Division

“We needed a material for the ADA compliant areas of the parking lot that would facilitate wheelchair access, accept code required striping and still allow the storm water to percolate.”

— Brian Dougherty, FAIA, Dougherty + Dougherty Architects LLP

www.westerncity.com

sccpconcrete.com Western City, July 2011

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Evaluating Green Fleet Options, continued

using or buying alternative-fuel vehicles and alternative fuels for county agencies.

Lakewood maintains a fleet of about 100 light-duty vehicles, 27 of which are powered by CNG and include cars, vans and pickup trucks.

The City of Santa Monica adopted its first sustainability policies in 1994. Today, 87 percent (566 vehicles) of its municipal fleet runs on alternative fuels, including CNG, propane, hydrogen, biodiesel and electricity. (The fleet numbers do not include fire or police response vehicles.) In addition, its transit system includes 198 Big Blue Buses, which operate exclusively on alternative fuels.

Ventura County’s fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles program includes a broad range of hybrid vehicles.

The county adopted a no-idle policy for continued on page 27

The Nation’s Top-Ranked Public Finance Firm Building on a 100-year history in public finance which includes the financing of such iconic projects as the Golden Gate Bridge and Carnegie Hall, Orrick’s public finance lawyers have handled thousands of transactions of every type, including: Health Care, Public Power, Higher Education, School Finance, Housing, Securitizations, Indian Tribal Finance, Swaps and other Hedges, Infrastructure, Transportation, Nonprofit Corporations, Water and Wastewater, Pension Bonds, OPEB Bonds and Public Private Partnerships.

Orrick also is a leader in helping municipal market participants with post-issuance compliance and enforcement issues, such as Continuing Disclosure, SEC Investigations, Rebate, Defaults/Workouts, IRS Audits and Bankruptcies.

For more information about our public finance practice, please contact publicfinance@orrick.com. orrick, herrington & sutcliffe llp los angeles new york orange county portland sacramento san francisco seattle silicon valley washington dc

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An Elk Grove bus, powered by compressed natural gas, refuels before beginning its route.

The California Department of General Services maintains Master Vehicle Contracts that cities and counties can use to purchase fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles at lower prices than might otherwise be available. www.cacities.org

Meeting the Challenges of

Plug In

Electric Vehicles

by Eileen Tutt

Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are part of the automobile landscape in California today. A PEV is any vehicle that can operate partially or exclusively on electricity from an on-board battery and can be plugged in to recharge the battery. Generally speaking, hybrid vehicles are not PEVs, because although they may operate using battery power, their batteries cannot be recharged by plugging into a source of electricity. continued on page 22

Eileen Tutt is executive director of the California Electric Transportation Coalition and can be reached at <Eileen@caletc.com>.

www.westerncity.com

Western City, July 2011

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Western City magazine’s job opportunity section is the source for job seekers looking for positions in local government. When you place a job opportunity ad in Western City magazine, it will be posted at no additional charge on our website.

For rates and deadlines, visit www.westerncity.com and click on the “Advertise” link.

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Display and Classified Advertising

Website Job Postings

Call Pam Maxwell-Blodgett at (800) 2621801 to place a display (boxed) ad or for rate and deadline information. Or e-mail: <admanager@westerncity.com>.

Display and classified ads are posted on our website at no additional charge.

But if you miss the deadline for getting your job opportunity ad into the magazine, you can post it on the Western City website right away.

Call Sara Rounds at (916) 658-8223 for classified advertisements. Columntype classified ads are $18 per line with a five-line minimum (approximately 35 characters per line). You must call to confirm receipt.

To post your job opportunity ad on our automated website, visit www.western city.com or e-mail <info@westerncity. com> for more information.

Did You Miss the June Issue?

Read it online at www.westerncity.com CareersInGovernment.com Employees are looking for YOU! Post your jobs on CIG — The Public Sector Job Board Registration & postings are EASY AND QUICK Thousands of CIG links on University, College and career boards Manage all jobs and resumes independently 24/7 CIG advertises in major public sector publications Our focus is on you — we are available to meet your needs anytime via email, fax or voice:

Don’t Miss the Top Hits on Our Website!

1 Using Economic Development to Support Sustainability 2 Lancaster’s Economic Stimulus Package Pays Dividends 3 What’s the Measure of a City’s Success?

4 Beaumont’s Economic Stimulus Program Produces Results 5 Proposition 26: An Executive Summary for the Layperson

Read these articles today at www.westerncity.com

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League of California Cities

(818) 991-9653

www.careersingovernment.com info@careersingovernment.com

Serving You Since 1996

as America’s Premiere Public Sector Job Board

City Manager, City of St. Helena, CA The City of St. Helena, population 5,950, is located in the center of the world-famous, winegrowing region of Napa Valley, 65 miles north of San Francisco. The City is seeking a City Manager who will provide clear direction and hold staff accountable. Importantly, the new City Manager will be a creative, innovative leader who thinks outside the box. An individual who others would describe as a person that is not a bureaucrat and is capable of eliminating bureaucratic structures and procedures is being sought. The City Council is seeking a person that is focused on quality customer service. The new City Manager should create a sense among employees that not only is service to the customer valued but also the approach to working with people is both friendly and positive. A candidate should possess the ability to work on a variety of complex issues while involving and engaging any number of groups and individuals with differing perspectives and interests. The City Council is committed to openness and transparency and is looking for a City Manager who shares that commitment and is able to promote that value among staff. The ideal candidate will be a person with a background in either the private or public sector who has demonstrated the ability to effectively lead an organization engaged in a variety of activities. A person with knowledge of the Napa Valley is desired. It would be expected that candidates would possess a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a similar field. If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please apply on line at www.bobmurrayassoc.com. Please contact Mr. Bob Murray at (916) 784-9080 should you have any questions. Brochure available.

Closing date July 29, 2011. phone 916 U784U9080 fax 916U784U1985 www.bobmurrayassoc.com

www.cacities.org

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Streetlight Upgrades: Energy Savings Offset Costs Advances in technology are creating more energy-efficient options for streetlights.

The City of San Diego is converting nearly 80 percent of its streetlights to more efficient lighting and anticipates annual savings of $2.2 million. To read this article, visit www.westerncity.com and click on “Web Exclusive.”

Temporary Staffing for All Municipal Departments!

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Western City magazine makes it easier to get a handle on the issues affecting your city. Our website gives you a way to easily locate recent articles that address:

& Redevelopment

» Environment, Energy

City of American Canyon, CA

www.westerncity.com

Getting up to speed on city issues can be challenging.

» Community Services » Economic Development

City Manager

Ideally situated in the rolling hills of beautiful Napa County, American Canyon is a vibrant, young community (Inc. 1992) that works to preserve its rural atmosphere, family-friendly environment, and notoriety as one of the best places in Northern California to live and launch a business. Presently exceeding 19,000 residents, build-out is projected at 25,000. The City Manager will oversee a staff of 75 FTE/50 seasonal and $34+M budget, including a separate Fire District. Desired candidates will possess proven local government experience involving regional collaboration and partnerships, municipal finance and budgeting, and planning and land use. Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred. Salary DOQ.

We Can Help!

Please send your cover letter and resume electronically to:

Peckham & McKenney apply@peckhamandmckenney.com Call Bobbi Peckham at (866) 912-1919 for more information or to request a detailed brochure. The brochure is also available on our web site at www.peckhamandmckenney.com.

Filing deadline is August 8, 2011.

& Climate Change

» Governance, Legislation & Law

» Municipal Finance » Land Use & Planning » Personnel » Public Safety » Public Trust & Ethics » Public Works & Infrastructure » Youth Visit www.westerncity.com and click on “Topics” to read helpful articles that give you both the big picture on statewide issues and detailed examples from cities throughout California.

Western City, July 2011

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Meeting the Challenges of Plug-In Electric Vehicles, continued from page 19

PEVs provide many benefits for cities and communities. These cars emit no pollutants when operating on electricity, thereby providing significant air quality benefits. They are also very quiet, which helps reduce noise pollution.

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Infrastructure Challenges The infrastructure challenges associated with PEVs include the process of issuing permits for PEV charging units and managing the demand on the electricity grid, particularly at the local level. Many cities,

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Assistant City Manager City of Santa Clara, California Excellent benefits, including 2.7% @ 55 CalPERS Thee City i yo of Santa a a Clara a a is i located o a e in i thee heart ea of o Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silicon Valley at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay with 118,000 people. Santa Clara provides a full range of services including public safety; planning and zoning; water and sanitation; street maintenance and infrastructure; parks and recreation; library and utilities. Salary: The positionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual salary control point is approximately $245,808.

Appointment is generally made at 85% of control point (approximately $191,088).

Position Requirements: Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in public administration or related field plus five years progressively responsible managerial experience. The ideal candidate will have extensive administrative experience, including budgeting, strategic planning and labor relations. Must be an outstanding leader and manager with well-developed people skills and a record of integrity. He or she will be an outstanding leader and have the ability to help accomplish the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals.

Deadline for applications: August 1, 2011. Detailed information at managementpartners.com. Contact B bB Bob Beyer with ith Management M t Partners P t att 408 408-828-3906 828 3906 or email jobs@managementpartners.com.

Just announced . . .

City Manager City of Del Mar

Visit the TB&Co. website for up-to-date information on this exciting and rare opportunity.

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League of California Cities

counties and regions are already working with their local utilities to address permitting challenges. Cities throughout the state have joined counties to embrace expedited permitting programs, with local officials calling for expedited permitting and inspection of PEV charging stations. State agencies and the Legislature have stepped in to support these local efforts, and the California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced it will provide funding for local government infrastructure efforts, including expedited permitting.

In addition, State Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) has introduced SB 730. This two-year bill would create pilot cities that demonstrate PEV readiness, including streamlined permitting, in coordination with the CECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts so that the data collected can be shared among all cities, counties and regions as the market for PEVs grows.

As local governments coordinate these readiness efforts, another challenge involves minimizing the impacts on the electricity grid, particularly at the local level. To put this in perspective, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helpful to understand a few basic facts about how PEVs draw power to recharge their batteries.

The increase in demand for electricity that results from a single PEV varies depending on how it is recharged. PEVs can be recharged either with 120-volt power or a 240-volt charger. Recharging a PEV

Buyers need to be educated so they understand the practical aspects of owning a plug-in electric vehicle. www.cacities.org

Annual Conference Session to Address Electric Vehicle-Related Issues City officials interested in learning more should plan to attend the “Smart Grid: What Cities Can Expect” session at the League of California Cities 2011 Annual Conference & Expo in San Francisco, Sept. 21–23. The session will cover the plans submitted by the state’s three investor-owned utilities to transform California’s electrical grid to one that is more efficient, reliable and technologically advanced. Speakers include representatives from local government and utilities.

For more information, visit www.cacities.org/AC.

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City of Benicia, California Finance Director ($10,109 - $12,287/month) Human Resources Manager ($8,227- $10,000/month) by plugging into an ordinary 120-volt wall outlet represents about one-fifth of the increase in electrical demand compared with plugging a PEV into a 240volt charger. The time it takes to fully charge a depleted battery using a 120-volt outlet ranges from eight to 18 hours depending on battery size. However, the time it takes to fill a depleted battery using a 240-volt charger ranges from four to eight hours depending on battery size and charger amperage. Therefore, it is very likely that PEV owners will opt to install a 240-volt home recharger. One PEV charging on a 240-volt charger represents an electricity demand equivalent to the average peak summer demand of a single home in cities where air conditioning is common, but represents the average peak demand of two to three homes in cities where air conditioning is less common.

If PEV owners charge their vehicles at off-peak times, the impacts can be significantly minimized. However, it will take a collaborative effort of local and state governments, utilities and auto makers to educate consumers about the advantages of off-peak charging.

Other Impacts on the Power Grid Another key factor in reducing local impacts to the grid is notifying the electric

The salary range for Human Resources Manager is currently under review

The City of Benicia, located in a small, beautiful water front community in Northern California, is seeking highly qualified candidates for two key positions on its administrative team. Minimum qualification requirements for the executive-level Finance Director position include a BA degree in a directly related field, and six years of increasingly responsible experience in governmental financial planning and administration, including three years of managerial and supervisory responsibility. Municipal financial management experience, a related Masters degree, and CPA certification are preferred. Qualification requirements for the mid-management-level Human Resources Manager position include a BA degree in a related field of study, and a minimum of five years of directly related human resources experience which included labor relations and supervisory responsibilities. Municipal human resources experience in a Civil Service setting is strongly desired. The full recruitment brochure and required application instructions for both of these key positions are available on the City’s website at www.ci.benicia.ca.us, or by calling 707.746.4211. Filing deadline is August 3, 2011. EOE

FIRE CHIEF – City of Santa Clara The City of Santa Clara is located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay with 118,000 people. The City of Santa Clara is seeking a Fire Chief to provide leadership for the efficient operation of the department, utilizing effective business techniques. This position is under the City Manager’s general direction. The incoming Chief must be able to develop and maintain excellent labor/management relations. The incumbent will demonstrate and maintain strong ethical, professional, and service-oriented leadership and interpersonal skills. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science or the equivalent, plus nine years of firefighting experience, two years of which must be as a senior officer.

The City is an attractive employer offering a competitive salary with excellent City-provided benefits including the 3% @ 50 CalPERS Retirement Plan. The Fire Chief annual salary control point is approximately $245,088. Appointment is generally made at 85% of control point, which is approximately $208,320. The Human Resources Department must receive completed resume packets by Wednesday, August 31, 2011. Send resume packets to City of Santa Clara Human Resources, 1500 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050, FAX to (408) 247-5627 or email to humanresources@santaclaraca.gov.

continued www.westerncity.com

Western City, July 2011

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Meeting the Challenges of Plug-In Electric Vehicles, continued

utility about locations where PEVs are charging. Such impacts can be significant, and a partnership between cities and utilities that ensures the utility is notified of a new 240-volt charger can protect against localized power outages or other adverse

impacts on the grid. Cities and counties issue permits for 240-volt and higher voltage chargers and can work with the utilities to provide information about where these chargers are, thus helping to mitigate unexpected load increases and

avoid expensive upgrades to transformers.

Replacing or upgrading local transformers as part of proactive planning rather than as an emergency response to outages will reduce the costs associated with making these improvements.

Both local governments and utilities benefit from such a cooperative effort.

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Town Manager, Town of Loomis, CA The Town of Loomis is a rural, family-oriented community located in the heart of South Placer County in Northern California and home to approximately 6,430 residents. The Town Council is now seeking a creative and innovative Town Manager who has exceptional people skills to oversee the Town’s budget of $2.7 million and 12 employees. A confident, sincere, ethical and friendly leadership style will be well-received by the stakeholders in Loomis. The selected individual should have a genuine appreciation for the uniqueness of Loomis and champion its traditions, natural beauty and desire for preservation and sustainable, slow, quality growth. A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field is required; a master’s degree is desired. Experience in a small town or rural environment and a background in planning involving preservation and sustainable economic development is encouraged. The salary range for the Town Manager position is negotiable depending on qualifications and experience; Loomis also offers an excellent benefits package. If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please apply on line at www.bobmurrayassoc.com. Please contact Mr. Wesley Herman at (916) 784-9080 should you have any questions. Brochure available.

Closing date July 22, 2011. phone 916 U784U9080 fax 916U784U1985 www.bobmurrayassoc.com

Principal Accountant Lincoln is a growing community with a population of 40,000. Located northeast of Sacramento, minutes from the Sierra Nevada foothills. The small-town features affordable housing, lakes, golf courses, and hunting.

Salary: $78,000 - $104,527 Final Filing Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2011 Additional Information: Please view more at www.ci.lincoln.ca.us (City Jobs, Job Opportunities).

You can mail your application and resume on or before the final filing date, or submit in person at 600 Sixth Street, Lincoln, CA 95648.

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Performs complex work of considerable difficulty in governmental accounting and financial analysis.

Plans, organizes, supervises and directs the activities of the accountants within the Administrative Services Department and provides highly complex staff assistance to an executive within the same department.

Qualifications: The equivalent of eight (8) years of increasingly responsible experience in public sector finance, including four (4) years in a supervisory or management capacity, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field. A master’s degree in a financial field may be substituted for two years experience. CPA certification is highly desirable.

Collaborative efforts are under way with utilities, state and local policy-makers and manufacturers to address a wide range of PEV issues.

Facts About Plug-In Electric Vehicles Purchasers of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are eligible for federal incentive programs that provide up to $7,500 in tax credits. California offers PEV purchasers an additional rebate of up to $5,000. These rebates bring the price of PEVs in line with that of a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. As PEV sales increase and manufacturers achieve economies of scale, PEV prices are expected to drop even more.

Electricity is a less expensive fuel than gasoline. A plug-in hybrid with a range of about 35 miles can be fully charged for about $1.90, and a pure battery electric vehicle with a range of about 100 miles can be charged for about $5.60. These estimates are based on California average residential rates.

Utilities are likely to adopt special rates for off-peak PEV charging, which

www.cacities.org

Educating consumers about the issues related to plug-in electric vehicles is one of several areas that state and local policy-makers, electric utilities and manufacturers are working on together to address.

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Cities and counties are helping to keep the local grid safe, reliable and efficient for residents and businesses, and utilities can upgrade the local grid in a costeffective manner. continued

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would further reduce the cost of electricity used by PEVs. Studies conducted worldwide since 2009 reflect the experience of several million miles driven in electric vehicles. Some of the key findings indicate that: â&#x20AC;˘ The limited range of pure battery electric vehicles does not significantly reduce the utility of the vehicle for most drivers. A usable range of about 100 miles covers the mobility needs of most PEV users; â&#x20AC;˘ Home recharging is preferred by PEV drivers. The current lack of an extensive public infrastructure does not significantly restrict the utility of PEVs; and â&#x20AC;˘ More than 90 percent of all PEV drivers believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to have access to renewable energy to charge their PEV.

www.westerncity.com

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THE CITY OF BANNING, CALIFORNIA Is seeking an

Economic Development/ Redevelopment Director The City Banning is located in Riverside County, population 30,000, with an overall budget of $89M and a General Fund of $12.8M. The ideal candidate is a hands-on professional working manager with excellent verbal and written communication skills who will actively engage all of the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stakeholders in accomplishing the defined goals and objectives of the City Council through direction from the City Manager. Manages and performs a variety of tasks associated with managing economic development and redevelopment functions for the City. This position is open due to the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reorganization of the department.

Applicants must have a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Business Administration, Economics or related field and 5-years of economic development and/or redevelopment experience including 1 year of management and/or supervision.

The salary range is $95,470 - $129,166 (includes 4% CalPERS management incentive) plus excellent benefits.

Recruitment closes on July 18, 2011. City Applications must be accompanied by a letter of interest and a resume by applying online at www.ci.banning.ca.us or contact the Human Resources Department on 99 E. Ramsey St., Banning, CA, 92220, (951) 922-3147.

Western City, July 2011

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Meeting the Challenges of Plug-In Electric Vehicles, continued

Developing Solutions in an Evolving Field

jurisdiction, and local governments face a variety of factors that affect decisionmaking related to PEVs. Furthermore, some communities have been working on these issues for a considerable time, while others are just beginning.

It’s critically important to understand that the issues related to PEVs are an emerging and evolving area. Conditions and circumstances vary for each

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DIRECTOR OF FINANCE City of Diamond Bar, California Annual Salary: $114,034 – $152,816 (DOQ) Incorporated in 1989, Diamond Bar is a financially stable, culturally diverse community (population of 60,000) on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County within minutes of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. With an operating budget of $27 million the City has award winning school districts, abundant recreational opportunities, and an unparallel commitment to public safety earning praise from Family Circle Magazine, Money Magazine and Business Week.

The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated professional with a proactive work ethic and solid foundation in municipal finance and budgeting. The City seeks a candidate that will lead the Department and work closely with the City Manager and collaboratively with the Executive Management Team. Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and eight (8) years progressively responsible experience in financial management and municipal accounting.

Please contact the Human Resources Division at (909) 839-7015, or visit the City’s website at: www.diamondbarca.gov Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2011

Tightening Your Belt?

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26

League of California Cities

As mentioned earlier, collaborative efforts are under way with utilities, state and local policy-makers and manufacturers to address a wide range of PEV issues.

For example, charging station logistics pose a number of challenges. How can local communities best meet the charging needs of PEV drivers who live in multifamily complexes? In a setting with shared charging stations, how are the issues related to billing and power grid demand managed most effectively? In a similar vein, how can the needs of commuters who wish to charge their PEV at commercial parking lots during working hours be addressed?

Consumer education is another area that requires a concerted effort. Buyers need to be educated so they understand that they can’t just run an extension cord into their garage to charge their PEV if they want to do it as quickly as possible.

Older homes are likely to need electrical upgrades in order to accommodate the more efficient 240-volt chargers. As part of the push to educate the public, utilities are connecting with consumers when they walk into PEV dealerships to help them understand the practical aspects of PEV ownership.

These issues in turn raise questions related to metering, rates, infrastructure upgrades and permitting. Policy-makers, utilities and manufacturers are grappling with the intricacies of how to plan collaboratively for increasing numbers of PEVs on California’s roads in a way that works for all of the partners in this effort as well as residents and businesses. As these efforts progress, they have the potential to inform other states and the nation.

For updates on policy issues related to PEVs, visit www.cacities.org. n

More Resources Online For more information and links to related resources, read the online version of this article at www. westerncity.com.

www.cacities.org

Evaluating Green Fleet Options, continued from page 18

all diesel and gas vehicles that requires operators to turn off idling engines after one minute.

Tulare operates a green fleet that consists of 48 light vehicles, including seven police vehicles that use E85 ethanol, 17 refuse vehicles, 36 buses that use liquefied natural gas, and street sweepers and other light vehicles powered by CNG.

More Information Online The field of fuel-efficient and alternativefuel vehicles is constantly evolving. For more information about options, costs and examples of local agency initiatives, read the online version of this article at www.westerncity.com. n

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Staff members work on a hybrid that’s part of Solano County’s green fleet. Additional training for in-house mechanics is generally needed if an agency plans to maintain alternative-fuel vehicles itself.

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William Avery & Associates, Inc. Labor Relations / Executive Search / Management Consulting 31/2 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Suite A Los Gatos, CA 95030 408.399.4424 Fax: 408.399.4423 email: jobs@averyassoc.net www.averyassoc.net

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