Comments (11)

By Joe Krovoza, November 20, 2011 1:53 am

Our town is a place of free speech, great debate, and respect for all.  These themes define us as a community; we hold them dear.  The use of pepper spray on students passively protesting on the UC Davis Quad on Friday was shocking to me.  I am saddened that the action will detract from our community’s storied and civil history.

To clarify the City’s role, I note:  The City of Davis has allowed our Occupy protesters to camp in our Central Park for over two months without incident.  The pepper spray use on campus Friday afternoon was an action by the UC Davis police department over which the City has no control.  UC Davis is adjacent to, but not within, the limits of the City of Davis.  City Police were called to the scene as “mutual aid,” but were not involved in any direct action against the students.

Today the City issued the following press release: Press Release 11-19-11 Police.

It is incumbent on all of us to understand the economic disparities that are changing our country, and the many ways in which these disparities are casting a shadow over the hopes of

Continue reading 'UC Davis Occupy Protest and Police Reaction, November 18th'»

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By Joe Krovoza, September 18, 2011 2:33 pm

After enjoying my coffee this AM, and discussing the Pepper Peddler yesterday and today with friends, I felt inspired to create this small post.  Nobody asked me to.  Sorry if this is too much of a pitch, but for Janet and me, it’s a great part of livin’ here.  It’s excellent coffee delivered weekly or bi-weekly as you like, local, roasted by human power, and delivered by bike.  We never never end up running out for coffee at the last minute — by bike or car.  Tres Davis.

Pepper Peddler box faithfully waits on porch for a delivery.

Coffee arrives! and is revealed here :~)

Nothing seem more appropriate in Davis (other than the great water debate!), and we really hope that this hyper-local business thrives.  I’d be so bummed if they vanished.  Please join us as devoted Pepper Peddler customers.  …now back to real work for the day and night jobs.

Go here to sign up. Forward this on.  And here’s more of their story.

...and into the kitchen to do its work.

A True Davis Gem!

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By Joe Krovoza, September 18, 2011 1:29 pm

Hello All,  Want to know what’s the most cost-effective way to take the next step for energy conservation at our house?  Here’s a fantastic opportunity for Davis residents to get a free energy audit and to figure out the next best steps for energy conservation at their homes. I am going to participate.  Join me next Wednesday at the Farmers Market to sign up, and/or see more below on the details.  Grant funding for this makes it a very unique opportunity to move your conservation ideas forward.  See below.  Best, Joe

Free home energy assessments (approximate value $500) will be available to Yolo County home owners if they sign up at an upcoming Energy Upgrade California event (some restrictions may apply). A drop-in  event will take place on Wednesday, September 28 from 4:30 to 8:00pm at Central Park in Davis (in the unlikely event of rain, the Hattie Weber Museum at 445 C St., Davis, at the northeast corner of Central Park).  A second event is scheduled on October 5 from 7:00-8:30pm at Community and Senior Center in Woodland.   Homeowners will have an opportunity to connect one-to-one with contractors qualified to conduct comprehensive home energy assessments.   These events are sponsored by the City of Davis, City of Woodland, Yolo County,  Yolo Energy Watch and PG&E.  Energy Upgrade California representatives will describe rebates up to $4000.  A homeowner who has been through the programs will discuss her experience. Information about zero percent fixed interest financing is available for energy upgrades and solar panels through a grant from the California Energy Commission through the CRHMF Homebuyers Fund for income qualified homeowners.

The following is an outline of opportunities these events will be promoting:

Available for all income levels:

Energy Upgrade California     www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org

• Rebates from $1000-$4000 for residential energy efficiency improvements
• Free energy assessments for homeowners who sign up at the event*
• Opportunity to ask questions of contractors who are participating in the program

Available for homeowners with a household income between $45,480 and $121,289 in Yolo County

All of the above PLUS 0% fixed interest rate fully amortized financing

CRHMF Homebuyers Fund https://energyupgradeca.org/county/yolo/about_local_financing

• Funds can be used for energy efficiency improvements and solar
• Grants up to $1,250  or 15% of the job
• Can be used for owner occupied and rental property
• No appraisal, no credit check
• 100% financing available, no minimum or maximum loan amount
• Example of financing on $10,000, The monthly payment on a $10,000, 15-year fixed-rate CHF Loan at 0.00% interest would be $55.56 and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) would be 0.372%.

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By Joe Krovoza, September 4, 2011 9:00 am

By Joe Krovoza and Stephen Souza (published in the Davis Enterprise, September 4, 2011)

Last week, we wrote about the new regional surface water project and highlighted Davis’ need for a high-quality and reliable water supply. This week, we will address project costs and rates.

Woodland-Davis intake will be on the right south of the I-5 overcrossing

As a quick review, the project will provide a new supply of surface water from the Sacramento River to Woodland and Davis. This will become our new primary supply. In Davis, we will keep six of our very best high-quality deep aquifer wells to supplement summer demand.

The Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency will construct a joint river water intake and facility to treat the water before distribution to the cities. The cities will distribute the water to their citizens.

Davis’ share of the joint project is estimated to be $133 million. There will be Davis-only conveyance pipes, storage and distribution now estimated at $22 million. We must raise rates to finance this combined cost of $155 million.

As discussed last week, there are many good reasons for the project. However, the undeniable “stick” is the likelihood of expensive wastewater discharge fines in 2017, which probably would be set at levels high enough to force our compliance. The surface water project is central to meeting these state-mandated environmental regulations in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

The necessity of the project does not negate our concern for the impact of higher water rates. To set the rates, the city has been actively seeking and considering input from ratepayers — both residents and businesses. As a direct result of this input, and after a careful re-evaluation of all project costs, financing options and rate model assumptions, the recommended rates coming before the City Council on Tuesday evening are substantially lower than those published in the Proposition 218 notice.

The revised water rates would increase monthly costs for typical single-family residential customers from $34.75 to $77.18 over five years. Year one and two increases are proposed at 14 percent per year, which is half of what was published in the Prop. 218 notice. City staff members are proposing year three through five increases at 19 percent.

If adopted, these increases would be 2.2 times our current water rates for an average single-family residence. An option for spreading the rate increases over a six-year period also will be considered by the council, resulting in 14 percent increases for all six years.

Our current structure of a base rate plus two price tiers for water consumption will remain.

Customers with below-average water use now will experience lower-than-average monthly water bill amounts, while customers with above-average water use will see higher-than-average monthly water bill amounts. The city’s estimate above for an average single-family bill assumes 20 percent conservation over today’s typical use level. Thus, monthly impacts on each ratepayer will vary depending on their current water use and their level of conservation.

Specifics on the revised rate proposal are included in Tuesday’s City Council agenda packet posted online at www.cityofdavis.org (Under “Current Topics”). Please consult this for more of the story.

How do our rates compare to other cities in our region, and how will they compare in 2016? Davis water rates have been well below the Northern California average for decades. This fact was pointed out in the 2009 water rate survey prepared by the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association, the most recent of its kind.

Just like us, many cities in the study are increasing their rates to modernize water systems and meet wastewater discharge requirements. Given that fact, we are confident Davis’ average rates will remain very near — or likely below — those of our Northern California cohort, even come 2016.

The City Council has expressed its strong intent to provide information and programs that assist ratepayers with conservation to help minimize rate impacts. We are also moving toward a system of monthly billing so ratepayers can more easily manage their water use.

Most importantly, the City Council will have the opportunity to refine rates each year. This is particularly relevant because construction and operation costs for the regional surface water facilities will be finalized next year. Construction bids are at historic lows, and a favorable bidding climate should work to our advantage.

Other cost-savings measures are being employed. Keeping costs down has been of paramount concern during the consideration of alternatives, environmental review, and now project design. By partnering with Woodland, we are spreading the costs of construction and operations over more users, realizing otherwise unattainable economies of scale. By teaming with Reclamation District 2035 on a shared water intake facility on the Sacramento River, we will pay only 20 percent of the cost of that facility.

For the regional facilities, the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency is following national best practices for a design-build-operate process, ensuring highly competitive bidding. We are aggressively pursuing state and federal grants and already have been successful as part of the effort that secured $1.2 million in Bureau of Reclamation funding for the joint intake.

The new system will be poised to meet future regulatory requirements with upgrades that cost far less than our well-only system could offer.

In total, these cost-saving measures afford us excellent long-term protection and provide opportunities to reduce the level of future rate increases.

Our new water system is well planned for cost control, quality and reliability, and it reflects our values by ensuring that we will comply with environmental regulations and cease the overuse our groundwater resource. The time for this project is now; there will be clear disadvantages and costs if we delay.

— Mayor Joe Krovoza and City Councilman Stephen Souza serve on the board of the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency, a joint powers authority of the cities of Davis and Woodland. Founded in 2009, the agency is responsible for delivering a reliable water supply to both cities by 2017. Learn more at www.wdcwa.com

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By Joe Krovoza, August 28, 2011 9:00 am

By Joe Krovoza and Stephen Souza (published in the Davis Enterprise, August 28, 2011)

Davis’ water system is not sustainable. Not the supply. Not the quality. Not environmentally.

Our system of groundwater aquifers for source water and wastewater treatment pond systems, built in 1972, have served us well. But, we must face the fact that our rural groundwater system was not designed to support the urban environment that now characterizes our community.

New, expensive manganese treatment facility at Chiles/Pelz Over-crossing

Knowing this, Davis has an obligation to secure a high-quality, reliable, environmentally responsible water supply on which its citizens can rely for decades to come.

On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the Davis City Council will conduct a public hearing on proposed water rates. This article addresses the reasons and process that have led to the design of our new water supply. Our op-ed piece next Sunday will focus on the required investments and how we are keeping the rates as low as possible.

The rate proposal has led some to assert that the City Council has run amok, missed a cue from state and federal regulators, or misread one report or another. Those arguments are far too simplistic for our citizenry and detract from the real issues.

The question we should be asking is, “Can we continue to rely solely on a low-quality groundwater supply that requires increasingly expensive treatment, is proven to replenish slowly, threatens or has begun irreversible land subsidence, and will violate environmental discharge requirements come 2017?”

Our response is a resounding “No thanks!”

Davis’ antiquated system has allowed us to keep water rates far lower than other urban areas. Perhaps our low rates have helped us accept the taste of our water (though some are just fine with it), or the trouble it causes our water-using appliances, plumbing and certain plants, or the need for in-home filter systems.

Groundwater alone, however, costs us much more than what is reflected on our water bill. Replacement of appliances and fixtures are additional household costs. So, too, are the costs of water softeners, filters and bottled water for drinking.

And our groundwater is not ours alone to control. We share our deep aquifer with UC Davis. As we have been forced to drill deeper in search of higher-quality water, it’s unimaginable that our single-source water supply can sustain our population of 65,000, along with UCD’s resident students and daytime staff.

Water supply reliability concerns are compounded by increasingly strict regulatory requirements that limit nitrates, selenium, manganese and salts in our drinking water and wastewater discharge. Our drinking water supply and wastewater discharge are inextricably linked, because what comes in must meet environmental standards before being discharged to our environment.

In a well-only system such as ours, treatments at every wellhead are expensive to construct and maintain. The new manganese removal facility on Chiles Road at the Dave Pelz bicycle overcrossing over Interstate 80, one of two such facilities in the city, turns a $2.2 million well into a $4.3 million expense.

If our overall supply quality doesn’t improve, we risk heavy fines come 2017. Compounds like hexavalent chromium, of the Erin Brockovich case and that can naturally occur in groundwater, will soon be regulated. Costs will be high if we are required to treat each affected well.

Other cities in our region already are paying discharge fines. Woodland, for example, pays $14,000 per month for violating selenium limits, and the maximum that could be charged is far, far higher. Dixon voted down higher rates for a new water system. The city is subject to heavy fines and still will be required to build modern water works.

Lastly, Davis prides itself on good environmental stewardship and its reputation for being green. We cannot, in good conscience, violate environmental wastewater discharge requirements at the expense of the natural environment.

Where is our wastewater discharged? It goes to wetlands adjacent to the Yolo Bypass and to the west toe drain of the bypass. Improving the health of our local waterways is our responsibility.

The search for the most cost-effective system with positive environmental attributes has been going on since the late 1980s. A 2007 environmental impact report established a Sacramento River water supply project to supplement our best deep aquifer wells as the wisest environmental and most cost-effective path forward.

In November 2009, the city councils of Woodland and Davis joined forces to create the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency to implement the environmentally superior project. Rights to Sacramento River water were expedited by the state and granted in January of this year.

Around that same time, the agency secured rights to scarce summer water through an agreement with the Conaway Preservation Group. After more than 20 years of planning and effort, all the pieces are coming together.

Controlling costs and keeping rates as low as possible is the second huge piece of our water puzzle. Input from residents during the city’s neighborhood meetings this summer and strong dialogue with the business community are leading to excellent progress in that arena. Next Sunday, our op-ed will explain the opportunities for reducing costs and setting the lowest possible rates over a period of years.

For Davis, the path forward is clear. We must commit to a modern water supply and wastewater treatment system to protect public health, maintain our economic viability and care for our environment.

— Davis Mayor Joe Krovoza and City Councilman Stephen Souza  serve on the board of the
Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency, a joint powers authority of the cities of Davis and Woodland. Founded in 2009, the agency is responsible for delivering a reliable water supply to both cities by 2017. Learn more at www.wdcwa.com and further water information is linked from the city’s home page.

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By Joe Krovoza, July 8, 2011 12:30 pm

On the occasion of the store’s grand opening, SW Corner of 2^nd Street and F Street

(delivered at the ceremony by Mayor Pro Tem Rochelle Swanson, Councilmember Dan Wolk, and Joe Krovoza)

Joe Krovoza, Mayor, July 8, 2011

10.    It’s freezing in the Varsity Theater and you need a pullover, and fast!

9.      You became disoriented looking for Outdoor Davis

8.      The Band-uh just might be-a playin’

7.      Free on-street bike parking courtesy of the City of Davis

6.      Downtown Davis shops are way too hip and you want something nerdy

5. You are in desperate need of olive oil to dress the salad you’re bringing to the Davis Bicycles! potluck?

4.      $3.15 Icekrimski gelato tastes better in a $100.00 UC Davis hand-crafted Cork Oak bowl

3.      The Chancellor Linda Katehi Greek Products Boutique

2.      There is no group you trust more to spend your sales tax than the Davis City Council

1.      $7.00 UC Davis on-campus parking

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By Joe Krovoza, January 17, 2011 1:00 pm

Lincoln Memorial, January 18, 2009

Varsity Theater, Davis, California      PDF Download

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our annual celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Today’s event is sponsored by our Human Relations Commission.  I think it worthwhile in this context to recognize their charge.  The Commission “seeks to build a community in Davis where: relationships between diverse peoples are valued by all; the voices of the voiceless are heard; discrimination and hate are not tolerated, and citizens can address issues dealing with hatred, discrimination and alienation.”

Thank you to the Commission for sponsoring this annual event.

Obamas Arriving

Dr. King has touched us all in different ways.  Growing up, I was bused to an integrated junior high in one manifestation of the Civil Rights Act that Martin Luther King Jr. helped usher in.  When attending law school at UC Davis, I’d feel the spirit of King every time I passed the statue of the reverend when I entered the front doors of King Hall.  I hold on dearly to my old audiotape of King reasoning for non-violent civil disobedience in his Letter from Birmingham Jail.

For these remarks I’d like to draw on a recent encounter with Dr. King.  It caught me by surprise, and I’d like to share it with you.

Two years ago, I had the privilege to attend a concert commemorating Dr. King in Washington, DC at the Lincoln Memorial.  I was with my oldest daughter, Charlotte, and friends.  The event was organized by the Obama and Biden families on the eve of MLK Day in 2009, and just two days before the inauguration of Barak Obama.

With more than 30 celebrity performers and speakers, including Denzel Washington, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seegar, Beyonce, and Martin Luther King III, we experienced an electrified atmosphere of celebration and commitment.  We celebrated Dr. King’s teachings and we committed ourselves to service in support of his legacy.

Charlotte at the Concert

As we absorbed the speeches and songs, it hit me – we were part of an echo, occurring over decades, in precisely that spot on the Washington Mall.

A remarkable convergence of time and place and principles had come together:

• We were gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, a monument honoring our president who had freed the slaves;
• 400,000 of us were at the site where Dr. King had delivered “I Have a Dream” in 1963;
• U2’s Bono sang Pride – In the Name of Love to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of King; and Bono sang
• To Barack Obama who was there on the stage – he sang to the African-American Senator voted in peacefully to our nation’s highest office, and who was waiting to be inaugurated as the 44^th President of the United States of America in less than 48 hours.

Could there have been a greater tribute to Dr. King?  I wanted to believe that the fight for equality in America was over.  It was not.

Continue reading 'Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Remarks'»

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By Joe Krovoza, January 9, 2011 12:54 pm

Old City Hall

And then there were four…

At a special meeting Tuesday evening, the Davis City Council finalized an appointment process to fill the vacancy on our five-member body.

Back in December, we weighed the pros and cons of different aspects of an appointment process, culminating in our approval of the details last week. By late February, we’ll have a new colleague, and Davis will have a new, dedicated and thoughtful public servant.

We want to take this opportunity to share with the community a bit more on the thinking behind the process and how we will proceed.

New City Hall

Filling our vacancy by appointment presents a unique and enriching opportunity for Davis. First, we’ll get to tap the great expertise of Davis via a clear and respectful process that will guide our selection for the newest addition to the council. Second, the appointment process will encourage dedicated and talented individuals to offer their participation in the highest level of municipal governance without the hurdle of time and expense created by a campaign.

Our new member will serve for approximately 16 months and can decide whether to run for a full four-year term in June 2012, when three seats will be up for election.

This is truly an open process. We seek a collaborative and respectful colleague. We welcome interest from all who are willing to join us in facing our city’s near-term challenges, and who will join us in honing future budget strategies and planning directions.

** Applying. The appointment process is open to any registered voter who lives in the city of Davis. The council has attempted to streamline the application process as much as possible to allow applicants to put their best foot forward without making the process too cumbersome. We hope this will encourage individuals who have not previously considered running for City Council to throw their hat in the ring.

Continue reading 'Wanted: Dedicated Public Servants'»