On Saturday, February 12, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Blacklake Club House we will hold a workshop that is different from our previous ones.  There are approximately 30 to 40 different organizations in Nipomo, including churches, service organizations, youth activities, adult recreation interests, schools, non-profits, etc.   As a result of this diversity of interests, there are undoubtedly a variety of opinions on what is important in Nipomo.  We hope to create a forum where these various groups can come together and get to know each other and discover what issues unite us a community.   The expected result is two-fold:  to open up better communication between the leaders throughout our community, people who may not interact regularly.  And,  to develop a common vision and unified plan for making Nipomo the community in which we all want to live and be involved.  Only by working together can the citizens of Nipomo have a real voice in what our future community will look like.

If you are interested in taking part in the work shop or observing the process, please feel free to come by the Blacklake Golf Resort Clubhouse.  You can also email Mike Eisner at mike@nipomoincorporation.org

An adequate water supply and completion of the Willow Road interchange to support commercial growth in five areas will be key to cityhood for Nipomo, county officials told residents Saturday.

If the community does become a city, it would have to find a way to make up a roughly $300,000 shortfall the county currently experiences in a variety of costs, such as maintaining streets and parks, officials said.

But when Nipomo could feasibly become a city is in question under the current economic situation — probably not by the previous target of 2012 — and the proposal could be blocked at a number of steps along the way, officials said.

Those were just a few of the issues discussed Saturday morning at an informational meeting presented by the Nipomo Incorporation Committee for Education (NICE) in the Monarch Club at Trilogy Central Coast in the Woodlands development.

About 75 residents turned out to hear representatives of the county Planning and Building, Public Works and Parks departments and the Local Agency Formation Commission discuss incorporation from their points of view.

NICE has been holding such meetings periodically to educate the community about the potential for cityhood, because if all other hurdles are cleared, incorporation ultimately will come down to a public vote.

Fourth District Supervisor Katcho Achadjian said he supports incorporation because it would be the community’s decision and NICE is doing a good job of educating the public.

“The time has come (for a decision). The community has matured,” Achadjian said, noting Nipomo has already set its own growth rate cap and developed its own transfer of development credits program separate from the rest of the county.

Chuck Stevenson, manager of the Planning and Building Department’s Long Range Planning Division, said the biggest obstacles will be infrastructure, water, a limited economic base, the cost of municipal services and workforce housing.

“Businesses looking to locate to a place are looking for homes that are affordable to their workforce,” he said, and the sales taxes generated by businesses are what will make cityhood viable.

Stevenson said five areas are targeted for commercial development. Those include Olde Towne, which is largely undeveloped, and Crystal Oaks, also known as the Canada property, west of Highway 101 and north of Sandydale Drive.

The others are the south side of Southland Street; South Oakglen Avenue south of the Dana Adobe, where another freeway interchange is proposed; and the so-called Downtown Core on West Tefft Street west of the freeway.

“Willow Road (interchange with Highway 101) is critical to incorporation,” he said, because it’s needed to handle the traffic generated by new businesses, particularly the Canada property through which the Willow Road extension will pass.

But securing adequate water, workforce housing, roadways and the commercial development to generate enough sales taxes is just the start of a complex process.

Paul Hood, executive officer of LAFCO, said the agency is generally in favor of Nipomo incorporating, but it must be financially feasible.

Once city boundaries are developed, proponents must issue a notice of intent to circulate petitions, gather signatures from 25 percent of property owners and submit an application to LAFCO with a $15,000 deposit.

That fee is just the start of what could become a $200,000 process with a full environmental impact report.

A comprehensive fiscal analysis would be conducted to be sure the county would save as much on services as it would lose in revenue, which Hood said is “one of the most important and challenging hurdles.”

Hood would then analyze the city boundaries, services plan, fiscal analysis, environmental determination and terms for transferring assets and employees and would either approve or deny the application.

If it’s approved, LAFCO would hold public hearings that could take several days and a protest hearing, which could kill the plan if 50 percent of the property owners object to incorporation.

If the proposal clears the protest hearing, an election would be scheduled. Even if the plan succeeds in the election, the transition of power still could take a couple of years.

“Then the keys are handed over to the city manager and city council, and the county says, ‘See ya. Good luck,’” Hood said.

Despite the daunting task ahead, Achadjian urged NICE and the community to persevere.

“Put together the pros and cons and decide if independence is worth the cost,” he said. “There’s a lot of challenges ahead of you, a lot of education. … Don’t lose hope, don’t lose momentum. Keep the faith and move forward together.”

NICE appreicates the Santa Maria Times for attending and actually covering this community event.  NICE, as is its custom and practice invites all the local media to their community wide meetings.

The Nipomo Incorporation Committee for Education (NICE) held its most recent community meeting on Saturday, 03/28/09 at the Woodlands Trilogy, Avila Room from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Over 100, (103 was the official count) local Nipomo residents, joined several governmental leaders and community leaders at the meeting.    Katcho Achadjian, 4th District Supervison, San Luis Obispo County attended, as did officials from the Nipomo Community Services District, Chamber of Commerce, and others.  Katcho moderated the morning’s discussion, which included the following presentations.  

9:06 a.m. Frank Smith, Triology, Shea Homes.  Frank gave a brief overview of the current focus of the Woodlands community.  Despite a downturn in the economy, in 2008, Shea Homes closed and sold 83 homes out of their 87 home goal.  This year in 2009, they have sold five homes each month, from January through March.   The Woodlands community continues its growth.    NICE thanks The Monarch Club of Trilogy at The Woodlands for the generous donation of the Avila Room for the meeting location, including light refreshments.

9:12 a.m.  Mike Eisner, NICE, President gave an overview of the recent NICE Survey on Incorporation.

NICE powerpoint presentation here. (Click on slideshow icon at top right to view images)

9:19 a.m. Katcho, Moderator.  Katcho pointed out that any eventual Nipomo incorporation decision will be one made by Nipomo residents, not the county, not the surrounding communities–but Nipomo residents alone.  Katcho felt that NICE has, over the last years delivered what it has promised to the community:  education.  NICE has brought in representatives from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deparment, CDF , San Luis Ambulance, Local Developers, and County Government.  Katcho also pointed out that NICE is a non-profit organization completely comprised of local volunteer efforts of Nipomo residents.

9:29 a.m. Chuck Stevenson, San Luis Obispo County Planning Department.  

Chuck also presented a powerpoint presentation, which you can view here (Click on slideshow icon at top right to view images).  Some of the highlights included the following:

2008 population estimates show Nipomo at approximately 14,547 residents, reflecting a 13% increase since 2000.  Buildout projections of 2030 estimate Nipomo’s population to be approximately 21,539.  If the surrounding rural areas are included (historic Nipomo) the population increases to approximately 35,072.

Some incorporation obstacles include infrastructure, water, tax base, affordable work housing, and costs of government.   Nipomo’s infrastructure needs include longtime reliable water source, and various street and highway needs, including Willow Road interchange and Tefft Street freeway improvements.

The powerpoint presentation outlined several opportuinty areas for economic growth.  In the next five years, Nipomo will need water supply and highway interchange improvements.  Commerical growth will likely be modest and slower.  There will be continued residential growth.  And, there will likely be an general plan update for the Nipomo area within five years.

9:58 a.m. Dave Flynn, San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Works

Dave’s powerpoint presentation can be seen here.  (Click on slideshow icon at top right to view images).

Some highlights include a fascinating inventory of existing Nipomo infrastructure:

94 Lane Miles of Streets

160 Culverts

125 Street Lights

42 Drainage Basins

32 miles of Sidewalk

6 Traffic Signals

2 Bridges

2  Transit buses

In terms of Nipomo’s 94 miles of streets, we actually rank in the top tier of the county in road conditions; however, all communities are sliding downward in road conditions because of the lack of funding.  From 2006 to 2008, the following roads were paved in the Nipomo community:  Southland, Division, Orchard, Pomeroy, Las Flores, and Thompson.  

Current revenues relating to Nipomo infrastructure total approximately $1,025, 000, while expenditures slightly exceed revenues at approximately $1,310,000.  To make up this shortfall, the County must dip into the general fund.  

Proposed Tefft Street improvements in four phases over the next eight years will total almost $10,000.00, which will include additional off ramp lanes, and relocating the southbound on ramp.  

10:48 a.m. Pete Jenny, County Parks and Recreation:

Pete did not prepare a powerpoint presentation; however, he pointed out that there are approximately 154 acres of community parks.  In Nipomo, we fare far better than most other areas of the county.  Nipomo enjoys approxmimately 10.5 acres per 1000 residents.  The county average is only two acres per 1000 residents.  

The county strives to have at least one park within 1/2 mile of a residence, which is not always possible.  Pete pointed out that several community services district in the county are now assuming park powers, including here in Nipomo–even though limited at the present time.  

Pete also pointed out that much is accomplished throughout the county by unique partner relationships.  For example, the county partnerned with the Lucia Mar School District to provide soccer fields at Nipomo High School.  Such creative partnerships make many projects possible.

Pete outlined some of Nipomo’s recreational needs for the future:  A needs assessment is a big undertaking; howevever, Nipomo needs to know where to start and plan for its recreational future.  Pete suggested:

1.  Protection of Nipomo’s open space habitat;

2.  More community parks;

3.  Recreation programs.  

4.  The NCSD’s assumption of park powers can help implement these goals.

11:20 a.m.  Paul Hood LAFCO

Paul’s powerpoint presentation outlined some of the basic steps toward incorporation.  You can see Paul’s powerpoint here, directly from the SLOLAFCO website.  Paul’s presentation included a background of LAFCO, why communities choose to become cities, and process followed to become a city, including the petition process, administrative process, fiscal analysis and eventual election.  It’s a very informative presentation and gives a very good overview of how a city, specifically, how Nipomo would go through the legal requirements to become a city.  I encourage you to review the powerpoint.

Overall, the County Staff did an excellent job of presenting the information to the community.  The community benefited, and it was truly an educational meeting.    NICE plans to hold another community meeting next September.  To become more involved please leave a comment with your email address, if we do not already have that information.  Thanks to all who participated.

Date 03/28/09

Time:  9:00 a.m to 12:00

Location:  Avila Room in the Monarch Club of Triology at The Woodlands

The program, moderated by Katcho will include:

Q & A with San Luis Obispo County Staff who are instrumental in determining Nipomo’s character.  Some of the questions to be addressed include:

Chuck Stevenson–Planning:

What is the future of Old Town?

What Specific Plans are moving through the county?

Dave Flynn–Public Works:

What are the current plans for the Tefft Street Interchange?

What additional roads are planned to relieve congestion at Pomeroy?

Pete Jenny–Parks and Recreation:

Would the community park stay with the county or transfer to the new city if Nipomo incorporated?

Paul Hood–LAFCO:

What is the incorporation process for Nipomo, i.e., time lines, costs?

Bring your questions for the panel.  Be a part of your community’s future.

NICE extends its appreciation to the Trilogy Resort Living for their support of this important community event.

December 9, 2008

Present: Mike Eisner, Bonnie Eisner, Ingmar Lauringson, Lynn Mc Gill, Bob Mc Gill, Jim Harrison, Larry Verheilig, Merle Ackerman, and Dan Gaddis.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M.

Dale Ramey was not ready for his presentation, but would like to come back on January 20th to discuss Willow Road. These meetings as all steering committee meetings are open to the public. The committee was urged to invite any person(s) they thought would be interested in the subject matter to attend.

Davis Report – Mike recapped the latest recalculation of the Davis Report which has been created by Clyde Cruise and his committee. Mike went to the assessor’s office and they created a map for the city of Nipomo based on the 93444 zip code. There are 142 parcels missing, but will be incorporated into the next revision of the city map. This map reflects 2 billion in property tax and land improvements in these parcels. The county receives 1% of the state total and then generates revenue back to each city based on a calculation computed by the county. Larry suggests we have a powerful negotiator at the table when Incorporation proceedings take place with the County.

New Data- Each committee member is to pick apart the data from the Davis Report revision and send it back to Mike and Clyde. A copy of the revised budget will be uploaded to the website for all members to review and comment on.

It was suggested that we get a “sanity” check on when these developments will really begin based on the fact that King Ventures and Nipomo Commons have been on the books for at least 5 years and never broken ground. George Newman also is always stating he is 60 days from beginning, but has not moved any sand lately.

Ingmar- He is trying to come up with a fund raiser for NICE. His suggestion is to begin with a bumper sticker. All agreed that we do need to find a source for some revenue. Perhaps on the scale of Goleta with a bumper sticker that says NIPOMO NOW. Ingmar will explore ideas for a bumper sticker.

I.R.S. Reports- Mike would like our treasurer, Clyde Cruise, to investigate which year end reports need to be filed with the state or federal government to make sure we keep our non-profit status and report back.

Questionnaire- It was suggested that we send a questionnaire out to those who have signed up on our e-mail list. A list of sample questions were reviewed and discussed. Mike will develop the questionnaire and send it to the committee for review before submitting to the community.

The next Community Presentation will be on either March 21 or March 28. We agreed that it should be the county of SLO presentation on “Nipomo in the next 5 years” based on what they envision for the community. Speakers should be Katcho, Chuck Stevenson, Dale Ramey, James Lopes and Brian Pedrotti. The following questions would be included in the presentation:

1. What projects are in the planning stages?
2. What changes would occur to the plans if the community were to Incorporate?
3. What infrastructure improvements are planned?
4. What effect does water have on County plans for Nipomo?
5. How does the current economy effect the plans for Nipomo?

Meeting Adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

On Saturday, September 20, 2008, 263 Nipomo residents jammed the Avila Room at at the Monarch Club in Trilogy (Woodlands) to hear about eight development projects in the works in the Nipomo Area.

This was one of the largest, if not the largest gathering of Nipomo residents in history.  It was standing, sitting and kneeling room only at the Monarch Club’s Avila Room at Trilogy, as many of the photographs confirm.  The meeting ran on schedule thanks to the moderator, Dave Congalton, of Hometown Radio.

Nipomo Town Square

George Newman, developing Nipomo Town Square, led off the group presentations.  Early photos of Nipomo Town Square are here. I’ve also written about Nipomo Town Square, here, and here.

George expressed gratitude for the large crowd and publicly confirmed his support for Nipomo’s eventual incorporation.  Nipomo Town Square intersects at Juniper and Mary Streets in Nipomo, and consists of approximately 19 acres.  It will contain commercial, retail and professional projects.

George has spent approximately 17 years obtaining the property, the permits, and securing tenants. Some tenants will include restaurants, medical offices, an assisted living facility, professional office, and retail  outlets are all included in Nipomo Town Square.  George described five different eating facilities.

The assisted living facility will have up to 142 residents, comprised of some 90 units.  The rooms will be quite large.  He anticipates couples could live together at the assisted daily living.

George showed several layouts of buildings.  The medical buildings, might include an out patient surgical center, an urgent care center, podiatrists, optometrist, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecologists, medical imaging, physical therapy, and internal medicine.

The project may also have a drive through bank.  San Luis Ambulance may also move into one of buildings.

There is no bed tax in the project, meaning hotel beds; but, there will be approximately 78,900 square feet that can generate sales tax.  George anticipates building within eight to ten months, and hopes to achieve total build out within 30 months.

The possible retail projects include a hardware store, health food store, grocery store, and restaurants.

George will make many improvements to the area, including widening Juniper with left turn lanes.  He will add right turn lanes as well.  There will be a right turn lane in front of Vons gas station.  Another right turn lane will be from south Mary to West on Tefft street. There will also be left turn lanes on Mary. Finally there will also be curbs, sidewalks, landscaping.

Frontage Road

Dave Watson’s Frontage Road project followed.  This project originally consisted of approximately 10 plus acres, and has had several incantations thus far.  When originally approved in 2000 they were looking to widen Frontage Road, and include a south bound on ramp to the freeway.  Then, after discussions of moving the south bound on ramp to Hill Street, Dave had to make significant changes to the project.

The 2005 version tried to fashion various alternatives for the freeway onramp; however, there is currently a disagreement with what the local community wants, San Luis Obispo County wants, and what Cal Trans thinks should go in.  Dave suggested using all available means of political pressure to help persuade Cal Trans to see the on ramp issue as the local community wants it to be.

The current project version contains approximately 75,000 square feet of retail space, on Frontage Road.  There will be approximately 60 units of mixed use units, those combined with commercial downstairs and residential upstairs.  Of the 75,000 square feet retail, approximately 15,000 square feet will be some type of food service establishment, which will generate sales tax.  The remainder of the commercial/retail will be a mix of commercial and/or professional.

Dave is currently working with the Nipomo Commons, the development next door.  He, and Rob Marinai are cooperating as their projects abut, and things are working smoothly between the two projects.  Dave doesn’t know when the Frontage Road project will move forward, given today’s economic climate.

Nipomo Commons

Rob Marinai was unable to attend; however, he did speak with Mike Eisner about the project.  It will eventually include a hotel.  They are currently in discussions with Choice Hotels, Intercontinental Hotels, and Hilton to build a 72 to 83 room hotel with nightly rates at about $120.00.  This project will bring in much needed transient occupancy tax (ToT) to Nipomo once incorporated.

There will be approximately 38,000 square feet of commercial space, along with 51 units of mixed use.  They hope to complete the project within the next 18 to 24 months; however, since part of the project site is the old recreation center, which was recently gutted by fire, there is some element of doubt about the exact timing for this project.

Flatley Tefft Street Project:

Patrick Flatley stepped in for his brother Terry Flatley to discuss their current project located at 691 W. Tefft Street, right cross the street from Post Office.  It is a four acre mixed use project.  Right now it consists of an incredibly big hole in the ground, which will eventually be the retention basin.  There are 20 units designed with commercial or office space on the ground level, and residential upstairs.  This is meant to reduce traffic, and bring people closer to where they work.

Currently the 20 units are for sale.  There are two condos over one commercial building.  This is meant for a professional, i.e., accountant, real estate, photographer or the like.  The project is designed with low maintenance landscape throughout. Traditional landscaping takes lots of water.  So they are focusing on low maintenance landscaping meant to reduce water usage.

Patrick made the often forgotten point that developers write the checks and contribute money toward impact fees and future supplemental water to do their part in mitigation for traffic impacts and water impacts.  This project won’t impact traffic or water much.  The concept is live where you work.

Their homes are some of the most energy efficient in California.  They look at as many things as they can to be energy efficient.  California has highest energy efficient building standards in country.

OldeTowne

Jim Tefft discussed Olde Towne in general and some of their goals.  The Olde Towne Association began in 1995.  They hold regular luncheon meetings each Thursday at the Creekside Cafe in Olde Towne.  They are always looking for new members.  So if you are interested go check them out at lunch one Thursday.

Jim described one of the overriding goals of Olde Towne is to create the equivalent of the Village in Arroyo Grande.  It is to be a pedestrian friendly tourist type center of the Nipomo community.  They have already made incredible improvements to the Olde Towne section with revamped streets, lights, and benches.

Currently they have run out of money, so that is a factor in further development they would like to undertake.  Peg Miller, an Olde Towne citizen has two projects in the works, including one kitty corner to Jockos, a mixed use project.  The other is near the Mayor’s place on Tefft Street, also mixed use.

Jim also discussed the ongoing culvert construction in Olde Towne meant to alleviate their past flooding history.

Woodlands Project

Jim LaLoggia discussed the ongoing development at The Woodlands.  I have previously written about The Woodlands here.

The Woodlands started over 20 years ago, and was approved as a village, a mixed use community, with business, residential, and recreational areas.  The Village Center, is a 140,000 square foot retail and office space, including a sheriff’s facility.  Construction is to begin latter part of 2009.  There will be no holding cells or lockup at this sheriff facility, just communications and transportation.

There will be 20 apartments included above office and retail space.  Also in the hub is a three acre park.  There will be retail and art in the park.  There are three other parcels of free standing office buildings, restaurants, and markets.

The business park will have light manufacturing.   The resort facility, will eventually contain a four star hotel, which is approved for up to 500 units, if the market would bear such a hotel.  It is located just below the butterfly habitat of 20 acres.  The design is approved. The first phase will start the latter part 2009.

The Woodlands will eventually contain 1320 total residential units.  Most of these will be single family homes.  A few hundred  will be apartments.  There are several access areas to the Woodlands complex.

They are currently in the first phase.  There are about 250 homes now occupied and constructed.  They will be moving to second phase soon.  The have two of three world class golf courses (Monarch Dunes) developed.

The retail would include typical retail outlets.  They have discussed spots for a financial institution, escrow companies, real estate, and restaurants.   The Business Park is about 10 acres.  Ingress and egress to the business park does not require going through the Woodlands itself.

They are looking for the right mix of tenants are retail outlets.  Jim foresees the possibility of some type of Subway Sandwich or a Starbucks, but probably not a McDonalds.

Blacklake

Rob Rossi, discussed his future plans for Blacklake Golf Course. Rob has been involved with the Blacklake Golf Coure in the past; but, has owned the golf course since 2001.  He is excited to be part of the Blacklake community.  Rob explained that some of the Blacklake infrastructure needs updating, particularly the outdated course irrigation system.  They intend to re-do portions of the golf course, possibly reconfiguring the front nine holes.

Water is a significant cost, and he wants to redesign the entire irrigation system to be more water efficient, thereby saving more water than they use.  He is working with the NCSD in updating the water and irrigation systems at the course.

Rob presented a power point slide show detailing some of the aspects of the project, including golf bungalows and potentially a 60 room hotel.  I’m having trouble uploading the power point to the website; but, if you want a copy email me and I will send it out via email.

The new Blacklake Lodge will be a four story building, three above ground and one below grade.  Rob hopes to begin construction by approximately 2011.

Trading Post and Olde Towne Development

Greg Nester of Greg Nester Construction discussed his commercial development plans for Olde Towne and The Villaggio Deli/Market at Blacklake.  Greg is a 25 year Nipomo resident and is well invested in community having built several residential projects.  Greg has a couple of commercial projects coming up.  One is at Pomeroy and Willow near Blacklake, called the Villaggio Market.  It is a 5,000 square foot convenience market.  There will also be a high quality deli and restaurant at the location.  There will be wine tasting as well as an event room for rent.

Greg plans a golf cart path with access from Sunday Drive in Blacklake to the market.  Otherwise access will be via  Willow Road which will eventually move closer to the deli and market when it is reconfigured and extended.

The other project is the Trading Post at Thompson and Tefft Streets. It will front  2/3 of the block on Tefft Street.   The first of seven buildings will be a restaurant.  The project will have a clock tower,  and will be two stories.  The rest of the project will be retail buildings, single story.  They will include 400 to 3600 square feet in retail buildings.  The residential will be on back side to south.  There are three residential condos for this project.  They do not intend to save old building currently there.  It is not an historical landmark.  It is  also below flood plane, and poorly built.

Greg is working with SCAC and has architectural approval.   He is senstive to growing energy efficieny and energy reduction.  They focus on building more efficient homes.  Greg did not indicate a timeframe for these projects.

Longs Project

Ted Moore was unable to attend.  Mike Eisner gave brief update on the project.  This is the extension of the current Longs center located at Mary and Tefft Streets.  It is moving along and many tenants will be moving in within a matter of weeks.  The Lemos Feed and Pet store will open the first or second week in October.

Some tenants include Wells Fargo Bank, Me & Ed’s Pizza, a UPS Store, a mexican restaurant, Healing Touch and Healthy Inspirations.  There are only three spots left to lease in the project, two of them are next to Wells Fargo Bank.

A few other photos of the development conference follow below.  Thanks to Bonnie Eisner for taking photos of the event.  Also, a special thanks to the Woodlands for allowing us to use the Avial Room, and providing the great refreshments.  We also want to thank Dave Congalton of Hometown radio and now Nipomo resident for moderating the meeting.  Thanks also to Ingmar Lauringson, Mike Eisner and Kevin Beauchamp for making most of the arrangements and doing the legwork to make this incredible meeting possible.

NICE also wants to thank the general public for their attendance.  The numbers exceeded our wildest expectation, and we hope that those who attended felt it was worth while.  We would like to hear from those who attended, or even those who have read these notes on their impression of the conference, the things you liked, disliked, suggestions for future meetings and topics, and ways to improve what we did today.  Please leave your thoughts in the comments section at the end of the post.

Dave Congalton reading a question from the audience

Audience members in attendance

More audience

Dave and Mike prepare to start the morning

Panelists include:

George Newman        Project at Mary and Jupiter (Nipomo Town Square)
King Ventures           Frontage Road
Ted Moore               Long’s project
Rob Marinai              New motel and Nipomo Commons
Jim La Loggia            Woodlands Marketplace
Greg Nester             The Trading Post in old town and the market at Willow and Pomeroy

The official program title:

Developers Address The Retail Future of Nipomo

Moderating this spectacular lineup is none other than Home Town Radio’s Dave Congalton, a local Nipomo resident.   Make certain to mark your calendars:

Date:  Saturday September 20, 2008
Time:  9:00 a.m.
Location:  TBA (Either Woodlands or Blacklake)

Local and state government officials have been invited, and some are certain to attend.  We invite media representatives to report on the meeting prior to as well as after the event.  Spread the word to friends and community members to attend this critical Nipomo Incorporation update.

Jonny believes in cityhood, and it clearly shows from her passion as she speaks.  There is nothing like local control.  There is nothing like going to your own local city council representative and congratulating them on a job well done, or asking what they were thinking on a particular issue, or being able to express your local concerns to your local elected representative.  There is nothing like the more intimate political setting as a locally elected city council for local problem solving.

The most recent successful incorporation drive in Goleta started with a small but concerned of local Goleta citizens.  They began meeting, and speaking with other local citizens.  They organized into an organization with a catchy and significant title of GoletaNow!  They burned this slogan into the public conscience.  Everyone in the Goleta area knew exactly who GoletaNow! was and what they stood for.

Why did this most recent Goleta incorporation drive succeed while previous others failed?  Jonny, listed several reasons.  They succeeded this time, because of prior failures.  They learned to cull out the past failures and concentrate on the positives.  They were incredibly well organized, they did their homework, took responsibility and worked incredibly hard.

GoletaNow! was originally a no or slow growth group of citizens who became focused solely on achieving cityhood for Goleta.  Why?  Because regardless of one’s view on growth, more or less, the best people to make the decisions on growth in any given community, are those local people with local ties to the community.  The decisions of those who work and live in the local community know the best needs for that community.

GoletaNow! sought early input from the community.   As a smaller group, they caught an initial spark that when transformed to the community at large because a brilliant light, drawing a majority to vote for cityhood.

Before incorporation Goleta generated much more income to Santa Barbara County than they received in equivalent services.  Their population was and remains approximately 28,000 within the incorporated city limits; however, it is approximately betweeen 50,000 to 70,000 in the outlying areas surrounding the city.

LAFCO, the Local Agency Formation Commissions, govern all aspects of the official incorporation process.  our next best friend after our County Supervisor is the executive officers of our local LAFCO.  The state publication on the incorporation process is A Guide to the LAFCO Process for Incorporations.

One of the most critical aspects of the incorporation process is the petition drive.  There are three ways a community may begin the formal incorporation process.  There can be a petition of at least 25% of registered voters, or a percentage of land owners of record, or a petition by a governmental entity.

GoletaNow! found that the best way to get public involvement was to gather the petitions signed by registered voters in the community.   They chose this method because in provides community input, and allows for greater community involvement.  You need a minimum of 25%; however, to make certain you have enough it is wise to gather much more than the minimum requirement.

The incorporation petition needs to containe a statement of reasons on why the community wants to incorporation.  GoletaNow! noted incorporation was desirable to increase local control and accountability, retain local tax revenues in the community, increase local participation in civic commentary, and to promote reasonable local government boundaries (LAFCO’s requested reason).

GoletaNow! also needed to provide a map and legal description for the new city.  The boundary issue was very contentious.  The inclusion of Isla Vista was hotly debated.  And, in the end GoletaNow! members decided inclusion of Isla Vista just did not work for the eventual incorporation of Goleta.  So, they dropped its inclusion, and eventually went on to win incorporation for the city.  It was a pragmatic decision, one each community will face, whether it is a boundary issue or something else.  The community needs to be pragmatic.

The comprehensive fiscal analysis is a look at the new city’s financial health approximately 10 years into the future.  It is critical for incorporation proponents to play a big role in the study.  The proponents need to fight, kick and scream to be part of this fiscal analysis study.

Goleta City left in tact their water and sanitary districts as they felt those districts were doing a good job.  Hey also contracted with the sheriff and county fire departments for their local service.

Revenue neutrality is awful, onerous and terrible.  Goleta’s revenue neutrality agreement is likely the worst in terms of detriment to the new city and windfall to the county.  See here, here, and here.  Goleta must pay 50% of its property tax to Santa Barbara County forever.  They must also pay 50% of their sales tax to the county for 10 years and then it drops to 20% forever.  These were very drastic terms.  Yet, despite it all, Jonny unequivocally claimed that was absolutely worth this high price to be free from county control and under the local control of a locally elected Goleta City Council.

On 5/31/01 the Santa Barbara County LAFCO approved the creation of Goleta City with the authority for the county board of supervisors to conduct a protest hearing.  That hearing was conducted on 7/10/01 and the opposition to cityhood was unsuccessful in any protest of the petition moving forward to the ballot stage.  The board determined the protest hearing failed and approved the measure to appear on the November 2001 ballot.

From July 2001 through the November 2001 election GoletaNow! identified potential voters and began a new and this time political drive for cityhood approval at the ballot.  They used news letters and big community drives.  They also consulted with experts on the election process.  During this process they were advised that unless some of their group (incorporation proponents) agreed to run a city council members that the incorporation effort would fail at the ballot.  In the end, four GoletaNow! members agreed to run, despite their reticence to become that political.  After the election, all four of them had won election to the city council, including Jonny Wallis.

An interesting side note is the fact that Goleta needed the big box store tax revenues and transient occupancy taxes to be able to afford incorporation as well as fund their draconian revenue neutrality requirements.  Many Goleta residents, including Jonny Wallis did not support the big box stores in their community, initially; however, when it came to actually paying for their independence from Santa Barbara County, those big box store tax revenues were indispensable to financing the city’s own creation.

Some final incorporation lessons:

1.  Everything takes longer and costs more than anticipated;

2.  Do your homework, consult with experts, and don’t promise things;

3.  Be persistent and stick with the community;

4.  Don’t make enemies.  We are all neighbors in the same community.

Mike Eisner talks with Jonny Wallis

Well attended incorporation informational meeting

Photos taken by Bonnie Eisner

Nipomo Incorporation Steering Committee Minutes

February 26, 2008

Present: Mike Eisner, Guy Murray, Bonnie Eisner, Merle Ackerman, Jim Harrison, Al Daurio, Dan Gaddis and Terry Buterbaugh.

Guests: Ethel Landers

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M.

Mike reviewed the Cal Poly workshop last Saturday and hopes to be able to e-mail the group all of the hard work done by the students..

Previous Minutes- The minutes for January 29, 2008 were approved.

David Mathe Meeting – Mike, Clyde and Jim met with Dave to discuss grants for incorporation. He volunteered to assist us if we go after a grant. We would need to go after grants that fall under governmental services. These would probably be for matching funds. Dave is currently business manager for the Fire Safe Council and Administrative Officer for three fire departments. He currently lives in Nipomo.

Davis Report Update- Al has converted most of the report to Adobe for use by the committee. The steering committee agreed that we need to continue our efforts and wait and watch for a change in the economy. This will take a lot of time and a lot of work. Just keep working at it and be informed on the pulse of Nipomo.

Public Relations- Al Daurio, Chair- His committee will be calling a special meeting to update the slide presentation.

Public Outreach- Terry Buterbaugh and Merle Ackerman worked on a brochure called “Question and Answers”. The rough draft will be e-mailed to the rest of the steering committee for input. Terry has a new e-mail and Mike will send along with the rough draft. It was suggested that members look at the web site edhcity.org; it has a very good question and answers section. Terry thought that we needed a brochure to track our progress to date. We would list where and how each meeting has been with the realistic feed back received. Ethel suggested that we need a stepping stone of brochures and offered to assist us with graphics. It was also suggested that we develop a logo to be used on this and future brochures. In eventuality, the logo could be suggested as the city emblem at a future date. All committee members are asked to consider such a logo and present it to Mike.

Next Community Workshop – Mike is waiting for Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee’s office to confirm the date that is available for our next meeting. Mike will contact the Woodlands to see if we can go there for this meeting. The room holds up to 250 people

Next Steering committee meeting- It was agreed that we would go to bi-monthly meetings. Regular committee meetings can still go on with Mike or Guy called to attend for input.

The next steering meeting date will be announced after we know the date of our next community workshop

Meeting Adjourned at 7:00 p.m.