Big Bear News KBHR 93.3 » Government

County Receives National Award For Effective Budgeting

Mike Evans — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:59:44 +0000

San Bernardino, CA, May 21, 2012, noon - For the sixth year in a row, the County of San Bernardino has been honored for producing one of the best government budget documents in North America. The Board of Supervisors has recognized the County’s budget staff for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The award represents a significant achievement by the County of San Bernardino and reflects the county’s commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To receive the budget award the county had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories to receive the award. The County of San Bernardino’s award-winning budgets can be viewed on the county’s website at http://www.sbcounty.gov/cao/.

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State Senate Unanimously Approves Bill Protecting Pets In Rental Housing

Mike Evans — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:59:39 +0000

Sacramento, CA, May 18, 2012, 5:00pm - The California State Senate has approved Senate Bill 1229, a bill to help protect the pets of people who are potential renters. The bill would prohibit a landlord from advertising or establishing rental policies requiring a tenant’s animals to be declawed or devocalized. SB 1229 would impose a civil penalty of $1,000 per animal for every violation that results in declawing or devocalization. The bill is co-sponsored by The Paw Project and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. Also supporting the bill are the California Apartment Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association. In recent years, eight local governments in California have banned the practice of cat declawing, recognizing the practice is without benefit and subjects the animal to possible harm. In addition, the practice is banned as a tenancy condition in public housing nationwide. As an alternative to declawing or devocalization, landlords may include language in contracts making tenants liable for pet-related damage; require that tenants supply their cats with scratch posts, require an additional refundable security deposit or “pet deposit;” provide scratching posts to tenants with cats and select fabrics for furnished apartments that are less likely to appeal to cats. Senate Bill 1229 now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.

City Council Of Big Bear Lake And Mayor Jahn Present Proclamations

Cathy Herrick — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:00:38 +0000

Big Bear Lake, CA, May 17, 2012, 8:00am - The City Council of Big Bear Lake and Mayor Jahn presented three proclamations at Monday’s city council meeting. For his years of service and dedication to our community as commander of the California Highway Patrol, Arrowhead office, Lieutenant Rick Saunders was thanked and acknowledged. It was noted that Lieutenant Saunders was a great friend of the mountain communities because of his local knowledge and deep commitment.

The Executive Director for Southern California Association of Governments also received a proclamation from the Mayor for his accomplishments to develop the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan.

The highlight for many in the Council chambers was a proclamation given to Julia Seaman, an art instructor at Big Bear High School, for leading her students in a project that completed over 140 ceramic bears to be given to every bike racer in Friday’s Amgen Tour of California “Climb to Big Bear”.

And Ruth Lorentz Associate Planner was recognized for receiving the Best Practices Award” from the Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association for her work on the recent revised Sign Ordinance.

Nancy Jones Retires as Office Manager at the Big Bear City Airport

Cathy Herrick — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:42:21 +0000

Big Bear City, CA, May 8, 2012, 3:00pm - Nancy Jones, a friendly face at the Big Bear City Airport, is retiring as of today. Nancy has been the Office Manager at the airport since June of 1998. For most who fly in and out of the Big Bear Valley, Nancy is the first person they see. In addition to her responsibilities as Office Manager, she has taken on coordinating the Air Fair held every other year at the Big Bear City Airport. According to Pete Gwaltney, Airport Manager, due to Nancy’s diligent efforts, the Air Fairs have become bigger and better every time they are held. One of the many job duties Nancy is responsible for has been providing advisories to pilots as well as handling airport tenant agreements so, for many, Nancy has become the face of the Big Bear City Airport. A reception was held last week in her honor. On her last day as Office Manager, Nancy tells Kbear that she plans on staying in Big Bear and enjoying her retirement but will miss her co-workers and airport family terribly and will miss having daily interactions with everybody. Diane Cartwright, the Airport’s accounting clerk, will be promoted to Nancy’s position of Office Manager.

Pete Gwaltney, Diane Cartwright, Ryan Goss, Nancy Jones and Tom Hoover of the Big Bear City Airport Staff

Businesses Statewide To Start Recycling Programs

Mike Evans — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:00:04 +0000

Sacramento, CA, May 8, 2012, 1:00pm - California businesses are going greener than ever this year as they start recycling programs to help meet a state recycling goal of 75 percent by the year 2020. A state law that goes into effect July 1 requires businesses and public entities that generate 4 cubic yards or more of waste to establish a recycling program. Schools and multifamily apartments with five or more units are included under the law. AB 341, the first state law of its kind in the nation, keeps California at the forefront of environmental protection while boosting the economy. CalRecycle estimates the new requirements will result in cumulative cost savings of $40 million to $60 million per year for businesses, schools, and local jurisdictions from 2012-2020. From mom-and-pop stores to multinational corporations operating in California, businesses have saved from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars each year by diverting a portion of their waste from landfills. Schools often use recycling programs as fund-raisers. Schools and businesses will continue to have the option to sell their recyclable materials. CalRecycle is responsible for implementing the commercial recycling law. Local jurisdictions will inform businesses of the new recycling requirement, track recycling at commercial businesses, and report results to CalRecycle each year.

Find out more about Assembly Bill 341 and Mandatory Commercial Recycling at http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/Recycling/default.htm.

For answers to common business waste reduction and recycling issues as well as fact sheets and waste-conscious office management suggestions, visit CalRecycle’s Business Waste Reduction webpages
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/ReduceWaste/Business/

Public Comments Sought For Proposed Land Management Plan Amendment

Mike Evans — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:43:54 +0000

San Bernardino, CA, May 1, 2012, 8:00am - Forest Service officials are seeking public comments on a Proposed Amendment to the Land Management Plans for the four Southern California national Forests, incuding the San Bernardino Forest. The Proposed Amendment would modify the existing land use allocations in selected roadless areas to include more back country non-motorized and recommended wilderness areas. An alternate monitoring framework is also proposed. This Proposed Amendment to the Land Management Plan is part of the Settlement Agreement approved January 3, 2011, in two cases brought against the United States Department of Agriculture. The San Bernardino National Forest will host an open house to present specific information about what the Proposed Amendment means locally. Forest Service staff officers will be available to answer questions, and maps of the proposed changes will be available for viewing. The meeting for the San Bernardino National Forest is scheduled for May 31, 2012, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at San Bernardino National Forest Headquarters, 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408. The public is encouraged to get involved in the process. The comment period closes on Monday June 11, 2012.

For further information, or to send comments, contact Project Manager Bob Hawkins via e-mail:
socal_nf_lmp_amendment@fs.fed.us

Send written comments to:

Cleveland National Forest
10845 Rancho Bernardo Road
Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92127-2107

ATTN: LMP Amendment

City of Big Bear Lake Adopts Social Host Ordinance

Cathy Herrick — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:00:47 +0000

Big Bear, CA, April 27, 2012, 8:00am – Social hosting laws have been adopted recently by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors making it illegal for adults to provide a place for under-aged drinkers to congregate or what is commonly known as “partying”. The same type of ordinance is about to become law in the City of Big Bear Lake as well. On Monday evening at their regularly scheduled meeting, Big Bear Lake City Council moved forward to make hosting a party where alcohol is provided or available for non-legal drinkers a violation of the law. Previously when this issue was brought before the council, members questioned the intent of the rules. They were concerned that perhaps property owners who rent their property could be snared by default. Captain Tom Bradford expressed that this new law would be an effective tool in combating teen alcohol abuse. Bonnie Schaffer of Operation Breakthrough, a drug and alcohol abuse agency in Big Bear, echoed the same thoughts and went on to say that access to alcohol and drugs is a problem for our local youth as it is now a prevalent issue even with our Middle School aged youth. As a parent, here is what you need to know. If you or someone else provides a place for anyone under the legal drinking age to have a party where alcohol is available either anywhere in the home or brought into the home, you are in violation of the law and will be subject to fines and possible jail time. Schaffer, in a later memo, expressed her gratitude by carefully reviewing the new law and tailoring it for Big Bear’s unique situation. Michael Perry who represents a coalition of private home rental property owners expressed their view that the revision protected an owner who could not know if a property was being used as a teen party hot spot and in fact shifted the responsibility to the person who at the time of the violation was in control of the property. Bonnie made it clear that the high school graduation season is upon us and that they want Big Bear youth to have a sober grad night.

Entire Big Bear Lake City Council, Local CSD Past President Endorse Paul Cook For Congress

Mike Evans — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:57:21 +0000

Big Bear Lake, CA, April 20, 2012, 3:00pm - For his Congressional bid, Retired Colonel Paul Cook announced the endorsement of the entire Big Bear Lake City Council: Mayor Bill Jahn, Mayor Pro Tem Jay Obernolte, and Councilmembers Liz Harris, Rick Herrick, and David Caretto. Jeff Newsome, Board Member of the Big Bear City Community Services District, is also endorsing Cook for Congress. Mayor Jahn said he’s known Paul Cook “for years, and there’s no question he’s the best choice for Big Bear Lake and the mountain communities. Mayor Jahn also said Paul Cook is the author of the bill to repeal the illegal fire tax. Cook is an infantry officer who served with distinction in the US Marine Corps and he’s a veteran of the Vietnam War, Cook’s military career spanned twenty-six years. His actions in combat earned him a number of honors, including two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device. Cook retired from the US Marine Corps as a colonel.

CSD Ordinance for Rate Increase

Cathy Herrick — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:35 +0000

Big Bear City, CA April 16, 2012 – The Big Bear City Community Services District tonight is considering moving forward with several rate increases for water service, sewer service and solid waste collection. During the March 29^th board meeting it was reported that previous board policies had kept rate increases at bay resulting in dwindling reserves. Simply put CSD revenues failed to keep up with their growing expenses. This so called tipping point which began a couple of years ago resulted in an ever increasing dependence on cash reserves to keep the budget balanced. In addition an ordinance to increase water and sewer connection fees are on the agenda as well. In order to raise rates the district must follow the rules set in place by the passage of proposition 218. In other words unless a protest vote of greater than 50% is lodged the rate changes will take effect. So in a race to prepare a budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year with the increases included two separate ordinances must be introduced tonight. A public hearing on these matters is slated for May 7^th and June 18^th of this year. What this means for water customers is that rates will jump from $240.24 to $345.95 per year. Sewer charges will go from $119.29 to $162.23 and trash disposal will move from $116.58 to $160.88. Tonight’s meeting will get under way at 5:30 pm at the Community Services District office located at 139 East Big Bear Blvd. Additional information is available at the Big Bear City CSD web site.

CSD Considering Rate Increases at Meeting On Monday

Mike Evans — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:05:31 +0000

Big Bear City, CA, April 13, 2012, 3:00pm - The Board of Directors of the Big Bear City Community Services District will have a regular meeting on Monday. The board will discuss an ordinance to increase water service rates, district sewer service charges, and solid waste collection and disposal charges. In addition, the board is considering increasing water connection fees, sewer connection fees, and commercial disposal service user fees. In a separate ordinance, sewer, solid waste, and water charges would be collected on the Tax Roll. The meeting will take place at the district offices at 139 East Big Bear Boulevard in Big Bear City and begins at 5:30pm.